Information for First-Year Students

Co-directors

Karen Hicks, Associate Professor of Biology
PBX 5379; hicksk@kenyon.edu

Sheryl Hemkin, Associate Professor of Chemistry
PBX 5093 ; hemkins@kenyon.edu

Courses for first-year students:

First year students interested in pursuing either major should begin taking both Biology and Chemistry courses in the fall semester.

Appropriate Biology courses for the first semester include BIOL 115 (Energy in Living Systems) and BIOL 109 (Introduction to Experimental Biology). Students with a score of 5 on the AP Biology exam are encouraged to enroll in BIOL 116 (Information in Living Systems), skipping BIOL 115.

Appropriate Chemistry courses include CHEM 121 (Introductory Chemistry) or CHEM 122 (Honors Introductory Chemistry). The same lab (CHEM 123) services both courses. Students with an exceptionally strong chemistry background may consider enrolling in CHEM 231 and 233 (Organic Chemistry and Lab). Be sure to take the Chemistry Department Placement Test to help guide your choice.

Please consult the Course of Study and information from the individual Biology and Chemistry departments for course content and placement details.