Department of Chemistry

Undergraduate Program - Undergrad Courses & Websites

CHY 101 – Chemistry for Everyday Living

A non-mathematical introduction to the basic principles of chemistry with an emphasis on chemistry relevant to everyday life. Topics will include nuclear, food, agricultural, drug, cosmetic and polymer chemistry. May be taken without CHY 102. Together with CHY 102, this course Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement  Satisfies the General Education  Applications of Scientific Knowledge Requirement when taken without CHY 102. Credits: 3

CHY 102 – Chemistry for Everyday Living Laboratory

Accompanies CHY 101. Experiments will emphasize chemical topics relevant to everyday living. Together with CHY 101, this course Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement. Lab 3. Credits: 1

CHY 105 – Majoring in Chemistry

Introduces students to the faculty, students, facilities and resources central to their major in chemistry. Topics covered include requirements and advising for the major, library resources, research laboratories and projects, and the special expertise of the faculty. (Pass/Fail Grade Only.) Prerequisites & Notes. First-year students only. Credits: 1

CHY 121 – Introduction to Chemistry

Topics include: units and definitions, atomic structure, bonding, chemical change, concentration of solutions, reaction rates and equilibria, acid-base chemistry and summary topics related to applications in materials science, biological chemistry and the environment. Together with CHY 123, this course Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement. Satisfies the General Education Application of Scientific Knowledge Requirement when taken without CHY 123. Lec 3. Prerequisites: MAT 122 or MAT 126 or MAT 127 or MAT 151. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHY 123. Credits: 3

General Chemistry Website

InterChemNet Website

CHY 122 – The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change

Topics include: atomic and molecular bonding; classes of chemical reactions, reactivity of non-metals and metals; materials chemistry; kinetics; thermodynamics; electrochemistry; nuclear chemistry. Together with CHY 124, this course Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement  Satisfies the General Education Applications of Scientific Knowledge Requirement when taken without CHY 124.; Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in both CHY 121 and CHY 123. Corequisite: CHY 124. Credits: 3

General Chemistry Website

InterChemNet Website

CHY 122 – Dr. François Amar

CHY 123 – Introduction to Chemistry Laboratory

Introduction to experimental techniques and concepts in chemistry. Together with CHY 121, this course Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement. Lab 3. Prerequisites: None. Corequisite: CHY 121 Credits: 1

General Chemistry Website

InterChemNet Website

CHY 124 – The Molecular Basis of Chemical Change Laboratory

A continuation of CHY 123. Experimental techniques and concepts in chemistry. Together with CHY 122, this course Satisfies the General Education Lab in the Basic or Applied Sciences Requirement. Lab 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in both CHY 121 and CHY 123. Corequisite: CHY 122. Credits: 1

General Chemistry Website

InterChemNet Website

CHY  131 – Chemistry for Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers

A one-semester course in general chemistry designed for civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering majors.  Topics in solution chemistry, aqueous equilibria, kinetics, modern materials, and electrochemistry are emphasized.  Enrollment is restricted to civil, electrical and mechanical engineering majors.  This course does not serve as a prerequisite for other chemistry courses.

General Chemistry Website
InterChemNet Website

CHY  133 – Chemistry for Civil, Electrical and Mechanical Engineers Lab

A one-semester laboratory course in general chemistry designed for civil, mechanical, and electrical engineering majors.  Topics in solution chemistry, aqueous equilibria, kinetics materials, and electrochemistry are emphasized.  Enrollment is restricted to civil, electrical and mechanical engineering majors.  This course does not serve as a prerequisite for other chemistry courses.

General Chemistry Website

InterChemNet Website

CHY 242 – Principles of Quantitative Analysis and Solution Equilibria

Topics covered include gravimetric and titrimetric methods of analysis and acid-base, complex formation, precipitation and oxidation-reduction equilibria. Spectrophotometric, potentiometric and chromatographic methods of analysis will be introduced. Laboratory determinations will provide examples of the above. Lec 3, Lab 6. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in both CHY 122 and CHY 124. Credits: 5

CHY 251 – Organic Chemistry I

An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. Lec 3, Rec 1. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in both CHY 122 and CHY 124. Credits: 3

CHY251 – Dr. Ray For, Jr.

CHY 252 – Organic Chemistry II

A continuation of CHY 251 including the study of carbonyl compounds and amines. Lec 3, Rec 1. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 251. Credits: 3

CHY252 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr.

CHY 253 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

An introduction to the separation, synthesis and analysis of organic compounds in the laboratory. Lab 4. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 251 or concurrently. Credits: 2

CHY 254 – Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

A continuation of CHY 253. Lab 4. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 251 and CHY 253.  Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHY 252. Credits: 2

CHY 393 – Undergraduate Seminar in Chemistry

Discussion of developments in chemistry and the chemical profession. Introduction to chemical literature and research methods. Oral presentations and written papers required. Satisfies the General Education Writing Intensive Requirement. Prerequisites: Chemistry major; A grade of C- or better in CHY 122. Credits: 3

CHY 394 – Field Experience/Cooperative Education

Supervised employment with relevance to the study of chemistry in the public or private sector. A proposed program of study, mutually agreed upon by the student, faculty adviser, and “Co-Op” sponsor may be carried out in the summertime or during the academic year. A written report is required. (Pass/Fail Grade Only.) Prerequisites: junior or senior standing with a good academic record; permission. Credits: 1-9

CHY 398 – Undergraduate Research

Students will conduct a research project under the supervision of faculty member. A written research report is required. For chemistry majors only. Students must apply through the Undergraduate Research Coordinator. No more than 2 credit hours can apply to graduation requirements. Together with CHY 399, this course satisfies the General Education Capstone Experience Requirement. Prerequisites: Junior standing. Credits: 1-2

CHY 399 – Undergraduate Thesis

Written report of an original investigation carried out in the library and laboratory. Together with CHY 398, this course satisfies the General Education Capstone Experience Requirement. Prerequisites: senior standing; permission of department. Credits: 1-3

CHY 431 – Structure and Mechanism in Biological Chemistry

Examination of biosynthetic pathways, structure and function of enzymes (including metalloenzymes) and other important biomolecules, methods of structure determination and synthetic pathway elucidation and mechanisms of enzyme-catalyzed reactions. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 252, CHY 254. Credits: 3

CHY 431 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr.

CHY 443 – Instrumental Analysis

Modern tools for acquiring qualitative and quantitative data about the composition and structure of matter. A blend of theoretical and experimental/hands on approaches to investigate modern spectroscopic and separation techniques for solving "real world" bioanalytical and environmental problems. Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 242 and CHY 471. Credits: 3

CHY 450 – Introduction to Molecular Modeling

An introduction to the computational investigation of molecular structure, and properties. Topics include operation of UNIX workstations, and nature and application of molecular mechanics, semi-empirical molecular orbital calculations and ab initio molecular orbital calculations. Lec 3, Lab 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 252 and CHY 472. Credits: 4

CHY 450 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr.

CHY 453 – Intermediate Organic Chemistry

Qualitative organic analysis by chemical and instrumental methods. Lec 2, Rec 1, Lab 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 252 and CHY 254. Credits: 4

CHY 461 – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I

Advanced theoretical and descriptive inorganic chemistry emphasizing periodic relationships. Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 471 or permission. Credits: 3

CHY 461 – Dr. Alice Bruce

CHY 462 – Organometallic Chemistry

Principles and applications of organotransition metal chemistry. Topics include coordination chemistry, group theory, organometallic reaction mechanisms, electrochemistry, photochemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, catalysis and applications to organic synthesis. Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 252. Corequisite: CHY 471. Credits: 3

CHY 471 – Physical Chemistry I

Applications of classical thermodynamics to the study of chemical systems. Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 122; MAT 228 and PHY 112 or PHY 122 or equivalent. Credits: 3

CHY 471 – Dr. Jayendran C. Rasaiah

CHY 472 – Physical Chemistry II

Covers electrochemistry, kinetic theory of gases, transport processes and reaction kinetics and an introduction to statistical thermodynamics. Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 122; MAT 228 and PHY 112 or PHY 122. Credits: 3

CHY 475 – Physical Chemistry III

An introduction to quantum mechanics, spectroscopy and chemical bonding. Lec 3. Prerequisites: PHY 122, MAT 228 and MAT 258 or equivalent. Credits: 3

CHY 475 – Dr. Jayendran C. Rasaiah

CHY 483 – Introductory Wood Chemistry

Emphasis on the chemical and physical properties of cellulose, hemicelluloses, lignin and extractives. Lec 3. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 252 or permission. Credits: 3

CHY 490 – Topics in Chemistry

Advanced treatment of specialized topics in chemistry.  Topics vary.  May be repeated for credit. Prerequisites: Permission. Credits: 3

CHY 491 – Advanced Integrated Laboratory I

An advanced laboratory environment integrating inorganic, instrumental and physical chemistry concepts. Synthetic techniques, instrumental methods, reaction kinetics, thermodynamics and spectroscopy will be included. Lab 8. Prerequisites: A grade of C- or better in CHY 242, CHY 254, CHY 471, or concurrently. Credits: 3

Undergrads can also take graduate courses in chemistry.

Related Courses:

MAT 500 Computational Genomics

MAT 500 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr

CHY 550 – Introduction to Molecular Modeling

CHY 550 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr.

CHY 556 – Theoretical Organic Chemistry

CHY 556 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr.

CHY 558 – Problem Solving in Organic Chemistry

CHY 558 – Dr. Ray Fort, Jr.

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