Offered by Department of Chemistry
College of Natural and Social Sciences
CHEM Courses
- 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. Cred
it 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 102GS* OR Math ACT score of 20 or better OR permission of instructor
Take concurrently with CHEM 160LGS. 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 102GS
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
Take concurrently with CHEM 161LGS. 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 188GS - General Studies Portal - 3 hours
- Prereq: freshman or sophomore standing
Students analyze critical issues confronting individuals and society in a global context as they pertain to the discipline in
which the Portal course is taught. The Portal is intended to help students succeed in their university education by being
mentored in process of thinking critically about important ideas and articulating their own conclusions. Students may take the
Portal in any discipline, irrespective of their major or minor. Satisfies the General Studies Portal course requirement. Students
may take their Portal course in any discipline. Students who transfer 24 or more hours of General Studies credit to UNK are
exempt from taking a portal course.
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- CHEM 250 - Elementary Organic Chemistry - 4 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 161GS* and CHEM 161LGS OR equivalent
Take concurrently with CHEM 250L. 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 360
and CHEM 361, 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* and CHEM 161LGS
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.
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- CHEM 300 - Environmental Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 161*
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. Spring of odd-numbered years.
- CHEM 301 - Analytical Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 161GS* and CHEM 161LGS OR equivalent
Take concurrently with CHEM 301L. 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. Spring only.
- CHEM 301L - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 301
- CHEM 351 - Biochemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in either CHEM 250* and CHEM 250L OR CHEM 360* and CHEM 360L
Must be taken concurrently with CHEM 351L. 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.
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* and CHEM 351L
Take concurrently with CHEM 352L. 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
Take concurrently with CHEM 360L. 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
Take concurrently with CHEM 361L. 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 388GS - General Studies Capstone - 3 hours
- Prereq: open to juniors and seniors or to students within 6 hours of completion of their General Studies program
An interdisciplinary experience where students apply the knowledge, cognitive abilities, and communication skills they have
gained from General Studies in designing and completing an original project or paper. Students employ methods and interpretive
means of two or more disciplines to integrate knowledge and synthesize their results. Satisfies the General Studies capstone
course requirement. Students may take their Capstone course in any discipline.
- CHEM 388LGS - General Studies Capstone Lab - 1 hour
- Take concurrently with CHEM 388GS
When offered concurrently with a CHEM 388GS capstone of the same title, the laboratory CHEM 388LGS must
be taken.
- 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* and CHEM 161LGS AND MATH 202* AND either PHYS 205GS* and PHYS 205LGS OR PHYS 275GS* and PHYS 275LGS
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 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* and CHEM 480* 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* and CHEM 352L and CHEM 480*
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* and 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 469 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry - 1 hour
- Prereq: CHEM 480* and 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* and CHEM 361L and 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, odd-numbered years.
- CHEM 475 - Instrumental Analysis - 3 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 301* and CHEM 301L and CHEM 480* OR permission of instructor
The study of modern methods of analysis using chemical instrumentation. Three lectures per week. Fall of even-numbered years.
- CHEM 480 - Physical Chemistry - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in CHEM 301* and CHEM 301L AND MATH 115* AND PHYS 275GS* and PHYS 275LGS
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 481 - Physical Chemistry II - 3 hours
- Prereq: C grade in 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 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 490L - Advanced Chemistry Laboratory I - 2 hours
- Prereq or Coreq: CHEM 430* and CHEM 475* and CHEM 480*
The first semester of a full year interdisciplinary chemistry lab covering techniques from inorganic, physical, instrumental,
advanced organic, and materials chemistry focusing on larger projects including synthesis of many types of materials, measurement
of physical properties, and understanding and application of modern instrumentation and spectroscopic methods.
- CHEM 491L - Advanced Chemistry Laboratory II - 2 hours
- Prereq: CHEM 490L*
The second semester of a full year interdisciplinary chemistry lab covering techniques from inorganic, physical, instrumental,
advanced organic, and materials chemistry focusing on larger projects including synthesis of many types of materials, measurement
of physical properties, and understanding and application of modern instrumentation and spectroscopic methods.
- CHEM 499L - 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.
