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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).
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
CHEM 160LGS - General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
Take concurrently with CHEM 160.
 
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.
 
CHEM 161LGS - General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
Take concurrently with CHEM 161.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
CHEM 280HGS - Special Topics - 3 hours
Prereq: none
A General Studies course for Honors students. Interdisciplinary course that examines the connections between disciplines.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
CHEM 360L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
Take concurrently with CHEM 360.
 
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.
 
CHEM 361L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
Take concurrently with CHEM 361.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.

12 Sep 2008

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