Chemistry & Physical Science Courses

Chemistry (CHE) Courses

CHE 1510 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (4)
The elements, their compounds, and their reactions and the theories involved in the foundation of modern chemistry. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: MAT 1050 or higher, or permission of the instructor or chair
Corequisite: CHE 1511 (must be taken in the same semester as CHE 1510), MAT 1125 or higher, or permission of the instructor or chair
Offered: fall and spring (as needed)

CHE 1511 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (0)
This course will cover the laboratory-based components associated with the elements, compounds, reactions, and theories covered in General Chemistry I. Laboratory safety and basic laboratory techniques will also be introduced and reinforced. The lab will meet for three hours each week in conjunction with the lecture course (CHE 1510).
Prerequisite: MAT 1050 or higher, or permission of the instructor or chair
Corequisite: CHE 1510 (must be taken in the same semester as CHE 1511 lab), MAT 1125 or higher, or permission of the instructor or chair.
Offered: fall and spring

CHE 1520 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (4)
A more detailed study of topics introduced in 1510. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: CHE 1510 and 1511; this these courses is a are prerequisites to all further Chemistry courses.
Offered: spring and fall (as needed)

CHE 1521 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (0)
This course will cover the laboratory-based components associated with the more in-depth topics covered in General Chemistry II. Laboratory safety and more advanced laboratory techniques will also be taught and reinforced. The lab will meet for three hours each week in conjunction with the lecture course (CHE 1520).
Prerequisite: CHE 1510 and CHE 1511; these courses are prerequisites to all further Chemistry courses Corequisite: CHE 1520 (must be taken in the same semester as CHE 1521)
Offered: every spring and fall (as needed)

CHE 2210 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (4)
formerly CHE 3210
A course concentrating on the naming of organic compounds (IUPAC) and predicting physical and chemical properties of molecules of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, etc. Also included are the properties of organic molecules by using relative atomic sizes, electronegativities, electronic and Lewis structures, shapes, bond and dipole moments, etc. The characterization of structures by the analysis of spectral data (such as IR, MS, and NMR) is also covered. Reactions will be rationalized using reaction mechanisms. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520 and 1521 all with a grade of C or better (not to include C-)
Offered: fall

CHE 2211 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I LABORATORY (0)
formerly CHE 3211
This course will cover the laboratory techniques, reactions, and safety associated with the fundamentals of organic chemistry (alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alkyl halides, alcohols, etc.). The lab will meet for three hours each week in conjunction with the lecture course (CHE 2210).
Prerequisite: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520, and 1521 all with a grade of C or better (not to include C-) Corequisite: CHE 2210 (must be taken in the same semester as CHE 2210)
Offered: fall

CHE 2220 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II (4)
formerly CHE 3220
This course covers chemical bonding, acids and bases, nomenclature, structures, physical and chemical properties, and reactions of dienes, benzene and their derivatives, aryl and vinyl halides, aldehydes, ketones, carboxylic acids and derivatives, enolate ions and enols, and amines. A brief introduction to carbohydrates, amino acids, and proteins closes the course. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 2210
Offered: spring

CHE 2221 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II LABORATORY (0)
formerly CHE 3221
This course will cover more advanced laboratory techniques, reactions, and safety associated with the second semester of organic chemistry (bonding, acids and bases, aromatics, and other functional groups). The lab will meet for three hours each week in conjunction with the lecture course (CHE 2220).
Prerequisite: CHE 2210 and 2211
Corequisite: CHE 2220 (must be taken in the same semester as CHE 2220)
Offered: spring

CHE 2300 BASIC ENVIRONMENTAL CHEMISTRY (4)
formerly CHE 3300
This course covers the topics of atmospheric, aquatic, and soil chemistry and how humans affect this chemistry locally, regionally, and globally. There will be a general overview of organic chemistry and biochemistry that is pertinent to the course material. The origins, mechanism, transport, and overall effect of numerous chemical species and their environmental impact will be examined.
Prerequisite: CHE 1510 and 1511 with a grade of C or better (not to include C-) or permission of instructor
Offered: fall (odd years)

CHE 3100 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (4)
The chemistry of the elements with emphasis on inorganic main group compounds and transition series coordination compounds, concepts of effective nuclear charge and periodicity, band theory, group theory, symmetry, p and d orbital bonding, catalysis, metallurgy, and atomic structure. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520 and 1521 all with a grade of C or better (not to include C-)
Offered: spring (even years)

CHE 3510 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS (4)
Quantitative chemical analysis, with lecture, discussion, laboratory work, and problems. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520 and 1521 all with a grade of C or better (not to include C-)
Offered: fall

CHE 3520 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS (4)
The operation and fundamentals of standard laboratory instruments including spectrophotometers, electroanalytical equipment, gas chromatographs, high performance liquid chromatographs, and inorganic analysis methods. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520 and 1521 all with a grade of C or better (not to include C-)
Offered: spring

CHE 4000 MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY (4)
Design, discovery, and preparation of biologically active compounds; mode of action; structure-activity relationships; and combinatorial chemistry will be explored. Four hours of lectures each week. Prerequisites: CHE 2210 and 2211
Offered: fall (odd years)

CHE 4100 FORENSIC CHEMISTRY (4)
This course approaches the challenges, methods, and analysis of forensic science from a fundamental, chemical perspective. Topics include drug analysis, toxicology, arson investigation, the analysis of paint and gunshot residue samples, and several other points of interest. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520, and 1521
Offered: fall (even years)

CHE 4210 THERMODYNAMICS AND KINETICS (4)
The properties of gases, the laws of thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, and chemical kinetics. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520 and 1521 both with a grade of C or better (not to include C-), CHE 3510, PHY 1510 or PHY 2510, PHY 1520 or PHY 2520, and MAT 2410
Offered: fall

CHE 4220 QUANTUM MECHANICS AND SPECTROSCOPY (4)
Atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular interaction, quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 1510, 1511, 1520 and 1521 both with a grade of C or better (not to include C-), CHE 3510, PHY 1520 or PHY 2520, PHY 1520 or PHY 2520, and MAT 2410
Offered: spring (odd years)

CHE 4500 BIOCHEMISTRY (4)
The chemical nature and interactions of biological molecules, acid base chemistry, buffers, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, coenzymes, the interrelationships of compounds in major metabolic cycles, and the utilization and synthesis of high energy compounds as “energy currency.” Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: CHE 2210, 2211, 2220 and 2221
Offered: fall

CHE 4600 ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY (4)
The regulation of metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and amino acids. This course will also focus on the integration of metabolism and its regulations in humans with a case-oriented approach. Four hours of lecture each week.
Prerequisites: CHE 2210, 2211, 2220, 2221 and 4500
Offered: spring

CHE 4850 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-4)
Chemistry majors wishing to do more advanced work. Classroom work, individual lab and library investigation.
Prerequisite: Permission of the division head
Offered: as needed

CHE 4860 LIBRARY RESEARCH PROJECT (1)
Seniors will write a proposal for a library project, carry out the research, write a research paper, and present a seminar complete with the appropriate visual aids. Either CHE 4860 or 4870 is required for graduation.
Offered: fall and spring

CHE 4870 LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT (2)
Seniors will write a proposal for a laboratory project, carry out the research, write a research paper, and present a seminar complete with the appropriate visual aids. Either CHE 4860 or 4870 is required for graduation.
Offered: fall and spring

CHE 4990 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN CHEMISTRY (TBD)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Prerequisite: approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the division head, and the college dean before approval by Provost. Credits to be determined.

Geology/Geoscience (GSC) Courses

GSC 1600 PHYSICAL GEOLOGY (4)
formerly GLY 1600
A laboratory-based geology class centered on the study of introductory mineralogy, petrology, geomorphology, and historical and structural geology. Laboratories concentrate on mineral and rock identification, topographic and geologic map use and interpretation, geologic structures, and geologic interrelations with the environment. A field trip may be required.
Corequisites: MAT 1050 or higher or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed

GSC 2000 PHYSICAL OCEANOGRAPHY AND METEOROLOGY (4)
formerly GLY 2000
An introductory geoscience class exploring introductory oceanic and atmospheric science with required laboratory. Laboratories will concentrate on general oceanographic and meteorological concepts. A field trip may be required.
Corequisites: MAT 1050 or higher or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed

GSC 2100 INTRODUCTION TO GEOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION SYSTEMS (GIS) (3)
formerly GLY 2100
This course is intended to be an introduction to geographic information systems (GIS) and spatial analysis. It is a structured study of the basic components and concepts of GIS and how they are constructed and manipulated. A significant component of the course will involve the application of the ArcGIS software package to various topics and fields of study. Students will obtain hands-on experience working with ArcGIS software and various datasets. This course is not a lab science.
Prerequisites: MAT 1050 and CSC 1000
Offered: as needed

GSC 2200 PLANETARY GEOLOGY AND ASTRONOMY (4)
formerly GLY 3000
An introductory geoscience course exploring planetary geology, solar astronomy, stellar astronomy, and cosmology with required laboratory. Laboratories concentrate on remote sensing, image analysis, comparative planetology, and astronomy. A term paper and presentation are required.
Corequisites: MAT 1050 or higher or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed

GSC 3000 ADVANCED GEOLOGY (4)
formerly GLY 4000
An advanced laboratory-based course concentrating on mineralogy, petrology, stratigraphy, structural geology, and tectonics. The geologic framework of North America is the basis for the course. A required field trip and term paper are part of the curriculum.
Prerequisites: GSC 1600 or permission of the instructor
Offered: as needed

GSC 4850 SPECIAL TOPICS (1-4)
formerly GLY 4850
A course associated with geosciences. Conditionally offered with faculty availability and student interest.
Prerequisites: Determined by the department
Offered: as needed

Physics (PHY) Courses

PHY 1510 GENERAL PHYSICS I (4)
For chemistry, biology, and mathematics majors. Newtonian mechanics, mechanics of solids and fluids, and heat and thermodynamics. Three hours of lecture and three of laboratory each week.
Prerequisites: MAT 1125 or MAT 1130 and 1140 or higher (except MAT 2200) or permission of the instructor.
Offered: fall

PHY 1520 GENERAL PHYSICS II (4)
A continuation of 1510. Includes electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and modern physics. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: PHY 1510 or permission of the instructor
Offered: spring

PHY 2510 GENERAL PHYSICS I-CALCULUS BASED (4)
For chemistry, biology, and mathematics majors. Newtonian mechanics, mechanics of solids and fluids, sound waves and Doppler’s Principle, and heat, Carnot cycle and thermodynamics. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: MAT 2410 or permission of the instructor
Pre/Corequisite: MAT 2420
Offered: spring

PHY 2520 GENERAL PHYSICS II-CALCULUS BASED (4)
Magnetism in matter and magnetic fields, alternating and Direct current circuits, capacitors and transformers, and atomic, molecular, and nuclear physics, Quantum physics and theory of relativity. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week.
Prerequisites: PHY 2510 and MAT 2420 or permission of the instructor
Offered: fall

Science (SCI) Courses for Non-Majors

SCI 1410 EARTH SCIENCE (3)
A survey course for non-science majors. The primary concepts in geosciences are introduced, including geology, hydrogeology, oceanography, and meteorology. The course emphasizes the relationships among geosciences as Earth systems. This course includes 150 minutes of lecture and 90 minutes of laboratory each week in a 16-week semester. (Not to be used for the Middle Grades Science concentration. GSC 1600 is recommended for any environmental or science program.
Corequisite: MAT 1050 or higher
Offered: fall and spring

SCI 1420 BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE (3)
Major concepts of biology, including cellular structure, diversity of form, interrelationships among living organisms, and the importance of other organisms to man. 150 minutes of lecture and 90 minutes of laboratory each week.
Offered: fall and spring

SCI 1430 PHYSICAL SCIENCE (3)
Basic topics of physics and chemistry with special emphasis on real world applications. 150 minutes of lecture and 90 minutes of laboratory each week.
Prerequisite: MAT 1050 or higher
Offered: fall and spring