The Catholic University for Independent Thinkers
Offered: Fall or Spring.
This course traces the development of the central principles of chemistry and examination
of the applications of those principles in our world today. Specific topics include
the atomic theory of matter, thermodynamics, the periodic table, types of chemical
reactions, molecular structure and properties, and the uses and abuses of chemicals.
Laboratory experience enables the student to develop and test hypotheses, to use modern
chemical instruments, to improve logical and quantitative reasoning skills, and to
provide scientific explanations of chemical phenomena. Three lectures, one laboratory
weekly.
Offered: Fall or Spring
Course is a survey of fundamental principles of chemistry routinely utilized in forensic
examinations. A prime goal of this course is to develop in the student an understanding
and appreciation of the scientific method of investigation. The lecture component
of the course begins with an overview of forensic science and then covers a series
of units in forensic reagents for spot tests and progressing through discussions of
DNA analyses. The laboratory component of the course consists of a series of case
studies in which students (working as a forensic team) subject items of physical evidence
to chemical tests and procedures, interpret the data, and present results to resolve
the crime. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Offered: Fall (I & II) and Spring (I & II)
Basic laws, principles, and theories relating to changes in the composition of matter
together with a presentation of the common metals and nonmetals, their physical and
chemical properties as correlated by their electronic structure. Three lectures weekly.
Offered: Fall (I & II) and Spring (I & II)
Chromatography, calorimetry, acid/base and redox titrations, inorganic synthesis and
displacement reactions, and chemical equilibrium. Analysis and identification of the
most common cations and anions. One three-hour laboratory period weekly.
Prerequisites: Chem. 1304 and 1104
Offered: Fall
A lecture/laboratory course dealing with the theory and practice of quantitative chemical
analysis. Topics include a survey of classical wet chemical techniques in gravimetry
and titrimetry as well as introductory instrumental methods in spectroscopy, electrochemistry,
and chromatography. Three lecture periods and two laboratory periods (two-hours each)
weekly.
Offered: Fall
Systematic use of printed and on-line resources in chemistry. Students learn how to
effectively search chemical literature to find chemical information.
Prerequisite: Chem. 1304 and 1104
Offered: Spring
Descriptive chemistry of the elemental groups in terms of the electronic structures
of the atoms, bonding theory, and the periodic properties of the elements. Study of
acid-base theories, reduction-oxidation theory, coordination chemistry, and symmetry
properties. Three lectures weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem.1304
Offered: Fall (I & II) and Spring (I & II)
A sequential year course. Structural theories and properties of organic compounds;
stereochemistry; functional group analysis; class reactions and organic synthesis;
mechanism of reactions as applied to the study of aliphatic, aromatic heterocyclic
compounds, and classes of biologically significant compounds. Special emphasis on
spectroscopic methods for molecular structure determination. Three lectures weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem. 1104
Offered: Fall (I & II) Spring (I & II)
Sequential year course accompanying Chem. 3321 and 3322. Theory and practice of functional
group determination; IR and NMR spectroscopy for molecular structure determination;
synthetic methods and class reactions; chromatographic methods for isolation and identification.
One four-hour laboratory period weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem. 1303 and 1304; Math. 1404 and 1411.
Offered: Fall and Spring.
Study of the underlying physical principles that govern the properties and behavior
of chemical systems. Topics include thermodynamics, gases, chemical kinetics, quantum
mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. Three weekly lectures.
Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in Chem. 3331-3332.
Offered: Fall and Spring
A laboratory experience that demonstrates the application of physical chemical principles
and develops the ability to write comprehensive lab reports. The treatment of experimental
data and error analysis is emphasized. Experiments include calorimetry, UV/VIS spectroscopy,
IR spectroscopy, rates of reaction, equilibrium, and quantum chemistry.
Prerequisite: Chem. 3322 or permission of the instructor. Chem. 3135-3136 should be taken concurrently.
Offered: Fall and Spring
A sequential year course focusing on the study of living systems at the molecular
and cellular level. An understanding of lifes recurring strategies will be developed,
including: 1) how the chemical structures of macromolecules (proteins and carbohydrates)
relate to their biological function, 2) how enzyme mechanisms and energy flow catalyze
reactions, 3) how interrelated metabolic pathways are regulated, and 4) how biological
systems store, transfer, and regulate energy and information. Students will also acquire
experience in reading and presenting the primary scientific literature. Three lectures
weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem.3322 and concurrent enrollment in Chem. 3335-3336.
Offered: Fall and Spring
The laboratory is designed to introduce several major techniques common to biochemical
investigations. Techniques include: protein purification through chromatographic separations,
protein characterization through spectroscopic and electrophorectic methods, immunoassay
methods, enzyme kinetics, and recombinant DNA techniques. One fourhour laboratory
period weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem. 3321/3121 or consent of instructor.
Offered: Spring
A lecture/laboratory course dealing with the environmental domains of the atmosphere,
the lithosphere, the hydrosphere, and the biosphere. Emphasis given to study of the
major chemical systems in each domain, with hands-on laboratory applications of natural
samples. Three lectures and one three hour laboratory period weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem. 3151.
Offered: Spring
Series of presentations, readings, and discussions on topics from the primary scientific
literature in chemistry or biochemistry. This course is intended to help develop a
students oral communication skills by presenting, listening to, and discussing various
chemistry topics. The course emphasizes the mechanics, style, and substance of giving
scientific presentations. Each student will give at least one presentation over the
course of the semester. Student attendance and participation at each class meeting
is expected. This course cannot be used to satisfy requirements of Chem.4V434V44.
One class weekly.
Prerequisite: Chem. 3322.
Offered: Spring, alternate years
A study of reactions and syntheses. Emphasis is placed on synthetic applications and
relationships between structure and reactivity.
Prerequisite: Chem. 3322
Offered: Fall
Modem concepts of bonding, stereochemistry, molecular orbital theory, and methods
employed to determine reaction mechanisms and reactive intermediates. Extensive use
is made of current literature.
Prerequisite: Chem. 2414, Chem. 3322/3122, and Chem. 3331/3132.
Offered: Spring
A lecture/laboratory course dealing with the theory and practice in instrumental methods
of chemical analysis. Lecture topics include a survey of the fundamental components
and operational functions of spectroscopic, electrochemical, chromatographic, and
mass spectrometer instrument designs. Laboratory experiments include hands-on applications
utilizing instruments available in the chemistry department. Three lecture periods
and two laboratory periods (two-hours each) weekly.
Offered: Fall and Spring
Selected topics in the area of interest of an instructor or a need and request by
students.
Offered: Fall and Spring
Independent laboratory research. By permission of instructor. A temporary grade of
"T" will be recorded until a written report is submitted to and accepted by the instructor
and an oral seminar is presented on the research project. The seminar must be scheduled
during the semester immediately following the term in which the experimental work
is completed.
