Major | Department of Chemistry

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Chemistry

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Chemistry education at SNU provides a link between the fundamental principles governing the nature of the universe and the science of life, and spans traditional as well as a variety of inter-disciplinary areas. We offer undergraduate specializations in Chemical Physics, Chemical Biology, Chemistry of Materials, Bioinformatics and Chemistry of the Environment. You can also combine a Minor in any discipline with a Major in Chemistry at SNU. University-wide elective (UWE) courses in the curriculum allow students unprecedented freedom to explore subjects outside their chosen major. This flexible and broad curriculum prepares students not just for a career in chemistry upon graduation, but for a leadership role in the world as well.

The Undergraduate Chemistry curriculum at SNU is divided into three stages:

  1. Introductory general chemistry
  2. Foundation courses providing breadth across sub-disciplines
  3. Rigorous in-depth courses for Chemistry Majors that build upon these foundations and develop critical thinking and problem-solving skills

Laboratory Experience: The chemistry laboratory experience at SNU includes:

  1. Synthesis of molecules
  2. Measurement of chemical properties, structures, and phenomena
  3. Hands-on experience with modern analytical instrumentation
  4. Computational data analysis and modelling

Problem-Solving Skills: As a part of the SNU experience, students are expected to (i) develop the ability to define problems, (ii) develop testable hypotheses, (iii) design and execute experiments, (iv) analyze data using statistical methods, and (v) draw appropriate conclusions

Undergraduate Research: Research activities are not confined to post-graduate level, but are integrated into the under-graduate program at SNU through our Research Experiential & Applied Learning (REAL) courses.

Undergraduate research allows students to integrate and reinforce chemistry knowledge from their formal course work, develop their scientific and professional skills, and create new scientific knowledge.

Original research culminating in a comprehensive written report provides an effective means for integrating undergraduate learning experiences, and allows students to participate directly in the process of science.