College Catalog
Course Descriptions
Chemistry (CHEM)

CHEM 100 Applications of Chemistry
The course is primarily designed as a terminal course for non-science majors, but is open to all students. Many of the traditional chemical theories will be presented but always in association with a topic of everyday interest. The selection and sequence of topics will vary with the instructor and times. Labs illustrating applications will be carried out where appropriate. A student who has received credit for CHEM105 or CHEM107 may not take CHEM100 for credit without the Registrar's consent. Fulfills General Education Area 4 - Natural Science Requirement. See General Education Extended Course Description.

CHEM 105 General Chemistry 1
A study of the basic principles, laws, and definitions of chemistry. Laboratory work consists of experiments illustrating the above and an introduction to basic laboratory techniques. Course consists of both weekly lectures and scheduled laboratory. Prerequisite: One year of high school chemistry. Fall semester. Fulfills General Education Area 4 - Natural Science Requirement. See General Education Extended Course Description.

CHEM 107 General Chemistry 2
A continuation of the study of fundamental principles; emphasis will be on the study of ions in solutions. Course consists of both weekly lectures and scheduled laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 105 or consent. Spring semester.

CHEM 211 Quantitative Analysis
An introductory course in the principles of quantitative techniques and calculations. Topics include acid-base and complexation titrations, as well as an introduction to spectrophotometric and electroanalytical analysis. The weekly laboratory experiments are selected to provide experience in the analytical methods described in the lecture. Prerequisite: CHEM 107 and CHEM 222. Fall semester.

CHEM 216 Organic Chemistry (see Infrequently Offered Courses section of the Catalog)

CHEM 220 Organic Chemistry 1
The purpose of this course is to introduce students to the basic language of organic chemistry. It will be important for students to develop a framework for understanding the structural and electronic properties of organic molecules. With this framework in hand, they will be able to make predictions about the reactivity of many chemical systems. Selected topics include organic nomenclature, orbital hybridization, stereochemistry, the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, and alkynes. Success in this course will depend on the student's ability to engage in a process that requires applying basic principles to the analysis of complex problems. Four lectures, one lab per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 107. Fall semester.

CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry 2
The purpose of this course is to build on the fundamental concepts discussed in Organic Chemistry 1 by exploring a large array of chemical transformations that can be employed in the synthesis of complex molecules. Selected topics include redox chemistry, carbonyl chemistry, aromatics, and cycloadditions. In addition, we will discuss a few common instrumental methods (NMR, IR, GC-MS) that are valuable tools for characterizing organic molecules. Along with learning basic chemical transformations, success in this course will depend on the student's ability to engage in a process that requires applying basic principles to the analysis of complex problems. Four lectures, on lab per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 220. Spring semester.

CHEM 302 Environmental Chemistry
This course uses the principles of chemistry to understand natural systems and assess human impact on these systems. Lecture topics will include atmospheric chemistry, the chemistry of natural aqueous systems, data collection and interpretation, and the chemistry of pollutants such as anthropogenic organic compounds and heavy metals. The laboratory aspect of the course will focus on analytical techniques commonly used in environmental analysis. Prerequisite: CHEM 107. Cross-listed as ENVS 310.

CHEM 305 Inorganic Chemistry
An in-depth study of properties, structures, bonding, and reactions of inorganic compounds. Topics include molecular orbital theory, organometallics, coordination chemistry, and bioinorganic molecules. The weekly laboratory is designed to provide students with experience in inorganic synthesis and representative analytical methods of inorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 and CHEM 312. Spring semester.

CHEM 307 Bioorganic Chemistry
An advanced special topics course in organic chemistry with emphasis on the mechanistic aspects of biomolecular action and drug design. Topics of discussion include antitumor agents, antibiotics, cholesterol regulating agents, coenzymes, and catalytic antibodies. Prerequisites: CHEM 220 and CHEM 222. Offered in the summer only, alternate years or with sufficient student demand (6+).

CHEM 310 Organic Chemistry 3: Advanced Synthetic and Spectrometric Methods
A study of modern methods for the asymmetric synthesis of organic compounds with emphasis on reaction mechanisms. Laboratory exercises will be directed toward the study of spectrometric methods for identification of organic compounds with emphasis on 1H and 13C NMR, IR, and GC-MS. Prerequisites: A grade of B/C or above in CHEM 220 and CHEM 222. Spring semester.

CHEM 312 Instrumental Analysis
The objectives of this course are to provide a conceptual understanding of instruments and instrumental methods and to provide hands-on experience in the lab. Three major topics are covered; (1) spectrophotometric methods: including ultraviolet-visible, atomic absorption, inductively coupled plasma and fluorescence spectroscopy, (2) chromatographic separations: including high performance liquid chromatography and gas chromatography, (3) electroanalytical methods: including potentiometry, amperometry, coulometry and voltammetry. Prerequisites: CHEM 211, CHEM 220. Spring semester.

CHEM 320 Polymer Chemistry
This course is designed to provide an introduction to the field of polymer science from a chemical viewpoint. The course begins with a historical overview of the development of polymer chemistry and an introduction to the nomenclature (both IUPAC and trade names) currently used in the field. Approximately half of the course is devoted to synthesis (condensation and addition) of polymeric materials and to the control of physical properties through the polymerization process. The kinetics and mechanisms of polymerization reactions and their role in influencing the structure and function of polymeric materials is discussed. The remainder of the course examines structure-function relationships in polymers and the use of additives and their role in producing polymeric materials with improved physical and chemical properties. The course assumes an understanding of the important organic functional groups and the associated nomenclature. Prerequisite: CHEM 222. Generally offered Spring semester alternate years.

CHEM 330 Physical Chemistry 1
The first semester of a year-long sequence utilizing the mathematical approach in the study of Chemistry. Topics include the first second and third Laws of Thermodynamics, the thermodynamics of ideal and real solutions, and an introduction to solution and gas phase kinetics. The laboratory experiments will involve the application of these concepts to calorimetry, s, electrochemistry and chemical equilibrium. Prerequisite: CHEM 222 and CHEM 211, MATH 131 or MATH 124. Fall semester.

CHEM 332 Physical Chemistry 2
The second semester of the year-long sequence introduces the concepts of quantum theory of atoms and molecules. The development of quantum mechanics is traced from the Bohr model of the atom to modern applications of computational chemistry. In the laboratory, students use spectroscopy to illustrate the theoretical and mathematical concepts developed in the course. Prerequisite: CHEM 330. Spring semester.

CHEM 350 Biochemistry 1
The first half of the course covers the chemistry of carbohydrates, proteins, nucleic acids and lipids. Particular attention is given to enzyme kinetics and other methods available to study protein structure and function. The second half of the course focuses on bioenergetics and metabolism. Glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the citric acid cycle, and oxidative phosphorylation are covered in detail. Weekly experiments are selected to provide experience in modern biochemical lab techniques. Students must present a paper published in the primary literature to their peers. Prerequisites: CHEM 211, CHEM 220. Fall semester.

CHEM 351 Biochemistry 2
This course if designed as a continuation of CHEM 350. Topics include metabolism of lipids, proteins and nucleic acids, integration and regulation of metabolism, and photosynthesis. Students are expected to read and discuss current publications from the primary literature. In addition students must write a review article on an approved topic of their choice and present their findings to the class. The laboratory component of this course focuses on recombinant protein technologies. Prerequisites: CHEM 350. Spring semester.

CHEM 389 Special Topics
Lecture, laboratory, and/or literature studies at an advanced level. The intent is to provide students with the opportunity to increase their understanding of chemistry that is beyond the scope of the basic core courses. Representative topics include areas such as advanced biochemistry, organometallic chemistry, polymer chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.

CHEM 490 Independent Study

CHEM 492 Directed Research
An independent study course involving laboratory and/or literature experiences in consultation with a member of the chemistry staff. A written report is due two weeks before the end of classes. Students who wish to use a summer research experience performed at a site other than St. Norbert, as a substitute for CHEM 492 must have the Discipline's approval prior to undertaking the activity. Prerequisite: consent of the instructor.

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