Required courses:
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. |
| 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. |
One of the following sequences:
CHM 113 Introductory Laboratory I| Laboratory course to accompany CHM 111.
Experiments provide exposure to both quantitative
and qualitative methods. Topics include
stoichiometry, synthesis, standard curves,
spectrophotometry, quantitative analysis, and gas
laws. In addition to the use of essential
laboratory equipment and instrumentation, there is
a strong emphasis on the use spreadsheets to
organize and analyze data. Corequisite: CHM 111, if not previously completed. 1 credit. |
| Second semester laboratory course to accompany CHM
112. Experiments cover colligative properties,
isolation & extraction methods, thin layer
chromatography, thermodynamics, kinetics,
equilibrium, and electrochemistry. In addition to
the use of essential laboratory equipment and
instrumentation, there is a strong emphasis on the
use spreadsheets to organize and analyze data. Prerequisite: CHM 111 and 113.
Corequisite: CHM 112, if not previously completed. 1 credit. |
or
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. |
| 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. |
Advanced coursework 12 credit hours of lecture courses selected from the following list of courses (3 credit each):
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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| A study of bonding theories, molecular structure,
group theory, spectroscopy and reaction
mechanisms with special emphasis on transition
metal complexes, organometallic chemistry, and
catalysis. Prerequisite: CHM 312. 3 credits. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
Advanced Laboratory 3 credit hours of laboratory courses selected from chemistry or biochemistry courses numbered 200 or higher (1 credit each):
BCMB 430 Biochemistry Laboratory| Investigations of the properties and functions of
biomolecules. Methods include chromatography,
spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, and various
instrumental methods. Prerequisites: CHM 214 and 216. 1 credit. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| Volumetric, spectrophotometric, and
electrochemical methods are applied to the
analysis of unknowns. Take CHM 224. 1 credit. |
| Chemical instrumentation is utilized in method
development, unknown determinations, and chemical
analysis. Fulfills requirement: Oral Communication. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 306. 1 credit. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
*Students pursuing a minor in chemistry and a major in environmental science may only count core courses toward both programs; elective courses may not overlap.