CHEMISTRY

Department of Chemistry

Kelli M. Slunt, Chair

Janet A. Asper, Career Advisor

Faculty

Distinguished Professor

Roy F. Gratz

Professors

Raymond B. Scott
Kelli M. Slunt

Associate Professor

Leanna C. Giancarlo

Assistant Professors

Janet A. Asper
K. Nicole Crowder
Charles M. Sharpless

The Chemistry Program

Chemistry, the study of the structure, properties, and reactivity of matter, has been called the “central science” because it forms a bridge between biology and physics.
The department has well-equipped laboratories to support and reinforce classroom instruction and to provide opportunities for research. Instrumentation for spectroscopy includes ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectrophotometers; a nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer; and atomic absorption and emission spectrometers with both flame and inductively coupled plasma sources. Other major equipment items include a scanning probe microscope, a gas chromatograph/mass spectrometer system; several other gas and liquid chromatographs; electro-chemical analyzers; and differential scanning calorimeter.

The Chemistry program offers a modern curriculum for the study of chemistry within the general framework of a liberal arts and sciences education. It prepares a student for graduate, medical, or dental school; for employment in the chemical industry; or for secondary school teaching. In addition, a number of courses provide an important foundation in chemical theory and practice for the study of biology, geology, environmental science, and the health sciences. In general, chemistry is a good major program around which one can build a career-focused set of courses from other disciplines, e.g., with mathematics and computer science for chemical engineering or industrial chemistry; with economics and business administration for industrial chemistry; with biology for the health sciences; and with geology for energy or environmental research.

Majors are encouraged to participate in independent study and research (URES 197 or CHEM 491). During the senior year qualified students may pursue Honors in Chemistry by completing an independent research project and writing and defending a thesis.

Requirements for the Chemistry Major

Forty (40) credits including Chemistry 111, 112, 211, 212, 253, 254, 383, 384, 387, 388, 423, 453.

Note: Mathematics 122 and Physics 105 and 106 are prerequisites to Chemistry 383 and should be completed before the junior year.

Chemistry Course Offerings

105, 106 – Chemistry and Society with Laboratory I, II (4, 4)

107 – Societal Chemistry (3)

A study of societal problems and issues involving an understanding of important chemical principles with emphasis on relevant applications and the enhancement of chemical literacy for the non-scientist. CHEM 105,106 have a laboratory component. Does not satisfy any major program requirements or serve as a prerequisite to any other chemistry courses. Credit for only one sequence (Chemistry 105–106, 105-107, or 111–112) can count toward degree requirements. Only in sequence (105-106 or 105-107).

111, 112 – General Chemistry I, II (4, 4)

Introduction to the fundamental principles of chemistry and the more important elements and their compounds. Laboratory. The entry-level course for additional work in chemistry and biology. Credit for only one sequence (Chemistry 105–106, 105–107, or 111–112) can count toward degree requirements. Only in sequence.

211, 212 – Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 112. The comprehensive study of the structure and reactivity of carbon compounds. Laboratory. Only in sequence.

253 – Chemical Analysis I (4)

Prerequisites: Chemistry 112. Introduction to principles of chemical analysis, statistical
101 treatment of measurements, volumetric and gravimetric analyses, and electrochemical analysis.

254 – Chemical Analysis II (4)

Prerequisites: Chemistry 112. Introduction to sampling in chemical analysis as well as instrumental methods.

317, 318 – Biochemistry I, II (3, 3)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 212. The application of chemical principles to the study and understanding of the living state. Only in sequence.

319, 320 – Biochemistry Laboratory I, II (1, 1)

Corequisites: Chemistry 317 and 318. Chemistry 253 and 254 are highly recommended. Selected research techniques involving the chemical composition and properties of cells, tissues, and organisms.

331 – Environmental Chemistry (3)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 112 or permission of the instructor. An introduction to chemical processes that regulate the composition of air, water, and soil. Attention will be paid to understanding chemical equilibrium and kinetics of natural systems and how they are influenced by human actions. Additional topics of study include sources, effects, and remediation of pollution, green chemistry and the analysis of environmental samples.

332 – Environmental Chemistry Laboratory (1)

Corequisite: Chemistry 331. Laboratory experiments and field sampling methods that determine the chemical composition of environmental samples.

343 – Inorganic Chemistry (3)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 112. Modern theories of atomic structure and chemical bonding and their applications to molecular and metallic structures and coordination chemistry.

345 – Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (1)

Corequisite: Chemistry 343, Prerequisite: Chemistry 253, 254. Selected experiments in the principles of inorganic chemistry, including preparation and characterization of selected inorganic compounds.

383, 384 – Physical Chemistry I, II (3, 3)

Prerequisites: Chemistry 112, Physics 105 and 106, and Mathematics 122. Thermodynamic, kinetic, quantum mechanical, and spectroscopic properties of chemical systems. Only in sequence.

387, 388 – Physical Chemistry Laboratory I,II (2, 2)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 253, 254; corequisite: Chemistry 383, 384 sequence. Selected experiments involving the investigation of the thermodynamic, electrochemical, kinetic and spectroscopic properties of chemical systems. Only in sequence.

411 – Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 212. Organic reaction mechanisms and the relation of molecular structure to physical and chemical properties.

423 – Experimental Methods in Chemistry (4)

Prerequisites: Chemistry 212 and 253, 254. Spectroscopic, chromatographic, and chemical functional group techniques used in synthesizing and characterizing chemical systems. Laboratory.

453 – Seminar (2)

Open to graduating majors only, except by permission of the department. Introduction to the chemical literature and information retrieval; oral reports and discussion of selected topics in chemistry.

471 – Advanced Topics in Chemistry (2–3)

Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Advanced treatment of selected topics in chemistry.

491 – Individual Study (1–4)

Open to qualified students by permission of the department. Individual investigation of a chemical topic or system under the direction of a member of the department. Students pursuing Honors in Chemistry register for 4 credits of Chemistry 491 each semester of the senior year.

499 – Internship (Credits variable)

Prerequisites: permission of the department. Supervised off-campus experience developed in consultation with the department.