Department of Chemistry

Courses Offered

100 Level Courses 

200 Level Courses 

300 Level Courses 

400 Level Courses

 

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101  Chemistry in Context: An Environmental Perspective  (4 hours) 
A basic chemistry course, organized to develop knowledge and an understanding of the chemical factors affecting the environment and society's interaction with the environment.  This course is designed for students with no previous experience in chemistry.  It satisfies the laboratory course requirement.

115  Introduction to Chemistry  (4 hours) 
This course is designed for the student with little or no high school background.  For the prospective science student, this course will provide a basis for further study of the sciences.  for the non-science student, this course provides a survey of chemistry. 

120  Structure and Bonding  (4 hours) 
This course serves as an introductory course for students who plan to pursue a career relating to the sciences.  Students will gain a fundamental understanding of some of the various principles that help us explain the natural and physical world around us. The topics covered in this course serve to describe matter and the physical and chemical changes it experiences, as well as a brief survey of the theory and history behind this fascinating subject.  Specifically, students will learn about measurement, atoms, the periodic table and periodicity, stoichiometry, solubility, acid/base chemistry, oxidation/reduction reactions and gas-phase relationships.  Students will also be introduced to the basic concepts of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics and how both affect the nature of the chemical bond and chemical and physical properties of matter from molecules to materials.  The laboratory portion of the course will serve to further develop the principles and concepts learned in the lecture portion through hands-on experiments as well as teaching students to to analyze and report data.

Note: The chemistry department strongly recommends that students retake a course with a grade of C- or less before proceeding to take the next course in any sequence. 

121  Introduction to Chemical Analysis  (4 hours) 
An introduction to solution chemistry.  Topics include balancing chemical equations, gas laws, redox reactions, first law of thermodynamics, electrochemistry, coligative properties, equilibrium, and pH. 

160  Scientific Glassblowing  (3 hours) 
This course covers the fundamentals of glassblowing and flame working with applications to the construction and repair of scientific glassware.

161  Physiological Chemistry I  (4 hours) 
This course is intended for non-science majors, and is particularly aimed at those entering various healthcare fields, environmental studies, neuroscience, and those wishing to teach elementary school or middle school. This course will provide an introduction to the principles of inorganic and organic chemistry. Topics include: atomic theory and nuclear chemistry, the periodic table, chemical bonds, states of matter, chemical reactivity, principles of equilibrium and reaction rates, acids and bases, and the structure and reactivity of organic compounds including alkyl, aryl, alcohol, carbonyl, and amino compounds. Activities in this course will emphasize analytical thinking and problem-solving particularly in the area of quantitative calculations.

162  Physiological Chemistry II  (4 hours) 
This is the second semester of a two course sequence intended for non-science majors, and is particularly aimed at those entering various healthcare fields, environmental studies, neuroscience, and those wishing to teach elementary school or middle school. This course will build upon the inorganic and organic chemistry topics introduced in the previous course, and explore how they apply to biological systems. Topics include: the structure and properties of the various food groups (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins), biological reactions including enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways and bioenergetics, genetic expression including DNA and RNA structure. Activities will continue to involve analytical thinking and problem-solving skills, and will be geared towards the application of chemical principles to the structure and function of biological systems. Prerequisite: Chemistry 161


204 Physical Science  (4 hours) 
A non-majors course.  This is a comprehensive but not highly technical presentation of the essential concepts of physical science.  While the subject matter is derived from the major branches of physical science (astronomy, chemistry, geology, meteorology, and physics), it is studied as an integrated interpretation of the physical world.  The laboratory is designed to be of special application for the prospective elementary teacher through the establishment of demonstrations and experiments illustrating salient concepts. 
 

208  Introductory Electronics  (3 hours) 
An introduction to modern electronic devices and the uses of electronic components.  The laboratory will investigate the fundamentals of linear and digital circuits while using basic laboratory instruments such as oscilloscopes, waveform generators, counter-timers, and digital multimeters.  Topics will include basic circuit theory, passive devices, junction and field effect transistors, operational amplifiers, digital logic, and optical solid-state devices.  Prerequisite: secondary school physics, or permission.  Also listed as Physics 208. 

220 Introduction to Organic Chemistry (4 hours) 
A survey of the principles of organic chemistry with emphasis on functional groups.  Nomenclature, structure, synthetic methods, and reactions are the primary focuses.  An introduction to isomerism, stereochemistry, and conformational analysis is included.  Reaction energetics and implications for a selected series of reaction mechanisms are also examined.  The laboratory introduces basic techniques of isolation, characterization, and synthesis of organic compounds.  Prerequisite: the equivalent of Chemistry 121. 

230  Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry  (4 hours) 
The concepts of inorganic chemistry in light of modern theory.  Atomic structure, chemical periodicity, bonding, group theory, coordination chemistry with crystal field theory, and reaction mechanisms of complex formation are considered.  Descriptive chemistry and the often neglected chemistry of the lanthanide and actinide elements are also examined.  The laboratory introduces basic inorganic laboratory techniques for the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 121, 220.  $25.00 laboratory fee. 

240  Equilibrium and Analysis  (4 hours) 
An in-depth study of theory and practice of analytical methods including gravimetric, volumetric, redox, electrochemical, compleximetric, and an introduction to modern instrumentation.  Intended for students of biological, chemical, medical, and physical sciences.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 121. 
 

281  Independent Study  (1 - 4 hours) 

298  Internship Program and Field Experience  (1 - 4 hours) 

315  History of Chemistry  (3 hours) 
The course will consist of a historical survey of the development of chemistry.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 121. 

320 Intermediate Organic Chemistry (4 hours) 
A continuation of Chemistry 220.  Includes a survey of bifunctional and polyfunctional molecules and bio-organic chemistry.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 220. 

330 Computation Chemistry 4 hours
"… Chemical questions are problems in applied mathematics." So begins an early text in Quantum Chemistry, and calculations now provide a useful addition to the Chemist’s toolbox. The course builds on Physics and Organic chemistry to develop the Molecular Mechanical and Semi-empirical Molecular Orbital approaches to energetic and conformational calculations. "Ab initio" methods are then introduced, and their power (and cost) explored. This course is particularly suitable for chemists or molecular biologist considering careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical or biogenetic industries, but will provide an equally valuable introduction to material widely needed for graduate studies. Prerequsites: 220, HS Physics.

350  Physical Chemistry I  (4 hours) 
Energetics.  The physical properties of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions.  Thermodynamics and thermochemistry.  Phase equilibria, electrochemistry, and the kinetic theory of gases and fluids.  Prerequisites: Chemistry 220, Physics 213, Mathematics 199.  Computer Science 150 is strongly recommended. 

351  Physical Chemistry II  (4 hours) 
Structure and Change.  An introduction to atomic and molecular structure, quantum mechanics, molecular structure determination, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 350. 

366  Basic Biochemistry  (4 hours) 
Biochemistry studies the molecules and chemical reactions in living organisms.  Topics include the structure and chemical properties of major macromolecules (carbohydrates, nucleotides, and lipids) of living organisms, the role of enzymes and enzyme pathways by which these molecules are synthesized and degraded, and the cellular mechanisms which regulate and integrate metabolic processes.  The laboratory emphasizes tools of biochemical analysis (spectrophotometry, chromatography, electrophoresis, centrifugation) in an example of physical, chemical, and biological properties of biologically important molecules.  Prerequisites: Chemistry 320, Biology 230. Also listed as Biology 366. 

368  Intermediate Biochemistry  (4 hours) 
This course will examine some topics introduced in Basic Biochemistry in greater detail, as well as selected topics in biochemistry such as biological information flow, biochemical studies in disease, and ecological biochemistry.  The laboratory will extend the students' opportunities in analysis of biomolecules and their properties.  Prerequisites: Chemistry 366 (Biology 366).  Also listed as Biology 368. 

381  Special Topics in Chemistry  (3 - 4 hours)
Various advanced courses offered during the three week session.  This course may be taken more than once for credit.

400  Spectroscopy and Separations  (4 hours)
The application of methods of analysis.  Emphasis on theoretical concepts, instrument design, chromatography columns, separation theory and applications.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 240 and 350 or concurrent with 350. 

430  Advanced Inorganic Chemistry  (3 hours)
 
A survey of the methods used for structural determinations in inorganic chemistry.  Nuclear magnetic, vibrational, electronic, and optical rotational spectroscopy are the primary focuses.  An introduction to isomerism, transition metal stereochemistry, and conformational analysis is included.  Magnetic, thermal, electrochemical, and  separation methods are also considered.  Prerequisites: Chemistry 350 or permission.

440  Electrochemistry  (4 hours) 
The application of methods of analysis.  Emphasis on theoretical concepts, instrumental design, and applications.  Prerequisite: Chemistry 240 and 350 or concurrent with 350. 

480  Senior Seminar  (1 hour) 
Students prepare and present to faculty and students papers on chemical topics based on literature search or laboratory research.

481  Independent Research  (1 - 4 hours)

482  Methods in Chemistry  (4 hours) 
This course provides an opportunity for collaborative research among students and faculty.  While the faculty member will guide the research project, all members of the team will work together to delineate the role(s) each will play in carrying out the project.  Students may use this research as the background for their student seminar.  This course may be taken more than once for credit. 

483  Research Techniques:   Biochemistry (1-4 hours)
This course provides an opportunity for collaborative research among students and faculty.   No more than six students will work with a faculty member on a defined research project.  While the faculty member will guide the research project, all members of the team will work together to delineate the role(s) each will play.  Students may use this research as the basis for their Senior Seminar (Chemistry) or AP*EX requirement (Biology), but only with prior written consent of the instructor.  Also listed as BIOL 483

484 Environmental Methods of Analysis 4 hours
Satisfying the requirements of the environmental laws and regulations is possible only with defendable and accurate laboratory results based on approved methodologies, current instrumentation and technologies, and well-trained and qualified personnel. The large diversity of the literature in this field and the diffuse sources of the necessary information make training difficult. The goal of this course is to provide guidelines for any individual working in the environmental arena by examining selected analytical procedures most often used by governing agencies for the evaluation of environmental pollutants. Analytical methods used for the analysis of air, water, and soil will be considered. Topics will include methods used for the analysis of drinking and wastewater, air sampling for asbestos and various gases and particulates, and soil methodologies. The laboratory experiments are designed to emphasize the appropriate laboratory technique utilized in determining the chemical constituents in environmental samples along with their chemistry, occurrence, source, fate, and their control by regulations an d standards.

498  Internship  (1 - 4 hours) 

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