Chemistry
Faculty/Staff
Gerald Springer, Chair; Nicholas Madhiri
Aims of the Chemistry Program
The aim of the chemistry program is to develop in students the ability to think critically and creatively. The chemistry curriculum is designed to provide the student with a strong background in the areas of organic, biochemistry, analytical and physical chemistry. The major will serve as a solid foundation upon which the candidate can build a professional career or a more specialized graduate program.
Programs
- B.A. Chemistry
- B.S. Chemistry
- B.S. Biochemistry
- B.S. Physical Science - Secondary Certification
- Minor in Chemistry
Chemistry, B.A.
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 201 | Research Methods in the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| CHEM 221 | Modern Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 232 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 341 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 431 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 432 | Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 462 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 475 | Research Methods in Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM | Electives upper division | 4 |
| Total: | 40 |
Required cognates:
| MATH 181 | Calculus I | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II | 4 |
Recommended cognates:
| MATH 282 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 283 | Calculus III | 4 |
| CSIS 110 | Principles of Programming I | 3 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics with Calculus I | 1 |
| PHYS 222 | General Physics with Calculus II | 1 |
Chemistry, B.S.
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 201 | Research Methods in the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| CHEM 221 | Modern Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 232 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 341 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 342 | Physical Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 431 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 432 | Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 462 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 475 | Research Methods in Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM | Electives upper division | 4 |
| Total: | 44 |
Required cognates:
| CSIS 110 | Principles of Computer Programming I | 3 |
| MATH 181 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 282 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 283 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II | 4 |
Recommended cognates:
| MATH 321 | Differential Equations | 3 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics with Calculus I | 1 |
| PHYS 222 | General Physics with Calculus II | 1 |
| intermediate foreign language | 6 |
Minor in Chemistry
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM | Electives 6 hours upper division | 10 |
| Total: | 18 |
Biochemistry, B.S.
| BIOL 111 | General Biology I | 4 |
| BIOL 112 | General Biology II | 4 |
| BIOL 340 | Cell & Molecular Biology | 3 |
| BIOL 344 | Molecular Biology Techniques | 2 |
| BIOL | Electives chosen from | 4 |
| BIOL 330 | Bacteriology & Virology | 4 |
| BIOL 410 | Human Physiology | 4 |
| BIOL 450 | Histology | 4 |
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 201 | Research Methods in the Physical Sciences | 1 |
| CHEM 221 | Modern Analytical Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 232 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 341 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 431 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 432 | Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 433 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHEM 434 | Biochemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 475 | Research Methods in Chemistry | 4 |
| CHEM | Electives upper division | 4 |
| Total: | 58 |
Required cognates:
| MATH 181 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MATH 282 | Calculus II | 4 |
| MATH 283 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II | 4 |
Recommended cognates:
| PHYS 221 | General Physics with Calculus I | 1 |
| PHYS 222 | General Physics with Calculus II | 1 |
| RLGN 419 | Philosophy of Science | 3 |
Teaching Certification Program
The following Physical Science major is for teaching certification only. Requirements for certification are listed in the Education section of this Bulletin.
You must make formal application for admittance to the Teacher Education Program. Applications are available at the Education Department Office.
Physical Science with Chemistry Emphasis, B.S. Secondary Teaching Area
| CHEM 111 | General Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 112 | General Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 201 | Research Methods in Physical Science | 1 |
| CHEM 231 | Organic Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 232 | Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
| CHEM 341 | Physical Chemistry I | 4 |
| CHEM 431 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHEM 432 | Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CHEM 462 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 475 | Research Methods in Chemistry | 4 |
| PHYS 112 | Introductory Astronomy | 4 |
| PHYS 121 | General Physics I | 4 |
| PHYS 122 | General Physics II | 4 |
| PHYS 221 | General Physics with Calculus I | 1 |
| PHYS 222 | General Physics with Calculus II | 1 |
| PHYS 311 | Modern Physics | 3 |
| Electives upper division | 3 | |
| Total: | 52 |
Courses
CHEM 105 - Survey of Chemistry (4 hours)
Prerequisite: Appropriate mathematics placement score or MATH 013 with a grade of C– or higher.
An introduction to the fundamental principles of chemistry, plus additional introductory topics from organic and biochemistry with an emphasis on human metabolism. Not applicable to major, minor, or teaching sequence. 3 Lec 3 lab. Lab fee. (Fall)
CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I (4 hours)
Prerequisite: MATH 110 with a grade of C– or higher, or high school Algebra II with grade of B or higher or permission of chemistry faculty, or corequisite: MATH 121 or higher.
This course develops basic topics such as atomic structure, periodicity, chemical equations, chemical bonding, solutions, nomenclature, and states of matter. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab Fee. (Fall)
CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 111 with a grade of C– or higher.
A continuation of CHEM 111. Included are discussions of kinetics, acids and bases, equilibrium, electrochemistry, and introduction to nuclear and organic chemistry. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Spring)
CHEM 201 - Research Methods in the Physical Sciences (1 hour)
Prerequisite: ENGL 121 and PHYS 121, 122 or CHEM 111, 112
An introduction to the library research skills used in the physical sciences, especially chemistry. The use of primary and secondary sources including the use of on-line databases will be discussed as well as publication styles. Students will engage in activities to sharpen critical thinking. In this course, majors in the physical sciences begin the process of senior portfolio development. This course fulfills the requirement as specified in Southwestern's Quality Enhancement Plan. (Spring)
CHEM 221 - Modern Analytical Chemistry (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 112 with grade of C– or higher
A course in which quantitative and instrumental techniques of chemical analysis are combined. Emphasis will be on developing analytical skills. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Fall, even years)
CHEM 231 - Organic Chemistry I (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 112 with a grade of C– or higher
This course deals with the theory and applications of basic organic chemistry. Included is the study of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, simple aromatics, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, and spectroscopic methods. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Fall)
CHEM 232 - Organic Chemistry II (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 231 with a grade of C– or higher
A continuation of the study of basic organic chemistry. Includes carboxylic acids, aldehydes, ketones, amines, heterocyclics, unsaturated carbonyl compounds, carbohydrates, phenols, glycols and epoxides. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Spring)
CHEM 291 - Selected Topics (1 hour)
Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair
This course offers the lower division student opportunity for independent study under the direction of a faculty member. This study may involve research, laboratory, or library work. Content and methods of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 2 credits.
CHEM 310 - Environmental and Geological Chemistry (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 112 or equivalent with a grade of C– or higher, MATH 181 or permission of instructor
Chemistry of how geological and anthropogenic activities impact Earth's hydrosphere, continents, and atmosphere. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Offered periodically)
CHEM 341 - Physical Chemistry I (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 112 or equivalent with a grade of C– or higher, MATH 181
Rigorous mathematical treatment of gas laws, physical states of matter, solutions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, chemical potential, electrochemistry, and an introduction to quantum mechanics. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Fall, odd years)
CHEM 342 - Physical Chemistry II (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 341 with a grade of C– or higher
Further development of atomic and molecular quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, kinetics and reaction mechanisms, and statistical thermodynamics. 3 Lec 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Spring, even years)
CHEM 421 - Modern Analytical Instrumentation (4 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 221 with a grade of C– or higher or CHEM 231 with a grade of C– or higher
A course in modern analytical instrumentation, including electroanalytical, spectroscopic, separations, and kinetic methods. Application of spreadsheet and computer simulation software. Laboratory emphasis. 2 Lec 6 Lab. Lab fee. (Offered periodically)
CHEM 431 - Biochemistry I (3 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 232 with a grade of C– or higher. Corequisite: CHEM 432 (required for chemistry and biochemistry majors).
A course in the molecular logic of life; in particular the molecular structure, nomenclature, properties, and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Properties and mechanisms of enzymes, vitamins, and co-enzymes, biological membrane structure and function, and introduction to bioenergetics. This course fulfills the requirement for an upper-division course with components as specified in Southwestern's Quality Enhancement Plan. 3 Lec. (Fall)
CHEM 432 - Biochemistry I Lab (1 hour)
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 431
This course is designed to accompany CHEM 431. Experiments demonstrate the theoretical principles discussed in CHEM 431, including structure, pH, and molecular interactions of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, and the specific methods of analysis associated with these molecules. 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Fall)
CHEM 433 - Biochemistry II (3 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 431 with a grade of C– or higher. Corequisite: CHEM 434 (required for chemistry and biochemistry majors).
This course focuses on the metabolic pathways of biomolecules, accompanied by bioenergetic requirements, regulatory mechanisms and flow of genetic information. Includes photosynthesis, metabolism of amino acids, fatty acids, lipids, nucleic acids and proteins, and application of recombinant DNA. Intended for students taking chemistry as their major or minor. Also suitable for biology majors with a strong chemistry background and pre-professionals. 3 Lec. (Spring)
CHEM 434 - Biochemistry II Lab (1 hour)
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 433
This course is designed to accompany CHEM 433. Emphasis will be important experimental techniques not covered in CHEM 432, including electrophoresis, adsorption chromatography, thin-layer chromatography and DNA analysis. 3 Lab. Lab fee. (Spring)
CHEM 462 - Inorganic Chemistry (3 hours)
Prerequisite: CHEM 341 or CHEM 112 with permission of instructor.
A course including a study of the elements and their periodic relationships, acid-base theories, current bonding theories, coordination compounds, and other selected topics. 3 Lec. (Offered periodically)
CHEM 475 - Research Methods in Chemistry (4 hours)
Prerequisite: Either CHEM 221 or CHEM 341 with a grade of C– or higher, CHEM 232 with a grade of C– or higher, and permission of the chemistry faculty
This course is a capstone course, designed to involve the chemistry major in the process of research, including literature searching, formation of hypotheses, and experimental design. Preparation and presentation of report, completion of portfolio. This course fulfills the requirement for a capstone/portfolio completion course with components as specified in Southwestern's Quality Enhancement Plan. 2 Lec 6 Lab. Lab fee. (Offered periodically)
CHEM 491 - Selected Topics
Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair
The subject of study is selected by conference between the student and the chemistry faculty, and will consist mainly of independent study and/or laboratory work summarized by a comprehensive report. Content and method of study must be arranged prior to registration. May be repeated for a total of 3 credits.