Return to Contents

Department of Chemistry


George W. Woodbury, Chairman

Chemistry is the science which involves the study of atoms and molecules their structures, their combinations, their interactions, and the energy changes accompanying their interactions.

The Department offers the following degrees: B.S., B.A., M.S., M.S. for Teachers of Chemistry and Ph.D.

A departmental honors program has been established for chemistry majors who attain a high scholastic record. The program is based on independent study and research under the direction of individual faculty members. Students may enter ths program as early as the spring semester of their freshman year. In many cases financial support is available on a part-time research assistantship basis from research grants obtained by individual faculty members.

Prospective students desiring further information on any part of the department's program should write the Chair, Department of Chemistry.

High School Preparation: In addition to the general University admission requirements, it is wise to take two years of algebra, geometry, trigonometry, science courses and a foreign language.

Refer to graduation requirements listed previously in the catalog. See index.

Special Degree Requirements

Bachelor of Science Degree

Courses required for the B.S. degree provide a solid chemistry background for the professional chemist and for graduate work in most areas of chemistry. These requirements meet the latest standards of the American Chemical Society.

Course Credits
Chem 161N-162N College Chemistry and Laboratory 10
Chem 221-222 or 261-262 Organic Chemistry 6
Chem 223-224 or 263-264 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 4
Chem 331 Chemistry Literature 1
Chem 334 Scientific Writing 3
Chem 341-342 Quantitative and Instrumental Methods 6
Chem 371-372 Physical Chemistry 6
Chem 452-453 Inorganic Chemistry 6
Chem 455 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 2
Advanced Electives (from Chem 395, 463, 464, 465, 473, 476, 481, 485, 495, or 497, or with consent of department, from advanced courses in physics, geology, biochem or math) 6
Cognate courses:
CS 101 Introduction to Programming or 172--Computer Modeling 3
Math 152-153 Calculus I, I 8
Math 251 Calculus III 4
Math 311 Ordinary Differential Equations and Systems or

Math 221 Linear Algebra

Phys 221-222 General Physics



10
Modern foreign language 10
Enex 101 3

Beginning mathematics course dependent on placement test.

Chemistry majors must use the traditional letter grade option in registering for their required science and mathematics courses.

At the time of graduation a chemistry major must have completed two semesters of one modern foreign language.

Bachelor of Arts Degree

The courses required for the B.A. degree provide a minimum background in chemistry, while allowing the student to supplement his or her program with courses that meet his or her specific needs. The B.A. degree in chemistry is designed to permit latitude for preparation in such interdisciplinary areas as environmental studies, pre-medicine, biochemistry, physical chemistry and teacher preparation. It is strongly advised that a student using this degree obtain faculty advice in planning his or her program.

Course Credits
Chem 161N-162N College Chemistry and Laboratory 10
Chem 221-222 or 261-262 Organic Chemistry 6
Chem 223-224 or 263-264 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 4
Chem 331 Chemistry Literature 1
Chem 341-342 Quantitative and Instrumental Methods 6
Chem 371-372 Physical Chemistry 6
*Advanced chemistry electives 7
Other required courses:
CS 101 Introduction to Programming or 172--Computer Modeling 3
Math 152-153 Calculus I, II 8
Math 251 Calculus III 4
Phys 221-222 or 121N-122N General Physics 10
Modern foreign language 10
Enex 101 Composition 3

*Students using this degree for a physical chemistry emphasis should elect Chem 452, and advanced courses in mathematics and physics. For biochemistry emphasis, students should choose Biochemistry 481, 482, 485, 486 and other courses in the life sciences. As preparation for teaching at the secondary level, students should take Chem 452 and 485, Biochemistry 381 and 382, and teaching certification requirements including C&I 426. For other interdisciplinary programs, the student should consult his or her advisor.

Beginning mathematics course dependent on placement test.

Chemistry majors must use the traditional letter grade option in registering for their required science and mathematics courses.

At the time of graduation a chemistry major must have completed two semesters of one modern language. The department will waive the foreign language requirement for a student who completes this degree in preparation for secondary teaching and who meets the requirements for teaching certification, including the student teaching requirement.

Teacher Preparation in Chemistry

Major Teaching Field of Chemistry: For an endorsement in the major teaching field of Chemistry, a student must complete the requirements for the B.A. degree with a major in Chemistry including Chem 101N and 485. Students also must complete Math 241, Sci 350, and C&I 426, gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog). The foreign language requirement of the B.A. degree with a major in Chemistry will be waived for students who successfully complete the requirements for teacher certification (students will be required to meet the foreign language/symbolic systems competency requirement for General Education as described in the Academic Policies and Procedures section of this catalog).

Minor Teaching Field of Chemistry:For an endorsement in the minor teaching field of Chemistry, a student must complete Chem 101N; Chem 161N-162N, 341, 485; Chem 370 or 371; Chem 221-222 or 261-262; Chem 223 or 263 and Biochemistry 381, CS 101 or 172, Math 241, 152, Physics 121-122 or Physics 221-222, and Sci 350. Students also must complete C&I 426, gain admission to Teacher Education and Student Teaching and must meet the requirements for certification as a secondary teacher (see the School of Education section of this catalog).

Suggested Course of Study

For B.S. Degree

First Year A S
Chem 161N-162N College Chemistry 5 5
CS 101 Introduction to Programming or 172 Computer Modeling 3 -
*Math 152-153 Calculus I, II 4 4
+Enex 101 Composition - 3
Electives & General Education 4 4
Total 16 16




Second Year
Chem 221-222 or 261-262 Organic Chemistry 3 3
Chem 223-224 or 263-264Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 2
Math 251 Calculus III 4 -
Math 311 Ordinary Differential Equations and Systems

or Math 221 Linear Algebra

- 3
Phys 221-222 General Physics 5 5
Electives & General Education 2 3
Total 16 16






*The beginning mathematics course is determined by a placement test.

+Semester of enrollment depends on beginning letter of student's last name.

Requirements for a Minor

To earn a minor in chemistry the student must complete Chem 161N-162N (10 cr.), Chem 221-222 or 261-262 (6 cr.), Chem 223 or 263 (2 cr.), Chem 341 (3 cr.), Chem 370 or 371 (3 cr.), and at least 4 credits from one of the following groups:

(a) Chem 342, 348, 372, 452

(b) if the student's major does not require biochemistry, Biochemistry 381-382 or 481-482

For teaching minor requirements, see the teacher preparation in chemistry section.

Courses

U = for undergraduate credit only, UG = for undergraduate or graduate credit, G = for graduate credit. R after the credit indicates the course may be repeated for credit to the maximum indicated after the R.

U 100 Chemistry and Civilization 2 cr. (R-12) A variety of special topics for non-science majors. Topics announced in Schedule of Classes. Credit not allowed more than one time for the same topic.

U 101N Chemistry for the Consumer 3 cr. An introduction to chemistry that emphasizes the influence of chemistry on one's everyday life. Common household products, such as soap, aspirin, toothpaste, face cream and fertilizers are prepared in the lab.

U 104 Preparation for Chemistry 3 cr. An introduction to chemistry for those who believe they have an inadequate background to enroll in Chem 151N or 161N. Not appropriate toward chemistry requirement in any major.

U 151N General and Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr. First semester of an introduction to general, inorganic, organic and biological chemistry.

U 152N Organic and Biological Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., "C" or equiv. in Chem 151N or consent of instr. Second semester of an introduction to general, inorganic, organic and biological chemistry.

U 154N General Chemistry Laboratory 2 cr. Prereq. or coreq., Chem 152N. Laboratory to accompany Chem 152N.

U 161N College Chemistry 5 cr.Prereq., high school algebra. For science majors and other students intending to take more than one year of chemistry. Properties of elements, inorganic compounds, liquid solutions, chemical equilibria and chemical kinetics. Includes laboratory.

U 162N College Chemistry 5 cr.Prereq., "C" or better in Chem 161N or consent of instr. A continuation of Chem 161N. Includes Laboratory.

U 195 Special Topics Variable cr. (R-6) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 221 Organic Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 152N or 162N. The chemical and physical properties of organic compounds.

U 222 Organic Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 221. Continuation of 221.

U 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 cr. Coreq., Chem 221; prereq., one semester of 100-level laboratory. Microscale techniques are emphasized.

U 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 cr. Prereq., Chem 223; prereq. or coreq., Chem 222.

U 261 Organic Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 162N. Credit not allowed for the Chem 261-262 sequence and the Chem 221-222 sequence.

U 262 Organic Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 261. Continuation of 261.

U 263 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 cr. Prereq. or coreq., Chem 261. Credit not allowed for the Chem 263-264 sequence and the Chem 223-224 sequence.

U 264 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 2 cr. Prereq. or coreq., Chem 262 or 222 and prereq., Chem 263 or 223. Continuation of Chem 263.

U 297 Special Problems and Honors Research Variable cr. (R-10) Prereq., one semester of chemistry and consent of instr. Laboratory investigations and research in the laboratory of a faculty member.

UG 331 Chemistry Literature 1 cr.Prereq., Chem 222 or 262 and reading knowledge of German. Presentation and discussion of current literature of chemistry. Use of the library.

U 334 Methods of Scientific Writing 3 cr. Prereq., junior or senior standing in chemistry, geology, mathematics, microbiology, pharmacy, or physics or consent of instr. A course with workshop format for developing and improving skills in scientific writing and its evaluation. This course does not count toward the 47 credit maximum for a chemistry major.

U 341 Quantitative Analysis and Instrumental Methods 3 cr. Prereq., one year of college chemistry, including laboratory. Classroom and laboratory work in gravimetric, volumetric, colorimetric and electrochemical methods of analysis; theory of errors; ionic equilibria in aqueous solutions.

UG 342 Instrumental Analysis and Physical Measurement 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 341 and 371. Theory and use of instrumental methods in the study of analytical and physical chemistry.

UG 348 Instrumental Analysis for Environmental Studies 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 341 or consent of instr. Offered alternate years. Theory and laboratory techniques of chemical instruments useful for analyses needed in environmental surveillance.

UG 370 Applied Physical Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 152 or 162 and Math 150. Basic thermodynamics and chemical kinetics with applications in the biological and environmental sciences. Credit not allowed for both 370 and 371.

UG 371 Physical Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 162, Math 251, Phys 122 or 221, and CS 101. Systematic treatment of the laws and theories relating to chemical phenomena. Credit not allowed for both Chem 370 and 371.

UG 372 Physical Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 371. Systematic treatment of the laws and theories relating to chemical phenomena.

U 395 Special Topics Variable cr.(R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

U 398 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of department. Extended classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Cooperative Education Office.

UG 452 Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 262 and 371 or consent of instr. Theory and principles of inorganic chemistry and a systematic coverage of descriptive inorganic chemistry in the context of the Periodic Table.

UG 453 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 221-

223, 371-372. A survey of the chemistry of the elements including transition metal reaction mechanisms, redox chemistry, organometallic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry.

UG 455 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 2 cr. Prereq., Chem 224 or 264 and 371 and consent of instr. Preparation of inorganic and coordination compounds. Isolation and characterization by ion exchange, column chromatography, IR, UV-VIS, derivatives, MP, and BP.

UG 463 Advanced Organic Chemistry 2 cr. Prereq.,one year of organic chemistry or consent of instr. Fundamentals of modern organic chemistry featuring reactions not generally covered in introductory organic courses. Emphasis on both synthetic utility and reaction mechanism. Class meets during the first half of the semester prior to Chem 464.

UG 464 Carbohydrates and Polysaccharides 2 cr. Prereq., one year of organic chemistry or consent of instr. Emphasis on structure, reactions and synthesis in low molecular weight carbohydrates, leading into chemistry of polysaccharides. Class meets during the second half of the semester after Chem 463.

UG 465 Organic Spectroscopy 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 370 or 371 and one year of organic chemistry or consent of instr. Theory and interpretation of the NMR, IR, UV, and mass spectra of organic compounds with the goal of structure identification.

U 466 FT-NMR Operation for Undergraduate Research 1 cr. Prereq., Chem 221-223; research project using NMR; consent of instr. Operation of the FT-NMR spectrometer and brief background of NMR spectroscopy.

UG 476 Radiochemistry 2 cr.Prereq., Chem 152 or 162. Offered alternate years. Nuclear reactions, interactions of particles with matter, nuclear instruments, chemical effects and applications of radiation, radiation safety and personnel monitoring.

UG 481 Polymer Chemistry 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 371. Offered alternate years. Types, structures, synthesis, properties and applications of polymers; polymerization kinetics; experimental methods of study of polymers.

UG 485 Laboratory Safety 1 cr.Prereq., one year of college chemistry. Awareness of and methods of control of hazards encountered in laboratory work. Awareness of legal constraints on work with chemicals. Sources of information regarding chemical hazards.

UG 495 Special Topics Variable cr.(R-9) Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses or one-time offerings of current topics.

UG 497 Special Problems and Honors Research Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Laboratory investigations and research in the laboratory of a faculty member.

G 541 Environmental Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 370 or 371. Chemical principles and reactions in natural systems: Fate of chemical contaminants in the environment; partitioning of contaminants between phases (air/water/soil); chemistry of atmospheric pollutants; computer modeling of equilibrium and kinetic processes; degradation and transformation of organic contaminants.

G 554 Organometallics 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 221-223, 453. The synthesis, structure and reactivity of main group and transition metal organometallic compounds. Emphasis on mechanisms and application to synthesis.

G 566 FT-NMR Operation for Graduate Researchers 1 cr. Prereq., Chem 221-223; research project using NMR; consent of instr. Operation of the FT-NMR spectrometer and brief background of NMR spectroscopy.

G 571 Quantum Chemistry I 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 372 or consent of instr. Offered alternate years.

G 572 Quantum Chemistry II 3 cr.Prereq., Chem 571. Offered alternate years.

G 573 Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 371-372. Fundamental principles of physical chemistry and special applications.

G 593 Professional Project 3 cr.Prereq., consent of instr.

G 595 Special Topics Variable cr.(R-9) Prereq., consent of instr. Experimental offerings of visiting professors, experimental offerings of new courses, or one-time offerings of current topics.

G 596 Independent Study Variable cr. (R-9) Prereq., consent of instr.

G 597 Research Variable cr.(R-open) Prereq., consent of instr.

G 598 Cooperative Education Experience Variable cr. (R-8) Prereq., consent of department. Extended non-classroom experience which provides practical application of classroom learning during placements off campus. Prior approval must be obtained from the faculty supervisor and the Cooperative Education Office.

G 599 Thesis Variable cr. (R-6) Prereq., consent of instr.

G 630 Seminar 1 cr. (R-open) Prereq., graduate standing in chemistry or biochemistry, or consent of instr.

G 650 Inorganic Chemistry Seminar 1 cr. (R-open) Prereq., graduate standing in chemistry.

G 655 Physical Inorganic Chemistry 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 452. Offered alternate years.

G 658 Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry Variable cr. (R-open) Prereq., consent of instr. Topic specified in class schedule.

G 660 Organic Chemistry Seminar 1 cr. (R-open) Prereq., graduate standing in chemistry.

G 662 Mechanisms and Structure 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 463 or consent of instr. The structures of organic compounds and the mechanisms of their reactions.

G 668 Special Topics in Organic Chemistry 1-5 cr. (R-open) Prereq., consent of instr. Topic specified in class schedule.

G 670 Physical Chemistry Seminar 1 cr. (R-open) Prereq., graduate standing in chemistry.

G 675 Statistical Thermodynamics 3 cr. Prereq., Chem 372. Offered alternate years.

G 697 Research Variable cr.(R-open) Prereq., consent of instr.

G 699 Dissertation Variable cr.(R-10)

Faculty

Professors

James W. Cox, Ph.D., Montana State University, 1969

Mark S. Cracolice, Ph.D., University of Oklahoma, 1994

Eric Edstrom, Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1987

Ralph J. Fessenden, Ph.D., University of California, 1958 (Emeritus)

Richard J. Field, Ph.D., University of Rhode Island, 1968

Richard E. Juday, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1943 (Emeritus)

Earl C. Lory, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 1932 (Emeritus)

R. Keith Osterheld, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1950 (Emeritus)

Geoffrey N. Richards, Ph.D., D.Sc., University of Birmingham, 1964 (Emeritus)

Edward Rosenberg, Ph.,D, Cornell University, 1970

John M. Stewart, Ph.D., University of Illinois, 1944 (Emeritus)

Forrest D. Thomas II, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 1959 (Emeritus)

Charles M. Thompson, Ph.D., University of California, Riverside, 1982

Holly Thompson, Ph.D., Kansas State University, 1982

Wayne P. Van Meter, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1959 (Emeritus)

Edward E. Waali, Ph.D., University of Wyoming, 1970

George W. Woodbury, Jr., Ph.D., University of Minnesota, 1964 (Chairman)

Leland M. Yates, Ph.D., Washington State University, 1955 (Emeritus)

Associate Professor

Garon C. Smith, Ph.D., Colorado School of Mines, 1983

Assistant Professor

Michael D. DeGrandpre, Ph.D., University of Washington, 1990

Lecturer

Edward J. Keller, B.A., San Jose State College, 1961

Faculty Associate

Trina Valencich, Ph.D, University of California, Irvine, 1974

Adjunct Assistant Professors

Wei Min Hao, Ph.D., Harvard University, 1986

David A. Johnson, Ph.D., Dartmouth College, 1986

Robert Yokelson, Ph.D., Yale University, 1991

Return to Contents