University of Dallas

O'Hara Chemical Sciences Institute

Since 1973 the O'Hara Chemical Sciences Institute has provided new students at the University of Dallas the opportunity to complete two semesters of general chemistry during the summer. This residential program spans eight weeks in June-August. Accepted students receive a scholarship that covers room, board and tuition. The value of this scholarship is approximately $5,250. Students supply only their text books. The rest of the program is free. The 41st Institute will be from June 17, 2013 to August 9, 2013.

Admission to the program is competitive. For recipients in 2012, the SAT average was 1312. A maximum of twenty scholarships are awarded each year. Applications require SAT or ACT scores and a letter of recommendation from a science teacher. Applications for 2013 are due by April 1. Only students who have been accepted to the University of Dallas are considered for scholarships.

The schedule is quite demanding; class is in the morning and laboratory is three afternoons a week. Exams are each Friday. Activities are scheduled for weekends. In 2012 we went to Six Flags, attended  a Texas Rangers game, and toured the Coca-Cola Syrup plant.  Upon completion of the program students receive credit for CHE 1303, 1103, 1304 and 1104. This is the first year of college chemistry.

This program is open to all students who will be enrolling at the University of Dallas in the fall. You do not have to be a Chemistry or Biochemistry major; participants in the program are science majors and pre-health professions students. This program is highly recommended for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. The advantage of O'Hara for these majors may be seen by comparing four year schedules Chemistry and Biochemistry with and without O'Hara. By completing general chemistry in the summer you can finish Organic Chemistry before going to Rome in your sophomore year. You will then be eligible for summer research after your second year and will be able to take electives during your senior year.

Some of the reasons for coming to O'Hara are:

• It's free!
• It's fun!
• Spending the summer at U.D. in a rigorous academic program makes the transition from high school to college in the fall much easier.
• Having eight credit hours of chemistry allows more scheduling flexibility.
• You will be able to take more electives at U.D.
• Taking general chemistry in the summer provides a more even distribution of science courses over the four years of college.

For additional information contact:

Dr. William H. Hendrickson, Director
O'Hara Chemical Sciences Institute
University of Dallas
1845 E. Northgate Drive
Irving, Texas 75062
972-721-5069
hendrick@udallas.edu