Academic Catalog
2024-2025

Chemistry (CHEM)

CHEM-135  Principles of Chemistry    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-136
Prerequisites: None
This course introduces fundamental concepts and applications of chemistry, including atomic structure, the Periodic Table, chemical bonding, reaction stoichiometry, thermochemistry, ideal gas laws, and electrochemistry. Applied topics include batteries, fuel cells and corrosion, and a description of the chemistry and uses of metals and nonmetals are included.
Lecture: 3, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-136  Principles of Chemistry Lab    1 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-135
Prerequisites: None
The laboratory introduces and/or illustrates chemical concepts and principles, and teaches the skills of data collection and evaluation. The SI system is emphasized.
Lecture: 0, Lab 2, Other 0

CHEM-137  General Chemistry I    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-136
Prerequisites: None
An introduction to fundamental concepts of chemistry, including the Periodic Table, chemical nomenclature, reactions and reaction stoichiometry, atomic structure and chemical bonding. The course is open to all science majors, and is required for Chemistry majors. Non-science majors require permission of Chemistry Discipline Chair.
Lecture: 3, Lab 0, Other 1

CHEM-191  CHEM Special Topics    1-4 Credits

Prerequisites: None
Lecture: 0, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-223  Introduction to Polymer Science    4 Credits

Prerequisites: CHEM-135 or CHEM-137
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
An introduction to the fundamental principles of Polymer Science. Topics include the relationship between polymer structure and engineering properties with discussions of the most widely used polymeric materials and processes in terms of their relative costs, design parameters, and applications - thermal, mechanical, and rheological testing is discussed as well as the environmental impact of polymeric materials. Each lecture is augmented by displays of fabricated parts which illustrate general plastic selection principles. Each student makes an oral and written presentation which illustrates the application of polymer science to a specific material, design and/or process.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-237  General Chemistry II    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-238
Prerequisites: CHEM-135 or CHEM-137
Minimum Class Standing: Freshman 2
General Chemistry II, is a continuation of CHEM-137, General Chemistry I. Topics covered include: properties of gases, thermochemistry, chemical thermodynamics, ideal and non-ideal solutions, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry, and electrochemistry.
Lecture: 3, Lab 0, Other 1

CHEM-238  General Chemistry II Lab    1 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-237
Prerequisites: CHEM-135 or CHEM-137
Minimum Class Standing: Freshman 2
This laboratory course, taken concurrently with CHEM-237, is designed to continue exploring the experimental principles of chemistry not covered in CHEM-136. Topics covered include empirical formulas of hydrates, gas laws, heats of reactions, freezing point depression, iodine clock, acid dissociation constant determination, buffers, solubility product constant determination, electrolysis of water, and the determination of thermodynamic properties.
Lecture: 0, Lab 3, Other 0

CHEM-345  Organic Chemistry I    4 Credits

Prerequisites: CHEM-237
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
Terms Offered: Summer, Fall
A thorough coverage of the chemistry of hydrocarbons will be provided. Topics include: valence theory, stereochemistry, structure, addition polymerization, reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy. This course is appropriate for science majors and environmental Chemistry minors.
Lecture: 6, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-346  Organic Chemistry I Lab    2 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-345
Prerequisites: CHEM-237 and CHEM-238
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
This laboratory develops the basic skills needed for the separation, identification and synthesis of organic compounds. Instrumental techniques introduced will include FTIR, UV-VIS, GC and GC/MS. One four-hour laboratory per week.
Lecture: 0, Lab 4, Other 0

CHEM-347  Organic Chemistry II    4 Credits

Prerequisites: CHEM-345
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore 2
A continuation of CHEM-345 with an emphasis on the chemistry of the organic functional groups and the synthesis of polyfunctional molecules will be provided. Appropriate for science majors.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-348  Organic Chemistry II Lab    2 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-347
Prerequisites: CHEM-345 and CHEM-346
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore 2
A continuation of CHEM-346 with an emphasis on the advanced techniques used to synthesize multifunctional organic compounds will be provided. Instrumental methods will be intensively utilized to characterize complex chemical structures.
Lecture: 0, Lab 4, Other 0

CHEM-351  Biochemistry I    4 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-352
Prerequisites: CHEM-345 and CHEM-346
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
The basic principles of biochemistry will be the focus of this course. Coverage includes a thorough description of the biochemical framework - amino acids, proteins, enzymes, lipids, membranes, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, DNA, and RNA. In addition, the energetics and metabolism of a number of biological processes will be introduced.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-352  Biochemistry Lab    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-351
Prerequisites: CHEM-345 and CHEM-346
Minimum Class Standing: Sophomore
An introduction to biochemistry laboratory procedures for the separation and analysis of biologically important molecules. This course also covers techniques and methodology important in the biotechnology field.
Lecture: 0, Lab 3, Other 0

CHEM-361  Physical Chemistry I    4 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-362
Prerequisites: CHEM-237 and CHEM-238 and PHYS-224 and PHYS-225
Minimum Class Standing: Junior
A first course in physical chemistry, covering the topics of chemical thermodynamics, gas laws, solutions, transport properties, phases and phase diagrams, electrochemistry, colligative properties and the physical chemistry of macromolecules.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-362  Physical Chemistry I Lab    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-361
Prerequisites: None
Minimum Class Standing: Junior
This laboratory will illustrate principles covered in the CHEM-361 lecture and introduce the student to methods used in determining physical relationships in nature. Topics include equilibrium, phase diagrams, solutions, thermodynamics, gases, transport properties and error analysis.
Lecture: 0, Lab 3, Other 0

CHEM-373  Analytical Chemistry    4 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-374
Prerequisites: CHEM-237 and CHEM-238 and CHEM-345 and CHEM-346
Minimum Class Standing: Junior 2
Introduction to classical and modern instrumental analytical chemistry. The fundamentals of analytical statistics, acid/base calculations, titrations, basic chemical equilibrium, atomic and molecular spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electroanalytical methods of analysis will be covered.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-374  Analytical Chemistry Lab    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-373
Prerequisites: CHEM-345 and CHEM-346
Minimum Class Standing: Junior 2
This laboratory course covers the qualitative and quantitative analysis of chemical compounds including gravimetric, volumetric, and spectrophotometric methods.
Lecture: 0, Lab 3, Other 0

CHEM-437  Inorganic Chemistry    4 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-438
Prerequisites: CHEM-345
Minimum Class Standing: Junior
In-depth coverage of the fundamentals of inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry, including structure and bonding of inorganic compounds, as well as their chemical periodicity and reactions. The descriptive chemistry of metals, non-metals and coordination compounds will also be discussed.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-438  Inorganic Chemistry Lab    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-437
Prerequisites: CHEM-346
Minimum Class Standing: Junior
This laboratory component is an introduction to the techniques used in the synthesis and characterization of metal complexes and organometallic compounds, including bioinorganic compounds. This course is open to all science majors and is required for chemistry majors. One three-hour laboratory per week.
Lecture: 0, Lab 3, Other 0

CHEM-451  Biochemistry II    4 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-452
Prerequisites: CHEM-351 and CHEM-352
Minimum Class Standing: Junior 2
A comprehensive advanced Biochemistry lecture course. It will cover topics related to the biochemistry of the human body, including the breakdown and synthesis of glucose, fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides.
Lecture: 4, Lab 0, Other 0

CHEM-452  Biochemistry II Lab    3 Credits

Corequisites: CHEM-451
Prerequisites: CHEM-351 and CHEM-352
Minimum Class Standing: Junior 2
A comprehensive advanced Biochemistry laboratory. Topics related to the isolation and manipulation of DNA and proteins will be covered. Including techniques such as PCR, Western blotting, mutagenesis, DNA Fingerprinting, and molecular modeling.
Lecture: 0, Lab 3, Other 0

CHEM-494  Research Methods    4 Credits

Prerequisites: BIOL-242 or CHEM-238
Minimum Class Standing: Junior 2
Topics will include research ethics, study design and implementation, and results communications. Students will learn about these topics through readings, discussions, and practical application.
Lecture: 0, Lab 4, Other 0