Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry serves a wide variety of students with varying interests.  No matter what your goals are in your study of science, you can find a place in our introductory general chemistry course BC2001x:General Chemistry I. While some institutions offer varying levels of introductory chemistry, at Barnard there is only one entry level course. We believe that any admitted student has the potential to succeed in chemistry, and we encourage interested First-Year students to consider taking the course in their first year. This unified 5-point course contains both lecture and laboratory components.

What you might find particularly interesting is that Barnard College follows an untraditional chemistry sequence. Most institutions (including Columbia) follow their introductory course with a second semester of general chemistry, followed by a year of organic chemistry to complete the introductory sequence. These two years of chemistry are the foundation courses for chemistry and biochemistry majors, and also the required courses for the pre-health track.  At Barnard, our approach is different. Our students continue directly into Organic I after a single semester of General Chemistry, then take Organic II, and finally a fourth semester of general chemistry chosen from one of several options based on their goals. We believe there are numerous benefits to this approach:

• Targeted material – In BC2001x, we focus on carefully selected topics designed to provide a solid foundation in chemical principles & problem solving skills and to prepare you for the study of organic chemistry.
• Early entry to Organic Chemistry – Our students have the opportunity to begin the study of organic chemistry earlier than in a traditional sequence. Doing so enables our students to experience a very different flavor of chemistry that is more conceptual and visual than what they have seen before. This exposure is very useful in other science courses at Barnard; molecular biology, for example,  is much easier to understand if you have a working knowledge of organic chemistry.
• Advanced study - A consequence of our approach means that at Barnard your second general chemistry semester will arrive with you being an advanced student, capable of dealing with much higher levels of inquiry. As a result, this second semester general chemistry course will give you a more in-depth treatment of material. Our students find this approach particularly helpful in preparing for other upper level science courses as well as improving their performance on standardized tests (MCAT, GRE, etc.)

If you are at all considering chemistry or biochemistry as a potential major, we strongly recommend you consider taking BC2001x: General Chemistry I your first semester at Barnard. If you are considering a major in one of the other science departments, or are considering a pre-health track but not necessarily a science major, there are still potential advantages to beginning your study of science at Barnard with BC2001x in your first semester. Some of these include:

• Flexibility – The chemistry sequence at Barnard must be taken in order. We do not offer the same courses in both Spring and Fall semesters, so if you do not take BC2001x in your first semester, you will have to wait a full year. This can limit your options in future course selection, particularly if you are considering a major in the department.
• Scheduling – The chemistry and biochemistry majors and pre-health track require taking courses which frequently carry many points of academic credit and significant time commitments in both lecture and lab. Delaying BC2001x until your sophomore year usually leads to having to ‘double-up’ with other higher level laboratory courses. While doing this is certainly possible, some students find spreading out these courses desirable.
• Increased options – Starting the two year chemistry sequence during your first semester at Barnard can allow for more efficient use of your time. Spreading out your laboratory courses may help you to undertake more of what Barnard has to offer, such as study abroad, work or internship opportunities, or more in-depth research projects.

Absolutely! Taking General Chemistry I BC2001x and Introductory Biology 1500x, for example, can be a big help in your future program planning, especially if you are considering a chemistry or biochemistry major. However, you should be aware that all lab science courses at Barnard require large time commitments both in the lab and outside it, and having two laboratory sessions a week will require careful planning and a solid work ethic. You should carefully consider if this is the best choice for you, and discuss the additional time commitment with your advisor.

All classes at Barnard are rigorous. Students come to Barnard with a wide range of preparation in chemistry, just as in other subjects. Our studies suggest that high school performance is not necessarily correlated with how you do in our course. Ultimately, you control your experience in BC2001x based on your work at Barnard, not what you may have learned previously, or any perceived weak background in chemistry you might have.  We offer a wide range of support for students in the course, including many faculty office hours and student led study groups.

The biggest challenge for first-year students in BC2001x is in the areas of problem solving and quantitative reasoning skills. Recognizing this, We encourage first year students with weak quantitative analysis or algebra skills to take a year of college math before enrolling in BC2001. Please speak to any member of the chemistry department if you have questions about this.

Yes and no. Barnard students may satisfy their LAB general education requirement at CU, and pre-health students can fulfill the medical school (and associated) requirements in chemistry there. Be aware, however, that because of the different sequence offered at Barnard, if you choose to take General Chemistry I at Columbia you may not return to the Barnard department in your second semester to take Organic I: you must complete the second semester of CU General Chemistry and wait until the following Spring before returning to take organic at Barnard, as we do not offer Organic I in the Fall semester.

In addition, students who are planning to satisfy the pre-health requirements should be aware that after taking even a single semester of organic chemistry, no credit will be awarded for UN1404 General Chemistry II. Under that circumstance, you must take BC3232 Chemistry IV to complete the pre-health requirement – there is no CU alternative. 

Although every student’s experience and needs will be different, we believe that there are many reasons that Barnard students are better served by taking introductory chemistry at Barnard. Any member of the chemistry department would be happy to discuss this with you – please do not hesitate to come to us with your questions and concerns. 

Barnard is a small undergraduate liberal arts college for women in New York City.  Small liberal arts colleges are usually places where the faculty is deeply dedicated to teaching.  Barnard science faculty are available to students not just in the classroom, but in formal and informal office hours, in labs, and as academic advisors.  Barnard faculty are committed to the success of all their students, and if you are willing to make the effort, we are willing to be there working with you throughout your college career.

Many undergraduate liberal arts colleges also have an excellent record in doing first-rate scientific research and preparing students for success in science and medicine.  Barnard chemistry faculty have active research programs, often supported with funding from external public and private agencies like the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, or the Petroleum Research Fund.  At universities, professors generally carry out their research with a large group, including postdoctoral students, graduate students, and undergraduates.  At Barnard, undergraduates are the primary co-workers of the faculty.  Thus if you do research chemistry here, you will have a lot of individual attention.  Moreover our research instruments are here for your use.  (At larger institutions, you might have a lower priority to use a state-of-the-art NMR, for example.) 

Our New York location and our relationship with Columbia mean that there are also opportunities to work in a larger scale science environment, if you wish.  Barnard chemistry and biochemistry majors frequently choose to do their senior theses in research groups in the Columbia Chemistry or Biology departments, at the Columbia University Medical Center, and at other nearby institutions.

If you might be a chemistry or biochemistry major, we strongly urge you to take chemistry your first year.  No matter what your potential major, as a science interested student or for a student following the pre-health track starting with chemistry can make good sense. 

Students begin their study of college chemistry with BC2001.  This one-semester General Chemistry course includes both lectures and laboratory.  It is designed for students with some familiarity with chemistry from high school and a good foundation in mathematics (algebra).

Students with no previous chemistry background or with weaker mathematics may wish to consider taking up to a year of college math, following it with BC2001 the following fall.

The Barnard and Columbia General Chemistry courses are not interchangeable: the subject matter is covered in different order.  The Barnard course is designed to include in the first term those subjects important for understanding organic chemistry.  For this reason, if you take General Chemistry I at Columbia (UN1403), then you must also take General Chemistry II at Columbia (UN1404) along with the General Chemistry Lab (UN1500) before taking Organic Chemistry, either at Barnard or Columbia.

Chemistry UN1604 at Columbia is an accelerated general chemistry course for students with AP credit.  Students who take this course and the laboratory course (Chemistry UN1500 or UN1507) may then take the organic chemistry sequence at Barnard.  However, we encourage students to take BC2001 at Barnard as it is designed as part of a four course sequence.

Similarly, students who have taken even a single semester of Organic Chemistry, whether at Barnard, Columbia or elsewhere may not take BC1002y or UN1404 for credit – these are introductory courses and are not appropriate for an advanced chemistry student.

For more details, see the Information for First Year and Prospective students. 

The appropriate sequence for completing the chemistry pre-health requirement at Barnard College is:

General Chemistry I (lab included) BC2001x

Organic Chemistry I BC3230 (Lecture) and Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory BC3328 (Laboratory)

Organic Chemistry II BC3231 (lecture)

Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry BC3232 (Lecture)

Please note that the Barnard sequence is not compatible with the Columbia sequence. This has two consequences for students considering a pre-health track:

1)    Students who choose to substitute UN1403/UN1500 at Columbia for Barnard BC2001x may not return to Barnard in the spring to take Barnard Organic Chemistry I BC3230. They must take Columbia’s UN1404 first, and then wait until the following year to take BC3230, as the latter is only offered in the Spring.

2)    Students who have taken even a single semester of organic chemistry may not receive subsequent credit for UN1404.  Once a single semester of organic chemistry is taken anywhere, UN1404 may not subsequently be taken for credit. Under that circumstance, you must take BC3232 Chemistry IV to complete the pre-health requirement – there is no CU alternative.

For further information on the pre-health requirements follow this link.

No: students with AP scores of 4 or 5 in Chemistry are given 3 points of credit, but they must take BC2001x.  There is no AP credit for chemistry lab.

Yes.  The major can be completed in three years.  Come speak to someone in the department to work out the details based on your background.

The chemistry department does not hold lotteries: if you sign up properly for a laboratory course during the preregistration period, we will find a way to fit you in.  Limited space means that you may not get the day you want, but we will generally find a section that works for you.

There are no guarantees if your plans change and you decide to take the course after preregistration.  If you want to add a lab, contact the instructor as soon as possible, and every effort will be made to fit you in.  Students who ask to add labs the first day of classes are often accommodated, when there is room.  But chemistry lab courses typically start right away, so we do not accept students into these courses after the first couple of days of classes. 

We will find space for new transfer students, since they could not preregister, but they should be sure to come ask at the very beginning of the term, earlier if possible!

Barnard chemistry and biochemistry alumnae mostly continue in science, and most do some graduate study.  However it is quite common for students to work for a year or two, and then begin graduate or professional school.  About one third of our alumnae are practicing physicians.  Many are clinicians, and many are also engaged in basic research, at universities or in the pharmaceutical industry.  Another third have Ph.D.’s in chemistry or chemistry-related subjects.  Barnard chemistry alumnae are Professors at Caltech, Brandeis, Washington (Seattle), Carnegie-Mellon, and other fine universities.  Others teach at undergraduate colleges like Rhode Island College and Xavier University (LA).  Other related professions chosen by alumnae include Pharmacy and Pharmacology.  Some graduates work in industry, at the bench as well as in sales or management.  A few alumnae teach high school science.  We also have several very successful alumnae lawyers and business people: good technical training can be very valuable in these areas.

Absolutely!  Research experience shows that you know how to work independently over a period of time, how to deal with uncertainty, and that you have worked with complex advanced problems.  All these are good markers for success in medical school too. Students who are in the Senior Thesis Program have a lot of experience talking about their research, so they may do especially well in Medical School interviews.

Students can conduct independent research (CHEM BC3597 or CHEM BC3599) with faculty members outside of the Chemistry Department. This can include other science departments within the College or neighboring institutions (Columbia, CUMC, Sloan-Kettering, NYU, etc.). Project approval from the Chemistry Department Assistant Chair is required. Interested students must complete the information form.

Arrangements for independent research should be made well in advance, preferably during the pre-registration period the previous semester. Research projects take planning, so it is often very difficult to set them up at the beginning of the semester.

While you may repeat research courses, only one independent research course is allowed per semester.

Summer research in the Barnard Chemistry Department is competitive and arranged under the umbrella of the SRI, usually students apply and are accepted around spring break.  Student stipends for ten weeks’ research are generous, with funding from various sources.  Each year in February the department schedules faculty presentations where you can hear about possible research projects.  Talk to all Professors whose area of research sounds interesting.  Don’t be shy: we enjoy talking about our research!  A simple application form is available; the deadline for application is typically in February.  We usually have many more applicants that we have space or funding, so you should look for other opportunities as well.  We give preference to students who will be doing Senior Theses the following year, and after that, to students who have completed BC3333/3335 and BC3338/3340. Good lab skills, enthusiasm, and ability to work well with others are other important qualifications.

With careful planning, Chemistry and Biochemistry majors can and do study abroad. Keep in mind that many science course have prerequisites, so you need to map out carefully what fits where among your major courses. Discuss this with a department member early in your college career. It is generally not a good idea to try to take required courses required for the major while abroad: it is difficult to find close equivalents to courses here. Plan to focus on the language and culture of your host country while abroad, and do the science courses at home. One semester abroad is quite manageable; two semesters is more challenging.

Examples of double majors completed in recent years are Chemistry and Italian, Chemistry and Dance, and Chemistry and Political Science. Such combinations take a lot of planning, and leave little room for other electives. If this is something you are thinking about doing, map out the courses for your four college years and discuss this early on with someone from each department. Keep in mind that you may write two senior theses. While we do not encourage students to do double majors, we are happy to work with you if this is important to you.

You need one year of calculus-based physics including lab. Barnard’s Physics BC2001x-2002y (4.5 points each term, including laboratory) is strongly recommended. The equivalent CU lecture courses are UN1401x-UN1402y. Since this course does not have a year-long lab, you should take the lab at Barnard: see the physics department to make arrangements. More advanced physics courses (UN1601x-UN1602y) are also ok, but those with lower numbers (UN1201x-1202y, UN1301x-1302y) are not acceptable. See the Physics department Chair for prior approval of any summer physics course; the Chemistry department Chair must also sign that the course is appropriate for the major.

1) Two Semesters of math taken at college 2) Completion of Calculus through Calculus II. Further mathematics experience is always encouraged strongly for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.