<p>Is there a lot of research? How much prestige is associated, so to speak, with Dartmouth's Chemistry program? Can you name other institutions/programs of similar rank? What is the toughest part of Chemistry at D?</p>
<p>bump- I am also applying to Dartmouth as a prospective chem major</p>
<p>As with any sci dept at D, there's a lot of research opps for UG's if you seek them. Most profs will be open to you helping them in their lab(s), as it lets them get more work done sooner, and because it opens your eyes to the world of research, and can get you interested in a project for your senior thesis, etc.</p>
<p>As far as the prestige associated with the program, I have no idea. I never really paid too much attention, and as a non-chem major, I don't really have any motivation to find out (I have taken several chem classes, however, as part of my majors based in other departments, and out of interest).</p>
<p>The toughest part of Chem at D is that in almost all classes your grade is solely (or at least 90%) based on three exams, with a lab component in there to make sure you don't completely blow it off. Which chem class is going to be hardest for you is going to depend on your learning style, what interests you, and your professors. for me, it's been orgo. Also, orgo lab is hard, because it's SO LONG.</p>
<p>Bump- This exam thing does not look good... I mean, I've never been a fan of exams as a sole method of determining a grade, mainly because you can seriously affect them by luck.</p>
<p>Lol...dude...it's a science major...what do you expect? Group presentations and projects? This isn't high school. </p>
<p>It's based on tests and lab grades, which makes sense right?</p>
<p>mostly tests though. lab grades not so much.</p>
<p>but in comparison to other science departments, much more exam-heavy. almost every other department will have problem sets for credit and the like, often that are valued at almost the same weight as exams.</p>
<p>i believe they count problem sets too</p>
<p>I mean, I am not really familiar with American customs and traditions when it comes to grading. I get the impression it's quite a bit different from the system where I live.</p>
<p>^Why? I thought other countries were more test-centric than America. That could allow for such things like procrastinating your studying until finals period to get drunk at the pub every night of the week. Woops.</p>
<p>Heh, for a lot of internationals, the attraction of American education is that it is less test-centric, so I imagine some of us get bummed out when we find that tests still matter a lot.</p>
<p>Well, admission to higher education is by competitive examination only. I have actually gotten the impression, that US education is a lot more test-centric (at least in high-school) than over here. But anyways...
I took a look at the website of the department. They seem pretty solid.</p>