CHEMISTRY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

 *Liberal Studies course

CHEM 120* Introductory Chemistry — 4 Credit Hours ..................................... Fall & Spring

This is a beginning course presenting the essentials of inorganic chemistry and a brief discussion of the concepts of organic and biological chemistry. The course provides preparation for CHEM 123 General Chemistry I and meets the requirements for the nursing education and health certification. Includes laboratory.

CHEM 123* General Chemistry I — 4 Credit Hours ........................................................... Fall

The course is designed for chemistry majors and minors, pre-health professionals, biology, physics and pre-engineering students. The emphasis includes atomic and molecular structures, periodicity, chemical reactions and quantitative relationships. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry or CHEM 120 and high school algebra or MATH 116.

CHEM 124 General Chemistry II — 4 Credit Hours ...................................................... Spring

This course is a continuation of CHEM 123. The emphasis includes equilibria, kinetics and redox chemistry. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 123. CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT 143

CHEM 221 Quantitative Analysis — 5 Credit Hours ....................................... Even Year Fall

This course deals with theory, methods and techniques of volumetric and gravimetric analysis. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 124.

CHEM 286 Special Topics — Variable Credit ....................................................... On Demand

CHEM 290 Independent Study — Variable Credit ................................................ On Demand

See Alternate Means to Academic Credit, for a more detailed description

CHEM 299 Undergraduate Research – 1-2 Credit Hours ..................................... On Demand

The student will participate in an original chemistry research project under chemistry faculty direction. Progress of work will be presented at a biweekly research seminar. A written report detailing work completed, in ACS journal format, will be submitted to the faculty advisor at the end of the semester. May be repeated once for a total of 2 credits. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor.

CHEM 300 Organic Chemistry I — 4 Credit Hours ............................................................ Fall

The course involves a systematic study of organic compounds including their structures, methods of preparation, properties and an analysis of important reaction mechanisms. Problem solving will be emphasized. Prerequisite: CHEM 124 or consent of instructor.

CHEM 310 Organic Laboratory Techniques— 2 Credit Hours ......................................... Fall

This laboratory course will deal with simple organic techniques such as, (i) determination of physical properties e.g., melting point, boiling point, refractive index, (ii) purification of organic compounds by (a) recrystallization, and (b) simple and fractional distillations, (iii) isolation of organic compounds of biological importance by extraction, (iv) identification of organic compounds by simple chemical tests, (v) simple organic synthesis. Prerequisite of CHEM 124 or consent of instructor.

CHEM 311 Laboratory Safety & Maintenance — 1 Credit Hour .............. Even Year Spring

Procedures in maintaining and operating a chemical laboratory are included, as well as safety procedures, storage, handling and disposal of chemicals and hazardous materials. Prerequisite: CHEM 124.

CHEM 320 Organic Chemistry II — 4 Credit Hours ..................................................... Spring

This course is a continuation of Organic Chemistry I with emphasis on organic syntheses, reaction mechanisms, and structural determinations. Prerequisite: CHEM 300. 144 CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT

CHEM 322 Molecular Spectroscopy — 2 Credit Hours ........................................ On Demand

Theories and applications of spectroscopy with emphasis on identification of inorganic and organic compounds are covered. The course also includes interpretation of UV, IR, NMR and mass spectra. Prerequisite: CHEM 320.

CHEM 323 Inorganic Chemistry — 3 Credit Hours ..................................... Odd Year Spring

Modern concepts and theories of inorganic chemistry are taught, plus a systematic survey of the elements, their compounds and their chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 124.

CHEM 330 Organic Synthesis & Spectroscopy— 2 Credit Hours ................................. Spring

This organic lab will emphasize on synthesis of novel organic compounds of different functional families and their reactions. Isolation and purification of reaction product of synthetic importance. Detailed study of spectroscopic techniques, such as infrared, UV-visible, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Characterization and identification of unknown organic compounds by interpretation of infrared and NMR spectra. Prerequisite: CHEM 300 or consent of instructor.

CHEM 410 Biochemistry I — 3 Credit Hours .................................................... Odd Year Fall

This course is an introduction to biochemistry from a chemical perspective. Topics covered include the structure and function of proteins; enzyme catalytic strategies and mechanisms; membrane function, electron transport and energy production in cells; chemical basis of storage and transfer of genetic information; chemical communication between cells and the immune response; and an introduction to the chemical literature. Satisfies elective credit for the chemistry major. Prerequisite or concurrent enrollment in CHEM300 is recommended.

CHEM 420 Biochemistry II – 3 Credit Hours ............................................... Even Year Spring

This course is a continuation of CHEM410 Biochemistry I. Focus is on metabolism and molecular genetics. Topics covered include glycolysis, gluconeogensis, the citric acid cycle, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, metabolism and biosynthesis of lipids, metabolism or nitrogen containing compounds, and storage and utilization of genetic material. Prerequisite: CHEM410.

CHEM 422 Instrumental Chemical Analysis — 4 Credit Hours ........................... On Demand

The course teaches instrumental theory and techniques of analysis including ultraviolet infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, potentiometry and polarography. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM221 or consent of the instructor.

CHEM 427 Physical Chemistry I — 4 Credit Hours .......................................... Odd Year Fall

Physical Chemistry I is a study of classical thermodynamics and its application to equilibrium and electrochemistry. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: MATH 145 and CHEM 124 or consent of the instructor.

CHEM 428 Physical Chemistry II — 4 Credit Hours ............................................ On Demand

Emphasizes statistical mechanics, kinetics and quantum theory. Includes laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 427.

CHEM 460 Internship — Variable Credit .............................................................. On Demand CHEMISTRY DEPARTMENT 145

CHEM 485 Special Topics — Variable Credit ................................................. On Demand

Discussion on topics of current interest in chemistry and related fields. Prerequisite: CHEM 124.

CHEM 490 Independent Study — Variable Credit .......................................... On Demand

Independent Study consists of research, readings, or other scholarly investigations or creative work. See Independent Study under Alternate Means to Academic Credit, for a more detailed description.

CHEM 499 Research Project — 2-4 Credit Hours ........................................... On Demand

In this course students will engage in a research project dealing with analysis of physical evidence that mimic samples obtained from a crime scene. They will collect, preserve samples of physical evidence both organic and inorganic using appropriate protocols, and then analyze them using multiple techniques of Gas Chromatography, High Performance Liquid Chromatography, Mass Spectrometry, Infrared and UV Spectroscopy, Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy, and Microphotometry. At the end they will submit a 20-30 pages long dissertation and present the work before an audience in the Chemistry Department or Science Division as determined by the research advisor. Students will also have the option of working as an intern in a Forensic Science lab approved by the Department where he/she will be dealing with real life cases of criminal investigation and forensic analysis.