Course Descriptions
(Note: + = A lecture course having an associated laboratory)
101N-102N. College Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 2 hours; 4 credits each semester. Prerequisite: knowledge of basic algebra is required for 101N. 101N is prerequisite to 102N. A foundation in the principles of inorganic and organic chemistry is provided and then applied to introductory biochemistry.
103. Introductory Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: knowledge of basic algebra. An introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the basic principles of chemistry.
115N-116N. Foundations of Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 2 hours; recitation 1 hour; 4 credits each semester. Prerequisites: MATH 102M for CHEM 115N and CHEM 115N for CHEM 116N. High school chemistry, CHEM 101N, or CHEM 103 is strongly recommended. This two-course series, designed for science majors, rigorously prepares the student for subsequent studies in molecular science and constitutes the foundation for all upper-level chemistry courses. Topics include the descriptive chemistry of selected elements, modern atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, equilibria and kinetics. A student receiving credit for CHEM 115N-116N cannot receive additional credit for CHEM 101N or CHEM 103.
117. Principles of Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; recitation 1 hour; 3 credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 115N. Content identical to CHEM 116N but includes no laboratory. Normally taken only by engineering majors. Does not satisfy General Education Natural Science perspective requirement.
126N-127N. Honors: Foundations of Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 3 hours; 4 credits each semester. Prerequisite: one year high school chemistry; MATH 102M for CHEM 126N and CHEM 126N for CHEM 127N. Open only to students in the Honors College. Special honors sections of CHEM 115N-116N.
195. Selected Topics. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: permission of the chief departmental advisor or chair of the department. Selected laboratory or lecture topics designed for students who need to supplement a transfer course to fulfill a course requirement.
+311-313. Organic Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits each semester. Prerequisite: CHEM 116N or 127N for CHEM 311; CHEM 311 for CHEM 313. Chemistry of carbon compounds with in-depth treatments of reaction mechanisms, modern spectral techniques, and new synthetic methods to meet the needs of chemistry and biochemistry majors.
312-314. Organic Chemistry Laboratory. Laboratory 4 hours; 2 credits each semester. Pre- or corequisites: CHEM 311 for CHEM 312; CHEM 313 for CHEM 314. Prerequisite: CHEM 312 for CHEM 314. Experience is offered in synthetic, separation, and analytical methods of organic chemistry. Modern synthetic and spectroscopic techniques are introduced.
+321. Analytical Chemistry Lecture. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Pre- or corequisite: MATH 200 or 211. Prerequisite: CHEM 116N or 127N. A study of the fundamental principles of quantitative chemical analysis including the application of principles of equilibria to analytical processes. Emphasis is given to gravimetric and titrimetric methods as well as consideration of electrical, optical, and other methods of chemical analysis.
322. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory. Laboratory 4 hours; 2 credits each semester. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 321 or permission of the instructor. Statistical principles or measurements and error analysis are integrated with experiments designed to evaluate and refine techniques of fundamental measurements to a level of analytical competency. These techniques are applied to the analysis of samples using gravimetric, titrimetric, electrical and optical methods.
+331-333. Physical Chemistry Lecture. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits each semester. Pre- or corequisite: MATH 312 for CHEM 331. Prerequisites: CHEM 321, PHYS 231N-232N, MATH 312 for CHEM 331; CHEM 331 for CHEM 333. Chemical thermodynamics of pure substances and solutions, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, quantum chemistry, molecular structure, and statistical thermodynamics.
332W-334. Experimental Physical Chemistry. Laboratory 4 hours; 2 credits each semester. Pre- or corequisite: CHEM 331 for CHEM 332W; CHEM 333 for CHEM 334. Prerequisite: CHEM 322 for CHEM 332W; CHEM 332W for CHEM 334. Physical chemical techniques are applied to studies on thermodynamics, solution phenomena, gases, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, and spectroscopy. Statistical analysis and computer treatment of data are stressed. Skills in report writing and library skills are developed.
367. Cooperative Education. 1-3 credits (may be repeated for credit). Prerequisite: approval by the department and Cooperative Education/Career Management in accordance with the policy for granting credit for Cooperative Education programs. Student participation for credit is based on the academic relevance of the work experience, criteria, and evaluative procedures as formally determined by the department and the Cooperative Education program prior to the semester in which the work experience is to take place. Available for pass/fail grading only. (qualifies as a CAP experience)
369. Chemistry Practicum. 3 credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 331/332W (Chemistry major) or CHEM 441/442 (Biochemistry major) and the approval of the appropriate departmental coordinator. A student may choose a coop, internship, research, or student teaching experience to gain out-of-class experience related to the major. The department will accept ECI 487 in lieu of CHEM 369. (qualifies as a CAP experience)
415/515. Intermediate Organic Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 311-313. An in-depth treatment of the chemistry of carbon compounds, including reaction mechanisms, spectral techniques, polymerization, pericyclic reactions, and biomolecules.
423/523. Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 6 hours; 5 weeks; 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 333, or permission of instructor. This five-week lecture/laboratory course will cover the theory, application and use of modern instrumental atomic and molecular spectroscopic methods for qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis.
424/524. Electrochemical Methods of Analysis. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 6 hours; 5 weeks; 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 333, or permission of instructor. This five-week lecture/laboratory course will cover the theory, application and use of modern electrochemical methods for quantitative chemical analysis, including polarographic and vaoltammetric methods.
425/525. Analytical Separation Methods. Lecture 3 hours; laboratory 6 hours; 5 weeks; 2 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 333, or permission of instructor. This five-week lecture/laboratory course will cover the theory, application and use of analytical separation , including gas and liquid chromatography.
+441/541. Introductory Biochemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Pre- or corequisite: MATH 200 or MATH 211. Prerequisite: CHEM 313. This course is a one-semester survey of the major molecular constituents, bioenergetics, enzymes, nucleic acid structure, and genetic information transfer pathways fundamental to biochemistry.
442W/542-444/544. Biochemistry Laboratory. Laboratory 4 hours; 2 credits. CHEM 441/541 is prerequisite or corequisite to CHEM 442W/542. CHEM 442W/542 is prerequisite to 444/544. CHEM 443/543 is prerequisite or corequisite to 444/544. This laboratory is intended to parallel material presented in Biochemistry Lecture sections. Principles and techniques of biochemical procedures involving amino acids, protein quantification and isolation, carbohydrates, lipids and cholesterol, enzymology, nucleic acids, and common molecular biology techniques for DNA and RNA manipulations will be presented. Skills in report writing and library skills are developed.
+443/543. Intermediate Biochemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 441/541. This course presents an in-depth study of protein structure, folding, and synthesis. The major metabolic pathways will be studied in detail regarding thermodynamics and mechanism of regulation or control of individual enzymes and entire metabolic pathways. Concepts of metabolic disease will be introduced and effects on integrated metabolism will be presented.
449. Environmental Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisites: CHEM 116N, CHEM 313 and CHEM 321 or permission of the instructor. An overview of the natural chemical systems operating in Earth's atmosphere, hydrosphere (natural waters), and terrestrial environment, and the effects that human activities may have on them. Specific topics to be discussed include: origin and evolution of Earth and life, chemistry of the atmosphere (including the ozone layer and greenhouse effect), organic and inorganic components of soil and water, the hydrologic cycle, chemical weathering, chemical speciation and complexation, and micorbial processes in soil and water.
+451/551. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 333. Theoretical aspects of modern inorganic chemistry: bonding theories, stereochemistry, acid-base theories, coordination compounds, organometallic and bioinorganic compounds.
452/552. Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. Laboratory 4 hours; 2 credits. Co- or prerequisite: CHEM 451/551. Synthesis of metal and nonmetal inorganic compounds and organometallic compounds, their characterization by modern physical methods, and a study of their properties.
453/553. Essentials of Toxicology. Lecture 3 hours; 3 credits. Prerequisite: CHEM 313. Fundamental principles of toxicology: dose-response relationship, toxicologic testing, chemical and biological factors influencing toxicity, organ toxicology, carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, teratogenesis.
460/560. Frontiers in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology. Lecture 1 hour; 1 credit. Nanotechnology presents unparalleled opportunities for advances in technology and medicine. Simultaneously, nanotechnology presents new challenges to organisms and to our environment. These undefined risk factors threaten to slow the development of new technologies and novel medical therapies. This course will review: structure, synthesis and properties of key nanomaterials; key applications of nanomaterials in technology and medicine; and impacts of nanomaterials on plant and animal physiology and the environment more generally. This course will be team-taught by faculty members in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Engineering.
485. Chemistry and Biochemistry Seminar. 1 credit. Prerequisite: senior standing. The formal presentation of a chemical or biochemical topic before students and faculty.
495. Selected Topics. 1-3 credits. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
497, 498. Independent Study. Consultation and individual work, 497: 2 hours; 1 credit. 498: 4 hours; 2 credits. Prerequisites: course background appropriate to the proposed study project and approval of the department chair and the faculty/research advisor. An opportunity is afforded students to undertake independent study or an original investigation under the direction of a faculty member.
