Chemistry and Biochemistry

An introductory course designed to acquaint the student with the basic principles of chemistry.

This course is the first part of a two-semester sequence of chemistry covering topics in general, organic, and biological chemistry. In this part, an introduction to the principles of inorganic (general) chemistry is provided. The topics to be covered include measurements, atoms and elements, compounds and their bonds, energy and matter, gases, solutions, acids and bases, chemical reactions and quantities, chemical equilibrium, and nuclear chemistry. This course does not meet the prerequisite for CHEM 123N, and cannot be used toward the CHEM major or minor. Students wishing to pursue advanced study in chemistry should take CHEM 121N, CHEM 122N, CHEM 123N, and CHEM 124N. Credit for CHEM 105N is not allowed if a student has prior credit for CHEM 121N. CHEM 105N + CHEM 106N satisfy four credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

An introduction to common laboratory techniques and the process of science is provided. CHEM 105N + CHEM 106N satisfy four credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

This course is the second part of a two-semester sequence of chemistry covering topics in general, organic, and biological chemistry. In this part, an introduction to organic compounds and their role in biological systems is provided. The topics to be covered include the structure, nomenclature, and reactivity of organic compounds, the structure and function of important biomolecules, and the chemistry of metabolic pathways. This course does not meet the prerequisite for CHEM 211, and cannot be used toward the CHEM major or minor. Students wishing to pursue advanced study in chemistry should take CHEM 121N, CHEM 122N, CHEM 123N, and CHEM 124N. CHEM 107N + CHEM 108N satisfy four credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

Laboratory experiments involving organic compounds and biomolecules are performed. CHEM 107N + CHEM 108N satisfy four credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

In this course, students perform laboratory experiments to complement the topics presented in the companion lecture course, CHEM 121N. CHEM 121N + CHEM 120 does not satisfy the university's Nature of Science requirement. This is a distance learning course restricted to students in an online degree program.

This is the first of a two-course series, designed for science and engineering majors, that prepares the student for subsequent studies in molecular science and constitutes the foundation for all upper-level chemistry courses. Topics include the descriptive chemistry of selected elements, modern atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, thermochemistry, and gas laws. A student receiving credit for CHEM 121N cannot receive additional credit for CHEM 103 or CHEM 105N. CHEM 121N + CHEM 122N satisfy 4 credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement. Pre- or

Laboratory experiments are designed to complement the topics presented in the companion lecture course, CHEM 121N. A student receiving credit for CHEM 122N cannot receive additional credit for CHEM 106N. CHEM 121N + CHEM 122N satisfy 4 credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

This is the second of a two-course series, designed for science majors, that prepares the student for subsequent studies in molecular science and constitutes the foundation for all upper-level chemistry courses. Topics include states of matter, solutions, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, equilibria, and kinetics. CHEM 123N + CHEM 124N satisfy 4 credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

Laboratory experiments are designed to complement the topics in the companion lecture course, CHEM 123N. CHEM 123N + CHEM 124N satisfy 4 credits of the University's Nature of Science general education requirement.

This course introduces students to foundational laboratory skills and research in the chemical sciences. Students will gain experience in experimental design and chemical research through a rotation in a faculty member's research lab.

This course introduces students to information literacy and research in chemistry and biochemistry in the context of future career success. Students will develop skills in searching, evaluating, and citing information required for research projects. Potential career paths and strategies for student success will be investigated to establish a solid platform for development as a chemist or biochemist. Course activities will include field trips to and guest speakers from local industry.

In this course, the history of synthetic and natural polymers will be studied from their initial development to modern day. Through these studies, students will learn how polymers are produced, the properties of polymers, and the many application of polymers. Further, the impact these materials have on society will be examined in many different areas such as medicine, electronics, consumer goods and the environment.

Students will explore the role biotechnology plays in understanding and advancing nutrition and the effects this has on human health, development and societies. The key biological molecules such as vitamins, amino acids, proteins, fats and carbohydrates and their nutritional functions will be discussed. Nutritional biochemistry as it relates to human development, medicine and the evolution of human species will be explored. Students will review present day nutritional issues such as popular diets, organic foods, farming practices and advances such as genetically modified foods.

Neurotechnology is the technology used to understand (assessment neurotechnology) and moderate (intervention neurotechnology) brain chemistry with regards to various aspects of consciousness, thought, memory, perception, addiction and other higher order activities and disorders in the brain. From pharmaceutical drugs to brain scanning, the impact of neurotechnology affects nearly everyone either directly or indirectly - for example: drug use for depression, sleep, ADD, or neurotic behavior; cancer scanning; stroke rehabilitation; etc. This course will explore the basics of neurotechnology and its impact on human behavior and performance as well as broader impacts on society. Further, students will learn how neurotechnology is used to assess and intervene in the neurochemistry of the brain with a particular emphasis on addictive behavior and neurodegenerative disorders.

Selected laboratory or lecture topics designed for students who need to supplement a transfer course to fulfill a course requirement.

Student participation in a supervised, undergraduate research experience for which credit will not apply to the degree. Experience must be related to the student's major, minor or career area of interest.

Introduction to organic compounds, isomerism and nomenclature, stereochemistry and conformational analysis, in depth mechanistic understanding of proton transfer reactions, substitution and elimination reactions, and addition to C=C bonds.

Experience is offered in fundamental laboratory techniques applicable to the characterization, separation and purification of various organic compounds including stereoisomers and introduction to organic reactions.

Chemistry of carbon compounds with in-depth treatments of reaction mechanisms, modern spectral techniques, and new synthetic methods to meet the needs of chemistry and biochemistry majors.

Experience is offered in synthetic, separation, and analytical methods of organic chemistry. Modern synthetic and spectroscopic techniques are introduced.

Experience is offered in advanced organic reactions and spectroscopic techniques. In addition, students will carry out a short, customized, research project in Organic Chemistry or Organic Materials.

A study of the fundamental principles of quantitative chemical analysis including the application of principles of equilibria to analytical processes. Emphasis is given to gravimetric and titrimetric methods as well as consideration of electrical, optical, and other methods of chemical analysis.

Statistical principles or measurements and error analysis are integrated with experiments designed to evaluate and refine techniques of fundamental measurements to a level of analytical competency. These techniques are applied to the analysis of samples using gravimetric, titrimetric, electrical and optical methods.

Quantum chemistry, molecular structure, and spectroscopy.

A laboratory class focusing on a variety of physical chemical techniques. Topics may include electronic, vibrational (Raman) and NMR spectroscopies, calorimetry, viscosity, and atomic force microscopy. This is a writing intensive course, aiming to achieve an in-depth understanding of the physical principles underlying the techniques.

Chemical thermodynamics of pure substances and solutions, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, and statistical thermodynamics.

A laboratory class focusing on a variety of physical chemical techniques. Topics may include X-Ray Diffraction, Bomb Calorimetry, Thermal Gravimetric Analysis (TGA), Conductance of Solutions, and Polymer Physical Properties. This course may also include a team project that will incorporate many of the techniques learned in the physical chemistry lab sequence. This project will introduce the students to working as a team to address a specific challenge such as one might encounter in an industrial or government laboratory setting. This is a writing intensive course.

This class explores the impact of chemical technologies on current environmental topics using basic chemical principles and the scientific method as standards for evaluating and understanding pressing environmental issues. Topics include global and ocean warming, air pollution, atmospheric ozone depletion, effects of enhanced UV light, acid rain and ocean acidification, toxic heavy metals, radioactivity and nuclear power plant disasters, indoor air quality and radon, water pollution, sewage and water treatment, drinking water quality, waste disposal and plastics, pesticides, and the food chain. The course will use math to a modest degree including basic Algebra. It is highly recommended that students have passed a college level algebra math class (e.g., MATH 102M or MATH 103M or higher) and one year of high school chemistry.

This combined lecture and lab course will explore the chemical and physical properties of artists’ materials from pigments and binders to ceramics. Topics will include the nature of light and color, historical origins and development of pigments and artistic methods, synthesis of dyes and pigments, and the application of technology to art historical analysis. The course will include hands-on experience with modern laboratory equipment and field trips to local museums and conservation labs.

This foundational course provides an introduction to inorganic chemistry. Topics include periodic law, bonding theory, oxidation/reduction, acid/base theory, descriptive chemistry of the main group, an introduction to transition metal coordination chemistry, and human applications of inorganic chemistry.

Synthesis of metal and nonmetal inorganic compounds and organometallic compounds, their characterization by physical methods, and a study of their properties.

Teaching experience in a chemistry classroom or laboratory setting under the direct supervision of the course instructor. Available for Pass/Fail grading only.

May be repeated for credit. Student participation for credit is based on the academic relevance of the work experience, criteria, and evaluative procedures as formally determined by the department and the Cooperative Education program prior to the semester in which the work experience is to take place. Available for pass/fail grading only. (qualifies as a CAP experience)

A student may choose a coop, internship, research, or student teaching experience to gain out-of-class experience related to the major.

A bioinorganic and natural products course that entails the chemistry of the use of chromium, vanadium, and herbs in medicine and the use of tunicates as biomonitors of heavy metal pollution in Jamaica. This is a study abroad course intended for the Maymester term.

An in-depth look at organic reaction mechanisms, including polar, pericyclic, radical and organometallic reactions.

Designed to be taken concurrently with CHEM 422/CHEM 522. A study of the basic principles of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical methods of quantitative chemical analysis. Methods of chemical instrumentation are also included.

An intensive laboratory study of the principles of analytical chemistry. Experiments in spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical methods are conducted to illustrate fundamental principles and to provide the opportunity to develop skills in the use of instrumentation for chemical measurement.

An introduction to the fundamental concepts of drug action including pharmacodynamics (effect of drugs on the body) and pharmacokinetics (ADME: absorption, distribution, metabolism and elimination) of drugs; an introduction to the process of new drug discovery and synthesis will also be taught.

This course is a one-semester survey of the major molecular constituents, bioenergetics, enzymes, nucleic acid structure, and genetic information transfer pathways fundamental to biochemistry.

Principles and techniques of biochemical and immunological procedures involving protein characterization and isolation, enzymology, bioinformatics, and common molecular biology techniques for nucleic acids will be presented. This is a writing intensive course.

This course presents and in-depth study of protein structure, folding, and synthesis. The major metabolic pathways will be studied in detail regarding thermodynamics and mechanism of regulation or control of individual enzymes and entire metabolic pathways. Concepts of metabolic disease will be introduced and effects on integrated metabolism will be presented.

An overview of the natural chemical systems operating in the atmosphere, in the terrestrial environment (both water and soils), and in the oceans, and the potential effects that human activities may have on them. Specific topics include the origin and evolution of the earth and life, the chemistry of the atmosphere (including the ozone layer and greenhouse effect), the organic and inorganic components of soil and water, chemical weathering of rocks, metal complexation, biological processes in soil and water, and global-scale chemical processes.

Theoretical aspects of modern inorganic chemistry: bonding theories, stereochemistry, acid-base theories, coordination compounds, organometallic and bioinorganic compounds.

Synthesis of metal and nonmetal inorganic compounds and organometallic compounds, their characterization by modern physical methods, and a study of their properties.

Fundamental principles of toxicology: dose-response relationship, toxicologic testing, chemical and biological factors influencing toxicity, organ toxicology, carcinogenesis, mutagenesis, teratogenesis.

Nanotechnology presents unparalleled opportunities for advances in technology and medicine. Simultaneously, nanotechnology presents new challenges to organisms and to our environment. These undefined risk factors threaten to slow the development of new technologies and novel medical therapies. This course will review: structure, synthesis and properties of key nanomaterials; key applications of nanomaterials in technology and medicine; and impacts of nanomaterials on plant and animal physiology and the environment more generally. This course will be team-taught by faculty members in Biological Sciences, Chemistry and Biochemistry, and Engineering.

Emphasizes the tools and techniques used to solve scientific problems. Topics include use and design of experiments, use of statistics to interpret experimental results, mathematical modeling of scientific phenomena, and oral and written presentation of scientific results. Students will perform four independent inquiries, combining skills from mathematics and science to solve research problems. Required for Chemistry teaching licensure track; not available as upper-division elective in content area.

The formal presentation of a chemical or biochemical topic before students and faculty. Students will also take Major Field Test during this course.

Part one of a two-semester thesis project involving literature research, development of scientific writing skills, and obtaining lab experience using a variety of techniques and equipment. Each student will undertake a research experience under the supervision of a departmental faculty member. A preliminary report of research findings is required at the end of the semester.

A high level of economic activity and development for any industrialized nation has at its core a strong STEM component. Within this component, the fields of chemistry and biochemistry form one of the strongest inter-disciplinary links by providing an understanding of the processes and products at a molecular level. This course will allow students to combine their academic knowledge in chemistry and biochemistry with the needs of real-world businesses to formulate an economically viable business plan that encompasses a scientifically and economically sound proof-of-concept.

Study of selected topics.

An opportunity is afforded students to undertake independent study or an original investigation under the direction of a faculty member.

An opportunity is afforded students to undertake independent study or an original investigation under the direction of a faculty member.

Continuation of CHEM 490. The research culminates in a thesis that includes a literature review, description of methods, results and conclusions, and an oral presentation.