Chemistry

Associate Professor Jerilyn Swann, 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 subdisciplines. 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:

    CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 122: Principles of Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 223: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 224: Organic Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 264: Analytical Chemistry (4 hrs.)
    CHM 351-352: Senior Research Project (6 hrs.)
    CHM 381: Physical Chemistry I (3 hrs.)
    CHM 391: Physical Chemistry II (3 hrs.)
    CHM 399: Research Seminar (1 hr.)
    One course chosen from the following list:
        CHM 316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)
        CHM 365: Instrumental Methods (4 hrs.)
        CHM 416: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)
        CHM 425: Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 hrs.)
        MTH 125: Calculus I (4 hrs.)
        MTH 225: Calculus II (4 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        PHY 101 and 102: College Physics I & II (4 hrs. each)
        or
        PHY 201 and 202: General Physics I & II (4 hrs. each)

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:

     CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry (4hrs.)
    CHM 122: Principles of Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 223: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 224: Organic Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 264: Analytical Chemistry (4 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        CHM 316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)
        or
        CHM 365: Instrumental Methods (4 hrs.)
    CHM 351-352: Senior Research Project (3 hrs. each)
    CHM 399: Research Seminar (1 hr.)
    BIO 311: Natural History of the Southern Appalachians (4 hrs.)
    MTH 115: Pre-Calculus Mathematics (4 hrs.)
    MTH 125: Calculus I (4 hrs.)
    PHY 101: College Physics I (4 hrs.)

 Additional liberal studies requirements are:
    PSY 101: Introductory Psychology (3 hrs.)
    SOC 271: Sociology of Education (3 hrs.)

Students pursuing this major must complete 29 hours of professional courses in teacher education. The professional courses are listed below and in the Education in this catalog.

    EDU 301: Models of Classroom Management and Instruction (3 hrs.)
    EDU 302: Educational Technology (2 hrs.)
    EDU 321: Reading and Writing in the Content Classrooms (2 hrs.)
    EDU 343: Practicum in Methods and Materials (2 hrs.)
    EDU 401: Student Teaching (9 hrs.)
    EDU 402: Professional Seminar on Teaching (3 hrs.)
    PHR 236: Health Issues in Education (2 hrs.)
    PSY 218: Psychology of Adolescence (3 hrs.)
    PSY 334: Culturally Diverse and Exceptional Children (3 hrs.)

 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:

    CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 122: Principles of Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 223: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 224: Organic Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)
    CHM 351-352: Senior Research Project (6 hrs.)
    CHM 399: Research Seminar (1 hr.)
    BIO 115: Principles of Cellular Biology (4 hrs.)
    BIO 221: Genetics (4 hrs.)
    CHM/BIO 416: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (4 hrs.)
    MTH 125: Pre-Calculus Mathematics (4 hrs.)
    MTH 225: Calculus I (4 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        PHY 101 and 102: College Physics I & II (4 hrs. each)
        or
     PHY 201 and 202: General Physics I & II (4 hrs. each)

 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.

The Minor in Chemistry requires a minimum of 20 hours, including:

    CHM 121: Principles of Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 122: Principles of Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    CHM 223: Organic Chemistry I (4 hrs.)
    CHM 224: Organic Chemistry II (4 hrs.)
    Either of the following courses:
        CHM 399: Research Seminar (1 hr.)
        or
        BIO 299: Biology Research Methods (1 hr.)
    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.

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Course Listings

click on course number to see description

  • CHM121: Principles of Chemistry I
  • CHM122: Principles of Chemistry II
  • CHM223: Organic Chemistry I
  • CHM224: Organic Chemistry II
  • CHM264: Analytical Chemistry
  • CHM316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • CHM316: Fundamentals of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • CHM337: Internship in Chemistry
  • CHM343: Practicum in Chemistry
  • CHM349: Topics in Chemistry
  • CHM351: Senior Research Project
  • CHM352: Senior Research Project
  • CHM365: Instrumental Methods
  • CHM381: Physical Chemistry I
  • CHM391: Physical Chemistry II
  • CHM399: Research Seminar
  • CHM416: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
  • CHM425: Physical Chemistry Laboratory