This handbook is provided as a source of more detailed information about the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at Queens College and our course offerings, major and minor programs and tracks of study. Naturally, a single source can never be expected to answer all questions which might arise, so we urge you to seek out members of the department to answer any such questions. This would include specific advisors (listed below) as well as any faculty, graduate assistants, fellow students or other departmental personnel. Generally, if they cannot answer your specific question, they can direct you to the person who can. Most important, we are interested in you and your questions.
Advisors
Graduate Advisors Dr. David Baker (Chemistry) (718) 997-4219 Dr. Wilma Saffran (Biochemistry) (718) 997-4195 Concentration Advisor Dr. Wilma Saffran (718) 997-4195 Research All Full-time Faculty (Dept.) (718) 997-4100 Chairman Dr. William Hersh (718) 997-4191
Tutorial Programs:
If you make an effort, you will find that you--the student--are valued and welcome within the Department. If you invest your time and effort in the study of chemistry and/or biochemistry you will be well satisfied with the results. Whether your plans include Graduate study (Master's or Ph.D level) in these or allied fields, teaching at the primary or secondary level, Medical or Dental School, a technical career, a career in patent law, science journalism or a host of other opportunities, we are here to help you reach these goals and to provide the opportunity for you to obtain a first-rate education with a major in a highly valued (intellectually and monetarily) field of study.
Because a major in Chemistry or Biochemistry is a demanding program, we urge you to seek out an advisor within the Department as soon as possible (from the list above or a faculty member with whom you feel more comfortable) for consultation regarding your course of study and your progress within the Department.
In the following pages, you will find detailed descriptions of the requirements for:
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry of Queens College is accredited by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society as qualified to offer professional training to chemists. Such a program for the professional degree in Chemistry is presented below. All chemistry students graduating from this program are certified by the American Chemical Society.
The major includes the Chemistry lecture/laboratory courses:
Chemistry 113 Chemistry 114 General Chemistry 10 credits Chemistry 251 Chemistry 252 Organic Chemistry 10 credits Chemistry 313 Chemistry 314 Physical Chemistry 6 credits Chemistry 315 Physical Inorganic Laboratory 2 credits Chemistry 316W Physical Chemistry Laboratory 2 credits Chemistry 331 Inorganic Chemistry 3 credits Chemistry 342 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits Chemistry 371 Biochemistry I 3 credits
The major also includes one advanced Chemistry elective from the following:
Chemistry 354 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 credits Chemistry 363 Topics in Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 credits Chemistry 372 Biochemistry II 3 credits Chemistry 378 Physical Biochemistry 3 credits Chemistry 386 Physical Methods of Structure Determination 3 credits
A student must also take 3 credits of advanced Chemistry laboratory using a combinations of the following:
Chemistry 391.1-3 Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry 1 - 3 credits Chemistry 376 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 credits Chemistry 379 Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory 2 credits Chemistry 387 Advanced Integrated Laboratory and Introduction to Research Techniques 3 credits
The additional science courses below are also required:
Biology 108 General Biology: Physiology and Cell Biology 4 credits Math 151* Math 152* Calculus: Differentiation, Integration and Infinite Series 8 credits Math 231 Linear Algebra I 4 credits Physics 145 or 121** Physics 146 or 122** College Physics or General Physics 8 credits *The three semester sequence of Math 141, 142 and 143 may substitute for Math 151/152. For students interested in graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry or for any students interested in physical chemistry Math 201 (Calculus I) is also recommended.
**Physics 145/146 is strongly recommended for students planning on graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry or for any student interested in physical chemistry.
Courses required for the major constitute 70 credits of the 120 credits required for graduation.
Biochemistry Major (ACS certified) (this section updated April 2006)
Biochemistry remains one of the most rapidly developing areas in the sciences. Students interested in biochemistry are well served by the sequence of courses described below. The Biochemistry track differs from the sequence of courses required for other chemistry majors in that the second semester Physical Chemistry lecture and laboratory are specifically tailored for the Biochemistry Track students and Biology courses are required.
The major includes the Chemistry lecture/laboratory courses:
Chemistry 113 Chemistry 114 General Chemistry 10 credits Chemistry 251 Chemistry 252 Organic Chemistry 10 credits Chemistry 313 Physical Chemistry 3 credits Chemistry 315 Physical Inorganic Laboratory 2 credits Chemistry 331 Inorganic Chemistry 3 credits Chemistry 371 Chemistry 372 Biochemistry 7 credits Chemistry 376 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 credits Chemistry 378 Physical Biochemistry 3 credits Chemistry 379 Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory 2 credits
A student must also take 3 credits of advanced Chemistry laboratory using a combinations of the following:
Chemistry 391.1-3 Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry 1 - 3 credits Chemistry 342 Instrumental Analysis 4 credits Chemistry 387 Advanced Integrated Laboratory and Introduction to Research Techniques 2 credits Biology 262 Laboratory Techniques in Molecular Biology 3 credits
The additional science course below are also required:
Biology 108 General Biology: Physiology and Cell Biology 4 credits Biology 285 Principles of Genetics 4 credits Math 151* Math 152* Calculus: Differentiation, Integration and Infinite Series 8 credits Physics 121 or 145** Physics 122 or 146** General Physics or College Physics 8 credits *The three semester sequence of Math 141, 142 and 143 may substitute for Math 151/152.
**Physics 145/146 is strongly recommended for students planning on graduate school in chemistry or biochemistry or for any student interested in physical chemistry.
Course required for the major constitute a minimum of 69
credits of the 120 credits required for graduation.
A minor in Biology can be obtained by taking Biology 107 (General Biology: Life Forms, Evolution and Ecosystems) and 5 credits of advanced biology courses. The department recommends two from the following: Biology 262 (counts as the advanced Chemistry laboratory, see above), Biology 201 (Microbiology), and Biology 286 (Principles of Cell Biology).
Chemistry participates in the Honors in the Mathematical and Natural Science program at Queens College. For students interested in a Participation in Science Honors, 7 credits in the HMNS curriculum must be completed. These credits must include HMNS 101 (Science Honors Seminar), 102 (Introduction to Science Honors Research and Seminar) and at least 3 credits of 291 (Intermediate Science Honors Research). For students interested in a Concentration in Science Honors, 12 credits in the HMNS curriculum must be completed. These credits must include: HMNS 101, 102, at least three credits of 291, at least three credits of 391 (Advanced Science Honors Research) and 398 (Senior Science Honors Seminar). HMNS 391 can be substituted for Chemistry 391 in the advanced chemistry laboratory requirement.
The Chemistry Minor consists of:
Chemistry 113 & 114: General Chemistry
Chemistry 251 & 252: Organic ChemistryChemistry 313: Physical Chemistry I [Prerequisites: Physics 145, 146 (or 122, 123) and Mathematics 151, 152 (or 141, 142 and 143)]
or
Chemistry 371: Biochemistry I [Prerequisites: Chemistry 252 and Biology 108]
and
One laboratory course chosen from amongChemistry 291: Introduction to Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chemistry 314: Physical Inorganic Laboratory
Chemistry 376: Biochemistry Laboratory
Chemistry 391: Research in Chemistry and Biochemistry or the equivalent HMNS research course.
Note: Students must have a grade of C- or higher in all prerequisite courses and a C average in courses in the Chemistry minor concentration.
Last Modified April 2006.