Chemistry:
The science that explains the material in the world around us.
Course topics include: How and why are different materials so different? How and why does matter change? How do we determine what materials are present in a sample, living or not, and how much of each material is there? How can we make new materials to fit specific purposes and needs.
Work Program:
In the Work Program, chemistry students have multiple job opportunities that relate to their studies. Student workers tutor their peers, grade papers, use lab instruments in hands-on experience, instruct fellow students in the labs, and assist professors with experiments.
Students may apply to work as:
- Chemistry tutor
- Department assistant
- Chemistry Lab assistant
Success:
100% Acceptance rate to all students interested in a graduate program for the past 6 years
Growth:
$1,200,000 in equipment upgrades in the past 5 years
Class Environment:
Upper level classes are small and tailored to individual student needs and interests
Faculty:
Professor is present in every lab section of each course
5 Hot Job Outlooks:
- Chemical Oceanographer
- Clarifying Plant Operator
- Cosmetics Developer
- FDA Inspector
- Forensic Chemist
More information on careers in chemistry may be found at the American Chemical Society’s website.
Requirements
Download a PDF version of this major’s requirements here or click on the course names below to view a description.
General Track
General Chemistry I
Introduction to the fundamental principles and applications of chemistry. Includes measurements, structures, properties, and reactions of atoms, ions, and molecules and the three phases of matter as applied to elements, compounds, and mixtures.
Prerequisites: none.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 4.0
General Chemistry II
Continuation of Chemistry 101, covering chemical kinetics, equilibrium and thermodynamics, and electrochemistry.
Prerequisites: CH 101.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 4.0
Organic Chemistry I
Introduction to the preparation, properties, transformations and analysis of organic compounds. Laboratory training in the use of important apparatus and techniques.
Prerequisites: CH 102.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 5.0
Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of Chemistry 241. Laboratory designed to illustrate representative organic reactions and techniques of synthesis and analysis.
Prerequisites: CH 241.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 5.0
Quantitative Analysis
The theory, principles and applications of analysis of chemical compounds and mixtures. Classical gravimetric and volumetric methods will be emphasized.
Prerequisites: CH 102.
Offered: every other fall.
Credits: 4.0
Scientific Communications
Techniques involved in searching the scientific literature, writing scientific reports, and making presentations. Reports and presentations may be intended for a scientific audience and the general public. Modern computer searching and presentation technologies are emphasized.
Prerequisites: CH 102 or consent of instructor.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 2.0
Biochemistry
Introduction to the fundamental chemical and physical processes of life. Lectures will cover the synthesis and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and non-protein nitrogen-containing molecules. Also covered in lecture are enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, protein synthesis, and metabolism. Laboratory includes techniques used to analyze biological compounds.
Prerequisites: CH 241 or consent of instructor.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 4.0
Instrumental Analysis
The theory, principles and application of modern chemical instrumentation to analyze chemicals both quantitatively and qualitatively.
Prerequisites: CH 102 and CH 241 or permission of instructor.
Offered: every other fall.
Credits: 4.0
Inorganic Chemistry
Survey at the intermediate level of modern inorganic chemistry.
Prerequisites: CH 241 or 250.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 4.0
Physical Chemistry
Dealing with the laws, theories, and principles of physical chemistry as related to thermodynamic properties of gases, liquids, solids and solutions.
Prerequisites: CH 101, PH 201, 202, MA 254.
Offered: every other fall.
Credits: 5.0
Physical Chemistry II
Continuation of CH 401, covering quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and kinetics.
Prerequisites: CH 401.
Offered: every other spring.
Credits: 5.0
Chemistry Seminar
Designed to acquaint the student with the chemical literature and current areas of research and to develop skill in the oral and written presentation of reports. Two semester hours required for the chemistry major.
Prerequisites: CH 242 and senior standing.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 1.0
Calculus I
The basic concepts, techniques, and applications of differentiation and integration of functions of a real variable. Topics include limits, continuity, differentiability, integration, and the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus.
Prerequisites: MA 140 or placement.
Offered: every semester.
Credits: 3.0
Calculus II
A continuation of MA 254. Topics include the transcendental functions, methods of integration and series.
Prerequisites: MA 254.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 3.0
General College Physics I
Principles of physics. Mechanics and thermodynamics are covered.
Prerequisites: good background in algebra and trigonometry.
Offered: every fall.
Credits: 4.0
General College Physics II
A continuation of PH 201, dealing with waves, electricity and magnetism, and optics.
Prerequisites: PH 201.
Offered: every spring.
Credits: 4.0
Faculty Members
