WCSU Undergraduate Catalog 2023-2024 : Macricostas School of Arts & Sciences

Chemistry

CHE 100 Concepts of Chemistry 4 SH
This one-semester course is designed for the under-prepared student to enter CHE 110 or CHE 120. Using a mathematical and quantitative approach, it concentrates on basic concepts and principles. Among these are the scientific method and philosophy, measurement, nomenclature, atomic structure, formulas and equations, periodicity, bonding, solutions, acids, bases, salts, stoichiometry and redox reactions. Emphasis will be placed on the mole concept. By attaining a grade of “C” or better in this course, a student will be admitted to CHE 110 without the placement exam. Students majoring or minoring in chemistry may not apply credit for this course toward meeting their chemistry requirements. Every semester (3 hrs lecture — 2 hrs lab). Prerequisite or Corequisite: MAT 100 or equivalent. Science majors should consult with their departments.

CHE 102 Everyday Chemistry I 4 SH
Designed for non-science majors. The goal of this course is to give the non scientist an appreciation of the contributions of chemistry. Concepts will be presented in a nonmathematical approach. Areas to be covered include biochemical drugs, genes, enzymes; ecological-pollution, water testing, food additives; synthetic-soaps, detergents, alcohol, artificial flavors; energy-car battery, alternative energy sources. Laboratory experiments will complement the lecture. Every semester (3 hrs lecture — 2 hrs laboratory). Competency: Critical Thinking (CT), Scientific Inquiry (SI).

CHE 105 Survey of Forensic Chemistry 4 SH
Crime scene investigation. Finger print analysis. Forensic drug testing. DNA fingerprinting. This course will provide the students with a fundamental understanding of chemical principles and topics that include atomic theory, acid/base chemistry, solution chemistry, gases, organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, and etc. in order to appreciate the forensics topics that will be covered in this course. The students will be exposed to forensics topics that include soil analysis, types of fingerprinting, explosives, carbon-14 dating, poisons, drug analysis, DNA analysis, and etc. The students will also be given the opportunity to explore many of these forensics topics in a laboratory setting where they will have hands-on experiences to complement what is taught in lecture. Prerequisite(s): MAT100/100P. Competency: Scientific Inquiry (SI).

CHE 110, 111 General Chemistry I & II 8 SH
This full-year course comprises a thorough survey of the modern principles of chemistry. Emphasis during the first semester is on atomic and molecular structure, quantitative relationships, thermodynamics and electrochemistry. In the second semester the emphasis is on physical and chemical equilibria, kinetics and descriptive chemistry. Every semester (3 hrs lecture — 3 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite: a “B” grade or better in CHE 100; MAT 100 or 100P or appropriate placement. CHE 110 or equivalent is prerequisite for CHE 111. Competency for CHE 111 only: Scientific Inquiry (SI).

CHE 120, 121 Survey of Chemistry 8 SH
This continuous two-semester course comprises the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and biological chemistry which are necessary for elementary courses in physiology, nutrition, pharmacology, bacteriology and other courses in the nursing and health-related fields. The laboratory experiments are designed to emphasize the main topics (3 hrs lecture — 3 hrs laboratory). Permission must be obtained from either the instructor or the department chairman in order to enter CHE 121 by transferring credit for the equivalent of CHE 120 from another school. Prerequisite: Chemistry placement exam or a grade of “C” or better in CHE 100 is required. CHE 120 or equivalent is prerequisite for CHE 121. CHE 120: fall, spring; CHE 121: spring, summer only. Competency for CHE 120 only: Critical Thinking (CT).

CHE/ENV 205 Analytical Chemistry Lecture 3SH
This course is designed to meet the needs of the students majoring in chemistry, biology and pre-medicine. The theoretical aspects of modern analytical chemistry will be studied. Topics included are: data evaluation with error analysis, gravimetric, titrimetric, chromatographic, electroanalytical and optical methods of analyses (3 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: CHE 111. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 206.

CHE/ENV 206 Analytical Chemistry Laboratory 2 SH
This is a laboratory course designed to complement the lecture material in CHE 205. Acquisition of data by accurate and precise manipulative techniques is emphasized. Data reduction is accomplished by computer analysis. Areas of analysis include: gravimetry, titrimetry, potentiometry, chromatography, visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy, atomic absorption and atomic emission spectroscopy (two 3-hour laboratories per week). Prerequisite: CHE 111. Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 205. Competency: Scientific Inquiry (SI).

CHE 210, 211 Organic Chemistry I & II 8 SH
A full-year course designed to present the principles and theories of the chemistry of the principal groups of carbon compounds. These various groups will be interrelated on the basis of common reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite for CHE 210: CHE 110 and a “C” or better in CHE 111 or equivalent (3 hrs lecture — 3 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite for CHE 211: CHE 210 or equivalent. CHE 210: fall semester, CHE 211: spring semester.

CHE 250 Chemistry Seminar 5 SH
This course is designed to provide those topics and skills necessary for a complete background in chemistry which are not found in other structured chemistry courses. Topics covered will include such areas as OSHA regulations, handling and disposal of toxic substances, use of chemical literature such as Chemical Abstracts, Scientific Information Retrieval Systems and technical writing. Student presentations will cover topics mutually agreed upon by the students and faculty. This course may be repeated as often as desired. A minimum of 1 semester hour is required and a maximum of 2 semester hours may be applied toward graduation. Grading will be on a pass/fail basis. Every semester.

CHE 260 Concepts of Physical Chemistry 2 SH
This one-semester course will encompass the chemistry, physics and mathematics concepts and skills required for understanding the theoretical foundations of classical thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum mechanics, and statistical thermodynamics. Specific applications of the following topics to chemistry will be covered: models of translation, rotation and vibration; differentials, integrals and multivariable functions in chemical theory; vectors and physical coordinate systems; operators; fundamental differential equations in physical problems; matrices and determinants; error calculations; statistics in chemistry; numerical methods; and group theory and chemical structure. This course is recommended for students who plan to take CHE 300/301. Students majoring or minoring in chemistry may not apply credit for this course toward the chemistry requirements. Prerequisite: CHE 111, MAT 182 and PHY 110.

CHE/HUM 293 Science and Culture of the Atomic Bomb 3 SH
This interdisciplinary course covers the history of the atomic theory and the development of nuclear science and the chemical and physical principles relevant thereto. The dawn of the atomic age and its influence on aspects of politics, literature, art, music and the human psyche are explored. Competency: Critical Thinking (CT), Information Literacy (IL).

CHE 297 Cooperative Education in Chemistry (Cooperative Research) 12 SH
The student carries out a full-time work experience in an available, departmentally approved position for a predetermined duration. Generally, junior-level standing in chemistry is required. A 2.0 overall GPA and 2.5 in CHE 110-111, 205-206, 210-211 is required. CHE 300 is strongly recommended before CO-OP (or, in rare cases, may be taken during). CO-OP may be taken more than once with certification by the department that it is a uniquely different cooperative experience. Every semester.

CHE 298 Faculty Developed Study 1–6 SH

CHE 299 Student Developed Study 1–6 SH
A vehicle designed to provide students with an opportunity to develop their own learning experience. Students will design a project and secure a faculty sponsor to work with them. May be utilized more than once. Open to students of all classes. Prerequisite: Permission of faculty sponsor and department; approval of dean.

CHE 300, 301 Physical Chemistry I & II 8 SH
This full-year course is designed to provide a theoretical study of the behavior of matter in the gaseous, liquid and solid states through analysis of the principles of thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and equilibria, chemistry of solutions, atomic and molecular structure (3 hrs lecture — 3 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite: CHE 205, 206, 211, MAT 182, PHY 111. CHE 300: Fall semester, CHE 301: Spring semester. CHE 300 is prerequisite for CHE 301.

CHE 311 Inorganic Chemistry 4 SH
An introduction to modern concepts of inorganic chemistry, including electronic structures, molecular structures and periodic classification of the elements. Additional topics will be selected from the following areas: bonding theories, quantum theory, solid state theory, transition metal complexes, methods of structural determination, bioinorganic chemistry and instrumental techniques currently used in inorganic chemistry. The experiments chosen are to illustrate inorganic synthetic techniques, methods of purification and methods of characterization. Alternate fall semesters (3 hrs lecture — 3 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite: CHE 205, CHE 206 and CHE 211.

CHE 330 Senior Research in Chemistry 4 SH
Open to senior chemistry majors only, this course will consist of an individual research project designed to give experience in planning and conducting research. The use of modern instruments and techniques will be emphasized. This course is required for an ACS-approved degree. Every semester (1 hour lecture — 9 hrs laboratory). Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 300.

CHE 340 Material Chemistry 3 SH
This course applies fundamental principles of physics and chemistry to understand the structures of materials in order to design materials with desired properties for new applications. Topics that will be discussed include: electrical, mechanical, thermal, optical and chemical properties of metals, ceramics, composites, electronics, magnetic and polymetric materials, their atomic, molecular and crystalline structures and the relationships between those structures and properties. Offered every other year. Prerequisite: CHE 205, 206 and 210.

CHE/ED 385 Methods of Teaching 3 SH in the Secondary Schools See ED/CHE 385

CHE/ED 386 Secondary Education 1 SH Professional Development School Experience
See ED/CHE 386

CHE 400 Instrumental Analysis Lecture 3 SH
The intent of this course is the effective and knowledgeable use of modern chemical instrumentation in order to solve chemical problems. Areas covered will include theory and fundamental concepts of instrumentation with application and interpretation of results. Topics include: analog and digital electronics and electroanalytic, spectroscopic and chromatographic methods. Spring semester. Prerequisite: Minimum grade of D- in the following: CHE 205, CHE 206, CHE 211

CHE 401 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 SH
Laboratories complement the lecture material in CHE 400: Experiments include selections of the following techniques and instruments: spectroscopic (UV/VIS, FTIR, photoluminescence, AA, ICPOES, FTNMR), chromatographic (GC, HPLC), mass spectrometric (MALDI-TOF, quadrupole MS), and hyphenated instrumental methods (GC-MS). (Two 3-hour laboratories per week). Prerequisite: CHE 205, 206, and 211. Co-requisite: CHE 400.

CHE 415 Medicinal Chemistry 3 SH
The course will cover important classes of drugs (analgesics, drugs affecting the central nervous system, the cholinergic and adrenergic system, the immune response, antithrombotic agents, antihypertensives, peptides, prostaglandins) as well as general principles in drug research (bioisosterism, receptors, pharmacokinetics.) Prerequisite: CHE 211 or permission of instructor. (3 hrs lecture)

CHE 420 Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry 3 SH
The content of this course may vary from year to year, depending on the interests of students. Aspects of organic chemistry not introduced in CHE 210, 211 will be introduced and topics introduced in CHE 210, 211 will be treated in much greater depth. Examples that could be included are: heterocyclics, natural and synthetic polymers, photochemistry, medicinal chemistry, natural products and molecular orbital symmetry rules. Alternate fall semesters (3 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: CHE 211

CHE 421, 422 Biochemistry Lecture I & II 6 SH
This full-year course comprises a study of the major classes of biologically important compounds, their metabolic interconversions and enzymology. Emphasis is on the application of fundamental chemical principles to biological systems (3 hrs lecture). Prerequisite: CHE 211 or equivalent. CHE 421 or equivalent for CHE 422. CHE 421: fall semester. CHE 422: spring semester.

CHE 423 Biophysical Techniques 3 SH
The purpose of the course is to guide the student through fundamental biophysical techniques used in the study of biological systems at the cellular and molecular level. Topics covered will include methods to examine biomolecules with a focus on proteins. The course is intended for students who seek an introduction to modern biophysical experimental methods and will have a heavy focus on current literature. Minimally offered every third spring semester. Prerequisites: CHE 421

CHE 430 Senior Research in Chemistry  4 SH

Open to senior chemistry majors only, this course will consist of an individual research project designed to give experience in planning and conducting scientific investigations. The use of modern instruments and techniques is emphasized. This course is required for an American Chemical Society (ACS)-approved degree.  Prerequisite: CHE300 and must satisfy the Culminating Experience (CE) prerequisites. Competency: Culminating Experience (CE), Writing Intensive Tier 3 (W3).

CHE 431 Biochemistry Laboratory 2 SH
A laboratory course which provides an introduction to many of the methods used in modern biochemical research and analysis and the principles on which they are based. Methods covered include UV/Vis spectrophotometry, electrophoresis, gel chromatography, HPLC, enzyme kinetics and recombinant DNA techniques. Students work with considerable independence. Spring semester. Prerequisite: CHE 205, CHE 206, CHE 211 and CHE 421 (two 3-hr laboratories per week). Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHE 422.

CHE/BIO 440 Molecular Biology 3 SH
See BIO/CHE 440

CHE/ED 442 Teaching Science in Secondary Schools  3 SH
See ED/CHE 442

The following courses also have been approved and are offered periodically:
CHE 104 Principles of Chemistry
CHE 202 Everyday Chemistry II
CHE 220 Introduction to Organic Chemistry
CHE 305 Biophysical Chemistry
CHE 320 Clinical Biochemistry
CHE 438 Molecular Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids