Chemistry

Associate Professor Ben Cash, Chair, Division of Natural Sciences

The curriculum in chemistry affords the student sound training in the principles and techniques of modern chemical theory and experimentation. The program integrates laboratory, theoretical, and research skills to provide the range of abilities needed by the practicing chemist, and yet permits concentration in the organic, biochemical, analytical or physical sub disciplines. Opportunity for research through the Oak Ridge Associated Universities and National Laboratories such as Argonne, Brookhaven, Los Alamos, and Oak Ridge complement the curriculum.

Three distinct major programs are offered. The Major in Chemistry provides a comprehensive curriculum for students planning careers in which chemical knowledge plays a central role. With careful elective choice students may pursue careers as professional chemists and enter graduate school programs that lead to a variety of research-oriented careers, or they may enter medical school or other health-related programs. The Major in Chemistry consists of 51/53 hours of chemistry and related fields. Required coursework includes Chemistry 121, 122, 223, 224, 264, 351, 352, 381, 391, 399, and one course chosen from 316, 365, 416 and 425; Mathematics 125 and 225; and either Physics 101 and 102 or Physics 201 and 202. Specific requirements of particular post-graduate institutions should be ascertained early in the undergraduate program since these requirements may require courses for admission beyond the minimum required for the major in chemistry. An adviser on Health-Related Professions is available to assist students planning careers in medicine and other health professions.

The Major in Chemistry for Teacher Licensure consists of 47 hours in chemistry and related courses and is designed to accommodate students planning careers as teachers of chemistry and of general and physical science at the secondary level. Required coursework includes Chemistry 121, 122, 223, 224, 264, 316 or 365, 351, 352, and 399; Biology 311; Mathematics 115 and 125; and Physics 101. The Natural Science 150 general education requirement must be satisfied with astronomy. Additional liberal studies requirements are Psychology 101, and Sociology 271. Students pursuing this major must complete 29 hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed under Education in this catalog.

The Major in Biochemistry consists of 55 hours in chemistry, biology and related fields and provides an interdisciplinary curriculum for students planning careers expected to have significant biochemical emphases. With careful elective choice students may pursue careers as professional chemists, enter graduate school programs that lead to a variety of research-oriented careers, or they may enter medical school or other health-related programs. Required coursework includes Chemistry 121, 122, 223, 224, 316, 351, 352, and 399; Biology 115 and 221; Chemistry/Biology 416; Mathematics 125 and 225; and either Physics 101 and 102 or Physics 201 and 202. Specific requirements of particular post-graduate institutions should be determined early in the undergraduate program since these requirements may require courses for admission beyond the minimum required for the biochemistry major. An adviser on Health-Related Professions is available to assist students planning careers in medicine and other health professions. Suggested languages are Spanish, German and French.

Requirements for the Major in Chemical Physics are listed in the Physics section of this catalog.

The Minor in Chemistry requires a minimum of 20 hours, including Chemistry 121, 122, 223, 224; Chemistry 399 or Biology 299; and at least three additional hours in chemistry courses that satisfy requirements for the Major in Chemistry. The Minor in Chemistry is not open to students majoring in Biochemistry or Chemical Physics.

Course Descriptions

121. Principles of Chemistry I
4 credit hours
Prerequisites: Qualification to enter Mathematics 115 and either high school chemistry or sophomore standing
An introduction to the principles which govern the behavior of chemical and physical systems. Among topics discussed are elements, compounds and the periodic table; chemical reactions and stoichiometry; thermochemistry; atomic theory; quantum theory of atoms and molecules; chemical periodicity; bonding and molecular structure. Laboratory exercises stress development of proper experimental technique and interpretation of empirical data.
122. Principles of Chemistry II
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121
Continuation of Chemistry 121. Topics include: gas laws and kinetic molecular theory; molecular polarity and intermolecular forces; modern spectroscopic structure determination; physical and colligative properties of liquids and solutions; reaction kinetics; general and acid-base equilibria, pH, and buffers; ionic solid solubility; free energy and entropy relations; electrochemical phenomenal and organic compounds. The laboratory continues development of manipulative skills, with emphasis on quantitative as well as qualitative procedures. Skills in scientific writing are developed through formal laboratory reports.
223. Organic Chemistry I
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 122
An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. Nomenclature (IUPAC) and chemistry principles of both aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons and heteroatomic functional groups are emphasized. Physical and chemical properties, synthetic mechanisms, and spectroscopic properties, and organic chemical synthetic methods are studied for each of the major functional groups. Emphasis is placed on modern tools by which structural and mechanistic properties are discovered: infrared, proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. Laboratory experiments employ the microscale approach and concentrate on separation methods (column, thin-layer and gas chromatography) and chemical characterization techniques. Single-step synthetic conversions and spectral analysis of products are emphasized in the laboratory.
224. Organic Chemistry II
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 223
An examination of the fundamental organic functional groups and their characteristic interconversions, with emphasis on biological, medicinal, pharmacological, and industrial examples. Special emphasis is placed on multi-step synthetic pathways. Advanced techniques for separation and spectral characterization (multinuclear NMR, 2-d NMR, FT-IR, and MS) of synthetic products are discussed and employed. The chemical literature is introduced through discussions of print and electronic retrieval methods for synthetic procedures, physical and spectral properties, and safety data. Laboratory investigations involve multi-step syntheses using the microscale approach, with purification and spectral characterization of synthetic intermediates.
264. Analytical Chemistry
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 122
An introduction to the principles and methods of quantitative chemical analysis and separation of substances with emphasis on the proper skills, techniques, data handling, and error analysis required for chemical measurements of good quality. Volumetric, gravimetric, potentiometric, and chromatographic methods of analysis are emphasized, as are statistical methods and the use of spreadsheets in data analysis. A significant laboratory component involves development of wet chemical skills and an introduction to selected instrumental methods of analysis.
316. Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 224 and Biology 221 or permission of instructor
Fundamental concepts of biochemistry and molecular biology are integrated in a study of the structural chemistry of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates), thermodynamics, kinetics, introductory metabolism, and the flow of genetic information. The techniques-based laboratory component of the course covers modern methods for separation, purification, detection, and structural analysis of proteins and nucleic acids.
337. Internship in Chemistry
7 to 15 credit hours
Prerequisites: At least 2.8 GPA in major/related courses, junior or senior standing and division approval
Practical off campus experiences that apply methodologies and techniques of the chemical sciences in actual work settings in academic institutions, government laboratories or agencies, or private companies and organizations. One credit hour is associated with each week of full-time employment.
343. Practicum in Chemistry
2 to 6 credit hours
Prerequisites: At least 2.8 GPA in major/related courses, junior or senior standing and division approval
Practical experiences, either on or off campus, that apply methodologies and techniques of the chemical sciences in actual work settings in academic institutions, government laboratories or agencies, or private companies and organizations. One credit hour is associated with each three hours of work every week for a 14-week semester.
349. Topics in Chemistry
1 to 4 credit hours
Prerequisites: At least 16 hours in chemistry and junior or senior standing, or permission of the instructor
Seminars and laboratory courses involving the detailed study of advanced topics in chemistry not encountered in other coursework. Selected subjects are nanoscience, photo-chemistry, polymer chemistry, advanced biochemistry, advanced inorganic chemistry, and advanced organic chemistry.
351-352. Senior Research Project
6 credit hours
Prerequisites: FRS 140, English Proficiency Exam, junior standing, and at least 18 hours in chemistry
The Senior Study requirement is fulfilled with this two-course sequence. Students develop a research proposal in an area of interest, complete independent research under the supervision of a faculty mentor, and present their findings in a formal thesis and seminar.
365. Instrumental Methods
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 264 or permission of the instructor
An advanced study of the principles of instrument-based analytical methods including with emphasis on laboratory electronics, optics, computer interfacing of scientific instrumentation, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, chromatographic separation methods, and electroanalytical methods. The basic theory of operation, design, maintenance, sample preparation, and qualitative and quantitative analysis are discussed for a range of instruments including molecular and atomic absorption, infrared, Raman, fluorescence, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometry. Laboratory investigations involve experimental design, instrument design, qualitative and quantitative analyses using a variety of instrumental techniques, and computer interfacing and programming. Computer skills and a level of familiarity with the chemical literature are developed.
381. Physical Chemistry I
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Chemistry 122 and Mathematics 225
Quantum theory and the theoretical basis and symmetry arguments of molecular spectroscopy are central themes. Topics include: rotational, vibrational and electronic spectra, quantum restrictions, physical property determination, symmetry and group theoretical operations, eigenfucntions and operator notation, application of the Schrodinger wave equation, approximation methods in complex systems, the vector model of the atom, and spectroscopic state designation. Simulation, modeling and advanced graphical software are employed.
391. Physical Chemistry II
3 credit hours
Prerequisites: Chemistry 122 and Mathematics 225
An advanced study of the physical, chemical and dynamical properties of molecular systems. Chemical thermodynamics and reaction kinetics are central themes. Topics include: Gibbsian and Maxwellian relationships; theoretical characterization of gases; spontaneity and equilibrium; calorimetry; colligative properties; vapor-liquid equilibria; composition diagrams; transport properties; determination of reaction mechanism; the steady-state approximation; transition sate theory; partition function; photochemistry and surface phenomena. Simulation, modeling and advanced graphical software are employed.
399. Research Seminar
1 credit hour
Prerequisite: Junior standing
Professional activities such as professional ethical standards, laboratory safety concerns, electronic literature search strategies, instruction in scientific paper preparation, poster presentation, and delivery of a scientific talk using presentation software, are examined in a seminar setting. Trends and issues within the profession are discussed.
416. Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
4 credit hours
Prerequisite: Chemistry 316 and Biology 221
The molecular mechanism regulating metabolism, catabolism and the flow of genetic information in response to cellular stimuli are explored. Applications of biochemistry and molecular biology are discussed in the contexts of biotechnology, disease, and drug design. In the laboratory, students build on techniques introduced in prerequisite course to complete bioinformatics and molecular cloning projects that culminate with the expression, purification, and functional analysis of a selected protein.
425. Physical Chemistry Laboratory
2 credit hours
Pre- or Co-requisite: Chemistry 391
Precision physico-chemical measurement using modern analytical methods and instrumentation. Colligative and molecular properties, thermodynamics and kinetics of chemical systems are investigated using modern spectroscopic methods (FT-IR, Raman, UV/fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR) as well as the classical methods of calorimetry, viscometry, polarimetry, refractometry, densitometry and surface tension determination.