This course is a non-lab chemistry course for non-science majors. It is designed to acquaint students with the impact that chemistry has on their everyday life and assist them in understanding the basics of those interactions from a scientific, social, and business perspective. Topics will focus on the science behind issues facing our society, community and the world today. The class will include topical lectures (general chemistry, organic, biochemical, and environmental chemistry), in class lab demonstrations, and trips to local facilities and companies to experience the application of chemistry in our world.
Every Interim
Previously: CHEM 130
This course is a survey of general chemistry at the college level. The main conceptual areas of emphasis of the course are outlined in the catalog: matter, measurements, atomic structure, the periodic table, ionic and covalent bonding, moles, stoichiometry, chemical reactions, gases/liquids/solids, solutions, acids/bases/salts, nuclear chemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Every Fall
Previously: CHEM 111
An introduction to chemistry at the college level. The main conceptual areas of emphasis of the course are outlined in the catalog: measurements, atomic and electronic structure, bonding, molecular structure and shape, intermolecular forces, stoichiometry, types of chemical reactions, thermochemistry, and gases. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: CHEM 116
The second course in general chemistry at the college level. The course serves as a prerequisite for other courses. The main conceptual areas of emphasis of the course are kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases (including buffers), thermodynamics, electrochemistry, solids and materials, coordination chemistry. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Every Spring
Previously: CHEM 117
This is an accelerated general chemistry course covering topics typically encountered in a two semester course, (e.g. bonding, equilibrium including buffers, stoichiometry, chemical kinetics, oxidation-reduction). Students are required to have a 26+ ACT score and 1 year of high school chemistry with a grade of "B" or better. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Must be a declared Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Physics (pre-engineering emphasis) major to take this course.
Every Fall
Previously: CHEM 120
The lecture portion of this class is a survey course that describes basic atmospheric, water, and soil chemistry principles, and relates these principles to the current challenges to our air, water, and soil environments. This course focuses on understanding the linkages and interactions of the air, water, and soil to gain a qualitative understanding of how pollutants behave in the environment. Students will investigate specific historical environmental events and the associated socioeconomic, ethical, human and environmental health, and political ramifications associated after the occurrence of the event. The lab portion of the course will require students to perform basic environmental testing techniques that provide an overview of the chemical theory necessary to perform the analysis and use equipment required to properly administer environmental analysis.
Previously: CHEM 180
Explores the fundamentals of organic chemistry (nomenclature, functional groups, reactions) with an introduction to biochemistry (amino acids, proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes, nucleic acids and the metabolic cycles). Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory per week.
Every Spring
Previously: CHEM 145
This class will be a chemistry-based January term study abroad course where we will study the industrialization and business practices of the modern chemical industry by visiting a number of chemical research, manufacturing, and academic institutions across Germany. The knowledge gained will include chemical synthesis, manufacturing techniques, transportation-logistics, environmental concerns, and commercialization. In addition, the class will experience the historical beginnings of the chemical industry and the Germanic culture.
Previously: CHEM 150
This is a travel abroad course that explores how chemistry is intertwined with Japanese culture. The chemical industry is an important part of post-WWII Japan, so chemical facilities (research institutes, universities, manufacturing plants) will be visited. This course also examines unique chemistry in the everyday life of Japanese people and how it has played a part in developing culture in Japan, such as wasabi, sake, sustainability, and indigo dyeing.
Previously: CHEM 151
This course is limited to those freshman chemistry majors who are distinguished scholars. It will acquaint the student with career options, with chemical instrumentation and lab assisting. Students will be allowed to serve as junior lab assistants second semester under the direction of a senior lab assistant and the professor. Students may learn FT-IR, FT-NMR, GC-MS or other instrumentation. This will prepare them for doing research right after their freshman year. Must take both semesters to earn 1 credit.
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: CHEM 102
This course is limited to those freshman chemistry majors who are distinguished scholars. It will acquaint the student with career options, with chemical instrumentation and lab assisting. Students will be allowed to serve as junior lab assistants second semester under the direction of a senior lab assistant and the professor. Students may learn FT-IR, FT-NMR, GC-MS or other instrumentation. This will prepare them for doing research right after their freshman year. Must take both semesters to earn 1 credit.
CHEM 1800
Every Spring
Previously: CHEM 102
Special Topics in Chemistry.
Previously: CHEM 197
This course covers nomenclature, reactions, and structure of aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols and introduces carbonyl chemistry, structural determination, organic spectroscopy, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and multi-step syntheses. Laboratory emphasizes separation, reactions, structural determination, and physical characteristics of organic compounds. Three hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. CHEM 2100 is the organic foundation requirement for the American Chemical Society Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: CHEM 201
This course is the second of a two-semester sequence in organic chemistry that will cover functional groups ranging from ethers to biological macromolecules. Within each functional group, we will explore topics in nomenclature, physical and chemical properties, reactions, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopic analysis.
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: CHEM 202
This is a basic inorganic chemistry course with an extension of general chemistry supportive of the lab experiences. Lecture will emphasize atomic and molecular structure, molecular orbital theory, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, solid-state structure and the theoretical basis of complex ion chemistry. Laboratory will be centered on systematic identification of inorganic cations and anions, with some experiences in kinetics and electrochemistry. CHEM 2200 is the inorganic foundation requirement for the American Chemical Society Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.
Every Interim
This course covers fundamental and applied topics of modern and classical analytical methods. Lecture emphasizes statistical analysis of data, method development, equilibrium, electrochemistry, and chromatography. The laboratory experience includes a mix of wet chemical and instrumental methods with an emphasis on careful and precise quantitative work. Three hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week. CHEM 2300 is the analytical foundation requirement for the American Chemical Society Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.
Every Spring
Previously: CHEM 242
Each offering operates like an independent study that focuses on one instrument and enables students to develop a solid foundation in the theoretical aspects and operating principles, develop hands-on operation proficiency, and gain experience interpreting the data. Each course consists of three Projects (Project for a C, B, A), and students choose the level of proficiency desired by completing one, two, or all three Projects. Each Project requires approximately 17 hr of lab work (51 hr to complete all three projects). Currently courses on seven instruments are available, and other instruments will be added as they are acquired.
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: CHEM 250
Students on an F-1 visa are eligible to work off campus to provide additional experience so long as the employment relates directly to the student's major area of study. The practical experience gained outside the traditional classroom supplements the theoretical and/or applied knowledge as a part of the student's coursework. The registration process for this course must be completed every term (including summers), as students must have their work authorization reissued each term to ensure continued enrollment. Jobs must be approved and verified by the International Programs Office before work may begin.
Previously: CHEM 296
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.
Permission of the Instructor
Previously: CHEM 299
This course provides the theoretical basis for chemistry and related subjects, emphasizing thermodynamics, equilibrium, and chemical kinetics. Laboratory includes a combination of experimental methods for data collection using instrumentation and scientific computing for the analysis of collected data. Three hours of lecture-discussion and four hours of laboratory per week. CHEM 3400 is the physical chemistry foundation requirement for the American Chemistry Society Chemistry and Biochemistry majors.
Every Fall
This course is the second of a two-semester sequence in physical chemistry covering quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. The laboratory includes a heavy computational component along with experimental methods for data collection using instrumentation so as to compare theoretical and experimental results. Three hours of lecture-discussion and four hours of laboratory per week. CHEM 3400 and 3410 are the physical chemistry foundation requirement for the American Chemical Society Chemistry major.
Every Spring
Previously: CHEM 302
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.
Every Fall
Previously: CHEM 305
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.
Every other Interim
Previously: CHEM 351
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. Additional fees may apply.
Permission of the Instructor
Every Fall and Spring
Previously: CHEM 395
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.
Permission of the Instructor
Every Falll, Interim, and Spring
Previously: CHEM 399
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.
Every other Fall, even years
Previously: CHEM 331
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.
Every Spring, even years
Previously: CHEM 341
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.
Every other Fall, odd years
Previously: CHEM 311
This course explores advanced topics in physical chemistry through the lens of materials chemistry and surface science. Materials chemistry focuses on the design, synthesis, and characterization of macromolecular compounds with unique properties. Topics in this course include crystal growth and nucleation, crystal structure, crystallography, surface chemistry, physisorption and chemisorption, photochemistry, band theory, nanomaterials, 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 with ACS journal styles.
Every other Spring, odd years
Previously: CHEM 381
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.
Every Spring
Previously: CHEM 330