Chemistry Course Descriptions

Inorganic Chemistry I & II are integral parts of a one-year (two-semester) comprehensive course designed for science or engineering majors completing a specific course of study or planning to transfer to four-year college.
 

Fundamental theories of chemistry; nomenclature of chemical compounds. Atomic structure, chemical bonding, stoichiometric relationships. States of matter, properties of gases, Periodic Table, and properties of elements. Oxidation-reduction. Class hrs. 3; Lab hrs. 3. Recitation hrs. 1.

Continuation of Inorganic Chemistry I. Theory of reaction rates and chemical equilibrium. Types of solutions, concentration units, colligative properties. Ionic equilibria of weak acids and bases, pH buffers, hydrolysis and solubility product principle. Thermochemistry, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry. Laboratory includes qualitative analysis of cations and some quantitative analysis. Class hrs. 3; Lab hrs. 3; Recitation hrs. 1. Prerequisite: CHEM 107, 108 Inorganic Chemistry I.

The Principles of Inorganic Chemistry course is designed for students who require a one-semester, fundamental chemistry lecture and laboratory course, and it is often taken by those entering health-related fields..
 

Fundamental laws, theories, principles, and nomenclature of inorganic chemistry; properties of the more common elements and their compounds; theories of solution, ionization, and equili-brium phenomena. Laboratory exercises in manipulations and preparations. Class hrs. 3; Lab hrs. 3. Prerequisite: Math 003 Beginning Algebra, or equivalent (grade of “C” or better or satisfactory grade on Assessment test).

Principles of Organic Chemistry is a one-semester, fundamental chemistry lecture and laboratory course dealing with aliphatic and aromatic compounds.
 

One-semester course covering aliphatic and aromatic compounds, relationship of structure and nomenclature of specific organic compounds; emphasis on reactions, preparations, uses, and simple mechanisms. Laboratory exercises in organic preparation and reactions of compounds studied in class. Class hrs. 3; Lab hrs. 3. Prerequisite: CHEM 113A Principles of Inorganic Chemistry. Offered spring semester.

Criminalistics is the application of science to the examination of physical evidence obtained in the investigation of a crime. Both the lecture and laboratory emphasize the role of forensic science within the criminal justice system. Some of the topics to be covered include the crime scene, collection of physical evidence, fingerprints, firearms, and serology. Note: This is an online course; students must have access to a computer and the Internet.

This optional on-campus lab may be taken in conjunction with CHEM 131 Introduction to Forensic Science.  This lab provides hands-on experience in many forensic areas such as fingerprints, microscopes, serology, and spectroscopy as well as in basic laboratory techniques. Lab hrs 2.  Enrollment limited; permission of instructor required.

After introducing basic chemical principles, this course examines the chemical nature of addictive and psychoactive drugs and how they interact with receptors and body metabolism. This class provides 45 of the classroom contact hours in knowledge of alcoholism and substance abuse required for the credential Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor. Class hrs. 4. Offered spring semester.

A course which explores areas of current consumer interest from a chemical viewpoint. Topics include food and nutrition, drugs and medicines, fibers, plastics, household cleaning agents, etc. Emphasis is on making the student a more knowledgeable consumer, aware of environmental problems. Class hrs. 2; Lab hrs. 2. Not offered every semester.

This is a survey course for non-science majors that stresses practical applications of chemistry to topics of current interest, such as acid rain, global warming, nutrition, energy resources, drug action and radioactivity. The emphasis is on assigned readings and class discussions rather than on numerical problem solving. The course introduces the basic chemical principles needed to help students understand scientific and technical issues facing contemporary society and to provoke rational analysis of the underlying issues. Offered online every semester.

This laboratory course, available only for students enrolled in the online Topics in Science course (CHEM 162), provides hands-on experience in many areas of science and technology as well as in basic laboratory techniques. Lab hrs. 2. Corequisite: CHEM 162 Topics in Science. Offered on-campus.

Organic Chemistry I & II are integral parts of a one-year (two-semester) comprehensive course for science majors or students entering medical fields..
 

A discussion of the aliphatic series involving atomic and molecular orbitals in the modern treatment of structure and reaction mechanisms; nomenclature, structural formulas, preparation of properties of organic compounds. Selected laboratory exercises to emphasize topics considered in lectures. Class hrs. 4; Lab hrs. 3. Prerequisite: CHEM 111, 112 Inorganic Chemistry II. Offered fall semester.

A continuation of Organic Chemistry I with particular attention to the study of aromatic and benzenoid heterocyclic and polymer compounds; reactions, mechanisms, nomenclature, preparation, properties, structural formulas and equations. Laboratory to enhance lecture material. Class hrs. 4; Lab hrs. 3. Prerequisite: CHEM 201, 202 Organic Chemistry I. Offered spring semester.

Introductory course in biochemistry stressing human aspects. Topics include chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins, enzymes, biological buffers, and digestion. Class hrs. 3; Lab hrs. 3. Prerequisite: CHEM 117, 118 Principles of Organic Chemistry. Offered fall semester.

A hands-on workshop in chemical instrumentation designed specifically for high school science teachers. Use of UV and IR spectrophotometry, atomic absorbance, and NMR, gas chromatography and HPLC. Lab. hrs. 12 two-hour sessions plus outside readings. Not offered every semester.

A hands-on workshop in chemical instrumentation designed for upper-level high school science students. Use of UV and IR spectrophotometry, atomic absorbance, and nuclear magnetic resonance, gas and high performance liquid chromatography. Lab hrs. 2. For upper-level high school students.