Chemistry (CHM)
Professor Esterline; Assistant Professors Roerdink and Smith
The Chemistry Department offers three areas of concentration: chemistry, biochemistry, and forensic science. Our chemistry program meets the needs of students pursuing a variety of study and career options in the chemical sciences. Included are the students who anticipate careers as professional chemist, biochemist, or forensic scientist in industry, government or education; seek thorough and comprehensive pre-professional training for the medical sciences (medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, etc.); or plan to engage in secondary science teaching or desire a knowledge of chemistry as a part of their liberal arts experience.
Chemistry majors must complete the set of core courses and may choose an additional area of concentration, namely the Biochemistry Track or the Forensic Science Track. Chemistry majors who intend to enter graduate school in chemistry should strongly consider CHM 308, 404, 411, 415 and additional 400-level courses in addition to the requirements listed below.
Chemistry Major: 43 semester hours consisting of MTH 222, 223, PHY 101, 102, CHM 111, 112, 201, 202, 305, 307 (Junior Level Discipline Specific Communication Requirement), 422 (Senior Capstone Experience), and 4 additional CHM credit hours (excluding CHM 103/103L).
Biochemistry Track: All of the above Chemistry Major plus BIO 123, 124, 222, 223, 325, CHM 415, 416 and 417.
Forensic Science Track: All of the above Chemistry Major plus BIO 123, 124, 223, ANT 205, 325, 425, POL 151, and CHM 404, 415 and 417.
Minor: 20 semester hours to include CHM 111, 112, 201, plus 8 hours from any additional chemistry courses excluding CHM 103/103L Recommended courses FSC 101 and 101L..
Course Offerings
103. Fundamentals of Chemistry (3 sem. hrs.). A relatively non-mathematical study of basic chemical principles and how chemistry relates to topics of current interest, such as energy and environmental matters. This course is designed specifically for non-science majors and will not count toward the Chemistry major or minor. No previous chemistry is necessary. Optional 2 hour lab portion of this course is CHM 103L. (Fall and Spring)
103L. Laboratory Studies in Fundamentals of Chemistry (1 sem. hr.). This course is designed for non-majors as the lab complement to CHM 103, Fundamentals of Chemistry. This lab course meets weekly for two hours and fulfills the natural science lab portion of the general education requirements. Students will explore some of the concepts discussed in lecture and will gain hands-on chemistry laboratory experience. This lab course can only be taken concurrently with CHM 103. One two-hour lab per week. (Fall and Spring)
111. General Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.). Study of atomic structure, stoichiometry, gases, thermochemistry, periodicity, bonding, liquids and solids. Three recitations and one 3-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: Placement into MTH 121 or C- or better in MTH 115. (Fall and Spring)
112. General Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.). Study of solutions, equilibrium systems (acid-base, solubility), thermodynamics, electrochemistry, kinetics and the nucleus. Prerequisite: Passing grade in CHM 111. Three recitations and one 3-hour laboratory period per week. (Fall and Spring)
201, 202. Organic Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.). Study of organic compounds and their derivatives illustrating experimental and theoretical approaches to bonding, structure and reaction mechanisms. Structure elucidation considered from viewpoints of classical and spectroscopic methods. Prerequisites: CHM 111 and 112 for CHM 201; CHM 201 for CHM 202. Three recitations and one or two 3-hour laboratory periods per week. (Every Year)
305. Quantitative Analysis (4 sem. hrs.). Study of both theoretical and practical aspects of quantitative chemical analysis, including classical and modern methods. Theoretical emphasis is on treatment of data, acid-base, solubility, oxidation-reduction, and complex ion equilibria, electrochemistry and spectrophotometry. Laboratory work includes quantitative gravimetric, volumetric, and instrumental analysis. Prerequisites: CHM 111 and 112. Three recitations and two 3-hour laboratory periods per week. (Fall Only)
307, 308. Physical Chemistry (4 sem. hrs.). Study of the principles of chemistry used to explain and interpret observations on the physical and chemical properties of matter. Topics include thermodynamics, quantum theory and its application to atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, and the kinetics and dynamics of reactions. Prerequisites: Two years of college chemistry, two semesters each of general physics and calculus for CHM 307; CHM 307 for CHM 308. Three recitations and one 3-hour laboratory period per week. Given in alternate years. (307 offered Fall of odd years, 308 offered Spring of even years, on demand)
370. Internship (3 to 15 sem. hrs.). Qualified students may receive credit for off-campus experience in an industrial, government or academic laboratory. Departmental approval is required. (Offered on demand)
404. Instrumental Analysis (4 sem. hrs.). Study of the theory and applications of instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Emphasis is on (1) Spectroscopy (UV, Visible, IR Raman, NMR, AA, emission, mass), (2) Electrochemistry (electrolysis, potentiometry, voltammetry, coulometry) and (3) Chromatography (GC, HPLC). Laboratory work involves solving analytical problems using instrumental techniques. Prerequisite: CHM 305. Two recitations and two 3-hour laboratory periods per week. (Spring only)
405. Advanced Water Analysis (4 sem. hrs.). This course will provide students with experience in the use of automated analytical systems, including GC/MS, ICP and automated colorimetric systems. Students will also be introduced to “Good Laboratory Practices” and other quality control/quality assurance procedures, as required in federally mandated monitoring programs. Prerequisite: ENS 205, and CHM 305. Two recitations and two 3-hour laboratories per week. (Spring only)
409, 410. Independent Study (1 to 3 sem. hrs.). Laboratory problem designed to meet needs of advanced students. Consulting members of the staff, student will select a project in one or a combination of several of the following areas: analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry. A formal, written report and an oral presentation of results will be required. Prerequisite: Permission of department chair. One conference period and a minimum of three hours of laboratory work per week for each semester hour of credit. (Offered on demand)
411. Inorganic Chemistry (3 sem. hrs.). Advanced course dealing with structure, bonding and reactions of inorganic compounds with special emphasis on coordination chemistry. Laboratory work devoted to inorganic preparations, reactions and characterization of products. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Three recitations per week. Optional 3 hour lab portion of this course is CHM 412. (Offered on demand)
412. Laboratory Studies in Inorganic Chemistry (1 sem. hr.). This course is the lab complement to CHM 411,< Inorganic Chemistry. This lab course meets weekly for three hours. Students will explore some of the topics covered in inorganic lectures. This lab course can be taken concurrently with CHM 411. One three-hour lab per week. (On demand)
413, 414. Advanced Topics in Chemistry (3 sem. hrs.). Selected advanced topics of current interest in analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic or physical chemistry. Emphasis on current chemical literature as a source of information. Prerequisites: Permission of the instructor. (Offered on demand)
415. General Biochemistry (3 sem. hrs.). Study of principal types of biochemical compounds, nature of reactions taking place in plant and animal tissue and functions of enzymes, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleotides in the metabolic control of these processes. Prerequisites: CHM 201 and CHM 202, or a minimum grade of B- in CHM 201. Three recitations per week. Optional 3 hour lab portion of this course is CHM 417. (Spring of even-odd years)
416. Chemistry of Metabolism (3 sem. hrs.). Metabolism with emphasis on the chemical reactions of glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, lipid and amino acid synthesis and degradation, and nucleic acid metabolism. Optional 3 hour lab portion of this course is CHM 417. Prerequisites: CHM 415 or permission of instructor. (Spring of odd-even years)
417. Laboratory Studies in Biochemistry (1 sem. hr.). This course is the lab complement to either CHM 415 (General Biochemistry) or CHM 416 (Chemistry of Metabolism), but not both. This lab course meets weekly for three hours. Students will explore some of the concepts discussed in biochemistry lectures and be introduced to some laboratory techniques to biochemistry. One three-hour lab per week. Must be taken concurrently with either CHM 415 or 416. (Spring)
422. Seminar (1 sem. hr.). A series of planned discussions in which advanced students, under the guidance of staff members, (1) review chemical research literature on student-selected topics, and (2) make oral presentations of their findings. Prerequisite: Senior status or permission of department chair. Satisfies capstone requirement. (Spring only)
475, 476. Honors Course (3 sem. hrs.). Open to seniors who want to earn Departmental Honors and whose Chemistry GPA is at least 3.00. Requests for Departmental Honors must be approved by the Department Chair, in consultation with the Chemistry faculty. A detailed proposal for independent research must be submitted to the Chair in the spring semester of the junior year. During the last semester an oral examination covering the research, and a comprehensive written examination covering all areas of chemistry must be taken. (Offered on demand)