Welcome back to Science 101, Bwog’s semi-regular advice column geared toward science students! In this edition, Science Editor Sydney Wells explains the different chemistry majors at Barnumbia.

Chemistry

  • Plain ol’ chemistry! The CC, Barnard, and GS majors allow you to gain extensive laboratory experience and learn chemistry of all different varieties—inorganic and organic chemistry are both required for all three schools’ majors, as well as physical chemistry for CC and GS. These majors do not have a specific focus within chemistry itself, so if you just know you’re interested in the tiny world of molecules, it might be for you!
  • Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
  • Cool classes: CHEM GU4103: Organometallic Chemistry, CHEM BC3282: Biological Chemistry, CHEM GU4221: Quantum Chemistry.
  • Senior thesis requirements
    • CC: None
    • Barnard: Senior Honors Thesis Seminar (two semesters) or Guided Research (one semester)
    • GS: None

Biochemistry

  • As has been previously described, this major resides in the Chemistry Departments of both Barnard and Columbia, although it exists at the intersection of biology and chemistry. This major involves studying the chemical processes that take place inside of living things, so if you’re interested in nucleic acids, enzymes, and metabolism, check it out!
  • Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
  • Cool classes: CHEM BC3282: Biological Chemistry, CHEM GU4102: Chemistry for the Brain, CHEM GU4313: Peptide and Protein Chemistry.
  • Senior thesis requirements
    • CC: None
    • Barnard: Senior Honors Thesis Seminar (two semesters) or Guided Research (one semester)
    • GS: None
  • Student testimonial: “I’ve always been interested in molecular biology and the specific pathways that make the body function. Learning about certain protein interactions and how they’re scaled up and can have large effects on the human body as a whole is fascinating. While at times the number of credits can feel exhausting and never-ending, I do appreciate that the wide range of courses we have to take provides a good base for upper-level classes. Overall, I would definitely recommend the major to someone interested in gaining a foundation in both sciences, while also considering going to graduate school later on.”

Chemical Physics

  • If you love both chemistry and physics, this one’s for you! The field of chemical physics generally involves studying chemical systems using principles and concepts classically associated with physics. In CC and GS, the Chemical Physics major requires more physics classes than the general Chemistry major, as well as a semester of either quantum chemistry or quantum mechanics.
  • Offered by: Columbia College, Barnard College, School of General Studies.
    • Note: Chemical Physics is not a formal major at Barnard, and students interested in studying it “should speak to a faculty member early on (i.e., by late fall of her sophomore year).”
  • Cool classes: CHEM GU4221: Quantum Chemistry, PHYS UN3008: Electromagnetic Waves and Optics.
  • Senior thesis requirements
    • CC: None
    • Barnard: Must speak to a faculty member about major courses
    • GS: None

Environmental Chemistry

  • According to the Office of the Provost, only one person in 2021-2022 majored in Environmental Chemistry. Next year, that could be you! The field involves studying the chemical phenomena of natural places, and the major contains mostly chemistry, earth science, physics, and environmental science classes.
  • Offered by: Columbia College, School of General Studies
  • Cool classes: EESC GU4009: Chemical Geology, EESC GU4926: Principles of Chemical Oceanography, EAEE E4003: Aquatic Chemistry.
  • Senior thesis requirements
    • CC: Senior Research Seminar (two semesters) or Supervised Independent Research (one semester)
    • GS: Senior Research Seminar (two semesters) or Supervised Independent Research (one semester)

Chemical Engineering

  • Often described as the broadest or most interdisciplinary of all the engineering varieties, the Chemical Engineering major will expose you to a plethora of different fields. Chemical engineers use chemical processes to develop products, design systems, and solve problems—if this sounds vague, you’re spot on! A degree in chemical engineering is applicable to a vast array of post-graduation paths.
  • Offered by: School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
  • Cool classes: CHEN E4930: Biopharmaceutical Process Laboratory, CHEN E4600: Aerosols, CHEN E4610: Chemical Product Design.
  • Senior thesis requirements
    • SEAS: None
  • Student testimonial: “Chemical engineering is a bit of a lie in name. Cheme actually puts chemistry on a bit of a back burner, as it aims to be one of the most interdisciplinary fields of study. The department also has concentrations designed to allow us to further specialize our degree, such as sustainable energy, material design, pharmaceuticals, and chemical data analysis. Beyond that, the major is small, allowing me to know personally everyone in my degree as a sophomore and creates a tight knit community.”

Ferrocene crystials via Wikimedia Commons