1. Chemistry Advising Session
March 30, 2017

2. Introductions Matthew Cherry, Academic Advisor
Christine Fisher, Academic Advisor
Ms. Carla Supon, Chemistry Administrative Assistant, HOH 314
Luis Montes, Chemistry – Department Chair
Dallas New, Chemistry – Asst. Chair

3. Student Advising Committee
Dr. Dallas New, Chair
Dr. Amanda Waters
Dr. Cheryl Frech
Dr. Luis Montes

4. Other Advisors
Dr. Carrie Bentley, Pre-Health Professions Advisor, Biology Department
Dr. Beth Allan, Secondary Science Education, Biology Department

5. Chemistry Department Website
FAQs – please send suggestions
Links to
Catalogs
Lab Assistant Application
Tutoring Resources
Summer Opportunities
Job Opportunities

6. Chemistry Degree Programs
Chemistry ACS
Degree and coursework is certified by the American Chemical Society; work or go to graduate school
Chemistry
Chemistry – Health Sciences
Plan to go to professional school (medical, dental, optometry, physical therapy); or work in a biomedical laboratory

7. Other Degree Programs Science Education - Chemistry
Plan to teach high school or middle school chemistry
Dr. Beth Allan can assist you with Science Ed enrollment questions
Secondary Science Education Minor
Allows you to seek teaching certification

8. Enrollment Information
Enrollment begins on April 3
Please talk to an advisor or chemistry faculty member before enrolling.
Please see your Academic Advisor for a degree check two semesters before you plan to graduate.
Apply for graduation the semester before your last semester. Check the deadlines.
The deadline for Fall 2017 graduation in December is July 1 (to avoid a late fee!)
Deadline for Spring 2018 is November 1

9. Course Substitutions
If you need or want to take a course that is not on your degree plan, see the Department Chair for advanced approval for this substitution.
Chemistry – Health Sciences: [enrolled prior to Fall 2014] PHY 3044 (Medical Physics) will no longer be offered. Talk to Dr. Montes and your advisor about substitute courses.
After the course grade is posted to your transcript, the substitution paperwork will be processed.

10. Things to Know Summer 2017 Limited schedule of courses
Chem I and II and labs
Org I and II and labs
Intro Chemistry (does not count for CHEM majors)
Monday – Thursday courses
At least two labs per week
Don’t plan to miss classes in Summer School!

11. Courses Offered Only… Fall Semesters Spring Semesters Alternate Years
CHEM 4654/L Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 3503 Physical Chemistry I
Spring Semesters
CHEM 3203 Introductory Physical Chemistry
CHEM 3513 Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 3602 Experimental Physical Chemistry
CHEM 4454/L Advanced Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 4603 Advanced Organic Chemistry
Alternate Years
CHEM 3703 Theory and Practice of NMR (even-year spring semesters Spring 2018)
CHEM 4533 Nuclear Chemistry (odd-year spring semesters)

12. Seminar Courses CHEM 4910 Fall 2017 Seminar Courses Spring 2018
These are regular lecture courses on special topics.
Sometimes new courses being offered for the first time.
You still have to take exams and do homework!
Fall 2017 Seminar Courses
Nature & Development of Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry
Spring 2018
TBA

13. Concurrent Enrollment with Labs
CHEM 1103 and 1112
CHEM 1223 and 1232
Any course with an “L” lab
CHEM 2104 and 2104 L
Note: You do not have to take Organic and Organic lab concurrently
CHEM 3303 and 3312 can be taken in subsequent semesters

14. Order of Courses
In your major, generally take courses in level order: 1000, 2000, 3000, 4000
Take Quantitative Analysis right after Chem II
CHEM 2104/L before or with Organic I
Don’t postpone your “hard” courses or all of your electives until your final semester or two.
This makes your final semesters extremely challenging.
You may not be able to finish when you want to if courses are not offered or are offered at conflicting times.
Third year of the Chemistry majors is typically hardest.

15. Directed Research
This is a course, CHEM 4502/L in which you will select a UCO faculty member with whom you will work on an independent research project.
Limited to six students per semester
Students make monthly oral reports to the class (includes faculty and other students). Consider attending these presentations before taking the course.
Final oral and written reports are required.
Chem-HS majors can also enroll for elective credit.
Excellent preparation for future research and employment; desirable resume item.
Course meets Tuesdays at noon; you are expected to put in research hours throughout the week.

16. Professionalism in Chemistry Capstone in Chemistry
These courses only apply to students who first enrolled at UCO in Fall 2014
Professionalism in Chemistry I should be taken after passing General Chemistry I
Professionalism in Chemistry II should be taken after passing Quantitative Analysis
Capstone in Chemistry should be taken in one of your last three semesters
Complete a project supervised by a faculty member

17. Research Opportunities
To do research with a faculty member…
Ask faculty members if they have a current student research project.
Some faculty members have grants to pay students for research work.
Consider applying for a student RCSA grant
$500 for materials
Funding for paid research hours & (possibly) tuition waiver
Submitted with a research advisor
Due 3rd week of February each year

18. Scholarships and Tuition Waivers
Applications for both scholarships and tuition waivers will be available in the Department Office and online in January of each year with a February deadline.
Tuition waivers are both need-based and merit-based.
Scholarship recipients will be recognized at the College Awards Reception each April.
If you receive a scholarship or tuition waiver award, the funds will be posted to your UCO Bursar’s Account for use in

19. Opportunities to Work in the UCO Chemistry Department
Lab Assistant
Supplemental Instruction
Gen Chem I and II, Organic I and II
Talk to your Gen Chem or Organic Instructor
Requires training before semester begins

20. Summer REU Research Experiences for Undergraduates
These are funded programs available at many universities and in many areas of science.
Institutions pay for your travel, room and board, plus a stipend.
Allows you to find out if you like a particular area of research.
If you are interested in exploring and applying for REUs please contact Dr. John Bowen. If you are successful in getting a summer REU, please notify the department.

21. Graduate School MS and PhD programs in Chemistry
Research-based degrees
Unlike professional schools (medical, dental), you are paid to attend graduate school.
Research schools will recruit you and pay for you to visit.
General GPA requirement: 3.00 in Chemistry, plus GRE score
ACS Directory of Graduate Research (

22. Another Graduate School Option
Professional Science Master’s Degree
Science courses plus courses in
Business, accounting, writing, ethics and more.
Include an internship (some for pay).
Tuition and fees more like professional school (can be more expensive).
Good salary potential (60% new grads earn > $90,000)
For more info:

23. Clubs
Chemistry Club
Opportunity to be active in department and network in region.
Sponsors: Dr. Frech and Dr. Rundle
Co-Presidents: Allison Arnold and Dane Fleming

24. Class Resources
HOH 318: computers with software specific to Physical Chemistry and Instrumental Analysis
SIs: Most General Chemistry I & II and Organic I & II sections have SI support.
Tutor.com: Each UCO student gets 10 free hours of support from Tutor.com.
Tutoring Central: located in West Hall

25. Questions?