Course details

Chemistry courses

CHEM 100 Chemical World 3
An introduction to chemistry in our society for non-science majors. The course is a hands-on laboratory course based on important and intriguing problems from the world around us. Topics may include forensics, biochemical, environmental, household, medicinal and nuclear chemistry. Modern instruments and analysis will be used to collect and discuss data. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: one year of high school algebra.

CHEM 101 Chemistry & Physics of Life 3
Designed for non-chemistry majors. Chem 101 gives students a condensed foundation of chemistry principles. Students who have taken at least two semesters of high school chemistry with grades of B- or higher may enroll in Chem 102 without taking 101. Lectures and laboratory.

CHEM 102 Chemistry & Physics of Life 4
Designed for non-chemistry majors. Chem 102 focuses on organic and biochemistry. Students who have taken at least two semesters of high school chemistry with grades of B- or higher may enroll in Chem 102 without taking 101. Prerequisite: Chem 101 or consent of the instructor or at least two semesters of high school chemistry with grades of B- or higher.

CHEM 111 General Chemistry 4
An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, radiochemistry and thermodynamics are included. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: Chem 100 or high school chemistry (grade C or better) and adequate pre-calculus math.

CHEM 112 General Chemistry 4
An introduction to the basic particles of matter, the modern concept of the atom, chemical bonding and the structure of chemical compounds. The physical and chemical properties of some elements and compounds are examined. Reaction equilibrium and kinetics, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, radiochemistry and thermodynamics are included. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: Chem 111.

CHEM 200 Analytical Chemistry 4
Quantitative analysis using traditional and instrumental methods. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: General Chemistry, Chem 111-112 or consent of instructor.

CHEM 220 Human Nutrition 3
A study of the nutritive needs of the body in normal stages of growth and development, food sources of nutrients, nutrient functions and factors affecting nutrient utilization. Current U.S. and global nutritional problems are explored. Prerequisite: Chem 101 or 111 (Biol 203 and 204 recommended).

CHEM 303 Introduction to Organic Chemistry 4
Covering structure, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and principal reactions for the major functional groups of organic chemistry, this is a one-semester survey course that gives an overview of the field. Laboratory exercises introduce basic purification techniques. This can be a stand-alone course for students majoring in biology and not continuing to medical school, veterinary school, or other graduate programs in biology and chemistry-related fields. For students with graduate school plans, this is the first in a two-course sequence in organic chemistry. Prerequistie: Chem 111-112.

CHEM 304 Intermediate Organic Chemistry 4
Using Chem 303 as a foundation, this course presents additional reactions (with an increased emphasis on mechanisms) and material on stereochemistry, as well as introducing spectroscopy (IR, NMR, GC-MS and UV-Vis). Together, the Chem 303-304 sequence covers all topics traditionally covered in two-semester organic chemistry courses. Laboratory experiments teach techniques for organic syntheses, instruments (GC/MS, FT-IR, FT-NMR), and chemical information retrieval. Prerequisite: Chem 303.

CHEM 310 Thermodynamics 4
A study of classical thermodynamics in the formulation of Gibbs. Thermodynamic potentials, characteristic variables, stability, homogeneous and heterogeneous systems, chemical kinetics are treated. An introduction to statistical mechanics is presented. Applications include studies of material properties and engineering systems. Lectures and laboratories. Prerequisites: Phys 203-204, Chem 111-112, Math 212 or consent of the instructor.

CHEM 312 Quantum Mechanics I 4
Principles of quantum mechanics are discussed beginning with a hydrogen atom and concluding with many atom molecules. The material is examined using the physical evidences that support the theory of quantum mechanics, particularly spectroscopy. The course also discusses symmetry of molecules, theory of NMR, and X-ray diffraction. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisites: Phys 203-204, Chem 111-112, Math 212 or consent of the instructor.

CHEM 350 Environmental Chemistry 4
A laboratory intensive course with two lectures and two three-hour labs each week. Will include sampling, statistics and techniques involved in determining the level of contaminants in the environment. Although some instrumental theory will be discussed, the course will emphasize experimental technique. Students will gain hands-on experience collecting authentic environmental samples and using modern instrumentation and methods for detecting the presence of a variety of inorganic and organic compounds. Instruments used in the laboratory will include AA, HPLC, GC and GC-MS as well as standard commercial test kits. The students will gain experience using EPA methods for determining the level of contaminants in their samples. Prerequisite: Chem 111-112 and Chem 303.

CHEM 400 Advanced Preparations 1 (1-2)
Projects involving advanced laboratory techniques.

CHEM 409 Chemistry Internship 3 (0-3)
Designed to give the student practical experience in chemistry. May involve work in a chemical industrial laboratory or production facility or an academic research activity. Students may also propose their own projects. 120 hours of work expeirence is required.

CHEM 410 Senior Seminar 3
(Cross-listed from Phys 410) An exploration of the relations between the natural sciences and other broad areas with special emphasis on ethical and theological concerns. Discussion, lectures, preparation and presentation of papers. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

CHEM 415 Inorganic Chemistry 4
Emphasis on models of structure and bonding as related to chemical and physical properties. Discussions will include descriptive chemistry of the elements, coordination and organometallic compounds and solid state materials. The laboratory component emphasizes synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. Prerequisites: Chem 200, Chem 303-304, Chem 312.

CHEM 430 Biochemistry 4
Introduction to the chemical processes of living organisms. This course (which complements Biol 307) focuses primarily on proteins (including enzymes) and metabolism, with introductions to carbohydrates, lipids, and cell membranes. Students planning to continue on to graduate programs in medicine, biochemistry, or related fields should take both Chem 430 and Biol 307 to get a solid background in the areas of biochemistry and molecular biology. Lectures and laboratory. Prerequisite: Chem 303-304, Organic Chemistry.

CHEM 450 Introduction to Research Problems 1 (1-3)
Laboratory and conference. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.