Chemistry Department

Major – Chemistry or ACS Certified Chemistry
Minor – Chemistry

For Course Offerings and Program Requirements see The Hiram College Catalog.

   1. Which courses are for first year students who wish to explore new areas of interest, but have no clear intent to major in this area?

      Students with no background in Chemistry may test their interest by taking Chemistry 115. This course also provides a science GR course for the student who has no intention of continuing in Chemistry. Students with a background in chemistry and with good math skills may explore their interest by taking Chemistry 120 and 121. (See the article on the relationship between math ability and success in Chemistry included in the appendix. Recent experience at Hiram College is consistent with the article’s conclusion. In our case the relevant mathematics course would be 197.)
   2. What is the desirable course work a prospective major/minor should complete by the end of their first year and the end of their second year?

      Majors: Students who indicate an interest in even the possibility of pursuing a Chemistry Major should try to finish Chemistry 120/121 and Math 198/199, if they are able, during the first year. During their second year, students should take Chemistry 220/320 and ideally Physics 213/214. Students are also encouraged to consider taking Chemistry 240 or 230 as available, during the second year.

      Minors: General Chemistry (Chemistry 120 and 121) and Organic Chemistry (Chemistry 220) by the end of the second year.
   3. What is the minimum a prospective major/minor must do by the end of their first and second year?

      Majors: Preferably General Chemistry by the end of first year and Organic Chemistry and calculus by the end of their second year. (Note: It is possible to do a Chem major without all of these but it will be a heavy third and fourth year.)

      Minors: General Chemistry (Chemistry 120 and 121) by the end of the second year.
   4. How important is it for a student with some interest in majoring in your area to make contact with a member of your department?

      Students interested in Chemistry definitely should contact a chemistry faculty member during their first year.
   5. What are the major pitfalls a student should avoid during their first year and how can an advisor help the student to avoid them?

      Not taking General Chemistry during the first year to work on graduation requirements.

      Ignoring the recommended course placement based AP test scores, high school background and preparation in mathematics.

Advising Flow Chart

   1. If s/he is possibly planning pre-Med., pre-Vet, a Chemistry or Biology major then GO TO II.
   2. Has s/he taken the AP Chemistry Examination? YES and scored a “5”- Should have received GenChem AP credit. YES and received a “4”- Can enroll directly into Chemistry 121 but with no credit for Chem 120. NO – Consider the following: If s/he received a good grade in high school chemistry, likely precalculus placement and has a math SAT in the high 500s or over 600 or math ACT in the high 20’s then Chem 120 enrollment should be considered. (Again, students can look over the Chem 115 and Chem 120 textbooks in the bookstore to help them decide.) NO – If s/he received average grades in high school chemistry and has modest math scores then Chem 115 should be considered. A lot depends on student motivation here. The student should also consider the extent and quality of their high school chemistry lab experience.