Programs and Courses
Click here for sample course syllabi.
What chemistry course(s) should I take?
Sample Course Syllabi
Please not that the sample syllabi are provided to give you an idea of what the topics covered in these courses are. Please contact the instructor or department for more course information, such as which books will be used in the coming semester.
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Chemistry for non-majors
If you do not plan to major in chemistry, but would like to get a “taste” of chemistry—and, at the same time, satisfy one of the college’s laboratory science distribution requirements—you should consider taking one of the department’s introductory courses: CHE 136 (lecture and lab), CHE 114 (lecture)/115 (lab), or CHE 166 (lecture)/167 (lab). These introductory courses are designed to provide the student with a sound foundation in the principles of chemistry, an introduction to some of its many applications, and an understanding of the how chemistry relates to the larger world.
- CHE 114/115 is the beginning of the sequence of chemistry courses for nursing and nutrition majors. They are followed by CHE 120/121.
- The CHE 166-169 general chemistry sequence is required for science majors, and pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-veterinary, and pre-pharmacy students.
- The CHE 232-235 organic chemistry sequence is required for science majors, and pre-medical, pre-dental, pre-veterinary, and pre-pharmacy students.
Chemistry for majors
If you plan to major in chemistry, the Department offers three degree programs: a Bachelor of Science in chemistry, a Bachelor of Science in chemistry with a specialization in biochemistry, and a chemistry Bachelor of Arts degree. For more on these degree programs, see Current Requirements for Chemistry Degree Programs and the Chemistry pages of the Undergraduate Bulletin.
The Department’s degree programs are designed to prepare the student for advanced study and a career in chemistry, biochemistry, and related fields, including medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and secondary school science teaching.
The Chemistry Minor
If you want to minor in chemistry, you need to complete the first two years of science major chemistry (CHE 166-CHE 235) and one more chemistry course at the 300 or 400 level or CHE 248. See Current Requirements for the Chemistry Minor.
Chemistry-related Degree Programs
Other degree programs that have course requirements in chemistry include:
- B. S. in Anthropology, Biology, and Chemistry
- B.A. degrees in Biology
- B. S. in Nursing
- B. S. in Dietetics, Foods, and Nutrition
- B.S. in Environmental Science
In addition, two new degree programs are being developed:
- The B. A. degree in chemistry education, which will combine chemistry degree requirements with the education courses needed to teach in K-12
- The Interdisciplinary B. A. degree in environmental science, which is currently being developed together with the Departments of Biological Sciences and Environmental, Geographic, and Geological Sciences.
Current Requirements for Chemistry Degree Programs
The Chemistry Department offers three degree programs: the B.S. in chemistry, the B.S. in chemistry with a specialization in biochemistry and the B.A. in chemistry. The courses required for each degree are listed below, “blocked” according to the semester in which they should be taken.
Note: If you are thinking of majoring in chemistry, be sure to make an appointment to see Chemistry Advising to talk to a faculty member about when you will take these courses.
| B.S. in Chemistry | B.S. in Biochemistry | B.A. in Chemistry | ||||||
| Year | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | Fall | Spring | ||
1 |
CHE 166 |
CHE 168 |
CHE 166 |
CHE 168 |
CHE 166 |
CHE 168 |
||
2 |
CHE 232 |
CHE 234 |
CHE 232 |
CHE 234 |
CHE 232 |
CHE 234 |
||
3 |
CHE 248 |
CHE 344 |
CHE 248 |
CHE 334 |
CHE 248 |
CHE 344 |
||
4 |
CHE 444 |
CHE 442 |
CHE 444 |
CHE 446 |
Elective+ |
CHE 450* | ||
* Indicates a course that is recommended but not required.
+ Two electives to be chosen from: CHE 347, CHE 442, CHE 433, CHE 444, MAT 226 (an additional one of these is recommended)
Note: Under the current degree requirements, CHE 248 replaces CHE 249, CHE 333 and CHE 337 replace CHE 335 and CHE 433 and CHE 435 replace CHE 327 and CHE 449.
| Courses in Chemistry |
| CHE 166-167: General Chemistry I (5) |
| CHE 168-169: General Chemistry II (5) PREREQ: CHE 166-167 |
| CHE 232-233: Organic Chemistry I (5) PREREQ: CHE 168-169 |
| CHE 234-235: Organic Chemistry II (5) PREREQ: CHE 232-233 |
| *CHE 248: Intro. to Analytical Chemistry (3) PREREQ: CHE 168-169 |
| CHE 332: Intro. to Physical Chemistry I (3) PREREQ: CHE 234, PHY 167, MAT 176 |
| CHE 333: Physical Chemistry of Biosystems Laboratory I (1.5) PREREQ: CHE 248, PRE/COREQ: CHE 332 |
| CHE 334: Intro. to Physical Chemistry II (3) PREREQ: CHE 332 |
| CHE 337: Physical Chemistry of Biosystems Laboratory II (1.5) PREREQ: CHE 333, PRE/COREQ: CHE 334 |
| CHE 342: Physical Chemistry I (3) PREREQ: CHE 234-235 |
| CHE 345: Physical Chemistry Lab (2) PRE/COREQ: CHE 248, 342 |
| CHE 344: Physical Chemistry II (3) PREREQ: CHE 342 |
| CHE 347: Physical Chemistry Lab (2) PREREQ: CHE 345 |
| CHE 423: Advanced Laboratory I (2) PREREQ: CHE 234-235, CHE 248 |
| CHE 442: Inorganic Chemistry (3) PREREQ: CHE 234 |
| CHE 443: Inorganic Chemistry Lab (1) PREREQ: CHE 234-235, CHE 248; PRE/COREQ: CHE 442 |
| CHE 444: Biochemistry I (3) PREREQ: CHE 234 |
| CHE 446: Biochemistry II (3) PREREQ: CHE 444 |
| CHE 447: Biochemistry Lab (3) PREREQ: CHE 248, PRE/COREQ: CHE 446 |
| CHE 450: Seminar (1) Pre: CHE 168, PRE/COREQ: CHE 232 |
| *CHE 433: Advanced Laboratory I (3) PREREQ: CHE 234-235, CHE 248 |
| *CHE 435: Advanced Laboratory II (3) PREREQ: CHE 433 |
| Courses in Biology |
| BIO 166: Intro. to Organismic Biology |
| BIO 167: Principles of Biology |
| BIO 238: Genetics |
| BIO 420: Molecular Biology |
| Courses in Mathematics and Physics |
| MAT 175: Calculus I |
| MAT 176: Calculus II |
| MAT 226: Intermediate Calculus I |
| PHY 166 or 168: Physics I |
| PHY 167 or 169: Physics II |
Credits given in parentheses; PREREQ= Prerequisite; COREQ= Corequisite
Course Descriptions
New Chemistry Courses
*CHE 248: Introduction to Analytical Chemistry. 1 hour lecture; 4 hours lab; 3 credits
A course emphasizing basic principles and general practices of analytical chemistry. Topics include solution equilibria, electrochemistry, uv-vis and other spectroscopies; gravimetric, volumetric, complexiometric, chromatographic, and electrophoretic methods; data handling and error analysis. PREREQ: CHE 168 and 169.
*CHE 423: Introduction to Advanced Laboratory. 4 hours lab, 2 credits
Experimental investigations involving synthesis, separation, purification, identification, and quantitative analysis of organic, inorganic and organometallic substances and materials. Techniques and approaches include absorption and emission spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, chromatography, electrochemical methods and computer-based molecular modeling, data analysis, and literature searching. Note: Fulfills the advanced laboratory requirement for the B. S. - Biochemistry Specialization degree. PREREQ: CHE 234, 235; 248.
*CHE 433: Advanced Laboratory I. 6 hours, 3 credits
Experimental investigations involving synthesis, separation, purification, identification, and quantitative analysis of organic, inorganic and organometallic substances and materials. Techniques and approaches include absorption and emission spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, chromatography, electrochemical methods and computer-based molecular modeling, data analysis, and literature searching. PREREQ: CHE 234, 235; 248.
*CHE 435: Advanced Laboratory II. 6 hours, 3 credits
Continuation of CHE 433. Experiments involving multi-step syntheses, natural product separations, analysis of forensic and environment-related mixtures, compound purification and characterization. Experiment design and industrial laboratory work group simulations will be emphasized. PREREQ: CHE 433.
Other required courses
For descriptions on other required courses, see the College Bulletin listings for:
Current Requirements for the Chemistry Minor
The requirements for the minor in chemistry are: CHE 166, 167, 168, 169, 232, 233, 234, 235 and one other chemistry course, chosen from: CHE 248, 332, 342, 442, 444.
(For a description of CHE 248, see Current Requirements for Chemistry Degree Programs).
Last modified: Jan 24, 2012
