First-Year and Sophomore Exploration

CCB undergraduates and faculty gather in front of a boat terminal

Welcome!

We're delighted that you are interested in chemistry. We encourage you to explore the resources below, as well as all the resources linked on the undergraduate programs page. We are also happy to meet to learn more about you, discuss your interest in chemistry, and help develop a plan for your time at Harvard. You can ask us questions or set up a meeting by contacting us at chemistrydus@fas.harvard.edu. 

— Gregg and Lu, chemistry concentration advisers

Gateway Chemistry Courses

Before choosing your first chemistry course, we encourage you to take the biology and chemistry placement exam. This exam has been carefully constructed to give good advice about which first course is most appropriate for you. After taking the exam, we encourage you to watch this 10-min video about how to understand your biology and chemistry placement exam results.

Students usually take one of the courses below as their first chemistry class at Harvard:

LS1a: Integrated Introduction to the Life Sciences
Fall

Open enrollment, typically taken by ~300 first-year students. An integrated introduction to chemistry and molecular/cellular biology, designed for students who:

  • Have taken any high school-level biology course.
  • Have taken college-level (AP, IB, dual enrollment) chemistry or have previous exposure to basic chemical principles (e.g. atomic structure, periodic table, intermolecular interactions, equilibria and thermodynamics).
  • Prefer to learn subjects in an integrated fashion: applying the chemical principles covered in class to understand biology and explore the fundamentals of drug design.

LPSA: Foundational Chemistry and Biology
Fall

Open enrollment, typically taken by ~200 first-year students. An introduction to chemistry and molecular/cellular biology, designed for students who:

  • Did not take chemistry or biology in high school, or are not confident in their understanding of these subjects.
  • Prefer to learn subjects taught in discrete units: chemistry in the first half of the semester, followed by biology.

Chem 10: Quantum, Statistical, and Computational Foundations of Chemistry
Fall

By petition, capped at 30 students, typically taken by 15-20 first-year students. A rigorous introduction to quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics, designed for students who:

  • Have a strong background in chemistry (AP score of 5, or equivalent), math (Math 1b or equivalent, may be taken concurrently), and familiarity with physics (force, energy, work, electric charge).
  • Want to develop an intuition for quantum and statistical ideas before encountering the heavy formalism in more advanced classes.
  • Are excited about learning how to use scientific computing tools used in research.

Chem 20: Organic Chemistry
Spring

Open enrollment, typically taken by ~50 first-year students. A rigorous introduction to organic chemistry, designed for students who:

  • Have a strong background in chemistry (AP Chemistry score of 5, score of 750 or higher on the Chemistry placement exam, or equivalent).
  • Are interested in a challenging organic chemistry course that prepares students for future studies in chemistry and the physical sciences.

Sample Course Sequences for Prospective Chemistry Concentrators

The sample sequences below show the most common chemistry courses taken by first-year and sophomore students interested in concentrating in chemistry. This is just a guide, and alternate paths are possible! We encourage students to reach out to the concentration advisers as soon as possible to develop a plan of study.

Sample Sequence 1:

First-Year FallFirst-Year SpringSophomore FallSophomore Spring
LPSA or LS1a

PS11

 

Chem 17

 

Chem 27

Chem 40
(can also take 
junior or senior spring)

 

Sample Sequence 2:

First-Year FallFirst-Year SpringSophomore FallSophomore Spring
LS1a or Chem 10
Chem 20
Chem 30
Chem 40
(can also take 
junior or senior spring)

 

Course Selection Notes:

  • Math requirement: the chemistry concentration requires that students complete at least one math course at the level of Math 21A (multivariable calculus) or Math 21b (linear algebra). Students should aim to complete the math requirement by the end of their junior year.
    • Students may also satisfy the requirement using equivalent courses, including Math 19A, Math 19B, Applied Math 21A, Math 21B, Applied Math 22A, and Applied Math 22B. If you're unsure whether a course that's not on this list counts as equivalent, contact chemistrydus@fas.harvard.edu.
    • We recommend that students take Math 21B to fulfill the math requirement, because it provides the linear algebra foundation that is helpful for quantum chemistry. 
  • Check out the chemistry concentration page for the full set of concentration requirements.
  • Students interested in health careers should consult the Mignone Center for Career Success and their pre-health "blue book" to ensure they are on track to satisfy premed and pre-health requirements.

Guide to Chemistry

We encourage you to explore the Harvard Chemistry Club's Guide to Chemistry, a handy guidebook that includes information on potential concentrations, research opportunities, student perspectives on math and science courses, and student groups you may consider joining. This guidebook is edited by students and the concentration advisers (Gregg Tucci, and Lu Wang).

Undergraduate Chemistry Info Session

Watch the Undergraduate Chemistry Information Session, recorded on Aug 2, 2023, which talks about courses offered in the Chemistry department, research opportunities, and the concurrent masters program in chemistry (link to the slides). 

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, which are a great way to stay informed about chemistry-related opportunities at Harvard.