Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry

An introductory course that fulfills the general education science requirements. The extraordinary role played by chemistry is illustrated by studying environmental topics. Topics include pollution, ozone hole, global warming, energy crisis, water purification, acid rain, and nuclear energy. Basic concepts in the field of chemistry will also be discussed. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.

An introductory course for non-science majors and natural science majors that emphasizes the principles of chemistry, specifically the comprehensive laws that help explain how matter behaves through inquiry based learning. The major theme explores the way in which molecules interact and how that explains the nature of substances. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.

Second part of a two semester sequence. An introductory course for non-science majors and natural science majors that emphasizes the principles of chemistry, specifically the comprehensive laws that help explain how matter behaves through inquiry based learning. The major theme explores the relations between molecular structure within the body and their physiological functions. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite(s): CH111.

The first course of the two semester sequence (CH113,CH114), provides introduction to the systematic study of the fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry. Topics include matter and measurement, atomic theory, molecular structure and bonding models, stoichiometric calculations, aqueous reaction chemistry, states of matter, intermolecular interactions and thermo chemistry. Laboratory work is designed to develop an understanding of the experimental methods used to develop the theoretical basis of the science. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 1 hour recitation. Offered in the fall semester.

Prerequisite(s): MA109 or eligibility to take MA110 or MA115 on the college mathematics placement test.

Building on the fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry (CH113), this course introduces the study of various branches of chemistry—inorganic, organic, physical and nuclear chemistry including chemical equilibrium, acid-base equilibrium, kinetics, electrochemistry and chemical thermodynamics. Laboratory presents a series of exercises that demonstrate the chemical principles presented in lecture. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 1 hour recitation. Offered in the spring semester.

Prerequisite(s): CH113.

Basic concepts of the three states of matter (solid, liquid and gas), composition of matter at the atomic and molecular level, nature of chemical changes involving matter, properties of carbon compounds and their applications in a biological system-biochemistry of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids and lipids. The laboratory work will include hands-on experience in identifying a chemical change, separating mixtures and reactions of biological chemicals. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory.

An in-depth study of the Periodic Table of Elements and the atomic, ionic and molecular nature of materials. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the relationship between composition/structure of matter and its physical and chemical properties. The lecture introduces the most widely accepted theories on the origins and natural states of matter, and the bonding models used to explain and anticipate material properties. Descriptive chemistry will address the many numerous, important commercial chemicals and industrial processes. The course is recommended for those planning to teach in the physical sciences, but may be taken by non-science majors as well. 3 hours lecture.

Prerequisite(s): CH113.

The first of a two-semester sequence (CH223, CH224), this course provides an introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds—bonding, geometry, functional group classification and isomerism, common reaction mechanisms and structure elucidation methods, and reactions and synthesis of hydrocarbons and halogenated hydrocarbons. Laboratory work will include simple organic synthetic reactions, purification and identification of organic compounds with emphasis on the use of instrumentation. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Offered each fall.

Prerequisite(s): CH114.

Building on the introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds (CH223), this course focuses on the spectroscopic structure elucidation methods (mass spectrometry, UV-VIS, IR, and NMR spectroscopy) and reactions and synthesis of aromatic compounds, oxygenated and nitrogenous compounds and natural product chemistry. Laboratory work will include organic synthesis and isolation of a natural product, with emphasis on the use of instrumentation (GC-MS, UV-VIS, and IR). 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Offered each spring.

Prerequisite(s): CH223.

Applications of the principles of chemical equilibrium to the theory and techniques of titrimetric, gravimetric and electrogravimetric procedures. Discussion of sample preparation, method validation and emphasis on statistical treatment of data with the application of spreadsheets for data manipulation and presentation. 3 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): CH114.

Introduction to the sources of retrospective and current chemical information (i.e., primary peer reviewed literature, handbooks, abstracts, reviews, monographs, and compendiums), with emphasis on the techniques of retrieval and evaluation of this information using on-line databases (SciFinder, Science Direct), and the Internet. Preparation of scientific papers, literature reviews and literary techniques. 2 hours lecture. Usually offered online.

Prerequisite(s): CH224.

The first course of a two semester sequence (CH311, CH312), this course provides an introduction to the chemistry of macromolecules in biological systems including the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids; catalytic and regulatory strategies of enzymes, membrane structure, and signal transduction. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Offered each fall. This course is cross-listed with BI437.

Prerequisite(s): CH224.

Building on the introduction to the chemistry of biological macromolecules (CH311), this course focuses on the metabolism of carbohydrates (including glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen synthesis and degradation, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation), lipids, amino acids and nucleic acids, and Gene replication and expression: DNA structure, replication and repair; RNA synthesis and splicing; control of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory. Offered each spring. This course is cross-listed with BI438.

Prerequisite(s): CH311.

Principles of quantum chemistry including the following topics: quantum approaches to atomic and molecular structure, symmetry adopted linear combinations of molecular orbitals, semi-empirical an ab initio methods, rotational, vibrational, and electronic and magnetic resonance spectroscopies and photochemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 1 hour recitation.

Prerequisite(s): CH224, PH122, and MA116.

Principles of physical chemistry including thermodynamics and chemical equilibrium and reaction kinetics and electrochemistry. 3 hours lecture, 3 hours laboratory, 1 hour recitation.

Prerequisite(s): CH224, CH241, and MA116.

Pre/corequisite(s): PH122.

In depth study of atomic theory and the periodic table, main group and transition elements, molecular structure and bonding models, states of matter, solution chemistry, acids and bases, equilibrium, kinetics, coordination and organometallic chemistry, Group Theory and spectroscopy. Laboratory experience includes synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. 3 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory.

Pre/corequisite(s): CH223.

Provides the students with an industrial or advanced academic research experience. Students present research findings at an industrial or academic seminar on-site and give a written report to the department. 1–4 credits depending on the duration of the experience.

Prerequisite(s): Junior or senior status.

Provides the students an opportunity to participate in an independent research project under the guidance of a professor (5 hours a week; hours to be arranged with the professor). A technical paper covering the existing literature on the topic of research and results of the investigation has to be submitted. Assessment for this course is pass/fail. This course is open to junior and senior chemistry and biochemistry majors. Students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who are in the University Honors Program may choose independent research work with a professor (Honors Program coursework by contract, CH350H, 8 hours/week) and will receive a letter grade for the course. The course contract must be prepared with the professor and approved by the Honors Program director prior to starting the research work.

Theoretical principles and practical aspects of spectral, electrochemical, chromatographic, colligative and nuclear instrumentation. Discusses physical and chemical properties of matter that make measurement possible. Laboratory experiences designed to familiarize the student with the modern instruments and techniques used in chemistry today. 3 hours lecture, 4 hours laboratory.

Prerequisite(s): CH241.

Pre/corequisite(s): CH332.

Topics will vary according to the area of specialization of the professor teaching the course and the interest of the students.

Prerequisite(s): CH312 or CH332.

This course is a capstone experience for majors in chemistry or biochemistry that requires the students to unify the knowledge and skills learned in all other courses. The course instruction focuses on planning, obtaining and organizing technical information from primary and secondary journals to develop a review article on a chosen topic. Skills needed to be an effective speaker will also be discussed. The students will prepare a technical review article on a current topic and present a seminar on this topic to the faculty and students of the department. 1 hour lecture.

Pre/corequisite(s): CH332.

Provides the students an opportunity to participate in an independent research project under the guidance of a professor (5 hours a week; hours to be arranged with the professor). A technical paper covering the existing literature on the topic of research and results of the investigation has to be submitted. Assessment for this course is pass/fail. This course is open to junior and senior chemistry and biochemistry majors. Students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who are in the University Honors Program may choose independent research work with a professor (Honors Program coursework by contract, CH449H, 8 hours/week) and will receive a letter grade for the course. The course contract must be prepared with the professor and approved by the Honors Program director prior to starting the research work.

Prerequisite(s): CH350.

Provides the students an opportunity to participate in an independent research project under the guidance of a professor (5 hours a week; hours to be arranged with the professor). A technical paper covering the existing literature on the topic of research and results of the investigation has to be submitted. Assessment for this course is pass/fail. This course is open to junior and senior chemistry and biochemistry majors. Students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who are in the University Honors Program may choose independent research work with a professor (Honors Program coursework by contract, CH450H, 8 hours/week) and will receive a letter grade for the course. The course contract must be prepared with the professor and approved by the Honors Program director prior to starting the research work.

Prerequisite(s): CH449.