2022-2023 Undergraduate General Catalog


300

CHEM 301 Chemical Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics (SI)

This course provides the theoretical basis for chemistry and related subjects, emphasizing thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics, and reaction dynamics. Laboratory includes varied and diverse methods of measurement and computational techniques. Four hours of lecture-discussion and four hours of laboratory per week. CHEM 301 is the physical chemistry foundation requirement for the American Chemistry Society Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 117 or CHEM 120; MATH 152. CHEM 242 and PHYS 222 strongly recommended

CHEM 302 Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, and Spectroscopy

This course is a follow-up to CHEM 301. It covers quantum chemistry, reaction dynamics, spectroscopy and statistical mechanics. The laboratory will be concerned with several experiments in physical chemistry with emphasis on various spectroscopic measurements and application of a variety of computational software for quantum calculations. Four hours of lecture-discussion and four hours of laboratory per week. CHEM 301 and 302 are the physical chemistry foundation requirement for the American Chemical Society Chemistry major.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 301; MATH 152

CHEM 305 Biochemistry

This is a one-semester, foundational course in biochemistry intended for chemistry and biochemistry majors. Lecture topics covered in this course fall into three general areas: (1) structure, function, and reactivity of biological macromolecules, (2) cellular metabolism and metabolic cycles, and (3) the central dogma of molecular biology. Laboratory is intended to expose students to a variety of biochemical techniques and applications.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 202

CHEM 311 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (W)

This course focuses on instrumental methods of analysis. The lecture is devoted primarily to instrument design and the advantages and disadvantages of that design. Laboratory is emphasized and centers on method development projects. Two hours of lecture and six hours of laboratory per week.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 301

CHEM 330 Medicinal Chemistry (W)

This is a one-semester course in medicinal chemistry. The first part of this course introduces students to the field of medicinal chemistry and covers fundamental topics and concepts relating to the properties, design, metabolism, and modeling of pharmaceutical drugs. The remainder of the course is devoted to the major classes of therapeutic drugs with an emphasis on categorizing physiological effects with functional groups and binding site stereochemistry. Other course activities provide students with an introduction to project development/design, analysis of current disciplinary literature, and training in several types of scientific writing.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 305

CHEM 331 Advanced Organic Chemistry (W)

Advanced topics in organic chemistry, including spectroscopy, mechanisms and synthesis (including natural products) are covered. Emphasis varies. Three hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 301; CHEM 202

CHEM 341 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

This course explores advanced topics in Inorganic Chemistry including atomic structure, covalent structures, group theory, molecular orbital theory, acid-base principles, solid-state chemistry, transition elements and coordination chemistry, bonding theories, spectroscopy, mechanisms, organometallic chemistry, catalysis, and bioinorganic chemistry. Laboratory exercises will focus on the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds using instrumentation. Three hours of lecture, four hours of laboratory per week.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 222

CHEM 351 Polymers and Materials Science

This course is an introduction to some of the important concepts in Polymer Chemistry and Materials Science. The objectives of this chemistry/engineering course is to build the foundations for understanding the basic scientific and engineering principles used in the polymer industry. Topics will include: a historical perspective into polymer science, polymer synthesis (step, chain, and ring opening), structure-property relationships, molecular weight distribution, conformation and morphology correlations, application based design, and manufacturing/processing techniques.  In the lab portion of the class, the chemical, mechanical, optical, thermal, spectroscopic, and environmental properties of polymer materials will be characterized using a variety of instrumental techniques.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 202

CHEM 381 Advanced Physical Chemistry

This course explores advanced topics in Physical Chemistry through the lens of materials chemistry. Materials chemistry focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of macromolecular compounds with unique physical properties. Topics in this course include: crystal growth and nucleation, crystal structure, crystallography, surface chemistry, physisorption and chemisorption, photochemistry, band theory, nanomaterials, computational chemistry, and relevant instrumentation. This course will
require students to actively engage in the foundational and contemporary literature within the field. In the lab portion of the class, students will synthesize and characterize various materials and report their physical and chemical properties in accordance to ACS journal styles.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

CHEM 301

CHEM 395 Internship

Consult the department chair for a listing of available opportunities. Plans for an internship must be made well in advance of the term in which the internship is to be carried out.

Credits

4

Prerequisites

Permission of the Instructor

CHEM 399 Independent Study

This course offers the opportunity to engage in experimental research with a faculty mentor. One credit hour will require four hours of laboratory work per week for the semester plus a comprehensive report, a departmental seminar, and if appropriate a presentation at a scientific meeting. This course designation is normally not used to replace a traditional course.

Credits

1- 3

Prerequisites

Permission of the Instructor