Mar 28, 2024  
Rensselaer Catalog 2016-2017 
    
Rensselaer Catalog 2016-2017 [Archived Catalog]

Chemistry - Chemical Biology Track


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Schools & Departments

Chemical Biology refers to the application of Chemistry to biological problems. The “Chemical Biology” track to the B.S. in Chemistry is intended for students interested in this area or in careers in the medical field. Like the “Chemistry” track, it provides a sound background in Chemistry but also includes a solid core of Biology courses so that students completing it will not only have the chemical knowledge to understand the methods they are using, but also will have the knowledge of Biology necessary to understand the systems they intend to study.

Both tracks require 128 credit hours for graduation. In the Chemical Biology track, 21 of these are completely free electives. Participation in undergraduate research is stongly encouraged, and CHEM 4010 Inorganic Chemistry II is a recommended but not required elective. Students considering medical school should include a semester of General Psychology and a semester of Sociology among their HASS or elective courses.

First year


Fall


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second year


Third year


Fall


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4 (or MATH 2400 if not taken previously)

Spring


  • HASS Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fourth year


Fall


  • Electives Credit hours: 10 (If BIOL 2500 was not taken previously, it should replace an elective here.)

Additional Information


All named courses are required. Students may elect when Math 2400, BIOL 2500 and the elective are taken.  Other courses can be taken out of sequence if prerequisites and scheduling permit.

A total of 128 credit hours are required for graduation. Twenty-one of these are completely free electives. Students should select electives in consultation with the adviser to give a balanced program totaling 128 credit hours. Research experience such as through CHEM 2950 or URP activities is strongly encouraged.

BIOL 1010/1015  Introduction to Biology is recommended for students with a weak background in biology.

Students considering medical school should include one semester of General Psychology and one semester of Sociology among their HASS or elective courses.

CHEM 4010 Inorganic Chemistry II is a recommended elective

Electives


Students should work with their adviser to select the electives that best fit their needs. Students interested in medicine as a career should register with the pre-health committee and take the recommended courses before the senior year as preparation for the qualifying exams required for admission to medical school. In addition, two English courses and at least one semester of General Psychology and one semester of Sociology should be included among their HASS or elective courses.

Footnotes


  1. May be delayed to the third year and replaced by an elective. Students with a limited background in biology should consider taking BIOL 1010/1015 Introduction to Biology here.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Schools & Departments