Professor David C. Finster
Associate Professors Amil G. Anderson, Kristin K. Cline, Chair, and Peter E.
Hanson
Assistant Professor Justin Houseknecht
Visiting Assistant Professor Raymond Dudek
Visiting Instructor Ian Krouse
Chemistry Lab Coordinator Richard W. York
Requirements of Major (B.A.)
Required in Chemistry
Chemistry 121, 162, 201, 281, 300, 311, 400, and eight more
semester hours in chemistry. Of these, students may elect the pass/fail
option for only 290, 491 and 492 and, no more than four semester
hours may be applied toward the major from 290, 490 and 492.
Required in Related Departments
Mathematics 201 and 202, and Physics 200 and 218.
Recommended in Chemistry
The chemistry major should consult with the academic adviser to
supplement the minimum major requirements with additional courses
appropriate to career goals and interest.
Recommended in Other Departments
The student planning to do graduate work in chemistry should
consider taking additional courses in mathematics, computer science,
physics, or biology. The student should consult the academic adviser to
select these courses.
Requirements of Major (B.S.)
Required in Chemistry
Chemistry 121, 162, 201, 271, 281, 300, 302, 311, 321, 352, 382, 400, and four
more semester hours in Chemistry from 282, 303, 372, 380, 490, 491, 492, or
499. If the four additional semester hours do not include a lab experience,
the student must complete an approved summer research project. Note that
this degree program leads to certification by the American Chemical Society.
Required in Related Departments
Biology 170, Mathematics 201 and 202, and Physics 200 and 218.
Departmental Honors
To receive honors in chemistry, the student must apply for
departmental honors by the end of the junior year, have an overall
average of 3.50, and an average GPA of 3.50 in chemistry and cognate
courses, conduct at least 400 hours research activity on an approved
project, present the Senior Seminar on the results of the project
undertaken, and receive a grade of A+, A or A- in Chemistry 400.
Requirements for Minor
Chemistry 121, 162, 201, and a minimum of eight semester hours from 271, 281,
302, 311, 380 (with at least one course from 281, 311, or 321).
Special Programs in Chemistry
Biochemistry/Molecular Biology - See Biochemistry/Molecular Biology
Engineering - See Engineering
Nursing - See Biology, Special Programs.
Pre-Medicine, including Pre-Dental and Pre-Veterinary Medicine - See Pre-Medicine
100N. Chemistry and Society. 4 semester hours.
Designed to introduce the study of chemistry to the non-science major. Particular focus on science and society connections. Topics vary with instructor. Some laboratory experience may be included, but this course does not satisfy the Natural World requirement for a lab course. Credit cannot be applied toward a chemistry major or toward science course requirements for other science majors.
121B. Models of Chemical Systems. 5 semester hours.
Introduction to the study of chemistry and to the variety of models that are used to describe atoms, molecules and their reactions. Topics include atomic structure, molecular structure, elementary bonding, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, gases, solutions and acid-base chemistry. Weekly lab required. Mathematics 120 is recommended as a pre- or co- requisite. Every year. Note: Students with strong high school chemistry backgrounds or international students with strong science backgrounds should consult with the Department Chair about placing out of this course.
162B. Chemical Structure and Analysis. 5 semester hours.
Follows Chemistry 121 and introduces the student to simple kinetics, equilibrium, more acid-base chemistry, simple thermodynamics and electrochemistry, basic wet and instrumental analytical techniques, a selected survey of elements of the main group, and transition metals and their compounds. Weekly laboratory emphasizing analytical techniques and inorganic synthesis required. Prerequisites: Chemistry 121 and Mathematics 120 as a pre- or co-requisite. Every year. Note: Students with strong high school chemistry backgrounds or international students with strong science backgrounds should consult with the Chair of the Department about placing out of this course.
201. Introduction to Organic Chemistry. 5 semester hours.
First course in a two-cycle approach to the study of organic chemistry. Introductory survey of aliphatic and aromatic organic compounds emphasizing most common functional groups. Fundamentals of organic structural theory, chemical bonding, nomenclature, stereochemistry, structure/property relationships and analysis of carbon compounds are covered. Reaction mechanisms are emphasized as the basis for understanding organic reactions. Techniques used in the synthesis, purification and analysis of organic compounds are emphasized in the laboratory. Prerequisites: Chemistry 162. Every year.
271. Biochemistry I. 4 semester hours.
Introduction to the study of structural biochemistry and metabolism. Emphasis on the chemistry of macromolecules (including proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids) involved in physiological processes. Prerequisites: Chemistry 201 and Biology 200. Every year.
281. Analytical Chemistry. 5 semester hours.
Advanced treatment of equilibria combined with an introduction to common instrumental methods. Includes statistical treatment of data, acid-base and other complex equilibria, spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chromatographic instrumental methods. Laboratory required. Prerequisites: Chemistry 162 and Mathematics 201.
282. Qualitative Organic Analysis Laboratory. 2 semester hours.
Primarily a laboratory experience directed toward the systematic identification of organic compounds through chemical and instrumental analysis. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201 and 281.
290. Introduction of Research. 1-3 semester hours.
Introduction to research methodology through the study of a laboratory research problem under the close supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the supervising instructor.
300. Junior Seminar. 1 semester hour
Required of each chemistry major of junior standing. Attendance at weekly one hour-seminars and discussions is required throughout the year. Each student delivers a one-half hour presentation on a chemical topic prepared under the supervision of a member of the Chemistry faculty. Several sessions in the fall are devoted to bibliographic instruction, on-line searching, and oral and written communication used by practicing chemists. The student registers for the course during both semesters; 0 credits in the fall and 1 credit in the spring. Every year.
302. Intermediate Organic Chemistry. 5 semester hours.
Second course in a two-cycle approach to the study of organic chemistry. An in-depth study of organic reaction chemistry organized by reaction mechanisms. Spectroscopic analysis of organic compounds, structure/ property relationship, reactions, mechanisms and multistep synthesis are emphasized. Additional techniques used in the synthesis, purification and analysis of organic compounds are emphasized in the laboratory with a focus on multistep synthesis and spectroscopy. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201. Every year.
303. Advanced Organic Chemistry. 4 semester hours.
Advanced treatment of topics in physical organic and/or synthetic organic chemistry. Topics include molecular orbital theory, pericyclic symmetry controlled reactions, stereochemistry, advanced spectroscopic analysis, modern synthetic reactions, and determination of reaction mechanisms through quantitative structure/property relationships, transition state theory and kinetics. Prerequisites: Chemistry 201, Mathematics 202 and Physics 218. Every year.
311. Physical Chemistry I. 5 semester hours.
Introduction of the basic principles of physical chemistry, concentrating on the kinetics and molecular dynamics of chemical reactions and laws of thermodynamics and their relationship to equilibria in chemistry. Emphasis on analyzing and solving complex problems, making physical measurements and reporting laboratory results. Laboratory required. Writing Intensive. Prerequisites: Chemistry 281, Mathematics 202 and Physics 218. Every year.
321. Inorganic Chemistry 5 semester hours.
Overview of the quantum mechanical model of atomic and molecular structure, including valence bond and molecular orbital theory, symmetry and group theory applied to molecular structure, acid-base models, ionic bonding and structure, redox chemistry and selected instrumental techniques as applied to inorganic compounds. Weekly laboratory required, which focuses on computational chemistry, and the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. Prerequisites: Chemistry 281, Mathematics 202 and Physics 218. Every year.
352. Physical Chemistry II. 5 semester hours.
Introduction of the physical chemistry principles that concern the structure of individual atoms and molecules, concentrating on quantum mechanics and spectroscopy. Also, the viewpoints of quantum mechanics and thermodynamics are brought together to discuss statistical thermodynamics. Continued emphasis on the analysis of complex problems, the collection of experimental data and the improvement of scientific communication skills. Laboratory required. Writing intensive. Prerequisite: Chemistry 311. Every year.
372. Biochemistry II. 5 semester hours.
Continuation of study of metabolism begun in Chemistry 271 with an emphasis on regulation of complex metabolic pathways, including biosynthetic pathways and photosynthetic pathways and photosynthesis. Study of the flow of genetic information from DNA to proteins follows and then a series of student-selected special topics. Weekly laboratory required. Prerequisites: Chemistry 271, Mathematics 201 and Physics 200. Every year. Writing intensive.
380. Topics in Chemistry. 2-4 semester hours.
Selected topics of current interest in various areas of chemistry. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit.
382. Advanced Instrumentation. 5 semester hours.
Advanced study of instrumental methods used for chemical analysis. Includes some basic electronics, common spectroscopic and separation methods. Lab required. Writing intensive. Prerequisites: Chemistry 281, Mathematics 202 and Physics 218.
400. Senior Seminar. 1 semester hour.
Required of each chemistry major of senior standing. Attendance at weekly one-hour seminars and discussions is required throughout the year. Each student delivers a one-hour presentation on a chemical topic prepared under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Several sessions in the fall are devoted to discussions of the ethical issues in science, the social context in which science transpires in our culture, and career options for chemistry majors. Each student registers for this course during both semesters; 0 credits in the fall and 1 credit in the spring. Writing intensive. Every year.
490. Independent Study. 2-4 semester hours.
Individual study on a topic beyond the scope of regular courses.
491. Internship. 1-4 semester hours.
Chemical research or activity during the summer or academic semester at an approved site or program. Prerequisite: Chemistry 281 and prior approval of the department. Every year. This course may be repeated for credit.
492. Directed Research. 1-4 semester hours.
Laboratory research project (which can include computational research) in collaboration with a member of the faculty. This may be a more intense continuation of a project started in Chemistry 290. Students must submit a comprehensive research report by the end of the semester. Prerequisites: Chemistry 271, 311, 321, or 382 and permission of the supervising instructor. This course may be repeated for credit.
499. Honors Thesis/Project. Variable credit.
Prerequisite: 3.50 GPA, permission of the Department Chair.
