About the Program
Professors: Mary-Ann Pearsall (chair), Alan Rosan
Associate Professor: Juliette Lantz
Assistant Professors: Adam Cassano, Ryan Hinrichs, Robert Strelau
RISE Fellows: James Miller, Barbara Petrack
Chemistry has been defined as the science that studies matter and its transformation. Impinging on nearly every aspect of our material world, it is, by nature, the "central science," standing between physics and biology. Chemistry is so pervasive in our world that it has become fashionable to ask, "What isn't chemistry?" The study of chemistry is central to an understanding of the natural world and is the key to success in a variety of careers, not only those in the chemical sciences. Advances in biotechnology, materials science, and engineering have expanded the borders of chemistry. It has never been more important than now that chemistry be studied by all undergraduates to complete a liberal education or to begin a lifelong study.
The chemistry program is intended to satisfy a wide variety of student interests and to provide excellent preparation for graduate study as well as employment at the bachelor's level. Two courses of study certified by the American Chemical Society (ACS) are among the various options or tracks available. Students interested in biochemistry may choose the ACS option chemistry/biochemistry major as described in the biochemistry program listings.
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Requirements for the Major (57-65 Credits, depending on major option)
All students majoring in chemistry must complete the following schedule of core courses (except students with AP credit, who should consult with the department chair) and one of the options listed below.
I. Core Courses (57 Credits)
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 25, 26/Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
CHEM 27/Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 103/Physical Chemistry I (4, 4)
CHEM 106/Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 107/Advanced Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 117/Biochemistry I (4)
CHEM 120/Laboratory in Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (1)
CHEM 129/Research in Chemistry (4)
CHEM 130/Senior Seminar (1)
MATH 7, 8 (or 16)/Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II (4, 4)
PHYS 11, 12/University Physics I, II with laboratory (4,4)
II. Options
A. Basic Major Option (57 total credits)
Note: PHYS 1, 2/Introductory Physics I, II (8) may be substituted in place of PHYS 11, 12 with approval of the Chemistry Department.
B. ACS Option-Chemistry Traditional (65 total credits, 8 additional credits)
8 credits chosen from the following - at least one of which must include lab:
CHEM 103/Physical Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 116/Advanced Organic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 119/ Biochemistry II (4)
CHEM 124/Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (4)
CHEM 129/Research in Chemistry (8)
C. Teacher Certification Curriculum in Chemistry Education courses are offered through an exchange program with the College of Saint Elizabeth
Students taking this option complete the same courses and number of credits (57) as they would under the Basic Major Option, with additional courses in education.
Chemistry courses taken at Drew:
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
CHEM 25, 26/Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
CHEM 27/Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 103, 105/Physical Chemistry I, II (4, 4)
CHEM 106/Fundamentals of Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 107/Advanced Analytical Chemistry (4)
CHEM 120/Laboratory in Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (1)
CHEM 129/Research in Chemistry (4)
Other courses taken at Drew:
MATH 7, 8/Calculus and Analytic Geometry I, II (4, 4)
PHYS 11, 12/University Physics I, II with laboratory (8)
Education courses taken at St. Elizabeth:
ED 253C/Behavior Observation and the Assessment Process in Curriculum Development (3)
ED 353/Language and Learning Across the Curriculum, K-12 (3)
ED 359/Using Integrated Language to Improve Learning, K-12 (3)
ED 461/School Organization and Curriculum Design (3)
ED 465C/Senior Practicum (3)
ED 467C/Student Teaching (6)
ED 471C/Student Teaching Seminar (2)
ID 273/American Culture Studies (3)
PSY 241/Psychology of the Exceptional Child (3)
PSY 251/Educational Psychology (3)
D. Co-op Option (66 total credits, 13 additional credits)
Admission to this program requires a grade point average of at least 3.0. Application to be made in the fall semester of the sophomore year; job interviews in January of that academic year. Final admission contingent on job placement. Student spends the summer between the sophomore and junior years and the following summer and first semester of the senior year in full-time employment.
CHEM 30/Co-op Work I, taken in summer (4)
CHEM 112/Co-op Work II, taken June to December of senior year (8)
CHEM 135/Co-op Seminar, taken January of senior year (1)
E. Three-Two (3/2) Chemical Engineering Option (credits vary, depending on courses taken at engineering school)
Admission to this program requires a grade point average of at least 3.0. Interested students may need to take elective Summer Term courses. They should see the department chair soon after entering Drew to plan their schedules.
CHEM 105/Physical Chemistry II, may be taken at either Drew or the engineering school. For more information, go to our dual-degree program in Engineering and Science page.
CHEM 129/Research in Chemistry (4)
CSCI 6/Introduction to Computer Science: Functions and Simple Variables (2)
CSCI 9/Introduction to Computer Science: Compound Variables and Sequences (2)
MATH 17/Calculus and Analytic Geometry III (4)
MATH 103/Linear Algebra (4)
MATH 104/Differential Equations (4)
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Requirements for the Minor (23 credits)
I. Required Courses (8 credits)
CHEM 6 or 6A/Principles of Chemistry I (4)
CHEM 7/Principles of Chemistry II (4)
II. Electives (15 credits)
Students must complete at least 15 credits in chemistry at the intermediate and upper level, including at least one upper level laboratory, selected in consultation with the department.
Students with an interest in biochemistry and a background in biology should see the description of the Biochemistry minor.
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Advanced Placement (AP) examinations
A student receiving a score of 4 or 5 on the chemistry examination should consult with the department about the possibility of course exemption. Such determinations are made on an individual basis because of the varying content of AP chemistry courses. Approval of the department is required for credit and exemption related to any course included in the Chemistry major.
Students with scores of 4 or 5 on the AP chemistry examination can receive four credits toward the general education requirements of the College. If credit is not granted for CHEM 6 or 7, AP credits are considered the equivalent of CHEM 3/Chemistry and the Environment. See pages 15-16 for further information about AP credits.
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