Course Descriptions

CORE COURSES

Ns110 Scientific Literacy (3)
Introduction to the characteristics of scientific inquiry and research; the basic principles and laws of natural science; the scientific method. Topics may include energy, space and matter, radiation, technology, genetics, nutrition and aging, population, ecology, and pollution.

Ch100 Introduction to Chemistry (3)
The nature and logic of science, structure of matter, chemical reactions, stoichiometry. Three class periods weekly. Ch100 is preparatory for General Chemistry (Ch131-132). It is open to prospective majors in any of the natural sciences (biology, chemistry, biological chemistry, and psychology) upon placement by the chairperson of the Chemistry Department. Credits earned in this course do not count toward chemistry credits required by a science major, but they may be used toward fulfilling the core science requirement.

Ch123 Matter and Man (3)
A core science course for the nonscience major. Topics of current interest are analyzed from their chemical perspective. Three class periods weekly. Prerequisite: Ns110.

Ch150  Metabolism (3)
An overview of the metabolism of major biomolecules in the diet; vitamins, special diets and metabolic disorders.  Prerequisite:  high school chemistry

Ch/Bi/Cj237 Forensic Science (3)
The basic concepts and practices of biology and chemistry as applied to criminal investigation, examining and preserving forensic evidence, conducting crime-scene investigations, science in the courts, laboratory experience. Three class periods weekly. Prerequisite: Ns110.

Ch/Ar238 The Science of Art (3)
Materials of art and artifacts, scientific and technical principles underlying the creation of art works, authentication and forgery, deterioration due to time and environment, restoration techniques. Three class periods weekly. Prerequisite: Ns110.

REQUIRED COURSES

In all two-part courses following, Part II may not be taken without successful completion of Part I.

Ch131-132 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis, I and II (8)
Introduction to the laws and theories of chemistry, emphasizing fundamental mathematical and laboratory skills required for expertise in the field. Three class periods, one four-hour laboratory period weekly. Pre-requisite: high school chemistry or Ch100.

Ch251-252 Organic Chemistry, I and II (8)
Nomenclature, structure, reactions and spectroscopy of organic compounds with emphasis on reaction mechanisms; selected laboratory experiments and preparations. Three class periods, one four-hour laboratory period weekly. Prerequisite: Ch132.

Ch329 Analytical Chemistry (4)
Statistical methods; principles and procedures of quantitative analysis; titrimetric, potentiometric and colorimetric methods. Three class periods, one four-hour laboratory period weekly. Prerequisite: Ch132.

Ch365-366 Physical Chemistry,I and II (8)
Physico-chemical properties of gases, liquids and solids; thermodynamics; solutions and colloids; electro-chemistry; chemical kinetics; nuclear, atomic and molecular structure. Three class periods; one four-hour laboratory weekly. Prerequisites: Ch132; Pc186. Prerequisite or corequisite: Ma273.

Ch460 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (4)
Theory and applications of current techniques; includes spectroscopic (IR, UV-Visible, NMR, mass), electrochemical, and chromatographic methods of analysis along with wet chemical methods. Three class periods, one four-hour laboratory period weekly.Prerequisites: Ch252, Ch329; Prerequisit or corequisite: either Ch365 or Ch347.

Ch499 Problems in Chemistry (3)
Independent research on an assigned problem; seminar extends through the entire year. Hours arranged with the individual mentor but the group meets weekly for one hour.

ADVANCED ELECTIVE AND SPECIAL COURSES

Ch260  Biochemistry (3)
Protein structure and function with emphasis on enzymes; metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins, DNA, RNA and the genetic code.  Co-requisite:  Ch251

Ch347 Elementary Physical Chemistry (4)
Structural, thermodynamic and kinetic analyses of chemical systems of biological interest presented with a minimum of calculus. Three class periods, one three-hour laboratory weekly. Prerequisite: Ch132. (Offered on a tutorial basis.)

Ch442 Biochemistry (3)
The organic and physical chemistry of important biochemical molecules, processes and pathways; biochemical genetics. Three class periods weekly. Prerequisites: Ch252; Ch365 or Ch347.

Ch449 Inorganic Chemistry (4)
The electronic structure of matter; nature of the chemical bond; ionic solids; symmetry; transition metal and organometallic chemistry. Three class periods, one four-hour laboratory period weekly. Prerequisite: Ch365 or Ch347.

Ch450 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Physical methods in inorganic chemistry; homogeneous catalysis; bioinorganic chemistry; advanced material in transition metal and organometallic chemistry. Three class meetings weekly. Prerequisite: Ch449. (Offered on a tutorial basis.)

Ch454 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
Physical-chemical topics selected by the instructor; usually includes techniques for studying reaction mechanisms. Three class periods weekly. Prerequisites: Ch252; Ch366. (Offered on a tutorial basis.)

Ch457 Advanced Physical Chemistry (3)
Statistical mechanics applied to the calculation of kinetic and thermodynamic properties of various chemical and physical systems. Prerequisite: Ch366. (Offered on a tutorial basis.)