Current Chemistry Course Offerings
All prerequisites listed below must be passed with a grade of C or higher.
CHEM-103 Chemistry and Society, 3 cr. Introduction of chemistry based on the study of some of the processes and materials which chemistry contributes to our civilization. Elementary chemical principles are used to explain the behavior of synthetic polymers, toxic substances, food additives, cleaning products, and other chemically manufactured materials. Knowledge of basic algebra skills is assumed. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: MATH-091 or Intermediate Algebra placement. (Fulfills the Natural Science General Education requirement.)
CHEM-108 Chemistry Concepts for Educators, 4 cr. This lab-oriented course covers the basic principles of chemistry while supporting future educators in the implementation of interdisciplinary mathematics and science curricula. Topics include atomic theory, solution chemistry, inorganic and organic chemistry, states of matter, physical and chemical properties, appropriate use of nomenclature, chemical bonding, and use of quantitative calculations using appropriate number techniques in science. The historical context of how chemistry contributes to our civilization will also be considered. Elementary chemical principles will be used to explain the behavior of everyday chemicals (including food and cleaning supplies) in addition to more scientific and industrial applications. Issues of contemporary critical technologies, such as biomaterials, natural products, alternative fuels, bioremediation, fuel cells, green technology, biodefense, and smart materials may be examined. This course is aligned to the Next Generation of Science Standards and the National Science Teachers Association Standards. Course outcomes include developing students' ability to apply knowledge of chemistry to a variety of real-world problems and settings with particular emphasis on scientific inquiry, the nature of science, civic engagement, and applications to teaching. Lecture 4 hours. (Fulfills the Natural Science with Lab General Education requirement.)
CHEM-110 Chemical Concepts, 3 cr. Lab-oriented survey course in chemistry designed for the non-science major including such topics as the historical development of chemistry, atomic theory, solution chemistry, organic, and biochemistry. Knowledge of basic algebra skills is assumed. Lecture 2 hours, lab 2 hours. Prereq.: MATH-092. (Fulfills the Natural Science with Lab General Education requirement.)
CHEM-211 General Chemistry I, 5 cr. Introduction to general inorganic chemistry, including stoichiometry, concentration units, gas laws, atomic structure, bonding, periodic laws, states of matter, solutions, acid-base theories, rate, equilibrium, and oxidation reduction theory. Lecture 4 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: Minimum math placement exam recommendation of 3 or 4 or satisfactory completion of MATH-092.
CHEM-211C Enrichment Seminar in General Chemistry I, 1 cr. Enrichment seminar accompanying CHEM 211. Students do problem solving in collaborative learning groups on material derived from and supplementing General Chemistry I to gain a deeper understanding of concepts and applications. Lecture 2 hours. Corequisite: CHEM-211.
CHEM-212 General Chemistry II, 4 cr. Continuation of General Chemistry I with emphasis on reaction rates, equilibria in aqueous solutions, thermochemistry, oxidation-reduction reaction, and the methods of quantitative analysis. Lecture and laboratory. Lecture 3 hours. Lab 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-211 and MATH-185 (may be taken concurrently).
CHEM-212C Enrichment Seminar in General Chemistry II, 1 cr. Enrichment seminar accompanying CHEM 212. Students do problem solving in collaborative learning groups on material derived from and supplementing General Chemistry II to gain a deeper understanding of concepts and applications. Lecture 2 hours. Corequisite: CHEM-212.
CHEM-213 WIP: Quantitative Analysis, 5 cr. Statistical analysis of data, chemical equilibrium, simultaneous equilibria, classical and non-classical gravimetric and volumetric techniques, acid-base and oxidation reduction reactions, spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods. Lecture 3 hours, lab 6 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-212 and ENG-101.
CHEM-231 Organic Chemistry I, 4 cr. Study of the structure, properties, reaction mechanisms, and nomenclature of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and their derivatives. Lecture and laboratory. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-212.
CHEM-231C Enrichment Seminar in Organic Chemistry I, 1 cr. Enrichment seminar accompanying CHEM 231. Students do problem solving in collaborative learning groups on material derived from and supplementing Organic Chemistry I to gain a deeper understanding of concepts and applications. Lecture 2 hours. Corequisite: CHEM-231.
CHEM-232 Organic Chemistry II, 4 cr. Continuation of CHEM 231. A study of the structure, properties, reaction mechanisms, synthesis, and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of the alcohols, acids, amines, and other mono-functional compounds. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-231.
CHEM-232C Enrichment Seminar in Organic Chemistry II, 1 cr. Enrichment seminar accompanying CHEM 232. Students do problem solving in collaborative learning groups on material derived from and supplementing Organic Chemistry II to gain a deeper understanding of concepts and applications. Lecture 2 hours. Corequisite: CHEM-232.
CHEM-305 Independent Study in Chemistry, 3 cr. An introduction to original chemical research under faculty supervision. Independent Studies require the approval of the instructor, department chair and the College Dean. Prereq.: CHEM-213 and CHEM-232 and consent of chairperson.
CHEM-311 Physical Chemistry I, 4 cr. Theoretical and experimental study of the structure and properties of matter, including the gaseous state, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, liquids and phase equilibria, solutions of nonelectrolytes and ionic solutions. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-231, MATH-202, and PHYS-206L or PHYS-201L. (It is strongly suggested that the student has completed a year of physics with laboratory.)
CHEM-311C Physical Chemistry I Seminar, 1 cr. This course accompanies Physical Chemistry I, CHEM 311. Students will do problem solving in collaborative learning groups on material derived from and supplementing Physical Chemistry I lecture, in order to gain a deeper understanding of concepts and applications. Lecture 2 hours. Corequisite: CHEM-311.
CHEM-312 Physical Chemistry II, 4 cr. Continuation of CHEM 311, including the kinetic-molecular theory, transport properties, chemical kinetics, statistical mechanics, quantum theory, atoms and diatomic molecules, and spectroscopy. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-231, MATH-202, and PHYS-207L or PHYS-202L.
CHEM-312C Physical Chemistry II Seminar, 1 cr. This course accompanies Physical Chemistry II, CHEM 312. Students will do problem solving in collaborative learning groups on material derived from and supplementing Physical Chemistry II lecture, in order to gain a deeper understanding of concepts and applications. Lecture 2 hours. Corequisite: CHEM-312.
CHEM-316 Inorganic Chemistry, 4 cr. The thorough study of bonding in non-transition and transition elements, periodic trends and tendencies, structural relationships, and mechanisms of inorganic reactions. Lecture and laboratory. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-212.
CHEM-319 Chemical Aspects of Environmental Chemistry, 3 cr. A survey of the chemical principles involved in environmental problems. Topics include atmospheric, aquatic, and geospheric chemistry, sources of pollutants and the consequences of pollution. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-212.
CHEM-320 Industrial Aspects of Environmental Chemistry, 3 cr. Industrial aspects of environmental chemistry covering specific topics such as energy, water and wastewater treatment, treatment and disposal of domestic and industrial wastes, techniques for detecting and analyzing chemical pollutants, environmental modeling and recycling strategies. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-213.
CHEM-330 Instrumental Analysis: Spectroscopy, 4 cr. Intensive laboratory introduction to infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and the quantitative, quantitative, and research aspects associated with them. Lecture 3 hours, lab 6 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-231.
CHEM-331 Instrumental Analysis: Quantitative Methods, 5 cr. Introduction to the theory and practice of instrumental methods used to determine composition of materials, including gas and liquid chromatography, atomic absorption and emission, X-ray diffraction and fluorescence, and potentiometry. Lecture 3 hours, lab 6 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-213 and CHEM-231.
CHEM-333 Intro to Polymer Chemistry, 3 cr. An introduction to the broad field of polymer chemistry that focuses on the synthesis, processing, and applications of polymers of industrial and commercial importance. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-232.
CHEM-347 Advanced Organic Chemistry: Polyfunctional Compounds, 3 cr. Chemistry of polyfunctional compounds, condensed aromatic and heterocyclic systems, electrocyclic reaction and molecular rearrangements. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-232.
CHEM-348 Advanced Organic Chemistry: Bioorganic Compounds, 3 cr. The chemistry of complex molecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, and carbohydrates is studied from the point of view of their physical properties, and their reaction, synthesis, and structure-function relationships. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-232.
CHEM-349 Organic Synthesis, 3 cr. A systematic approach to the synthesis of complex organic compounds will be developed. The retrosynthetic approach will be taken, with a final target molecule being the goal of the synthesis. It will be taken apart, step-by-step to arrive at reasonable starting materials for the synthesis. Availability and expense of potential starting materials, necessity of protecting groups, and production of isomeric and/or stereoisomeric mixture will be among the points of consideration for each synthesis. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-347.
CHEM-350 Principles of Toxicology, 3 cr. This course offers an introduction to the basic principles of the broad field of toxicology. The mechanisms involved in what constitutes a toxic response will be explored, including examples of toxic chemicals targeting specific biochemical pathways in the human body. Major groups of toxic chemicals, such as pesticides, metals, solvents, vapors, radiation and radioactive materials, and animal venoms and poisons, will be surveyed. Also addressed are the applied areas of food, forensic/analytical, and occupational toxicology. Prereq.: CHEM-231.
CHEM-353 Principles of Pharmacology, 3 cr. This course will focus on the action of drugs on major organ systems, including the nervous, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and reproductive systems, as well as drugs for cancer, infectious, and inflammatory diseases. It also covers pharmacokinetics, drug-receptor interactions, and drug metabolism for these categories of therapeutic agents. Prereq.: CHEM-231.
CHEM-357 Chemical Kinetics, 3 cr. The study and evaluation of various theories of reaction rates and mechanisms of chemical reactions. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-311.
CHEM-362 Biochemistry, 4 cr. Chemistry and metabolism of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, vitamins and minerals associated with animal and plant life. Lecture 3 hours, lab 3 hours. Prereq.: BIO-250, BIO-201, BIO-202, BIO-301, and CHEM-231.
CHEM-365 Internship in Chemistry I, 6 cr. Experience in chemistry in an off-campus location, e.g. business or government. The student registering selects well-defined academic goals to be achieved. These goals will be selected in cooperation with an on-campus advisor. Independent Studies require the approval of the instructor, department chair and the College Dean.
CHEM-366 Internship in Chemistry II, 6 cr. Continuation of CHEM-365. Independent Studies require the approval of the instructor, department chair and the College Dean.
CHEM 372 Biochemistry of Metabolism, 3 cr. Biochemistry of Metabolism is lecture-based course that focuses on the processing of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleotides. This course will offer a mechanistic view of metabolic pathways related to each macromolecule group, including feedback control. Each section will be linked to clinical situations and will incorporate current primary research literature in the field of metabolism. Quantitative analysis of chemical reactions, bioenergetics, thermodynamics and interpretation of research articles will be incorporated as part of the lectures. Lecture 3 hours. Prereq.: BIO-250, BIO-201, BIO-202, and CHEM-362 or BIO-362.
CHEM-391 Chemistry Capstone Seminar, 3 cr. Critical review of research presented by visiting university and industrial chemists, and student preparation and presentation of original and library research topics. The course will also explore issues related to becoming a morally responsible scientist and will include ethical problem solving. Lecture 4 hours. Prereq.: CHEM-311 or CHEM-312 (may be taken concurrently).
CHEM-399 Undergraduate Research, 3 cr. Original laboratory research conducted with a faculty member. The course will usually require some library research, 10-12 hours per week laboratory work, and the preparation of a formal, typed report. The course is useful for those students seeking recognition under the guidelines authorized by the American Chemical Society. Independent Studies require the approval of the instructor, department chair and the College Dean. Prereq.: CHEM-311 and either CHEM-330 or CHEM-331 (may be taken concurrently).
CHEM-401 Carbohydrates, 3 cr.
Structure, stereochemistry, and reactions of monosaccharides, disaccharides, oligosaccharides, and polysaccharides. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312.
CHEM-402 Organometallic Chemistry, 3 cr.
The metalcarbon bond including organometallic synthesis, structure, reaction mechanisms, and thermodynamics. Main group metal- carbon compounds, transition metal-carbon compounds, and such special topics as Grignard compounds, ferrocenes, carbonyl complexes, and inorganic multiple bonding. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing, CHEM-312 and CHEM-316.
CHEM-403 Physical Methods of Organic Chemistry, 3 cr.
Various physical techniques of interest to the organic chemist, including such spectroscopic methods as proton and Carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and electronic spectroscopy, and mass spectroscopy, with emphasis on interpreting the combined data. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312.
CHEM-404 Chemical Thermodynamics, 3 cr.
Principles of thermodynamics and their application to chemical problems with particular emphasis on partial molal qualities, the chemical potential, and the thermodynamics of chemical equilibria. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312.
CHEM-405 Quantum Chemistry, 3 cr.
Application of quantum mechanics to chemistry. Topics include the Schrodinger equation and simple applications, the postulates and general principles of quantum mechanics, the harmonic oscillator, three-dimensional systems, atoms and molecules, and molecular spectroscopy. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312.
CHEM-406 Coordination Chemistry, 3 cr.
Scope of transition metal coordination complexes, coordination number and structure, ligand types, isomerization, complex stability, bonding, reaction mechanisms, magnetic moments. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing, CHEM-316 and CHEM-312.
CHEM-407 Symmetry in Chemistry, 3 cr.
Introduction to those aspects of group theory and symmetry which are particularly relevant to chemistry including point groups, molecular vibrations, hybrid orbitals, and crystal field theory. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312 or PHYS-336.
CHEM-408 Independent Study in Chemistry, 3 cr.
Research in a particular area of chemistry under faculty supervision.
Prereq.: Independent Studies require the approval of the instructor, department chair and the College Dean.
CHEM-409 Thesis Seminar: Chemistry, 6 cr.
Guidance of students conducting research and writing a thesis to fulfill the requirements for the Master of Science degree in Chemistry.
Prereq.: acceptance to master’s degree candidacy in chemistry and invitation by the department to prepare a research thesis.
CHEM-411 Organic Reaction Mechanisms, 3 cr.
Reaction pathways in organic chemistry including isotope effects, linear free energy relationships, stereochemistry, configurational
analysis, and pericyclic reactions. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312.
CHEM-412 Reaction Kinetics, 3 cr.
Methods of studying reaction rates and mechanisms, derivation of mechanisms from rate laws. Theories of unimolecular and bimolecular reactions, and chain mechanisms and appropriate mathematical analysis. Lecture only. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-312.
CHEM-413 Modern Inorganic Chemistry, 3 cr.
In-depth survey of modern developments in inorganic chemistry, including noble gas chemistry, multiple bonding in coordination complexes, unusual oxidation states of elements, template reactions, inorganic polymers, and inorganic catalysis. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-316.
CHEM-414 Advanced Analytical Chemistry, 3 cr.
Electronic and computer-instrument interface, practical aspects of modern instrumental techniques based on various methods of optical spectroscopy and chromatography. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-331 or consent of instructor.
CHEM-420 Selected Topics in Chemistry, 3 cr.
Topics of current interest. Consult the Schedule of Classes for specific topics. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing.
CHEM-431 Separation Methods, 3 cr.
Review of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters as they impact on selectivity and efficiency of separation process, classification and application of modern chromatographic techniques. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing and CHEM-331 or consent of instructor.
CHEM-450 Gas Chromatography, 3 cr.
Principles and instrumentation, including classification and methods for selection of stationary phases, optimization of operational parameters, and various detection systems. Separation techniques prior to analysis, applications, and hyphenated methods will be discussed. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing, CHEM-331, or consent of instructor.
CHEM-451 Liquid Chromatography, 3 cr.
Review of thermodynamic and kinetic parameters as they impact on selectivity and efficiency of liquid chromatographic separations. Classification of mobile phases, including selection and ways to improve resolution. Principles of conventional liquid chromatographic techniques and their applications, including hyphenated methods. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: graduate standing, CHEM-331, CHEM-450, or consent of instructor.
CHEM-455 Method Development and Validation in Liquid Chromatography, 3 cr.
Systematic approaches to the successful development of HPLC-based analytical methods and their optimization. Practical tools based on the use of computer simulation in method development. HPLC-methods validation presented on the basis of the currently accepted United States Pharmacopeia terminology.
Prereq.: CHEM-451
CHEM-456 Advanced Chromatographic Methods, 3 cr.
Principles, methods and applications of various advanced chromatographic techniques of interest to the analytical chemist, including such chromatographic methods as chiral separations, ligand exchange chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, micellar chromatography, micellar electrokinetic capillary chromatography, and supercritical fluid chromatography. Lecture 3 hours.
Prereq.: CHEM 451 or consent of instructor
