If you are just starting your major, have just transferred or are looking for additional information about the Chemistry Department's offerings for Undergraduates, we have a number of resources available here to assist you.

What steps should you be taking to start college fall term?

If you have not been admitted yet, go to OSU Admissions

If you have already been admitted, you must participate in the Summer Advising and Registration Program for New Undergraduates (START). You may also wish to participate in the OSUWelcome program in the week before Fall term begins.

Transfer students should visit our Transferring to OSU page.

For more information on the Chemistry degree, please contact the Lead Chemistry Advisor.

If you plan to be in the Corvallis area & would like to stop in for a guided tour of the Chemistry department, we would be happy to see you! Contact the OSU Visitors Center to schedule a visit.

Competitive tuition awards

There a number of great opportunities for scholarships available to chemistry majors: Click here for information on Departmental Scholarships and Awards. In the past, our best Chemistry majors have been successful earning the National Goldwater Scholarship - this pays for in-state tuition and can be renewed (a strong record of undergraduate research is a component). There have been four national Goldwater Scholarship holders in Chemistry over the past ten years. The College of Science offers additional scholarships for undergraduate students who have completed 30 university credits at OSU. If you are a high school senior, check with your high school advisor and ask about other scholarship programs that might be available for Oregon residents.

International degree

In the recent past, Chemistry majors have opted to study in England, Australia, Germany and France, for example. You can earn an international degree along with your chemistry degree. For more information on travel abroad, see Study Abroad link at the International Education web page. If you are interested in adding the double degree in International Studies, see the OSU catalog for more information and contact the Lead Advisor at International Studies

Guided Inquiry Experiments in General Chemistry

Students in the General Chemistry laboratory courses for science majors (CH 231/261, 232/262, 233/263) work on projects emphasizing team work while doing science. Students gain first hand experience in modern chemical analysis in a small group setting. A special laboratory section for Chemistry majors is offered (271, 272, & 273). The three hour per week laboratory sections are limited to 24 students.

Honors College chemistry courses

Incoming freshmen admitted to the OSU Honors College can enroll in Honors General Chemistry, CH 231H/232H/233H. Special projects of the student's design are an important part of this program. Contact the Honors College directly at (541) 737-6400 for more information or see Honors College at OSU. Honors College credit is also offered at the sophomore level for Experimental Chemistry I, CH 361H and CH 362H, and the junior and senior level for Experimental Chemistry II, CH 461H, CH 462H (WIC), CH 463H (WIC), CH 464H (WIC).

Integrated Laboratory Program

Experimental Chemistry I and II sequences
The Chemistry Department at OSU offers its undergraduate chemistry majors many opportunities to learn to do real chemistry first hand through a distinctive six-term professional laboratory sequence, Experimental Chemistry I & II (CH 361/361H, CH 362/362H, CH 461/461H, CH 462/462H, CH 463/463H or CH 464/464H) starting the sophomore year. Students work on project styled experiments and use state of the art scientific instrumentation throughout this advanced integrated laboratory sequence. About a half of projects are done in small groups and the remainder are individual work. The small class setting of 10-25 students promotes opportunities for personal interactions with faculty and guarantees student access to expert scientists. Projects cover, for example, muti-step organic synthesis, instrumental analysis, materials science, spectroscopy, inorganic synthesis, and physical chemistry. Students learn to operate real research grade instrumentation throughout these labs and have opportunities that many schools do not offer at the undergraduate level.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Chemistry majors are also encouraged to engage in undergraduate research in which they have the opportunity to work with professional research faculty. Many undergraduates start on research projects during the spring term of the sophomore year and often this can extend into a paid summer research experience. Students wishing to earn upper division credit while doing research can enroll in CH 401, Research.

Other general information about OSU

For more information on student services and financial aid, see the web at: Student Site, Oregon State University Students must apply for financial aid by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA is only available online. According to the University's General Catalog, page 30, "All eligible students and parents can receive some type of financial assistance regardless of the family’s income and assets". Financial aid includes grants, loans and Federal work-study. Scholarships for incoming freshmen are normally invited at the time of admittance.

All degrees granted by OSU include the Baccalaureate Core. The "Bacc Core" includes 48 credits in Skills, Perspectives, and Synthesis and emphasizes writing, critical thinking, cultural diversity, the arts, sciences, literature, lifelong fitness, and global awareness. A writing intensive course in the major is included. Experimental Chemistry II, CH 462 (Winter term) and CH 463 (Spring term) are two WIC courses for the chemistry major.

• OSU Career Services - Student internships, opportunities and services for students and employers
• OSU General Catalog
• OSU Admissions for information on how to apply to OSU

To request more information on the undergraduate degree programs in Chemistry at Oregon State, please contact:

Department of Chemistry
Oregon State University
153 Gilbert Hall
Corvallis, Oregon 97331-4003
chemistry.registration@oregonstate.edu