Chemistry & Physical Science Courses

For Physical Science and Earth Science courses for non-majors or courses needed for the Science A.S. concentration, visit Science.

Chemistry Courses

CHE 151 GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (4 s.h.)
The elements, their compounds, and their reactions and the theories involved in foundation of modern chemistry. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Pre/corequisite: completion of MAT 105 or higher, or concurrent enrollment in MAT 113 or 231. This course is offered every fall semester.

CHE 152 GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (4 s.h.)
A more detailed study of topics introduced in 151. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: CHE 151. This course is offered every spring semester.

CHE 310 INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (3 s.h.)
The chemistry of the elements with emphasis on inorganic main group compounds and transition series coordination compounds, concepts of effective nuclear charge and periodicity, band theory, group theory, symmetry, p and d orbital bonding, catalysis, metallurgy, and atomic structure. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: CHE 151 and 152. This course is offered as needed.

CHE 311 QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS (4 s.h.)
Quantitative chemical analysis, with lecture, discussion, laboratory work, and problems. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: CHE 151 and 152. This course is offered every fall semester, even-numbered years.

CHE 312 INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS (4 s.h.)
The operation of standard laboratory instruments, including the IR spectrophotometer, gas chromatograph, and electroanalyzer. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: CHE 151 and 152. This course is offered every spring semester, odd-numbered years.

CHE 321, 322 ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I AND II (4, 4 s.h.)
The compounds of carbon and their reactions with emphasis on theories and mechanisms of reactions. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. A designated writing-enrichment course. Prerequisites: CHE 151 and 152. 321 is offered every fall semester; 322 is offered every spring semester. CHE 321 is a prerequisite for CHE 322.

CHE 421, 422 PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I AND II (4, 4 s.h.)
The properties of solids, liquids, gases, and solutions. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: CHE 311, MAT 231, and PHY 151 and 152, which can be taken concurrently. 421 is offered every fall semester, odd-numbered years; 422 is offered every spring semester, even-numbered years. CHE 421 is a prerequisite for CHE 422.

CHE 440 ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (4 s.h.)
Recent advances in organic chemistry, such as “green” (environmentally benign) chemistry, host-guest chemistry, and forensic chemistry. Photochemistry, heterocyclic chemistry and a continued exploration of reaction mechanisms. The laboratory project is a multi-step synthesis of a bioactive molecule and testing its efficacy against various microbes. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: CHE 321 and 322. This course is offered every spring semester.

CHE 450 BIOCHEMISTRY (4 s.h.)
The chemical nature and interactions of biological molecules, acid base chemistry, buffers, carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, enzymes, coenzymes, the interrelationships of compounds in major metabolic cycles, and the utilization and synthesis of high energy compounds as “energy currency.” Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: CHE 321 and 322. This course is offered every fall semester.

CHE 485 SPECIAL TOPICS (3 s.h.)
For chemistry majors wishing to do more advanced work. Classroom work and individual laboratory and library investigation. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair. This course is offered as needed.

CHE 486 LIBRARY RESEARCH PROJECT (1 s.h.)
Seniors will write a proposal for a library project, carry out the research, write a research paper, and present a seminar complete with the appropriate visual aids. Either CHE 486 or 487 is required for graduation. This course is offered as needed.

CHE 487 LABORATORY RESEARCH PROJECT (2 s.h.)
Seniors will write a proposal for a laboratory project, carry out the research, write a research paper, and present a seminar complete with the appropriate visual aids. Either CHE 486 or 487 is required for graduation. This course is offered as needed.

CHE 499 INDEPENDENT STUDY IN CHEMISTRY (TBA)
An opportunity for a well-qualified, upper-division student to engage in special research in his/her major. Requires approval by the faculty advisor, the supervising professor, the department chair, and the school dean before approval by the Vice President for Academic Affairs. Credit to be determined.

Geology Courses

GGY 153 INTRODUCTION TO THE EARTH SCIENCES (4 s.h.)
An introduction to the fundamental dynamics of planet Earth and its key life-sustaining systems. An orientation course for science majors or science concentration students. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. This course is offered every fall semester. Prerequisite: MAT 105.

GGY 301 PRINCIPLES OF GEOLOGY (4 s.h.)
Major concepts of geology, to include physical, historical and economic geology and geomorphology. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: GGY 153 or, with the permission of the instructor, SCI 141; MAT 105. This course is offered in the spring semester.

Physics Courses

PHY 151 GENERAL PHYSICS I (4 s.h.)
For chemistry, biology, and mathematics majors. Newtonian mechanics, mechanics of solids and fluids, and heat and thermodynamics. Three hours of lecture and three of laboratory each week. Prerequisites: MAT 113 and 114 or higher (except MAT 220). This course is offered every fall semester.

PHY 152 GENERAL PHYSICS II (4 s.h.)
A continuation of 151. Includes electricity and magnetism, waves and optics, and modern physics. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. Prerequisite: PHY 151. This course is offered every spring semester.

PHY 251 GENERAL PHYSICS I—CALCULUS BASED (4 s.h.)
For Chemistry, biology, and mathematics majors. Newtonian mechanics, mechanics of solids and fluids, sound waves and Doppler’s Principle, and heat, carnot cycle and thermodynamics. Prerequisites: MAT 231 and 232. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. This course is offered as needed.

PHY 252 GENERAL PHYSICS II—CALCULUS BASED (4 s.h.)
Magnetism in matter and magnetic fields, alternating and Direct current circuits, capacitors and transformers, and atomic, molecular and nuclear physics, Quantum physics and theory of relativity. Prerequisites: PHY 251. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. This course is offered as needed.