Chemistry

Chemistry | Courses | Faculty

Degrees: Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Arts

Contact: George Richason

Office: 701 LGRC Towers

Phone: 545-2292

Head of Department: Professor Paul M. Lahti. Associate Head: Professor David J. Curran. Professors Adams, Cade, Carpino, Day, Gierasch, Hixson, Jackson, Lillya, Maroney, Miller, Rausch, Richason, Stidham, Tyson, Uden, Wood, Zajicek; Associate Professors Auerbach, Bianconi, Chandler, Martin, Rotello, Thompson, Vining, Voigtman, Weis; Assistant Professors Kaltashov, Metz, Turner, Vachet, Venkataraman; Lecturers Botch, Samal, Sommerfeld, Whelan.

The Field

Chemistry occupies the central position among the sciences. Most phenomena in the biological and physical worlds which constitute our environment are ultimately explained in terms of the physical and chemical processes of molecules and atoms. The field, itself, is uncommonly broad, encompassing a number of sub-disciplines, among which are physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, biological chemistry, and analytical chemistry. Working within these subdisciplines are chemists in such diverse areas as environmental chemistry, medicinal chemistry, neurochemistry, polymer chemistry, materials chemistry, and photobiology. A chemist may decide to specialize in one or more of the subdisciplines in order to pursue a particular interest.

Chemists can pursue their work on purely theoretical grounds, or on an experimental basis. An example of the former might be the physical chemist who seeks a mathematical model of the chemistry of the combustion process. On the other hand, inorganic and organic chemists seek ways to synthesize bioactive organic compounds containing metals to find new drugs to treat diseases. An analytical chemist might be involved in investigating new approaches to measuring the identities and amounts of drugs in body fluids. The mechanism of protein folding is a major concern to biological chemists. Often, in today's laboratories, teams of various types of chemists are engaged with other scientists to find solutions to problems.

Chemists share a common core of knowledge and methodology, largely acquired during the first three years of undergraduate education. In the third and fourth years there is ample opportunity for the student to pursue appealing specialties within the sub-disciplines.

Career opportunities for the B.A. or B.S.
chemist are many and varied. The industry which does not require chemists is unusual. There are many opportunties for chemists in government positions at the local, state, and national levels. In addition, chemists are engaged in a large number of related fields, including medicine, dentistry, law, secondary school education, administration, technical sales, scientific journalism, and illustrative arts.

The Major

The student chooses either the B.A. or the B.S. curriculum and may select from a wide range of courses within each option. These curricula are very similar in the first two years. Both provide the opportunity for the pursuit of work in other areas, the B.A. more than the B.S. It is expected that, by the end of the second year, students, in consultation with a faculty adviser, will select the curriculum more suitable for their goals. A B.S. graduate whose program includes instrumental analysis and a full year of inorganic chemistry (and, starting with the class of 2005, BIOCHM 523) will be certified to the American Chemical Society.

Chemistry may be elected as the area of primary concentration in the Science major, an interdepartmental program administered by the Arts and Sciences Advising Services. The program of a student who wishes to major in Science/Chemistry must be approved by the Chemistry Department Chief Undergraduate Adviser. This major is acceptable for secondary school teaching.

UEA Junior Year Abroad Option

The Chemistry Department has a formal exchange arrangement with the School of Chemical Sciences at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, England. This exchange program allows students to obtain a four-year chemistry degree (B.A. or B.S.) and also enjoy the advantages of a year of education in England. The first and second year curriculum for the exchange program is the program listed for the B.A. and B.S. degrees. Information about this program may be obtained from the Chemistry Department Chief Undergraduate Adviser.

The Minor

The chemistry minor requires a minimum of 15 credits of chemistry courses numbered 200 or higher, exclusive of 291A Seminar, 388 B.S. Independent Research Project, 391A Writing in Chemistry, 496 Independent Study, and 499 Senior Honors.

Students petitioning for certification of completion of the minor requirements should present evidence of same (transcript or grade reports) to the Chemistry Department Chief Undergraduate Adviser.

Bachelor of Arts Curriculum

The B.A. curriculum requires the following courses. PHYSIC 261, 262 is recommended but not required. The upper-level chemistry requirement is three credits chosen from a list of courses available from the Chemistry Department. Where options exist, the option recommended is noted by an asterisk (*).

Freshman

Fall

CHEM 121* or 111 General Chemistry

MATH 135* or 131 Calculus I

Spring

CHEM 122* or 112 General Chemistry

MATH 136* or 132 Calculus II

PHYSIC 151/3 General Physics I with lab

Sophomore

Fall

CHEM 265/7* or 261 Organic Chemistry

MATH 233 Multivariate Calculus or MATH 290A Advanced Mathematics for Physical Science

PHYSIC 152/4 General Physics II with lab

Spring

241, 242 Descriptive Inorganic

266/8* or 262, 269 Organic

291A Undergraduate Seminar

Junior

Fall

391A Writing in Chemistry

475 Physical Chemistry

Spring

312* Analytical Chemistry or 315 (fall semester) Quantitative Analysis

476, 477 Physical Chemistry with lab

Senior

Upper-level chemistry requirement (3 credits)

Bachelor of Science Curriculum

The requirements of the first four semesters of the B.S. curriculum are similar to those of the B.A. curriculum. The program of the junior and senior years is given below. PHYSIC 171-174 and 283, 285 may be substituted for PHYSIC 151-154 and 261/2. This substitution, along with completion of PHYSIC 284, 285 and 286, is encouraged for students interested in chemical physics. (Students who plan to complete the four-semester physics sequence should take PHYSIC 171/3 in the first semester of the freshman year.) The upper-level chemistry requirements include an independent project done following the guidelines of the Undergraduate Research Coordinator plus a minimum of eight credits of upper-level lecture and laboratory courses. Details of these requirements are available from the Chemistry Department. A student who completes this curriculum will be certified to the American Chemical Society if CHEM 513 (Instrumental Analysis), CHEM 546 (Advanced Inorganic Chemistry), and starting with the class of 2005, BIOCHM 523 General Biochemistry, are included in the upper-level selections.

Junior

Fall

315 Quantitative Analysis

391A Writing in Chemistry

475 Physical Chemistry

PHYSIC 261, 262 General Physics III (may be taken in the sophomore year)

Spring

476, 477 Physical Chemistry with lab

Upper-level chemistry courses**

Senior

Independent project

Upper-level chemistry courses**

** A total of at least 8 credits of upper-level chemistry courses must be taken during the junior and senior years. The independent project is not included in this total.

Chemistry | Courses | Faculty