Program Overview

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Chemistry Major & ChemFlex Option

The chemistry curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry includes the General Institute Requirements as well as the specific chemistry subjects listed below. The laboratory curriculum of Undergraduate Research Inspired Experimental Chemistry Alternatives (URIECA) introduces students to cutting-edge research topics in a modular format. Students at all levels are encouraged to undertake original research under the supervision of a member of the chemistry faculty. Students with a strong interest in independent research, working with Chemistry Department faculty, may take 5.39 (Research and Communication in Chemistry) to fulfill part of the laboratory requirement.

Chemistry Major

The Chemistry Major is designed both for those who intend to go on to graduate study and those who intend to pursue a professional career immediately in chemistry or an allied field, such as medicine, in which a sound knowledge of chemistry is important. The Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society.

Required Lecture Subjects

• 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry I
• 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
• 5.111 or 5.112 Principles of Chemical Science or equivalent
• 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
• 5.13 Organic Chemistry II
• 5.601 Thermodynamics I
• 5.602 Thermodynamics II and Kinetics
• 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
• 5.612 Electronic Structures of Molecules

Restricted Lecture Electives

Select two of the following:

• 5.04 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry II
• 5.08 Fundamentals of Chemical Biology
• 5.43 Advanced Organic Chemistry
• 5.62 Physical Chemistry II

Required Laboratory Subjects (URIECA)

• Module 1 (5.351) Fundamentals of Spectroscopy
• Module 2 (5.352) Synthesis of Coordination Compounds and Kinetics (CI-M)
• Module 3 (5.353) Macromolecular Prodrugs
• Module 4 (5.361) Recombinant DNA Technology

Restricted Elective Labs

Choose at least three of the following:

• Module 5 (5.362) Cancer Drug Efficacy (CI-M)
• Module 6 (5.363) Organic Structure Determination
• Module 7 (5.371) Continuous Flow Chemistry: Sustainable Conversion of Reclaimed Vegetable Oil into Biodiesel
• Module 8 (5.372) Chemistry of Renewable Energy
• Module 9 (5.373) Synthesis of Boron Heterocycles
• Module 10 (5.381) Quantum Dots
• Module 11 (5.382) Time-and Frequency-resolved Spectroscopy of Photosynthesis (CI-M)
• Module 12 (5.383) Fast-flow Peptide Protein Synthesis

Elective Labs

All remaining URIECA modules, or: 5.39 Research and Communication in Chemistry (CI-M)

Chemistry Major Roadmaps

Roadmap with 5.39

• First Year:
  • Fall: Chemistry GIR
  • Spring: 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
• Sophomore – Fall:
  • 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
  • 5.13 Organic Chemistry II
  • 5.351 (Lab Module 1)
  • 5.352 (Lab Module 2)
  • 5.353 (Lab Module 3)
• Sophomore – Spring:
  • 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
  • 5.601 Thermodynamics I
  • 5.602 Thermodynamics II & Kinetics
  • 5.361 (Lab Module 4)
  • 5.362 (Lab Module 5)
  • 5.371 (Lab Module 7)
• Junior – Fall:
  • 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
  • 5.612 Electronic Structure of Molecules
  • 5.363 (Lab Module 6)
  • 5.372 (Lab Module 8)
  • 5.373 (Lab Module 9)
• Junior – Spring:
  • 5.381 (Lab Module 10)
  • 5.382 (Lab Module 11)
  • 5.383 (Lab Module 12)
• Senior – Fall:
  • Advanced Elective (5.04 is offered)
• Senior – Spring:
  • Advanced Elective (5.08, 5.43, 5.62 are offered)
  • 5.39 Research and Communication in Chemistry

Roadmap with 5.39 - 2nd Term Sophomore Start

• First Year – Spring:
  • Chemistry GIR
• Sophomore – Spring:
  • 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
  • 5.351 (Lab Module 1)
  • 5.352 (Lab Module 2)
  • 5.353 (Lab Module 3)
• Junior – Fall:
  • 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
  • 5.13 Organic Chemistry II
  • 5.363 (Lab Module 6)
• Junior – Spring:
  • 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
  • 5.601 Thermodynamics I
  • 5.602 Thermodynamics II & Kinetics
  • 5.361 (Lab Module 4)
  • 5.362 (Lab Module 5)
  • 5.371 (Lab Module 7)
• Senior – Fall:
  • 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
  • 5.612 Electronic Structure of Molecules
  • Advanced Elective (5.04 is offered)
  • 5.372 (Lab Module 8)
  • 5.373 (Lab Module 9)
• Senior – Spring:
  • Advanced Elective (5.08, 5.43, 5.62 are offered)
  • 5.381 (Lab Module 10)
  • 5.382 (Lab Module 11)
  • 5.383 (Lab Module 12)
  • 5.39 Research and Communication in Chemistry

Roadmap with all Lab Modules

• First Year:
  • Fall: Chemistry GIR
  • Spring: 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
• Sophomore – Fall:
  • 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
  • 5.13 Organic Chemistry II
  • 5.351 (Lab Module 1)
  • 5.352 (Lab Module 2)
  • 5.363 (Lab Module 6)
• Sophomore – Spring:
  • 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
  • 5.601 Thermodynamics I
  • 5.602 Thermodynamics II & Kinetics
  • 5.361 (Lab Module 4)
  • 5.362 (Lab Module 5)
  • 5.371 (Lab Module 7)
• Junior – Fall:
  • 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
  • 5.612 Electronic Structure of Molecules
  • 5.353 (Lab Module 3)
  • 5.372 (Lab Module 8)
  • 5.373 (Lab Module 9)
• Junior – Spring:
  • 5.381 (Lab Module 10)
  • 5.382 (Lab Module 11)
  • 5.383 (Lab Module 12)
• Senior:
  • Advanced Elective (5.04 is offered)
  • Advanced Elective (5.08, 5.43, 5.62 are offered)

Roadmap with all Lab Modules - 2nd Term Sophomore Start

• First Year – Spring:
  • Chemistry GIR
• Sophomore – Spring:
  • 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
• Junior – Fall:
  • 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
  • 5.13 Organic Chemistry II
  • 5.351 (Lab Module 1)
  • 5.352 (Lab Module 2)
  • 5.363 (Lab Module 6)
• Junior – Spring:
  • 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
  • 5.601 Thermodynamics I
  • 5.602 Thermodynamics II & Kinetics
  • 5.361 (Lab Module 4)
  • 5.362 (Lab Module 5)
  • 5.371 (Lab Module 7)
• Senior – Fall:
  • 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
  • 5.612 Electronic Structure of Molecules
  • Advanced Elective (5.04 is offered)
  • 5.353 (Lab Module 3)
  • 5.372 (Lab Module 8)
  • 5.373 (Lab Module 9)
• Senior – Spring:
  • Advanced Elective (5.08, 5.43, 5.62 are offered)
  • 5.381 (Lab Module 10)
  • 5.382 (Lab Module 11)
  • 5.383 (Lab Module 12)

ChemFlex Option

The ChemFlex Option is designed to provide an education based on science, both for those who intend to pursue chemistry as a career and for those who plan to go into an allied field, such as biotechnology or scientific consulting, in which a sound knowledge of chemistry is important. This training can be tailored to the student’s interests by the judicious choice of elective focus subjects that contribute to the major.

For an S.B. Degree in Chemistry (ChemFlex)

Required Lecture Subjects

• 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry I
• 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
• 5.111 or 5.112 Principles of Chemical Science or equivalent
• 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
• 5.601 Thermodynamics I
• 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy

Restricted Lecture Electives

Select 24 units of the following:

• 5.04 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry II
• 5.08 Fundamentals of Chemical Biology
• 5.13 Organic Chemistry II
• 5.43 Advanced Organic Chemistry
• 5.602 Thermodynamic II and Kinetics
• 5.612 Electronic Structure of Molecules
• 5.62 Physical Chemistry II

Elective Focus

Select a minimum of 36 units of coursework forming an intellectually coherent unit in some area, subject to the approval of the department. Some sample focus areas are provided below.

Required Laboratory Subjects (URIECA)

• Module 1 (5.351) Fundamentals of Spectroscopy
• Module 2 (5.352) Synthesis of Coordination Compounds and Kinetics (CI-M)
• Module 3 (5.353) Macromolecular Prodrugs
• Module 4 (5.361) Recombinant DNA Technology

Choose one of the following options:

• Option 1: Select at least 20 units from the list of Laboratory Restricted Electives
• Option 2: 5.39 Research and Communication in Chemistry (CI-M)
• Option 3: A set of laboratory subjects of similar extent, subject to the approval of the department

Laboratory Restricted Electives

• Module 5 (5.362) Cancer Drug Efficacy (CI-M)
• Module 6 (5.363) Organic Structure Determination
• Module 7 (5.371) Continuous Flow Chemistry: Sustainable Conversion of Reclaimed Vegetable Oil into Biodiesel
• Module 8 (5.372) Chemistry of Renewable Energy
• Module 9 (5.373) Synthesis of Boron Heterocycles
• Module 10 (5.381) Quantum Dots
• Module 11 (5.382) Time-and-Frequency-resolved Spectroscopy of Photosynthesis (CI-M)
• Module 12 (5.383) Fast-flow Peptide Protein Synthesis

ChemFlex Option Roadmaps

Roadmap with ChemFlex Option

• First Year – Fall:
  • Chemistry GIR
• Sophomore – Fall:
  • 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
  • 5.351 (Lab Module 1)
  • 5.352 (Lab Module 2)
  • 5.353 (Lab Module 3)
• Sophomore – Spring:
  • 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry
  • 5.601 Thermodynamics I
  • Elective Class #1
  • Elective Lab (4 units)
• Junior – Fall:
  • 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
  • 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
  • Elective Class #2
• Junior – Spring:
  • 5.361 (Lab Module 4)
  • Elective Lab #2 (or 5.39)
  • Elective Lab #3 (or 5.39)
• Senior – Fall:
  • Elective Class #3
  • Elective Lab #4
• Senior – Spring:
  • Elective Lab #5 (or 5.39)

ChemFlex Option Roadmap - 2nd Term Sophomore Start

• Sophomore – Fall:
  • Chemistry GIR
• Sophomore – Spring:
  • 5.12 Organic Chemistry I
  • Elective Class #1
  • 5.351 (Lab Module 1)
• Junior – Fall:
  • 5.07 Introduction to Biological Chemistry
  • 5.611 Introduction to Spectroscopy
  • 5.352 (Lab Module 2)
  • 5.353 (Lab Module 3)
• Junior – Spring:
  • 5.03 Principles of Inorganic Chemistry I
  • 5.601 Thermodynamics I
  • 5.361 (Lab Module 4)
  • Elective Lab (4 units)
• Senior – Fall:
  • Elective Class #2
  • Elective Lab (8 units)
• Senior – Spring:
  • Elective Class #3
  • Elective Lab (8 units)

Sample ChemFlex Focus Areas

Your focus area can be tailored to your specific interests, either within chemistry or another discipline. While we offer some suggestions below, you are not limited to those options. You will need to select a minimum of 36 units of coursework which form an intellectually coherent unit in an area, then create a name for the focus. The subjects do not need to all be in the same department. The focus area will be subject to the approval of the department.

ChemFlex with Focus in Biophysics

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.602
  • 5.612
  • 5.08
• Elective Focus:
  • 8.241 Introduction to Biological Physics
  • 7.03 Genetics
  • 7.32 Systems Biology
• Elective Lab:
  • 20.129J Biological Circuit Engineering Laboratory
  • 5.382
  • 5.383

ChemFlex with Focus in Chemical Engineering

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.602
  • 5.08
• Elective Focus:
  • 10.00 Molecule Builders
  • 10.10 Introduction to Chemical Engineering
  • 10.345 Fundamentals of Metabolic and Biochemical Engineering
  • 10.443 Future Medicine: Drug Delivery, Therapeutics, and Diagnostics
• Elective Lab:
  • 10.28 Chemical-Biological Engineering Laboratory
  • 5.362
  • 5.383

ChemFlex with Focus in Chemical Physics

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.602
  • 5.612
  • 5.62
• Elective Focus:
  • 8.03 Physics III
  • 8.04 Quantum Physics I
  • 8.05 Quantum Physics II
• Elective Lab:
  • 8.13 Experimental Physics I
  • 5.381

ChemFlex with Focus in Climate Science

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.602
  • 5.612
• Elective Focus:
  • 12.003 Introduction to Atmosphere, Ocean, and Climate Dynamics
  • 12.301 Climate Science
  • 12.377 The History of Earth’s Climate
• Elective Lab:
  • 12.335 Experimental Atmospheric Chemistry
  • 5.362
  • 5.371

ChemFlex with Focus in Computational Chemistry

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.602
  • 5.612
  • 5.62
• Elective Focus:
  • 6.006 Introduction to Algorithms
  • 6.009 Fundamentals of Programming
  • 5.697J Computational Chemistry
• Elective Lab:
  • 5.39

ChemFlex with Focus in Energy

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.602
  • 5.612
  • 5.04
• Elective Focus:
  • 2.650J Introduction to Sustainable Energy
  • 8.21 Physics of Energy
  • 10.04 A Philosophical History of Energy
• Elective Lab:
  • 6.152J Micro/Nano Processing Technology
  • 5.372
  • 5.373

ChemFlex with Focus in Environmental Chemistry

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.04
• Elective Focus:
  • 12.021 Earth Science, Energy, and the Environment
  • 12.104 Geochemistry of Natural Waters
  • 1.080A Environmental Chemistry I
  • 1.018AJ Fundamentals of Ecology I
• Elective Lab:
  • 1.107 Environmental Chemistry and Biology Lab
  • 12.335 Experimental Atmospheric Chemistry
  • 5.371

ChemFlex with Focus in Materials Chemistry

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.43
• Elective Focus:
  • 3.012 Fundamentals of Materials Science and Engineering
  • 3.016 Computational Methods for Materials Scientists and Engineers
  • 3.063 Polymer Physics
• Elective Lab:
  • 3.014 Materials Laboratory
  • 5.363
  • 5.371

ChemFlex with Focus in Physical Chemistry

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.602
  • 5.612
  • 5.62
• Elective Focus:
  • 5.70 Statistical Thermodynamics
  • 5.73 Introductory Quantum Mechanics I
  • 5.74 Introductory Quantum Mechanics II
• Elective Lab:
  • 5.372
  • 5.373
  • 5.381
  • 5.382
  • 5.383

ChemFlex with Focus in Neuroscience

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.08
• Elective Focus:
  • 9.01 Introduction to Neuroscience
  • 9.015J Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience Core I
  • 9.09J Cellular and Molecular Neurobiology
• Elective Lab:
  • 9.12 Experimental Molecular Neurobiology
  • 9.123J Neurotechnology in Action

ChemFlex with Focus in Science Policy

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.08
• Elective Focus:
  • 14.01 Principles of Microeconomics
  • 14.003 Microeconomic Theory and Public Policy
  • STS.011 Engineering Life: Biotechnology and Society
• Elective Lab:
  • 5.39

ChemFlex with Focus in Synthesis

• Elective Lecture:
  • 5.13
  • 5.04
• Elective Focus:
  • 5.43 Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • 5.061 Principles of Organometallic Chemistry
  • 5.511 Synthetic Organic Chemistry I
  • 5.45 Heterocyclic Chemistry
• Elective Lab:
  • 5.362
  • 5.363
  • 5.371
  • 5.372
  • 5.373