CHEM 490 CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY SEMINAR
Fall 2007
Thursdays 4:00-5:15 pm       SCIC 317

490 Chemistry & Biochemistry Seminar (1)
A weekly seminar to prepare students for careers in chemistry and biochemistry and to present recent advances in the field. Seminar one hour per week. Prerequisite: Junior or senior status.
Grading Scheme
Participation 50 % Due: each week
Career Planning Portfolio 25 % Rough Draft Oct 12
Final version Oct 19
Interview 10 % Due: Nov 16
Final Exam 15 %
December 6 
Grading Scale
92-100 A
90-92 A-
88-90 B+
82-88 B
80-82 B-
78-80 C+
72-78 C
70-72 D
Below 70 F
Participation is a most important part of the course. You are expected to attend each class period. If you must miss a seminar you must request an excuse via e-mail within 24 hours of the seminar. You will receive a reply as to how you might make up that absence, if excused. Each unexcused absence will result in the loss of 5 points off you of your final grade. No more than one excused absence will be granted for the semester. Upon the fourth total absence (excused as well as unexcused) you will receive the grade of "WA" which is equivalent to an "F".

Reports are to be submitted immediately following each seminar.  The summary is to be on an index card provided by the instructor.  On one side write a brief, accurate account of something said or explained in the seminar that was of interest to you or was something new to you that increased your knowledge of chemistry or biochemistry.  On the back  of the card, comment on the strengths of the style of the seminar presentation. Make sure to put the date and your name  on both sides of the card.  Write on one side  the speaker's name and affiliation.

Career Planning Portfolio is a formal collection of information that describes your profesional ambitions and training.  The portfolio shall include: 
(1) A one to two  page vitae/resume
(2) A one page statement that describes your professional ambitions
(3) A one page description of special skills or experiences you posses which you think might aid you in attaining your career ambitions
(4) A one page description that provides pertinent information about yourself that might be of interest to a prospective employer but is not already included elsewhere in your portfolio.

Interview You will need to set up a time with the instructor to be interviewed in his office. The interview will last 10 minutes or less and will involve a discussion of your future plans here at the college and after you graduate.

Final Exam: Click here for a study guide. (Available after Nov 30.)

Seminar Schedule

The Career Center  at the College of Charleston has many programs available for you. The ACS offers excellent information about career opportunities in chemistry and biochemistry. The AAAS also has job information. The ETS has career and guidance information, too.

Information about applying to graduate school is available. Also, information about the GRE is available.