Biology - Major in Biology Program

Required courses:

CHM 111 Principles of Chemistry I

An introduction to chemistry for the science major. First semester topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions, and calculations involving chemical concentrations, gas laws and bonding. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: CHM 113 or 115, if not previously completed. 3 credits.

CHM 112 Principles of Chemistry II

A continuation of first semester. Topics include kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electro-chemistry and nuclear chemistry. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: CHM 111. Corequisite: CHM 114 or 116, if not previously completed. 3 credits.

One of the following sequences:

CHM 113 Introductory Laboratory I

Laboratory course to accompany CHM 111. Experiments provide exposure to both quantitative and qualitative methods. Topics include stoichiometry, synthesis, standard curves, spectrophotometry, quantitative analysis, and gas laws. In addition to the use of essential laboratory equipment and instrumentation, there is a strong emphasis on the use spreadsheets to organize and analyze data. Fulfills requirement: . Corequisite: CHM 111, if not previously completed. 1 credit.

CHM 114 Introductory Laboratory II

Second semester laboratory course to accompany CHM 112. Experiments cover colligative properties, isolation & extraction methods, thin layer chromatography, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, and electrochemistry. In addition to the use of essential laboratory equipment and instrumentation, there is a strong emphasis on the use spreadsheets to organize and analyze data. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: CHM 111 and 113. Corequisite: CHM 112, if not previously completed. 1 credit.

CHM 115 Techniques of Chemistry I

Extended projects involving the synthesis of inorganic and organic compounds that require the development of procedure from published literature methods. The prepared compounds are then analyzed using quantitative analytical techniques, as well as introductory spectroscopic techniques. In addition to the use of essential laboratory equipment, students are exposed to advanced spectroscopic methods; there is an additional emphasis on the use of computers in the laboratory. Restricted to chemistry, biochemistry and molecular biology, and environmental science majors. Fulfills requirement: . Corequisite: CHM 111, if not previously completed. 1 credit.

CHM 116 Techniques of Chemistry II

Second semester of extended projects, focusing on the synthesis and characterization of compounds. In addition to the use of essential laboratory equipment, students are exposed to advanced spectroscopic methods; there is an additional emphasis on the use of computers in the laboratory. Projects are modeled after real-world career paths such as academic research, industrial product development, government regulation, or forensic science. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite: CHM 111 and 115; restricted to majors in chemistry or biochemistry and molecular biology. Corequisite: CHM 112, if not previously completed. 1 credit.

Advanced coursework 12 credit hours of lecture courses selected from the following list of courses (3 credit each):

BCMB 421 Biochemistry I

The study of the chemistry of the molecules of life. Topics covered include the applications of pH & buffers, amino acid chemistry, protein structure & function, the thermodynamics of protein folding, protein purification & analysis, ligand binding, enzyme mechanisms and enzyme kinetics. Prerequisites: CHM 214 and 216. 3 credits.

BCMB 422 Biochemistry II

The continued study of biomolecules, with an emphasis on the metabolism of carbohydrates and lipids. Topics covered included carbohydrate chemistry, coenzyme mechanisms, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, lipid chemistry, membranes and an introduction to amino acid metabolism. Overall, intermediary metabolism, its energetics, and its metabolic control is viewed from an integrated perspective. Prerequisites: CHM 214 and 216. 3 credits.

CHM 213 Organic Chemistry I

An introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. Prerequisite: CHM 112. Corequisite: CHM 215. 3 credits.

CHM 214 Organic Chemistry II

Second semester of an introduction to the principles of organic chemistry. The focus of the course is on the structure of organic molecules and how the structure of various functional groups affects their reactivity. The concepts of reactivity, structure and mechanism are applied to organic synthesis. Prerequisite: CHM 213. 3 credits.

CHM 222 Introductory Inorganic Chemistry

The application of elementary principles of chemistry to provide a basis for understanding the physical and chemical properties of the elements. Topics include atomic structure and periodicity, molecular structure and bonding theories, acid-based chemistry, solvents and precipitation reactions, transition elements and coordination chemistry, the structures of solids, physical techniques, and descriptive chemistry of selected main group elements. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.

CHM 302 Environmental Chemistry

In this course, reactions occurring in atmospheric, aquatic, and terrestrial systems will be examined, with consideration given to chemical transformations involving both natural substances and pollutants. Time will also be devoted to current issues of relevance, such as climate change, alternative energy sources, green chemistry and sustainability. Prerequisite: CHM 213. 3 credits.

CHM 305 Analytical Chemistry

Topics for this course include statistical methods; activity and activity coefficients; chemical equilibria involving complex systems; volumetric analyses including acid/base, precipitation, redox, and complexometric titrations; principles of electrochemistry, potentiometry, electrogravimetry, coulometry, and voltammetry. Prerequisite: CHM 112. 3 credits.

CHM 306 Instrumental Analysis

Basic types of chemical instrumentation and their applications in analytical chemistry are examined. These include gas and liquid chromatography; infrared, UV-VIS, fluorescence, atomic absorption, and plasma emission spectrophotometry; nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisites: CHM 112. 3 credits.

CHM 311 Physical Chemistry I

The study of chemical systems from an atomic and molecular perspective. Thermodynamic laws and functions applied to mechanical, thermal, and material equilibrium in gases, liquids, and solids. Also included are electrochemical systems, as well as kinetic and transport processes occurring in gases, in solutions, and at solid surfaces. Prerequisites: CHM 112; MAS 162 or MAS 112; and PHY 104 or PHY 112. 3 credits.

CHM 312 Physical Chemistry II

A continuation of the study of chemical systems from an atomic and molecular perspective. Basic concepts of quantum chemistry applied to atomic and molecular structure. Also included are statistical mechanics and spectroscopy. Prerequisite: CHM 311. 3 credits.

CHM 411 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

A study of bonding theories, molecular structure, group theory, spectroscopy and reaction mechanisms with special emphasis on transition metal complexes, organometallic chemistry, and catalysis. Prerequisite: CHM 312. 3 credits.

CHM 412 Advanced Physical Chemistry

In-depth treatment of the experimental and theoretical aspects of chemical kinetics and reaction dynamics. Reactions occurring in the gas phase, in the solution phase, and at solid surfaces will be discussed, with examples being drawn from catalysis, environmental/atmospheric chemistry, and astrochemistry. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 312 or permission of the instructor. 3 credits.

CHM 414 Advanced Organic Chemistry

A study of advanced topics in the field of organic and polymer chemistry. The course covers mechanistic and synthetic chemistry with an emphasis on current and classical organic chemical literature. The course also describes the synthesis and characterization of polymers along with their structural/property relationships. Prerequisites: CHM 214. 3 credits.

Advanced Laboratory 3 credit hours of laboratory courses selected from chemistry or biochemistry courses numbered 200 or higher (1 credit each):

BCMB 430 Biochemistry Laboratory

Investigations of the properties and functions of biomolecules. Methods include chromatography, spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, and various instrumental methods. Prerequisites: CHM 214 and 216. 1 credit.

CHM 215 Organic Laboratory I

An introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisite: CHM 112/114 or 112/116. Corequisite: CHM 213. 1 credit.

CHM 216 Organic Laboratory II

Second semester of an introduction to the practice of classical organic chemistry and modern instrumental organic chemistry. The techniques of organic synthesis are taught along with instrumental methods including infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 214. 1 credit.

CHM 230 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory

Students will be exposed to a number of advanced synthetic and characterization methods including inert atmosphere manipulations, high vacuum and temperature dehydrations, mixed solvent growth and recrystallizations, modern spectroscopic techniques and photochemical transformations. Fulfills requirement: . Corequisite: CHM 222. 1 credit.

CHM 307 Quantitative Analysis Lab

Volumetric, spectrophotometric, and electrochemical methods are applied to the analysis of unknowns. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 305. 1 credit.

CHM 308 Instrumental Analysis Lab

Chemical instrumentation is utilized in method development, unknown determinations, and chemical analysis. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 306. 1 credit.

CHM 321 Physical Laboratory I

Experimental study of the principles of physical chemistry, focusing on phase and reaction equilibrium, transport properties, and chemical kinetics. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 311. 1 credit.

CHM 322 Physical Laboratory II

Second semester of an experimental study of the principles of physical chemistry. Work involves spectroscopy (IR, UV/VIS, fluorescence, Raman, and NMR), calorimetry, refractometry, conductivity, and viscometry applied to atomic and molecular structure, thermodynamics, phase and reaction equilibrium, and chemical kinetics. Fulfills requirement: . Prerequisite or corequisite: CHM 312. 1 credit.

*Students pursuing a minor in chemistry and a major in environmental science may only count core courses toward both programs; elective courses may not overlap.