Offered by Department of Chemistry
College of Natural and Social Sciences
CHEM Courses
- 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.
- 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 145GS 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 160GS*.
- CHEM 161GS - General Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 160GS* and
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 161GS*.
- CHEM 180 - Accelerated General Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: MATH 103* or Math ACT score of 23 or better; declared
chemistry major OR permission of instructor
A comprehensive course that introduces principles and theories of modern chemistry. The course is designed for students who need a sound
introduction to the discipline of chemistry and serves as a prerequisite for 300- and 400-level chemistry courses. Material covered
is equivalent to that in the two-semester CHEM 160GS-161GS sequence. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding,
chemical reactions, gases, liquids, solids, solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, and acid-base theory. A student should have
high school chemistry and three years of high school algebra/trigonometry/calculus before enrolling in this course. If this is not the case,
the CHEM 160GS-161GS General Chemistry sequence may be more appropriate. For more information, see the CHEM 160GS course description.
Four lectures per week. Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 180L (one lab per week) is required. NOTE: Health Sciences students should work
carefully with the Health Programs office and targeted health program schools to ensure the acceptability of this course for their
professional school or clinical programs.
- CHEM 180L - Accelerated General Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 180.
-
- 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 - 4 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 161GS*,
CHEM 161LGS OR CHEM 180*,
CHEM 180L 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 per week. Counts toward
chemistry minor. Fall only.
- CHEM 250L - Elementary Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 250*.
- CHEM 269 - Sophomore Seminar in Chemistry - 1 hour
- Prereq: CHEM 161GS*, CHEM 161LGS OR CHEM 180*, CHEM 180L
The first of three seminars for chemistry majors. Includes an introduction to chemical safety and hygiene, research opportunities in the department,
possible careers in chemistry, and an introduction to scientific literature resources. One hour per week. Fall 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 or 4 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 250*, CHEM 250L OR
CHEM 360*, 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. Fall of even-numbered years.
- CHEM 301 - Analytical Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 161GS*, CHEM 161LGS
OR CHEM 180*, CHEM 180L OR equivalent
This will provide a short, engaging elementary introduction to modern analytical chemistry
for students whose primary interests lie inside or outside of chemistry. The laboratory experiments in the accompanying laboratory
(CHEM 301L) are designed to give students hands-on experience in the use of modern instruments, with
emphasis on environmental and pharmaceutical samples. Three lectures per week. Fall and Spring.
- CHEM 301L - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 301.
- CHEM 351 - Biochemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in either CHEM 250*, CHEM 250L
OR CHEM 360*,
CHEM 360L
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 per week; must be taken concurrently with CHEM 351L. Offered Fall and Spring semesters.
- CHEM 351L - Biochemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 351.
- CHEM 352 - Biochemistry II - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 351*, CHEM 351L
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 per week. Spring only.
- CHEM 352L - Biochemistry II Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 352.
- CHEM 360 - Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 161GS* and
CHEM 161LGS 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* and CHEM 360L
A continuation of CHEM 360*. Four lectures per week. Spring only.
- CHEM 361L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 361*.
- CHEM 369 - Junior Seminar in Chemistry - 1 hour
- Prereq or Coreq: CHEM 269*
The second of three seminars for chemistry majors including an introduction to analysis of scientific journals using both written
and oral formats and discussion of research and scientific ethics. One hour per week. Fall only.
- CHEM 399 - Chemistry Apprenticeship - 1-4 hours
- 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 - Inorganic Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 161GS*, CHEM 161LGS OR
CHEM 180*, CHEM 180L;
MATH 202*;
PHYS 205GS* or PHYS 275GS
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 per week. Fall only.
- CHEM 430L - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 430.
- 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 440 - Materials Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 430*, CHEM 430L,
CHEM 480*, CHEM 480L OR permission of instructor
A study of solid-state compounds and the relationships between overall physical properties and atomic-or molecular-level structure.
Topics may include crystalline and amorphous solid structures, metals, semiconductors, polymers, nanomaterials, and characterization
techniques. Spring of even-numbered years.
- CHEM 451 - Advanced Biochemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 352*, CHEM 480*, CHEM 480L
This course covers the basic principles of intermediary metabolism and the application of
biochemical principles of living systems. Three lectures per week. Fall of odd-numbered years.
- CHEM 461 - Qualitative Organic Analysis - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 361*, CHEM 361L
A study of classical and spectroscopic techniques used in the identifications of organic compounds including the application of
NMR, FTIR, UV/Vis, and mass spectroscopy. Three lectures per week. Spring of even-numbered years.
- CHEM 461L - Qualitative Organic Analysis Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 461.
- CHEM 469 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry - 1 hour
- Prereq: CHEM 480*, CHEM 480L, CHEM 369*
The third of three semesters in chemistry including a critical examination and discussion of recent accomplishments of chemical
investigations, career preparation with respect to resumes, interviewing techniques, and professional exam preparation. One hour per
week. Fall only.
- CHEM 470 - Advanced Organic Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 361*, CHEM 361L, CHEM 480*, CHEM 480L
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, odd-numbered years.
- CHEM 475 - Instrumental Analysis - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 301*, CHEM 301L, CHEM 480*, CHEM 480L OR permission of instructor
The study of modern methods of analysis using chemical instrumentation. Three lectures per week. Spring of odd-numbered years.
- CHEM 475L - Instrumental Analysis Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 475.
- CHEM 480 - Physical Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 161GS*, CHEM 161LGS OR
CHEM 180*, CHEM 180L;
MATH 202*;
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 per week.
Fall only.
- CHEM 480L - Physical Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 480.
- CHEM 481 - Physical Chemistry II - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 480*, CHEM 480L
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 per week. Spring only.
- CHEM 481L - Physical Chemistry II Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 481.
- 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 499L - Problems in Chemistry - 1-3 hours
- Prereq: elementary courses necessary for the problems to be undertaken, 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.
