Fields of Concentration

Largest of the strictly scientific fields, chemistry affords the most complete vocational training of any department in college. Because of efficient organization, highly qualified personnel and excellent laboratory facilities, it offers concentrators as thorough a background in chemistry as can be obtained anywhere in the country. But, by the same token, it is one of the most exacting fields. Once in the field a concentrator must take more courses of a limited nature than in any other field and must be prepared to spend on an average from two to three hours in the laboratory a week if not more.

But at the same time the opportunities opened by concentration are great, particularly during the war emergency. Even without graduate work many seniors have landed jobs with defense industries and for the present at least the chemistry concentrator need have no fear of unemployment. Chemical research is a second major objective of concentrating in Chemistry and the mergence into graduate work is very easily made. Medical School is the goal of a third group of concentrators with courses A or B and 3 and 2 satisfying the basic requirements and course 46 being particularly recommended.

Loose Organization

The organization of the field is looser than any other because of the nature of the subject matter. The main work is conducted under competent section men who assist in the laboratories. There is no tutorial and no need for it since a student can get all the additional advice he needs from his section men, and with no specific concentration there is no need for correlation.

The basic courses for a concentrator in Chemistry are either Chem A for those who have had no Chemistry of Chem B and 3 both half year courses. Lamb in Chem A is considered good and this course naturally should be taken in Freshman year by one who has had no chemistry and intends to concentrate. B and 3 are an excellent testing ground for the prospective concentrator since they give the initial dose of the kind of laboratory work that will be required. Forbes, while not an inspiring lecturer and at times hard to follow, is very thorough. some thought the gap between B and 3 to be extreme.

Math, Physics Required

A course in Physics in also prerequisite for the field and one in Math highly desirable. The two-year combination course in Physics F and G given by various members of the department was considered so much better than either Physics B or C that Chemistry concentrators are strongly advised to take these, preferably in the sophomore and junior years. It was said of both B, for those who have had no Physics, and C that they give you formula with no derivation. Neither Black nor Sanders were spoken of as inspiring lecturers.

While not required, both Math A and Math 2 are strongly recommended and practically essential. If you are going into Physical Chemistry, Math 5 is necessary. All of these are excellent courses and the section men in general are all interesting and good.

Of the courses 2, 4 and 6 which form the guts of the chemistry department, it was thought wisest to take 4 in the sophomore year and 2 and 6 in the Junior year. 4 on quantitative analysis is given by Baxter, a good if sometimes not overly inspiring lecturer. It centers in the laboratory requiring from ten to eighteen hours a week. 2, under Fleser, while less exacting than 4 is a very thorough introduction into organic chemistry, and is generally considered excellent. Likewise 6 under Wilson in physical chemistry. Math and Physics are particularly necessary background for this latter course.

In the Senior year the concentrator for the first time has a real choice and the courses open to him are uniformly good. Chemistry 5 is particularly spoken of as are all the 17's. Bartlett on organic chemistry is particularly praised by his students. Kistiakowsky is criticized as hard to follow. Chemistry 11 on industrial chemistry is a popular course but has been criticized by advanced students for its digressive nature. On the whole the graduate courses while difficult for undergraduates should definitely be explored.