How do I declare a Major?
Download the Chemistry Department Declaration of Chemistry/Biochemistry Major form here. Email it along with an unofficial copy of your transcript from Albert to fas-chemistry-office@nyu.edu. A brief meeting with a chemistry advisor completes the declaration process so include your availability and whether you would like to meet in person or over zoom when you submit the form.
How do I declare a minor in Chemistry?
Completion of the following four 6-point courses CHEM-UA 125 or 127, 126 or 128, 225 or 227, and 226 or 228 constitutes a minor in chemistry. Only three of the four courses may also be used to satisfy another department’s major. Therefore, Biology majors will need an additional 4 credit chemistry course for a minor. No grade lower than C will count, and an average of 2.0 or better in all chemistry courses is required. Upon completion of the 4th eligible course, the minor can be declared. Please fill out this form to declare your minor.
How do I get cleared for registration?
Chemistry, Biochemistry, GPH/Chemistry and Chemistry/Engineering Dual Degree Majors will be sent a google form before registration. If you need advising, please email fas-chemistry-office@nyu.edu.
Should I do Independent Study and when should this be done?
Students who are interested in research may begin as early as possible. To start, investigate the possibilities in your area of interest. Visit the Chemistry Department website for research information. Contact the research faculty and make an appointment to discuss possible projects. You may contact research faculty in other NYU schools or even other area colleges or universities. Be aware that faculty time and lab space is not unlimited and some faculty members may have to limit the number of undergraduate research advisees. Don’t be discouraged if you get turned down, try to have a second or third choice as a backup.
Once you have found a professor to do research with, pick up an “Application for a Course in Independent Study or Senior Honors” from the Chemistry Department in Silver 1001. Fill out the form and have your Supervising Professor sign it. The time per week to be spent on research is determined by the Supervising Professor but must be a minimum of 5 hours per week for each credit earned. Independent Study (CHEM-UA 997 and 998) or Senior Honors (CHEM-UA 995 and 996) require 2 – 4 credits per term. Return the form to the Chemistry Department at registration or by the start of classes at the latest. Requests for research with credit will be submitted to the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Alexej Jerschow, for approval. Once approved, students will be enrolled in the course.
Depending on their course load, students interested in research may choose to do research for zero credits as arranged with the Supervising Professor. Zero credit research can be conducted during the summer or either academic term. Zero credit research will not count toward the BS degree research requirement. Students should still turn in an application to the Chemistry Department.
The Dean’s Undergraduate Research Fund (DURF) is an endowed Fund that provides grants to assist a student's own research, whether to help with the gathering of data and information, or in the presentation of the results at an academic conference. Selection by a faculty committee is competitive. Awards range from $250 to $1,000. Students apply to the College of Arts and Science; forms and instructions are available online. http://www.nyu.edu/cas/DURF/
Where can I go for academic help?
The University Learning Center offers tutoring, cross-school advising, academic coaching, skills workshops, group review sessions, and a library of resources. The Academic Resource Center, 18 Washington Place, Lower Level between Washington Square East and Greene St. focuses on the Sciences; Chemistry, Biology, Physics, as well as academic skills. They offer walk in, one on one tutoring in General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. Science Study Slams are offered in General Chemistry, Organic and Biology before exams. Learning Assistants also lead weekly peer tutoring sessions for Chemistry courses. See the website at nyu.edu/cas/clc for hours, schedules and sign up information for these programs. University Hall Commons, dorm110 East 14th Street, focuses on Math, the Social Sciences and Humanities, including MAP courses and Languages.
Can I take a chemistry course pass/fail?
If you are a Chemistry/Biochemistry major and the course is required for major completion, then no.