Choosing First-Year Courses

Chemistry Placement Survey 2023

 

For students beginning their Chemistry studies in Fall 2023 or later

Most students will begin their study in the department in Chemistry 101 (Concepts of Chemistry), which may be taken in the fall or the spring semester. For students with little or no high school chemistry, we offer Chemistry 100 (Chemistry Matters) in the fall semester as preparation for Chemistry 101 in the spring semester. All students interested in taking Chemistry 100 or Chemistry 101 must complete a brief departmental survey to assist in determining the best first semester placement. After Chemistry 101, students will take Chemistry 200 (Advanced Concepts in Chemistry) and Chemistry 201 (Introduction to Organic Chemistry), in either order. After completing these courses, students can move into elective courses.

Completion of a Chemistry major requires nine semester chemistry courses beginning with Chemistry 101. Chemistry 100 can count as one of these courses. Alternatively, two approved courses from adjacent sciences (those with significant chemical and/or quantitative content) from Biology, Computer Science, Geosciences, Mathematics, Physics, or Statistics can count towards one of their required Chemistry credits. Only one course designated as pass/fail may be counted towards the major. Chemistry 242 (Intermediate Organic Chemistry) is required for the major, as is at least one course selected from Chemistry 361, 363, 364, 366, or 367. Starting at the 300 level, at least three of the courses taken must have a laboratory component. The specific courses selected, will depend on each student’s future plans and interests, and can be determined in consultation with the chair or major advisor.  In addition, the department has a number of “Independent Research Courses” which, while they do not count toward completion of the major, provide a unique opportunity to pursue an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member.

Required Foundational Courses

  • 101 Concepts of Chemistry
  • 200 Advanced Chemical Concepts
  • 201 Organic Chemistry: Introductory Level
  • 242 Organic Chemistry: Intermediate Level (required for the major)

See Chemistry Department website http://chemistry.williams.edu/ for additional information.

Contacts:
Professor Katie Hart ([email protected]) – CHEM 100
Professor Bob Rawle ([email protected]) – CHEM 101