Chemistry Courses

CHEM 100G: Chemistry of the Environment

1 course credit

A survey of chemistry with a focus on environmental issues. Chemical principles, both qualitative and quantitative, will be applied to environmental topics such as water and air pollution, global warming, recycling, and alternative fuel sources.

CHEM 101G: Nutrition & Food Chemistry

1 course credit

This course will examine field of nutrition from a chemical perspective. Both descriptive and quantitative aspects of nutrition as a science will be addressed. An emphasis will be placed on examining and questioning the nutritional information presented in the media. Issues facing society including food safety, the use of supplements, and biotechnology will also be addressed. The laboratory will include the extraction and examination of the composition of food.

CHEM 102G: Forensic Science

1 course credit

This course will provide the student with an understanding of the science and legality involved in analyzing crime scenes. Specific aspects of forensic science involving the examination of physical, chemical, and biological items of evidence will be explored. Concepts of chemistry will be mastered in the classroom while the lab portion will consist of the forensic analysis of substances. By understanding the limitations of data, students will gain quantitative reasoning skills. Since forensic scientists need to have an understanding of the legal system to ensure that their actions and results are within the rules of law and are admissible in the courts, we will discuss the science in relation to famous case studies.

CHEM 140G: General Chemistry

1 course credit

A general study of the properties, structure, and bonding of elements and compounds. Chemical calculations and an introduction to chemical thermodynamics are included. The course also includes a 3-hour laboratory session each week.

*Online* CHEM 140G: General Chemistry

1 course credit

Under special curcumstances, in this case the outbreak of the coronavirus, an online version of General Chemistry is being developed. In this course we will present a general study of the properties, structure, and bonding of elements and compounds. Chemical calculations and an introduction to chemical thermodynamics are included. Although this course usually is accompanied by a 3-hour, in-person laboratory session each week, this is not possible in the online version of the course.

CHEM 220: Introductory Analytical Chemistry

1 course credit

An introduction to data analysis, quantitative principles of chemical equilibrium, and quantitative analysis. The course also includes a 4-hour laboratory session each week that emphasizes precision and accuracy in the laboratory, scientific writing and data analysis.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 140.

CHEM 228: Organic Chemistry I

1 course credit

A study of organic chemistry including the structure and reactions of some biologically important molecules. A focus on how structure affects the properties of organic molecules. This course includes a 3-hour laboratory session each week.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 220 or in (CHEM 140 and consent of instructor).

CHEM 230: Organic Chemistry II

1 course credit

A study of the structure and reactivity of organic molecules, including kinetics and reaction mechanisms. This course also includes a 4-hour laboratory session each week.

Prerequisite: A grace of C- or better in CHEM 228.

CHEM 250: Special Topics

0.25-1 course credit

CHEM 270: Inorganic Chemistry

1 course credit

An introduction to inorganic chemistry topics including atomic structure, ionic, covalent, and metallic substances, acids and bases, coordination compounds, and descriptive chemistry of the elements. Students will use electronic structure, modern bonding theories, and models to systematically understand the properties of inorganic substances. This course includes 1 3-hour laboratory per week.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 140 and sophomore standing or permission of the instructor.

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CHEM 290: Academic Travel Course

0.25 course credit

An academic travel course in which chemistry/science topics are studied at various locations inside and outside of the US. Usually offered during the January and/or May terms, this course includes both on-campus meetings and on-site lectures. May be repeated for credit with different topics.

Previous Trips: - January 2018: Immersive Experience on Andros Island, Bahamas.

Prerequisites: none

CHEM 312: Physical Chemistry I

1 course credit

A study of classical chemical thermodynamics and kinetics. Includes a four-hour laboratory each week which emphasizes modern physical and biophysical chemistry methods.

Prerequisites: CHEM 220, MATH 152 and PHYS 132.

CHEM 322: Physical Chemistry II

1 course credit

A study of quantum mechanics and basic/computation chemistry. Includes a four-hour laboratory each week which emphasizes spectroscopy and related computational approaches to chemical systems.

Prerequisites: CHEM 220, MATH 152 and PHYS 132.

*Online* CHEM 322: Physical Chemistry II

1 course credit

Under special curcumstances, in this case the outbreak of the coronavirus, an online version of an online version of this course is being developed. In this course we will present a study of quantum mechanics and basic/computation chemistry. Although this course usually is accompanied by a 4-hour, in-person laboratory session each week, this is not possible in the online version of the course. Lab aspects (data analysis and computational chemistry) will be integrated into the lecture material.

Prerequisites: CHEM 220, MATH 152 and PHYS 132.

CHEM 325: Integrated Laboratory

0.5 course credit

Laboratory projects employing techniques from all areas of chemistry, but emphasizing synthesis and instrumental techniques. Scientific writing and presentation methods are addressed.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 220 and CHEM 230. Co-requisite: CHEM 340.

CHEM 340: Instrumental Analysis

1 course credit

A study of the principles and practice of modern instrumental methods of analysis and of chemical instrumentation. Spectroscopic, chromatographic and surface analysis techniques are emphasized.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 220 and CHEM 230. Co-requisite: CHEM 325.

CHEM 350: Science Seminar

Required, but no credit

An introduction to the literature of the physical and biological sciences providing the student with the opportunity to prepare and present oral reports. Required of juniors and seniors majoring in chemistry; students enrolled in CHEM 430 must also enroll in CHEM 350. A non-credit bearing requirement.

CHEM 362: Advanced Physical Chemistry

0.5 or 1 course credit

A study of current topics in physical chemistry which extend the application or depth resented in Physical Chemistry I/II. Topics including statistical mechanics, reaction dynamics, theoretical/computational approaches, and in-depth use of peer-review literature.

Prerequisite: Current or prior enrollment in CHEM 322. Offered occasionally.

CHEM 370: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

0.5 or 1 course credit

A study of the structure, bonding, stability, and reactivity of coordination complexes, including organometallic compounds. The chemistry of other selected inorganic systems is also discussed. Offered occasionally.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 230.

CHEM 380: Advanced Organic Chemistry

0.5 or 1 course credit

An advanced and, where possible, quantitative study of the relationship between the structure of organic species and their stability and reactivity.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 230. Offered occasionally.

BIOC 330: Biochemistry

1 course credit

Structure and function of biologically important molecules and their role(s) in life processes. Protein conformation, enzymatic mechanisms, nucleic acid conformation, and special topics will be analyzed. Prior completion of BIOL 150 is highly recommended. The 4-hour laboratory emphasizes spectrophotometry, enzyme purification and kinetics. Students will also complete a project using a variety of molecular biology and biochemical techniques.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in CHEM 220 and 230.

BIOC 390: Advanced Biochemistry

1 course credit

A study of advanced topics in biochemistry including metabolism, information processing, biochemical aspects of disease, and current biochemical findings.

Prerequisite: A grade of C- or better in BIOC 330.

CHEM 420: Independent Study

0.25 or 0.5 course credit

A laboratory, library, or fieldwork topic of special interest to the student pursued under the supervision of a faculty member. The project may be performed off campus. A substantial written report, as described in the course syllabus, is required in the final semester of research.

CHEM 430 Research

0.25 or 0.5 course credit

An original laboratory project chosen in consultation with the chemistry faculty. The project may be performed off campus. A substantial written report, as described in the course syllabus, is required in the final semester of research.