Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required courses:
BCMB 421 Biochemistry I

The study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include the applications of pH & buffers, amino acid chemistry, protein structure & function, the thermodynamics of protein folding, protein purification & analysis, ligand binding, enzyme mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. Prerequisites: CHM 214 and 216. 3 credits.

CHM 111 Principles of Chemistry I

An introduction to chemistry for the science major. First semester topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and calculations involving chemical concentrations, gas laws and bonding. Fulfills requirement: Natural Science Analysis. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: CHM 113 or 115, if not previously completed. 3 credits.

CHM 112 Principles of Chemistry II

A continuation of first semester. Topics include kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electro-chemistry and nuclear chemistry. Fulfills requirement: Natural Science Analysis. Prerequisite: CHM 111. Corequisite: CHM 114 or 116, if not previously completed. 3 credits.

CHM 115 Techniques of Chemistry I

Extended projects involving the synthesis of inorganic and organic compounds that require the development of procedure from published literature methods. The prepared compounds are then analyzed using quantitative analytical techniques, as well as introductory spectroscopic techniques. In addition to the use of essential laboratory equipment, students are exposed to advanced spectroscopic methods; there is an additional emphasis on the use of computers in the laboratory. Restricted to chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, and environmental science majors. Fulfills requirement: Oral Communication. Corequisite: CHM 111, if not previously completed. 1 credit.

CHM 116 Techniques of Chemistry II

Second semester of extended projects, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of compounds. In addition to the use of essential laboratory equipment, students are exposed to advanced spectroscopic methods; there is an additional emphasis on the use of computers in the laboratory. Projects are modeled after real-world career paths such as academic research, industrial product development, government regulation, or forensic science. Fulfills requirement: Oral Communication. Prerequisite: CHM 111 and 115; restricted to majors in chemistry or biochemistry and molecular biology. Corequisite: CHM 112, if not previously completed. 1 credit.

CHM 213 Organic Chemistry I

An introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. Prerequisite: CHM 112. Corequisite: CHM 215. 3 credits.

CHM 214 Organic Chemistry II

Second semester of an introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. Prerequisite: CHM 213. 3 credits.

CHM 215 Organic Laboratory I

An introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisite: CHM 112/114 or 112/116. Corequisite: CHM 213. 1 credit.

CHM 216 Organic Laboratory II

Second semester of an introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 214. 1 credit.

CHM 224 Analytical Chemistry

Topics for this course include statistical methods; activity and activity coefficients; chemical equilibria involving complex systems; volumetric analyses including acid/base, precipitation, redox, and complexometric titrations; principles of electrochemistry, potentiometry, electrogravimetry, coulometry, and voltammetry. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.

CHM 226 Quantitative Analysis Lab

Volumetric, spectrophotometric, and electrochemical methods are applied to the analysis of unknowns. Take CHM 224. 1 credit.

CHM 306 Instrumental Analysis

Basic types of chemical instrumentation and their applications in analytical chemistry are examined. These include gas and liquid chromatography; infrared, UV-VIS, fluorescence, atomic absorption, and plasma emission spectrophotometry; nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisites: CHM 112. 3 credits.

CHM 308 Instrumental Analysis Lab

Chemical instrumentation is utilized in method development, unknown determinations, and chemical analysis. Fulfills requirement: Oral Communication. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 306. 1 credit.

CHM 310 Inorganic Chemistry

This course involves the application of elementary principles of chemistry to provide a basis for understanding the physical and chemical properties of the elements. Topics include atomic structure and periodicity, molecular structure and bonding theories, acid-based chemistry, solvents and precipitation reactions, transition elements and coordination chemistry, the structures of solids, and symmetry & group theory. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.

CHM 311 Physical Chemistry I

The study of chemical systems from an atomic and molecular perspective. Thermodynamic laws and functions applied to mechanical, thermal, and material equilibrium in gases, liquids, and solids. Also included are electrochemical systems, as well as kinetic and transport processes occurring in gases, in solutions, and at solid surfaces. Prerequisites: CHM 112; MAS 161; and PHY 104 or PHY 112. 3 credits.

CHM 312 Physical Chemistry II

A continuation of the study of chemical systems from an atomic and molecular perspective. Basic concepts of quantum chemistry applied to atomic and molecular structure. Also included are statistical mechanics and spectroscopy. Prerequisite: CHM 311. 3 credits.

CHM 320 Inorganic Laboratory

Students will be exposed to a number of advanced synthetic and characterization methods including inert atmosphere manipulations, high vacuum and temperature dehydrations, mixed solvent growth and recrystallizations, modern spectroscopic techniques and photochemical transformations. Take CHM 310. 1 credit.

CHM 321 Physical Laboratory I

Experimental study of the principles of physical chemistry, focusing on phase and reaction equilibrium, transport properties, and chemical kinetics. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 311. 1 credit.

CHM 322 Physical Laboratory II

A continuation of the experimental study of the principles of physical chemistry, focusing on the use of spectroscopy and computational methods. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 312. 1 credit.

MAS 161 Calculus I

A calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and applications. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: MAS 102 at LVC, or satisfactory score on the math readiness test. This test is administered during New Student Advising Days for incoming students or can be taken by arrangement with the math department (717-867-6080). 3 credits.

MAS 162 Calculus II

Second semester of a calculus sequence covering functions, limits, differentiation, integration and infinite series. Fulfills requirement: Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: MAS 161. 3 credits.

PHY 111 Principles of Physics I

This course provides a rigorous, calculus-based introduction to topics in classical mechanics such as translational motion, Newton's laws, energy, momentum, rotational motion, statics, fluids, oscillations, waves, and sound. In addition to the lecture component, weekly laboratory work will be conducted in each area. Fulfills requirement: Natural Science Analysis,Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite or corequisite: MAS 111 or 161. Corequisite: PHY 111L. 4 credits.

PHY 112 Principles of Physics II

Second semester of Principles of Physics. This course provides a rigorous, calculus-based introduction to the concepts and laws encountered in the following branches of physics: thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, and optics. In addition to the lecture component, weekly laboratory work will be conducted in each area. Fulfills requirement: Natural Science Analysis,Quantitative Reasoning. Prerequisite: PHY 111/L and MAS 111 or 161. Corequisite: PHY 112L. Prerequisite or corequisite: MAS 112 or 162. 4 credits.

Three credits from:
BCMB 422 Biochemistry II

The continued study of biomolecules, with an emphasis on the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Topics covered included carbohydrate chemistry, coenzyme mechanisms, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, lipid chemistry, membranes and an introduction to amino acid metabolism. Overall, intermediary metabolism, its energetics, and its metabolic control is viewed from an integrated perspective. Prerequisites: CHM 214 and 216. 3 credits.

CHM 302 Environmental Chemistry

In this course, reactions occurring in atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial systems will be examined, with consideration given to chemical transformations involving both natural substances and pollutants. Time will also be devoted to current issues of relevance, such as climate change, alternative energy sources, green chemistry and sustainability. Prerequisite: CHM 213. 3 credits.

CHM 412 Advanced Physical Chemistry

In-depth treatment of the experimental and theoretical aspects of chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics. Reactions occurring in the gas phase, in the solution phase, and at solid surfaces will be discussed, with examples being drawn from catalysis, environmental/atmospheric chemistry, and astrochemistry. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 312 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

CHM 414 Advanced Organic Chemistry

A study of advanced topics in the field of organic and polymer chemistry. The course covers mechanistic and synthetic chemistry with an emphasis on current and classical organic chemical literature. The course also describes the synthesis and characterization of polymers along with their structural/property relationships. Prerequisites: CHM 214. 3 credits.

CHM 490

Four credits over two semesters:
CHM 550 Advanced Research

Advanced Research in Chemistry. Fulfills requirement: Immersive Experience. This course may be repeated for credit as topic changes. Requires completion of independent activity form to register. 1-3 credits.

The following courses are recommended but not required:
MAS 261 Calculus III

Multivariate calculus including partial differentiation, multiple integration, vector fields and vector functions. Prerequisites: MAS 112 or MAS 162. 3 credits.

MAS 266 Differential Equations

An introduction to ordinary differential equations. Prerequisites: MAS 261. 3 credits.