<p>can anyone comment on Chem. major at Holy Cross? How big is the department? Is it possible to study abroad since HC sends kids for one year? Lab facilities?</p>
<p>i know that they have a large amount of students that become doctors, but i dont know about the chem deptartment. when i did my interview for holy cross i asked my interviewer about study aboard and it sounded like it was definitely possible. she made it sound like there are quite a few lengths of time you can go.</p>
<p>They just built a 60 million dollar inegrated science complex so their science facilities are top class.</p>
<p>The number of chem majors varies year to year but i believe that average is usually around 20 or so. This helps cause your professors will actually know your name compared to the big state universities–right now I am in a upper level chem class and there are only 8 of us in the class so 1 week into class the prof knows everyone. Also the profs are great and really want to help you so that you do well in class. Also with the small size, there are a number of research opportunities possible. Some kids start right after freshman year and most Profs have lab groups of 3 to 4 kids. Some are able to publish in top journals which looks great for grad/med school or for applying to jobs.</p>
<p>As 1980collegegrad said they opened up Smith Labs (new building) last year and last week re-opened Haberlin (which was completely gutted and redone). The facilities are amazing and have everything that top level labs should have. </p>
<p>As far as studying abroad, I am not 100% sure how it works for chem students. I know several bio students were able to do it last year. I think if you go into freshman year with the idea of studying abroad, you and your adviser can set it up so that you take all the required classes at HC and and while you are away you take general credits required for graduation (like english/history/philosophy type classes).</p>
<p>Hope this helps</p>