Chair and Professor-Carrano. Professors-Cassidy, Fitch III, Irvin, Perry, Rudzinski, Yager. Associate Professors-Compton, Lippmann, Assistant Professors-Blanda, Easter, Feakes, Watkins.
The science of chemistry provides the basic knowledge needed to address many of society's most pressing needs, such as feeding, clothing, and housing the peoples of the world; tapping new sources of energy; improving health and conquering disease; providing renewable substitutes for dwindling resources; strengthening our national security; and monitoring and protecting our environment. Basic research in chemistry will help future generations cope with their evolving needs and unanticipated problems. Chemistry majors gain skills in quantitative thinking and problem solving. Advanced students can work as laboratory instructors for lower division courses or as research assistants in the department's research laboratories. The faculty, facilities, library holdings, and curriculum of the Department of Chemistry have been approved by the American Chemical Society.
Chemists work in research, production, quality control, technical services, and/or sales. Graduates have an excellent record of job placement in such diverse areas as the petrochemical industry, computer chip manufacturing, aerospace companies, pharmaceutical companies, the food industry, or as teachers in secondary schools. Many also seek advanced degrees or pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, or pharmacy.
For more information, call 245-2156 or visit the Chemistry Building room 238.
Recipients of the BS in chemistry are awarded certificates by the American Chemical Society stating that the minimum requirements for professional chemists have been fulfilled. This program is recommended as preparatory training for graduate or industrial work in chemistry.
The BA is a liberal arts degree designed for students who need a background in chemistry in preparation for other careers, i.e., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, patent law.
A minor in chemistry requires Chemistry 1410, 1420, 2410, 2420, 3410, and one advanced course.
A minor in Biochemistry can also be obtained and requires Chemistry 1410, 1420, 2410, 2420, 4375, 4385, and 4275.
Notes:
Freshman
Year Hours Chemistry
1410, 1420. 8 English
1310, 1320* 6 General
Studies 1100* 1 History
1310, 1320* 6 Mathematics
2363, (or 2417) 3-4 Philosophy
1305* 3 Phy. Fitness
Perspective (2 courses)* 2 Communication
1310* 3 32-33 Sophomore
Year Hours Chemistry
2410, 2420 8 English
3303 3 English
(Literature)* 3 Mathematics
2471, 2472 8 Minor
4 Physics
1430, 242 8 34 Junior
Year Hours Chemistry
3245, 3330, 3340, 3410 12 Minor 8 Modern
Language/International Perspective**
3-8 Political
Science 2310, 2320 6 29-34 Senior
Year Hours Art, Dance,
Music, or Theatre 3313* 3 Chemistry
4231, 4241, 4331, 4341 10 Chemistry,
advanced 6 Minor and
elective course 11-12 Social
Science Perspective * (Economics
2320 is recommended) 3 33-34
Note:
Freshman
Year Hours Chemistry
1410, 1420. 8 English
1310, 1320* 6 General
Studies 1100* 1 History
1310, 1320* 6 Mathematics
2363 (or 2417) 3-4 Minor
3-4 Philosophy
1305* 3 Phy. Fitness
Perspective (2 courses)* 2 32-34 Sophomore
Year Hours Chemistry
2410, 2420 8 English 3303
3 English
(Literature)* 3 Mathematics
2471, 2472 8 Physics
1410, 1420 (or 1430, 2425) 8 Political
Science 2310, 2320 6 36 Junior
Year Hours Art, Dance,
Music, or Theatre 3313* 3 Chemistry
3245, 3330, 3340, 3410 12 Minor
6-8 Modern
Language 1410, 1420 8 Social
Science Perspective* 3 32-34 Senior
Year Hours Chemistry,
advanced 3 Chemistry
4241, 4341 5 Communication
1310* 3 Electives,
advanced (or minor as required)
7 Minor,
advanced 4-9 Modern
Language 2310, 2320 6 28-33
*See the General Studies section of this catalog.
**If two years of the same foreign language were taken in high school, then 3 hours of General Studies International Perspective and enough additional hours to total the minimum 128 hours required for the degree will fulfill this requirement. In the absence of such high school language, two semesters of the same modern language must be taken.
Chemistry as a Teaching Field
Since the B.S. in Education degree is no longer available, students seeking certification to teach chemistry will follow coursework leading to the BS or BA degree, in addition to taking the necessary courses prescribed by the Texas Education Agency. Initial or additional certification may be acquired after completing the degree and enrollment in a master's program or as a post-graduate. Students interested in certification are strongly encouraged to see an appropriate adviser in the Chemistry Department.
Courses in Chemistry (CHEM)
1310 (CHEM 1305) Introductory Chemistry for Non-Science Majors. (3-0) A one-semester principles course for students in non-science related majors which covers not only the major concepts of chemistry (chemical theory, stoichiometry, bonding and elementary thermodynamics) but also the role of chemistry in problems of contemporary society (energy, pollution, water, etc.). Must be followed by Chemistry 1430 for General Studies credit.
1410 (CHEM 1411) General Chemistry I. (3-3) The first of two courses for science related majors, this course covers the basics of atomic and molecular structure, bonding, states of matter, solutions, and some descriptive chemistry. Emphasis is placed on solutions to chemical problems; a basic knowledge of algebra is required. Students will not receive credit for both Chemistry 1310 and 1410.
1420 (CHEM 1412) General Chemistry II. (3-3) The second of two courses for science related majors, this course covers equilibrium processes, acid-base concepts, elementary thermodynamics and kinetics, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and descriptive chemistry of some families of elements. Chemistry 1410 is a prerequisite.
1430 (CHEM 1407) Chemistry for Non-Science Majors. (3-3) A one semester course which surveys organic and biochemistry and may include petro-chemistry, nuclear chemistry, synthetic and natural polymers. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1310 or 1410.
2130 Laboratory Technique in Organic Chemistry. (0-3) An optional laboratory to accompany Chemistry 2330, covers experimental techniques of preparation, purification, and determination of physical and chemical properties of organic compounds. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1420. Corequisite: Chemistry 2330.
2330 Organic Chemistry. (3-0) A one-semester course which covers nomenclature, structure and reactions of organic compounds. Natural products and synthetic materials of importance to students of nutrition, allied health sciences and agriculture will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1420.
2410, 2420 (CHEM 2423 & CHEM 2425) Organic Chemistry. (3-3) Course covers general principles, theories, preparation and reactions of elementary organic chemistry with special emphasis on the classes, characteristics and structures of compounds. Laboratory covers techniques as well as study of typical reactions. Course meets premedical requirements. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1420.
2450 Biochemistry. (3-3) A one-semester study of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, and vitamins which present digestion, absorption, and intermediary metabolism along with an introduction of the function of enzymes and coenzymes in these processes. Course is designed for students majoring in nutrition, allied health sciences, and agriculture. Prerequisite: Chemistry 2330 or 2420.
(WI) 3245 Physical Chemistry Laboratory. (1-4) Experiments illustrating principles and methods of physical chemistry are performed. Written reports on the experiments are prepared. Prerequisites: Chemistry 3330 and Chemistry 3410.
3330 Physical Chemistry I. (3-0) The course covers principles of thermodynamics and thermochemistry, phase equilibria, electrochemistry and elementary kinetics including rate laws and mechanisms. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1420 and Mathematics 2472 or 2331.
3340 Physical Chemistry II. (3-0) The course covers mechanics, spectroscopy and statistical thermodynamics and other selected topics. Prerequisites: Chemistry 3330, Physics 2425 (or 1420), Mathematics 2472.
3410 Quantitative Analysis. (3-6) Course covers the general theory and practice of typical methods of gravimetric and volumetric analysis, satisfies the quantitative analysis requirements for chemistry majors, minors, pre-medical and pharmacy students. Prerequisite: Chemistry 1420.
(WI) 4231 Advanced Laboratory I. (2-4) An advanced integrated lab illustrating a variety of chemical techniques for the preparation, characterization and analysis of organic and inorganic materials. Prerequisites: Chemistry 3410, 3340, 3245, and Prerequisite or Corequisite: Chemistry 4331.
(WI) 4241 Advanced Laboratory II. (2-4) An advanced integrated lab illustrating a variety of chemical techniques for the preparation, characterization and analysis of inorganic and organic materials. Prerequisites: Chemistry 3410, 3340, 3245, and Prerequisite or Corequisite: Chemistry 4341.
(WI) 4275 Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry. (1-6) Experiments illustrating principles and methods of biochemistry are performed. Emphasis is placed on the use of instrumentation employed in research on animal, microbial and plant tissue. Prerequisite: Chemistry 4375, with C or better.
4299 Undergraduate Research. (0-4) This course is available to undergraduate chemistry majors only. It may be repeated but a maximum of four semester hours from this course are applicable toward the Bachelor of Science degree. Prerequisite: Permission of department.
4331 Instrumental Analysis (3-0) The theory and methodology associated with the quantitative analysis of materials, i.e., electronics, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and chromatography are presented. Prerequisite: Chemistry 3340.
4341 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3-0) Chemical bonding, coordination chemistry compounds, acid-base concepts, and other topics are included along with some descriptive chemistry. Prerequisite: Chemistry 3340.
4333 Spectroscopy. (3-0) The study of various spectrometric techniques in qualitative and structural analysis of chemical substances. Prerequisite: Chemistry 2420.
4336 Laboratory Methods of Physical Science I. (2-4) A laboratory oriented course in chemistry in which some of the basic principles and concepts are illustrated and investigated in a laboratory setting.
4337 Laboratory Methods of Physical Science II. (2-4) A laboratory oriented course in chemistry in which some of the basic principles and concepts are illustrated and investigated in a laboratory setting.
*4371 Directed Study. (3-0) Independent study on a particular subject area in chemistry. The specific study area, resource material, goals, and achievements will be approved by the instructor. Prerequisites: Chemistry 2420, 3410, and permission of instructor.
4375 Biochemistry. (3-0) A course devoted to a study of the chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, and nucleo-proteins. A study of enzyme kinetics and thermodynamics of coupled reactions is included. Note: Credit for Chemistry 4275 is not required for credit in Chemistry 4375. Prerequisite: Chemistry 2420.
4385 Metabolism. (3-0) A study of the biodegradation and biosynthesis of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Prerequisite: Chemistry 2420.
For course descriptions, and further information about available graduate offerings, please consult the Graduate Catalog.