Chemistry Advising FAQ
Enrolling in Lectures and Labs
Q: If a chemistry lecture course has a laboratory associated with it, am I required to enroll in the laboratory if I enroll in the lecture?
A: That depends on the requirements of the degree you are pursuing or may wish to pursue. You are strongly urged to consult with your advisor on this issue.
Q: If I decide to enroll in a laboratory course associated with a lecture course, am I required to enroll in the lecture and laboratory during the same semester?
A: All chemistry laboratory courses have prerequisite(s) and/or corequisite(s). Prerequisites must be completed prior to taking the course in question; corequisites are taken at the same time as the course in question. For example, if you check the course description for CHEM 1251L, you will notice that the prerequisite or corequisite for the course is CHEM 1251 (lecture). This means that you have the option of taking CHEM 1251L during the same semester in which you enroll in CHEM 1251 lecture (corequisite) or after you have already completed CHEM 1251 lecture (prerequisite). In most cases, students are advised to take related lecture and laboratory courses during the same semester because the laboratory can help them learn the lecture material better. It is important to consult with the Chemistry Department on this issue. If you are a chemistry major, please speak to your advisor about this issue.
Q: Can I take CHEM 1251L concurrently with CHEM 1252L?
A: Technically, you are not allowed to do this because CHEM 1251L is a prerequisite for CHEM 1252L. Under special circumstances, students have been allowed to take the two labs simultaneously. You will need to complete a Special Request form to receive permission to enroll in the two laboratories simultaneously.
Q: If I enroll in a lecture course (i.e., CHEM 1204), am I automatically enrolled in the associated lab (i.e., CHEM 1204L)?
A: No. If you want to take the lab, you must actually enroll in it. The lab is a separate course that carries one credit hour.
Q: If I withdraw from a lecture course, am I allowed to remain in its associated lab?
A: No. If you withdraw from a lecture course, you will be dropped from its associated lab.
Lecture Schedule Times
Q: There are three different times posted on the schedule for each section of CHEM 1251 and CHEM 1252. What do these times mean?
A: The first time posted in the schedule is the lecture time. This is when the instructor covers new course material. You are strongly urged to attend every lecture period of every course in which you enroll.
The second time posted is the problem session time. Problem sessions provide a forum for students to ask the instructor questions about course material, homework problems, Problems of the Day, etc. You are strongly encouraged to participate in problem sessions as this will help you to perform better in the course.
The third time posted is the quiz/common exam time. This is when the quizzes and exams are administered. This will not take place every week, but rather according to the dates indicated in the syllabus. You are required to take your quizzes and exams during the quiz/exam time posted for your section unless you have made other arrangements in advance with your instructor.
Q: Can I attend a problem session for a course section other than the one in which I am enrolled?
A: Some instructors allow students enrolled in their course to attend whatever problem session best suits their schedule, even if the problem session is with another instructor. For example, students in CHEM 1251 and 1252 may attend any problem sessions they wish to attend. Some students elect to attend more than one problem session per week for the same course because they find the problem sessions to be very helpful. If you are unsure about the policy in the course in which you are enrolled, please consult with your instructor.
General Chemistry versus Principles of Chemistry
Q: What is the difference between General Chemistry (CHEM 1203/1204) and Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 1251/1252)?
A: CHEM 1203/1204 is primarily for nursing majors. CHEM 1251/1252 is primarily for science and engineering majors and for students who wish to attend certain types of professional schools. For example, if you are a pre-pharmacy, pre-med or pre-dental student, you should take CHEM 1251/1252, not CHEM 1203/1204.
Q: Will CHEM 1203/1204 meet the entrance requirements for medical, dental, or pharmacy school?
A: No, you need to take CHEM 1251/1252 if you plan to enroll in dental, medical, or pharmacy school. It is imperative that you speak with Dr. Elizabeth Hanie, UNC Charlotte’s Pre-Health Advisor, as early in your academic career as possible if you wish to seek admission to one of the above types of professional schools. Dr. Hanie can be reached at eahanie@uncc.edu.
Course Grades
Q: What are the course grade requirements for chemistry courses if I am a chemistry major?
A: You should strive to get the best grades possible in all of your coursework at UNC Charlotte. In order to graduate with a degree in chemistry you need to have, at the time of graduation, at least a 2.0 GPA in your chemistry courses. Certain chemistry courses require that you earn a grade of C or better in one or more prerequisite courses. For example, you will not be permitted to enroll in CHEM 2132 unless you have earned a grade of C or better in CHEM 2131. You should check with the Catalog for prerequisite grade requirements for specific courses.
Q: How many times may I repeat a course for credit?
A: The 2005-07 Undergraduate Catalog states the following about repeated courses: “A student may receive credit for a course one time only unless the course description specifies that it “may be repeated for credit.” In all other courses, a student who has received a grade of C, H, P or better in a course may repeat that course only with prior approval of the student’s advisor, department chair, and dean. An undergraduate student who receives a D, F, or U in a course may repeat a course without seeking outside approval. All grades for repeated courses will be shown on the student’s official transcript and be used in the calculation of the grade point average. For prerequisite purposes, the most recent grade will be used whether or not it is the highest.”
Q: When I repeat a chemistry course, how does that affect my GPA?
A: The 2005-07 Undergraduate Catalog specifically states, “All grades for repeated courses will be shown on the student’s official transcript and be used in the calculation of the grade point average.” If, for example, you receive a “D” the first time you take a course and a “B” the second time you take it, both grades would be counted in calculating your GPA.
Q: I plan to attend graduate or medical school upon graduation from UNC Charlotte. I have heard that many of these schools require a “B” in Organic Chemistry. Is that true?
A: Medical, dental, and pharmacy schools generally do not specify that you need to obtain a “B” in Organic Chemistry at your undergraduate institution. Entrance into these programs is, however, quite competitive, so you should strive to achieve as high a grade point average as you can. You should consult with Dr. Elizabeth Hanie about questions concerning entrance requirements for the professional schools listed above.
Q: Do I have to get a C or better in CHEM 1251 if I am going to take CHEM 1252?
A: The prerequisite for CHEM 1252 is completion of CHEM 1251 with a grade of D or better. The prerequisites for CHEM 2131 (Organic Chemistry I) are CHEM 1251 and 1252, both with a C or better. So while you can enroll in CHEM 1252 with a grade lower than C in CHEM 1251, you need a C or better in CHEM 1251 in order to take CHEM 2131. Be advised that the Chemistry Department checks these prerequisites very carefully.
Transfer Credits:
Q: How many credit hours am I allowed to transfer into UNC Charlotte from another institution?
A. According to the Undergraduate Catalog, you may transfer in a maximum of 64 hours from another institution. The institution must be an accredited college or university.
Q: What if I have taken more than the maximum of 64 credit hours elsewhere?
A: You can choose which courses you would like to count towards your transcript, simply by asking the Registrar to eliminate the courses you do not wish to keep.
Q: I took a general chemistry course at another institution. It transferred in as CHEM 0001. Can I have this changed to reflect a transfer equivalent of a General Chemistry (CHEM 1203/1204) or Principles of Chemistry (CHEM 1251/1252) course here?
A: The course you took elsewhere may be reevaluated by the Chemistry Department. You will need to complete a Special Request form stating the course that transferred in and what you feel the reevaluation equivalent should be. A course description from the transferring institution must be attached to this document.
Q: What are the chemistry course equivalents for the North Carolina Community College system?
A: Please see the table below for course equivalents:
|
Transferring course: |
UNC Charlotte equivalent: |
|
CHM115 and 115A |
CHEM0001 (Science elective) |
|
CHM121 and 121A |
|
|
CHM130 and 130A |
|
|
CHM135 and 135 |
|
|
CHM131 and 131A |
CHEM1203 lecture and lab |
|
CHM132 |
CHEM1204 lecture |
|
CHM151 w/lab |
CHEM1251 lecture and lab |
|
CHM152 w/lab |
CHEM1252 lecture and lab |
|
CHM251 w/lab |
CHEM2131 lecture and lab |
|
CHM252 w/lab |
CHEM2132 lecture and lab |
Wait Lists:
Q: I want to register for a course, but it is closed because the section has reached its maximum enrollment. Can I get onto a wait list for the course and, if so, how?
A: The Chemistry Department does maintain wait lists for all chemistry courses when they become full. To sign up for a wait list, contact the Chemistry Department office at 704-687-4765 or send an email message to chemwaitlist@uncc.edu. You will need to provide the office staff with your name, ID number, phone number, and the specific course and section for which you want to be wait listed. The Department will send an acknowledgement to the student, indicating that the student has been placed on the wait list.
Q: Do I need to call the Chemistry Office to see if I am still on the wait list or if I have been registered for a course and removed from the list?
A: No. The Chemistry office will contact you when a spot becomes available for you in the course you wish to take. They will not register you for the course until they speak with you.
Adding a major or changing a major
Q: I changed my major after a new catalog was issued. Which catalog do I follow?
A: Let’s say you entered UNC Charlotte under an older catalog (say, 2003-2005) and you declared a major in the College of Arts and Sciences prior to the end of the 2004-05 academic year.
If you switch majors within the College of Arts and Sciences, you are still governed by the General Education requirements of the old (2003-2005) catalog, but are governed by the major requirements of the current catalog (2005-2007) with respect to the new major, and you also become subject to the 2005 A&S language requirement. (The new major could possibly have a stricter language requirement.) This policy also applies to any student who adds a major within the College of Arts and Sciences once the new catalog comes into effect.
A student with a B.A. major within the College of Arts and Sciences does not have to meet the (short-lived) requirement that the student complete a foreign language course here at UNC Charlotte. The student may instead meet the (less stringent) A&S 2005 language requirement, which can often be met with courses taken in high school.
Note that you may petition to be governed by the General Education Requirements of the new catalog.
The foreign language for the College of Arts and Sciences, as listed in the 2005-07 Undergraduate Catalog (page 34), is provided below:
“All students who earn an undergraduate degree within the College of Arts and Sciences are required to demonstrate proficiency in the language of their choice through the 1202 level. Proficiency can be demonstrated in the following
ways: (1) completing the required coursework at UNC Charlotte; (2) completing three years of the same foreign language in high school through level three; (3) achieving a satisfactory score on the foreign languages placement test; (4) through approved transfer or transient credit earned at other accredited institutions; (5) by transferring in with an A.A., A.S. or A.F.A. degree; or (6) a combination of the
above methods (e.g., placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1201 and completing the 1202 course, completing 1201 and placing out of or earning transfer or transient credit for 1202).
This requirement will apply to all students entering any degree program within the College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2005 and beyond. Students enrolled in the University prior to Fall 2005 but not enrolled in a degree program in the
College of Arts and Sciences Fall 2005 and beyond will be subject to this requirement.”
Chemistry Seminar
Q: Am I required to take the Chemistry Seminar series (3695, 4695, and/or 4696)?
A: All chemistry majors are required to take the Chemistry Seminar course series as part of their degree requirements.
Q: What should my current class standing be when I enroll in these courses?
A: There is no class standing requirement for CHEM 3695, but most students who take this course have reached junior standing. CHEM 4695 and 4696 require senior standing and CHEM 3695 taken as a prerequisite.
Q: What are the Seminar requirements for the different degree programs?
A: For the B.S. program, the requirements are one semester each of CHEM 3695, 4695, and 4696.
For the B.A. program, the requirements are one semester of CHEM 3695 and two semesters of CHEM 4695.
Q: When should I take the different Chemistry seminar courses?
A: You must enroll in CHEM 3695 at least three semesters before you plan to graduate. You must enroll in the first semester of CHEM 4695 at least one semester before you graduate, and either CHEM 4696 or the second CHEM 4695 (depending on whether you are a B.S. or B.A. major) by the semester you plan to graduate.
Q: If I am a double-major, what are the seminar requirements, and can a seminar from the department of my second major be substituted for one of the Chemistry seminars?
A: Under certain circumstances, you may count one or more seminar courses offered in your other major department towards your degree in chemistry, but this requires prior approval by the Chemistry Department. You must complete a Special Request form in advance of when the affected courses are offered in order to be permitted to do this.
Directed Undergraduate Research
Q: What are the requirements for enrolling in Directed Undergraduate Research (CHEM 4900)?
A: The only requirement for enrolling in CHEM 4900 is consent of the professor who will serve as your research advisor. You are encouraged to discuss research interests with several faculty members prior to deciding on the professor with whom you wish to conduct undergraduate research.
Although Directed Undergraduate Research is listed as a 4000-level course, you are not required to have any particular class standing (i.e. junior, senior) in order to enroll in CHEM 4900. Students in their freshman through senior years participate in Directed Undergraduate Research. In fact, students are encouraged to get involved in undergraduate research as early as possible in their academic careers.
You do not have to major in chemistry to enroll in CHEM 4900. Directed Undergraduate Research in Chemistry is open to students of all majors.
Q: What fields of research are available in CHEM 4900?
A: Research in the “traditional” fields of chemistry (analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry) is available throughout the Chemistry Department. Be aware, however, that most of the chemistry faculty members have research interests that span several areas of science. Examples include biomaterials, biosensing, supramolecular chemistry, nanoscale science, organometallic chemistry, optoelectronics, materials, bioanalytical chemistry, and others. You may be unaware of some of these areas of research that could potentially be very interesting to you. This is why it is important for you to discuss possible research projects with several faculty members prior to committing to join a particular research group.
You should also be aware that there can be many different types of projects within the same research group. For example, a professor who is listed as an organic chemist may have some projects that involve a lot of “wet” chemistry (synthesis, making molecules) and at the same time may have other projects that require heavy use of instrumentation and little or no synthesis (for example, a project that involves kinetic studies using NMR spectroscopy). It is important to consult with the faculty to find out what types of projects are available.
Q: How many hours can I take of CHEM 4900 in a semester?
A: As many as you want, depending on the instructor’s advice and your schedule. Each credit hour typically requires 3-4 hours of laboratory work per week.
Q: In what semesters is CHEM 4900 offered?
A: CHEM 4900 is offered during every fall, spring and summer session of every academic year.
Q: Can I repeat CHEM 4900 for credit?
A: Absolutely. There is no limit on the number of times you may repeat CHEM 4900 for credit.