#  Chemistry Concentration 

 



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   ![Two undergraduates stand in front of a research poster](/sites/g/files/omnuum7776/files/styles/hwp_1_1__360x360_scale/public/chemistry/files/img_5891jpg.jpg?itok=61m6kAU_) 

 

Chemistry is the science of the structure, properties, and reactions of matter. It is both a basic science, fundamental to an understanding of the world we live in, and a practical science with an enormous number and variety of important applications. Knowledge of chemistry is fundamental to an understanding of biology and biochemistry—and of certain aspects of geology, astronomy, physics, and engineering. Career opportunities in chemistry include the areas of basic research, applied research and development, biotechnology, chemical analysis, manufacturing, and marketing. In addition, a degree in chemistry can be an excellent background for careers in many related fields, including law, medicine, business, environmental science, and other areas of science.

Because of the diversity of interests of prospective Chemistry concentrators, the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has designed a very flexible program of requirements, which allows each student to select an area of emphasis. Courses in organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry, as well as courses in chemical biology and biochemistry, are offered. A few of these courses include required laboratory work, and special laboratory courses are available to advanced students in each area. The department encourages all concentrators to participate in research. Concentrators may elect to pursue an individual research project with one of the research groups of the department. Each research group consists of advanced undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and a faculty member. In addition, concentrators can enroll in the junior tutorial, CHEM 98R, in which the student joins a research group under the supervision of a faculty member. Often this work is continued throughout the senior year as CHEM 99R. Here, the student becomes associated with current research in a particular area either by reading and studying recommended advanced material in that area or by undertaking an individual research project. Such projects often result in publications.

All of the courses in the department are open to properly prepared undergraduates, and most upper-level courses include some undergraduates. The more advanced courses are designed to be related closely to active areas of research in chemistry. Current research activity is further stressed in the numerous seminars and colloquia in organic, physical, biophysical, and inorganic chemistry as well as in chemical biology, materials, energy, and climate. Some seminars are held jointly with other departments at Harvard as well as at MIT. Most research groups have meetings and informal seminars at which topics of interest are discussed.

In addition to a balanced program of at least eight courses (32 credits) in chemistry, concentrators are able to take courses in physics, biology, biochemistry, engineering, computer science, and mathematics as part of their concentration requirements.

### Undergraduate Chemistry Community

We are committed to fostering a strong community of students interested in chemistry, including chemistry concentrators and students pursuing a secondary field or concurrent master's in chemistry. Throughout the year, the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology (CCB) hosts community events, research seminars, workshops, and other events. **All Harvard undergraduates interested in chemistry should** [**sign up for our undergraduate newsletters**](/undergraduate-programs/newsletters "Undergraduate Newsletters"), which are a great way to stay informed about chemistry-related opportunities at Harvard.

### How to Declare

If you are interested in declaring a concentration in chemistry, please follow this 3-step process:

1. Fill out this document ([click here to make a copy of your own](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1cUhwPrKpnx8QOhAxwetRik5kLiqRV8ACOdXTCUuMr60/copy)).
2. Meet with Gregg and Lu to discuss your plan of study. Sign-up information is included in the document in step 1.
3. If you decide to declare, submit a declaration of concentration request on my.harvard. Directions on how to do so can be found [here](https://harvard.service-now.com/ithelp?id=kb_article&sys_id=529e5ecadb6f4f04a914fff31d96190c). Please note that the declaration won’t be approved until you complete steps 1 and 2.

### Concentration Resources

1. [List of chem course offerings](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1CO5ObS22Ib3czodMTsRwJ4_lHhIHUhZ1kNacbYwZvQg/edit?tab=t.0)
2. Information on [Research-for-Credit Courses in Chemistry (Chem 91r, 98r, 99r)](https://docs.google.com/document/d/1eK-PAzreFjePJo_BtyRX6PWxdbLsdAh1-W2hnamE8J0/edit?tab=t.0)
3. Information on [Advanced Laboratory Courses offered in Chemistry](https://drive.google.com/file/d/1DN0D9fquvnLTFTtu23D1AtiRDq3Axspc/view?usp=sharing)
4. As of the Fall 2025 term, students may petition to fulfill the Advanced Laboratory requirement with two courses of CHEM 91R/98R/99R (i.e., Research-for-Credit courses) taken for *two consecutive semesters* doing *chemical research*. Students who select this option are required to submit a *scientific technical report* at the conclusion of *each* semester, which must receive a satisfactory evaluation from the Principal Investigator (PI). [See the Guidelines and Petition Form](https://drive.google.com/file/d/125AuEIX8BuTk7OnFeX2VRYjkdOFEMOgi/view?usp=sharing) for more details.
5. Senior thesis: Chemistry concentrators are not required to write a senior thesis, but if you decide to write one, please follow the template provided by the Office of Undergraduate Education (OUE) for the [Title Page for Senior Thesis](https://docs.google.com/document/d/16VLZ2_ryNFLSJppnqqB_IIamMAwKKxzj/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=115282319832135922339&rtpof=true&sd=true). We also recommend [this resource](https://chem.duke.edu/undergraduate/guidelines-thesis).

### Concentration Requirements: 12-14 courses (48-56 credits)

1. Required courses: 12 to 14 courses required, including at least eight courses in chemistry (see item 5a): 
    1. General chemistry: One course: CHEM 10; or two courses, one being LPS A or LS 1A, and the other being PHYSCI 10 or PHYSCI 11; or satisfactory placement out of the requirement.
    2. Inorganic chemistry. One course: CHEM 40, or equivalent.
    3. Organic chemistry: Two courses: CHEM 20 and CHEM 30, or CHEM 17 and CHEM 27, or equivalent.
    4. Physical chemistry: Two courses: Chosen from CHEM 160 or equivalent; and CHEM 161, CHEM 163, CHEM 166 or equivalent.
    5. Advanced laboratory: One course: CHEM 100R, CHEM 135, CHEM 145, or CHEM 165; or upon the approval of the concentration advisors, or two courses of CHEM 91R/98R/99R taken for two consecutive semesters doing chemical research, and students are required to submit a quantitative and technical report at the conclusion of each semester, which must receive a satisfactory evaluation from the Principal Investigator (PI).
    6. Chemistry with a strong biological orientation: One course: LS 1A, LPS A, or CHEM 27 or CHEM 170, or MCB 60, MCB 63, MCB 64, MCB 65, or equivalent. (LS 1A and LPS A may count for both this requirement and item 1a above; CHEM 27 may count for this requirement and item 1c above.)
    7. Mathematics: At least one course: MATH 21A or equivalent (for example, MATH 19A, APMTH 21A, MATH 22A, MATH 23A, etc.). MATH 21B is strongly recommended.
    8. Physics: At least two courses: PHYSCI 2, PHYSCI 3, PHYSCI 12A, or PHYSCI 12B; APPHY 50A, APPHY 50B; or the 15A (16), 15B, 15C sequence. PHYSICS 15A and PHYSICS 15B alone do not constitute a complete overview of general physics. Any two courses from the 15A (16), 15B, 15C sequence fulfills the physics requirement.
    9. Additional courses as needed to meet the total of 12 in chemistry or in related fields (13 courses needed if the student places into MATH 1B; 14 courses needed if the student must take MATH 1A).
2. Tutorials:
    1. Sophomore year: CHEM 91R, optional. Well-prepared sophomores (or firstyear students) who are accepted for laboratory research work may register for CHEM 91R, graded SAT/UNS only.
    2. Junior year: CHEM 98R, optional. Junior concentrators who are accepted for laboratory research work may register for CHEM 98R, graded SAT/UNS only. Junior concentrators who are interested in research are encouraged to contact their advisors at <chemistrydus@fas.harvard.edu> concerning the research program.
    3. Senior year: CHEM 99R, optional. Senior concentrators who are accepted for laboratory research work may register for CHEM 99R, graded SAT/UNS only. Senior concentrators who are interested in research are encouraged to contact their advisors at <chemistrydus@fas.harvard.edu> concerning the research program.
    4. Students enrolling in CHEM 91R, CHEM 98R, and CHEM 99R must register the name of their research mentor at the Chemistry Undergraduate Studies Office (<chemistryDUS@fas.harvard.edu>) before enrolling in these courses. Chem 91R, 98R, and 99R are repeatable.
3. General examination: None.
4. Thesis: Not required.
5. Other information:
    1. Related fields, in the present context, include departmental courses in Physics and Mathematics, Applied Physics and Applied Mathematics, and upper-level departmental courses in Biology, Biochemistry, and Earth and Planetary Sciences that carry a chemistry prerequisite. Chemistry courses include many Biochemistry courses.
    2. Pass/fail: Two courses counted for concentration credit may be taken pass/fail. This does not include SAT/UNS grades given in CHEM 91R, CHEM 98R, or CHEM 99R.

### Honors Eligibility Requirements: 14–16 courses (56–64 credits)

1. Required courses: 14 courses required, including at least eight courses in chemistry (see item 5a above).
    1. Same as Basic Requirements.
    2. Two additional courses in chemistry, biochemistry, or at a suitably advanced level in a related field. Courses that meet this requirement include:
        1. MCB 60, MCB 63, MCB 64, MCB 65.
        2. Other courses significantly related to chemistry may also be accepted on petition to the department.
        3. PHYSICS 15C, PHYSICS 143A, PHYSICS 143B, PHYSICS 151, PHYSICS 153, PHYSICS 181.
        4. APMTH, STAT, CS courses.
        5. MATH MA, MATH MB, MATH 1A, MATH 1B MATH 19B, MATH 21B, etc.
        6. LS 1B, LS 50A, LS 50B.
    3. At least four courses in Chemistry numbered 100 or higher. Students should consult with the Chemistry Undergraduate Studies Office for a complete list of courses offered by other departments (for example, MCB 176, MCB 178, EPS 133, ENG-SCI 135, ENG-SCI 164) that can be used to satisfy this requirement.
2. Tutorials:
    1. Sophomore year: Same as Basic Requirements.
    2. Junior year: Same as Basic Requirements.
    3. Senior year: Same as Basic Requirements.
3. General examination: None.
4. Thesis: Optional. Students enrolled in CHEM 99R have the option of writing a thesis.
5. Other information: Same as Basic Requirements.

### Joint Concentrations

Many students have successfully pursued a joint concentration with Chemistry in a number of different fields from all academic divisions. Interested students are encouraged to meet with the Director of Undergraduate Studies (<chemistrydus@fas.harvard.edu>) to discuss joint options.