Chemistry (CHEM) Undergraduate Course Descriptions
Note: For all courses, the number of lecture hours and laboratory hours per week are given in parentheses following the course title.
+CHEM 101. Understanding Chemistry (3, 0)
Introduction to basic concepts of chemistry. Students will be taught critical thinking skills resulting in informed scientific analysis of environmental and societal problems. Specific topics and emphasis for each section selected by instructor. Credit will not be given to students who have previously taken a chemistry course above number 210 and received a passing grade. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
+CHEM 105. Chemistry and the Environment (3, 0)
Basic chemistry concepts in the context of the environment, global warming, ozone depletion, air, water and soil pollution. 3 Cr. F, S, SUM.
CHEM 110. Essential Skills for Chemistry
Basic chemistry concepts and elementary mathematical skills necessary for success in 210. Required for students who do not score high enough on the chemistry placement exam for placement into 210 but wish to enroll in 210. Course meets three times per week for the first five weeks on semester. S/U. Prereq.: Concurrent registration with 210. 1 Cr. F, S.
CHEM 131. Introductory Chemistry for Health Sciences (3, 2) (EFFECTIVE BEGINNING FALL 2009)
Introductory course for health sciences students who have had no high school chemistry or those who do not have a passing score on the CHEM 141 placement exam. Preparatory course for 141. Scientific method, measurements and basic chemical principles applied to biological systems. Lab. Prereq.: high school advanced algebra. 4 Cr. F, S, SUM.
CHEM 140. Introductory Chemistry for Health Sciences (3, 2) (EFFECTIVE THROUGH SUMMER 2009)
Introductory course for health sciences students who have had no high school chemistry or those who do not have a passing score on the CHEM 141 placement exam. Preparatory course for 141. Scientific method, measurements and basic chemical principles applied to biological systems. Lab. Prereq.: high school advanced algebra. 4 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+CHEM 141. Introduction to Organic and Biological Chemistry (4, 2)
Concepts and principles of organic and biological chemistry. Organic principles used to understand biomolecules and their role in living organisms. Lab. Prereq.: 140 or a passing grade on 141 placement test. 5 Cr. S, SUM.
+CHEM 160. Preparatory Chemistry (3, 2)
Introductory course for students who have had no high school chemistry or those who do not have a passing score on the 210 placement exam. Preparatory course for 210. Scientific method, measurements, basic chemical principles and chemical calculations. This fulfills the laboratory science general education requirement for nonmajors. Lab. Prereq.: high school advanced algebra. 4 Cr. F, S, SUM.
+CHEM 207. Forensic Science (2, 2)
Basic theory and methods for scientific investigation of physical evidence found at the scene of a crime. Emphasis on laboratory analysis currently in use. Lab. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
+CHEM 210. General Chemistry 1 (3,3)
General chemistry principles. Stoichiometry, solutions, bonding, quantum chemistry, thermochemistry, properties of solids, liquids and gases. Lab. Prereq.: High school advanced algebra or MATH 072; High school chemistry and a passing grade on the CHEM 210 placement exam, or a C or higher in CHEM 160. 4 Cr. F, S, SUM.
CHEM 211. General Chemistry 2 (3, 3)
Kinetics, chemical equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, solubility equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, coordination chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and descriptive chemistry. Lab. Prereq.: 210. 4 Cr. F, S, SUM.
CHEM 240. Basic Organic Chemistry (3, 3)
Structure, nomenclature, preparation, stereochemistry, mechanisms and reactions of organic compounds. Lab. Prereq.: 210. 4 Cr. F.
CHEM 241. Basic Biochemistry (3, 3)
Biological molecules, enzyme functions, and metabolic pathways. Prereq.: 240. 4 Cr. S.
CHEM 307. Advanced Forensic Science (2, 2)
Analysis of physical evidence through the use of laboratory instrumentation. Sample collection and preparation methods and techniques. Lab. Prereq.: 207. 3 Cr. DEMAND.
CHEM 310. Organic Chemistry 1 (4, 3)
Structure, nomenclature, preparation, stereochemistry and reactions of organic compounds; spectroscopy. The first semester of a full-year course with a mechanistic emphasis, especially for chemistry, biomedical science, biotechnology, cell biology and prepharmacy majors. Lab. Prereq.: 211. 5 Cr. F.
CHEM 311. Organic Chemistry 2 (3, 3)
Structure, nomenclature, preparation, stereochemistry and reactions of organic compounds; spectroscopy. The second semester of a full-year course with a mechanistic emphasis, especially for chemistry, biomedical science, biotechnology, cell biology and prepharmacy majors. Lab. Prereq.: 310. 4 Cr. S.
CHEM 320. Environmental Chemistry (3, 3)
Identification and analysis of elements and compounds of environmental importance. Special attention to pollutants and toxins. Lab. Prereq.: 210. 4 Cr. DEMAND.
CHEM 350. Quantitative Analysis (3, 3)
Principles and practice of quantitative analysis of the chemical content of matter. Physico-chemical principles, and practical methodology. Titrimetric, spectrophotometric, potentiometric, and chromatographic methods. Lab. Prereq.: 211, or consent of instructor. 4 Cr. F, S.
CHEM 391. Chemical Information
Literature searching workshops culminating in a written literature review. Attendance at departmental seminars is required. Normally taken in spring semester of junior year. Prereq.: 310. 1 Cr. F, S.
CHEM 444. Chemistry Internship
Full or part-time participation in industry or a government agency. Max. of 5 credits may be counted toward major requirements, remaining credits may be used as general electives. Credit awarded at a rate of 1 credit per 75 hours. S/U. Prereq.: Approval of department. 1-16 Cr. F, S, SUM.
CHEM 489. Undergraduate Research in Chemistry
A laboratory investigation of a research problem in chemistry. May be repeated to a maximum of 16 credits. Max of 5 Cr. allowed toward a chemistry major. Minimum 3 lab hours per week for 1 credit. Prereq.: /Coreq: 391 (or consent of instructor). 1-5 Cr. F, S, SUM, DEMAND.
CHEM 491. Senior Thesis
Conclusion of the capstone experience involving a formal presentation of a research or library project in the form of a seminar to the department, and a written paper following departmental guidelines. Attendance at departmental seminars is required. Saturday symposium may be scheduled near end of semester depending on enrollment. Normally taken in spring semester of senior year. Prereq.: 391. 2 Cr. F, S.
Chemistry (CHEM) Courses for Advanced Undergraduate and Graduate Students
CHEM 420/520. Physical Chemistry 1 (4, 0)
Application of fundamental laws and theoretical principles to real and ideal gases, thermodynamics, systems of variable composition, chemical equilibrium, phase equilibrium, the phase rule, solutions, colligative properties, condensed phase equilibria, and nonideal systems. Prereq.: 350, PHYS 232 or 235; MATH 212 or 222. 4 Cr. F.
CHEM 421/521. Physical Chemistry 2 (4, 0)
Application of fundamental laws and theoretical principles to equilibria in electrochemical cells, surface phenomena, the structure of matter, quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, bonding, solids, electrical conduction, and kinetics. Prereq.: 420. 4 Cr. S.
CHEM 422/522. Physical Chemistry Lab 1 (0, 3)
Laboratory to complement Physical Chemistry 1 (420-520). A quantitative measurement of properties and phenomena of chemical interest and their interpretation by use of chemical principles. Prereq.: 420-520 or concurrent registration. 1 Cr. F.
CHEM 423/523. Physical Chemistry Lab 2 (0, 3)
Laboratory to complement Physical Chemistry 2 (421-521). A quantitative measurement of properties and phenomena of chemical interest and their interpretation by use of chemical principles. Prereq.: 421-521, or concurrent registration. 1 Cr. S.
CHEM 430/530. Inorganic Chemistry 1 (3, 3)
Concepts of inorganic chemistry; electronic structures of atoms; crystal structure; chemical bonding including molecular orbital theory; nomenclature, bonding and structure of coordination compounds. Lab. Prereq.: 420, or consent of instructor. 4 Cr. F.
CHEM 431/531. Inorganic Chemistry 2 (2, 0)
Application of the concepts of inorganic chemistry to chemical elements and compounds. Coordination chemistry including ligand field theory. Prereq.: 430. 2 Cr. S.
CHEM 440/540. Environmental Analytical Chemistry (2,3)
Theoretical and practical aspects of chemical analysis of soils, water, and air samples. Emphasis on sample preparation. Lab. Prereq.: 350. 3 Cr. F, ALT.
CHEM 450/550. Instrumental Analysis (3, 3)
Major instrumental methods of chemical analysis including spectroscopic, electrometric, and chromatographic methods. Lab. Prereq.: 420/520 or 482/582. (CHEM 482/582 may be taken concurrently with 450/550.) 4 Cr. S.
CHEM 452/552. Nuclear Chemistry and Radiochemistry (2, 3)
Nuclear stability and structure; decay systematics and energetics;interactions of radiation with matter; nuclear energy; detection, measurement and characterization of radiation; application to chemical and biological problems. Lab. Prereq.: 211, basic calculus desirable. 3 Cr. S, ALT.
CHEM 453/553. Organic Mechanisms and Synthesis (2, 3)
A course in advanced organic chemistry involving key mechanisms and reactions; strategies and tactics of complex organic syntheses. Lab. Prereq.: 311. 3 Cr. S, ALT.
CHEM 460-469/560-569. Selected Topics in Chemistry
Non-sequence courses designed for intensive study of a special topic. Topic will be announced in the class schedule. Consent of instructor. 1-4 Cr. DEMAND.
CHEM 480/580. Biochemistry 1 (3, 3)
The chemical structure and function of most fundamental biomolecules; carbohydrates, lipids and proteins. Fundamentals of enzyme function and metabolism. Prereq.: 311. 4 Cr. F.
CHEM 481/581. Biochemistry 2 (3, 3)
Major metabolic pathways; biochemistry of nucleic acids; and biophysical techniques. Prereq.: 480. 4 Cr. S.
CHEM 482/582. Biophysical Chemistry (3, 3)
Biomolecular structure, thermodynamics and kinetics and their study through spectroscopic techniques. Prereq.: 480, MATH 212 or 222, PHYS 232 or 235. 4 Cr. S.
CHEM 490/590. Seminar (1, 0)
Lectures, readings, discussion on selected topics. The successful conclusion of the course involves a formal presentation by the student in the form of a seminar to the department. May be repeated to a maximum of 4 Cr. 1 Cr. F, S.
