Undergraduate Programs
The Department of Chemistry at Tufts University provides both basic and advanced chemistry education with all the benefits of a major research university but with the environment of a small liberal arts college. We offer a variety of courses, newly expanded and improved facilities, an active teaching and research faculty, and a favorable faculty to student ratio.
Our undergraduate alumni go on to careers in a wide variety of fields including, medicine, law, physical and social sciences, engineering, and public policy.
Programs
BS in Chemistry
The (general) BS in Chemistry is intended for those with an interest in chemistry whose career aspirations lie outside the realm of professional chemistry.
BS in Biochemistry
This interdepartmental major is intended for students interests in the chemistry of living systems, and is offered jointly by the Department of Chemistry and the Department of Biology.
BS in Chemical Physics
This major is appropriate for a wide variety of careers including, medicine, law, physical and social sciences, engineering, and public policy.
Fifth-Year Master’s Degree Program: BS/MS in Chemistry
Exceptional students may combine undergraduate and graduate courses and are simultaneously enrolled in bachelor's and master's degrees programs.
Minors in Chemistry (Fall 2022)
Beginning in Fall 2022, undergraduate students will be able to declare Minors in Chemistry. Minors in Chemistry are designed for students who have done substantial coursework in Chemistry but who may choose not to complete all the requirements for a Chemistry Major.
Introductory Chemistry
Our department offers two flavors of first-semester General Chemistry: Chem 1 (General Chemistry) and Chem 11 (Expanded General Chemistry). Both classes provide excellent preparation for upper-level coursework. To help determine which class is best for each student, we have designed a self-assessment and an FAQ.
Learn more about Introductory Chemistry
Senior Thesis
The Undergraduate Senior Thesis is a two-semester program culminating in a written research thesis, public thesis defense seminar, and private oral examination.
Learn more about Senior Thesis
Undergraduate Advising
Your Major Advisor in the Chemistry Department will be an important resource for you during your time at Tufts. Your major advisor will be able to help you determine the courses and/or course sequences that best fit your needs and interests. They can also offer guidance for how to get involved in independent research, and how best to prepare for different types of careers, including graduate school, medical school, or careers in industry.
How to Find a Chemistry Advisor:
Students seeking to declare a Major in the Chemistry Department should fill out the Academic Advisor Request Form, which will allow you to indicate your preferences (if any) along with your intended Major and scientific area(s) of interest. We will use this information to match you with a Major Advisor. We note that some faculty may not be accepting advisees, or may be at their advising limit for a particular year. In this case, you’ll be matched with an advisor who has capacity to take on new advisees. All Chemistry faculty are well-suited to offer relevant guidance on any of our Majors. Alternatively, if you have a specific faculty member that you'd like to have as an advisor, you can directly contact them to inquire about their advising availability.
You’ll be notified by the Chemistry Department once a faculty member has agreed to be your advisor. Once this happens, please be sure to complete the Declare a Primary Major Form. Remember to provide your advisor's email address so they can be notified and sign the form electronically.
If you need advice on a particular topic or course, you may always go to office hours of the relevant Chemistry faculty member (even if not your advisor) or take advantage of the Chemistry Peer Ambassador office hours for peer-to-peer information.
Learning Objectives
Undergraduate Majors Educational Goals and Required Knowledge and Skills
General education goals in chemistry:
1. Communication. The ability to write, display information, and orally communicate in a
scientific format.
2. Primary literature. The ability to search for, read and understand primary sources of
scientific literature.
3. Understanding data. The ability to understand chemistry data, how it is produced, and
how it is applied.
4. Quantitative analysis. The ability to apply quantitative measurement and analytical
laboratory techniques to scientific problems.
5. Mathematical tools. The ability to apply mathematical tools to chemistry problems that
often involve multiple variables, statistics, and symmetry.
6. Scientific method. The ability to develop a hypothesis, design experiments to test that
hypothesis, execute experiments, interpret data, and refine a hypothesis in light of new
data.
7. Chemistry as the central and molecular science. Understanding how chemists solve
problems across disciplines by designing, synthesizing, and analyzing molecules with
defined structure and function.
8. Critical evaluation. The ability to critique scientific claims in the technical and popular
press with respect to accuracy, interpretation, and application.
9. Integrity. The development of honesty, responsibility, and integrity with respect to the
generation and interpretation of data as a scientist and as a citizen.
10. Science and society. The development of a sense of responsibility for promoting
education, diversity and functional literacy in science within the larger community.
Knowledge and skills requirements:
(these are designed to be cross-major, with each major able to define sub-topics that address the knowledge/skills)
1. Problem-solving skills, including logical reasoning, diligence, and attention to
quality, consistency, and thoughtfulness in one's work
2. Structure. Three-dimensional molecular structure and chemical bonding and their
origins in the electronic structure of matter
3. Properties and reactivities of important chemical classes, and their uses and
preparation
4. Energy and thermodynamics
5. Chemical equilibria including acids, bases and solubility
6. Chemical reactions, stoichiometry and mechanisms
7. Reaction kinetics
8. Oxidation, reduction, and electron transport
9. Chemical basis of biological function
10. Experimental techniques. Knowledge of, and safe practices in, analytical and
preparatory laboratory techniques, including synthesis of molecules and/or materials
11. Hands-on laboratory experience
Admissions
Please visit our admissions website for comprehensive information on our admissions processes and requirements, deadlines, financial aid options, forms and instructions.
