Professors: Sally Chapman
Associate Professors: Christian Rojas (Chair), Dina Merrer
Assistant Professors: John Magyar, Marisa Buzzeo, Kristina Harris (Term)
Senior Lecturer: Alison Williams
Directors of General Chemistry Laboratories: Olympia Jebejian, Jacob Alexander
Director of Organic Chemistry Laboratories: Meenakshi Rao
Associates: Craig Allen, Mandy Bennett, Suzanne Charnick, Toby Holtz, Grace Lee, Su Qing Liu, Jean Vadakkan
For a complete list of
faculty on leave see:
http://www.barnard.edu/provost/facleavelist.html
Chemistry is the study of the nature of substances and their transformations. In a three-year sequence of core courses, a chemistry or biochemistry major gains familiarity with the basic areas of the field: inorganic, organic, physical, analytical, and biological chemistry. In addition, she acquires sufficient skill in laboratory work that she is prepared for research.
The laboratories of the department are modern and well-equipped for both coursework and independent projects. Students may undertake research projects under the guidance of members of the department during the academic year or the summer. Opportunities are also available for research with Columbia faculty as well as staff members of the many medical schools and research institutions in New York City.
AP credit: Students with scores of 4 or 5 on the Chemistry Advanced Placement Test receive credit for Fundamentals of Chemistry, BC 1002 (3 points). They may enroll in BC 2001x. No AP credit is given for lab.
Pre-medical program: Non-majors wishing to fulfill the minimum two-year chemistry requirements for medical school should take General Chemistry I, CHEM BC 2001x; Organic Chemistry I and II with laboratory, CHEM BC 3328y, 3230y, and 3231x; and Intermediate General Chemistry, CHEM BC 3232y. The laboratory courses CHEM BC 3333x (Modern Techniques of Organic Chemistry) and CHEM BC 3338y (Quantitative and Instrumental Techniques) are recommended.
Introductory course selection: Based on their preparation and background in chemistry, most students begin their study with CHEM BC 2001x (General Chemistry), an integrated lecture and laboratory course. For a limited number of students with a weaker background in chemistry who want to complete further courses in chemistry, the department offers the preparatory lecture course CHEM BC 1002y (Fundamentals of Chemistry). Consult the department regarding this choice.
Two majors are offered by the department: chemistry and biochemistry.
A student interested in chemistry or biochemistry should consult any member of the department during her first year. In the first year she should take Chemistry BC 2001, BC 3328, and BC 3230 and start or continue the study of calculus. It is then possible for her to fulfill the basic requirements for the major in three years and to take advanced courses in the senior year. After completing the undergraduate curriculum, students are encouraged to undertake research projects and to take graduate courses at Columbia.
Qualified seniors are invited to participate in the senior honors program in which they carry out a year-long research project leading to a thesis.
Research experience is strongly recommended. Interested students should consult with individual faculty members about the research problems currently being investigated.
Chemistry
Courses required for the chemistry major are:
CHEM BC 2001 |
General Chemistry I |
CHEM BC 3328, 3230 |
Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory |
CHEM BC 3231 |
Organic Chemistry II |
CHEM BC 3335 |
Modern Techniques of Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
CHEM BC 3340 |
Quantitative and Instrumental Techniques Laboratory |
CHEM BC 3252 |
Thermodynamics and Kinetics |
CHEM BC 3253 |
Quantum Chemistry |
CHEM BC 3271 |
Inorganic Chemistry |
CHEM BC 3365, 3368 |
Integrated Chemistry Laboratory |
MATHEMATICS |
Calculus I and II in any sequence (I and III also accepted) |
PHYS BC 2001, 2002 |
Calculus-based Physics with Laboratory |
Elective: one of
CHEM BC 3254 |
Advanced Physical Chemistry |
or CHEM BC 3282 |
Biological Chemistry |
or CHEM BC 3280 |
Advanced Organic Chemistry |
or CHEM G 4103 |
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry |
Senior requirement: Senior Honors Thesis (CHEM BC 3901x-3902y, by invitation of the department) or Guided Research at Barnard (CHEM BC 3597 or CHEM BC 3599) or elsewhere (CHEM BC 3598) or Senior Colloquium (CHEM BC 3590y, or CHEM C3920x,y).
Recommended: Calculus III.
A list of major requirements, several possible course sequences, and information about the senior requirement can be obtained from any member of the department.
Biochemistry
Courses required for the biochemistry major are:
CHEM BC 2001 |
General Chemistry I |
CHEM BC 3328, 3230 |
Organic Chemistry I with Laboratory |
CHEM BC 3231 |
Organic Chemistry II |
CHEM BC 3333 |
Modern Techniques of Organic Chemistry Laboratory |
CHEM BC 3338 |
Quantitative and Instrumental Techniques Laboratory |
CHEM BC 3252 |
Thermodynamics and Kinetics |
CHEM BC 3253 |
Quantum Chemistry |
MATHEMATICS |
Calculus I and II in any sequence (I and III also accepted) |
PHYS BC 2001, 2002 |
Calculus-based Physics with Laboratory |
BIOL BC 1500, 1502 |
General Biology with at least one semester of Laboratory (BIOl BC 1501 or 1503) |
CHEM BC 3282 |
Biological Chemistry |
BIOL BC 2100 |
Molecular and Mendelian Genetics |
CHEM BC 3355 |
Biochemistry Laboratory Techniques (5 credits) |
or CHEM BC 3357 |
Biochemistry Laboratory Techniques (3 credits) |
and BIOL BC 3303 |
Laboratory in Molecular Biology |
An elective course from a list of approved Biology and Chemistry courses.
Senior requirement: Senior Honors Thesis (CHEM BC 3901x-3902y, by invitation of the department) or Guided Research at Barnard (CHEM BC 3597 or CHEM BC 3599) or elsewhere (CHEM BC 3598) or Senior Colloquium (CHEM BC 3590y or CHEM C3920x,y).
A list of major requirements, including possible elective courses, and information about the senior requirement may be obtained from any member of the department.
Courses required for the Chemistry minor are: CHEM BC 2001, BC 3328, BC 3230, BC 3231, BC 3333, BC 3338, and one of BC 3232, BC 3252, BC 3271, or BC 3282. There is no minor in Biochemistry.