Programs of Study

Programs Offered

Major in Chemistry (B.A.)
Major in Biochemistry (B.A.)
Minor in Chemistry
Minor in Physics

Chemistry Major, B.A.

Requirements for the Major
CHEM 101, 102 General Chemistry I, II
CHEM 209, 210 Organic Chemistry I, II
CHEM 215 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 270 Chemical Literature
CHEM 301 Biological Chemistry I
CHEM 324 Instrumental Methods of Analysis
CHEM 405 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 431, 432 Physical Chemistry I, II
CHEM 433, 434 Physical Chemistry Lab I, II
CHEM 470 Seminar
MATH 201, 202 Calculus I, II
PHYS 101, 102 General Physics or
PHYS 203, 204 Introductory Physics I, II

Four-Year Plan

Year One, Fall	Year One, Spring
CHEM 101	CHEM 102
MATH 201, if placed	MATH 202, if placed
Year Two, Fall	Year Two, Spring
CHEM 209	CHEM 210
PHYS 101 or PHYS 203	PHYS 102 or PHYS 204
CHEM 215	CHEM 270
Year Three, Fall	Year Three, Spring
CHEM 301	CHEM 324, if offered
CHEM 405, if offered
Year Four, Fall	Year Four, Spring
CHEM 431	CHEM 432
CHEM 433	CHEM 434
CHEM 405, if still needed	CHEM 324, if still needed
	CHEM 470

Biochemistry Major (B.A.)

Requirements for the Major
CHEM 101, 102 General Chemistry I, II
CHEM 209, 210 Organic Chemistry I, II
CHEM 215 Quantitative Analysis
CHEM 270 Chemical Literature
CHEM 301, 402 Biological Chemistry I, II
CHEM 403 Biological Chemistry Laboratory Techniques
CHEM 431 Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 433 Physical Chemistry Lab I
CHEM 470 Seminar
BIOL 110-129 Biological Inquiry
BIOL 203 Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
BIOL 331 Microbiology
BIOL 339 Cell Biology
MATH 201, 202 Calculus I, II
PHYS 101, 102 General Physics or
PHYS 203, 204 Introductory Physics I, II

Four-Year Plan

Year One, Fall	Year One, Spring
CHEM 101	CHEM 102
MATH 201, if placed	MATH 202, if placed
BIOL 110-120	BIOL 203
Year Two, Fall	Year Two, Spring
CHEM 209	CHEM 210
PHYS 101 or PHYS 203	PHYS 102 or PHYS 204
CHEM 215	CHEM 270
Year Three, Fall	Year Three, Spring
CHEM 301	CHEM 402
BIOL 339	CHEM 403
	BIOL 331
Year Four, Fall	Year Four, Spring
CHEM 431	CHEM 470
CHEM 433

Pre-Pharm, Pre-Medical and Pre-Vet Studies

The chemistry and biochemistry majors provide students pursuing a career in medicine, dentistry, veterinary medicine, pharmacology, nursing or an allied health field with excellent preparation for professional study. In order to prepare for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) or the Dental Admission Test (DAT), students should complete the following courses by the end of their junior year:

In addition, some schools will recommend or require additional courses, which most frequently include anatomy and physiology, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, a year of English, some calculus and philosophy or ethics.The Health Professions Advisory Committee works closely with the Catherine Filene Shouse Career Center to assist students in the medical school application process.

Environmental Chemistry Studies

For students interested in environmental issues, Hood offers a concentration in Environmental Chemistry in association with the Department of Biology. Students declare a major in Environmental Science and Policy–Chemistry Track, and undertake substantial coursework in chemistry providing a technical enhancement to the broad interdisciplinary preparation inherent in the program. In addition to the general requirements of the major, students interested in environmental chemistry take:

The following courses, which provide stronger preparation in math and theory for those interested in post-baccalaureate study, are highly recommended:

Forensics Studies

For students interested in forensic sciences, the chemistry major provides excellent preparation for a variety of career paths. Chemistry classes offer a thorough grounding in the analytical techniques laboratory forensic chemists utilize on a daily basis. Our explicit pedagogical focus on the scientific method helps students develop the deductive reasoning skills necessary for a successful forensics career. In addition to the courses required for the major, and depending upon students' specific areas of interest, students can consider taking:

ANTH 201 Introduction to Anthropology
BIOL 203 Introduction to Cell Biology and Genetics
CAEN 306 Writing for Business and Management
CHEM 498 Current Topics in Chemistry: Forensics
CMA 207 Principles of Speech Communication
LWPS 230 Introduction to Law
PSY 101 Introduction to Psychology
SOC 330 Sociology of Law

Chemistry Secondary Education Certification

Majors in chemistry also may wish to obtain certification to teach chemistry at the secondary level. Students in this secondary education program receive certification to teach in Maryland upon graduation, as well as reciprocity for teaching in certain other states. Students must complete the requirements for the chemistry major plus a BIOL 110-129 course and BIOL 202. In addition, they must meet the requirements specified by the Department of Education. Completing the teacher education requirements may require time beyond the four years of a B.A. program.

Chemistry Minor

The minor in Chemistry provides a broad introduction to the field by combining a core of chemistry courses with additional study in electives of the student's choice. A total of 24 credits in chemistry are required.

Students are required to take the following courses (each 4 credits):

In addition, students must select two or more of the following courses for a total of at least 8 credits:

CHEM 215 Quantitative Analysis- 4 credits
CHEM 301 Biochemistry I - 4 credits
CHEM 324 Instrumental Methods of Analysis - 4 credits
CHEM 402 Biochemistry II & CHEM 403 Biochemical Laboratory Techniques - 4 credits
CHEM 405 Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits
CHEM 431 and CHEM 433 Physical Chemistry I - 4 credits

Physics Minor

The minor in physics offers a coherent introduction to the topics of physics. Selection of the physics minor will benefit:

Students curently majoring in one of the science fields who want to obtain more complete understanding of the physical universe;
Students in mathematics who might wish to examine (in a more applied way) the concepts of their discipline; and
Students considering a dual degree program in engineering offered by Hood College and The George Washington University.

Many engineering and physics graduate schools give favorable consideration to applications from students who minor in physics and major in a related discipline such as mathematics.

Requirements for the Minor

*PHYS 101 and PHYS 102 could be substituted, although PHYS 203 and PHYS 204 are recommended. Permission of the coordinator is required for this substitution.

Students are also required to take a second group of courses, which provide a more detailed look at the topics of physics:

Academics.

Programs of Study

Programs Offered

Chemistry Major, B.A.

Four-Year Plan

Biochemistry Major (B.A.)

Four-Year Plan

Pre-Pharm, Pre-Medical and Pre-Vet Studies

Environmental Chemistry Studies

Forensics Studies

Chemistry Secondary Education Certification

Chemistry Minor

Physics Minor

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