Chemistry

Introductory Chemistry

An introduction to chemical principles, including atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and chemical equilibria. Most of the work is quantitative in nature. Emphasizes development of problem-solving skills. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Prerequisites: CHEM PL or PHSC 100 and math placement H, A or B, or MATH 104 with a grade of C- or higher. $50 lab fee. Offered every semester.

Chemistry for Health Sciences

Integrated lecture and laboratory course that relates basic inorganic and organic chemical processes to those of biochemistry. Explores the nature of atoms and molecules in terms of simple structures and reactions, and the more complex structures of biochemical molecules and their interactions with living systems. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Prerequisites: Math placement H, A, or B, or MATH 104 with a grade of C- or higher. $50 lab fee. Offered every fall.

Inorganic Chemistry

Integrated lecture and laboratory experience introducing the concepts of inorganic chemistry in light of modern theory. Topics include chemical periodicity, bonding, kinetics, descriptive chemistry, coordination chemistry, oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, and solid-state structure, as well as techniques for synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 120. $50 lab fee. Offered every spring.

Analytical Chemistry

Applies analytical techniques to inorganic, organic, and biochemical systems. The experimental methods include volumetric and gravimetric analysis, chromatographic, and spectroscopic techniques. Prerequisite: CHEM 120. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Offered every fall.

Organic Chemistry I

A comprehensive survey of the chemistry of carbon compounds, including their structure, properties, reactions, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry, with a focus on hydrocarbons, haloalkanes, and alcohols. Introduces modern organic laboratory techniques, including purification methods, organic synthesis, and product analysis. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 120. $50 lab fee. Offered every fall.

Organic Chemistry II

A comprehensive survey of the chemistry of carbon compounds, including their structure, properties, reactions, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy, and stereochemistry, with a focus on aromatic, amine, and carbonyl compounds. Development of organic laboratory skills, including microscale techniques, organic synthesis, product analysis, and spectroscopy. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 221. $50 lab fee. Offered every spring.

Environmental Chemistry

An exploration of the earth system and human perturbations to that system from a chemical perspective. Topics covered include ozone depletion, persistent organic pollutants, wastewater treatment, and toxicity of environmental contaminants. Laboratory exercises give students experience in environmental sampling and analysis. Prerequisites: CHEM 120. $50 course fee. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Identical to EES 270. Offered every fall.

Teaching Experience

Qualified students assist chemistry faculty in teaching chemistry courses and laboratories. May be repeated for credit, but students may apply no more than 4 semester hours toward graduation. Prerequisite: consent. Offered every semester.

Metrology: Measurement Science

An introduction to metrology, measurement systems and standards. Topics include the production and certification of measurement standards, standard reference materials and test methods, as well as the regulations of those standards, requiring compliance with methods and verification of product specifications in industry. Prerequisite: any 200 level Chemistry course. Offered intermittently.

Biochemistry

A survey of the chemistry within biological systems, including the structure and function of biomolecules, molecular components of cells, enzymes, and cellular metabolism. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 222. Offered every fall.

Forensic Science Methods

A comprehensive evaluation of current developments in research, instrumentation, and laboratory technology used to detect, identify, analyze, and compare evidence generated by criminal activity. Prerequisites: any 200 level Chemistry course. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours per week. Offered intermittently.

Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics & Spectroscopy I

A mathematical treatment of physical-chemical properties and chemical reactions, with emphasis on quantum mechanics, group theory and spectroscopy. Laboratory includes advanced experiments concerning the fundamental physical nature of chemical phenomena. Experiments include electronic and vibrational spectroscopy and molecular modeling. Prerequisites: Any 200-level Chemistry course, MATH 172, and PHYS 222. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics & Kinetics

A comprehensive survey focusing on thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetics from single molecules to the bulk, in gases and in the condensed phase. Experiments include instrumental-based studies of gas laws, equilibrium, mixture analyses, and kinetics. Prerequisite: Any 200-level Chemistry course, MATH 172, and PHYS 222. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.

Advanced FTIR Spectrometry

Fundamentals of Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectrometry, spectrometric sampling techniques and data analysis, with emphasis upon Transmission, Attenuated Total Reflectance (ATR), and Reflectance spectrometry. The strengths and weaknesses of FTIR as a chemical analysis technique. Topics include quantitative analysis, specular reflection, micro spectroscopy, imaging, and time-resolved spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHEM 221 and consent. Offered intermittently.

Medicinal Chemistry

A comprehensive, yet balanced introduction, to medicinal chemistry with an emphasis on the chemical and pharmaceutical principles related to understanding structure-activity relationships and molecular mechanisms of drug action. The course will cover the discovery and design of drugs, pharmacokinetics, drug metabolism, natural product discovery and isolation, organic synthesis, as well as drug development from the research stage through to marketing of the final product. Prerequisites: CHEM 222 and 330. Offered spring of even-numbered years.

Advanced Biochemistry

A comprehensive study of complex biochemical processes, with an emphasis on cellular metabolism and its regulation, cellular signaling, and cellular information transfer. Prerequisite: CHEM 330. Offered spring of odd-numbered years.

Biogeochemistry

Explores the connections among the atmosphere, hydrosphere, lithosphere, and biosphere through exploration of global cycling of nutrients and pollutants. Students investigate these biogeochemical cycles through analysis of primary research articles, field measurements, chemical analysis, and a self-designed research project. Prerequisites: senior status and any 200 level Chemistry course. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours each week. Identical to EES 450. Offered every spring.

Advanced Chemistry Topics

A focused, in-depth study of a selected topic in chemistry. Taught as a seminar, with an emphasis on interpreting data and critical analysis of primary literature and may involve laboratory work. May be repeated for credit as topics change. Prerequisite: consent. Offered intermittently.

Internship in the Natural Sciences

An intensive study of a specific field of science through an on-site field experience with hands-on learning opportunities that are relevant to the chosen site. Students may enroll for 2 or 4 hours in a given semester. A minimum of 80 hours devoted to the internship is expected for 2 semester hours, and a minimum of 160 hours is expected for 4 semester hours, but some placements may require more time. Students must coordinate their internship placement with the supervising faculty member at least two months prior to placement. Pass/fail grading. Prerequisites: junior/senior status and consent. Offered intermittently.

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

A study of the instrumental methods used in characterizing chemical systems. Topics include optical methods, electroanalytical methods, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, and chromatography methods. Examines analytical techniques from an instrumental and chemical point of view. Prerequisites: CHEM 210 and 8 additional semester hours in chemistry. Three lecture hours, three laboratory hours each week. Offered every spring.

Research in the Natural Sciences

Offers students the opportunity to conduct original scientific research in an area of interest. Students work closely with one or more members of the natural science faculty to develop and conduct a research project, then present their findings orally during the semester's undergraduate research symposium and as a formal research paper. Students are encouraged to present their findings at a conference. Prerequisite: junior/senior status and a major in the natural sciences, prior approval by the project advisor, and consent of the instructor. Students may enroll for 2 or 4 hours in a given semester. May be repeated for a maximum total of 8 semester hours. Identical to BIO 489, CS 489, EES 489, and MATH 489. Offered intermittently.