Chemistry

The chemistry program is part of the Division of Mathematics and Natural Sciences of the College of Arts and Sciences. The program provides two different tracks for chemistry majors: a traditional emphasis and a medical science emphasis.

The traditional emphasis provides students with a solid foundation for graduate study in chemistry and related sciences, preparation for careers in teaching, entry-level positions in scientific occupations, such as forensic chemist, analytical chemist, food chemist, pharmaceutical chemist, medicinal chemist, clinical chemist, industrial chemist, as well as related careers such as project manager, technical manager, or technical/scientific writer and editor.

The medical science emphasis provides students with a solid foundation for graduate studies in the medical field. This includes professional programs such as allopathic medicine, osteopathic medicine, veterinary medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, optometry, law, and others. In addition, this track also prepares students for employment in industry and biochemical research.

Teaching Certification in Chemistry also available (See Education)

Courses

CHE-100: Introduction to Chemistry

Credits 3
General education science course designed for non-science major (or minor) students who are seeking a lab science course. Introduction to chemistry providing a basic understanding of how scientific measurements are taken and presented, the scientific method, and how chemical principles are applied to everyday life to address scientific issues in society. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: MTH 105 or placement beyond. Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course. Cannot be taken if student has already passed CHE 113 or its equivalent. Additionally, it is recommended that the accompanying laboratory (CHE 101) be taken concurrently. With CHE 101, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

CHE-101: Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory

Credits 1
Laboratory course to accompany Introduction to Chemistry lecture. Laboratory with hands on activities to reinforce lecture concepts, develop chemical laboratory techniques, and use the scientific methods of inquiry. Two hours of lab per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 100. Cannot be taken if student has already passed CHE 115 or its equivalent. With CHE 100, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

CHE-104: Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry

Credits 3
This lecture course aims to connect the fundamentals of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry to topics of interest in allied health related programs. Topics explored include scientific measurements, the periodic table, types of compounds, chemical reactions, phases of matter, solutions, nuclear chemistry, organic chemistry functional groups and related biological and nutrition reactions, and biological molecules and pathways. This course is not intended for biology or chemistry majors or minors. Three hours of lecture per week or the equivalent. Prerequisite: MTH 105 or MTH 108 or placement beyond. With CHE 105, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

CHE-105: Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry Laboratory

Credits 1
This course introduces the fundamental laboratory practices in general chemistry, organic chemistry, and biochemistry through hands-on applications of lecture topics in the CHE 104 course. This course is not intended for science majors and minors. Three hours of lab per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 104. With CHE 104, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

CHE-113: General Chemistry I

Credits 3
First semester General Chemistry for science majors and for students planning professional school studies in the health and life sciences. Topics include atomic structure and periodic properties, types and structure of matter, an introduction to thermochemistry, types of chemical reactions, reaction stoichiometry, nomenclature, bonding models, and theories, in addition to gas, liquid, solid, and solution properties. Three hours of lecture and may include one hour of recitation per week; accompanied by a lab course. Prerequisite: MTH 108 or placement beyond. Must be taken prior to this course. With CHE 115, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

CHE-114: General Chemistry II

Credits 3
Second semester General Chemistry for science majors and for students planning professional school studies in the health and life sciences. Topics may include kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base/buffers, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, descriptive chemistry, and introduction to organic chemistry. Three hours of lecture and may include one hour of recitation per week; accompanied by a lab course. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in CHE 113; and CHE 115.

CHE-115: General Chemistry I Laboratory

Credits 1
Laboratory to accompany General Chemistry I lecture. Laboratory work provides hands-on activities to teach laboratory skills and support the concepts presented in the lecture. Three hours of lab per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 113. With CHE 113, this course fulfills the Physical and Natural Place requirement in the General Education Curriculum.

CHE-116: General Chemistry II Laboratory

Credits 1
Laboratory to accompany General Chemistry II lecture. Laboratory work provides hands-on activities to teach laboratory skills and support the concepts presented in the lecture. Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in CHE 115; Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 114.

CHE-147: Laboratory Safety

Credits 1
A survey of laboratory safety principles. Course topics will include common laboratory safety practices, chemical hazards, biological hazards, personal protective equipment, chemical hazard communication, emergency procedures and other aspects of laboratory safety. Prerequisite: CHE 100 or higher.

CHE-313: Organic Chemistry I

Credits 4
First semester Organic Chemistry designed for students majoring in science and for students planning professional school studies in the health and life sciences. Discussion of several major classes of organic compounds (aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, and epoxides), including nomenclature, structure and stereochemistry, physical properties, reactions, mechanisms, and spectroscopy. Four hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in CHE 114 and CHE 116.

CHE-314: Organic Chemistry II

Credits 4
Second semester Organic Chemistry designed for students majoring in science and for students planning professional school studies in the health and life sciences. The study of organic chemistry is expanded to include aromatic compounds, organometallic compounds, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, enolates, amines, amino acids, proteins, and carbohydrates. Concepts of biochemistry are discussed in the context of organic chemistry principles. Discussion of these major classes of molecules include nomenclature, structure and stereochemistry, physical properties, reactions, mechanisms, and spectroscopy. Four hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in CHE 313.

CHE-315: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory

Credits 1
Laboratory to accompany Organic Chemistry I lecture. Laboratory work emphasizes the techniques of organic synthesis, purification, qualitative analysis, and analysis by using various spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: Grade of 'C' or better in CHE 116; Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 313.

CHE-316: Organic Chemistry II Laboratory

Credits 1
Laboratory to accompany Organic Chemistry II lecture. Laboratory work emphasizes the techniques of organic synthesis, purification, qualitative analysis, and analysis by using various spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisite: Grade of 'C' or better in CHE 315; Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 314.

CHE-321: Quantitative Analysis

Credits 4
A study of the fundamental theory and laboratory techniques in analytical and related physical chemistry. Quantitative Analysis, also called analytical chemistry, involves separating, identifying, and determining the relative amounts of different components in a sample of matter. Topics may include introduction to errors and data analysis, sample statistics and data presentation/validation techniques, equilibrium and acid/base titration work, record-keeeping, gravimetric, volumetric, and electrochemical analysis. Some concepts in chromatographic separations and spectroscopy may be presented if time permits. The laboratory emphasizes classical quantitative chemical analysis techniques, including volumetric and gravimetric methods. Three hours of lecture per week and three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in CHE 114 and CHE 116.

CHE-322: Instrumental Analysis

Credits 4
A study of the fundamentals of instrumental analysis and laboratory techniques in analytical and related physical chemistry. Instrumental Analysis is the second part of an analytical chemistry sequence, which still involves separating, identifying, and determining the relative amounts of different components in a sample of matter, but incorporates advanced instrumentation in order to do so. Topics may include advanced data analysis methods and goodness-of-fit criteria, spectroscopic methods and instrumentation, mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, and liquid chromatography. The hands-on laboratory course focuses on development of correct laboratory work habits and methodologies for the operation of modern analytical instrumentation, such as high- performance liquid chromatography and infrared and UV-Vis spectroscopy. Three hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Requisites: Prerequisites: CHE 321 and and either PHY 234 and PHY 236 or PHY 274 and PHY 276. - Must be completed prior to taking this course.

CHE-335: Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology

Credits 3
An Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology provides undergraduate students with a concise introduction to the process of drug discovery and development from the identification of disease targets to the introduction of new drugs into clinical practice. It covers the basic principles of how drugs are developed and used, including such topics as drug identification, optimization, classification, functional groups, characteristics, kinetics, pharmacology, and metabolism. Drug development case studies include several major classes of medicinal agents, which are discussed for molecules that made historic contributions to society. Computational chemistry is used to illustrate drug design principles and protein structure. Prerequisites: Grade of 'C' or better in CHE 313, BIO 153, and BIO 155. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 314. - Must be completed prior to taking this course. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 314. - Must be taken either prior to or at the same time as this course.

CHE-371: Chemical Research I

Credits 1 4
Chemical Research I provides a more in-depth coverage of laboratory research for sophomore or junior science majors. Research involves laboratory work with a project designed by the instructor and student in any chemical subdiscipline, including but not limited to organic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, protein chemistry, analytical chemistry, food chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, forensic chemistry, or related discipline. This research course involves effective literature searching, design of experiments, laboratory techniques and methods, and instrumental analysis. Independent laboratory work and experimental design is expected. If enrolled in 3 or more hours credit of CHE 371, the student is expected to prepare a written report and oral presentation, summarizing the research results and/or the research literature. The student is expected to work 45-50 hours per semester for every 1 credit hour (2-3 hours per week). Prerequisites: At least Sophomore standing and approval of the research faculty mentor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Pre- or Corequiste: CHE 313 and CHE 315.

CHE-372: Chemical Research II

Credits 1 4
Second semester of Chemical Research I for sophomore or junior science majors, a continuation of CHE 371. If the student has enrolled in or obtained 3 or more hours credit in CHE 371 and CHE 372, then a written report and oral presentation is expected, summarizing the research resluts and/or the research literature. The student is expected to work 45-50 per semester for every 1 credit hour (2-3 hours per week). Prerequisites: A grade of 'C' or better in CHE 371; Approval of the research faculty mentor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Pre- or Corequisite: CHE 314 and CHE 316.

CHE-435: Inorganic Chemistry

Credits 3
A study of the chemistry of the elements and inorganic compounds, including theoretical and structural concepts. Topic may include symmetry, molecular geometry and structure, molecular orbital theory of bonding (polyatomic molecules and transition metals), solid state chemistry, energetics and spectroscopy of inorganic compounds. The course consists of three hours of lecture and practicum each week. Prerequisites: Grade of "C" or better in CHE 314 and CHE 316; or consent of the Instructor.

CHE-441: Biochemistry I

Credits 3
First course in a sequence that studies the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. Biochemistry I is an introductory study of the structure and function of macromolecules (proteins, amino acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and coenzymes) and their roles in biological cells. The course begins with an introduction to amino acid and protein chemistry, then follows with a discussion of enzyme structure, function, and kinetics. Emphasis is placed on the organization of enzyme-catalyzed reactions into coordinated and regulated metabolic sequences. Other topics examined include the interaction between lipids and proteins to form biological membranes and the roles the biological membranes play in cells; carbohydrate, lipid metabolism, and hormonal regulation of these processes; and metabolic pathways. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHE 314 and CHE 316. It is recommended that students have had BIO 153 prior to taking biochemistry.

CHE-442: Biochemistry II

Credits 3
Second course in a sequence that studies the chemical processes within and related to living organisms. Biochemistry II continues the discussion of metabolism started in BCM 441 with an examination of phosphoglyceride, sphingolipid, sterol, and amino acid metabolism. Emphasis will also be placed on nucleic acid structure and function, DNA replication, repair and recombination, RNA synthesis, protein synthesis, gene regulation, DNA sequencing, the polymerase chain reaction, and cloning. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHE-441.

CHE-443: Biochemistry Laboratory

Credits 1
This course will offer students fundamental laboratory approaches for biochemistry and biotechnology. Experiments in this course will reinforce concepts learned in biochemistry lecture classes. Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: A grade of "C" or better in CHE-316 Pre- or Corequisite: CHE-441.

CHE-451: Physical Chemistry I

Credits 3
First semester physical chemistry designed for students majoring in Chemistry. Physical chemistry is the study of physical properties, the structure of matter, and the laws and theories governing these properties applied to chemical systems but are relevant to the biological sciences. This course examines the laws of classical thermodynamics, followed by applications to the properties of gases, liquids, and solids, as well as to solutions, kinetics, and chemical equilibria. Prerequisites: MTH 121, PHY 224 and a grade of "C" or better in CHE 114 and CHE 116.

CHE-452: Physical Chemistry II

Credits 3
Second semester physical chemistry course introducing the postulates and general principles of quantum mechanics. Quantum mechanics is applied to chemical bonding, molecular structure, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHE 451 and MTH 222.

CHE-453: Physical Chemistry Laboratory

Credits 1
Physical chemistry laboratory course that provides an experimental and computational perspective on physical chemistry principles. Experiments will cover fundamental concepts in thermodynamics, kinetics, and spectroscopy. Three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHE 451.

CHE-471: Advanced Chemical Research I

Credits 1 6
Advanced Chemical Research I provides in-depth coverage of laboratory research for junior or senior science majors. Research can be a continuation of the experiements designed in CHE 371-372 or a new research project in chemistry or related discipline. This research course involves effective literature searching, design of experiments, laboratory techniques and methods, and instrumental analysis. More independent laboratory work and experimental design is expected than in CHE 371-372, approaching the level of reasearch quality of a graduate student in chemistry or related discipline. If the student has enrolled in or obtained 3 or more hours of credit in CHE 371, CHE 372, and/or CHE 471, then a written report and oral presentation is expected, summarizing the research results and/or the research literature. The student is expected to work 45-50 hours per semester for every 1 credit hour (2-3 hours per week). Prerequisites: At least Junior standing and approval of the research faculty mentor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. Prerequisite: Grade of 'C' or better in CHE 371. Pre- or Corequiste: CHE 321.

CHE-472: Advanced Chemical Research II

Credits 1 6
Second semester of Advanced Chemical Research I for junior or senior science majors, a continuation of CHE 471. If the student has enrolled in or obtained 3 or more hours credit in CHE 371, CHE 372, CHE 471, and/or CHE 472, then a written report and oral presentation is expected, summarizing the research results and/or the research literature. The student is expected to work 45-50 hours per semester for every 1 credit hour (2-3 hours per week). Prerequisites: Grade of 'C' or better in CHE 471; Approval of the research faculty mentor, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

CHE-480: Seminar in Chemistry

Credits 1
Presentation of current and historical topics in chemistry. The course emphasizes practice in the presentation of oral and written reports. As part of the course, students will be assessed regarding their knowledge of the field of chemistry. Prerequisite: At least 20 semester hours of chemistry and senior standing or consent of the instructor.

CHE-490: Special Topics

Credits 1 4
Natural products chemistry is the chemistry of metabolite products from natural resources such as plants, animals, and microorganisms. Students will be introduced to current theory and research in the field of natural product chemistry. This course is designed to introduce a few selected classes of bioactive novel compounds isolated from natural resources. In the meanwhile, the students will also be exposed briefly to (1) the general isolation methods used to isolate natural products, (2) spectral methods used to identify new compounds, and (3) examples of structural modifications of lead compounds in new drug development. Course materials will be evaluated via three quarter exams and a final exam. It is expected that the students will also work in small groups or participate in cooperative group learning sessions to discuss on the importance of natural product chemistry and structure elucidation methods.

CHE-498: Lab Internship (Chemistry)

Credits 1
The student assists in instruction of a chemistry lab under the supervision of the laboratory instructor. Prerequisite: Grade of "C" or better in the lab and lecture course being assisted with and the consent of the lab course instructor. Students assisting with CHE 101 may substitute a "C" or better in CHE 113 and CHE 115 for the prerequisite requirement.

CHE-499: Directed Individual Study

Credits 1 3
Study based on the interest and need of the student. May include advanced course work, literature search, and/or laboratory work. Credit of one to three hours each semester, for a maximum of two semesters. Prerequisites: At least 20 semester hours of chemistry and approval of a chemistry faculty member, Division Chair, and Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

CHE-ELEC: Chemistry Elective

Credits 3
Plan to take one of the following to meet the 4 hours of Chemistry Elective at 300-400 level: BCM 441 Biotechnology I w/BCM 443 Lab CHE 314 Organic Chemistry II w/CHE 316 Lab CHE 322 Instrumental Analysis CHE 335 Introduction to Medical Chemistry and Pharmacology CHE 371 Chemical Research I CHE 451 Physical Chemistry I w/CHE 453 Lab Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

CHE-ELECM: Chemistry Electives

Credits 8
Please plan to take a minimum of 8 hours of BCM or CHE courses at the 300-400 level from the following: BCM 425, CHE 314, CHE 316, CHE 322, CHE 335, CHE 371, CHE 372, CHE 400, CHE 401, CHE 435, CHE 471, CHE 472, CHE 490, CHE 498, or CHE 499. Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

CHE-OR: Analytical Chemistry

Credits 4
Plan to take either of the following Analytical Chemistry classes: CHE 321 Quantitative Analysis CHE 322 Instrumental Analysis Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.

CHE-PYSICAL: Physical Chemistry

Credits 2
Plan to take 4 hours of Physical Chemistry from the following: CHE 400 Physical Chemistry CHE 403 Chemical Thermodynamics CHE 404 Chemical Kinetics CHE 405 Quantum Mechanics CHE 406 Physical Chemistry Laboratory CHE 407 Topics in Physical Chemistry Once you have added this course to your plan, delete this placeholder by clicking the X.