Chemistry Course Descriptions

CHEMISTRY (CHEM)

Natural Science requirements for graduation:  Unless specific courses are listed for a major, student must select one  BIOL course and one CHEM, PHSC, or PHYS course to fulfill general education requirements.

CHEM 1150. General Chemistry Recitation

Corequisite:  CHEM 1450
A supplement to the general chemistry course with emphasis placed in the problem solving and theoretical concepts of chemistry.  This course is designed to help the student with a weak background in fundamental chemistry and/or basic chemical theories.  Credit for this course is not allowed for the fulfillment of the chemistry requirement in a degree program.  Enrollment in this course is required for those students not passing a chemistry competency test during the first week of classes.  One class hour per week. One semester hour elective credit.  

CHEM 1440.  Concepts of Chemistry

This class is designed for non-science majors and fulfills the General Education requirement for all other majors.  Students must select one life science (BIOL) course and one physical science (CHEM, PHSC, or PHYS) course to complete the full general education requirement.  This course introduces non-science majors to the culture, language, values, methods and outcomes of chemistry.  A review of important concepts is presented on a framework of contemporary issues such as the environment, energy, plastics, medicinal drugs, nutrition, and biotechnology.  The associated laboratory (CHEM 1441) teaches the fundamentals of experimentation, observation, record keeping and conclusion formation.  The course is designed for non-science majors and meets the General Education requirement for a physical science in all degree programs.  Three class hours per week.  Two laboratory hours a week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 1450.  General Chemistry I

Pre- or Corequisite: MATH 1310 or higher or by permission of the instructor
A comprehensive introduction to the basic principles and fundamental laws of chemistry, including atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical formulas, equations, stoichiometry and thermochemistry.  Recommended for students planning a profession in the sciences (biology, nursing, medicine, dental or other allied health fields).  Three class hours per week.  Three lab hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 1460.  General Chemistry II

Prerequisite: CHEM 1450
This course is a continuation of CHEM 1450.  Emphasis is placed on the concepts of chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, acid-base and redox theory.  The laboratory introduces qualitative inorganic analysis.  Three class hours per week.  Three lab hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 2150.  Organic Chemistry Recitation

Corequisite:  CHEM 2450
 A supplement to the organic chemistry course with emphasis placed in problem solving and theoretical concepts of chemistry.  This course is designed to help the student by providing additional problem solving work in a group environment.  Credit for this course is not allowed for the fulfillment of the chemistry requirement in a degree program.  One class hour per week.  One semester hour credit.

CHEM 2450.  Organic Chemistry I

Prerequisites: CHEM 1460
Organic Chemistry is a study of carbon-based compounds.  Structures, properties, nomenclature and spectroscopy are studied along with reactions of organic compounds.  Reactions are systematically studied based on relation to functional group while mechanisms are extensively used to explain and predict product formation.  Spectroscopic methods are introduced.  The laboratory portion develops basic techniques used in organic chemistry and are integrated with presentation of chemical reactions and properties covered in lecture.  Three class hours per week.  Three lab hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 2460.  Organic Chemistry II

Prerequisite: CHEM 2450
This course is a continuation of CHEM 2450.  Functional group studies are continued with increased emphasis on spectroscopic analysis.  The course concludes with a study of major biological chemicals:  carbohydrates, amino acids and peptides, lipids and nucleic acids.  A course project requiring development and defense of a synthetic scheme for a common organic compound is incorporated as a major project.  The laboratory portion emphasizes organic synthetic reactions including multi-step synthesis.  Three class hours per week.  Three lab hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 2470.  Organic and Biochemistry (For Secondary Education Majors)

Prerequisite:  CHEM 1460
A survey of carbon-based compounds, their structure, properties, nomenclature and reactions will be presented.  A functional group approach will be used focusing on those groups essential to their application in bio-molecules.  The biochemical portion of the course includes the structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids.  An overview of important biochemical pathways will be presented.  Three class hours per week.  Three laboratory hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 3410.  Biochemistry

Prerequisites:  BIOL 1410 and CHEM 2460
This introduction to biochemistry covers the chemistry and function of biomolecules.  Emphasis is given to protein structure as this relates to enzyme catalysis.  Central metabolic pathways are described along with the anabolic and catabolic pathways in polysaccharide, lipid and nucleic acid metabolism.  Three class hours per week.  Three laboratory hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 3430.  Analytical Chemistry

Prerequisite:  CHEM 1460
An integrated study of chemical and biological methods of analysis used in addressing quantitative questions related to life, environment, science, and industry.  Methods of gravimetric, volumetric and basic instrumental methods of analysis are sued.  Topics covered include acid-base equilibrium; acid-base titration; complexometric titration; precipitation reactions; oxidation-reduction reactions; electro-chemical analysis; ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy; and gas chromatography.  Problem solving is emphasized.  Laboratory (four hours a week) consists of analysis of unknowns by standard volumetric, gravimetric and instrumental methods.  Three lecture hours per week.  Three laboratory hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.

CHEM 3460.  Inorganic Chemistry

Prerequisite:  CHEM 1460
Selected topics in modern inorganic chemistry.  Topics covered include:  transition metal complexes, crystal field theory, reactions of transition metal complexes, bioinorganic complexes, solid state structures and theory, and descriptive chemistry of some representative elements.  Three lecture hours per week.  Three laboratory hours per week.  Four semester hours credit.  Lab fee required.