Chemistry (CHEM) Graduate Course Descriptions
For all courses, the number of lecture hours and laboratory hours per week are given in parentheses following the course title.
CHEM 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 credits F.
CHEM 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.: 420/520. 4 credits S.
CHEM 522. Physical Chemistry Lab 1. (0, 3)
Laboratory to complement the 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 credit F.
CHEM 523. Physical Chemistry Lab 2. (0, 3)
Laboratory to complement the 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 credit S.
CHEM 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.: 420/520, or consent of instructor. 4 credits F.
CHEM 531. Inorganic Chemistry 2. (2, 0)
Application of the concepts of inorganic chemistry to chemical elements and compounds. Coordination chemistry including the ligand field theory. Prereq.: 430/530. 2 credits S.
CHEM 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 credits F, ALT.
CHEM 550. Instrumental Analysis. (3, 3)
Major instrumental methods of chemical analysis including spectroscopic, electrometric, and chromatographic methods. Lab. Prereq.: 350, 420/520, or 482/582. 482/582 may be taken concurrently with 450/550. 4 credits S.
CHEM 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 credits S, ALT.
CHEM 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 credits S, ALT.
CHEM 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 credits DEMAND.
CHEM 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 credits F.
CHEM 581. Biochemistry 2. (3, 3)
Major metabolic pathways; biochemistry of nucleic acids; and biophysical techniques. Prereq.: 480/580. 4 credits S.
CHEM 582. Biophysical Chemistry
Bimolecular structure, thermodynamics and kinetics and their study through spectroscopic techniques. Prereq.: 480, MATH 211 or 222, PHYS 232 OR 235. 4 credits S.
CHEM 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 four credits. 1 credit F, S.
