Department Information

Chair:
Gregory Phelan

Van Hoesen Hall, Room 219-2

Phone: 607-753-4323
Fax: 607-753-5928
Email:
chemistry.department@
cortland.edu

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Chemistry Department
Program Details

Program Details

Chemistry [CHM] (Major)

The chemistry major provides a solid foundation in chemistry, physics and mathematics. Students in this major can pursue many career pathways including employment, government positions or electing to continue their studies in a wide variety of graduate programs.

Career Potential

Industrial Chemist
Health professions
Research scientist
Consultant
Patent Attorney
State and Federal Agency scientist and policy maker

A. Required Courses: 45 credit hours

In addition to the course requirements listed below, students must take five additional credit hours in chemistry at the 300 level or above, excluding CHE 305 and CHE 306.

Students who fulfill this requirement in part by taking 2 cr. hrs. of CHE 480 - Independent Research, fulfill the requirements for the American Chemical Society approved major in Chemistry.

CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 302 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 304 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 310 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 340 - Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 361 - Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 431 - Physical Chemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 432 - Physical Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 451 - Introductory Biochemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 461 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 477 - Advanced Laboratory I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 478 - Advanced Laboratory II (3 cr. hr.)

B. Related Courses: 17-20 credit hours

MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.) and
MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.)
or
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.) and
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)

Plus

One additional math course at the 200 level or higher, selected in consultation with advisor. Appropriate courses would include MAT 224, MAT 237, MAT 272 and MAT 430.

Plus

PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

C. Other Degree Requirements

59-62 credit hours of General Education requirements and free electives

Total Credit Hours Required for Graduation: 124
Example of the bachelor's degree in Chemistry over four years
First Year
Fall Total credit hours: 15-17

GE course
CHE 221 - General Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 224 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)

MAT 121 - Calculus A (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 135 - Calculus I (4 cr. hr.)

COR 101 - The Cortland Experience: A First Year Seminar (1 cr. hr.)

CPN 100 - Writing Studies I (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 102 - Writing Studies in the Community I (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15-17

CHE 222 - General Chemistry II (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 225 - Problem-Solving in General Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)

MAT 122 - Calculus B (3 cr. hr.) or
MAT 236 - Calculus II (4 cr. hr.)

PHY 201 - Principles of Physics I (4 cr. hr.)

CPN 101 - Writing Studies II (3 cr. hr.) or
CPN 103 - Writing Studies in the Community II (4 cr. hr.)

Second Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16

One GE course
CHE 301 - Organic Chemistry I (4 cr. hr.)
CHE 305 - Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry I (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 340 - Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 361 - Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
PHY 202 - Principles of Physics II (4 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

2 GE courses
CHE 302 - Organic Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 304 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 306 - Problem-Solving in Organic Chemistry II (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 310 - Foundations of Analytical Chemistry (4 cr. hr.)

Third Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16

Three GE courses; or CHE elective or MAT elective
CHE 431 - Physical Chemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 461 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry and Biochemistry (1 cr. hr.)
CHE 477 - Advanced Laboratory I (3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 15

Three GE courses; or CHE elective or MAT elective
Foreign Language
CHE 432 - Physical Chemistry II (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 478 - Advanced Laboratory II (3 cr. hr.)

Fourth Year
Fall Total credit hours: 16

CHE elective
Elective courses
CHE 451 - Introductory Biochemistry I (3 cr. hr.)
CHE 480 - Independent Research (1-3 cr. hr.)

Spring Total credit hours: 16

CHE elective
Elective courses
CHE 480 - Independent Research (1-3 cr. hr.)

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