Handbook for Chemistry Majors

This handbook provides information about undergraduate education in chemistry at Washington and JeffersonCollege. The department offers a range of courses and tracks in chemistry to serve the needs and interests of students. The intent is to provide guidance to students of chemistry so they may plan and execute a program of study to accomplish their academic and career objectives.

What is Chemistry?
Chemistry is the branch of science that deals with the composition of matter, the changes in composition that matter undergoes, and the energy changes associated with those changes. It is a fundamental branch of knowledge that is closely related to physics and biology, and is central to an understanding of agriculture, geology, medicine, and materials science.

Chemistry provides students with the opportunity to learn about natural phenomena, devise experiments that will reveal the composition and structures of substances, study methods for improving natural processes, or synthesizing substances unknown in nature. Research in chemistry leads to inventions and new technology. There are relatively few aspects of our lives that are not influenced by chemistry and its sister sciences. Many crucial social problems and political decisions are inextricably linked with chemistry and its applications.

 What types of students succeed in chemistry?
 Chemistry is often perceived as being a difficult subject and to a degree this is justified. The vocabulary is very specialized, the concepts are frequently abstract, and important skills (problem solving, critical thinking, and reading comprehension) are necessary prerequisites to successful mastery of the subject. A thorough foundation in the basic skills is a key element to success, and typical high school courses, which provide those basic foundations, include mathematics (algebra, geometry, trigonometry, etc.) and English courses. High school courses in chemistry, physics, and biology will additionally provide a basic background for the specialized vocabulary, which will be encountered in a college science curriculum.
 

The student who succeeds in chemistry has an inquiring mind, a firm grasp of basic skills, and the self-discipline to keep abreast of and to continuously review the material. Initial topics covered serve as the foundation for subsequent chemistry concepts.

To read each section of the Handbook for Chemistry Majors please click on the plus sign next to the Handbook for Chemistry Majors located in the left column or if you would prefer to download the information included in the Chemistry Handbook and read or print it in PDF please click the link below.

[Download Chemistry Handbook in pdf|^CHEMISTRY HANDBOOK - updated- 11-18-08.pdf]