CHEMISTRY
2019-2020
Undergraduate Program
UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAM DEPARTMENTAL ADVISING EXPERTS:
Michael Calter, Organic
Stewart Novick, Physical
T. David Westmoreland, Inorganic, Analytical and General
Chemistry is the science of molecules. Scientific, medical, and technological phenomena ultimately are understood in terms of molecular structure and interactions. Understanding chemistry is essential to effective work in all sciences, and some knowledge of chemistry is useful in such fields as law, government, business, and art. Many aspects of our high-technology society can be understood better from the viewpoint of chemistry.
The following are typical important chemical problems: the structure of DNA, the molecular details of the resistance of bacteria to penicillin, the chemistry of biofuel production, the synthesis of new molecules that might be expected to have medical applications, the consequences of putting electrons and photons into molecules, the details of what happens as two molecules collide, the fundamental basis of the energies of molecules, and the synthesis of nanomaterials. These are all areas of research by Wesleyan faculty and their undergraduate and graduate coworkers.
Nonscientists are encouraged to consider CHEM118, CHEM119, CHEM120, or CHEM141/CHEM142 as part of their program to meet NSM requirements. CHEM118 provides an interdisciplinary view of the DNA molecules and their impact on society at large. CHEM119 studies the basic chemistry of several diseases, including AIDS, cancer, bacterial infections, and the drugs used to treat them, as well as psycho-therapeutic drugs. CHEM120 covers basic chemical principles and then shows how these principles relate to important issues in the real world, such as global warming, alternative energy, genetic engineering, and the treatment of diseases. CHEM141/CHEM142 is an introduction to chemistry that includes quantitative material. CHEM141 can be taken as a single-semester course toward the NSM requirements and can be taken by students who have had no high school chemistry.
Scientists majoring in areas other than chemistry can prepare themselves better for work in their discipline by having a grounding in chemistry, which will enable them to understand molecular phenomena. The Chemistry Department offers two yearlong tracks of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM141/CHEM142 or CHEM143/CHEM144). The CHEM143/CHEM144sequence, requiring some prior chemistry and calculus, provides a more sophisticated introduction and represents a better preparation for science majors. The CHEM141/CHEM142 sequence requires no previous exposure to chemistry or calculus and emphasizes environmental and biological applications. CHEM152 is taken concurrently with CHEM141 and CHEM143in the fall semester or with CHEM142 or CHEM144 in the spring semester. CHEM251/CHEM252 normally follows Introductory Chemistry. The laboratory courses, CHEM257 and CHEM258, are usually taken concurrently with CHEM251/CHEM252, respectively. The two courses, Introductory Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, plus the laboratory sequence, CHEM152, CHEM257, CHEM258, are required for admission to medical, dental, and veterinary schools.
Students graduating with a BA degree in chemistry should be able to:
- Apply the scientific method. The student should understand how to develop and test scientific hypotheses.
- Understand data. The student should understand how chemical data is produced, interpreted, and applied.
- Perform laboratory experiments. The student should have the ability to carry out standard chemical experimental procedures safely and successfully.
- Apply quantitative tools. The student should be able to select and apply appropriate quantitative techniques (e.g., calculus, statistics, chemical group theory, or computational modeling) to chemical questions.
- Use the primary literature. The student should be able to search for and understand publications from the primary scientific literature.
- Critically evaluate scientific claims. The student should be able to critique claims and arguments made in the chemical literature.
- Communicate. The student should be able to present chemical data and their interpretation effectively in written, visual, and oral formats.
- Practice science with integrity. The student should adhere to established professional ethical standards in the generation, documentation, and presentation of chemical data.
- Appreciate chemistry as an interdisciplinary science. The student should understand how to apply chemical perspectives to topics from related fields.
Students who anticipate the possibility of majoring in chemistry should, if possible, take CHEM143/CHEM144 as first-year students. The program for majors is described in detail below. Students who have scores of 4 or 5 in the chemistry Advanced Placement examination or 5, 6, or 7 on IB courses in chemistry should consult with the department chair about the possibility of advanced placement in organic chemistry (or, in exceptional circumstances, in physical chemistry). A student whose interest in biochemistry arises from a desire to understand biological systems at the molecular level may choose to study biochemistry as a chemistry major. (See biological chemistry track below.)
To declare the Chemistry major students must have earned a grade of C or better in all 100- and 200-level Chemistry courses completed at the time of declaration.
To major in chemistry, a student should complete a year of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM141/CHEM142 or, preferably, CHEM143/CHEM144, and the associated lab CHEM152), unless the student has been given Advanced Placement credit. In addition, a year of organic chemistry (CHEM251/CHEM252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/CHEM258), and a year of physical chemistry (CHEM337/CHEM338) are required. One year of advanced laboratory is required (CHEM375/CHEM376). Chemistry majors are also required to register for and attend two semesters of CHEM521/CHEM522. The major is completed by electing a total of at least three credits from 300-level courses (other than CHEM337/CHEM338). All courses other than seminars that are required for the chemistry major must be taken under a letter-grading mode (A–F). One of the three 300-level electives may be replaced by two semesters of research (CHEM409/CHEM410 or CHEM423/CHEM424). Seminars or journal clubs cannot be counted as electives. All chemistry majors are strongly encouraged to do research with a faculty member, both during the academic year and over at least one summer. Financial support for summer research is generally available.
Students must either (i) complete calculus courses through MATH122, (ii) receive an Advanced Placement score of a 4 or 5 on the BC calculus exam, or (iii) place into a course beyond MATH122 on the Math Placement Exam. Students must take one year of physics (PHYS111/112 or PHYS113/116) or receive an Advanced Placement score of a 4 or 5 on AP physics exam. Students who do not study inorganic chemistry in CHEM144, either through exemption or because they have satisfied the introductory chemistry requirement with CHEM141/CHEM142, must select CHEM361 as one of their 300-level electives.
Before or during the second semester of the sophomore year, a student interested in majoring in chemistry should consult with the chair of the Chemistry Department or the departmental advisors for specific areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical) concerning a suitable program of study. If the student does opt for the chemistry major, these people may also assist in the choice of a major advisor for the student. Students who intend to be multiple majors are strongly advised to consult with their chemistry advisors at the beginning of their junior year to plan their chemistry program.
A chemistry major planning graduate work in chemistry usually takes at least one additional 300-level chemistry course (excluding CHEM337/CHEM338) and two semesters of undergraduate research, CHEM409/CHEM410 or CHEM423/CHEM424. When feasible, an intensive continuation of research during at least one summer is encouraged. The preparation of a senior thesis based on this research (CHEM409/CHEM410 or CHEM423/CHEM424) provides extremely valuable experience and is strongly recommended.
Graduate courses may be elected with permission. A chemistry major planning to attend medical school, teach in a secondary school, or do graduate work in such fields as biochemistry, geochemistry, environmental science, or chemical physics may request permission from the departmental curriculum committee to replace one of the elective credits in the concentration program with an appropriate course offered by another science or mathematics department. A similar substitution may be requested when appropriate as part of an interdepartmental major. Independent research is encouraged. A solid mathematical background is important to those students who plan to do graduate work in chemistry. Such students should also try to take PHYS113 and PHYS116 prior to their junior year. MATH221 and MATH222 are recommended to those whose interests lie in physical chemistry.
BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY TRACK
The Chemistry Department recognizes that a number of students each year are interested in a major program containing both a strong biology or biochemistry component and somewhat less emphasis on chemistry than the standard chemistry major. In response to this interest, the Chemistry Department now offers a biological chemistry track. This track would, for example, be an excellent preparation for medical school or graduate school in biochemistry. (Students interested in chemistry as a profession are advised to take the standard chemistry major track, which provides a better preparation for graduate school in chemistry.)
To begin a major in the biological chemistry track, a student should complete a year of Introductory Chemistry (CHEM141/CHEM142 or, preferably, CHEM143/CHEM144, and the associated laboratory, CHEM152), unless the student has been given Advanced Placement credit. In addition, one year of organic chemistry (CHEM251/CHEM252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/CHEM258), and a semester of biology (BIOL181/MB&B181) are required. One year of advanced laboratory (CHEM375/CHEM376) and two semesters of CHEM521/CHEM522 are also required. MB&B395/CHEM395 may be substituted for one semester of CHEM375/CHEM376 by petition. Also required are CHEM383and CHEM381. The two-semester physical chemistry sequence, CHEM337/CHEM338, can be substituted for CHEM381with the second semester of this sequence then counting as one of the three electives. Students who have been exempted from CHEM144 must take CHEM361 to gain familiarity with inorganic chemistry.
The three electives normally required for chemistry majors should be taken from the following:
| Course Code | Course Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHEM309 | Molecular and Cellular Biophysics | 1 |
| CHEM/MB&B321 | Biomedicinal Chemistry | 1 |
| CHEM/MB&B325 | Introduction to Biomolecular Structure | 1 |
| CHEM/MB&B386 | Biological Thermodynamics | 1 |
| CHEM387 | Enzyme Mechanisms | 0.5 |
| CHEM390/MB&B340 | Practical Methods in Biochemistry | 1 |
| MB&B208 | Molecular Biology (or any other chemistry courses, 300-level or higher) | 1 |
One upper-level MB&B course can be used as an elective upon prior approval by the faculty advisor. (Note, however, that only one MB&B course, including MB&B208, not cross-listed with chemistry, may count as an elective toward the major.) Students must either (i) complete calculus courses through MATH122, (ii) receive an Advanced Placement score of a 4 or 5 on the BC calculus exam, or (iii) place into a course beyond MATH122 on the Math Placement Exam. Students are strongly encouraged to take one year of physics (PHYS111/PHYS112 or PHYS113/PHYS116) or receive an Advanced Placement score of a 4 or 5 on AP physics exam. One of the electives may be replaced by two semesters of research (CHEM409/CHEM410 or CHEM423/CHEM424). Other seminars or journal clubs cannot be counted as electives. Participation in the weekly biochemistry evening seminar (CHEM587/CHEM588) and in research, both during the academic year and over at least one summer, are strongly recommended. Students who intend to be multiple majors are strongly advised to consult with their chemistry advisors at the beginning of their junior year to plan their chemistry program.
Required Courses:
- CHEM141 and CHEM142 - Introductory Chemistry I and II or CHEM143 and CHEM144 - Principles of Chemistry I and II or equivalent pre-matric credits
- CHEM152 - Introductory Chemistry Laboratory or equivalent pre-matric credits
- CHEM251 and CHEM252 - Principles of Organic Chemistry I and II
- CHEM257 - General Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM258 - Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- One semester of CHEM521 or CHEM522 - Chemistry Symposia I or II
Additional Courses:
- One 300 level course taught in the Chemistry Department
A grade of C or better in all completed 100- and 200- level Chemistry courses is required to count toward the minor requirements.
The recommended capstone experience is research followed by a senior thesis. Successful completion of the Integrated Lab sequence CHEM375/CHEM376 is considered a capstone for those students not doing research in chemistry.
Honors are awarded based on the evaluation of senior theses.
Placement in CHEM141 or CHEM143. Freshmen interested in environmental and/or biochemical material may take CHEM141. Those more interested in quantitative and inorganic materials should take CHEM143. Potential majors and other students will have a solid grounding in chemistry by taking either CHEM141, CHEM142 or CHEM143, CHEM144. CHEM152 is taken concurrently with CHEM141 or CHEM143 in the fall semester and CHEM142 or CHEM144 in the spring semester. Faculty will be available to discuss this at the Freshman Academic Forum.
Requirements for medical, dental, or veterinarian school are satisfied by either CHEM141, CHEM142 or CHEM143, CHEM144, plus CHEM152, followed by CHEM251, CHEM252 (Organic Chemistry) and the labs CHEM257, CHEM258.
Note: If CHEM144 was not taken (because of Advanced Placement credit or because sequence CHEM141/CHEM142replaced CHEM143/CHEM144) then CHEM361 must be among the electives for the major.
For freshmen and new students to receive 2 credits:
Score of AP 5. Students can receive 2.00 credits by completing one full year of organic chemistry (CHEM251 and CHEM252) with a minimum grade of B. No credit will be granted if a student completes any of the following courses: CHEM141, CHEM142, CHEM143, or CHEM144.
For freshmen and new students to receive 1 credit:
Score of AP 5. Students can receive 1.00 credit by completing CHEM144 with a minimum grade of B. No credit will be granted if a students takes either CHEM141, CHEM142, or CHEM143.
Score of AP 4. Students can receive 1.00 credit by either completing CHEM144 with a minimum grade of B or completing a full year of organic chemistry (CHEM251 & CHEM252) with a minimum grade of B. No credit will be granted if a student completes any of the following courses: CHEM141, CHEM142, or CHEM143.
Special note: AP students who intend to major in chemistry should consult with the department chair as soon as possible.
ADVANCED PLACEMENT CREDIT FOR THE INTERNATIONAL BACCALAUREATE (IB) COURSES IN CHEMISTRY
For freshmen and new students to receive 2 credits:
Score of IB 6 or 7. Students can receive 2.00 credits by completing one full year of organic chemistry (CHEM251 and CHEM252) with a minimum grade of B. No credit will be granted if a student completes any of the following courses: CHEM141, CHEM142, CHEM143, or CHEM144
For freshmen and new students to receive 1 credit:
Score of IB 6 or 7. Students can receive 1.00 credit by completing CHEM144 with a minimum grade of B. No credit will be granted if a students takes either CHEM141, CHEM142, or CHEM143.
Score of IB 5. Students can receive 1.00 credit by either completing CHEM144 with a minimum grade of B, or completing a full year of organic chemistry (CHEM251 & CHEM252) with a minimum grade of B. No credit will be granted if a student completes any of the following courses: CHEM141, CHEM142, or CHEM143.
Score of IB 4. Students are not eligible to receive Wesleyan credit.
Note: A chemistry major is required to study inorganic chemistry. The requirement can be met by taking either CHEM144 or CHEM361 or both.
Special note: AP students who intend to major in chemistry should consult with the department chair as soon as possible.
ENGLISH A-LEVELS
For freshmen and new students:
Students with a grade of A on the Chemistry A-Levels can receive 1 credit by completing CHEM144 with a minimum grade of B or completing the yearlong organic chemistry (CHEM251 and CHEM252) with a grade of B or higher. No credit will be granted if the student has completed any of the following courses: CHEM141, CHEM142, or CHEM143.
Special note: Students with Chemistry AP, IB, or A-Levels scores who intend to major in chemistry should consult with the department chair as soon as possible.
Not all general chemistry or organic chemistry courses taken at other institutions will satisfy the criteria for transfer credit to Wesleyan. It is the students’ responsibility to find an acceptable course(s) and to have the course(s) preapproved by the Chemistry Department. Below are general guidelines for requests for transfer of credit for general and organic chemistry.
For Transfer of Credit:
- The instructor of the equivalent Wesleyan course (CHEM141 or CHEM142 for Introductory Chemistry and CHEM251/CHEM252 for Organic Chemistry) for the current academic year must approve all transfer of credit requests. Such approvals are solely at his/her discretion.
- Permission should be requested before the course is taken. The student should submit:
- the "Permission to Transfer Credit From Another College or University" form available on the Dean's Office website (http://www.wesleyan.edu/deans/forms),
- the title, author(s), and edition of the textbook used in the course,
- the syllabus for the course, including which specific chapters of the textbook are actually covered in the course,
- the length of the lectures,
- the total number of actual class hours, excluding time taken for examinations, and
- the name and contact information for the course instructor.
These materials must be compiled by the student and sent to the faculty member currently teaching the equivalent Wesleyan course; simply sending a copy of the syllabus or a link to a course website is not sufficient.
- The student must achieve at least a B- to get credit for the course.
- Courses taken elsewhere may not be counted toward a chemistry major at Wesleyan (except by special petition to the Curriculum Committee of the Chemistry Department).
- The Chemistry Department will not normally accept an online chemistry course for Wesleyan credit.
[wesleyan.edu/grad/degree-programs/bama.html]
This program provides an attractive option for science majors to enrich their course and research background. Students are advised to begin research by their junior year if they intend to pursue the BA/MA. Admission is competitive and based on GPA, faculty recommendations, and research experience. Students apply in their junior or senior year and if accepted, can continue for a year beyond the bachelor's degree and obtain a master's degree in one additional year. The fifth year is tuition free.
Undergraduate research. Research is an important part of the program for most majors. Wesleyan’s small but excellent graduate program makes it possible for majors to work at the cutting edge of discovery in chemistry. Every tenured/tenure-track faculty member is involved in significant research. Undergraduates participating in the departmental research program normally attend a research seminar in their area, and most research groups have weekly meetings to discuss new results. Students involved in significant research have an opportunity to continue in the University’s BA/MA program.
Seminars. Seminars are a vital part of the intellectual life of the Chemistry Department. Weekly departmental seminars on Friday afternoons (CHEM521/CHEM522) are followed by refreshments and discussions in the chemistry lounge. Important scientists from other universities, research laboratories, and industry are the speakers. In addition, chemistry students and faculty speak at weekly research seminars in chemical physics, organic/inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. Programs for each semester are available on the chemistry website.
Graduate Program
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
The Department of Chemistry offers a graduate program leading to a Ph.D. in Chemistry. The faculty-to-graduate student ratio ensures that each student knows every faculty member and has the opportunity to become well acquainted with several areas of chemistry. A customized program of study is set up for each student, whose progress is monitored by a three-member faculty advisory committee.
Emphasis within the program is on developing skills for chemical research, rather than on conforming to a uniform program of study. Course requirements, progress examinations, preparation and defense of research proposals, seminar presentation, and teaching assignments are all designed with this goal in mind.
Interested students are encouraged to visit the websites of individual faculty members to explore research areas and opportunities available in the department.
MASTER OF ARTS
The Master of Arts via the BA/MA program is an attractive option for current Wesleyan science majors to enrich their course and research background. The program has a strong research orientation. It also includes course work, seminars, and, in some cases, teaching. A student hoping to enter this program will be expected to declare the intention to do so early enough in his/her academic career to permit the design of an acceptable program with a research advisor. Students are advised to begin research no later than their junior year if they intend to pursue the BA/MA. Admission is competitive and based on GPA, faculty recommendations, and research experience. Students apply in their senior year and if accepted, can continue for one year beyond the bachelor's degree with the goal of completing the master's degree requirements in one additional year. The MA year is tuition free. [wesleyan.edu/grad/degree-programs/bama.html]
The Chemistry Department may grant the degree of Master of Arts to students in the Ph.D. program who do not complete the Ph.D.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Course requirements are intended to achieve two basic goals.
- Acquisition of background knowledge. A central core of material is basic for all well-trained chemists. Therefore, graduate students are initially expected to develop or demonstrate knowledge of an appropriate one-semester course in each of the areas of organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and quantum chemistry.
- Continued scholarly growth. Graduate students are required to take one course or its equivalent every semester. This may be a regular advanced course in chemistry or a related discipline, a seminar, or a tutorial designed to meet the special needs of an individual student.
MASTER OF ARTS
Students in the BA/MA or terminated Ph.D. programs are required to earn a minimum of 6.0 credits in order to fulfill the requirements of the master's degree. The minimum 6.0 required credits must include at least 2.0 total credits of Advanced Research, at least two 1.0 credit chemistry elective courses at the 300-level or higher, two semesters of upper-level seminars (CHEM547/548, CHEM557/558, or CHEM587/588), and two semesters of the departmental colloquium (CHEM521/522). Students may petition to have an advanced elective course(s) from another department count toward their two 300-level chemistry elective courses.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Progress examinations are given multiple times each academic year. These examinations are designed to encourage graduate students to keep up with the latest developments in chemistry based on articles in the current literature. In addition, they are a valuable tool for monitoring the expected steady growth of a student’s ability to critically read the chemical literature, as well as identifying any areas where he or she is deficient. Students are required to pass 15 elementary and 7 advanced progress exams, which they usually accomplish in two to three years.
MASTER OF ARTS
Students in the terminated Ph.D. program are not required to have passed a specified number of progress examinations in order to complete the master's degree. Students in the BA/MA program are not required to take progress examinations.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
Teaching skills are honed and assisting duties are given to each student as a means of developing communication skills. As these develop, more responsible and demanding tasks will be assigned whenever possible. Completion of at least two semesters of teaching assistantship is generally required for the Ph.D. program.
MASTER OF ARTS:
Teaching is not required as part of the BA/MA program, however many students in the BA/MA program choose to contribute to the department to build their pedagogical skills as teaching assistants (TA's). Students in a terminated Ph.D. program have the same teaching responsibilities as those in the Ph.D. program.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
After taking three research rotations in different laboratories through the first semester, students choose a research mentor.
Proposal writing is one of the most important parts of the entire graduate program in chemistry. Writing scientific proposals teaches evaluation of the literature, integration of knowledge from several areas, formulation of scientific questions, design of a research project to answer those questions, scientific writing, and the defense of a project proposal. Two proposals are required: one during the second year related to the student’s research and a second, in the fourth year, on a separate topic.
MASTER OF ARTS
As outlined above, students in both the BA/MA and terminated Ph.D. programs are required to enroll in 1.0 credits of advanced research each semester.
DOCTOR OF PHILOSOPHY
The thesis research and dissertation—an original contribution worthy of publication—is the single most important requirement. Finally, the candidate defends the dissertation before his/her committee and then presents a final seminar to the department and broader community.
MASTER OF ARTS
An oral defense of the master's thesis before their committee is required for successful completion of the master's degree for both BA/MA and terminal MA students. A final, open seminar to the department and broader community is not required for the master of arts degree.
CHEMICAL PHYSICS
Guiding Committee: Lutz Hüwel, Physics; Joseph Knee, Chemistry; Stewart E. Novick, Chemistry; Brian Stewart, Physics
Beginning students in the chemistry or physics graduate programs may petition their department for admission to the interdisciplinary program in chemical physics. The philosophy underlying the program is that the solution to contemporary problems must increasingly be sought not within a single traditional specialty but from the application of different disciplines to particular problems. Students in the program will pursue a course of study and research that will familiarize them with both the Physics and Chemistry departments and, in particular, with those areas of overlapping interest that we broadly categorize as chemical physics.
Students entering the chemical physics program will choose an interdepartmental committee to oversee their progress toward the PhD degree. Students will still receive a Ph.D. in either chemistry or physics. Chemical physics students will be expected to take courses from both departments. The core of the program of courses consists of quantum chemistry (offered by the Chemistry Department), quantum mechanics (offered by either department), electrodynamics (offered by the Physics Department), statistical mechanics (either department), and mathematical physics (Physics Department). For details of the course offerings, see the course listings under chemistry and physics.
Seminars. Students will participate in the weekly chemical physics seminar series and will be expected to present at least one talk per year.
Examinations. Students will follow the examination policy of their sponsoring department. Those chemical physics students pursuing a Ph.D. in chemistry will take periodic progress exams based on the current literature, and in their second year they will take an oral qualifying exam that includes a short written proposal of their future Ph.D. research. A second proposal, external to their research, is submitted in the fourth year. In addition, there is a final oral Ph.D. thesis defense. For details, see the requirements for the PhD in chemistry. For those chemical physics students pursuing a Ph.D. in physics, there are three formal examinations: a written examination at an advanced undergraduate level (taken in the third semester), an oral Ph.D. candidacy examination (taken no later than the fifth semester), and a final oral Ph.D. thesis defense. For details, see the requirements for the Ph.D. in physics.
Research. Students in chemical physics may do research under the direction of any member of either department. To aid the student in this selection and to sample the flavor of research activities in both departments, students will participate briefly in the research of each department. During the first year, students will rotate among as many as two research groups from each department, spending between four and six weeks in each group. It is anticipated that a student will be able to make a formal choice of a research advisor by the end of the first academic year at Wesleyan.
MOLECULAR BIOPHYSICS
The Chemistry Department participates in an interdisciplinary program of graduate study in molecular biophysics with the departments of Molecular Biology and Biochemistry (MB&B), Biology, and Physics. The program provides a course of study and research that overlaps the disciplinary boundaries of chemistry, physics, biology, and molecular biology and is designed for students with an undergraduate background in any one of these areas. Students in the program are enrolled in one of the participating departments and fulfill canonical requirements of the department. In addition, they take advanced courses in molecular biophysics and pursue dissertation research with one of the faculty in the program. Centerpieces of the program are the weekly interdepartmental journal club in molecular biophysics and an annual off-campus research retreat. Both activities bring together students, research associates, and faculty from all participating departments and foster interdisciplinary collaborative projects.
The program is affiliated with interest groups such as the New York Structural Biology (NYSB) and the New York Bioinformatics and Computational Biology (NYBCB) groups. All students are encouraged to join and attend national meetings of the Biophysical Society.
Students interested in this program may indicate their interest on the application for admission to the Chemistry, MB&B, Physics, or Biology departments. Application forms for these departments are available at: https://admission.wesleyan.edu/apply/.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
For additional information, please visit https://www.wesleyan.edu/chem/graduates/index.html