CHE - Chemistry

Designed for non-science majors. Introduces the basic concepts of chemistry and examines them in terms of real-world examples. Satisfies general distribution requirements. May be taken as a preparatory course for CHE 152 but is not applicable toward a chemistry major or minor. Lecture only.

This course deals with the fundamental principles of chemical science and basic calculations in science. Topics include scientific measurement, states of matter, solution chemistry, acid-base theory, chemical equilibrium, and oxidation-reduction reactions. This course is intended for science majors as preparation for taking CHE 150/152/153L. Satisfies general curriculum distribution requirements. Lecture only. For CNHS majors only.

Investigates the fundamental principles of general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry. Topics include chemical bonding, nomenclature, gases, states of matter, solutions, acid and base theory, equilibrium and oxidation-reduction, organic functional groups, stereochemistry, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids. Lecture only.

Expands on the basic concepts of chemistry. Topics include chemical nomenclature, stoichiometric relationships, the chemistry of gases, atomic structure, chemical bonding and molecular geometry.  Permission to retake the course during the fall semester after having earned a letter grade in or having officially withdrawn from the course must be granted by the department chair.

Laboratory experiments supplement lecture material presented in CHE 152.  Permission to retake the course during the fall semester after having earned a letter grade in or having officially withdrawn from the course must be granted by the department chair.

A continuation of General Chemistry I. Topics include solution chemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry and nuclear chemistry.

Laboratory experiments supplement lecture material presented in CHE 154.

A science course designed to teach concepts of chemistry using works of art as the context. The course may include the study of materials used in creation of objects of art, art preservation, art restoration, forgery detection and nondestructive testing. The course will also explore the effect of environmental pollution, primarily air, on the stability and longevity of objects of art. The influence of materials on aesthetics will also be included. This course has a required international travel component. Lecture only.

Provides an introduction to the chemistry of the processes involved in air, water and soil pollution, and covers techniques and methods used by state and federal regulatory agencies. Does not apply toward a major or a minor in chemistry. Lecture only.

The goal of this course is to provide students with a survey of topics in forensic science that will be covered in more depth in higher-level courses. Topics may include subjects such as arson investigation, trace evidence analysis and firearms analysis. Each subject is taught individually by an expert in the field.

A study of the chemical properties and reactions of carbon and its derivatives. Topics include bonding, nomenclature, stereo chemistry, substitution, elimination and free radical reactions, organometallic compounds, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and the chemistry of alkyl halides, alcohols, epoxides, glycols, alkenes and alkynes.

Experiments focus on organic laboratory techniques used in the purification of liquids and solids and in structural elucidation. Emphasis is on the acquisition of basic organic laboratory skills.

A continuation of Organic Chemistry I. Topics include the chemistry of benzene, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, amines, polycyclic and heterocyclic compounds, condensation reactions and special topics such as carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins or pericyclic reactions.

Experiments involve organic synthesis and physical methods in organic chemistry including IR and NMR spectroscopy.

An introduction to the basic principles of bonding with an introduction to molecular orbital theory. An extensive survey of the periodic properties of the elements supplemented with representative reactions for the main group elements. Additional topics include acid and base theory and crystal field theory for the first row transition elements. Lecture and laboratory.

Laboratory component of CHE 245.

An introduction to principles and applications of physical chemistry. Topics include states and properties of matter, thermodynamics and its application to chemical and biochemical systems, phase and chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry and chemical kinetics. Lecture only.

An advanced treatment of chemical equilibrium and its application to the quantitative analysis of materials. Emphasizes gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric and potentiometric methods of analysis. May be used toward a minor in chemistry. Lecture and laboratory.

A study of the chemical properties and biological functions of the atoms, molecules, macromolecules and macromolecular complexes that contribute to living systems. Topics include pH; structure and function of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and nucleic acids; enzyme kinetics; and the major metabolic cycles and their cellular control processes. May be used toward a minor in chemistry. Lecture only.

This laboratory course is designed to supplement lecture material discussed in CHE 320 (Biochemistry).  Topics to be discussed and experiments performed by students include buffer composition and analysis; protein dilution and quantitation; enzyme kinetics and inhibition; nucleic acid purification and quantification; and ligand binding and equilibrium analysis.

This course extends the basic biochemistry (CHE 320) curriculum and provides a more comprehensive foundation. Topics covered in the lecture component include: glycolysis and gluconeogenesis, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis, the Calvin cycle and pentose phosphate pathway, glycogen and fatty acid metabolism, biosynthesis and catabolism of amino acids, nucleotide biosynthesis, biosynthesis of lipids, metabolism integration, metabolism of nucleic acids, and biochemical regulation of gene expression.

Topics include gases and kinetic molecular theory, the laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibrium, ideal and non-ideal solutions, electrochemistry and surface phenomena. Lecture only.

Introduction to advanced chemical laboratory techniques.

A continuation of Physical Chemistry I. Topics include kinetics, photochemistry, quantum mechanics, spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction. Lecture only.

Continuation of physical chemistry laboratory.

An in-depth, independent, literature-based study of a current topic in chemistry or biochemistry. A written report and an oral presentation of the topic must be presented to and reviewed by the chemistry faculty.  Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

An extension of Biochemistry with an emphasis on advanced theory and methods, including enzyme kinetics, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, Gibbs free energy calculations and synthetic bio-organic chemistry. Additionally, the specialized biochemistry of several organs, tissues and diseases are discussed. Graded laboratory reports, project presentations and exams are employed to assist students in mastering the fundamental concepts presented during both the lecture and laboratory portions of the course. Lecture and laboratory.

Studies atomic and molecular structure, types of chemical bonding, periodic relationships, typical reactions of inorganic substances, and the modern experimental methods used in inorganic chemistry. Lecture only.

This course is designed to cover many of the topics discussed in Organic Chemistry I and II in more depth. Topics may include the general study of organic reaction mechanisms including Eyring plots, Hammond's postulate, Curtin-Hammett principle, isotope effects and acid-base catalysis; conformational control; stereoelectronics; Hückel molecular orbital theory; pericyclic reactions; aromaticity; free-radical species and reactions; nucleophilic substitutions; eliminations; additions; multi-step synthetic strategies; retrosynthetic strategies; and natural product synthesis. In addition, the student may be expected to develop literature research skills by preparing and presenting a project involving the total synthesis of a naturally occurring compound or a topic of current interest. Lecture only.

Studies the theory and practice of modern instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Methodology includes spectrophotometric, chromatographic, electroanalytical and nuclear techniques. Additionally, students are required to retrieve scientific information from primary, secondary and tertiary literature sources. Lecture and laboratory.

This course provides a comprehensive overview of chemical methods and techniques commonly used in the analysis of forensic evidence. Topics include 1) drugs of abuse, 2) absorbance methods and color tests, 3) fluorescence and chemiluminescence methods, 4) extractions and separations, 5) gas chromatography, 6) high performance liquid chromatography, and 7) mass spectrometry. The course is focused on forensic analytical methods, with particular emphasis on analysis of drugs of abuse, as well as interpretation of data. Lecture.

Laboratory experiments supplement lecture material presented in CHE 432.

Focuses on the application of methods discussed in Forensic Chemistry I to toxicology. Additionally, forensic methods for trace evidence analysis are introduced. Topics covered include 1) immunoassay, 2) forensic toxicology analyses of urine, blood, and alternative matrices, 3) pharmacokinetics and metabolism, 3) blood-alcohol analyses, 4) postmortem toxicology, 5) fundamentals of trace evidence analysis, 6) trace evidence analysis methods, and 7) analysis of fibers, paint chips, and gunshot residue. Lecture.

Laboratory experiments supplement lecture material presented in CHE 434.

Covers current spectroscopic methods for organic structure determination. Topics include mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance, X-ray diffraction, and other techniques and their use in organic structure determination. Students are expected to develop literature research skills by preparing and presenting a project involving the determination of the molecular structure of a naturally occurring compound. Lecture only

Qualified students in junior year choose project subject in consultation with chemistry faculty member. Requires laboratory or computational research. A written report and an oral presentation of the research must be presented to and reviewed by the chemistry faculty. The project should be performed during the student’s last three semesters. This capstone experience may be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Provides practical experience in chemistry-related programs in a firm or agency under the supervision of faculty and firm representatives. May be accomplished on a part-time basis and may be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Qualified students in junior year choose project subject in consultation with chemistry faculty member. Requires laboratory research related to forensic science.  A written report and an oral presentation of the research must be presented to and reviewed by the chemistry faculty. The project should be performed during the student’s last three semesters. This capstone experience may be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Provides practical experience in forensic science-related programs in a firm or agency under the supervision of faculty and agency representatives. Students must apply for this internship at least one semester in advance. May be accomplished on a part-time basis and may be repeated for a total of 4 credit hours. Graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

This course is an introduction to techniques in animal tissue culture, the science of growing individual cells in vitro (outside the original animal). These techniques provide the basis for carrying out diverse research projects in the medical research, clinical and biotechnology fields. This laboratory-intensive course provides hands-on experience in cell growth and propagation, subculture, cloning, cryopreservation and proper aseptic technique. Lecture and laboratory.

A lecture and/or laboratory course offered at the discretion of the chemistry faculty. Subject may be chosen from theoretical and/or practical applications in biochemistry, analytical, inorganic, physical or organic chemistry.