Department of Chemistry
The goals of the Chemistry Department are to lead students to (a) demonstrate an understanding of the chemical principles from the primary fields of chemistry; (b) express chemical principles using models, equations and oral and written communication; (c) acquire skills in modern professional laboratory techniques; (d) apply chemical principles to other areas of the natural sciences; (e) practice acceptable work ethics for the field of chemistry, including environmental concern and societal impact; and (f) demonstrate the ability to assess models for the integration of chemical science with the Christian faith.
Examples of some typical vocational goals of a chemistry major include (a) obtaining training for an immediate career in laboratory analysis; (b) obtaining a liberal arts emphasis to use the chemistry background in areas such as business or social science; (c) obtaining a foundation for graduate studies in chemical research; (d) obtaining a foundation for studies in medicine or pharmacy; or (e) preparing for secondary science teaching. Students may design a chemistry major to include several of the above career options.
All chemistry majors will take a common chemistry core consisting of CH 161/L, 162/L, 263/L, 264/L, 331/L, 333/L, 361/L, and 371/L; PH 211/L and 212/L; and MA 171 and 172.
Students who choose chemistry as a major in the bachelor of science degree complete the common chemistry core; CH 411, 441, 451 and 491; and one of the following tracks. Students who select the professional track complete CH 396; MA 273 and 371. Students who select the biochemistry track complete BI 161/L, 321/L and 462/L. (Students who choose to pursue the pre-med program are encouraged to complete the biochemistry track.)
Students who select chemistry as a major in the bachelor of arts degree complete the common chemistry core.
Students who complete a bachelor of science degree in chemistry education can be licensed in Indiana to teach science in middle school settings and chemistry in high school settings. To complete this program, students complete the common chemistry core, BI 161/L and the education courses required for teacher licensing (refer to the Department of Education). Chemistry education students may wish to prepare to teach an additional content area by also completing a biology or mathematics minor and the appropriate state content-area examination.
The University minor in chemistry requires CH 161/L, 162/L, 263/L, 264/L; and two courses from CH 331/L, 333/L, 361/L, 371/L, 411 and 441, at least one of which must have an associated laboratory component.
Chemistry majors and minors must demonstrate satisfactory mathematics placement scores prior to enrolling in their intended chemistry, mathematics or physics courses (see Mathematics Placement Policy).
Pre-Medicine
Pre-medical students are advised to major in chemistry or biology with substantial coursework in both, as well as electives in other areas of the liberal arts. Recommended coursework for pre-medical and health professions is listed under Degrees and Programs, Pre-Medical Study.
Environmental Science Minor
Students interested in adding an environmental science minor may refer to the description in the Department of Biology.
Forensic Science Minor
Students interested in adding a forensic science minor may refer to the description in the Department of Biology.
Courses in Chemistry
This course is designed to assist the non-science major in using chemistry to help satisfy curiosity about how things work, to debate chemical issues directly affecting the well-being of humans and the environment and to articulate Christian perspectives on these issues. Applications include topics such as kitchen chemistry, environmental chemistry, medicinal chemistry and DNA technology.
Not counted in chemistry major. Must be taken concurrently with CH 111L.
This course introduces the student to basic methods of scientific investigation, solution chemistry, safety procedures in the chemical laboratory and critical analysis of results.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 111 unless consent given.
A foundational chemistry course based on the requirements of the Advanced Placement high school chemistry program. Offered in collaboration with area high schools. Should not be duplicated with any other credit awarded as a result of the AP chemistry exam.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. Must be taken concurrently with CH 115L.
A foundational chemistry lab based on the requirements of the Advanced Placement high school chemistry program. Offered in collaboration with area high schools. Should not be duplicated with any other credit awarded as a result of the AP chemistry exam.
This is a concurrent course offered at local area high schools. Must be taken concurrently with CH 115.
This course introduces foundational concepts in general, organic and biochemistry, which are especially applicable to the health professions. Topics include nomenclature, bonding, solution chemistry, acids, bases, buffers and representative functional groups. Biochemical topics include nucleic acids, enzymes, vitamins, hormones, neurotransmitters, carbohydrates, lipids, metabolism and body fluids.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 141L.
Prerequisites: MA 100C or math placement; CH 111 or chemistry placement; and agribusiness, agricultural education, animal health, exercise science and nutrition, middle school science education, nursing, pre-athletic training major, nutrition minor
The experiments are designed to supplement the material presented in the lecture portion of the course and emphasize measurement, collection of data, making observations and demonstrating the ability to analyze and evaluate the significance of the data collected.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 141.
Modern views of atomic and molecular structure, bonding concepts, thermochemistry, reaction types and the states of matter are introduced. The relationships between chemical science, technology, society and the environment are addressed.
Recommended for students majoring in chemistry, biology or exercise and movement science. Must be taken concurrently with CH 161L.
Prerequisites: MA 100C or math placement, and CH 111 or CH 141 or chemistry placement
Routine chemical laboratory skills, techniques and analyses are introduced along with basic instrumentation.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 161 unless consent given.
A continuation of the foundations of chemistry with an emphasis on solution chemistry, kinetics, thermodynamics, equilibrium, oxidation-reduction, acid-base theories, coordination compounds and nuclear structure. The course also focuses on the risks and benefits to society and the environment that accompany applications of chemical knowledge.
Recommended for students majoring in chemistry, biology or exercise and movement science. Must be taken concurrently with CH 162L.
Prerequisite: Successful completion of CH 161/L
Quantitative techniques and spreadsheet analysis are introduced, and the application of chemical principles and use of chemical instrumentation are continued.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 162 unless consent given.
Fundamental study of the chemistry of carbon compounds focusing on the carbon to carbon bond in alkanes, alkenes and alkynes, and characteristic reactions of these substituted hydrocarbons, including synthesis and mechanisms and study of spectroscopic methods, IR and NMR.
Recommended for students majoring in chemistry or biology. Must be taken concurrently with CH 263L.
Prerequisite: CH 162/L
Elementary techniques of organic separation, characterization and analysis are introduced as well as organic synthesis and spectroscopic identification.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 263 unless consent is given.
A continuation of the study of carbon compounds, including alcohols, arenes, phenols, nitrogenous compounds and the carbonyl group. There is a large emphasis on multi-step synthesis and on the biological/medical/environmental applications of organic chemistry.
Recommended for students majoring in chemistry or biology. Must be taken concurrently with CH 264L.
Prerequisite: CH 263/L
Techniques of multi-step synthesis and reaction mechanism studies are performed as well as continued experience with spectrophotometric methods of characterization and identification of products.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 264 unless consent is given.
Students will get hands-on experience working in a pharmacy for at least 40 contact hours. This will involve learning the policies and regulations that apply to pharmacies. The practice of filling prescriptions and billing patients will also be learned. Students will also be expected to learn drug names and what they are prescribed for. This course can be taken up to two times with different pharmacies (Walmart, CVS, Walgreens, Owen's and Parkview Huntington Hospital).
Prerequisites: Completion of CH 162 with a B- or better or consent
The underlying principles of analytical chemistry are studied in this course. Topics include statistical methods, volumetric and gravimetric analyses, acidimetry, oxidation and reduction and spectrophotometric methods of analysis.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 331L.
Prerequisites: CH 162/L and junior standing
Quantitative laboratory procedures, including wet chemistry and spectrophotometric methods are practiced in this course.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 331 unless consent given.
The course introduces the student to the theory and practice of various types of spectroscopic, chromatographic and electroanalytical instrumentation for quantitative chemical analysis and identification.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 333L.
Prerequisites: CH 162/L and junior standing
Laboratory experiments are assigned which focus on the practice of chemical analysis by spectroscopic, chromatographic and electroanalytical techniques, using a variety of chemical instruments. Instrument maintenance and repair are also discussed. Formal report writing is required.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 333 unless consent given.
Laws of chemistry and physics are studied with emphasis on kinetic molecular theory, thermodynamics, chemical and phase equilibria, electrochemistry and kinetics.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 361L.
Prerequisites: CH 162/L, MA 172, PH 212/L, and junior standing
Experiments focus on kinetic molecular theory, phase equilibria, thermodynamics, kinetics and applications of electronics and computers in the laboratory. Students are trained in advanced laboratory techniques, safety and careful measurements. Formal report writing is required.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 361 unless consent is given.
This course introduces the student to quantum theory, chemical bonding, crystal structures, spectroscopy and statistical thermodynamics.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 371L.
Prerequisite: CH 361/L
Experiments will focus on spectroscopic and crystallographic properties of substances as related to quantum chemistry and the interaction of radiation with atoms and molecules. Formal report writing required as is an oral presentation on an advanced experimental technique in physical chemistry research.
Must be taken concurrently with CH 371 unless consent given.
Practicum in some aspect of chemistry designed to give student practical, directed experience.
Prerequisite: Consent
The student will receive training and experience in the operation of advanced instrumentation, which may include FT-NMR and/or mass spectrometry, and the interpretation of advanced instrumental data. The student will spend at least three hours per week on laboratory work, reports, or data analysis related to advanced chemical instrumentation.
Prerequisite: CH 263/L
The chemistry, structure and metabolism of biomolecules are studied in this course, which is designed for pre-med students as well as chemistry and biology majors.
Prerequisite: CH 264/L
The course integrates quantum chemistry into atomic and bonding theory on an intermediate level. Descriptive chemistry involving periodic trends of the elements, symmetry, coordination chemistry and ligand field theory, particularly for transition elements, will be emphasized, particularly for some representative metal groups and first row transition elements.
Recommended for students anticipating graduate study or chemical research.
Prerequisites: CH 162/L and junior standing
This course engages the upper-level chemistry student in reviewing the current chemical literature; giving an oral presentation of a current topic in chemical research; evaluating ethical, philosophical and historical relationships of the discipline to the Christian faith; career planning and resume preparation and surveying professional organizations and laboratory safety resources.
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Special projects will be selected according to the interest of the student and will be performed independently.
Does not meet the Undergraduate Research requirement for the bachelor of science degree in chemistry.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent
Experiments or special projects will be completed by the student under the guidance of a qualified mentor. A summer off-campus research experience is encouraged if opportunity allows.
May be repeated for up to a total of 4 credits.
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent
A field experience in chemistry which provides an opportunity for the student to apply theoretical knowledge in a practical setting. Student maintains close cooperation with the supervisory personnel in the field.
Prerequisite: Consent