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2024-25 Academic Catalog

CHEM Course Descriptions

Table of Contents

CHEM 120 Foundations of Chemistry

4 credit hours

This course will cover introductory concepts of chemistry. Special attention is given to topics of current interest, such as environmental chemistry, alternative energy, or biochemistry. This course meets general education requirements and is designed for non-science majors. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week. This course is offered through High School Concurrent Enrollment Early College Program.

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CHEM 150 Foundations of General, Organic, and Biochemistry

4 credit hours

This course covers intermediate principles of chemistry. Special emphasis is placed on those aspects of general and organic chemistry that are pertinent to biochemistry. This course provides a background for students with interests in prenursing, nutrition, and related allied health areas. (This course does not meet the requirements for science majors.) Three lectures and one two-hour laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MATH 180 College Algebra (or equivalent).

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CHEM 211 General Chemistry I

4 credit hours

This course covers fundamental chemical principles, reactions, and mode theories. Special emphasis is given to the role of chemistry in everyday life. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: Successful completion of MATH 190 Precalculus Mathematics (or equivalent).

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CHEM 212 General Chemistry II

4 credit hours

This course covers fundamental chemical principles, reactions, and mode theories. Special emphasis is given to the role of chemistry in everyday life. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 General Chemistry I.

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CHEM 275 Field Experience

1-3 credit hour

Supervised experience with an off-campus industry or agency using applied chemistry. Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Pass/No Pass.

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CHEM 285 Selected Topics

1 credit hour

Scheduled as a regular class with topics chosen to meet the special needs and interests of students, faculty, or visiting professors. Prerequisite: upper-division status.

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CHEM 295 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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CHEM 300 Quantitative Analysis

4 credit hours

This course covers the principles and techniques of quantitative analysis in biochemical and chemical systems. The subject matter includes: the use of statistical methods of data analysis; the primary methodologies for conducting quantitative experiments; and the use of modern instrumentation for quantitation of chemical and biochemical compounds. The laboratory component focuses on the development of specific skills used in the laboratory and the use of spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chromatographic methods for quantitative analysis. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 General Chemistry I and CHEM 212 General Chemistry II.

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CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I

4 credit hours

A study of principles, structure, bonding, reactions, and energy as related to carbon chemistry. The laboratory stresses materials, equipment, and skills in synthesis, purification, and identification of representative groups of organic compounds. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 General Chemistry I and CHEM 212 General Chemistry II.

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CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry II

4 credit hours

A study of principles, structure, bonding, reactions, and energy as related to carbon chemistry. The laboratory stresses materials, equipment, and skills in synthesis, purification, and identification of representative groups of organic compounds. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I.

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CHEM 341 Biochemistry I

4 credit hours

A systematic and theoretical study of the biochemical activities of living cells. Topics to be covered will include: the structure, properties, and molecular interactions of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, bioenergetics, and metabolism of biomolecules, and RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I.

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CHEM 342 Biochemistry II

4 credit hours

A systematic and theoretical study of the biochemical activities of living cells. Topics to be covered will include: the structure, properties, and molecular interactions of biomolecules, metabolic pathways, bioenergetics, and metabolism of biomolecules, and RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. Three lectures and one three-hour laboratory per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 341 Biochemistry I.

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CHEM 365 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry

4 credit hours

These courses offer a rotating list of advanced topics relevant to student interests for example: Environmental Chemistry & Nanotoxicology and Nutrition and Food Chemistry. Designed to help students in the Department of Biological and Molecular Science become acquainted with latest ideas on advanced topics in biochemistry. Emphasis on analysis of key concepts in the field with reference to classical papers and recent literature. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 General Chemistry I, CHEM 212 General Chemistry II, and CHEM 331 Organic Chemistry I.

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CHEM 399 Cross-Cultural Experience

3 credit hours

This course offers in-depth discipline specific cross-cultural study designed to enhance the intercultural emphasis of various academic majors. The course includes class meetings followed by travel to various locations throughout the world. Students will use core disciplinary knowledge to serve, learn and interact with other cultures. (Offered in May Term. Students must meet eligibility requirements.) Additional course fee is required.

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CHEM 400 Biophysical Chemistry

4 credit hours

This course focuses on the intersection of energy and biochemical and biological systems from the molecule to the ensemble. An overview of kinetics, thermodynamics, and statistical mechanics is presented, with an emphasis on real-world biochemical and biological applications such as assembly of cell membranes, macromolecular structure and stability, ligand binding, and enzyme kinetics. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 211 General Chemistry I, CHEM 212 General Chemistry II, and MATH 201 Calculus I.

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CHEM 450 Quantum Chemistry

3 credit hours

An introduction to the quantum mechanical description of matter. Emphasis on the development of fundamental principles of quantum theory and applications to atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 332 Organic Chemistry and MATH 202 Calculus II. Corequisites: PHYS 202 General Physics II or PHYS 212 General Physics with Calculus II and MATH 301 Calculus III.

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CHEM 461 Chemistry Seminar

1 credit hour

An advanced, senior-level course that will focus on reading and searching the chemical literature for the purpose of designing an independent research project. One lecture per week. Prerequisites: Instructor’s permission.

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CHEM 462 Experimental Chemistry

2 credit hours

An advanced, senior-level laboratory course integrating synthetic techniques, instrumental methods, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics, spectroscopy and an original research project. The purpose is to build on and consolidate the student’s previous experiences in experiment design and execution, data acquisition and analysis, problem solution, and oral and written communication of results. Two laboratory sessions per week. Additional course fee is required. Prerequisites: CHEM 461.

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CHEM 465 Chemical Research

1-4 credit hour

Experimental and/or theoretical research in a topic of the student's choosing, supervised by the chemistry faculty. Prerequisite: upper-division chemistry majors and by permission of individual faculty member.

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CHEM 475 Field Experience

1-3 credit hour

Supervised experience with an off-campus industry or agency using applied chemistry. Prerequisite: instructor's permission. Pass/No Pass.

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CHEM 485 Selected Topics

1-4 credit hour

Scheduled as a regular class with topics chosen to meet the special needs and interests of students, faculty, or visiting professors. Prerequisite: upper-division status.

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CHEM 495 Individualized Study

1-3 credit hour

Individualized study or supervised research in an area of special interest to the student which is outside the regular offerings of the major. Additional course fee (per credit) is required.

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