Freshman Options
There are three chemistry courses which can be taken during the freshman year, all of which combine lecture and laboratory work. The course a student elects will depend on his or her background in chemistry and mathematics. Chemistry 108/ 109, General Chemistry, is open to all students regardless of their background in chemistry.
Since much of the work in chemistry is quantitative in nature, a working knowledge of algebra is required. Students who have had two years of high school chemistry, or a strong one year chemistry course in high school, and four years of high school mathematics should elect Chemistry 125, Chemical Principles. This course is designed to cover pertinent aspects of general chemistry in one semester to prepare students with a strong chemistry background for Organic Chemistry in the second semester of the year.
Freshmen wishing to take Organic Chemistry, Chemistry 244/245, may do so after consulting with the department’s advanced placement advisor and successfully completing a placement exam administered by the department at the beginning of the fall semester. Note that a 4 or 5 on the chemistry AP exam does not guarantee placement directly into Organic Chemistry.
In addition to the above lecture/laboratory courses, freshmen may work on an original research project under the direction of a member of the department by electing Chemistry 198, Freshmen Independent Research.
More information on the chemistry curriculum may be found in the Vassar College Catalogue.