ISIS Dial-In Number for Student Registration: (434) 296-4747
I am thinking of becoming a Chem Major—is there a preferred personal computer I should buy (Mac or PC)? Whatever you use for word-processing.
I am taking Chem 141 or 241 but I cannot get into the associated lab. What can I do about it? Relax. Complete a course action form, and take it with you to the first day of lecture. The professor will sign you into the lab.
I really need to take Chem 141,142, or Chem 241, 242, but the class is filled and I cannot register—what can I do? Get a Course Action Form at Garrett Hall or in Room 148 ChemBldg and appear at the first lecture, which is organizational. The professor will sign you in.
I am taking Chem 141,142 and Chem 141L,142L or Chem 241,242 and Chem 241,242L, but the lab section to which I am assigned is at a really bad time for me—what can I do? Don’t worry—appear at the first meeting of the LECTURE, and everything will be sorted out. As long as you are signed up for a lab (any one of the labs that are dependent on the course you are taking) you will have the opportunity to move to a better time.
How do I find out which lab room I will be working in for Chem 141L,142L or Chem 241L,242L? Come to the first LECTURE (Chem 141,142 lecture, Chem 241,242 lecture) -- Full details on room and locker assignments will be provided at that time.
The lab section (Chem 141,142L or Chem 241,242L) I am assigned to meets before the first day of lectures. Will this lab really meet? No. There are no labs before the first lecture. The first LECTURE is organizational, and your LAB assignments, procedures, materials, etc., are disseminated at that time.
Because of disability, I require special accommodations in Chem 141,142L (Chem 241,242L). What do I need to do? First, consult with the Learning Needs and Evaluation Center (243-5180; V/TDD: 243-5189). Then, schedule a meeting with the professor of the lab to discuss your needs and available options. Please do this well in advance of the first scheduled lab day, as some options require time to arrange.
I am taking Chem 141,142/Chem 241,242 and the associated lab. If I drop the lab will I get credit for the lecture course? Can I take Chem 141,142 lecture without taking Chem 141L,142L lab? No, these courses are co-requisites. Up to the official drop date, if you decide to drop one of these courses, you must also drop the other. After the official drop date, you may elect to withdraw from Chem 141,142 but, if you have been making satisfactory progress in lab you may remain enrolled in Chem 141L,142L. Before electing this option, check with the lab professor to make sure that you qualify. You may NOT drop Chem 141L,142L and remain in Chem 141,142.
Can I take Chem 141L,142L without taking Chem 141,142 lecture? Only if you have qualifying Advanced Placement in Chemistry.
I had really good chem lab experience in high school and have all my lab notebooks. Can I get AP credit for chem lab? AP credit for chem lab is never given - there is no standardized AP type test for chem lab as there is for chemistry lecture, and in order to standardize and be fair to everyone, personal visits by a knowledgeable professional would have to be made to chem labs all over the country. It just isn't feasible.
I have tested of Chem 141/142 by virtue of Advanced Placement but I still need to take Chem 141L/142L. When I try to register for just the lab I get an error message saying I have to register for the corresponding lecture. How can I get around this? You can do one of two things. You can register for both the lecture and the lab and then drop the lecture. Or you can complete a course action form, have the professor sign it and bring it to Cindy Knight in room 148 to process.
I am out of Chem 141/142 by virtue of Advanced Placement, so I’m not in the lecture to pick up lab materials. What do I do? Try to attend one of the two Chem 141,142 lectures (9:00 a.m. MWF or 12:00 noon MWF) on the first day of classes. All will be revealed at the start of these lectures. If you cannot attend either section, see Jan Dean (311 Chem Bldg) on the first day of classes or as soon as possible after classes begin.
Can I sign up for Chem 181 lecture and 141 lab? It will fit into my schedule so much better that way. No. The 180 - 280 series covers the same content as the 140-240s, and so do the labs, but the order in which the various topics are covered is very different.
I have AP credit for Chem 141,142, and want to know whether I can take Chem 181,182 and Chem 181L,182L and still get the credit for Chem 141,142? Yes, students with AP credit for Chem 141,142 will not lose that credit if they take Chem 181,182. No AP credit is ever given for labs, however.
I have tested out of Chem 141,142, and had a very good chemistry lab experience in high school as well. What is wrong with my taking Chem 241,242 and 241L,242L in my first year? We strongly recommend against going into organic chemistry without having extensive college-level laboratory experience. Chem 222 in the spring semester makes an excellent bridge to the work in Organic. Furthermore, Chem 222 or 181,182 is a prerequisite for students planning to take biochemistry laboratory in the B.Sc. with Biochemistry Specialization program. When in doubt, consult a chemistry advisor (see list available on main page).
I am a pre-med, and I want to know whether becoming a Chemistry major is the best way to go in order to get into a good medical school. Whom do I ask about this? A chemistry major is your best way to med school only if you really enjoy chemistry and do well at it. Your major should be a subject you love. A good person to talk to about pre-med options is the pre-professional advisor, Office of Career Planning and Placement, Garrett Hall. This valuable resource person can be reached at 924-8900.
It would work into my schedule much better if I could take Chem 142/142L first and then take 141/141L in the fall of my second year. Is that permissible? It is not. If you have the kind of chemistry experience that would make it possible (i.e., AP chemistry with a good test score), then you should be in Chem 181/182 and its lab. If you don’t have that kind of experience, you need to take Chem 141/142 in its proper order, since 141 is a prerequisite of 142 and contains much of the information you will need to succeed in 142.
I am a second-year who is thinking of becoming a chem major. I took Chem 141,142 and their labs last year but I would really prefer to take Chem 281,282 this year because I want to take a B.Sc. degree. Unfortunately, students who started in the 141,142 series cannot change into the 281,282 because the format and approach is too different. However, it is possible to take the 140,240 series and still be a B.Sc. major. The 180,280 series is recommended for its greater depth and intensity, but it is not required.
I am thinking of becoming a chemistry major, but I would be a double major, and I have heard that it is not possible to take both a B.Sc. and a B.A. in the College. Is this true? It is not true. You can take a B.Sc. in Chemistry and a B.A. in some other major. However, you cannot have both the B.Sc. and the B.A. on your diploma, so there a decision will be necessary -- the default mode is that your first major is the one on your diploma. However, you'll be given the opportunity to choose. The double major will show on your transcript, which, after all, is what you send round to prospective schools/employers.
I am interested in taking some classes at my local college/university this summer when I'm home on break. How can I make sure I get credit for them here? Students must secure the permission of the College Dean prior to enrolling in all courses taken at another institution and transferring academic credit back to the University to apply toward their degree program. This is done by submitting a "Request for Transfer of Credit" form prior to enrolling in courses for transfer.
I wish to declare a major in the Chemistry Department. What should I do? First, pick up an undergraduate brochure from Cindy Knight in Room 148 or from the bulletin board opposite Room 148. This outlines the various programs available, and what the requirements are for each of them.
Next, pick up a declaration of major form in Garrett Hall or from Cindy Knight in Room 148, ChemBldg.
This form has to be approved and signed by one of the undergraduate advisors listed below:
Prof. Richard Sunberg, Room 221, rjs1d@virginia.edu
Prof. James Demas, Room 144, 4-3343, demas@virginia.edu
Prof. W. Dean Harman, Room 121, wdh5z@virginia.edu
Prof. Lin Pu, Room 250, lp6n@virginia.edu
When your major declaration form is completed and signed by one of the advisors listed above, bring it to Cindy Knight in Room 148, ChemBldg.
I want to change my Chemistry B.A. to the B.Sc. Bio Spec. Do I have to re-declare? Yes, it will be necessary to fill out a declaration form. Pick it up from Cindy Knight in Room 148 or in Garrett Hall. Have it signed by a ChemDept advisor and return it to Room 148.
I will be taking/have taken a chemistry course at another institution. How do I obtain approval for transfer of credit? You must obtain approval before you take the course; otherwise you run the risk of not having your class approved. You will need to complete a Transfer Credit form (obtainable at Garrett Hall), attach a course description, and bring it to Room 404 Chem Bldg. The course description should be FROM THE CATALOG of the school you wish to transfer credit from, not merely a class schedule. (If you don’t have a catalog, call the school and ask them to FAX a copy of the relevant page of their catalog to Ms. Milligan—FAX # 804 924-3966. This is so frequently done that it is almost standard operating procedure.) All Chemistry Department transfer of credit business is handled through Room 404 (Chairmans Office).
I have taken approved courses at another university. How will this affect my GPA? Approved transfer courses satisfy UVa requirements and give you hours toward your degree. The grades on non-UVa courses are not included in your UVa transcript, nor are they used to compute your GPA. For job, graduate or medical school applications you will have to request a separate transcript for each school at which you have taken classes.
I took Chem 241/341/442 (whatever) and got a really low passing grade in it. If I retake the class and get a better grade, will it improve my GPA and my transcript? Your transcript will show you have taken the class twice, possibly with a better grade the second time. The second grade will not be used in compiling your GPA or your total number of hours. Therefore, retaking any course which you have already passed will not improve your GPA or your transcript (except to show your determination). It may, however, improve your performance in more advanced courses.
What is the lowest GPA a chemistry major is allowed to have? The requirement is that you should have a passing grade point average (i.e., that you have not flunked out of the University). However, if you are passing all your non-chemistry or non-science courses and failing or near-failing your sciences, you might consider changing your major.
Biology 300 or 301 is a required course. There are no substitutions for this requirement.
I have heard rumors that P-Chem Lab (Chem 371/372) or Chem 281/282L or Chem 181L is a fulfillment of the Second Writing Requirement—is this true? No chemistry classes at present constitute a fulfillment of the Second Writing Requirement.
I am interested in doing research. What do I do next? Determine what faculty member you are interested in working for and see if they have any openings. If so, then talk to Prof. Demas, fill out a course action form and bring it to Cindy Knight in room 148 to process.
How would I go about finding someone to do research with at the hospital? Visit this website to find faculty doing research in a variety of areas.
I am doing research in a lab in (Biology/Chemistry/the hospital/etc.) and have been getting credit for it in the Chemistry Department under Chem 495 and Chem 496. But now I’ve done both of those and I don’t want to quit doing research. Can I still get credit for it in the Chemistry Department? Indeed you can (if it is relevant research). Simply keep signing up for Chem 495 (fall semester) and Chem 496 (spring semester). Your research must be reviewed by a professor in the Chemistry Department, who will need a letter from your research mentor (if they are not the same person) and a progress report on the work you are doing. This chemistry department mentor should be your instructor of record with ISIS for the class Chem 495/496. See detailed reporting requirements for undergrad research.
Can I substitute Chem 553 for Chem 551? Chem 553 (the undergraduate equivalent version of 751) can be used as a substitute for CHEM 551 with permission of the 751 instructor.
I am interested in taking an upper level course (>600). What do I need to do? The College, with very few exceptions, adheres to the University’s course numbering system, which means undergraduates are not to enroll in courses numbered higher than 599 (RECORD, p. 71). To request an exception students are to circulate this form, obtaining the specific information as indicated, and to complete this special Course Action Form. Return this form to the receptionists in Garrett Hall. Any other enrollments in courses numbered >599 will be cancelled.
For Students Receiving B.S. with a Specialization: Please note that regardless of what you might have heard, you MUST HAVE through Language 202 unless you are an Echols scholar.
The College of Arts and Sciences – Undergraduate Information
The University of Virginia College of Arts and Sciences Undergraduate Record
UVA's Center for Undergraduate Excellence advises students regarding undergraduate research opportunities and national scholarships and fellowships.
University of Virginia Health System Faculty Research Areas. View all faculty conducting research.
Pre-med Prerequisite Course Strategies http://www.career.virginia.edu/students/preprof/prehealth/courses.php
Alpha Chi Sigma is a co-ed professional chemistry fraternity. http://www.virginia.edu/newcomb/sac/search_display.php?org_id=256
Is there a copy machine for the use of undergraduates in the Chemistry Building? No.
Where is the nearest place I can get copies made if I don’t have a copy card? There is a manned copy center on the fourth floor of the Chemistry Building. It is open 8:00 am to 5:00 pm, Mon - Fri (8:00 am - 12:00 pm during the summer), closed for lunch, and accepts cash or checks or Cav Advantage cards. If it is after hours, try any of the larger libraries, such as Sci/Tech (Clark Hall), Clemons, Alderman, etc. which should have copy machines that respond to coins.
Who is the Chemistry Librarian and what is this person’s telephone number? The Chemistry Librarian is Cheryl Summers <cls9b@virginia.edu>. Her phone number is 4-3159.
What, where and when is the Chemistry Library? The Chemistry Library is a small, departmental research library, primarily used by Chemistry faculty, grad students, postdoctoral scientists and undergraduates working on chemistry projects; however, it is available to anyone who has need of its facilities. The Chemistry Library is located on the second floor of the Chemistry Building, on the east side. It is open to general use Monday - Friday, 9:00 am - 5:00 pm (closed for University holidays).
JOURNALS, REFERENCE MATERIALS AND RESERVE MATERIALS ARE NOT TO BE REMOVED FROM THE LIBRARY.
What facilities does the Chemistry Library offer? Besides the specialized collection of books and journals of interest to working chemists, the Chemistry Library offers the following:
The Chemistry Library has several terminals connected to the VIRGO online library catalog, which is University-wide. The library system subscribes to many online databases and these can be accessed simply by connecting to the library system's web page at http://www.lib.virginia.edu/alderman/. There are two databases that can be accessed only from the Chemistry Department Library: Beilstein and SciFinder Scholar (from Chemical Abstracts).
The library system (not necessarily the Chemistry Library) offers a research tutorial, introducing the various online databases and their use. You can request such a tutorial by submitting an online request form at http://www.lib.virginia.edu/tutorial.html where the request form is a hot link.
Interlibrary Loan: In the event that the University does not own and cannot access online the material that you need, you can request a photocopy (of a journal article) or the book on loan through a participating library. See the Librarian. This service takes at least ten days to get your goods to you, so do not attempt it if your work is due next week.
updated 9/15/08