Other Courses Available

The concentrators is likely to take a variety of other courses within the department during his under-graduate studies. Among the most popular are Astronomy 2, the study of navigation, Astronomy 100, a survey of theoretical astrophysics, and Astronomy 141, an introduction to photography and photometry.

The concentrator will find an extremely close faculty-student relationship within the department, for astronomers form a tightly-knit group. He thus has the opportunity to work closely with perhaps the finest faculty of practising astronomers in the country.

Donald Menzel, who plans to teach Astronomy 100 this fall, is at present acting director of the Observatory as well as director of solar research. Fred Whipple, lecturer in Astronomy 120, is a leading authority on the study of the upper atmosphere and the director of a government meteor project. Bart Bok, who will give the first half of Astronomy 1 this year, is perhaps the department's most popular lecturer and a specialist in the form and structure of the Milky Way. Dr. Cecelia Payne-Gaposchkin, one of the world's foremost women astronomers, will teach Astronomy 141. Two recent arrivals, Richard Thomas and Max Krook, round out the department's teaching staff. They are scheduled to give advanced courses in astrophysics.

One word of caution comes from the department: No fortunes are made in astronomy. Astronomers are above all men and women dedicated to learning more about the universe in which they live. Nevertheless, the astronomy department has a fine record for placing its graduates in important and respected positions.

Biochemical Sciences

Number of Concentrators: 100.

1952 Commencement Honors: cum, 13; magna, 5; summa, 1; 6 cums in General Studies.

Biochemical Sciences is a rapidly growing and a highly competitive field. Its growth in the last two years (an increase of almost 50 percent, which puts it second to Biology in the science fields.) is explained by the fact that it gives concentrators a great latitude among the sciences. Its competitiveness is explained by the fact that three-fourths of the men in the field are pre-meds.

Many pre-meds who cannot quite decide between Chemistry, Biology, and Physics choose this field since it provides a good non-specialized foundation for later scientific research. The requirements are not at all stringent, yet are enough for admission to med school.

Honors candidates will find the field lot more difficult than non-honors concentrators--but also a let more rewarding. Honors candidacy means individual tutorial. Everyone in Biochemistry receives tutorial, which is its biggest advantage over Biology or Chemistry. Group tutorial for non-honors concentrators and individual instruction for honors men are both highly praised. The system, these men feel, provides personal attention which is not available in the other fields.

Honors

Senior honors candidates may take tutorial for credit, given in conjunction with their thesis. Some feel, however, that the thesis is the big drawback to honors candidacy in Biochemistry: neither Biology nor Chemistry requires one. The thesis is a lab thesis of approximately 10,000 words. Students who receive a grade of B or better in Chemistry 40 may also undertake individual research at the Medical School.

The requirements for honors candidates, aside from the thesis, are seven and one-half courses instead of the six required of non-honors concentrators. He must also answer special questions on the general examinations which every man must take in his senior year.

Non-honors concentrators must take two and one-half courses in Chemistry, one in Physics, and two and one-half additional courses from Chemistry, Biology, Physics, and Mathematics. Ordinarily, Chem 1, 20, and either 40 or 60 satisfy the first requirement. The Physics course must either be as advanced as Physics 11, or Physics 1 with a grade of C or better. For the additional two and one-half courses, the standard pre-med courses, Biology 1 and Mathematics 1 are generally included.