Frequently Asked Questions

You can complete a Prerequisite Override form in Lionpath. If approved, you will be able to add yourself to the class or the waitlist if there are no seats available in the class.

Instructions regarding requesting prerequisite overrides are available on the LionPATH Support site.

You will need to complete a Prerequisite Override form in Lionpath. The Undergrad Office will confirm with the instructor of the course you are wishing to remain in that you are in good standing. If the instructor approves we will approve this request.

Instructions regarding requesting prerequisite overrides are available on the LionPATH Support site.

Email undergrad@chem.psu.edu for the form.

If you have taken a course and/or late-dropped a course at least 2 times, this form will need completed and approved.

The Administrative Course Cancellation removes a course from your transcript and does not appear anywhere on your record.

You are eligible for an Administrative Course Cancellation if you have never participated or completed any work in the course you wish to remove. This must be approved by the instructor. 

This form is available upon request at 219 Whitmore Lab - if you need special accommodations, please email us at undergrad@chem.psu.edu. 

Candace Burns (cqb5994@psu.edu or stop by 216 Whitmore Lab)

Please contact undergrad@chem.psu.edu for the form. The form will give you the information needed for your situation. If you are a Schreyer Scholar we still ask that you complete the top portion of the form and the course you want to add so that the Chemistry Grad Office has the information they need to help you enroll. 

Once you complete your portion of the form please send it to chemgrad@psu.edu and the Chemistry Grad Office will assist you with enrollment.

Undergrad Exam Coordinator, Shannon Chappell, (smg211@psu.edu or stop by 219 Whitmore Lab).

Chemistry does not permit chemistry majors from taking two or more of the lab or lecture/lab courses in the same semester unless approved by their chemistry advisor and the associate head for the undergraduate chemistry program:  CHEM 227 and CHEM 457, CHEM 227 and CHEM 431W, CHEM 213W and CHEM 431W, CHEM 213W and CHEM 457, and any combination of 400-level labs.

The Department of Chemistry values the safety of everyone participating in our labs so part of the enrollment process for the Undergraduate Research Courses is verifying that you are up to date on your safety trainings. Completion of the Chemistry Department Safety Requirements will need to be obtained prior to being enrolled and working in the labs. By staying up to date on these trainings you are learning good safety practices that will help you in the lab and in your future careers in chemistry!

Requirements are comprised of two components: The Chemistry Departmental Safety Quiz and The Office of Environmental Health and Safety’s Laboratory and Research Safety course. Details, instructions, and resources for completing these can be found here. The administration of these requirements is handled by C. Russel Saieva (crs56@psu.edu). Feel free to reach out if you have any questions.

Additional information about laboratory and research safety can be found through Environmental Health and Safety (EHS). 

If this is your first time enrolling in an Undergraduate Research course, you will be added to a Canvas page to access the safety quiz.

If you have been enrolled in an Undergraduate Research course before, please be mindful that your EHS training will need to be refreshed every year, so you are up to date.

Once these have been completed, please return certificates to C. Russel Saieva (crs56@psu.edu) to keep on file for the department. He will notify the Undergraduate Office that you are up to date on your trainings and are able to begin working in the labs. The office will add you to your course as soon as possible and notify you.

If you ever have questions on your process you are always welcome to reach out to Candace Burns (cqb5994@psu.edu) who takes the lead on enrolling students in these courses.

We encourage chemistry majors to consider taking honors classes, participate in the honors program, and conduct research leading to a research thesis. More information can be found here.

Please Note: Any student who wants to enroll in an honors course (i.e. CHEM 110H) and they are not a Schreyer Honors student will be required to submit a Prerequisite Override request and it will go to the instructor of that course for approval. Instructions regarding requesting prerequisite overrides are available on the LionPATH Support site.

Proctoring! We hire paid proctors each semester to work the Undergrad Chemistry Exams.

If you are interested in proctoring please contact Candace Burns (cqb5994@psu.edu).

Become a LA! Please see the Learning Assistant tab on our website: Teaching, Mentoring, & Outreach for more information.

Become a TA! Please see the Teaching Assistant tab on our website: Teaching, Mentoring, & Outreach for more information.

Utilize the Resource Room! 205 Whitmore Lab has TAs that hold office hours for different Chemistry Courses.

Talk with your TA for help.

Reach out to the Undergrad Office to see if they have private tutoring lists available (undergrad@chem.psu.edu).