Chemistry & Biochemisty Degrees and Courses

Chemistry Course Descriptions:

1400 Chemistry in Society (3-3) No prerequisites. Designed as a course for McMurry general education credit in Natural Science for students who do not major or minor in science or engineering. Students who have not had chemistry courses prior to enrollment in the University should take this course before taking any other chemistry course. A study of atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical bonding, gases, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Application of these concepts to the environment, pollution, energy resources, and other chemical topics of interest to the citizen is included. (Spring)

1406 Fundamental Chemistry II (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 1405 . A continuation of CHEM 1405. This course, or CHEM 1420, is required for Nursing and Life Science majors. This course does not meet the requirements for other science majors or minors. A study of the structure and reactivity of organic functional groups and the biochemistry of proteins, carbohydrates and lipids.  (Spring)

1410 General Chemistry I (3-3) Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment in, or successful completion of, MATH 1311 or higher required. A High School course or CHEM 1400 is strongly recommended. Designed for students whose major or minor is in a fi eld of natural science, mathematics, pre-professional health fields, or pre-engineering. Required for BIOL, CHEM, BIMS, BIOCHEM, PHYS majors, and Exercise Science & Human Performance, Pre-Professional Concentration, CHEM and BIOCHEM minor. Optional for general education requirement in Natural Science. A study of fundamental concepts, atomic structure, the periodic table, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, molecular structure, gases, liquids, and solids. Emphasis is placed on mathematical relationships and problem solving. (Fall)

1420 General Chemistry II (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 1410. A continuation of CHEM 1410. Required for BIOL, BIMS, CHEM, BIOCHEM, Exercise Science & Human Performance, Pre-Professional Concentration, and PHYS majors, CHEM and BIOCHEM minors. A study of solutions, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, thermodynamics, nuclear chemistry, and electrochemistry. (Spring)

2430 Quantitative Analysis (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 1420. Chemistry and Biochemistry majors are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 2430 concurrently with CHEM 3410. A required course for BS CHEM and BIOCHEM majors, and CHEM minor. Elective course for BA CHEM major. The course is an introduction to the quantitative analysis of various materials. Emphasis is placed on sample acquisition, error analysis, and the basic quantitative methods of titrimetry, gravimetry and visible spectroscopy. Laboratory work includes the analysis of materials encountered in everyday life. (Fall)

3350 Organic Structure Analysis (2-4) Prerequisite: CHEM 3420. An elective course for the BS CHEM and BIOCHEM majors. An advanced study of techniques used in structure determination. Topics include infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and ultraviolet spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and optical rotation. Laboratory work explores methods of separation and purifi cation of organic compounds, as well as multistep synthesis and the systematic analysis of isolated products. Selected methods of computational chemistry are also examined. This is an experience-enriched course. (Fall odd years)

3360 Biophysical Chemistry (3-0) Prerequisites: CHEM 3441, and PHYS 1420 or PHYS 2520. Corequisite: MATH 2322. Recommended for students with an interest in the health sciences. An elective course for BA CHEM and BIOCHEM majors. This course investigates the mathematical and physical descriptions and governing laws of biological systems. Three general areas include thermodynamics, kinetics and quantum mechanics. Topics include biochemical and physical equilibria, molecular transport, enzyme kinetics, molecular structure and spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Mathematical rigor is emphasized less to accommodate a greater number of biological applications. (Spring odd years)

3410 Organic Chemistry I (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 1420. Chemistry and Biochemistry majors are strongly encouraged to take CHEM 3410 concurrently with CHEM 2430. A required course for BIMS, CHEM, and BIOCHEM majors, BIOCHEM minors, and those interested in the health sciences. Elective for CHEM minor and BIOL major. This course introduces the study of carbon and its compounds through the mechanistic explanation of functional group transformations. Basic spectroscopic techniques are introduced in both lecture and laboratory to prepare the student for research-oriented interpretation and identification of functional groups. The associated laboratory work emphasizes observation of basic physical properties and utilization of fundamental synthetic techniques. This is an experience-enriched course. (Fall)

3420 Organic Chemistry II (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3410. A required course for BIMS, CHEM, and BIOCHEM majors, BIOCHEM minors, and those interested in the health sciences. Elective for CHEM minor and BIOL major. A continuation of CHEM 3410. This course completes the mechanistic study of functional group transformations and encourages students to identify multiple pathways toward target molecules. The associated laboratory is entirely research-based and encourages the student to challenge learned principles using the scientific method. Micro-scale synthetic techniques and modern purification methods are utilized while examining lecture topics to determine the economic feasibility, waste management and environmental impact, and relative ease of producing target molecules. This is an experience-enriched course. (Spring)

3431 Physical Chemistry I (3-3) Prerequisites: CHEM 2430, PHYS 1420 or 2520, MATH 2322, or permission of instructor and junior standing. This course is required for BS CHEM majors, elective for BA CHEM, BIOCHEM majors and CHEM minors. The course is the first in a two semester sequence which explores the theoretical principles underlying chemical and physical transformations of matter. Emphasis is placed on the thermodynamics of chemical systems. The laboratory emphasizes the measurement of physical properties and chemical changes, record keeping, data analysis, and report writing. This is an experience-enriched course. (Fall odd years)

3432 Physical Chemistry II (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3431, MATH 3351. This course is required for the BS CHEM major and elective for the BIOCHEM major and CHEM minor. The course is a continuation of CHEM 3431, with emphasis on chemical kinetics and quantum mechanics. This is an experience-enriched course. (Spring even years)

3440 Environmental Chemistry (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 1420. An elective course for CHEM and BIOL majors. This course explores the chemistry of the Earth’s atmospheric, hydrologic, and geologic systems. It includes a study of both naturally functioning environments and degraded environments. A variety of topics will be investigated, including, but not limited to, atmospheric chemistry, photochemical smog, ozone depletion and the ozone hole, aquatic chemistry, acid depostition, and hazardous wastes. The laboratory component will involve a class project in which a local natural area or urban setting is studied. Through the project, sampling methods will be presented and a variety of air, water, and soil analyses will be conducted. This is an experience-enriched course. (Spring even years)

3441 Biochemistry I (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3420. Recommended for students with an interest in health sciences. Required for CHEM and BIOCHEM major and BIOCHEM minor, elective for the BIMS majors. This course is the first in a two semester sequence which explores the molecules and chemical reactions of biological systems. Topics include amino acids, protein structure and function, enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics of biochemical systems, buffers, carbohydrates, and biochemical laboratory techniques. The laboratory teaches techniques unique to biochemistry and that relate to the lecture material. This is an experience-enriched course. (Fall)

3442 Biochemistry II (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3441. Recommended for students with an interest in health sciences. Required for the BIOCHEM major and minor, and elective for CHEM and BIMS majors. This course is the second in a two semester sequence which explores the molecules and chemical reactions of biological systems. Topics include metabolism, glycolysis and gluconeogeneses, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, fat metabolism, regulation of metabolism, immunology, and DNA/RNA systems. The lab teaches techniques unique to biochemistry and that relate to the lecture material. This is an experience enriched course. (Spring)

4101 Literature Seminar (1-0) Prerequisite: Junior or senior standing. A required course for CHEM and BIOCHEM majors. This course is designed to develop written and oral communication skills. Students select a current topic in the field of chemistry, conduct a literature search, submit a paper written in scientific  review format, and give an oral presentation to their peers. Work is carried out under the guidance of a faculty member. This is the capstone course for Chemistry and Biochemistry. (Spring)

4X20 Introduction to Research (variable credit) Prerequisites: CHEM 1420 and consent of the instructor. Elective for students who wish to do chemical research. A laboratory project is selected by the student in consultation with a faculty member who will direct the research. Students will submit a paper incorporating their research work, written in the format of published journal articles. The course may be repeated for credit to continue the same research project or to start a new one. This is an experience-enriched course. (By arrangement)

4440 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (3-3) Prerequisite:CHEM 2430. Upper level elective for CHEM and BIOCHEM majors. The course is a survey of the instruments and associated methods used in chemical analysis. The theory and application of chromatographic, spectroscopic, and electroanalytical methods are examined. Laboratory work provides an opportunity to gain familiarity in the use of several instruments. This is an experience-enriched course. (Spring odd years)

4480 Inorganic Chemistry (3-3) Prerequisite: CHEM 3420. Required for the CHEM major, elective for BIOCHEM major. A systematic study of modern inorganic chemistry with major emphasis on atomic and molecular structure, symmetry, chemical bonding, crystal fi eld theory, acids and bases, and nonaqueous solvents. The laboratory work emphasizes the microscale synthesis of a variety of inorganic compounds and their characterization by modern experimental methods. This is an experience-enriched course.  (Fall even years)

4X95 Independent Studies (variable credit) Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Elective for advanced students. A study program arranged between a student and an instructor to provide intensive study in a particular area of interest. The course includes a definition of goals appropriate for the advanced student, methods of attaining these goals, a schedule for frequent consultation, and a means of measuring progress. This is an experience-enriched course. (By arrangement)

4X96* Honors Tutorial (variable credit) Prerequisites: permission of instructor. Designed for Chemistry or Biochemistry Honors participants. This course provides opportunities for investigations related to an approved upper level course (with concurrent enrollment) or as a separate independent study. This course may be repeated. This is an experience-enriched course. (As needed)

4X97* Honors Research (variable credit) Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Designed for Chemistry and Biochemistry Honors participants. Students pursue a research topic under the direction of a departmental faculty member, resulting in a final paper and oral presentation to an appropriate audience. This is an experience-enriched course. (As needed)

4X99 Special Topics (variable credit) Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Elective for advanced students. A course of study offered occasionally to groups of students to broaden the departmental curriculum, to meet student demand, or to observe special events. May be repeated for credit when topics vary. (By arrangement)