Chemistry

Director of undergraduate studies: Nilay Hazari, 210 KCL, 203-432-0885; chem.yale.edu

The wide range of courses offered by the Department of Chemistry reflects the position of chemistry as the foundation of all the molecular sciences. In addition to graduate work in chemistry, biochemistry, or health-related disciplines, the department's graduates find their broad scientific training useful in fields such as technology policy, business management, and law. Chemistry is an especially appropriate major for students interested in energy research or policy and the environment.

Courses for Nonmajors without Prerequisites

The Chemistry department offers one-term courses with no prerequisites, which are intended for non-science majors. These courses do not satisfy medical school requirements or the general chemistry requirement for any science major. Courses for nonmajors are numbered CHEM 100-109.

Prerequisites and Introductory Courses

Prerequisite courses Prerequisites common to all four Chemistry degree programs include two terms of general chemistry and laboratory; single-variable calculus at the level of MATH 115; and one term of introductory physics numbered 170 or higher, or the equivalents in advanced placement. Students also are encouraged to complete a course in multivariable calculus (MATH 120 or ENAS 151).

Introductory courses The majority of students begin with a general chemistry sequence: either CHEM 161 and 165 or CHEM 163 and 167. These courses fulfill the prerequisite for general chemistry in the Chemistry major. Students taking CHEM 161 may be studying chemistry for the first time, perhaps took chemistry as a high school sophomore, or even may have completed AP chemistry but did not fully master the subject at that level. Students in CHEM 163 will have completed a year or two of chemistry later in high school, although motivated students may have last taken chemistry as a high-school sophomore if they have a strong math and physics background. Typically students who complete CHEM 163 in the fall term complete CHEM 167 in the spring term. Regardless of whether a student completes the CHEM 161 and 165 sequence or the CHEM 163 and 167 sequence, the introductory laboratory sequence is CHEM 134L and 136L; each laboratory course earns one-half course credit.

Students with a sufficiently strong background in chemistry may initiate their studies with courses in organic or physical chemistry after demonstrating proficiency on the department's placement examination. While CHEM 174 and 175 are offered expressly for first-year students, other courses in organic chemistry, including CHEM 220 and 221, also are available to qualified first-year students. Students with a strong background in physics and calculus may be eligible for the physical chemistry courses CHEM 332 and 333.

Placement Procedures

Details about placement and preregistration for chemistry courses can be found on the department website. Information about the placement examination and advising also are available on the department website.

Permission Enrollment in CHEM 163 or CHEM 174 through the Yale Online Course System requires permission from the department. Permission is issued automatically after placement has been completed for entering first-year students. For more information email [email protected].

Upper-level students Upper-level students wishing to take CHEM 161, 163, 165, or 167 should confirm their placement on Canvas@Yale by accessing the Chemistry Placement site that corresponds to their year of matriculation. If permission is required in the Yale Online Course System, upper-level students should write to [email protected]. Those wishing to enroll in CHEM 220 may do so as long as they have satisfied the general chemistry prerequisite.

Section registration in laboratory and lecture courses Information about online registration for laboratory and discussion sections can be found in the description for each laboratory or lecture course in Yale Course Search.

Advanced courses All chemistry advanced lecture courses are half-semester courses, which count for 0.5 Yale College credits. Some courses start in the first-half of semester, while other start in the second-half of semester. Information about the timing of courses is available in Yale Course Search. Because most advanced courses are offered either in the fall term or have a fall-term course as a prerequisite, students should give consideration to the advanced courses they plan to take in the spring term. For the purpose of degree requirements, all undergraduate Chemistry courses numbered 401 or higher, approved by the director of undergraduate studies (DUS), typically count as advanced lecture or laboratory courses, as do CHEM 226L, 251L, 331L, 349L, 355L, and 335L. Many graduate-level Chemistry courses (those numbered 500 and above) also may count toward the advanced-course requirement; consult the DUS for information about eligible courses.

For premedical students Medical schools currently require one year of organic chemistry and laboratory as well as one year of general chemistry and laboratory. The general chemistry requirement may be satisfied by completing CHEM 161 and 165, CHEM 163 and 167, or two terms of physical chemistry. Students should consult with the Office of Career Strategy for the most up-to-date premedical course advice.

Requirements of the Major

Four degree programs are offered: the B.A., the B.S., an intensive major leading to the B.S., and the combined B.S./M.S. The B.A. degree is intended for students who want solid training in the chemical sciences and who also intend to study other subjects in which chemical training would be an asset, such as technology policy, economics, or the environment. The B.S. degree is intended to prepare students for graduate study while permitting extensive exploration of other disciplines and is also recommended for those planning to attend graduate school. The B.S. degree with an intensive major provides more focused preparation for a career in chemical research, and requires greater breadth in laboratory courses and electives. The combined B.S./M.S. is designed for students whose advanced preparation qualifies them for graduate-level work in their third and fourth years of college.

The major requires a group of prerequisites or their equivalent in advanced placement, a core of courses common to all four degree programs, advanced courses specific to each degree program, and a senior requirement. 

Course requirements common to all Chemistry degree programs All degrees require two terms of organic chemistry (CHEM 174 or 220, and CHEM 175, 221, or 230) with laboratory (CHEM 222L and 223L), one term of physical chemistry (CHEM 332 or 328), and one term of inorganic chemistry (CHEM 252).

B.A. degree program The B.A. degree program requires ten course credits, beyond the prerequisites. In addition to the common degree requirements and one-term senior requirement, the B.A. degree requires four additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least one full credit must be attained through advanced lecture courses in the Chemistry department and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course. CHEM 333 may be counted toward the advanced-course requirement, although not as the sole lecture course.

B.S. degree program The B.S. degree program requires thirteen course credits, beyond the prerequisites. In addition to the common degree requirements and two-term senior requirement, the B.S. degree requires completion of a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 333), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 330L), and four additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least one full credit must be attained through advanced lecture courses in the Chemistry department and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course.

B.S. degree program, intensive major The B.S. degree program, intensive major requires fifteen course credits, beyond the prerequisites. In addition to the common degree requirements and two-term senior requirement, the B.S. degree with an intensive major requires completion of a second term of introductory physics numbered 171 or higher, a second term of physical chemistry (CHEM 333), one term of physical chemistry laboratory (CHEM 330L), and five additional course credits of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. At least two full credits must be attained through advanced lecture courses in the Chemistry department and at least one must be a Chemistry laboratory course.

Combined B.S./M.S. degree Exceptionally well-prepared students may complete a course of study leading to the simultaneous award of the B.S. and M.S. degrees after eight terms of enrollment. Formal application for admission to this program must be made no later than the last day of classes in the fifth term of enrollment. To be considered for admission, by the end of their fifth term applicants must have achieved at least two-thirds A or A- grades in all of their course credits as well as in all of the course credits directly relating to the major, including prerequisites. Two terms of CHEM 490 must be taken in the fifth and sixth terms with earned grades of A or A- to continue in the program. The B.S./M.S. degree program requires completion of the intensive major requirements, including the senior requirement, which typically is completed in the fifth and sixth terms. The introductory physics requirement must be fulfilled with PHYS 200 and 201 or PHYS 260 and 261; a term course in physics numbered 400 or higher and approved by the Chemistry DUS may be substituted for the introductory sequence. In addition, eight credits of graduate courses in chemistry (four of which count toward the B.S.) are required. Four terms of research are required, including two terms of research taken in CHEM 990. Students in the program must earn grades of A in at least two of their graduate-level term courses (or in one yearlong course) and have at least a B average in other graduate-level courses. B.S./M.S. candidates also are expected to continue their independent research in a summer internship between their junior and senior years. At the end of their eighth semester students are required to write a thesis summarizing their research activities. The thesis must be written under the guidance of the faculty member who supervises the student's research and it must be submitted to their research adviser on the final day of classes of the student's eighth semester. The thesis should be no shorter than twenty-five pages (double-spaced, twelve-point font, excluding figures, tables, and bibliography) and normally should contain the following sections: Introduction, Results and Discussion, Summary and Conclusions, Research Methods, and Bibliography. Students in the B.S./M.S. program, must also present their research in the form of a poster presentation at the end of their sixth semester (to fulfill the requirements of the B.S. degree) and an oral presentation at the end of their eighth semester (to fulfill the requirements of the M.S. degree). Both the poster and oral presentation are coordinated by the instructor of CHEM 490. For more information, see Academic Regulations, section L, Special Academic Arrangements, “Simultaneous Award of the Bachelor's and Master's Degrees.â€

Credit/D/Fail No chemistry courses taken Credit/D/Fail may be counted toward the major (including substitutions for advanced courses).

Roadmap See visual roadmap of the requirements.

Senior Requirement

For the B.A. degree program Students in the B.A. degree program must complete the senior seminar CHEM 400, in which they prepare a capstone essay on a chemistry-related topic. The paper is expected to be 15-25 pages in length (double-spaced, twelve-point font, exclusive of figures, tables, and bibliography).

For the B.S. degree program Students in the B.S. degree program may fulfill the senior requirement by completing two terms of the independent research course CHEM 490 and writing a capstone report under the guidance of a faculty member that describes their research activities. Alternatively, they may complete the senior seminar CHEM 400, in which they prepare a capstone essay on a chemistry-related topic, and complete one additional course credit of advanced chemistry lecture or laboratory courses. One term of CHEM 490 may be counted as the additional advanced course. The capstone report or essay is expected to be 15-25 pages in length (double-spaced, twelve-point font, exclusive of figures, tables, and bibliography). All students performing research also must present their work in the form of an oral or poster presentation as coordinated by the instructor of CHEM 490.

For the B.S. degree program with an intensive major Students in the B.S. degree program with an intensive major fulfill the senior requirement by completing two terms of the independent research course CHEM 490 and writing a capstone report of 15-25 pages in length (double-spaced, twelve-point font, exclusive of figures, tables, and bibliography) under the guidance of a faculty member that describes their research activities. Students in the intensive major program also must present their work in the form of an oral or poster presentation as coordinated by the instructor of CHEM 490.

Advising

Majors are encouraged to begin their programs in the first year to provide the greatest flexibility in scheduling. It is possible, however, to complete the B.S. in as few as six terms if a student has advanced placement. One sample B.S. program follows, but many others are possible:

Substitutions for required courses Up to two credits of advanced science courses outside Chemistry may be counted as electives, with the written approval of the DUS. CHEM 490 may not in any circumstance be substituted for any of the laboratory requirements. The graduate courses CHEM 562L, 564L, and 565L may not be counted toward any requirement of the major.

Programs of study with special emphasis The flexibility of the degree requirements makes it possible for a student's program of study to emphasize a particular area of specialization in chemistry. For example, a program specializing in chemical biology may include 

• $80 application fee or fee waiver
• Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor
• School Report with transcript
• Standardized test results (ACT or SAT) - not required for fall 2023 admission. (See below)
• English proficiency test results - required for non-native English-speakers (See below)
• Mid-Year Report & Final Report

See additional details about these required application components below.

Please note that if your application materials include any documents that are not in English, you must provide an official English translation in addition to the original documents.

$80 application fee or fee waiver

Applicants should pay the $80 application fee via the Common Application or Coalition Application website.

Applicants using the Common Application or Coalition Application may request that the application fee be waived. Learn more on the fee waiver page. The fee waiver scale is based on family size and income in US dollars but is applicable to all international students.

Recommendations from two teachers and one counselor

Request recommendations from two teachers who have taught you in core academic subjects (e.g. English, Foreign Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies) who know you well, and who have seen you at your best. It is preferable, but not required, that recommendations come from teachers who have taught you during your final or next-to-final year of secondary school.

Also request a recommendation from your school’s college counselor. If your counselor does not know you well, the recommendation may still provide helpful contextual information about your school and its academic programs. If your school does not have someone serving as a college counselor, please request a recommendation from a school administrator such as a house master, principal, or academic advisor. 

School Report with transcript

Your counselor or other school official should submit a School Report with an official transcript that includes all your secondary school courses. If a question on the School Report form is not applicable to your secondary school, leave it blank. 

Recommendations and transcripts should be submitted electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application website. If necessary, teachers and counselors may also submit their recommendations and transcripts via mail or digital upload. Recommendations may be sent before or after you submit your application; materials that arrive before your application will be kept on file. The admissions office will make reasonable allowances for late school documents in situations where it is not possible for teachers and counselors to meet the application deadlines.

Standardized test results

In response to the extraordinary circumstances associated with the pandemic, Yale has temporarily suspended its requirement that first-year and transfer applicants submit results from the ACT or SAT. The change will be in effect during the 2022-23 admissions cycles for applicants who intend to matriculate in fall 2023. 

More information on Yale’s test policies is available on the standardized testing page. Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. There is no minimum score required for admission, nor is there a score that will guarantee admission.

English proficiency exams

Yale requires that non-native English-speakers who have not taken at least two years of secondary education where English is the medium of instruction submit the results from any of the proficiency tests listed below.

The TOEFL requires pre-registration for available testing dates. Yale’s most competitive applicants have scores of at least 100 on the internet-based TOEFL.

The IELTS offers proficiency tests in locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have IELTS scores of 7 or higher.

Cambridge English exams are available at testing locations around the world. Pre-registration is required. Yale’s most competitive applicants have Cambridge English scores of 185 or higher on the C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or B2 First exams.

Applicants may submit the Duolingo English Test (DET), which combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview. Duolingo’s technology and format allows applicants to complete the test at any time or place with internet access. Yale’s most competitive applicants have DET scores of at least 120.

InitialView provides live, unscripted video interviews that candidates may submit to colleges for consideration with other application materials. Interview times must be reserved in advance. There is no scoring associated with these interviews.

Mid-Year Report & Final Report

Students who do not receive new secondary school grades by February 1, including students who have already completed secondary school, are not required to submit a Mid-Year Report. This includes many international students. Applicants who receive new grades by February 1 should submit a Mid-Year Report.

Only admitted students are required to submit the Final Report, which provides final secondary school grades and examination marks. Admitted students submit the Final Report in the summer before fall matriculation.

If your secondary school provides predicted results for external exams such as A-levels, the International Baccalaureate, and other international or national testing organizations, they should be submitted by your school alongside your transcript or Mid-Year Report.

All applicants for first-year admission must submit one of the following:

• The Coalition Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The Common Application with Yale-Specific Questions
• The QuestBridge National College Match Application

Yale will accept any one of these applications, without preference for one over another. Students should submit one—and only one—application per admissions cycle.