Once your major has been processed by the Registrar, you will receive a welcome letter from the chemistry department notifying you that your faculty advisor will be appointed just prior to the next registration. Until then, contact the DUS Group with any questions you may have.
Prior to registration each semester, majors will meet with a faculty advisor to discuss their course selections, their progress toward a degree in chemistry, and career options. You can identify your major advisor and find their physical and e-mail address on DukeHub.
Includes advising for registrations. In addition to faculty advisors, majors may contact the DUS Group for advising appointments at any time.
A science major who is interested in teaching in secondary schools is encouraged to earn a Comprehensive Science teaching certificate in addition to his/her bachelor's degree. More information on Teacher Certification is available in the Handbook for Majors.
Advising of students who have not declared a major is done by the DUS Group in chemistry. Students may contact the group at dus@chem.duke.edu or through the contact information below.
Director of Undergraduate Studies: Phone: (919) 660.1533 E-mail: ross.widenhoefer@duke.edu Office: 2101 French Family Science Center
Associate Director of Undergraduate Studies: Phone: (919) 660-1539 E-mail: claireparker.siburt@duke.edu Office: 1222 French Family Science Center
Assistance in all matters concerning careers may be obtained at the Career Center on Duke Campus. Services available at the Career Center (Bay 5, Smith Warehouse, 2nd floor) include preparation of resumes and cover letters and preparation for interviews, etc.
For information on getting into Medical School, see the website at health professions.
Majors who are interested in Graduate Schools should become familiar with the Pregraduate Office which provide information on the decision to go to graduate school, preparation, applying including Timeline for application, and funding. In the case of funding for chemistry graduate schools, you usually can get a fellowship and employment in a chemistry department so that funding should not be a major concern.
If you are a senior and will be graduating in December of this year or May of next year, it is time to plan for your future. Below are some procedures and resources that may be of specific help to you.
If you intend to pursue medical school or a related area, you should be registered with the Health Professions Advising Center, 011 Allen Building and should be working closely with their advising staff.
If you intend to get a job in the field of chemistry or a related area, you should be registered with the Career Center located in Smith Warehouse, Bay 5, second floor. They have computer listings of companies that will be interviewing on campus, job openings, etc. They have sessions on writing resumes and can provide practice in interviewing techniques. They also have a library containing both books and videotapes dealing with careers. If you are interested in employment, you should immediately contact the Career Center. You need to get involved in writing a resume, working on interview techniques, arranging for interviews, etc.
If you intend to go to graduate school in chemistry or a related area, you should be in contact with Dean Rachael Murphey-Brown who is the advisor for graduate study. You should also be writing or emailing graduate schools to get information, application forms, determining the need for taking Graduate Record Examinations, etc. Please bear in mind that almost all graduate programs in the field of chemistry will offer you support as a teaching assistant and so advanced study in chemistry need not cost you anything!
