Chemistry Courses
CHE 103 Concepts in Chemistry - 5 credits
A study of descriptive chemistry as it relates to allied health fields. Fundamentals of reactions in solution, acid-base theory, and gas laws are presented in relation to physiological systems. This course also covers basic organic chemistry and biochemistry from organic structure and functional groups to carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and enzymes. Four hours lecture and 2.5 hours laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Basic Arithmetic and Algebra Skills.
CHE 111 Chemical Principles - 4 credits
A detailed study of the principles and methods in theoretical and descriptive chemistry. Stoichiometry, periodic behavior, gases, solutions, and simple equilibria are covered. Laboratory emphasis is on basic chemical principles and qualitative analysis. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: High school chemistry.
CHE 112 Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis – 3 or 4 credits
A study of the analytical chemistry of the more common elements. Acid-base theory, solubility, and redox equilibria are treated in lecture and applied in lab. Statistical evaluation of volumetric, optical, and potentiometric data are also covered. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisite: completion of CHE 111 lecture with a grade of C- or better and completion of CHE 111 laboratory with a grade of D or better, completion of CHE103 with a grade of B or better, or permission of instructor
CHE 203 Survey of Organic Chemistry - 3 or 4 credits
This course provides an overview of the basic principles of organic chemistry with an emphasis on naming, structure, functional groups, and reactions of the major classes of organic compounds. Continual reference to substances of biological activity and importance will highlight the application. Topics discussed build from basic hydrocarbons and concepts to polyfunctional and complex systems. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisite: One year of college chemistry.
CHE 205 Organic Chemistry I - 4 credits
A study of the chemistry of carbon compounds: nomenclature, stereochemistry, reactions and mechanisms involving major functional groups. The laboratory course will continue the emphasis on synthesis, separations and purification of organic compounds. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 112 (or its equivalent) with a C- or better or permission of instructor
CHE 206 Organic Chemistry II - 4 credits
A continuation of CHE 205 with focus on aromatic compounds and oxygenated functional groups. The laboratory introduces students to Qualitative analysis where students will identify unknown compound through wet chemical and various spectral methods. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 217 Principles of Biochemistry – 3 credits
A study of the basic concepts of biochemistry including the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, and lipids. Major metabolic pathways will be discussed along with energy production and metabolic regulation. Prerequisites: CHE 203 or CHE 205/206.
CHE 230 Analytical Chemistry - 4 credits
A study of the fundamentals of analytical chemistry. An emphasis is placed on statistics, solubility equilibria, acid-base equilibria, electrochemistry, and chromatography, The essential skills of quantitative analysis will be emphasized in the laboratory. Prerequisite: CHE 112 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or better.
CHE 241 Crime Scene Pattern Analysis - 4 credits
Students will be introduced to basic concepts in criminalistics, such as identification and individualization. Among the topics for lecture and laboratory instruction are photography and other method of crime scene documentation, imprint and impression recovery, toolmark and firearm analysis, and handwriting analysis. Students are introduced to physical patterns such as - bloodstain pattern analysis, bullet trajectory, and - glass fracture typically found at crime scenes. Emphasis is also placed on the proper handling, packaging, and transport of physical evidence from crime scenes. Throughout the course students will gain a better understanding of the importance of minimizing bias and developing critical thinking skills during the analysis of pattern evidence. The laboratory portion of the course will culminate with a final mock crime scene where students will utilize the skills they developed during the semester to analyze the scene and generate a written report. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 111 with a grade of C- or better.
CHE 300 Technical Information - 3 credits
An introduction to the chemical literature and methods for literature searching using hardcopy and computer-assisted techniques. Major reference works, domestic and foreign research and review journals, and patents are discussed. Students gain experience in searching the literature, abstracting information in written form, and writing research papers for publication as well as the writing of chemical documents using research data with attention to conventions and formats used in the current chemical literature. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 and 206 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor
CHE 302 Instrumental Analysis - 4 credits
A study of the principles, applications, and theories of modern instrumental analysis methods, including signal/noise ratios, and the fundamentals of spectroscopy and chromatography. The components of a wide variety of instruments are examined in detail. Laboratory provides hands-on experience with modern analytical instrumentation, including gas and liquid chromatography, absorption and fluorescence, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption, Fourier transform infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. Prerequisites: Completion of CHE 206 and CHE 230 with a grade of C or better or departmental approval. Pre- or Corequisites: PHY 102
CHE 306 Advanced Organic Chemistry - 3 credits
A continuation of organic chemistry with emphasis on intermediate reactive species, mechanism elucidation, condensations and cycloadditions, organometallic reagents, aliphatic and aromatic substitutions, and reaction site selectivity. Also, molecular rearrangements and multi-step synthesis pathways. Frequent reference to the current chemical literature. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 206 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 307 Biochemistry I - 3 or 4 credits
A study of the structure, properties and functions of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Enzyme kinetics is introduced and selected enzyme mechanisms are discussed. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 and 206 (or their equivalents) with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor
CHE 308 Biochemistry II - 3 or 4 credits
Metabolic pathways are surveyed in terms of bioenergetics, mechanisms of selected enzyme mediated processes, and key metabolic controls. The molecular and clinical aspects of various diseases are discussed. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 307 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 314 Toxicology - 2 credits
Toxicology will present an overview of toxicological principles related to the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination of toxicants. The effects of toxicants on biological systems and their mechanism of action will be discussed. Toxic effects of specific organic and inorganic materials will be presented. In addition, methods of measuring toxicity will be discussed. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 (or its equivalent) with a grade of C- or better.
CHE 320 Environmental Chemistry – 3 or 4 credits
Chemical reactions of environmental importance are studied, particularly those of global scope. Specific topics include ozone depletion, global warming, air pollution, alternative energy generation, nuclear power, and pesticides. Discussion includes analysis of human attempts to ameliorate environmental damage by technological and political means. Laboratory includes both quantitative analytical methods and computer modeling. The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisite: Chemistry 205 with a grade of C- or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 321 Forensic Chemistry – 2 credits
This course will present an overview of forensic chemical principles. Topics will include the chemical fundamentals used in the area of forensic science including chemical data evaluation, quality and traceability, sampling, and uncertainty of quantitative data. Different types of forensic evidence, such as controlled substances, fire debris, explosives, gunshot residue and paint will be described as well as how to analyze such evidence will be discussed. The ethical analysis of forensic chemical evidence will be emphasized. Prerequisites: Completion of CHE 206 and CHE 230 with a grade of C or better, and CHE 302 (concurrent) or permission of instructor.
CHE 331 Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits
This course introduces the chemistry of metals and main group elements. Acid and base chemistry, modern bonding theories, molecular symmetry, coordination complexes, solid state chemistry and catalysis are discussed. The laboratory consists of the synthesis of inorganic compounds and analysis of products with the use of modern characterization techniques. 3 credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 and CHE 206 with a grade of C or better MAT 141, and MAT 142 (which may be concurrent).
CHE 335 Physical Chemistry I – 3 or 4 credits
A study of the laws of thermodynamics and their application to solutions and phase equilibria, as well as the fundamentals of chemical kinetics. Laboratory emphasis on applications of thermodynamic and kinetic principles and writing laboratory reports in journal format. Prerequisite: MAT 141, MAT 142 and PHY 101 (which may be concurrent). Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours. The 3-credit option does not include laboratory.
CHE 336 Physical Chemistry II - 3 credits
The focus of the course is the study of quantum mechanics and its application to atomic and molecular structure. Methods for the exact solution of the Schrodinger equation are mastered. Approximation techniques such as the variational method are introduced. General Valence Bond and molecular orbital theories are investigated. Prerequisite: MAT 141, 142, PHY 101. Note that CHE 335 is not a prerequisite.
CHE 341 Polymer Chemistry - 3 credits
A survey of the reactions leading to macromolecules: step and chain processes; kinetics, mechanisms and catalysts; the relation of reaction composition and molecular structure to polymer properties. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 and 206 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 344 Heterocyclic Compounds - 3 credits
This is an advanced course designed to expose student to the nomenclature, chemistry and role of heterocyclic compounds. Rings of various sizes and number of heteroatoms ranging from simple heterocycles to polycyclic systems and the nucleic acid bases will be considered. Emphasis is placed on synthesis, reactions and compounds of aromatic nature, but nonaromatic systems will also be discussed. Their natural origin and pharmaceutical interest will also be incorporated. Prerequisite: Completion of CHE 205 and 206 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 347 Trace Evidence and Microscopy – 3 or 4 credits
Lecture and laboratory instruction are given in the analysis of trace evidence typically found in forensic investigations such as hair, fiber, soil, glass and paint. The course focuses on the use of the light microscope, polarized light microscope, scanning electron microscope, and the micro-FTIR as analytical tools. Students will also receive instruction in instrumental and wet chemical methods for the analysis of trace evidence, inorganic ions and drugs. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours (students should be advised that the laboratory portion of the course may require more than the three hours per week). The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisites: Completion of CHE 111, CHE 112, and CHE 241 with a grade of C or better or permission of instructor.
CHE 348 Forensic Molecular Biology - 4 credits
Lecture and laboratory instruction are given in body fluid stain identification and modern DNA typing methods used in forensic biology. The process of DNA analysis is covered with emphasis placed on PCR technology and STR fragment analysis. Students are also introduced to mitochondrial DNA typing methods, Y-Chromosome typing methods as well as future forensic DNA methodologies. The use and calculation of population statistics used in forensic DNA testing is also discussed. Lecture three hours, laboratory three hours (students should be advised that the laboratory portion of the course may require more than the three hours per week). The 3-credit option does not include laboratory. Prerequisites: BIO 231.
CHE 349 Professional Issues in Forensic Science - 3 credits
Students are introduced to professional issues specific for forensic science practitioners. Topics include quality assurance, laboratory accreditation, professional certification, courtroom admissibility of physical evidence, courtroom testimony and report writing. Students are also presented with ethical dilemmas typically encountered by practitioners and discussion centers on their resolution. Standards of ethics codified by professional forensic organizations and guidelines for employment in forensic science laboratories are also presented. Prerequisite: Seniors in the Forensic Science major/concentration only.
CHE 352 Chemistry Seminar (Capstone) - 1 credit
Student presentations (oral and written) of their library (B.A. only) or laboratory research. The course represents the integration of all the student's learning and experience in chemistry or biochemistry, and the demonstration of that learning and experience in a formal setting as a requirement for degree completion. As part of this process, the student completes a series of comprehensive examinations in all the relevant sub-disciplines.
CHE 360 Special Topics - 1-3 credits each term
A discussion of selected chemistry topics of interest to faculty and students.
CHE 391 Advanced Laboratory and Research (Capstone) - 3 credits each term
Study of original research problems under the direction of a faculty member. Students will be involved in all aspects of the research project including framing hypotheses, designing experiments, analyzing data, and drawing conclusions. Students are expected to learn how to work independently and to provide the self-motivation to make a significant contribution to the research project. Students will write a final paper on their research and will present their results in an oral seminar (Chemistry 352) Two 3 credit semesters of research are required. Only credits taken in junior/senior year can be applied to the requirements of the major. An approved research-based internship may substitute for one or both semesters. Research opportunities related to forensic science are available.
CHE 393 Internship (Capstone) - 3-6 credits
Application of chemistry or forensic science in a corporate or public sector setting.
