Chemistry (CHEM)
The Department of Chemistry offers two major tracks and a minor. In order to allow flexibility in the major and to provide for differing professional goals, major tracks in both Pre-Professional Chemistry and in Liberal Arts Chemistry are available. The Pre-Professional Chemistry Track of 37 semester hours is for students who plan to do graduate work leading to the MS or PhD degree in chemistry or who plan to become industrial chemists. It is designed to conform to the criteria recommended by the American Chemical Society for undergraduate professional education in chemistry. The Liberal Arts Chemistry Track of 33 semester hours in chemistry and four in biology (other than BIO 104 Biology: Concepts & Methods (with lab)) provides more flexibility in selecting courses within the major and in taking elective courses in other departments. It is designed to give a sound foundation in chemistry for students pursuing medically related careers
Students majoring in chemistry may obtain an Emphasis in Computational Science . The interdisciplinary field of Computational Science applies Computer Science and Mathematics to Chemistry and the other sciences. For requirements, see the Catalog section on Computational Science .
Honors Courses, In-Course Honors, and Research
Students majoring in Chemistry are encouraged to participate in the honors programs and research opportunities available in the department. For further information, see CHEM 250 Introduction to Research and CHEM 450 Senior Research in the course descriptions and the section on Honors Courses and In-Course Honors in this Catalog, or consult the department chair.
Chair
Jameica B. Hill
Professors
Caleb A. Arrington
Charles G. Bass
Heidi E. Bostic
Ramin Radfar
Bryan G. Splawn
T. Christopher Waidner
| Prerequisite and Corequisite Courses | ||
| CHEM 123 | General Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 124 | General Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| MATH 181 | Calculus I | 3 |
| MATH 182 | Calculus II | 3 |
| Select one of the following: | 8 | |
| General Physics I (with lab) and General Physics II (with lab) | ||
| Physics for Science & Engineering I (with lab) and Physics for Science & Engineering II (with lab) | ||
NOTE: Students majoring in Chemistry who plan to pursue the Pre-Professional Track should take the Physics for Science & Engineering series: PHY 141 Physics for Science & Engineering I (with lab) and PHY 142 Physics for Science & Engineering II (with lab)
Requirements for the Major in Chemistry, Pre-Professional Track
| CHEM 203 | Organic Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 204 | Organic Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 214 | Introductory Analytical Chemistry (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Physical Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 314 | Physical Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 323 | Inorganic Chemistry (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 360 | Chemical Information & Seminar | 1 |
| Select eight credit hours of 400-level Chemistry (CHEM) courses | 8 | |
| Select one additional Chemistry (CHEM) laboratory course OR four credit hours of Chemistry research | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 37 | |
NOTE: Students majoring in Chemistry who plan to do graduate work are strongly advised to take MATH 210 Multivariable Calculus.
Requirements for the Major in Chemistry, Liberal Arts Track
| CHEM 203 | Organic Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 204 | Organic Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 214 | Introductory Analytical Chemistry (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 309 | Biochemistry (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 313 | Physical Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 360 | Chemical Information & Seminar | 1 |
| Select one of the following: | 4 | |
| Biotechnology (with lab) | ||
| Physical Chemistry II (with lab) | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry (with lab) | ||
| Select four credit hours of 400-level Chemistry (CHEM) courses | 4 | |
| Select one four-hour Biology (BIO) course (other than BIO 104) | 4 | |
| Total Hours | 33 | |
NOTE: Pre-medical and pre-dental students must take at least three biology courses to meet admission requirements of most professional schools.
Requirements for the Minor in Chemistry
The Chemistry minor requires the completion of 28 credit hours with at least 8 of those hours being at the 300-level or above.
| CHEM 123 | General Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 124 | General Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 203 | Organic Chemistry I (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 204 | Organic Chemistry II (with lab) | 4 |
| CHEM 214 | Introductory Analytical Chemistry (with lab) | 4 |
| or CHEM 224 | Environmental Chemistry (with lab) | |
| Select eight credit hours at the 300-level or above | 8 | |
| Total Hours | 28 | |
CHEM 104. Chemistry: Concepts & Methods (with lab). 4 Hours.
A study of topics selected to introduce students to basic concepts in chemistry and
to the scientific method. Does not count toward a major in Chemistry or toward
science requirements for the B.S. degree.
CHEM 123. General Chemistry I (with lab). 4 Hours.
A thorough treatment of the fundamentals of chemistry from a strictly modern point
of view.
CHEM 124. General Chemistry II (with lab). 4 Hours.
A continuation of CHEM 123 in analyzing the fundamentals of chemistry from a strictly modern point of view.
Prerequisite: CHEM 123 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 203. Organic Chemistry I (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A study of the major classes of organic compounds, with emphasis on structure and
mechanisms. The lab portion will emphasize laboratory set-ups, distillation, extraction, recrystallization, chromatographic separations, and spectroscopic analysis (particular attention will be paid to simple IR and NMR analysis).
Prerequisite: CHEM 124 with a minimum grade of C.
CHEM 204. Organic Chemistry II (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A continuation of CHEM 203 in studying the major classes of organic compounds, with emphasis on structure and mechanisms. The lab portion will emphasize laboratory set-ups, distillation, extraction, recrystallization, chromatographic separations, and spectroscopic analysis (particular attention will be paid to simple IR and NMR analysis).
Prerequisite: CHEM 203 with a minimum grade of C.
CHEM 214. Introductory Analytical Chemistry (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
Fundamental theories and techniques of quantitative chemical analysis. The lab portion focuses on the application of classical procedures for specific determinations. It includes volumetric, gravimetric, and common electroanalytical chemistry techniques.
Prerequisite: CHEM 124 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 224. Environmental Chemistry (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
This course provides an introduction to aquatic, soil and atmospheric chemistry processes that effect local and global ecology, with an emphasis on the effects on humans.
Prerequisite: CHEM 124 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 250. Introduction to Research. 1 Hour.
Elementary investigations in chemistry for students who wish to begin research early in their undergraduate studies. A student may earn a maximum of 4 semester hours in Chemistry 250.
Prerequisite: CHEM 124 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 280. Selected Topics in Chemistry. 1 to 4 Hours.
Group or individual study of selected topics in chemistry at an intermediate level.
Intended for non-chemists as well as students majoring in Chemistry. Specific topics vary with student interest and are announced one semester in advance.
CHEM 308. Biotechnology (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
This course is designed to provide knowledge and skills of biochemical processes and their application to industrial chemistry and microbiology. The lab exercises in this course have been selected to provide practical experience in biochemical processes and thir application to industrial chemistry, microbiology, and use of microorganisms for biological synthesis.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 309. Biochemistry (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A rigorous introduction to modern biochemistry with an emphasis on the molecular
basis of cellular structure and biological function. A thorough treatment of physicochemical properties of informational macromolecules is employed to provide a sound basis for the study of bioenergetics and metabolic organization. The lab exercises provide experience in protien chemistry and in chromatographic and electrophoretic separation, and emphasizes the basic principles of biochemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 313. Physical Chemistry I (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A study of the laws and theories of thermodynamics applied to chemical systems
presented from a modern perspective. Theories describe the behavior of energy, heat, work; entropy; reaction spontaneity and equilibrium; equations of state; and phase diagrams. The lab portion studies chemical kinetics using both modern experimental techniques and computer-aided calculations and simulations. Also emphasized is understanding the measurements of chemical reaction rates, from both theoritical and experimental perspectives, while focusing on methods for statistical treatment of experimental data.
Prerequisite: CHEM 214 with a minimum grade of D and (PHY 122 with a minimum grade of D or PHY 142 with a minimum grade of D) and MATH 182 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 314. Physical Chemistry II (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
An introduction to quantum chemistry focusing on the postulates and models of
quantum mechanics as they apply to atoms and molecules. The laboratory engages in an experimental study of selected aspects of physical chemistry, with emphasis on experimentation relevant to the field of quantum chemistry. Topics include laser operation, optical spectroscopy, and quantum computational methods.
Prerequisite: MATH 182 with a minimum grade of D and (PHY 142 with a minimum grade of D or PHY 122 with a minimum grade of D).
CHEM 323. Inorganic Chemistry (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A survey of inorganic chemistry with emphasis on the periodicity of the elements and development of the modern theories of the relationships of chemical behavior and structure. This laboratory component focuses on the synthesis and characterization of organometallic, coordination, bioorganic, and solid state compounds, including inert atmosphere techniques, vibrational spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, and electrochemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 124 with a minimum grade of C.
CHEM 360. Chemical Information & Seminar. 1 Hour.
Both an introduction to the retrieval of information from on-line databases in chemistry and a seminar course discussing current topics in chemistry through the examination of the primary literature of chemistry in combination with seminars presented by outside speakers and students enrolled in the course. The goal of the course is to provide students with the tools, including the computer skills, necessary to conduct independent literature searches for courses and research and to also learn how to make effective computer-assisted presentations.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 361. Chemistry Seminar I. 1 Hour.
A seminar course discussing current topics in chemistry through the examination of the primary literature of chemistry in combination with seminars presented by outside speakers and students enrolled in the course. This course is designed to be taken in the junior or senior year after the completion of General Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, and while enrolled in upper level chemistry courses.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 409. Advanced Biochemistry. 2 Hours.
This course is designed to provide detailed and in-depth study of selected topics in biochemistry. The emphasis is to familiarize students with specific metabolic pathways and their regulations, hormones, nutrients, abnormal biochemical reactions in human disease and the theory and practice of X-ray crystallography as it applies to studying the 3D structure of macromolecules.
Prerequisite: CHEM 309 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 411. Instrumental Analysis (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A study of the theories employed in analytical instrumentation. The application of
instruments for methods in absorption and emission spectroscopy, gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, radioisotopes, electrometric measurements, and separations will be emphasized. The lab is the practical application of instrumental procedures for specific determinations. It includes gas chromatography, mass spectroscopy, UV-Vis spectroscopy, IR spectroscopy, electrometric measurements, and thermal analysis.
Prerequisite: CHEM 214 with a minimum grade of D.
CHEM 421. Advanced Organic Chemistry (with lab). 1 or 3 Hours.
A study of the structure, synthesis, and behavior of organic compounds based on
electronic structure. Concepts learned in basic organic will be extrapolated to more
modern approaches to organic chemistry. The lab is designed to provide the student with a thorough introduction to the experimental techniques utilized by practicing chemists in the synthesis, isolation, and characterization of organic compounds.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of C.
CHEM 422. Organic Spectroscopy. 2 Hours.
The course is designed for students that wish to pursue a graduate degree in chemistry. The topics will focus on spectroscopic techniques and interpretation that are used in the field of organic chemistry in research and development as well as manufacturing.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of C.
CHEM 423. Advanced Organic Chemistry: Kinetics, Mechanisms & Heterocycles. 3 Hours.
A survey of specific topics within organic chemistry. Topics include an introduction to the kinetics of organic reactions and how the application of kinetic studies relates to the elucidation of organic mechanisms. The fundamentals of organic mechanisms are then used as the foundation to introduce concepts in heterocyclic chemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of C.
CHEM 425. Industrial Chemistry. 2 Hours.
Designed for students that are pursuing a career in industrial chemistry, this course will teach students about scale-up techniques to take viable products from the laboratory scale to the industrial manufacturing scale. Students will visit local companies to learn about plant equipment and design.
Prerequisite: CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of C.
Corequisite: CHEM 423.
CHEM 450. Senior Research. 1 to 4 Hours.
Guided original research in the field of a student's interest. Introduction to basic
principles of library and laboratory research leading to a solution of the problem and a written report. A student may earn a maximum of four semester hours in Chemistry 450. Permission of instructor and Department Chair required.
CHEM 480. Advanced Topics in Chemistry. 1 to 4 Hours.
Group or individual study of special topics in chemistry at an advanced level. Topics
vary with student interest, but are selected from an advanced area of analytical, organic, inorganic, physical, or biochemistry, and are announced one semester in advance.
CHEM 500. Honors Course. 3 Hours.
At the discretion of the faculty, students may undertake a six-hour independent course of study in the senior year in order to broaden their educational experience within their major area of study. Students must meet specific GPA standards and arrange a faculty sponsor. The honors course criteria are outlined in the Academic Honors portion of the catalog.