Computational Chemistry at Carleton

"C³"

New for 1998!

Questions and Answers

Carleton University has intoduced three new programs combining chemistry and computer science which will begin in Fall, 1998: Combined Honours in Chemistry and Computer Science (4-year program), Honours in Computational Chemistry (4-year program), and Major in Computational Chemistry (3-year program).

Q. Why these new programs, and why three of them?

A. The Chemistry Department has responded to the demands of students who want a solid grounding in Computer Science to be sure of helping themselves to enter today’s job market, but at the same time they have a strong interest in Chemistry and are looking for a combination of the two disciplines. Each of the three programs is different and each is designed for a particular type of student.

Q. Do students in these programs get much Computer Science?

A. The programs are all loaded with Computer Science (see sample program at the right). These courses are the same as taken by Computer Science majors in the first two years of their program, and there are upper-division Computer Science courses as well. Proficiency in Computer Science on completion is a sure thing.

Q. What about Chemistry? Do graduates of these programs know enough to be a chemist?

A. The Honours in Computational Chemistry has a very strong chemistry core up through 3rd-year and includes almost all of the same courses as taken by a regular Chemistry student. There is also a component of biology and biochemistry in the program which is necessary for the pharmaceutical industry.

Q. What courses would I take in these programs?

A. Take a look at the sample program at the right: this is a good example of what to expect! All three programs are described in the 1998 Carleton University Calendar (available May, 1998).

Sample Program: Honours in Computational Chemistry (4-year program)

Computer Science:

Introduction to Programming, C, C++
Problem Solving in Systems Programming
Numeric and Non-Numeric Programming
Design, Construction of Computer Programs
Development of Complex Software Systems
Construction of Large Software systems
Database Management
Numerical Analysis: Software Reliability
Advanced Specialization

Chemistry/Computational Chemistry:

Introductory Chemistry
Biophysical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry
Organic Chemistry
Organic Chemistry/Computational Lab
Quantum Chemistry
Methods of Computational Chemistry
Computational Chemistry Lab
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry: Structure, Energetics
Inorganic Chemistry: Electronic Structure
Pharmaceutical Drug Design
Advanced specialization
Final Year Research Project

Biochemistry, Biology, Physics, Mathematics

Cell Biology
General Biochemistry
Advanced Specialization (Biochemistry)
Introductory Physics
Calculus I
Algebra
Calculus II

Summary: Lots of Computer Science, lots of Chemistry!

Career Opportunities

Computational Chemistry is making a major impact in all areas of chemistry, but particularly in the new areas of pharmaceutical drug design and the properties of materials, including polymers and biomedical materials. Students who are trained in both chemistry and computer science are well qualified to find employment in these exciting new fields. For further information on job opportunities, please contact the Department of Chemistry (below).

For those wishing to enter Graduate Programs in Chemistry, the Honours Computational Chemistry degree provides essentially all of the requirements needed for advanced work in Chemistry Departments. And the advanced training in computing techniques is sure to make our graduates highly sought after in the next century!

For further information on the Computational
Chemistry programs, please contact:

Dr. G. W. Buchanan, Chair,
Department of Chemistry
Carleton University
1125 Colonel By Drive
Ottawa, Canada K1S 5B6
tel. (613) 520-3841
fax (613) 520-3749
e-mail: gerald_buchanan@carleton.ca

Additional details about new courses, etc. may be obtained from:

Dr. J. S. Wright
Chair, C³ Committee
e-mail: jim_wright@carleton.ca

Lab Experience in Chemistry

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Computation Chemistry and Computer Science

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An Inquiring Mind

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Computational Chemistry at Carleton

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