CHEM Courses
Offered by Department of Chemistry
College of Natural and Social Sciences
- CHEM 131 - The Science of Food - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
The course emphasizes general scientific concepts in biology, chemistry, and physics using
food as a model. Students will learn what food is from both chemical and nutritional
perspectives, and the fate of food from when it leaves the farm to when it becomes a part
of the individual. The course should assist students in making intelligent decisions about
many food related controversial issues (e.g., food irradiation, food additives, dieting
and health foods).
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- CHEM 145GS - Introductory Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: none
Introductory course in the fundamental laws and principles of chemistry including a study
of the properties of elements and their compounds. Three lectures, one laboratory each
week. Credit for this course may be obtained by examination.
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- CHEM 150GS - Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: none
An introduction to fundamental concepts of chemistry with special attention to organic and
biological chemistry. Applications of chemistry concepts in materials, energy use,
nutrition, health, drugs, and toxic substances are emphasized. Not applicable to a major
or minor in chemistry. Three lectures, one lab per week. Spring only.
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- CHEM 160GS - General Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: MATH 102
or Math ACT score of 20 or better
or permission of instructor.
The first semester of a comprehensive year course in chemistry that includes the
principles and theories of modern chemistry. This course is designed for students who need
a sound introduction to the discipline of chemistry, and it is the prerequisite for
advanced chemistry courses. A student should have high school chemistry and/or two years
of high school algebra before enrolling in this course. If this is not the case, take
CHEM 145 and MATH 101
or MATH 102 to prepare for chemistry at this
level. Three lectures each week. Credit for this course may be obtained by examination.
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- CHEM 160LGS - General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 160.
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- CHEM 161GS - General Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 160GS,
CHEM 160LGS or advanced placement
Second semester of the comprehensive year course in chemistry. Three lectures each week.
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- CHEM 161LGS - General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 161.
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- CHEM 209 - Careers in Chemistry - 1 hour
- Prereq: CHEM 160GS
An overview of the different career and job opportunities available in chemistry and
related areas. Uses materials from the American Chemical Society. Credit may not be
applied to a Chemistry major or endorsement. Concurrent enrollment in
CHEM 160GS is acceptable with permission from the
department.
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- CHEM 250 - Elementary Organic Chemistry - 5 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 161GS* or
equivalent
A survey of the field of organic chemistry designed primarily for students who do not
expect to become chemists or chemical engineers. Covers the same topics as
CHEM 360GS* and
CHEM 361GS*, but less
rigorously. Four lectures, one lab per week. Counts toward chemistry minor.
Fall only.
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- CHEM 251 - Essentials of Biochemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 250*
An introduction to the structure, function and metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates,
nucleotides, lipids, and other biologically important compounds. This course covers the
same topics as CHEM 351 but less rigorously. Spring only.
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- CHEM 280HGS - Special Topics - 3 hours
- Prereq: none
A General Studies course for Honors students. Interdisciplinary course that examines the
connections between disciplines.
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- CHEM 300 - Environmental Chemistry - 3 hours or 4 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 250*; or
CHEM 360* and
CHEM 360L*
A study of the fate of chemicals in the air, water, and soil, and their impact on human
health and the natural environment. Topics will include water pollution and water
treatment, greenhouse gases and ozone-layer destruction, sources and management of
hazardous wastes, and environmental toxicology of specific industrial and agricultural
chemicals.
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- CHEM 301 - Techniques of Chemical Analysis - 4 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 161GS*,
CHEM 161L*
This will provide a short, engaging elementary introduction to modern analytical chemistry
for students whose primary interests lie outside of chemistry. The laboratory experiments
are designed to give students hands-on experience in the use of modern instruments, with
emphasis on environmental and pharmaceutical samples. Two lectures, two labs per week.
Spring only.
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- CHEM 351 - Biochemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: "C" Grade in CHEM 161GS* and CHEM 161L*; AND either CHEM 250* or CHEM 361GS* and CHEM 361L*
A study of the structure and function of the fundamental biomolecules including proteins,
nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids and vitamins. The course concludes with the chemistry and
regulation of the metabolic pathways glycolysis, the citric acid cycle and oxidative
phosphorylation. Three lectures, one lab per week. Offered Fall and Spring semesters.
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- CHEM 352 - Biochemistry II - 4 hours
- Prereq: C Grade in CHEM 351*
This course is a continuation of CHEM 351 and begins with discussion of
additional topics in metabolism such as carbohydrate biosynthesis in plants and bacteria as well
as hormonal regulation of metabolism. Our discussion then turns to the biochemistry of
biological information pathways. Three lectures, one lab per week. Spring only.
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- CHEM 360 - Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: C Grade in CHEM 161GS*,
CHEM 161L* or equivalent
Taken primarily by chemistry majors and pre-professional students. The foundation for
understanding organic reactions is established with considerable emphasis being placed
upon bonding, stereochemistry, kinetics, and reaction mechanisms. The chemistry of the
alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds is considered with a primary objective of
understanding how these reactions occur. Four lectures per week. Fall only.
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- CHEM 360L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 360.
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- CHEM 361 - Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: C Grade in CHEM 360*,
CHEM 360L*
A continuation of CHEM 360*.
Four lectures, one lab per week. Spring only.
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- CHEM 361L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 361.
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- CHEM 399 - Chemistry Apprenticeship - 1 hour
- Prereq: none
The chemistry apprenticeship program is meant to provide meaningful experiences such as
teaching and preparation of demonstrations. The apprentice will work mainly with one
member of the department whose permission must be obtained before registration.
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- CHEM 430/830P - Inorganic Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 480*
A study of the underlying principles behind the structural and spectroscopic properties of
inorganic compounds. Lecture topics include symmetry, molecular orbital theory,
solid-state structures, transition metal chemistry, and organometallics. The laboratory
will focus on preparation and characterization methods for inorganic compounds. Three
lectures, one lab per week. Spring only.
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- CHEM 435 - Special Topics in Chemistry - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: permission of instructor
Topics are studied which are not covered in other courses offered by the department. The
format will vary depending upon the nature of the topic and the instructor but will
typically be a seminar/discussion format with lab work included as appropriate.
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- CHEM 451/851P - Advanced Biochemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 352*,
CHEM 480*
This course covers the basic principles of intermediary metabolism and the application of
biochemical principles of living systems. Three lectures per week. Spring of odd-numbered years.
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- CHEM 469 - Chemistry Seminar - 1 hour
- Prereq: CHEM 250*, or
CHEM 361 and
CHEM 361L
A study of topics in a more detailed manner than offered in formal courses
with a critical examination and discussion of recent accomplishments of
chemical investigations. One hour per week. Fall only.
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- CHEM 470/870P - Advanced Organic Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 361*,
CHEM 480*
This course will cover advanced theoretical aspects of organic chemistry. Areas of
emphasis will be bonding, spectroscopy, synthesis, and mechanism. Three lectures per week,
Spring only, even-numbered years.
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- CHEM 475/875P - Instrumental Analysis - 5 hours
- Prereq:
CHEM 480* or
permission of instructor
The study of modern methods of analysis using chemical instrumentation. Four lectures, one
lab per week. Spring only, even-numbered years.
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- CHEM 480/880P - Physical Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: MATH 202; and PHYS 205GS
or PHYS 275GS
The first semester of a two semester sequence covering the physical basis of chemistry
including topics of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, elementary thermodynamics, phase
transitions, solutions, and kinetics. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Fall only.
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- CHEM 481/881P - Physical Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 480*
The second semester of a two semester sequence covering the physical basis of chemistry
including topics of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, elementary thermodynamics, phase
transitions, solutions, and kinetics. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Spring only.
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- CHEM 489 - Internship in Chemistry - 1- 15 hours
- Prereq: permission of the department
This course will be taken in the last two years of the chemistry major and will emphasize
professional development of the individual student.
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- CHEM 499/899P - Problems in Chemistry - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: Elementary courses necessary for the problems to be undertaken, and permission
of instructor
Independent investigations of chemistry problems. Three hours of laboratory work each week
for each hour credit.
* This course is the immediate prerequisite. Other preparation is
required prior to this immediate prerequisite.
