Apr 05, 2025  
Rensselaer Catalog 2019-2020 
    
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Rensselaer Catalog 2019-2020 [Archived Catalog]

Chemistry - Chemical Biology Track

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, 22 of these are completely free electives. Participation in undergraduate research is strongly 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 Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Second year

Fall

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4

Spring

  •  Elective Credit Hours: 4

Third year

The Arch Summer Semester*

*For students who have applied for and been granted an exception, The Arch Summer Semester courses should be rescheduled with the help of the adviser, with some taken during the spring semester. For listing of the exception process go to: http://info.rpi.edu/arch/students/#ExceptionProcess.

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fall* OR Spring

*If following the B.S. in Chemistry - Biology Track curriculum, students must select the Fall term as their “on-campus” semester.

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Elective Credit Hours: 4

Fourth year

Fall

  • HASS Core Elective Credit Hours: 4
  • Electives Credit hours: 6

Spring

  • Electives Credit hours 4

Footnotes

  1. BIOL 4720 can be substituted for this course.

Additional Information

All named courses are required unless alternatives are approved by the department adviser. Other courses can be taken out of sequence if prerequisites and scheduling permit.

A total of 128 credit hours are required for graduation. Twenty-five 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.