Chemistry

Programs

Courses

CHEM 105: Introduction to Forensic Science

Credits 4
A lab course designed for non-science students. Crime investigations will be used to introduce students to the procedures of the scientific method to understand the nature of physical evidence and its role in the legal system. Topics covered in the course will include legal and ethical issues in forensic science and evaluation of crime scenes, as well as the analysis of physical evidence such as fingerprinting, hair and fiber analysis, inks and papers, arson accelerant, forensic toxicology and drug analysis, bullet and cartridge analysis, forensic serology and DNA analysis.

CHEM 111: Principles of Chemistry

Credits 4

Designed as the entry course for the major. Core principles and interesting applications of chemistry combine to provide a conceptual understanding of chemistry for professional and everyday life. Principles of atomic and molecular structure, molecular energetics and classes of chemical reactions reviewed. Aspects of gas behavior, basic photochemistry and acid-base chemistry are applied to the study of environmental chemistry issues such as stratospheric ozone, the global greenhouse effect, acid rain and photochemical smog. Lab work includes the synthesis of compounds, the study of aqueous ions, titrations, and basic IR, visible and UV spectrophotometry. Learning outcomes include a strong understanding of core chemistry concepts and skills.

CHEM 111R: Principles of CHEM Recitation

Credits 1
Students will actively participate in peer-led sessions focusing on problem-solving by completing structured group work and activities in class. These small group recitation meetings will provide an opportunity for the students to practice more examples of problems, while also focusing on the concepts and the process of solving chemical problems, in order to develop the kind of problem solving skills required to be successful in the course. The recitation is not an additional lecture, and no new material will be presented. This recitation section is a 1-credit course that is graded on a credit (CR) or NO Credit Earned (NCR) basis.

CHEM 221: Organic Chemistry I

Credits 4

Introductory course designed for chemistry and biology majors as well as pre-health professionals. Focuses on basic structural and reactivity aspects in organic chemistry and their relationship to pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and biological systems. Topics include stereochemistry, substitution, elimination and addition reactions. Weekly three-hour laboratory provides hands-on experience with modern organic methods and techniques. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of basic organic chemistry concepts. Additionally, students will learn to take a 'first principles' approach to organic chemistry by using what they already know to derive more complex concepts and ideas.

CHEM 251: Intro to Nutrition Science

Credits 3

This course will serve as an introduction to the science of human nutrition and the relationship of food and nutrients to health and disease. Topics covered will include the macro- and micronutrients, digestion of food, and current recommendations for nutrient intake. Also discussed will be current scientific literature on the role of nutrition in selected disease processes and the use of foods as medicines.

CHEM 321: Organic Chemistry II

Credits 4

A continuation of the sequence in organic chemistry. Focuses on more advanced structural aspects and reactivities in organic chemistry and their relationship to pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemical and biological systems. Topics include alcohol, carbonyl, amine and aromatic reactions, spectroscopy, drug design and synthetic methodology. Weekly three-hour laboratory introduces several additional modern synthesis, chromatography and spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-NMR and GCMS) methods. A significant portion of the lab includes a student-designed synthesis and/or natural product isolation research project. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of more complex organic chemistry concepts. Additionally, students will learn to take a 'first principles' approach to organic chemistry by using what they already know from Organic Chemistry I to derive more complex concepts and ideas.

CHEM 331: Equilibrium & Analysis

Credits 5

Designed for chemistry majors, minors and pre-health professionals. Problem-based learning course designed to provide a working knowledge of the principles and practices of analytical chemistry. Covers two major themes: (1) the systematic treatment of chemical equilibrium in ionic systems, including acid-base, solubility, redox, and (2) methods of quantitative chemical analysis, which includes the theory and practice of volumetric analysis and modern instrumental methods of analysis (spectroscopy and chromatography techniques). Through both lecture and laboratory instruction, students will develop a theoretical foundation for a variety of methods of analytical chemistry as well as a proficiency in chemical laboratory techniques, and the ability to apply these to practical and current problems in research. The laboratory culminates in a three-week laboratory group project and a poster presentation. Learning outcomes include a strong quantitative understanding of chemical processes and instrumentation. This includes the ability to deconduct, analyze, critically evaluate the results of, and present an analytical chemistry research project.

CHEM 341: Thermodynamics & Kinetics

Credits 4

In the first two-thirds of the course, learning goals include taking the concepts of enthalpy, entropy and free energy and developing them as a basis for understanding the nature of chemical stability. In the last third of the course, learning goals include applying tools of rate measurement and analysis to understand chemical reactivity. Laboratory work learning goals include the application of calorimetric, potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods to study of thermodynamic and kinetic problems. Several applications utilizing computer-interfaced measurements are included. Learning outcomes include demonstrating a strong understanding of thermodynamics and kinetics concepts. This includes, but is not limited to, a quantitative understanding of the basic laws of thermodynamics.

CHEM 351: Biochemistry

Credits 4

Intended for students majoring in chemistry, biology or the health professions. Explores the role of chemistry in life processes. Topics and learning goals include, but are not limited to: detailed understanding of protein structure, enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, and cancer mechanisms. Laboratory work learning goals include, but are not limited to: buffer making, protein purification techniques, kinetic measurement methods, and FTIR spectroscopy. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of biochemistry and the ability to think critically about and solve biochemistry related problems as a team.

CHEM 361: Inorganic Chemistry

Credits 3
Students will conduct a systematic examination of the chemical elements and their compounds, with an emphasis on periodicity of properties. Learning goals include, but are not limited to, examining bonding theories, group theory and reaction mechanisms. Particular emphasis on the coordination compounds and organometallic compounds of transition metals. Other topics and learning goals include bioinorganic chemistry and solid-state chemistry. Labs explore synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. Learning outcomes include the successful understanding of the indicated goals.

CHEM 371: Environmental Chemistry & Toxicology

Credits 4
A study of natural and unnatural chemical substances in the environment with particular emphasis on the problem of chemical pollution and its health consequences. Includes air pollution, global warming, water quality, heavy metals, pesticide residues and other organic compounds. Principles of chemical equilibrium and reaction mechanisms emphasized. Learning goals include applying chemical principles and critical thinking to understanding and addressing complex environmental problems, and utilization of modern information sources and modeling software to these problems.

CHEM 421: Advanced Organic Chemistry

Credits 3
A look at advanced concepts of organic chemistry through the use of rotating central topics in different years. Topics include spectroscopy, agricultural and pharmaceutical chemicals, or natural product syntheses. Students discover how organic chemistry is intimately involved in a variety of other fields, including biology and medicine. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of advanced spectroscopy methods of structure elucidation and identification. Students will also learn several of the most current and modern advanced synthesis methods. Goals also include critical reading and evaluation of current primary literature in organic synthesis.

CHEM 431: Advanced Analytical Chemistry

Credits 4

The goal of this course is a systematic study of modern instrumental methods of chemical analysis with emphasis on the principles of operation of the instruments and their use for the analysis of real substances. Topics and learning goals include, but are not limited to, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry. Laboratory skills and learning goals include extensive hands-on experience with major analytical instrumentation: UV-Vis absorption, AAS, ICP-AES, GC and HPLC as well as important instrumentation construction skills such as data acquisition and control, electronics and the use of the machine shop. Emphasizes study of complex mixtures and the special problems of trace-level analysis. Learning outcomes include the successful understanding of the indicated goals.

CHEM 441: Quantum Chemistry

Credits 3
Topics and learning goals include, but are not limited to, the study of the quantum mechanics and statistical mechanics as applied to chemical systems. In quantum mechanics, a range of problems is studied, from the simple particle-in-a-box case to the hydrogen atom, pi-electron systems, and time-dependent systems. With statistical mechanics, the molecular view of matter is linked to the energetics of chemical equilibrium systems. Learning outcomes include the successful understanding of the indicated goals.

CHEM 451: Adv Biochemistry of Proteins and Nucleic Acids

Credits 4
Students will explore the structure-function relationship of proteins, nucleic acids, and enzymes in great depth. Lectures will be discussion-based, with primary literature as the main course text. The associated laboratory will use various techniques to interrogate the structure-function relationships of proteins and nucleic acids, and to study the substrate-active site relationship of RNA-binding enzymes.

CHEM 453: Cell Membrane Biochemistry

Credits 3
This course is designed for advanced undergraduate students. The goal of this course is for students to gain an in-depth understanding of membrane biochemistry and membrane structure/function relationships. Topics will include lipid diversity, membrane dynamics, membrane proteins and lipid rafts. A variety of laboratory techniques for probing membrane dynamics also will be discussed and different aspects of membrane research will be explored through the reading of primary literature articles.

CHEM 462: Organometallic Chemistry

Credits 3

This course is an investigation of important transformations of organotransition-metal species with an emphasis on basic mechanisms, spectroscopy, chemical bonding and structure-reactivity relationships. Students will examine applications of organometallic chemistry in organic synthesis and catalysis. A central goal of this course will be the development of your ability to read and understand the primary literature in Organometallic Chemistry.

CHEM 463: Materials Chemistry

Credits 3
This course bridges the gap between traditional synthetic chemists and materials scientists, by working to understand the relationships between bulk physical properties, length scale (mesoscale, nanoscale), and molecular structure. Students will cover a variety of different types of materials and their properties including solids (insulators, semiconductors, conductors, superconductors, magnetic materials), soft materials (polymers, gels, liquid crystals) and nanoscale structures.

CHEM 464: Materials Chemistry (with Lab)

Credits 4
This course bridges the gap between traditional synthetic chemists and materials scientists, by working to understand the relationships between bulk physical properties, length scale (mesoscale, nanoscale), and molecular structure. Students will cover a variety of different types of materials and their properties including solids (insulators, semiconductors, conductors, superconductors, magnetic materials), soft materials (polymers, gels, liquid crystals) and nanoscale structures.

CHEM 480: Senior Seminar

Credits 2
A study of recent research topics in chemistry based on primary sources. Each student to make at least one oral report. Topics and learning goals include, but are not limited to, the study of professional ethics, preparation of a portfolio for future education or employment, and preparation for comprehensive exams. Learning outcomes include preparing majors for work or graduate school in chemistry or a related field. Students also review their chemistry knowledge in preparation for comprehensive exams and they learn to communicate their research experiences both in writing and orally.

CHEM 486: Student Research

Credits 0 3

A laboratory investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by the student in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Culminates in a comprehensive report prepared in the style of a thesis or a scientific paper.