The American Chemical Society (ACS) is a professional society for chemists that has provided guidelines to baccalaureate institutions on best practices for teaching chemistry to undergraduate students. An ACS certified chemistry major requires more breadth and advanced study than the regular Carleton chemistry major. Students interested in continuing in chemistry after graduation in either graduate school or industry should consider the guidelines of the ACS certified chemistry major when planning their studies.
Requirements for an ACS-certified Major
Core Courses and Labs:
CHEM 123: Principles of Chemistry or CHEM 128: Principles of Environmental Chemistry
CHEM 224: Principles of Chemistry II
CHEM 233: Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 234: Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 343: Chemical Thermodynamics
CHEM 344: Quantum Chemistry
CHEM 301: Chemical Kinetics Laboratory
CHEM 302: Spectroscopy Laboratory
CHEM 330: Instrumental Chemical Analysis
CHEM 331: Instrumental Chemical Analysis Laboratory
CHEM 351: Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 352: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM 400: Integrative Exercise
BIOC 301: Survey of Biochemistry
Elective Upper-level Courses and Labs:
Two additional 300-level 6-credit courses in Chemistry
One additional 300-level 2-credit lab course in Chemistry (CHEM 306, 338, 339, 329, 331, 349, 355, or BIOC 311)
Research Experience:
Research experience is required for an ACS certified major. This requirement can be fulfilled through academic year independent research with a faculty member, or through summer research at Carleton or elsewhere. To satisfy the requirement, your research experience must culminate in a comprehensive and well-documented written research report on your work. If you have completed your research at another institution, you should submit a copy of your research report to your Carleton academic advisor in the Chemistry Department, for evaluation. ACS information about preparing a research report.
Further Laboratory Requirement:
In addition to the laboratory requirements listed in the Core and Elective categories above, an ACS certified major requires the equivalent of an additional 5 credits of laboratory work. This requirement can be fully satisfied through a summer research experience (of 5 or more weeks), or by a combination of additional 300-level lab courses and/or academic-year independent research with a faculty member.
Mathematics: Calculus through Calculus II (MATH 120) or Introduction to Multivariable Calculus (MATH 211)
Physics: Two 3-credit courses or one 6-credit course from PHYS 131 to 145 (PHYS 131, 141 or 142 AND PHYS 151, 152 or 143, 144, or 145). and one of the following elective courses is required: PHYS 165, 228, 234, or 235.