The curriculum for all majors is outlined in the Xavier Catalog. In general, the curriculum a student must follow is the one listed in the catalog in effect when the student entered Xavier. For instance, a student who entered in the fall of 1996 should take the courses listed in the 1996-1998 catalog. Students transferring from (or to) other departments must use the catalog requirements in effect at the time of the transfer. Requirements for the specific programs in the Chemistry Department may be found on the Chemistry Department Catalog Information page. Here is a list of our programs:
Students may receive degrees from Xavier only if they fulfill all the requirements of their curriculum.
There can be important exceptions to the general catalog rule. Where departmental practice has changed, students are compelled by necessity to follow the new practices. Most recently, catalogs through 1998-2000 state that the Physical Chemistry lectures (CHEM 3010 etc.) are prerequisites for the Physical Chemistry Lab (CHEM 3030LB), but since the spring semester of 2000 lecture and lab are taken concurrently. Other examples include: catalogs through 1990-1992 specify that A.C.S. majors must take an Advanced Inorganic lab, but we require Advanced Synthesis now. Also, catalogs through 1994-1996 list Instrumental Analysis as taught in the spring, but it is now taught in the fall.
GENERAL COMMENTS
As a general rule, students should follow the order of courses listed in the catalog unless a serious reason merits the change. All Chemistry courses for majors either have prerequisites, are prerequisites, or both; they must be taken in the prescribed order. Also, the curriculum for each major in the Chemistry Department has been carefully worked out to insure a balance between "heavy" and "not so heavy" courses each semester. In the Chemistry-Premed curriculum, for instance, each semester contains two science and/or math courses--except for the sophomore year, in which students take three such courses.
In general, students should complete all required courses before they register for free electives. Too often, students who leave required courses until their senior year are left with unresolvable scheduling problems.