Chemistry (CHEM)
CHEM 1001 - Chemical Concepts - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
CHEM 1001 is a one-semester course designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of general, organic and biological chemistry with an emphasis on applications in the nursing and health related fields. We will begin with an overview of measurements, unit conversions and density. We will examine the structure of the atom, modes of bonding, Lewis structures, VSEPR theory, nomenclature, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions and acid/base properties. After studying the basic principles of general chemistry we will examine hydrocarbons, and learn how to recognize organic compounds containing heteroatom functional groups. We will finish the semester discussing how these organic functional groups relate to the structure of natural occurring substances for example simple esters (flavors and fragrances) and biological molecules for example proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Fee.
This course meets the General Education Science Breadth and Quantitative Literacy Enhancement requirements.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of MATH 1000 or demonstrated proficiency on the Mathematics Assessment.
Corequisite: CHEM 1002.
CHEM 1002 - Laboratory for Chemical Concepts - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
CHEM 1002 is designed to provide hands-on laboratory experience using appropriate experiments applicable for students in the nursing and health related fields. Students will develop several laboratory techniques including gravity filtration, centrifugation, vacuum filtration, titration and extraction as they collect, analyze and evaluate experimental data and present their results in a written format. Fee.
This course meets the General Education Science Breadth and Quantitative Literacy Enhancement requirements.
Corequisite: CHEM 1001.
CHEM 1010 - Introductory Chemistry I - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
CHEM 1010 is the first semester of a two-semester course for science majors. This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of chemistry. We will begin with the atomic and molecular nature of matter and its changes, unit conversions, the periodic table and nomenclature. We will discuss the mole concept, stoichiometry, oxidation-reduction and precipitation reactions, and solution chemistry. We will finish the semester discussing quantum chemistry and examine the atomic theory, modes of bonding, periodicity, Lewis structures, VSEPR theory, intermolecular forces and the gas laws.
Corequisite: CHEM 1110.
CHEM 1020 - Introductory Chemistry II - 3 credits
Spring Semester
CHEM 1120 is the second semester of a two-semester Introductory Chemistry course for science majors. This course designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of general chemistry. We will begin with an overview of thermochemistry, with an emphasis on heats of reactions, stoichiometry, and Hess’s Law. We will discuss solutions and colligative properties and examine the principles and applications of kinetics, chemical equilibrium including acid-base chemistry (buffers), free energy, redox reactions, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry. We will end the semester reviewing the VSEPR theory and discussing hybridization.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1010.
Corequisite: CHEM 1120.
CHEM 1110 - Laboratory for Introductory Chemistry I - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
CHEM 1110 is designed to provide hands-on laboratory experience using appropriate experiments for science majors. The laboratory exercises have been carefully selected to (1) reinforce your understanding of chemistry principles discussed in lecture, and (2) help you establish strong laboratory skills. Students will develop several laboratory techniques including gravity filtration, centrifugation, vacuum filtration and titration as they collect, analyze and evaluate experimental data and present their results in a written format. Fee.
Corequisite: CHEM 1010.
CHEM 1120 - Laboratory for Introductory Chemistry II - 1 credit
Spring Semester
CHEM 1120 is a continuation of laboratory techniques and principles from CHEM 1110 to accompany CHEM 1020. It is designed to apply concepts learned in CHEM 1020 as related to the study of chemical principles to include solutions, thermochemistry, equilibria, acids, bases, buffers and thermodynamics. Students gain hands-on experience by applying these concepts in the laboratory through appropriate experiments. Fee.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1010 with a grade of C- or better.
Corequisite: CHEM 1020.
CHEM 2030 - Analytical Chemistry - 3 credits
Alternate Years
A study of the separation, identification, and quantization of matter using wet chemical, electroanalytical, spectroscopic, and separation methods and their application to modern problem solving. Aspects of qualitative and quantitative analysis are presented for the chemical characterization of matter.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1010, CHEM 1110, CHEM 1020, and CHEM 1120.
Corequisite: CHEM 2130.
CHEM 2130 - Laboratory for Analytical Chemistry - 1 credit
Alternate Years
An introduction to laboratory techniques and principles for Analytical Chemistry. Fee.
Corequisite: CHEM 2030.
CHEM 2510 - Organic Chemistry I - 3 credits
Fall Semester
CHEM 2150 is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of organic chemistry. We will begin with a review of the carbon atom and its modes of bonding, followed by acids and bases as it is related to organic compounds, an overview of organic molecules and their functional groups, structure and bonding in alkanes and cycloalkanes and stereochemistry. After our study of hydrocarbons, we will study the structure, bonding and nomenclature of alkenes, dienes and aromatic hydrocarbons. We will also discuss methods of purification and characterization of organic compounds including chromatography and spectroscopy and end the semester with the study of organic reactions and introduce the mechanisms involved in SN1/SN2, and E1/E2 reactions.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1010, CHEM 1110, CHEM 1020, and CHEM 1120.
Corequisite: CHEM 2610.
CHEM 2520 - Organic Chemistry II - 3 credits
Spring Semester
CHEM 2520 is the second semester of a two-semester sequence of organic chemistry designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of organic chemistry. We will explore mechanisms, synthesis and functional groups transformation in organic chemistry focusing on nucleophilic substitution, elimination, dehydration, additions to carbon-carbon multiple bonds and electrophilic aromatic and nucleophilic aromatic substitution reactions. We will also study addition and substitution at carbonyls, substitution alpha to carbonyls, rearrangements, and polymerizations. Throughout the semester, we will discuss the characterization of each class of organic molecules studied using the spectroscopic methods NMR, IR and GC-MS.
Prerequisite: CHEM 2510.
Corequisite: CHEM 2620.
CHEM 2610 - Laboratory for Organic Chemistry I - 1 credit
Fall Semester
This course is designed to provide hands-on laboratory experience using appropriate experiments applicable for science majors. Students will develop several organic chemistry laboratory techniques including recrystallization, distillation, chromatography, vacuum filtration and extraction as they collect, analyze and evaluate experimental data and present their results in a written format. Fee.
Corequisite: CHEM 2510.
CHEM 2620 - Laboratory for Organic Chemistry II - 1 credit
Spring Semester
The second semester of a two-semester sequence of organic chemistry, this course is designed to enhance students’ practical skills in the organic laboratory. We will focus on techniques, synthesis and transformation of organic molecules, qualitative analysis and applications of spectroscopy to deduce the structures of organic molecules. Fee.
Prerequisite: CHEM 2510 with a grade of C- or better.
Corequisite: CHEM 2520.
CHEM 2710 - Physical Chemistry - 3 credits
Alternate Fall or Spring Semesters
This course covers the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics, kinetics, enzyme catalysis and electrochemistry as applicable to the life sciences. Properties of solutions are covered in the context of biological systems. Concepts are reinforced and students’ critical thinking skills is furthered through rigorous quantitative problem solving.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1020.
Corequisite: CHEM 2810.
CHEM 2810 - Laboratory for Physical Chemistry - 1 credit
Alternate Fall or Spring Semesters
The laboratory activities are designed to provide a context for the abstract concepts covered in class. Students working in teams develop problem solving, data collection, data analysis and presentation skills using standard and custom-built instrumentation.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1020.
Corequisite: CHEM 2710.
CHEM 2910 - Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits
Alternate Fall or Spring Semesters
This course will provide a contemporary introduction to the discipline of inorganic chemistry. Students will develop their understanding of the structure, bonding, and reactivity of inorganic compounds. Principle topics covered include: symmetry and group theory, bonding models, coordination chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1020.
CHEM 3500 - Junior Seminar - 1 credit
Spring Semester
This course design is to further foster the development of knowledge and skills used by professional scientists. The main goal is the production and delivery of professional quality written reports on current research. The knowledge discussed and accumulated in this course continues to enhance students’ awareness and understanding of scientific inquiry. Extensive analysis of primary scientific literature is central to this course and provides practical experience in developing the skills of written communication used by all scientists.
Prerequisite: Junior Standing.
CHEM 3570 - Biochemistry I - 3 credits
Fall Semester
Introduction to the chemistry of living systems. Topics include structure and function of biomolecules (proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids), enzyme kinetics, and the regulations and energetics of biochemical reactions.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1065 and CHEM 2520.
Corequisite: CHEM 3670.
CHEM 3580 - Biochemistry II - 3 credits
Spring Semester
A continuation of Biochemistry I with an emphasis on bioenergetics, regulation, and metabolism. Topics include the catabolism of nutrient molecules (carbohydrates, lipids, and proteins), anabolism of biomolecules, and the integrated regulation of metabolic pathways.
Prerequisites: CHEM 3570 and 3670.
CHEM 3670 - Laboratory for Biochemistry I - 1 credit
Fall Semester
An introduction to laboratory techniques and principles for Biochemistry I. Fee.
Prerequisites: BIOL 1065 and CHEM 2520.
Corequisite: CHEM 3570.
CHEM 3800 - Special Topics in Biochemistry - 3 credits
Examination of advanced topics in biochemistry, particularly those from the current literature. The course content will vary according to the interests of the students and the instructor; topics covered may include enzymology and mechanisms of signaling pathways, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery, toxicology, and modern biochemical techniques.
Prerequisite: CHEM 3570.
CHEM 3900 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry - 1 credit
Fall Semester
This course design is to further foster the development of knowledge and skills used by professional scientists and engage in career preparation activities for Science Majors. The main goal is the production and delivery of professional quality oral presentations on current research. Extensive analysis of primary scientific literature is central to this course as it provides practical experience in developing the skills in oral communication used by all scientists. Students engaged in research projects also discuss their work/progress and problems that may be arising.
CHEM 4000 - Research Communication - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
Consists of supervised preparation, by the student, of a written report and an oral presentation based on their independent research.
This course meets the General Education Active Learning requirement.
Prerequisite: Permission of area instructor. Signature of faculty supervisor and Department Chair required. Strongly recommended that this be taken the semester after Independent Research 4010 but may be completed concurrently.
CHEM 4000-H - Honors Thesis - 1 credit
Fall and Spring Semesters
This course will give students an overview of the relevant scientific literature relating to their research project with an emphasis on evaluating, analyzing and reporting their research findings. After completion of authentic research on a question/problem, either in the field, or in a lab on campus or off campus; or in libraries/internet; students will write-up research report and give a public oral presentation to the Science Department and others. Signature of faculty supervisor and Department Chair required.
Prerequisite: Honors Research. Ideally this course will be taken in the spring semester of the student’s senior year. This course can serve as a substitute for BIOL/CHEM/ENVS/FSC 4000 for Honors candidates.
CHEM 4010 - Independent Research in Biochemistry and Chemistry - 1 -3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Independent research on a topic of current interest. Principles of both literature and experimental (field or laboratory) and/or theoretical research are performed under a faculty member’s supervision. The student will be required to investigate literature in the field and gain understanding of the nature of the problem/question and methodology that will be used in investigation. Student will be required to do actual research in libraries or labs, on- or off-campus. Signature of faculty supervisor and department chair required.
This course meets the General Education Active Learning requirement.
Prerequisite: Permission of area instructor. The project must begin no later than the fall of the student’s senior year.
CHEM 4010-H - Honors Independent Research - 3 credits
Fall and Spring Semesters
Familiar with relevant research in the discipline, an ability to identify valid data and the use to data to drive decisions will be achieved through independent research on a topic of current interest. Principles of both literature and experimental (field or laboratory) and/or theoretical research are performed under a faculty member’s supervision. The student will be required to do authentic research on a question/problem, either in the field, or in a lab on campus or off campus. Signature of faculty supervisor and Department Chair required. Students may not take this course more than one time for credit. This course can serve as a substitute for BIOL/CHEM/ENVS/FSC 4010 for Honors candidates.
Prerequisite: Honors candidate and permission of advisor. The project must begin no later than the fall of the student’s senior year.