Catalog 2020-2021

Chemistry

Teaching Faculty

Professors Caro, Gron, Hales, and Hatch (chair) 
Assistant Professors W. Gunderson, Hicks, Kett, and C. Scott  
Laboratory Teaching Staff Bradley and Desrochers

Description

Major in Chemistry

13 courses distributed as follows:

  • CHEM 110  Gen Chem I: Struct & Prop (w/Lab)
  • CHEM 120  Gen Chem II: Analy & React (w/Lab)
  • CHEM 240 Organic Chemistry I (w/Lab)
  • CHEM 250 Organic Chemistry II (w/Lab)
  • CHEM 280 Environmental Analysis (w/Lab)
  • CHEM 310 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
  • CHEM 320 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics
  • 1 course from
    • CHEM 330 Biological Chemistry (w/Lab)
    • CHEM 350 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
    • CHEM 440 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
  • MATH 130 Calculus I
  • MATH 140 Calculus II
  • 1 course from
    • PHYS 210  General Physics I (w/Lab)
    • PHYS 230  Gen Physics I (Calc-based w/Lab) (recommended)
    • PHYS 235  Physics I - Workshop (w/Lab) (recommended)
  • 1 course from
    • PHYS 220  General Physics II (w/Lab)
    • PHYS 240  Gen Physics II (Calc-based w/Lab)
    • PHYS 245  Physics II - Workshop (w/Lab) (recommended)
  • CHEM 497  Chemistry Senior Seminar
  •  All chemistry majors must take two semesters of CHEM ATC ATEC Laboratory concurrently with CHEM 310 Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy and CHEM 320 Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics. CHEM ATC does not carry course credit.

 

Senior Capstone Experience

The Senior Capstone Experience for the chemistry major consists of a comprehensive standardized chemistry examination and a literature-based research paper written under the direct supervision of a faculty member and presented as a seminar in CHEM 497 Chemistry Senior Seminar . The grade for the Senior Capstone Experience is 50% research paper, 25% oral presentation, and 25% standardized chemistry examination.

American Chemical Society Certified Degree in Chemistry

Requirements for the chemistry major including the following courses:

  • CHEM 330 Biological Chemistry (w/Lab) 
  • CHEM 440  Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
  • 1 of the following options
    • Option 1
      • CHEM 450 Directed Research (credit) and 
      • 1 additional course from the list below
        • CHEM 335 Advanced Biological Chemistry
        • CHEM 350 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
        • CHEM 410 Advanced Physical Chemistry (w/Lab)

      OR

    • Option 2
      • CHEM 460 Directed Research (no credit) and
      • 2 additional courses from the list below
        • CHEM 335 Advanced Biological Chemistry
        • CHEM 350 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
        • CHEM 410 Advanced Physical Chemistry (w/Lab )

 

Major in Chemical Physics

Minor in Chemistry

6 courses distributed as follows:

  • CHEM 110 and CHEM 120 General Chemistry I and II
  • CHEM 240 Organic Chemistry I
  • Additional courses in Chemistry numbered above 240 for a total of 6 Chemistry courses 

Program Course Listings

The courses for this program are organized into the following categories:

Chemistry Courses

CHEM 100

Concepts of Chemistry

The theories, models, structures, and reactions of modern chemistry are introduced to the nonscience major. Historical antecedents in the development of current concepts of matter are explored. Mathematical problem-solving in a chemistry context is included.

Natural Science Inquiry NS
CHEM 101

Chemistry of Environment (w/Lab)

Environmental issues are used as a basis to introduce the theories, models, structures, and reactions of modern chemistry to the non-science major. The states of matter are studied in the contexts of air pollution, ozone depletion, global warming, acid rain, and energy sources and consumption. Mathematical problem solving in a chemical context is included.

Natural Science Inquiry with Lab NS-L
CHEM 110

Gen Chem I: Struct & Prop (w/Lab)

Theories of matter with emphasis on environmental applications. Laboratory includes separations and spectroscopy.

Natural Science Inquiry with Lab NS-L
CHEM 120

Gen Chem II: Analy & React (w/Lab)

Reactions and equilibria of environmental significance. Laboratory involves analysis of environmental samples. Prerequisite: CHEM 110

CHEM 110
Natural Science Inquiry with Lab NS-L
CHEM 240

Organic Chemistry I (w/Lab)

The compounds of carbon with an emphasis on structure, nomenclature, and stereochemistry. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: CHEM 120

CHEM 120
CHEM 250

Organic Chemistry II (w/Lab)

The compounds of carbon with an emphasis on reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: CHEM 240

CHEM 240
CHEM 280

Environmental Analysis (w/Lab)

Quantitative chemical analysis techniques and skills are developed and applied to the analysis of environmental systems. Methods of sample collection, preparation and data analysis are learned in the classroom and in the laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 120

CHEM 120
Natural Science Inquiry with Lab NS-L
CHEM 310

Phys Chem: Quantum Mech & Spectrosc

Application of physical principles and mathematical descriptions to chemical systems: quantum theory, atomic structure, molecular structure and bonding, and interactions of matter with electromagnetic radiation. Prerequisites: MATH 140, PHYS 220, 240, or 245, and CHEM 250 or consent of instructor. Co-requisite: CHEM ATC

MATH 140, PHYS 220, 240, or 245, and CHEM 250 or consent of instructor. Co-requisite: CHEM ATC
CHEM 320

Phys Chem:Thermo & Chem Kinetics

Application of physical principles and mathematical descriptions to chemical systems: chemical and statistical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and dynamics. Prerequisites: MATH 140, PHYS 210, 230, or 235, and CHEM 250 or consent of instructor. Co-requisite: Students taking CHEM 320 after CHEM 310 must take CHEM ATC lab. Students taking CHEM 320 but not CHEM 310 must take CHEM 320L.

MATH 140, PHYS 210, 230, or 235, and CHEM 250 or consent of instructor. Co-requisite: Students taking CHEM 320 after CHEM 310 must take CHEM ATC lab. Students taking CHEM 320 but not CHEM 310 must take CHEM 320L.
CHEM 330

Biological Chemistry (w/Lab)

Fundamental biochemistry with emphasis on cellular constituents and molecular structure and function. Laboratory course. Prerequisite: CHEM 250

CHEM 250
CHEM 335

Advanced Biological Chemistry

Advanced Biological Chemistry will demonstrate how biomolecules interact with one another through various metabolic pathways. The course covers metabolism of carbohydrates, fatty acids, amino acids and nucleotides, metabolic integration of major biochemical pathways, and hormones and signal transduction. Prerequisite: CHEM 330

CHEM 330
CHEM 350

Advanced Analytical Chemistry

Fundamental theory and practice of modern instrumental techniques, including atomic and molecular spectroscopic methods and spectal analysis. Prerequisite: CHEM 240 and PHYS 220, 240, or 245, or consent of instructor

CHEM 240 and PHYS 220, 240, or 245, or consent of instructor
CHEM 410

Advanced Physical Chemistry (w/Lab)

Laboratory course. Cross-listed as PHYS 315 Modern Physics. Prerequisite: CHEM 320

CHEM 320
Natural Science Inquiry with Lab NS-L
Quantitative Studies QS
Writing Level 2 W2
CHEM 440

Adv Inorganic Chemistry

This course is a study of inorganic material with a focus on synthesis, molecular structure, and bonding. Students expand their knowledge of symmetry, catalysis and solid state structures. This course integrates material from the previous chemistry curriculum. Prerequisite: CHEM 310 or instructor permission.

CHEM 310 or instructor permission.
CHEM 450

Directed Research (credit)

Independent laboratory research conducted across two semesters in conjunction with a specific faculty member whose approval is required prior to enrollment. A student receives one course credit after the two semesters of research. Research topics are selected on an individual basis. The results of the research are written as a final research report. To receive Odyssey UR credit for this course students must present their results in a public forum.

Undergraduate Research UR
CHEM 460

Directed Research (no credit)

Non-credit course for research conducted on or off campus. Approval required by department chair.

CHEM 497

Chemistry Senior Seminar

A culminating senior experience involving seminars by invited speakers, common readings, research methods and both written and oral communication. Prerequisite: Senior standing.

Senior standing.
CHEM ATC

Adv Technq in Experimentl Chem

No Credit. Unified laboratory experience combining physical, inorganic, and analytical chemistry techniques, including data analysis and computational modeling. Corequisite: CHEM 310 or 320

CHEM 310 or 320
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