Historically, the Chemistry Department has placed emphasis on enabling students to research with faculty, both in the summer and during the academic year. Six to 10 students typically serve as research assistants to chemistry faculty each summer. All scientists need that kind of foundation to investigate new phenomena. The laboratory is where students learn to answer questions, but it's in the classroom and through research that they learn what questions to ask. Chemistry electives can be taken at Pomona College, Harvey Mudd College, and Joints Sciences.
Independent research is another way that chemistry concentrators can satisfy electives.
In addition, we have a summer program offering paid positions for students to carry out research. Finally, there is a research option in the senior thesis. The program listed above is a typical one for those students who wish to concentrate in chemistry, but emphasize biochemistry. As with the chemistry concentration, participation in research is very worthwhile and can count as an elective. If you wish to emphasize molecular biology rather than biochemistry, you can concentrate in Molecular Biology.