Department of Chemistry — Academic Catalog
- Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
- Combined B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
- Teaching Major in Chemistry
- Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
- Associate of Science in Chemistry
- Master of Natural Science in Chemistry
- Master of Science in Chemistry
- Chemistry Courses
Chair:Robert Holman(Organic)
Professors: Robert Holman (Organic), John Kalivas (Analytical), Josh Pak (Organic), Rene Rodriguez (Physical), Jeffery Rosentreter (Analytical), Karl DeJesus (Organic)
Associate Professors:Lisa Goss (Physical), Andrew Holland (Inorganic)
Assistant Professors:Byron Bennett (Inorganic), Todd Davis (Organic), Caryn Evilia (BioChemistry)
Associate Lecturer:Enouri Omar, Rene Rosentreter
Assistant Lecturer:Sharlene Jolley, Swatje Quarder
Adjunct Instructor:Anne Halpenny-Weathersby, Carolina Gonzalez-Aller
Visiting Faculty:
Affiliate Faculty:Ryan Pattie, Patricia Paviet Hartmann
Professors Emeriti:Loren Braun, Kenneth Faler, Bruce Ronald, Dennis Strommen, John Sutter, Gayl Wiegand
Students who wish to major in chemistry may take courses which will prepare them for industrial or governmental laboratory work, for graduate study in chemistry, biochemistry, or allied fields, or lead toward professional training in medicine or dentistry.
The department offers three traditional degree programs and a combined B.S./M.S. program which is designed for highly motivated students who wish to progress more rapidly. The Bachelor of Arts degree is designed for students who desire a flexible program so they can develop more interdisciplinary competence. The Bachelor of Science degree places greater emphasis on chemistry. It is designed to lead to American Chemical Society (ACS) certification upon graduation. The Bachelor of Science degree in Biochemistry is a joint program with the Department of Biological Sciences. It is directed toward future work in the field of molecular biology. Students may be admitted to the combined B.S./M.S. program at the beginning of their junior year. This program allows the student to receive the ACS certified Bachelor of Science degree and the Master of Science degree at the end of the fifth year.
Course work to be used as a prerequisite for a chemistry class must be no more than 5 years old unless the student obtains permission of the instructor and department chair. All credits applied to a chemistry degree or applied to Chemistry courses used to satisfy Goal 5 must have been taken within 10 years immediately prior to granting of the degree unless it can be shown that the course work taken more than 10 years earlier covers material which has not changed substantially during the intervening time, or that the student has been able to remain current in the topics covered in the course. Evidence that the older course work is still appropriate must be approved by the department chairperson.
Bachelor of Science in Chemistry
A suggested sequence for taking the required science courses is given below. Students who opt for a variation from the suggested sequence should check to ensure that course prerequisites have been satisfied. Because many courses have structured prerequisites, major deviations from this schedule could increase the time required to obtain the degree.
First Year
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 cr MATH 170 Calculus I 4 cr MATH 175 Calculus II 4 cr
Second Year
CHEM 211 Inorganic Chemistry I 3 cr CHEM 213 Inorganic Chemistry I Lab 1 cr CHEM 232 Quantitative Analysis 2 cr CHEM 234 Quantitative Analysis Lab 2 cr CHEM 301 Organic Chemistry I 3 cr CHEM 302 Organic Chemistry II 3 cr CHEM 303 Organic Chemistry Lab I 1 cr CHEM 304 Organic Chemistry Lab II 1 cr PHYS 211,212 Engineering Physics 8 cr PHYS 213,214 Engineering Physics Lab 2 cr
Third Year
CHEM 331 Instrumental Analysis 2 cr CHEM 334 Instrumental Analysis Lab 2 cr CHEM 351,352 Physical Chemistry 6 cr
Fourth Year
BIOL g432 Biochemistry 3 cr CHEM 365 Synthetic Methods 2 cr CHEM 366 Synthetic Methods Lab 2 cr CHEM g453 Modern Experimental Physical Chemistry 2 cr CHEM g481 or g482 Independent Problems 3 cr CHEM g491 Seminar 1 cr
Students working on a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry should note the following considerations for General Education Requirements: ENGL 101 (Goal 1) and COMM 101 (Goal 2) should be completed during the freshman year, and ENGL 102 should be passed during the sophomore year. The mathematics requirement (Goal 3) should be fulfilled by MATH 170 and 175 as early as feasible.
Combined B.S./M.S. Program in Chemistry
Students may be admitted to the program after having completed 64 credit hours, which typically is at the beginning of the junior year. At this point, the chemistry, mathematics, and physics courses completed should include:
CHEM 111,112 General Chemistry 9 cr CHEM 211,213 Inorganic Chemistry I, and Lab 3 cr CHEM 232,234 Quantitative Analysis, and Lab 4 cr CHEM 301,302 Organic Chemistry I and II 6 cr CHEM 303,304 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II 2 cr MATH 170 Calculus I 4 cr MATH 175 Calculus II 4 cr PHYS 211,212 Engineering Physics 8 cr PHYS 213,214 Engineering Physics Laboratory 2 cr
Application for admission must be made to the Chemistry Department.
Overview of B.S./M.S. Program
Year 1 in the B.S./M.S. Program (Junior Year): During the first semester each student is expected to select three faculty members to serve as an advisory committee subject to the approval of the Department Chair. In the second semester, each student will form a planned program of study with a research advisor, write a research overview of a chosen project, and apply and be admitted to the Graduate School. The student must score at or above the 35th percentile in two areas of aptitude (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) of the Graduate Record Exam. The student is expected to begin his/her research no later than the beginning of the summer semester. Thereafter, individual sections of the research paper will be required as the student progresses through the program.
Year 2 in the B.S./M.S. Program (Senior Year) and year 3 (Graduate standing): To remain in the program a student must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 from date of admission and must earn a grade of C- or better in all 600-level courses. The students’ committees will assess student standing annually, and will recommend that students who are not making adequate progress discontinue the program. Students are required to have completed all general education requirements by the end of their second year in the combined B.S./M.S. program.
Suggested Schedule in the B.S./M.S. Program
First year (Junior year )
Fall/Spring CHEM 331* Instrumental Analysis 2 cr CHEM 334* Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 cr CHEM 351* Physical Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 352* Physical Chemistry 3 cr MATH 360 Differential Equations 3 cr Electives 11 cr TOTAL: 24 cr *Must be completed by the end of the junior year. Summer CHEM 485 Senior Research 6 cr
Second Year (Senior year)
Fall/Spring BIOL g432 Biochemistry 3 cr CHEM 365 Synthetic Methods 2 cr CHEM 366 Synthetic Methods Lab 2 cr CHEM g407 Inorganic Chemistry II 2 cr CHEM g453 Modern Experimental Physical Chemistry 2 cr CHEM 485 Senior Research 2 cr CHEM g491 Seminar 1 cr CHEM 609 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 655 Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 cr Electives 8 cr TOTAL: 28 cr Summer CHEM 635 Master's Research 6 cr
Third Year (Graduate standing)
Fall/Spring CHEM 630 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 671 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 601 Seminar 2 cr CHEM 635 Master's Research 4 cr Electives 13 cr TOTAL: 25 cr
Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry
A suggested sequence for the science requirements is listed below. Variations in this sequence should be checked to see that course prerequisites are met.
First Year
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 cr MATH 170 Calculus I 4 cr OR MATH 160 Applied Calculus 3 cr
Second Year
CHEM 211,213 Inorganic Chemistry I, and Lab 4 cr CHEM 232,234 Quantitative Analysis, and Lab 4 cr CHEM 301,303 Organic Chemistry I, and Lab 4 cr CHEM 302,304 Organic Chemistry II, and Lab 4 cr CHEM 391 Seminar 1 cr PHYS 111,113 General Physics I, and Lab 4 cr PHYS 112, 113, 114 General Physics I and II and Labs 8 cr OR PHYS 211, 212, 213, 214 Engineering Physics 8 cr
Third Year
BIOL g432 Biochemistry 3 cr OR BIOL g445, g447 Biochemistry I and II 6 cr CHEM 341, 342 Topics in Physical Chemistry 6 cr OR CHEM 351, 352 Physical Chemistry 6 cr
Plus 8 additional upper-division (300-400 level) credits in chemistry, approved by the department and not to include CHEM g491. No more than 2 credits of CHEM 311 and 2 credits in g481-g482 may be used to satisfy these electives. If BIOL g445 and g447 sequence is taken, 3 credits may be used to satisfy elective credits. No more than 40 credits in chemistry will count toward graduation in this program.
Students working on a Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry should complete ENGL 101 and COMM 101 (Goal 2 of the General Education Requirements) during the freshman year and ENGL 102 (Goal 1) should be passed by, or during, the sophomore year. Goal 3 (mathematics) should be fulfilled by MATH 160 or 170 as early as possible. The other General Education Requirements (Goals 4 and 6-12) should be taken as credit load allows.
Teaching Major in Chemistry
Students wishing to pursue a teaching major in chemistry should make an appointment to meet with the Department Chair.
Minor in Chemistry
Required courses:
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 cr CHEM 211 Inorganic Chemistry I 3 cr CHEM 213 Inorganic Chemistry I Lab 1 cr CHEM 232 Quantitative Analysis 2 cr CHEM 234 Quantitative Analysis Lab 2 cr CHEM 301 Organic Chemistry I 3 cr CHEM 302 Organic Chemistry II 3 cr CHEM 303 Organic Chemistry Lab I 1 cr CHEM 304 Organic Chemistry Lab II 1 cr Approved upper division CHEM courses, excluding CHEM g400, g481, and g491 4 cr TOTAL: 29 cr
Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
The Department of Biological Sciences and the Department of Chemistry jointly offer the B.S. degree in biochemistry. The curriculum is designed to prepare the student for graduate work in biochemistry and related fields, as well as for admission to medical, dental, or other health professional schools. The graduate also is prepared to go directly into research or industrial positions which require preparation only at the B.S. level.
A detailed description of the program is listed under the Department of Biological Sciences.
Associate of Science in Chemistry
Students seeking an Associate of Science degree in Chemistry must complete the following:
General Education Goals for the Bachelor of Science* variable CHEM 102 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 3 cr CHEM 103 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry Lab 1 cr CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 5 cr CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 4 cr CHEM 232 Quantitative Analysis 2 cr CHEM 234 Quantitative Analysis Lab 2 cr Electives to bring total to 64 cr variable TOTAL: 64 cr
* The number of credits required for the General Education requirements varies depending on the student's performance on proficiency or placement tests in English, foreign languages, and mathematics.
Master of Natural Science in Chemistry
The Master of Natural Science (MNS) in chemistry is designed primarily for teachers and prospective teachers who want to improve their understanding of the subject matter of chemistry. Emphasis is upon the subject matter and it is generally a non thesis program. Individuals interested in this degree should hold a teaching certificate or be working towards one. The program of study will be determined in consultation with the student's advisor and committee. The program requires a minimum of at least 30 credits, 22 of which must be taken in residence. A final oral examination is required.
Master of Science in Chemistry
Thesis Option: The M.S. program, thesis option, requries a substantial, original research project that culminates in a thesis, a minimum of 30 credits (including thesis credit) earned in graduate courses and seminars.
- Graduates will attain a broad knowledge in the four major areas of Chemistry.
- Graduates will conduct novel research in Chemistry.
- Graduates will be prepared to continue their education in pursuit of a Ph.D.
Admission
Candidates must have at least a 3.0 GPA for all upper-division credits taken in the previous degree program (a B.S. or a B.A. in Chemistry). Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores must be reported. The score in two portions of the GRE (verbal, quantitative, or analytical) must be in the 35th percentile or higher to be considered for admittance with Classified status. If either the GPA or GRE requirement is not met, the Department may recommend to admit the candidate to conditional status.
Several courses are prerequisite for the M.S. degree programs; any student who has not met these requirements through previous course work must take them as part of his/her M.S. program. These are: one semester of calculus, one year of physics, one semester of inorganic chemistry, one year of organic chemistry, one semester of analytical chemistry, and one year of physical chemistry. Because these are undergraduate course prerequisities, any credit earned in taking these courses does not count toward the 30 credit requirement for the M.S.
Requirements
The Master of Science in Chemistry (Thesis Option) requires a minimum of 30 total credits approved by the Department of Chemistry and the Graduate School. Required courses include three of the following:
CHEM 609 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 630 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 655 Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 cr CHEM 671 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 cr AND CHEM 601 Seminar 2 cr (min.) CHEM 650 Thesis 6-10 cr
Non-Thesis Option
A non-thesis option exists in which students are required to take 15 credits of approved 600-level chemistry courses, including CHEM 601 (Seminar, 2 credits), and 15 credits of graduate electives.
Chemistry Courses
CHEM 100, 111, and 112 have required laboratory components that are listed separately in the Class Schedule. These laboratories are integral to the courses. Register for a laboratory section in addition to the lecture.
CHEM 100 Architecture of Matter 4 credits. How scientific thought has produced chemical models of the structure of the material world, and the ethical and social consequences of its applications. Recommended for students not majoring in the natural sciences. Satisfies Goal 5 of the General Education Requirements. S
CHEM 101 Introduction to General Chemistry 3 credits. Atomic structure, chemical calculations, solutions, acid-base reactions, and equilibrium. May not be used as a prerequisite to other courses in chemistry except CHEM 102. PREREQ: MATH 108 or equivalent. F, S
CHEM 102 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry 3 credits. Descriptive organic and biochemistry with emphasis on organic compounds of biological importance. May not be used as a prerequisite to other courses in chemistry. PREREQ: CHEM 101, or CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L. COREQ: CHEM 103. F, S
CHEM 103 Introduction to General, Organic and Biochemistry Laboratory 1 credit. Laboratory course introducing fundamental measurement techniques, methods and materials used in general, organic and biochemistry. PREREQ: CHEM 101, or CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L. COREQ: CHEM 102. F, S
CHEM 111 General Chemistry I 4 credits. Introductory course for students in scientific and technical fields; structure and reactivity of elements and compounds, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, and chemical periodicity. May be repeated upon completion of CHEM 111L. PREREQ: MATH 143 or MATH 147 or equivalent. F, S
CHEM 111L General Chemistry I Lab 1 credit. Laboratory course to accompany General Chemsitry I. PREREQ OR COREQ: CHEM 111. F, S
CHEM 112 General Chemistry II 3 credits. Introduction to kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. May be repeated upon completion of CHEM 112L. PREREQ: CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L or equivalent and MATH 143 or MATH 147 or equivalent. F, S
CHEM 112L General Chemistry II Lab 1 credit. Laboratory course to accompany General Chemsitry II. PREREQ OR COREQ: CHEM 112. F, S
CHEM 211 Inorganic Chemistry I 3 credits. An introduction to the chemistry of the elements, including: molecular and solid-state structure, aqueous chemistry (acid/base, solubility, and redox phenomena), and coordination chemistry (ligand field theory, and reaction mechanisms). Selected topics in materials, bioinorganic, and/or environmental inorganic chemistry will be surveyed. PREREQ: CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L or permission of instructor. COREQ: CHEM 213. F
CHEM 213 Inorganic Chemistry I Laboratory 1 credit. Qualitative and quantitative inorganic chemistry, including: precipitation, acid/base and reduction/oxidation reactions in aqueous media, preparation and isolation of inorganic compounds, characterization techniques for inorganic compounds (e.g. magnetic susceptibility measurements, electrochemistry, UV-vis). COREQ: CHEM 211 or permission of instructor. F
CHEM 232 Quantitative Analysis 2 credits. Theoretical foundations of quantitative analysis including an introduction to statistical analysis of chemical data generated from gravimetric, volumetric and colorimetric methods. PREREQ: CHEM 112, CHEM 112L, and MATH 160 or MATH 170. S
CHEM 234 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 2 credits. Laboratory experiments in gravimetric, volumetric, and colorimetric analysis. PREREQ: CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L. COREQ: CHEM 232 or permission of instructor. S
CHEM 301 Organic Chemistry I 3 credits. The fundamentals of organic chemistry are examined through nomenclature, structure, physical and chemical properties, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy and principal synthetic methods. PREREQ: CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L or permission of instructor. F
CHEM 302 Organic Chemistry II 3 credits. A continuation of CHEM 301. The further study of the preparation, reactions, properties, reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy of organic compounds. PREREQ: CHEM 301 or permission of instructor. S
CHEM 303 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 1 credit. Introductory laboratory work in organic chemistry. Study and development of elementary techniques and their application to the preparation, isolation and characterization of simple organic compounds. COREQ: CHEM 301 or permission of instructor. F
CHEM 304 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II 1 credit. Further experience in the fundamental operations of organic chemistry laboratory work including the preparation and analysis of typical compounds. PREREQ: CHEM 303. COREQ: CHEM 302 or permission of instructor. S
CHEM 311 Introduction to Research 1-2 credits. Directed library and laboratory research. CHEM 311 and 312 may be repeated for up to 6 credits. F, S
CHEM 312 Introduction to Research 1-2 credits. Directed library and laboratory research. CHEM 311 and 312 may be repeated for up to 6 credits. F, S
CHEM 331 Instrumental Analysis 2 credits. Advanced quantitative analysis dealing chiefly with quantitative applications of instrumental methods. PREREQ: CHEM 232 and CHEM 234 or permission of instructor. F
CHEM 334 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 credits. Laboratory course giving experience in fundamental operations of modern instrumental methods of analysis. PREREQ: CHEM 234 and CHEM 331 or permission of instructor. S
CHEM 341 Topics in Physical Chemistry 3 credits. Topics in physical chemistry with application to biological systems are covered. Molecular structure, thermodynamics of gases and solutions, reaction rates and mechanisms, basic quantum mechanics, and spectroscopic principles are covered in this first course of a two semester sequence. PREREQ: CHEM 112, CHEM 112L, MATH 160 or 170, PHYS 112 or 212, or permission of instructor. F, S.
CHEM 342 Topics in Physical Chemistry 3 credits. Topics in physical chemistry with application to biological systems are covered. Molecular structure, thermodynamics of gases and solutions, reaction rates and mechanisms, basic quantum mechanics, and spectroscopic principles are covered in this two semester sequence. PREREQ: CHEM 341, or permission of instructor. F, S.
CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry 3 credits. The fundamental principles of physical chemistry; thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, molecular structure, quantum theory, spectroscopy, and solution chemistry. PREREQ: CHEM 112 CHEM 112L, MATH 175, and PHYS 212, or permission of instructor. F
CHEM 352 Physical Chemistry 3 credits. The fundamental principles of physical chemistry; thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, molecular structure, quantum theory, spectroscopy, and solution chemistry. PREREQ: CHEM 351. S
CHEM 365 Synthetic Methods 2 credits. Practical aspects of chemical synthesis: preparation, purification, and spectral interpretation for organic and inorganic molecules. PREREQ: CHEM 211 and CHEM 304. F
CHEM 366 Synthetic Methods Laboratory 2 credits. Advanced laboratory methods for preparation of organic and inorganic molecules: synthetic techniques, air-sensitive methods, purification techniques, and characterization methods. PREREQ: CHEM 365. S
CHEM 391 Seminar 1 credit. A formal introduction to scientific presentations including a short student presentation on selected library or laboratory research. PREREQ: CHEM 301, 303 or permission of instructor. R1
CHEM g400 Practicum in Physical Science 2 credits. Practical problems associated with equipping, setting up and operating laboratories in chemistry. PREREQ: Permission of department Chair. D
CHEM g407 Inorganic Chemistry II 2 credits.Structure and reactivity of inorganic compounds including coordination compounds; acid-base chemistry and nonaqueous solvent systems; organometallic chemistry and other special topics of current interest. PREREQ: CHEM 211 and CHEM 352, or permission of instructor. F
CHEM g433 Environmental Chemistry 2 credits. Application of chemical principles and calculations to investigate environmental issues. Natural systems, environmental degradation and protection, and the methodology of chemical detection and monitoring. PREREQ: CHEM 232 and CHEM 234 or permission of instructor. F
CHEM g437 Environmental Chemistry Laboratory 1 credits. Utilizes both structured and self-designed field and classroom experiments to emphasize principles of environmental chemistry. COREQ: CHEM g433 or permission of instructor. F
CHEM g438 Experimental Biochemistry 1 credit. Laboratory course including both qualitative and quantitative experiments. Cross-listed as BIOL g437. PREREQ or COREQ: BIOL g432 or BIOL/CHEM g445. F, S
CHEM g445 Biochemistry I 3 credits. Introduction to basic aspects of biochemical systems, including fundamental chemical and physical properties of biomolecules. Enzymology, including allosterism, metabolic regulation, bioenergetics, and carbohydrate metabolism. Cross-listed as BIOL g445. PREREQ: BIOL 101 and CHEM 301. F
CHEM g447 Biochemistry II 3 credits. Functional continuation of g445. Lipid, amino acid, and nucleotide metabolism. Emphasis is on regulation of metabolism, metabolic dysfunctions, biochemical mechanisms of hormone action, biochemical genetics, protein synthesis, and metabolic consequences of genetic defects. Cross-listed as BIOL g447. PREREQ: BIOL/CHEM g445. S
CHEM g448 Advanced Experimental Biochemistry 2 credits. Advanced laboratory projects designed to emphasize techniques of qualitative and quantitative biochemical analysis. Cross-listed as BIOL g448. PREREQ: BIOL g437/CHEM g438. COREQ: BIOL g447. S
CHEM g453 Modern Experimental Physical Chemistry 2 credits. Magnetic, optical and electrical properties of materials, calorimetry, voltammetry, optical and laser spectroscopic techniques. PREREQ: CHEM 334 and CHEM 352. F
CHEM g481 Independent Problems in Chemistry 1-4 credits. Directed library and laboratory research. Courses g481 and g482 may be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: CHEM 352. F
CHEM g482 Independent Problems in Chemistry 1-4 credits. Directed library and laboratory research. Courses g481 and g482 may be repeated for up to 6 credits. PREREQ: CHEM 352. S
CHEM 485 Senior Research 1-4 credits. The student will be introduced to research techniques, development of manipulative skills, instrumental methods, laboratory notebook keeping, data interpretation and library research. May be repeated for up to 8 credits. PREREQ: Acceptance into the B.S./M.S. program. D
CHEM g491 Seminar 1 credit. A formal introduction to the chemical literature including electronic methods of literature searching. A detailed treatment of methods for presenting scientific seminars including a full-length student presentation on selected library or laboratory research. COREQ: CHEM g481, g482, 485, or permission of instructor. F, S
CHEM 498 Seminar in Biochemistry 1 credit. Review of current research and literature in the field of biochemistry. Cross-listed as BIOL 498. PREREQ: senior standing or permission of department. F, S