Chemistry Curriculum

What kinds of Chemistry can I study at Clarkson?
The Chemistry curriculum at Clarkson has been designed to present not only the fundamental knowledge needed for success in industry or graduate school, but also to allow flexibility in the design of the major. Beginning in your sophomore year you will be able to take courses in one of the concentrations below:

Inorganic Chemistry — This branch deals with Chemistry of elements and their compounds and is important in the development of a wide variety of products including paints, ceramics and pharmaceuticals.

Analytical Chemistry — This is the Chemistry of what and how much. Through the use of spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry, it aims to develop methods enabling researchers to find out about the composition of metals used in car or plane manufacture, or purity of a pharmaceutical product. Analytical methods are used to control industrial production.

Physical and Colloid Chemistry — This concentration deals with physical properties (such as color, melting, or precipitation) of chemical compounds. A physical chemist in industry measures such properties; a colloid chemist makes and examines small particles.

Organic Chemistry — This field concentrates on compounds containing carbon, often found in nature, such as vitamins or steroids, or made by man, such as drugs, dyes, or synthetic polymeric materials. We cannot think of modern life without such compounds, whether in the kitchen, in the car, or in the textiles we wear.

Environmental Chemistry — Developing safe chemical interactions with the environment is profoundly important to the world's future. All these concentrations prepare students for important careers in industrial and governmental settings as well as advance studies in graduate school.

Are cooperative programs or internships available?
Clarkson is noted for providing its Chemistry majors with ample internship opportunities. Clarkson students have worked for Ciba-Geigy, General Electric, Alcoa, and numerous other companies in co-op educational experiences. Chemistry majors have a prime opportunity to pursue careers while they are studying at Clarkson.

† Students must take 5 Knowledge Area electives covering 6 knowledge areas (CGI, CSO, EC, IA, IG, STS), including 1 University course (UNIV) in addition to UNIV190

*  Students wishing to receive ACS certification must take:  Biochemistry I, 2 credits in Advanced Chemistry electives, and 1 credit in advanced laboratory

**  Students selecting the Thesis option wishing to receive ACS certification must take Biochemistry I