Updated8/17/17

Oberlin College Department of

Chemistry and Biochemistry

M a j o r ’ s H a n d b o o k

August2017

ImportantResourcesfortheChemistryorBiochemistryMajor

DepartmentofChemistryandBiochemistry

DepartmentOffice ScienceCenter,A263

DepartmentalAssistant x58300 chemistry@oberlin.edu

Thebulletinboardoutsideoftheofficeholdstimelyinformationformajors.

DepartmentChair’sOffice ScienceCenter,A264

RebeccaWhelan,Chair x58941 rwhelan@oberlin.edu

PrintedMaterials

AnnualReportoftheDepartmentofChemistry&Biochemistry YoumayobtainacopyfromtheDepartmentOffice.

Major’sHandbook YoumayobtainacopyfromtheDept.OfficeorfinditonlineattheDepartmentwebsite.

OnlineMaterials

Departmentwebsite new.oberlin.edu/arts-and-sciences/departments/chemistry

OberlinCollegecatalog catalog.oberlin.edu

OberlinCareerCenter new.oberlin.edu/office/career-center/

AmericanChemicalSocietywebsite acs.org

Inparticular,takealookattheresourcesundertheEducationtab.

DirectoryofGraduateResearch dgr.rints.com

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Introduction

TheMajor’s Handbook for chemistry and biochemistry is primarily intended for prospectivemajors andnewmajors, but alsomaybehelpful to those further along in theprogram.Thishandbookservesasaguidetocourseselection,researchopportunities,andinvolvementinthelifeofthedepartmentandistobeusedinconjunctionwiththeOberlinCollegecoursecataloganddepartmentwebsite.Ofcourse,morespecificadvicewillcomefromyouracademicadvisorin thedepartment.Brief biographiesof thedepartment faculty and staff are included in thishandbook.

WhatisachemistryorbiochemistrymajoratOberlin?Themajorinchemistryorbiochemistryisarigorousintroductiontotheprinciplesandpracticesinthechemical/biochemicalsciences.Theprogram has been approved by the American Chemical Society, the chemist’s professionalorganization.Themajorpreparesonewellforfutureemploymentinmanyarenas,includingthechemical industry or academic/government laboratories, and for post-graduate education,includingPh.D.andM.D.programs.About20–25studentsgraduatefromOberlinwiththemajoreachyear.

What does one do with a B.A. in chemistry or biochemistry from Oberlin? The departmentannually publishes a report, aptly titledAnnual Report of the Department of Chemistry andBiochemistry,thatyoumayobtainatthedepartmentoffice.Thereportdescribesamongotherthingstheplansofthemostrecentlygraduatedclassofmajorsandthecareersofthosewhograduatedearlier.Asummaryofonerecentcohortprovidesarepresentativesnapshotofwhatourmajorsdo.Atgraduation,40%plannedtotakejobsforatleastayearortwo,40%weresettoentergraduateschool,and20%plannedmedicalstudies.Fifteenyearslater,thosesame23grads had 10 Ph.D. degrees, 6M.D. degrees, and 5 other post-graduate degrees. Theywereemployedinindustry(35%,manyininformationtechnology),asphysicians(20%),asprofessors(20%),aslawyers(10%),andasmusicians(10%).Mostofouralumniearnapost-baccalaureatedegree,andallaregainfullyemployedinawidevarietyoffields.

Howdoesonebecomeachemistryorbiochemistrymajor?TojointheOberlinchemistryfamily,speakwiththechairofthedepartmentoranotherfacultymember.HeorshewilldirectyoutotheproperformsfromtheRegistrar’sOffice.Onceyousubmittheforms,youwillbeassignedtoan advisor in the department and begin your journey toward the B.A. in chemistry orbiochemistry.

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CurriculumThedepartmentoffers twomajors, chemistry andbiochemistry.Aminor in chemistry is alsooffered.TheOberlinCollegeCourseCatalogcontainscoursedescriptionsandadiscussionofthecurriculumnecessaryfortheB.A.degreeandcareersinchemistryandbiochemistry.Departmentadvisorsandpre-medadvisorswillhavemorespecificadvice.Thefollowingrecommendationssupplementthosecomments.

ChemistryMajor

IntroductoryChem. 101Structure&Reactivity 102PrinciplesofChemistryCoreCourses 205OrganicChemistry 211AnalyticalChemistry 213InorganicChemistry 339QuantumChem.&KineticsAdvancedCourses CategoryI 254BioorganicChemistry 325OrganicMechanism&Synth. 327SynthesisLaboratory 405TopicsinOrganicChemistryCategoryII 323MaterialsChemistry 341TraceAnalysis 361BioanalyticalChemistry 349Chem.&Stat.Thermodynamics TheminimummajorinchemistryrequiresIntroductoryChemistry(CHEM103mayreplace101,102), the fourCoreCourses,and2.5courses in theAdvancedcategory, includingat least0.5coursefromeachofthetwoCategoriesandoneadvancedlaboratorycourse(markedinitalicsintheabovetable).Offeringsforhalf-coursecreditareCHEM323,361,andall400-levelcourses.ThemajoralsorequiresMathematics134andPhysics110,111(orPhysics103,104).BiochemistryMajor

IntroductoryChem. 101Structure&Reactivity 102PrinciplesofChemistryCoreCourses 205OrganicChemistry 211AnalyticalChemistry 213InorganicChemistry 339QuantumChem.&KineticsOR349ThermodynamicsBiochemistryCourses 254BioorganicChemistry 374BiochemistryAdvancedCourses 407TopicsinBiochemistry Theminimummajor inbiochemistryrequires IntroductoryChemistry(CHEM103mayreplace101,102), the fourCoreCourses,andthetwoBiochemistryCourses.ThemajoralsorequiresBiology213,Mathematics134,andPhysics110,111(or103,104).

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Starting chemistry /AdvancedPlacement.Most students begin their studyof chemistrywithChemistry101,102.StudentswithstrongpreparationshouldconsiderstartingwithCHEM103,aone-semester,faster-pacedintroductiontochemistry.Enteringstudentswhohavescored4or5ontheChemistryAdvancedPlacement(AP)examinationoftheEducationalTestingServiceorscored6or7ontheHigherLevelInternationalBaccalaureate(IB)Chemistryexamcanreceivetransfer credit equivalent to CHEM 101 (one full course) and begin college chemistry withChemistry 102 or 103. Note that calculus is a co-requisite for Chemistry 103. StudentsmustrelinquishAPorIBcreditifthecorrespondingcourseworkisrepeatedatOberlin.ThosewithA-levelsscoresofA*,A,orBcanalsobegincollegechemistrywithCHEM103. Studentswithexceptionalhighschoolpreparation inmathematicsandchemistry,andeitheranAPscoreof4or5oranIBhigher-levelchemistryexamscoreof6or7maypetitionthedepartment chair to enroll in CHEM 205, Organic Chemistry. Upon successful completion ofCHEM205,thestudentwouldalsoreceivecreditforCHEM103insteadofCHEM101.Latercourses.Completingasmanycorecoursesaspossiblebytheendofjunioryearwillpermityouawiderandmoreinformedchoiceofadvancedcoursesandbetterprepareyouforresearchopportunities.BecauseanalyticalchemistryCHEM211helpsstudentsdevelopskillinaccuratelaboratorymeasurements, thereareadvantages to taking itearly.To takephysical chemistryCHEM339asajunior,youmustcompleteMathematics134nolaterthanthefallsemesterofjunioryearandPhysics111(or104)nolaterthanthespringsemesterofjunioryear,concurrentwithCHEM339.BiochemistryCHEM374is intendedforbiochemistrymajors,usuallytakeninthe fall of senior year, and builds upon fundamentals from BIOL 213 and CHEM 254, bothprerequisitecourses.Thesepre-reqscanbetakeninanyorderorconcurrently.Theminimummajorwillpreparestudentsforemploymentandgraduatestudy.However,thebest preparation for competitive graduate and professional programs involves additionaladvanced courses and laboratory work, related courses in other departments, and researchexperience.Inparticularforchemistrymajors,asecondcourseinorganicchemistry(CHEM254or325)isessential,andthermodynamics(CHEM349)isrecommended.Alsotakeadvantageofopportunities to learn to search, access, and assess the chemical literature.Majors planninggraduatestudiesinbiochemistryormolecularbiologyshouldconsidertakingupperlevelbiologycourses.Chemistryandbiochemistrymajorsarealsoencouragedtotakeadditionalcoursesincomputerscienceandmodeling,mathematics,andstatistics.Thespecificcourseschosenwilldependinpartontheintendedareaofspecialization.Consultearlywithyourmajoradvisorasyouplanyourchoiceofelectives.Biochemistrymajorssimultaneouslycompletenearlyallthenaturalsciencecourseworktypicallyrequiredbymedicalschools.Chemistrymajorsplanningcareersinmedicineordentistryshouldcompleteeighthoursofbiologywithlaboratory.OthercoursesshouldbeplannedinconsultationwiththeHealthProfessionsOfficeinTheCareerCenterandyourpre-medicaladvisor.SometypicalcourseschedulesthatdemonstratehowthemajorcurriculumcanbecompletedinfouryearsaregiveninAppendixI.

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ResearchExperienceAdvancedlaboratoryexperienceishighlyadvisable,whetherinadvancedlaboratorycoursesorin the research laboratory. Everymajor is encouraged to participate in research, particularlythoseintendinganadvanceddegree.ThePh.D.inthechemicalsciencesisaresearch-intensivedegree,sostudentsconsideringPh.D.programsshouldhaveexperiencewithandaninclinationtowardslaboratoryresearch.ResearchexperienceatOberlinmaybegainedthroughaWinterTermproject,throughsummerresearch,orduringtheacademicyear(CHEM525,526),ineachinstanceworkingcloselywithafacultymentor.Theresearchinterestsofthedepartmentfacultyare described in brief in the Faculty section of this handbook. Look for advertising from thedepartmentoffice regarding researchopportunities at the startof theacademic year, in lateOctober(forWinterTerm)andinlateFebruary(forsummer).Sincethenumberofstudentswhocan be accommodated onmost projects is limited, students are encouraged to consultwithfacultymembersasearlyaspossible.Detailsontheseopportunitiesforresearchexperiencearegivenbelow.During the Academic Year Honors students and research students are active in facultylaboratories. The principal elements of theHonors Program are a year-long research project(Chem525and526foratleast1.5coursecreditandWinterTerm),aformalwrittenthesis,anoralexaminationadministeredbyachemist/biochemistfromanotherinstitution,andtwopublicpresentations–oneafterWinterTermandoneattheendofthespringsemester.Theprocessinmatchingstudenttofacultyresearchmentorbeginsinthestudent’sjunioryear.ExploratoryconversationswithfacultymembersandcurrentHonorsstudentsshouldoccurinthefall.Inthespringsemester,studentsreceivewrittendescriptionsofthefacultyresearchprojectsand a detailed description of the Honors program. High-achieving students must apply foracceptance into the Honors program. Applicants should discuss involvement in the Honorsprogramwith their academicadvisors andwithpotential facultymentors.Candidates submitranked lists of four preferred mentors/projects along with their applications. Students areaccepted into the Honors program andmatchedwith research advisors at ameeting of thedepartmentfaculty.Seniors who are not in the Honors program and those in earlier years are encouraged toparticipate in research during the academic year. These students should explore researchopportunitiesandcontact facultymembersdirectly.ThoughHonorsstudents receivepriority,every effort ismade to accommodate the interests of allmajors whowish to participate inresearch.Aresearchstudentcanparticipateoneorbothsemesters,usuallywritesashortfinalreportontheirwork,andmaygiveapublicoralpresentation.WinterTermisagoodtimeforstudents,eventhoseonlyintheirfirstyear,tosecureadditionalexperienceinchemistrythroughalaboratoryproject,readingproject,andorcomputerproject.Manyof theon-campus laboratoryprojects involve researchor experimentdevelopment for

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courses. Off-campus Winter Term projects are another way that students obtain usefulexperience.Manystudentslocatesuchpossibilitiesontheirown.Forothers,theAlumniOfficeand theCareerCenteraresources fornamesofpersonswhocandirectoff-campusprojects.StudentsinterestedinmedicinehavefoundthataWinterTermprojectinamedicallaboratory,ahospital,oradoctor'sofficeisagoodwaytobuildtheirresumes.Chemistryfacultymembersareavailabletoserveasthefacultysponsorsofstudentswhodooff-campusprojects.SummersallowmajorstogainsignificantresearchexperienceeitheratOberlinorelsewhere.AtOberlin, summer researchers, typically rising juniors and seniors, work full-time with facultymentors for eight to ten weeks between May and August and are paid a stipend. Manyuniversities and some colleges have similar programs. Information about summer researchopportunitiesinchemistryatotherinstitutionsmaybefoundatwebsitesdescribingprogramssuch as NSF-REU and SURF, and on postings available on the bulletin board outside of thedepartment office. Students may also find it worthwhile to seek unadvertised positions inuniversitiesintheirhomeareasbysendinglettersofinquiryandresumestodepartmentchairs.StartasearchforsummeremploymentinJanuary.Consultthedepartment’swebsite(underStudentProjects)orthedepartment’sAnnualReportforalistoflastyear’sresearchstudentsandprojecttitles.AlsotakealookatthePresentationsand Publications sections of the Annual Report to note that many research students givepresentations at local and national chemistry meetings and are co-authors on facultypublications.

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Extra-CurricularOpportunities

SeminarProgram

Eachsemester,theChemistryDepartmentoffers4-6oralpresentationsgivenbydistinguishedchemicalscientistsfromaroundthecountry,aswellasdepartmentfacultywhohaverecentlybeen on research leave. The seminar program provides a window into the various areas ofchemistry,someofwhicharenotcoveredinourregularcurriculum,andintothewidevarietyofprofessional settings that chemists find themselves, ranging from academic laboratories tomuseumstoocean-goingvessels.Conversationswithseminarspeakersarealsoanexcellentwayto learn about educational and employment opportunities afterOberlin.When possible, thedepartmentallowsafewstudentstosignup(onbulletinboardoutsidethedepartmentoffice)tohavelunchwiththeguest,andseminarsareusuallyprecededbyashortsocialtimewhereotherstudentscanmeetthespeaker.NoticesofseminarsarepostedoutsidethedepartmentofficeandonotherbulletinboardsintheScienceCenter.Alistoflastyear’sseminarsmaybefound in thedepartment’sAnnualReport. Seminar time isusually4:45-5:45p.m.Wednesdayafternoons.Chemistryandbiochemistrymajorsareexpectedtoattendeveryseminar.MajorsCommittee

The majors committee serves as a liaison between chemistry majors and the department.Committeemembersprovideadvice to the facultyonnewhires for temporaryor continuingpositions in the department after meeting with the candidates and hearing their classroompresentations.Thecommitteeorganizessocialeventstopromoteinteractionbetweenmajorsandfacultyandstaff.TheannualT-shirtcontestandT-shirtsalesareheldbythecommitteewiththehelpofthedepartment’sadministrativeassistant.Tutoring

Majorsoftenorganizeeveningandweekendsessionstoprovidegroupassistancetostudentsenrolledinintroductoryandorganicchemistry.

Oberlin's quantitative skills center, CLEAR, has two kinds of employment opportunities forstudentsinterestedintutoringandpeermentorship.Studentscanserveasdrop-intutorsonarangeofquantitativesubjectsorasmentorsintheOWLSprogram,whichisforspecificclassessuchasChem101.Forinformationontheseprogramsgotonew.oberlin.edu/office/clear.

In addition, Student Academic Success Programs (formerly Student Academic Services) hireschemistry and biochemistry majors as individual tutors, upon recommendation of a facultymember.Throughservice-learning,somemajorstutorstudentsintheOberlinpublicschools.

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EmploymentintheDepartment

Alimitednumberofqualifiedjuniorandseniormajorsareofferedjobsasassistantsinthegeneralchemistry,organicchemistry,inorganicchemistry,andanalyticalchemistrylaboratoriesandinthe stock room. Contact Cortland Hill, the department’s Laboratory Manager, if you areinterested.Itissometimespossibleforstudentsreceivingwork-studyaidtoobtainjobssuchascheckinghomeworkassignments,duplicatingcoursematerials,andupdatingdepartmentalwebpages.Inquireinthedepartmentoffice.TheScienceLibraryonthegroundflooroftheScienceCenterhiresstudentstoassistpatronsatthecirculationdesk.

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LifeAfterOberlin

EMPLOYMENTAFTERGRADUATION

SomechemistrymajorstakejobsimmediatelyaftergraduationfromOberlin.Becausechemistryis importanttosomanyareasofscience,opportunitiesforthesegraduatesarequitediverse.Mostofthesejobsareinindustryoracademiaandinvolvelaboratoryactivitiessuchaschemicalsynthesis, analytical work, quality control, environmental monitoring, and basic and appliedresearch. Other jobs have been in the Peace Corps, high school teaching, marketing, andcomputerprogramming.Somemajorsseekimmediatelong-termemployment;othersseekone-tothree-yeartemporaryemploymentbeforebeginninggraduateorprofessionalstudies.

Long-TermEmployment

Ifyouareseekingimmediateemployment,yourmostimportantsingleresourceoncampusisthestaffof theCareerCenter.Youshouldget in touchwith them immediately in the fallofyoursenioryearandbecomearegularvisitortotheirofficesandwebsite.Theycanprovideadviceonspecific aspects of the job hunting process, such as resume preparation, interviewing, andlocating jobs. TheCareerCenter is also the focalpoint for companies that send recruiters tocampus.Signupforaninterviewwithanycompanythatlooksremotelyinteresting.Afewearlyinterviewsforexperiencewiththeprocessalmostsurelywillbehelpful.

Theresumeisanimportantsummaryofyourskillsandbackground.AlthoughtheCareerCentercanprovideagreatdealofgeneralguidanceforpreparingaresume,alsodiscussyourresumewithoneormorepeopleexperiencedinyourfield.Youradvisorandotherfacultymemberswhoknowyouwellwillbegladtohelp.

InadditiontotheCareerCenter,youshouldbeawareofothersourcesofinformationaboutjobopportunities.Announcementsofjobssenttothedepartmentarepostedonthebulletinboardoutside the department office. Chemical and Engineering News, a weekly magazine of theAmericanChemical Society, has a sectiononemployment and is available in Science Library.OtherjournalssuchasScienceandPhysicsTodayhavesimilarsections,thoughnotasfocusedforchemists.LocalnewspapersoronesfromselectedcitiesavailableinMuddLibrarywillbehelpfulifyouhaveaspecificgeographicallocationinmind.Youmayalsowishtotaketheinitiativebysendingyourresumedirectlytoacompanyinwhichyouareinterested.Foraddresses,consultthe Career Center, which has useful resources such as Job Opportunities in Engineering andTechnology.Companyactivities,locations,andaddressestowritetoareamongitemscovered;governmentalagenciesarealso included.Finally,besurethatat leastsomechemistryfacultymembersknowofyourjobinterests.Facultyoftenhearofopportunitiesinformallyandcanbringthesetoyourattentioniftheyareawareofyourplans.

OneotherstepyoumaywishtotakeistojointheAmericanChemicalSociety(ACS)asastudentmember.Thecostofmembershipislowtostudentsandhasseveraladvantages.Amongtheseis

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yourownsubscription toChemicalandEngineeringNews andanopportunity touse theACSEmploymentClearingHouse.ThelatteroperatesonlineandatnationalACSmeetingstobringemployersandprospectiveemployeesintocontactwithoneanother.AttendanceatanationalACSmeetingofferstheopportunitytointerviewwithmanyprospectiveemployersoveraperiodofoneortwodays.ACSmembersalsohaveaccesstotheACSJobBankwhichisavailableonlinefromtheACShomepageatwww.acs.org.StudentswhosatisfyACSguidelinesarecertifiedtotheSocietybythedepartmentandareeligibleforfullmembershipupongraduation.TheClevelandsectionoftheACSregularlyadvertiseslocalemploymentopportunities.

TemporaryEmployment

If you are seeking temporary employment as a secondary school science teacher, seekinformationaboutprivateschoolsfromtheCareerCenter.(Privateschoolsoftendonotrequirethe education courses and student teaching that are necessary for public school teachingcertification.)

Ifyouareseekingtemporaryemploymentasaresearchtechnician,youdonotneedtocontactemployers(exceptforthosewhodirectlycontactthedepartment)untilspringofyoursenioryearorevenearlysummeraftergraduation.Youneedtopersonallysubmitinquiryandresumestodepartmentsinuniversities,medicalschoolsandhospitalswheretheresearchisdone.Putyourresumeon file inPersonnelorHumanResourcesofficesonly if youare told todo soby thedepartmentyouvisit.(OftentheHumanResourcesofficesdonotlearnaboutsuchtemporaryjobopeningsuntilaftertheyarefilled.)

PH.D.PROGRAMSINTHECHEMICALSCIENCES

ThePh.D.ratherthantheMastersdegreeisthecommonnextstepforstudentswishingfurthereducationinthechemicalsciences.Studentsinterestedinpursuinggraduatestudyinchemistry/biochemistryorrelatedfieldsshouldplantosubmitapplicationsbytheendofthefallsemesterofthesenioryearforadmissionthefollowingSeptember.Ideallyatleastsomepreliminarythinkingaboutfieldsofstudyandavailablegraduateprogramsshouldoccurbylatespringofthejunioryear,e.g.aroundregistrationtime,butanearlystartinthefallofthesenioryearprovidesadequatetime.Resourcesareavailabletohelpyouwithselectingandgettingacceptedintoagraduateprogram.

AgreatstartingpointforavailableinformationongraduateprogramsinchemistryandrelatedfieldsisattheAmericanChemicalSocietywebsite.TheURLiswww.acs.org/education.UndertheheadingStudentsclickontheGraduate/Postdoctoratelink.ThePlanningforGraduateSchooldocumentandtheDirectoryofGraduateResearchsitewillprobablybemosthelpfultoyou.Inaddition, theAmericanChemical Society conducteda survey (www.acs.org/gradsurvey)of itsgraduate studentmembers in 2013. The survey included 2,992 respondents, themajority of

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whomweredoctoralstudents,andatotalof269U.S.collegesanduniversitieswererepresented.Thesurveyfocusedoncareerplansandpreparation,student-advisorrelationships,andsupportmechanismsforgraduatestudents.

Early in theprocessyoushouldtalkwithyouradviseroranother facultymemberaboutyourplans.This conversationcanhelp sortoutyour interestsand identifyanareaof chemistry inwhichyouwishtoconcentrate.Talkwithatleastonefacultymemberwhoseexpertiseisinthatarea;heorshewillbeabletohelpyouidentifygraduateprogramsthatarestronginyourareaofinterestandoftencansupplementwrittensourceswithpersonalknowledgeaboutinstitutionsand individual researchers.Facultymembersalsomaybeacquaintedwith theexperiencesofrecentOberlingraduatesatinstitutionsyouareconsidering.Duringtheyear,besuretotalktoseminarspeakerswhorepresentyourareasofinterest.

TheACSDirectoryofGraduateResearchispublishedeverytwoyearsbytheAmericanChemicalSociety(dgr.rints.com).Ph.D.-grantingdepartmentsintheU.S.andCanadaarelistedinsectionsonchemistry,chemicalengineering,biochemistry,medicinalchemistry,andpharmacology.Foreachdepartment, there isa listof the faculty, their research interests,and theirpublicationsduring the last two years. The directory is a good resource for assessing the strength of adepartmentinvarioussub-disciplinesandtheresearchactivityofthefaculty.Youshouldbeabletopointtoatleasttwofacultymembersforwhomyouwouldliketoworkatanygraduateschooltowhichyouintendtoapply.

Another useful resource is Peterson's Guide to Graduate Programs that is issued in severalvolumes. All are available in the Career Center and online atwww.petersons.com/graduate-schools.aspx#/sweeps-modal.Eachtwo-pagelistingdescribessuchthingsasprogramsofstudy,facilities, costs, financial aid, community, application procedure, and faculty. Departmentsofferingonlyamastersdegreeareincluded.

All graduate departments haveweb sites that describe their programs and faculty research.Ofteninformationonthewebsiteisthemostup-to-date,especiallyaboutfaculty.

Getting accepted to graduate school is competitive, but everyOberlin chemistry student canreasonablyexpect tobeadmitted toat leastonegraduateprogram.Onlyanunusuallyweakrecordor a late-developing interest in chemistrywould requirea student toenter amastersprogramfirst.Manystudentsapplytotoomanyschools,notrecognizingthehighacceptancerate,evenforOberlinstudentswithmodestGPAs.Areasonablenumberofapplicationsisaboutfivespreadoverarangeofrecognizedquality.Includeoneortwoschoolsthatshouldacceptyoubutnotforcertain,andoneoflowerqualitythatisvirtuallycertaintoadmityou.Selectionofyour list of schools is best done in consultation with one or more faculty members. TheirknowledgeofhowOberlingraduateswithacademicrecordssimilartoyourshavefaredinvariousgraduateprogramswillhelpyouplaceyourownsituationinabroaderperspective.

After settlingondepartments of interest, probablymore than thenumber towhich youwilleventuallyapply,contacteachtorequestinformation.Graduateprogramshavedepartmentalinformation on the web andmany have applications on-line. In your initial inquiry, request

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applicationmaterialsforadmissionandforfinancialsupport.Askspecificallyaboutfellowshipsforenteringgraduatestudentsaswellasaboutteachingassistantships.Deadlinesforsubmissionofapplicationmaterialswillbe specifiedbyeachschool.Early submissionmay result inearlyconsiderationincaseswhereadmissionisdoneonarollingbasis.

Several recommendations will be required for each application. Graduate school admissionscommitteesareparticularly interested inyourpromiseasan independent researcher.LettersfromfacultymembersatOberlinandelsewherewhohavesupervisedyouinaresearchsettingoutsideoftheclassroomarethebestmeansbywhichcommitteescanevaluatethispromise.Selectadditionalfacultymemberswhoknowyourworkwelland,ifpossible,havetaughtyouinrecentorupperlevelcourses.Askeachfacultymemberinpersonandbepreparedtospendsometimediscussingyourplans.Once facultyhaveagreedtowrite,youmayprovidethegraduateschoolswithyourlistofrecommenders.Thegraduateschoolsthencontacttherecommendersby email, and faculty submit their letters and answers to evaluative questions electronically.Writing recommendations is ademanding task.Consequently, you shouldgive thosepersonswhowillwriteonyourbehalfasmuchleadtimeaspossible.Amonthisdesirable;lessthantwoweeksmaybeunworkable.Thecoverpageforarecommendationusuallyhasaplaceforyoutoindicatewhetheryouwishtowaiveyourrighttoseetherecommendation.Itistoyouradvantagetowaiveit.

Respond to acceptances as each arrives, even though you are not yet prepared to make adecision.Whenyouhave reachedadecision,writea letterofacceptance toyourchoiceandcourteouslydeclinetheotheroffers.Ifyoucandeclineanoffereventhoughyourfinalchoiceisnotyetmade,pleasedosotoallowthatinstitutiontoadmitsomeoneelse.

Somestudentsprefertovisitschoolstowhichtheyhavebeenacceptedbeforedeciding.Manyschoolswillreimbursecostsofavisit.Thisisusuallyaworthwhileexperienceifyouhavethetimeand/orresources,butcertainlynotanecessity.Aconsultationwithyouradvisororotherfacultymembermayhelpyoudecideinyourowncase,andifyougo,howtogetthemostfromavisit.

GraduateRecordExamination(GRE)

ManygraduateschoolsandmostfellowshipprogramsrequirethatapplicantstaketheGraduateRecord Examination (GRE). The examination resultsweighheavily in any admissionor awarddecision.TheGREconsistsoftwoparts,ageneraltestandasubjecttest.Thegeneraltestsarecomputer-basedandofferedyear-roundat regional centers (not inOberlin).The subject testcoversthefieldinwhichyouplantodograduatework(e.g.chemistry),isofferedonpaperonly,andisgiventhreetimesayear(September,October,April)inOberlinandelsewhere.Eachpartisaboutthreehours long.An informationbulletinabouttheGREsalongwiththeregistrationform isavailableat theCareerCenterandon-lineatwww.gre.org.TheCareerCenterusuallyorganizespracticesforthegeneraltestinthespring.

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Studentsreportthatthesubjecttestinchemistryischallengingandthattheemphasesamongvariousareasofchemistryshiftsomewhatwitheachtestoffering.Youshouldreviewseriouslyareasofchemistryinwhichyouhavenothadcoursesrecently.Sincethetestiscomprehensive,itwillbeadvantageousformoststudentstotakeitlateinthefallofthesenioryearwhentheycanbenefitfromhavinghadthegreatestnumberandvarietyofrelevantcourses.Practicesubjecttestsareavailabletotestregistrants.Pleasenotethatsomegraduateprogramsnolongerrequirethechemistrysubjecttestandthatthesubjecttestinbiochemistry,cellandmolecularbiologywasdiscontinuedin2016.

FinancialSupport

Admissiontoagraduateprograminthephysicalsciencesinvariablyincludesfinancialsupport.Infact,unlessthereareextenuatingcircumstances,thereisnoreasonyoushouldbegingraduatestudywithoutsomesortoffinancialassistance.Typicallythissupportisintheformofateachingassistantshipthatentailslaboratoryteaching,leadingrecitationsectionsand/orpapergradingfor a specified number of hours each week. A small number of departments require everygraduatestudenttoserveasateachingassistantforatleastoneyear.Thesizeofthestipendvariesbutisadequateforsomeonetobeself-supportingatamodeststandardofliving.Mostdepartmentsalsowaiveorpaydirectlythenormaltuitionfeesaspartofthefinancialsupport,whileothersawardalargerstipendandhavethestudentpaytuition.Fellowshipsthroughthegraduate department are rarely available to first year graduate students, but it is stillworthinquiringabouttheminyourinitialletterrequestingapplicationmaterials.

NationalScienceFoundation(NSF)graduatefellowshipsprovidefullsupportforthreeyearsofgraduatestudyatanyU.S.university.Theyarehighlyprestigiousawards,andcompetitionforthemiskeen.AllOberlinchemistrymajorswithstrongacademicrecordsanddefiniteplanstoattendgraduateschoolinascientificfieldshouldconsultwiththechairofthedepartmentaboutapplying for these fellowships.Early planning is essential, since the application is due in lateOctober.TheGREgeneraltestandthesubjecttestintheintendedfieldofgraduatestudymustbothbecompletednolaterthanSeptember.AstrongperformanceontheGREsisimportantforNSFapplicants.ThelatestprogramannouncementmaybefoundonlineattheNationalScienceFoundation:nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=6201&org=NSF.

Fellowshipprogramsforgraduatestudyabroadrequirethatapplicantsbenominatedbytheirundergraduate institution. At Oberlin, these programs are administered by the Office ofFellowships andAwards and the FellowshipsCommitteeof theGeneral Faculty. Someof thenamedfellowshipsaretheChurchill,Fulbright,Marshall,Rhodes,andWatsonFellowships.TobecomeanapplicantforaChurchillFellowshiprequiresespeciallyearlyplanning.Programscarrycertainrestrictionssuchaslocationofstudyandcareergoals.Talkwithyourfacultyadviserifyouareinterestedinanyoftheseprograms.FurtherdetailsmaybeobtainedfromtheCareerCenterandonlineatnew.oberlin.edu/office/fellowships.

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3-2CHEMICALENGINEERINGPROGRAM

StudentsinterestedinchemicalengineeringshouldconsultwithTaylorAllen,professorofbiologyand coordinator of the 3-2 engineering program, during their first year at Oberlin. TheEngineeringsectionoftheOberlinCourseCatalogprovidesanintroductiontotheprogram.3-2engineeringstudentsspendthreeyearsatOberlinandthentwoyearsatoneoftheaffiliatedengineeringschools–WashingtonUniversityinSt.Louis,ColumbiaUniversity,Caltech,andCaseWesternReserveUniversity--toearnaB.A.fromOberlinandaB.S.inengineering.WashingtonUniversityinSt.Louis,oneofthecooperatingengineeringschools,offersaJanuaryTermprogramthatisanintroductiontoengineering.SomeOberlinstudentsinterestedinthe3-2programhavetakenthisasaWinterTermprojectduringthesophomoreyear.

PROFESSIONALPROGRAMSINTHEMEDICAL/HEALTHSCIENCES

If you are considering a career in themedical/health sciences – humanmedicine, dentistry,pharmacy,publichealth,veterinarymedicine,etc.–youshouldcontactLynneBianchi,thePre-medicalProgramDirector (Lynne.Bianchi@oberlin.edu)early inyourcollegecareer.Note: thecommentsbelowfocusonhumanmedicineanddentistry.

Informationonadmissionrequirementsforindividualschoolsareupdatedannuallyforallopathic(MD), osteopathic, (DO), and dental programs. These are available online and from the Pre-medicalProgramDirector.Besuretocheck individual requirements forschoolsyouaremostinterestedinattending.

Ifyouareplanningtoentermedical/dentalschoolinthefallfollowinggraduation,nearlyalltheworktowardapplyingtomedicalschoolwillhappenduringthespringandsummerofyourjunioryear (or fourth year for double-degree students). Note: the comments below assume thisscenario.

MedicalCollegeAdmissionTest(MCAT)andDentalAptitudeTest(DAT)

Youshouldtaketheadmission/aptitudetestinthespringofyourjunioryear.MCATregistrationmaterialsareavailableonlineatwww.aamc.org/students/applying/mcat.DATmaterialsarealsoavailable online at www.ada.org/dat.aspx. A serious review of basic chemistry throughbioorganic,biology,andphysicsisessentialbeforetakingeithertest.ThecombinationofBIOL213andCHEM254providessufficientpreparationforthebiochemistryportionoftheMCAT.Otherareasofthenaturalsciences,statistics,andthesocialsciencesmayalsobeincludedonthetests.Veryrecently,theemphasisonconceptsinpsychology,sociology,andrelatedareashasbeenincreased.BeguidedinyourreviewbythesyllabusandsampletestspublishedbyMCATorDAT.Almosteveryyearacommercialreviewcourseisavailableoncampus.

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TheApplicationProcess

YoushouldcompletetheapplicationprocessbyJunefollowingyourjunioryear.Becauseoftherollingadmissionprocess,applicationssubmittednearthedeadlineshaveanegligiblechanceofsuccess. Most medical/dental colleges use the centralized Association of American MedicalColleges Admission Service (AMCAS at www.aamc.org/audienceamcas.htm), the AmericanAssociation of Colleges of Osteopathic Medicine Application Service (AACOMAS ataacomas.aacom.org)ortheAssociationofAmericanDentalSchoolAdmissionsService(AADSASat www.adea.org/Pages/default.aspx). Consult the appropriate admissions requirementpublicationorwebsites.

Letters of recommendation are required by all schools.Writing recommendations is a time-consumingbusiness.Youshouldmakeitaseasyandasunhurriedaspossibleforthosewhoagreetowritethem.OberlinCollegeprovidescommitteeletterstomedicalschoolstoaccompanyyourindividual letters of recommendation. Youwill complete the committee letter process in thespringofthejunioryear.YourlettersofrecommendationaredueinMarch,soyouwillneedtorequestletterswellinadvanceofthattime.InformationabouttheprocessisavailablefromthePre-medicalProgramDirector.

Itisimportantthatyourcompletedapplicationandallotherrequireddocumentsbeinthehandsofthemedicalordentalschoolbymid-Julyatthelatest.

SelectingSchools

Youshouldapplytoat leastadozenprofessionalschools.Therearemanyfactorstoconsiderwhenselectingaschool.Studytheschools’admissionsprofiles toselect thoseyou judgeyouhaveareasonablechanceforacceptance,andalsoconsiderthemissionstatement,curriculum,and programs offered. Some admission profile information is given in a school’s admissionsrequirementpublication,andadditionalstatisticsmaybeavailablefromthePre-medicalProgramDirector. Include in your list state-supported schools from your state of residence. Afterpreparingyourlistofschools,discussitwithyouracademicadvisor,premedicaladvisor,andthePre-medicalProgramDirector.Rememberthatinyourapplicationyoumustdemonstratethatyouhavetheacademicabilitytosucceedandthatyouareagoodfitfortheschool.

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DepartmentFaculty JasonM.Belitsky.B.A.,Amherst,1997;Ph.D.,Caltech,2002.PostdoctoralFellowatU.California,LosAngeles(2002-05).JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin2005.SabbaticalleaveattheU.Michigan (2011-12). He teaches general chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and biochemistrycourses. His research features an interdisciplinary approach to the studyofmelanin andotherproblemsinbioorganicchemistryandchemicalbiology. Matthew J. Elrod. Biggs Professor of Natural Science. B.A., Grinnell, 1989; Ph.D., U.California, Berkeley, 1994. Postdoctoral Fellow at MIT (1994-96). Faculty member at HopeCollege(1996-2001).JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin2001.SabbaticalleaveatU.Colorado(2004-05).Heteachesgeneralchemistry,environmentalchemistry,andphysicalchemistrycourses. His research involves the use of kinetics andmass spectrometric techniques to studyreactionsrelevanttoairpollutionandglobalclimatechange. AlbertR.Matlin.B.A.,Bard,1977;Ph.D.,Yale,1982.PostdoctoralresearchatRockefellerU. (1982-84). Joined theOberlin faculty in1984.VisitingAssistantProfessoratRockefellerU.(1988-89).Heteachesgeneralchemistryandorganicchemistrycourses. His research focuses on mechanistic organic chemistry, reactive intermediates, andorgano-catalyzedreactions. Manish A.Mehta. Longman Professor of Chemistry. A.B.,Wabash, 1986; Ph.D., Yale,1990.PostdoctoralresearchattheU.Oxford(1990-91),U.Toronto(1992-93),andU.Washington(1994-97). Joined the Oberlin faculty in 1998. He teaches general chemistry and physicalchemistrycourses. Hisresearchinvolvestheinvestigationofthetechniquesofsolid-statenuclearmagneticresonanceandtheapplicationofthosetechniquestotheelucidationofbiomolecularstructure. CatherineM.Oertel.B.A.Oberlin,1999;Ph.D.,Cornell,2005.PostdoctoralFellow,CornellU.andChalmersUniversityofTechnology,Sweden,(2004-05).JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin2006.Research leaves atU. California, Santa Barbara (2009) andOhio StateUniversity (2012). Sheteachesgeneralchemistryandinorganicchemistrycourses. Herresearchinvolveshydrothermalsynthesisandcharacterizationofcomplexoxidesandtheuseofmethodsofmaterialschemistrytostudythecompositionandcorrosionofhistoricorganpipes. WilliamH.Parsons.B.A.,Williams,2007;Ph.D.,Stanford,2013.PostdoctoralresearchatTheScrippsResearchInstitute(2013-17).JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin2017.Heteachesgeneralchemistryandorganicchemistrycourses. Hisresearchinvolvesthedevelopmentofcovalentchemicalprobestostudyenzymestructureandfunction,primarilyformembersoftheserinehydrolasefamily.

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LisaM.Ryno.B.S.,Trinity,2008;Ph.D.,TheScrippsResearchInstitute,2012;PostdoctoralresearchatU.SanDiego(2013-14).JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin2014.Sheteachesgeneralchemistry,bioorganicchemistryandbiochemistrycourses. Herresearchinvolvesthestudyofbacterialstresssignalingpathwaysandtheirimpactonbiofilmcompositionandantibioticresistance. Robert Q. Thompson. B.A., Wooster, 1978; Ph.D., Michigan State, 1982. Joined theOberlinfacultyin1982.ResearchleavesatU.Tennessee(summer1989),U.Cincinnati(1989-90),the Forensic Science Research & Training Center, FBI Academy, in Quantico, VA (1997), theNational InstituteofStandards&Technology inGaithersburg,MD(2003-04),andtheHollingsMarineLaboratoryinCharlestonSC(2011).Heteachesanalyticalchemistry,forensicchemistry,andgeneralchemistrycourses. His research focuses on themeasurement of pollutants in the local environment anddevelopmentofenvironmentalanalyticalchemistrylaboratoryexperiments. RebeccaJ.Whelan.DepartmentChair.B.A.,Lawrence,1996;Ph.D.,Stanford,2003.PostdoctoralresearchatU.Michigan(2003-04).JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin2005.SabbaticalleaveatU.Wisconsin(2011-12).Sheteachesgeneralchemistryandanalyticalchemistrycourses. Herresearchinvolvesanalyticalusesofsingle-strandedoligonucleotidesthatpossessspecificaffinitiesforbiomarkersofovariancancer.

EmeritusFacultywithofficesintheDepartment

NormanC.Craig.ProfessorEmeritus(retiredin2000).B.A.,Oberlin,1953;Ph.D.,Harvard,1957.JoinedtheOberlinfacultyin1957.ExperienceelsewhereincludesresearchassociateshipsinphysicalchemistryatU.Minnesota(1963-64),U.California,Berkeley(1970-71),JustusLiebigUniversity,Giessen,Germany(1994)andvisitingprofessorshipsatPrincetonU.(1974-75)andattheNationalInstitutesofHealth(1978-79). Hisactiveresearchfocusesontheinfrared,microwave,andRamanspectroscopyoflabilespeciessuchascarbocationsandofsmallfluorocarbons.

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DepartmentStaff CortlandS.Hill.GeneralChemistryLaboratory InstructorandLaboratoryManager.AnOberlinchemistrygraduate(’77),hejoinedthedepartmentin2000.Inadditiontohisteachingduties,heoverseesthegeneralchemistrylaboratoryprogramandthechemistrystockroom. CynthiaM.Manning.ChemistryResourceCoordinator.Joinedthedepartmentin1992asdepartmentalassistantandbecameresourcecoordinatorin2000.BeforecomingtoOberlinsheworked in chemical reagent quality control at Ciba Geigy. In addition to handling capitalequipmentpurchasingforthedepartment,shemanagesthedepartment’ssafetyprotocolsandcoordinatesfacilitiesmaintenance. KirkWarren.TechnicalAssistant.Withexperienceinhighschoolteachingandintechnicalpositionsinthechemicalindustry,hejoinedthedepartmentin2013.GraduatedwithachemistrymajorfromOberlinin2000.Hepreparesreagentsandsetsupequipmentandsuppliesforthegeneralchemistryandorganicchemistrylaboratories. Rachel J. Wysocki. Administrative Assistant and Purchasing Technician. Joined thedepartment in 2016. Graduated withmajors in creative writing, comparative literature, andFrenchfromOberlinin2011andearnedanM.F.A.inliterarytranslationin2014.Inadditiontomanagingtheday-to-dayoperationsofthechemistryoffice,shehandlesnon-capitalequipmentpurchasingandrelatedtasks.

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19

APPENDIXI:SampleCourseSchedulesCHEMISTRYMAJOR

ThefollowingsampleschedulesoutlineacoupleofthepossiblewaysaChemistrymajorcanbecompletedinfouryears.UsuallyChem101-102or103arecompletedinthefirstyearandChem205inthesophomoreyear.However,amajoralsocanstartthecoresequencewithothercoursessuchasChem211or213.Eachofthesampleminimummajorschedulesincludestwosemestersoforganicchemistryandtwosemestersofphysicalchemistry.

BeginwithChemistry101-102,minimummajor

Fr So Jr Sr

Chem 101 102 205 213 211 339 349 361

Chem 3251

Math 133 134

Physics 1102 1112

Courses 2 2 1 2 2 2 1 0.5

Labs/wk 1 1 1 1 2 2 1 0

BeginwithChemistry101-102,enrichedmajor,research

Fr So Jr Sr

Chem 101 102 205 213 327 339 323 254

Chem 211 325 349

Chem 5253 526

3

Math 133 134

Physics 1102 1112

Courses 2 2 2 2 2 2 2 2

Labs/wk 1 1 2 1 2 2 2.5 41Chem254maybesubstitutedforChem325.YoumaywishtotakebothChem254andChem325.

2Physics103and104maybesubstitutedforPhysics110and111.Physics110and111usecalculus;Physics103and104donot.Physics110and111providebetterproblem-solvingexperienceforChem339and349.Physics111hasarecommendationofMath231.

3Variablecreditpossible.One-halfcourselistedhereforfallandonecourseforspring.Chem525and526maybetakenforcreditmultipletimes.

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BIOCHEMISTRYMAJOR

ThefollowingsampleschedulesoutlineacoupleofthepossiblewaysaBiochemistrymajorcanbecompletedinfouryears.UsuallyChem101-102or103arecompletedinthefirstyearandChem205and254inthesophomoreyear.

BeginwithChemistry101-102,minimummajor,research

Fr So Jr Sr

Chem 101 102 205 254 211 213 374 3391

5253 5263

Biology 1004 213

Math 133 134

Physics 1102 1112

Courses 2 2 3 1 2 2 1.5 2

Labs/wk 2 1 2 1 2 2 2.5 4

BeginwithChemistry103,enrichedmajor

Fr So Jr Sr

Chem 103 205 211 254 374 213 3491 361

Biology 1004 213 3105

Math 134

Physics 1102 1112

Courses 2 2 2 1 2 2 1 1.5

Labs/wk 1 2 2 1 2 2 1 1

1EitherChemistry339orChemistry349satisfiesbiochemistrymajorrequirements.

2seenote2aboveunderChemistry3Variablecreditpossible.One-halfcourselistedhereforfallandonecourseforspring.Chem525and526maybetakenforcreditmultipletimes.

4Bio100(alongwithChem101,102or103)fulfillstheBiologyDepartmentprerequisiteforBio213.

5Bio310isoneofseveralappropriateupperlevelbiologycourseswithlaboratory.

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MAJORSINPREPARATIONFORHEALTHCAREERS

Thefollowingsampleschedulespermitentryintomedicalordentalschoolinthefallfollowinggraduation fromOberlinCollege.Note thataChemistrymajorwhotakes themedical school-recommended biochemistry course meets the requirements for a doubleChemistry/Biochemistrymajor.Inthesampleschedules,thespringsemesterofthejunioryeariskeptrelativelyfreeofsciencecoursesforstudyingforandtakingtheMCATexamination.Pleasenotethat thecombinationofBIOL213andCHEM254providessufficientpreparation for thebiochemistry portion of the MCAT. See the footnotes under the sample chemistry andbiochemistryschedulesforinformationaboutPhysics103/104andPhysics110/111.

Chemistry/BiochemistryDoubleMajor

Fr So Jr Sr

Chem 101 102 205 213 349 339

Chem 211 254 374 361

Bio 100 213

Math 133 134

Phys 110 111

Courses 2 2 3 2 2 1 2 1.5

Labs/wk 2 1 2 2 2 1 2 1

BiochemistryMajor

Fr So Jr Sr

Chem 101 102 205 254 211 339 374 213

Chem 525 526

Bio 100 213

Math 133 134

Phys 110 111

Courses 2 2 3 1 2 2 1.5 2

Labs/wk 2 1 2 1 2 2 2.5 4