Courses

CHE 100
Chemistry and Society
This is an introduction to chemistry through the study of relevant issues set in their political, economic, social, international and ethical context. The course content enables students to learn chemistry in the framework of their own lives and significant issues facing science and the world. These include air quality, the ozone layer, global warming, energy, alternative fuels, environmental pollutants, drug design and genetic engineering. The chemical content is presented as needed to provide a basis for the understanding of these topics. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. This course will satisfy the general studies laboratory science requirement.

CHE 103
Introduction to Forensic Science
This is a general studies laboratory course designed for student observation and comprehension of the basic physical and biological sciences and their influence within forensic science. Topic selection is based on the most frequently encountered scenarios for practicing forensic scientists. Lectures center around the following subjects: evidence documentation and recovery; fingerprint and impression collection; body fluid/product preservation and examination; DNA analysis; toxicology; firearms; fire and explosion; and court conduct and testimony. The laboratory consists of an introduction to scientific observation and experimentation and some of the basic operations used during investigations in applied forensics. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week. This course will satisfy the general studies laboratory science requirement.

CHE 105
General Analytical Chemistry I
This course is an intensive study of the main concepts of chemistry, and covers qualitative and quantitative descriptions of matter and reactivity. The description of matter includes the atomic and subatomic scale (atomic structure, bonding, geometry and intermolecular forces) and the macroscopic scale (phases of matter and solutions). Reactivity topics include basic patterns of reactivity, reaction stoichiometry and thermochemistry. Both conceptual learning and quantitative problem solving are emphasized. The laboratory program involves inorganic synthesis and qualitative analysis. Designed for the student who plans to concentrate in chemistry, biochemistry, biology or a related field. Facility with algebra is assumed. Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory and one hour recitation per week.

CHE 106
General Analytical Chemistry II
This is a continuation of CHE 105 that covers kinetics, equilibrium, spontaneity and an introduction to inorganic chemistry. Within these topics, acid-base (proton transfer equilibrium) chemistry, electrochemistry (electron transfer equilibrium) and solubility (solid-ion equilibrium) are discussed. The introduction to inorganic chemistry includes descriptive chemistry on metals and nonmetals, coordination chemistry, nuclear chemistry and environmental chemistry. The laboratory program focuses on quantitative analysis with an introduction to the use of chemical instrumentation. Facility with algebra is assumed. Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory and one hour recitation per week. Prerequisite: CHE 105

CHE 200
Health, Safety and Asset Protection
This is a survey of industrial and academic workplace safety as well as home safety, with a focus on increasing awareness concerning hazardous situations. The legal, economic and environmental impact of accidents is considered. Topics include: requirements of the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) legislation; Worker Right-to-Know laws; individual and corporate responsibility; emergency planning & preparedness; chemical, electrical, mechanical, biological, blood borne pathogen, radioactive material and fire related safety; materials storage, waste disposal and proper labeling; Material Safety Data Sheets; and laboratory safety in industrial and academic settings. Current and historical events related to these topics are discussed. The course includes visits to local industries to meet with professional safety officers (transportation is included) and to survey the practice of industrial hygiene. Prerequisite: CHE 105 or permission of instructor

CHE 207
Organic Chemistry I
This course studies the chemistry of carbon and other nonmetals (including hydrogen, boron, nitrogen, phosphorous, oxygen, sulfur and the halogens) as grouped into characteristic classes of organic compounds. Topics include the structure, bonding, physical properties and reactivity of covalent and ionic molecules as well as organometallic species. Paradigms of stereochemistry, reaction mechanism, reaction kinetics and thermodynamics, and structure/ property correlation are considered. Spectroscopic analysis (circular dichroism, infrared, ultraviolet-visible, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass) is applied to structural studies. Laboratory work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of organic compounds, the study of molecular modeling and the study of reaction kinetics and thermodynamics. Emphasis is placed on proper laboratory technique; experiment design; and laboratory data collection, reporting and interpretation. Three hours of lecture, one hour of conference group and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHE 106

CHE 208
Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of Organic Chemistry I, this course utilizes the foundations established in that course for the study of the chemistry of organic molecules including their physical and chemical properties; synthesis and characteristic reactions; and identification by chemical and spectroscopic analysis. Topics are organized by functional group (an atom or group of atoms in a molecule that exhibit a characteristic set of physical and chemical properties) and are considered in the context of organic synthesis as well as biological, economic and environmental import. Laboratory work is devoted to the synthesis and characterization of organic compounds. Physical characterization, spectroscopic techniques and qualitative analysis are employed in the elucidation of structure. Emphasis is placed on proper laboratory technique; experiment design; and laboratory data collection, reporting and interpretation. Three hours of lecture, one hour of conference group and four hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHE 207

CHE 321
Physical Chemistry I
This is a survey of basic physical chemical principles, with emphasis on classical thermodynamics, reaction equilibria and reaction kinetics. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: CHE 106, 208; PHY 202; MAT 132

CHE 322
Physical Chemistry II
A continuation of 321, this course emphasizes introductory quantum theory, spectroscopy and statistical thermodynamics.  Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHE 321

CHE 323
Instrumental Analysis
This is a study of the theory of modern instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Topics include various spectroscopic techniques such as infrared, ultraviolet-visible, fluorescence, atomic absorption and emission, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Mass spectrometry, liquid and gas chromatography, and various evaluative mathematical techniques also are discussed. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Corequisite: CHE 321

CHE 324
Inorganic Chemistry
Modern concepts of inorganic chemical structure, including bonding and reactions are examined in detail. The application of theories and inorganic structures are illustrated with examples from environmental, bioinorganic and industrial chemistry. Modern methods of synthesis and analysis of inorganic compounds are the focus of the laboratory with selected field trips at the conclusion of the laboratory sessions. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Corequisite: CHE 322

CHE 325
Biochemistry I
This course studies the relationships between the chemical structure and biological functions of nucleic acids, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.  Experimental techniques used in the purification and/or analysis of each of these classes of macromolecules are introduced in the lecture and laboratory. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHE 208

CHE 326
Biochemistry II (W)
This course studies biological membranes and membrane transport, enzyme catalysis and kinetics, biochemical signaling, metabolic pathways and their regulation, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation.  The study of metabolism focuses on those pathways related to carbohydrate metabolism.  The laboratory is a continuation of the first semester. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHE 325

CHE 411
Advanced Organic Chemistry
This is a problem solving workshop and discussion of papers from the organic chemical literature. The topics include physical and mechanistic organic chemistry, including molecular orbital theory. The laboratory focuses on synthetic reaction development, NMR techniques and modern computational methods. Three hours of lecture and four hours of laboratory per week.
Corequisite: CHE 322, fourth-year students only

CHE 412
Advanced Topics in Chemistry (W)
Selected topics with recent advances in chemistry are discussed. As part of the course, students will prepare and present papers based on recent chemical literature. Three hours lecture per week. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 322 or permission of instructor

CHE 420
Environmental Chemistry
This course is an advanced treatment of the chemistry of the environment and the chemistry of selected pollutants that are of current interest. Topics include some aspects of aquatic chemistry, atmospheric chemistry, biocycles, soils and minerals, and the effects of chemicals on the environment. The initial laboratory sessions provide a foundation for fieldwork in a project-oriented approach dealing with selected local environmental problems. Field trips to significant chemical use and processing facilities will be taken. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHE 322, 323; or Corequisite: CHE 322, or permission of instructor

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