Information for Prospective Majors

 

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Advising and Contact Information
Discipline of Chemistry
Degrees Offered
Concentrations and Degree Tracts
Statistics on Majors
Long Range Planning
Career Information
Declaration of a Chemistry Major

The Discipline of Chemistry. (The following description is taken from the undergraduate homepage.)

Chemistry is typically described in introductory texts as the study of the properties and behavior of matter.  A more modern definition might take the microscopic view and describe chemistry as the science of atoms, molecules, and their interactions.  As such, chemistry crosses scales from isolated, individual atoms and molecules to complex interacting collections of molecules such as those found in the cell, and disciplines from biology and medicine to materials science and engineering.  This broad range of applicability is why chemistry is often referred to as the central science.

The field has traditionally been divided into sub-disciplines including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical and theoretical chemistry, but the increasingly interdisciplinary nature of chemistry makes such categorizations limiting (although they largely persist within the undergraduate chemistry curriculum).  Indeed some would describe chemistry in terms of what chemists do, for example designing and synthesizing new molecules and materials, developing new experimental methods and instrumentation to probe, characterize and manipulate molecules, and developing new theories and computational methods to understand and predict molecular behavior.  Current interdisciplinary applications of chemistry at Duke range from elucidating and controlling signaling in biological systems, to designing chemical separation and identification technologies for genomics and proteomics, to developing new chemical contrast agents and imaging methods in biomedicine, to the synthesis, assembly, and theory of nanoscale materials and devices.  Training in the discipline must then go beyond the traditional areas of chemistry and provide sufficiently general skills and a sufficiently broad understanding of molecular science that the power of chemical thinking can be brought to bear on complex scientific and technological problems for the betterment of society.

Degrees offered: AB and BS.

Concentrations Offered. "A concentration is a detailed study within a major that focuses on a particular and readily defined sub-discipline or area related to the primary major." Concentrations "will be recorded at an appropriate place on the transcript of undergraduates who have satisfied the requirements thereof as certified by the relevant Directors of Undergraduate Studies." (Committee on Curriculum of the Arts and Sciences Council, January 24, 1997.)

Chemistry offers three concentrations in both the AB and the BS degree: Biochemistry, Pharmacology, and Environment. Each concentration requires two advanced courses with appropriate prerequisites and research independent study.

Degree Tracts Offered. A degree tract is similar to a concentration, but does not require research independent study in the area of the emphasis, and is not recognized on the transcript. Chemistry offers three degree tracts in the AB degree: Biology, Physics, and Mathematics.

Statistics on Chemistry Majors

 On average, about 60 majors graduate with degrees in chemistry annually. In 2010, 65% of our graduates earned BS degrees, about 45% completed the biochemistry concentration, 10% completed the pharmacology concentration, and 15% received ACS-certified degrees.

In terms of academic achievements, about 40% of our recent graduates earned Graduation with Distinction honors, 10% were elected to Phi Beta Kappa, and 10% graduated summa cum laude. 

With regard to post-graduate plans at graduation, roughly 40% go on to medical school, 30% to graduate school in chemistry or a related area, and most of the rest are employed in a wide range of jobs. A number of those with jobs go on to graduate or professional training within 2 years of their graduation.

Long Range Planning.

Selecting a Degree in Chemistry

BS Degree. A BS degree is particularly recommended (but not absolutely required) for majors who plan to go to graduate school in chemistry or a related area and/or who plan to pursue immediate employment in the chemical industry.

BS Degree certified by the American Chemical Society.  A BS degree certified by the American Chemical Society is recommended (but not absolutely required) for majors who plan to go directly into the chemical industry, or plan to go to graduate school in chemistry, or those who plan to pursue a MD/Ph.D degree. Certification offers little advantage for those going to graduate schools in other areas than chemistry or those who plan to pursue a MD degree, but not a Ph.D.

AB Degree. An AB degree is recommended for all others including those who plan to attend medical school.

Concentrations and Degree Tracts.

Neither a concentration nor a degree tract is required for a degree in chemistry. They should be pursued out of interest or in preparation for a related graduate program.

For detailed information concerning the major see the majors' Handbook.

Career Information.

Careers in Chemistry (graduate school and employment in industry)
Careers in Medicine (getting into medical school, MCAT preparation)

Declaration of a Chemistry Major

For students who have not yet declared any major, a chemistry major may be declared by following the procedures outlined on the web site of the Pre-Major Advising Center.

For students who have already declared a major in some field other than chemistry, a change of major to chemistry or the addition of chemistry as a second major may be made, in person, at Student Services, room 101 Allen Building or at the Registrar's Office, 705 Broad Street.

Advising and Contact Information. If you have any questions about majoring in chemistry or want an appointment with the DUS, click here.