Frequently Asked Questions About
Chemistry at Otterbein College
How many students will be in my chemistry classes at Otterbein? How about lab?
As a small liberal arts college, Otterbein values close student-faculty interactions and small class sizes. The largest current chemistry course (General Chemistry) at Otterbein has 35 students enrolled. This is a typical size for the lower-level courses like General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry. Upper-level courses range in size from 3-4 students up to around 15.
Laboratory enrollments are limited to 24 students per section. Again, upper-level labs will naturally have smaller enrollments.
Will a chemistry major prepare me for medical school and the MCAT?
The Biochemistry and Chemistry tracks are excellent preparation for medical school and for the MCAT. All medical schools require at least two years of chemistry for admission.
What is a typical sequence of courses?
A very general outline of courses is given below. The specifics will depend on your high school preparation in math and foreign language as well as whether you chose the Chemistry or Biochemistry track. Also not shown are the Integrative Studies (IS) and Senior Year Experience (SYE) requirements.
| Year | Chemistry | Other |
|---|
| 1 | General Chemistry | Math, Language |
| 2 | Organic Chemistry | Physics/Biology |
| 3 | Analytical, Inorganic, Physical | Physics/Biology |
| 4 | Biochem/Electives | Electives |
For more information about Chemistry course offerings and requirements, please see the Course Listings page.
Will I be taught by professors?
Yes. All courses and all laboratories at Otterbein are taught by the faculty. Otterbein has no graduate program in Chemistry, so the chemistry faculty are responsible for all the courses. Undergraduate teaching assistants facilitate the laboratories, but faculty are almost always present in the lab.
Do I have to start chemistry my first year at Otterbein?
If you think you might be interested in majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry then you should definitely take the General Chemistry sequence during your first year. It is possible, however, to graduate with a Chemistry or Biochemistry major after starting General Chemistry in the second year. These students will simply have a more demanding schedule in their junior and senior years.
What is an ACS-certified degree in Chemistry?
The American Chemistry Society (
www.acs.org) is the largest scientific society in the world with over 163,000 members worldwide. The Otterbein College Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry is approved by the American Chemistry Society and offers an ACS-certified Chemistry major to those students interested in a rigorous program of study that will prepare them for a range of careers or graduate study. Employers and graduate programs will recognize and appreciate the stronger preparation of those students who have obtained an ACS-certified degree.
How much math do I have to take?
The Chemistry and Biochemistry degrees both require two quarters of calculus. One to two additional quarters of pre-calculus may be required depending on your high school preparation. The ACS-certified degree in Chemistry requires one additional quarter of calculus.
Can I get a job with a chemistry major?
Yes. The combination of a chemistry or biochemistry degree with a liberal arts core creates a diverse range of employment opportunities. The Central Ohio area is fortunate to have a large number of companies, both large and small, that employ bachelor-level chemistry students. Some students will choose to work in industry for several years before deciding to pursue graduate work in chemistry or a related field. Otterbein Chemistry alumni have found employment in a wide spectrum of fields including secondary education, forensic science, environmental science, business, and law. See the
Careers page for more information about potential careers.
Will I get to use the expensive instruments?
Yes. Unlike many larger institutions, the Otterbein College Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has no graduate student assistants and no technicians. You will be trained and work hands-on with a wide range of instruments ranging from the high-field NMR spectrometer to the modern Raman microscopy system. See the
Facilities and Equipment page for more information.
Will I get to do independent research?
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry provides numerous opportunities to do independent research sometimes starting as early as the sophomore year. The Department encourages students to participate in the Honors and Distinction programs.
