Chemistry Department - Division of Science

The B.S. program is available for students planning to go into advanced study, government service, the health professions, and secondary school education. There are a number of pathways by which students may specialize in chemistry. The Standard Chemistry curriculum is the program of choice for those who have not yet decided upon their specific career goals and who wish to maximize their opportunities. The Biochemistry Option is more specialized and is often chosen by premedical students and students interested in doing life science research. The Environmental Option is for students wishing to pursue an industrial or graduate career in the environmental sciences. Students taking this option are trained to identify the effects of chemical species on the environment, to trace the sources, reactions and fates of such species and to devise chemical methods for treating environmental problems and bringing them under control. The Secondary Education Option is for students who plan to become secondary school teachers upon graduation. Each of the pathways is flexible and detailed curricula may be obtained by phoning or visiting the Department Office.

There is no "premed major" as such at City College. Premedical students major in biochemistry, biology, or some other discipline while completing the requirements for admission into medical school. The Department cooperates closely with the Program in Premedical Studies (PPS), a program of the Division of Science. This program features a curriculum which integrates a variety of learning experiences specifically preparing participants to meet the requirements of medical, dental and veterinary schools, and also the requirements for admission into physician's assistant and physical therapy advanced degree programs.

For a complete list of courses click here and for a detailed description click here. The following science and mathematics courses are required for all chemistry majors:

Chemistry	10301, 10401	General Chemistry Lecture/Laboratory I and II *
* or Chemistry	10300, 10400	General Chemistry I and II
* and Chemistry	10800	Basic Laboratory Techniques
Chemistry	24300	Quantitative Analysis
Chemistry	26100, 26300	Organic Chemistry I and II
Chemistry	27200	Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Chemistry	33000	Physical Chemistry I
Mathematics	20100, 20200, 20300	Analytic Geometry and Calculus I, II, and III
Physics	20700,20800	General Physics I and II
EAS	10600	Earth Systems Science
Biology	10100	Biological Foundations I
Science	20000	Measurements, Modeling, and Computing

+ 9 Liberal Arts courses (see Core Curriculum for the B.S. degree).

Standard Chemistry Option (back to top)

The program ot choice for those who have not yet decided upon specific career goals and who wish to maximize their opportunities. This option allows you to apply to graduate or professional schools, to enter industry immediately upon graduation, or to continue in a secondary education program that will prepare you for a teaching career in the secondary schools. The following additional courses are required:


Chemistry 	32500 	Inorganic Chemistry 
Chemistry 	33100 	Physical Chemistry Laboratory I 
Chemistry 	33200 	Physical Chemistry II 
Chemistry 	37400 	Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
Chemistry 	43400 	Physical Chemistry and Chem Instrumentaion Laboratory II
Chemistry 	45900 	Biochemistry I

Recommended Program of Courses (PDF)

Biochemistry Option (back to top)

This option is more specialized than the Standard Chemistry Option. It is often chosen by premedical students and students interested in doing life science research. The following courses are needed in addition to those required of all chemistry majors:


Chemistry 	33500   	Physical Biochemistry 
Chemistry 	37400   	Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 
Chemistry 	45900,48005	Biochemistry I and II
Biology		10200		Biological Foundations II
Biology		20900		Cell and Molecular Biology

Environmental Option (back to top)

Details for this option are available in the Chemistry Department Office (J-1324).

Secondary Education Option (back to top)

This option is for students who plan to become secondary school teachers upon graduation. An emphasis is placed on encouraging students to combine a degree in chemistry with a professional education sequence leading to certification in teaching Grades 7-12. The following courses are needed in addition to those required of all chemistry majors:


Chemistry 	33100 	Physical Chemistry Laboratory I 
Chemistry 	33200 	Physical Chemistry II 
Chemistry 	43400 	Physical Chemistry and Chemical Instrumentation Lab II

Pedagogical requirements are listed in the Department of Education section in the CCNY Bulletin.

Additional Courses

(back to top)

In addition to the courses listed above, there are additional undergraduate and graduate electives available to students in any option. Please consult an Advisor or come to the Chemistry Office (J 1024) for a list of these electives.

Seminars

(back to top)

There are two weekly departmental seminars, one in chemistry and one in biochemistry. All advanced undergraduate students graduate students, and faculty members are encouraged to attend at least one of these seminars. There are also weekly seminars by doctoral students.