CHEMISTRY MAJORS

Degree Information

The Department of Chemistry offers a Bachelor of Science, a minor, and contributes to the Concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology:

Selected pages from the official Mercer University Bulletin for our Chemistry Program (pdf format)

Selected pages from the official Mercer University Bulletin Information for the Concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (pdf format)

The role of the Department of Chemistry is to foster the development of students in the understanding of the chemical foundations that are central to chemical, physical, and biological sciences. The Department of Chemistry offers a Bachelor of Science degree and contributes to the concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

The Bachelor of Science major in chemistry consists of these courses totaling at least 38 semester credit hours: CHM 111/112 or 115; CHM 221, 222, 241, 311, 331, 332, 341, 371, 372, 395, and one course from CHM 411, 421, 431, 465, 481, and two credits of lab chosen from CHM 401, 402, 465L, 466L. Required courses from other departments include: MAT 191, 192, PHY 161/121L, 162/162L. Successful completion of a senior comprehensive examination is required.

A student may elect a program that will result in Certification by the American Chemical Society in Chemistry, or in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry. To meet the requirements for certification in Chemistry, coursework must include BIO/CHM 465, one advanced course chosen from CHM 411, 421, 431, 481, and CHM 401 and 402. For certification in Chemistry with an emphasis in Biochemistry, coursework must include BIO/CHM 465, 466, four hours of advanced lab chosen from CHM 401, 402, BIO/CHM 465L, BIO/CHM 466L, and one additional course in Biology chosen from BIO 303, 310, 460.

A minor in Chemistry consists of CHM 111/112 and at least seven additional credit hours in CHM courses numbered above 200; or CHM 115 and at least eleven additional credit hours in CHM courses numbered above 200. No more than one credit hour of CHM 295 may be counted toward the minor requirement.

Departmental Honors in chemistry may be attained by fulfilling the following requirements: (1) select an honors faculty advisor in chemistry by the end of the semester in which one accumulates 96 semester credit hours and keep this advisor informed of progress toward satisfying the honors requirements; (2) complete the B.S. major in chemistry with a grade point average of 3.50 or above in the major. (3) complete at least 4 semester credit hours of chemical research (CHM 401 and CHM 402) with a grade point average of 3.00 or above; and (4) write a paper of publishable quality on an approved topic of chemistry, using the format of The Journal of the American Chemical Society.

Concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
The Bachelor of Science degree with a concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology consists of the following required courses: CHM 111 and 112 (or CHM 115), CHM 221, 222, 241, 332; BIO 210, 220, 310, 460, 460L, and one biology elective; BIO/CHM 465, 465L; and either BIO 410 or BIO/CHM 466, 466L. The biology elective must be one of the following courses: BIO 303, 325, 330, 450, or a designated BIO 490. Courses required in departments other than Biology or Chemistry are MAT 191/191L, MAT 192/192L, PHY 161/161L. These ancillary courses are often prerequisite to others in Biology and Chemistry. Successful completion of a senior comprehensive examination in Biology or Chemistry is required. Currently, each Department uses the Major Field Achievement Test for this purpose. Students may attain honors in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology by fulfilling the following requirements: (1) select an honors faculty advisor in either Biology or Chemistry by the end of the semester in which one accumulates 96 semester credit hours, and keep this advisor informed of progress toward satisfying the honors requirements; (2) complete the concentration in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology with a grade point average of 3.5 or above in biology and chemistry courses and 3.25 overall; (3) complete at least 4 semester hours of research (CHM 401, CHM 402, or BIO 499) with a grade point average of 3.00 or above; and (4) write a research paper of publishable quality on an approved topic, using the format of a peer-reviewed journal chosen by the honors advisor. For students pursuing honors, the 4 semester hours of research may substitute for the elective course in biology.

Course Descriptions

103. Chemistry of Modern Materials
Prerequisite: SCI 105.
An introduction to chemistry for non-scientists. learn why diamond will be the electronic material of tomorrow, how composite fluids will replace the gears in cars, and what kinds of plastic can imitate metals. Topics include the conductivity of metals, semiconductors, and insulators; the mechanical properties of plastics, metals and ceramics; and the flow properties of fluids. The course is taught as an eight-week module with lectures and laboratories. (2 credit hours)

104. Household Chemistry
Prerequisite: SCI 105.
An introduction to properties of chemical substances found in the home. Concrete examples of everyday household materials are used to formulate the theoretical framework used in modern chemistry. The chemist's practice of categorizing materials into groups and grouping reactions into a small number of varieties will be developed. The nature and reactivity of materials will be emphasized. The course is taught as an eight-week module with lectures and laboratories. (2 credit hours).

108. Concepts of Chemistry
This course is designed for non-science majors. Emphasis is given to the application of a limited number of fundamental chemical concepts, especially the chemistry of life-systems and problems concerned with humanity, the environment, and the chemical industry. An attempt is made to demonstrate the manner in which a chemist unravels the mysteries of nature, rather than the development of technical proficiency. The course includes three one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory each week. (4 credit hours)

111. General Chemistry I
Pre/Corequisite: MAT 133.
A study of matter, transformation of matter in chemical and nuclear reactions, and the energy changes that accompany these reactions. The states of matter, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, equilibrium, and kinetics are treated in detail and are explained on the basis of atomic structure, nuclear structure, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, and the kinetic molecular theory. Laboratory work involving volumetric and simple instrumental analytical techniques stresses the quantitative relationships in chemistry. The course includes three one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory each week. (4 credit hours)

112. General Chemistry II
Prerequisite: A grade of 'C' or better in CHM 111.
A continuation of CHM 111. The course includes three one-hour lectures and one three- hour laboratory each week. (4 credit hours)

115. Advanced General Chemistry
Pre/Co-requisite: MAT 191/191L.
CHM 115 is an accelerated general chemistry course that seeks to unify many of the themes in General Chemistry to develop a comprehensive understanding of the subject. Students in CHM 115 will be introduced to the microscopic and macroscopic descriptions of matter and its behavior. They will be exposed to the fundamental laws of mass and energy conservation and their application to chemical systems and reactions. Students will also be introduced to the fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics and its bearing on equilibrium in gases, acids and bases, and ionic solutions. The course includes three one-hour lectures, one three-hour laboratory, and one one-hour computational recitation each week.

221. Organic Chemistry I
Prerequisite: CHM 112 or CHM 115.
A study of the chemistry if carbon compounds. The various functional groups and their transformations are studied systematically. Reaction mechanisms and the formulation of synthetic schemes are emphasized. Basic theory and interpretation of ultraviolet/visible, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and mass spectrometry are discussed. Laboratory work involves the preparation, separation, and both chemical and instrumental analysis of organic compounds. The course includes three one-hour lectures and one three-hour laboratory each week. (4 credit hours)

222. Organic Chemistry II
Prerequisite: A grade of 'C' or better in CHM 221.
A continuation of CHM 221. The course includes three one-hour lectures and one four- hour laboratory each week. (4 credit hours)

241. Quantitative Analysis
Prerequisite: CHM 112 or 115.
A study of classical methods of analysis, stressing the quantitative aspects of chemistry. Emphasis is given to the treatment of analytical data (including error analysis). A thorough study of equilibria as it pertains to acid/base, precipitation, complexation, and redox phenomena is included. An introduction to quantitative spectroscopy, as it pertains to atomic absorption and ultraviolet/visible spectral methods is given. Laboratory work includes gravimetric, volumetric, atomic absorption, ultraviolet/visible, and simple potentiometric methods of analysis. The course includes two one-hour lectures and one four-hour laboratory each week. (3 credit hours)

295. Chemical Research
Prerequisite: Approval of department chair and a faculty research director.
Participation in an independent research problem directed by one or more faculty members. One hour credit will be awarded for three hours per week per semester of satisfactory participation. A maximum of two credits can be earned per semester. This course may be repeated for a maximum of six semester credit hours. Attendance at departmental seminars and a seminar paper are required for each research topic taken. (1 or 2 credit hours)

311. Inorganic Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHM 221.
A survey of the chemistry of the elements, including main group, transition metal, and organometallic compounds in both inorganic and biological systems. An examination of acid-base and redox properties of these compounds is included. This course presents the structure, bonding, and reactivity of inorganic compounds through three one-hour lectures each week. (3 credit hours)

331. Quantum and Statistical Mechanics
Prerequisites: CHM 112 or 115, MAT 192/192L, PHY 162/162L.
An introduction to quantum mechanical and statistical thermodynamic models. The principles and applications of quantum chemistry are introduced, including exactly soluble models and atomic and molecular spectra. Properties of matter are interpreted by application of statistical mechanics to populations of atoms and molecules. Both segments of the course entail rigorous application of numerical methods to problems in physical chemistry. Course meetings include three one-hour lecture periods per week. (3 credit hours)

332. Reaction Dynamics
Prerequisites: CHM 112 or 115, MAT 192/192L.
An introduction to the thermodynamic and kinetic influences on chemical and biochemical reactions. Course topics include laws of thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, kinetic theory, empirical kinetics, and reaction mechanisms. Examples are drown primarily from process chemistry and biochemistry. Course meetings include three one-hour lecture periods per week. (3 credit hours)

341. Instrumental Analysis I
Prerequisites: CHM 222, 241.
A study of the instruments that are used for separation (such as gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography) and spectroscopic methods of analysis (including infrared, ultraviolet/visible, nuclear magnetic resonance, atomic absorption, atomic emission, and mass spectrometry). Attention is given to the block diagrams and the basic theory of the various instruments. (3 credit hours)

351. Environmental Chemistry (Same as ENV 351)
Prerequisite: CHM 241.
A study of the physiochemical properties of substances that determine their fate and transport in the environment. Inorganic and organic substances will be examined as they are deposited, transported, transformed, and stored in the soil/sediment, water, and atmosphere. Techniques for the sampling and analysis of nutrients, toxic metals, and organic priority pollutants will be examined. A lecture, laboratory, and field course. (4 credit hours)

371. Problems in Chemistry I
Prerequisites: CHM 222 and 241, MAT 192/192L, PHY 162/162L.
This laboratory capstone course features a set of experimental projects that integrates concepts and techniques from the major divisions of chemistry, presenting chemistry as a unified science. The projects feature the following techniques: ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility measurement, calorimetry, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry, molecular modeling, airless synthetic techniques, wet analytical methods and the nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy of inorganic materials. The course includes two three-hour laboratory meetings each week. (2 credit hours)

372. Problems in Chemistry II
Prerequisites: CHM 371.
A continuation of CHM 371, this laboratory capstone course features a set of experimental projects designed to integrate concepts and techniques from the major divisions of chemistry, presenting chemistry as a unified science. Formal written laboratory reports are required. The course includes two three-hour laboratory meetings each week. (2 credit hours)

395. Chemistry Seminar
Prerequisite: CHM 222.
A seminar series consisting of meetings to discuss articles in all areas of chemistry from the current chemical literature. Students will prepare presentations on primary research articles and serve as discussion leaders. The course includes one one-hour seminar per week. This course may be repeated for a maximum of two hours of credit. (1 credit hour)

401. Senior Research I
Prerequisites: Senior status, and departmental approval.
Independent research directed by a faculty member. Students work toward laboratory research goals prepared in consultation with a faculty mentor. Written and oral presentations are required. A research topic generally extends over more than one term. The course includes approximately six hours in the laboratory each week. (1 - 2 credit hours)

402. Research II
Prerequisite: CHM 401, and departmental approval.
Independent research directed by a faculty member. Students work toward laboratory research goals prepared in consultation with a faculty mentor. Written and oral presentations are required. The course includes approximately three hours in the laboratory each week per credit hour. (1 - 2 credit hours)

411. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHM 311, 332, senior status, and departmental approval.
A survey of the advanced chemical theories applied to the interpretation of the relationship between chemical structure and observable properties of inorganic materials, including quantum mechanical description of atomic and bonding models. Special attention is given to the structure and bonding, the characterization, and the representative chemistry of transition metal compounds. The course includes two one-hour lectures each week. (2 credit hours)

421. Advanced Organic Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHM 332, 341, senior status, and departmental approval.
A course devoted to topics in organic chemistry more advanced than those covered in CHM 222 and centered upon the relationship between structure and reactivity of organic molecules. Mechanistic and synthetic strategies are discussed, utilizing original literature and experimental data as a basis. The course includes two one-hour lectures each week. (2 credit hours)

431. Advanced Quantum Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHM 331, senior status, and departmental approval.
A course devoted to topics in quantum chemistry more advanced than those covered in CHM 331. The principles of operators and observables are presented, along with eigenvalues, eigenvectors, superpositions, expectation values and matrix elements. Techniques from linear algebra will be applied to solving modern quantum mechanical problems, and modern computational methods will be used as appropriate. The course includes two one-hour lectures each week. (2 credit hours)

443. Instrumental Analysis II
Prerequisites: CHM 332, 341, senior status, and departmental approval.
An introduction to the basic electronic components, instrument design and interfacing of microcomputers to scientific instruments. Investigation and design of instruments will focus on the following areas of Chemistry: Inorganic spectroscopy (atomic absorption, atomic emission, and inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy), fluorescence spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and surface science. The course includes one one-hour lecture and one three-hour intensive laboratory each week. (2 credit hours)

465. BiochemistryI (Same as BIO 465)
Prerequisites: CHM 222 and BIO 210.
A course on the nature of the chemical and physiochemical properties of living organisms. Includes an overview of the synthesis and structure of biological macromolecules, enzyme kinetics, mechanisms of reactions, metabolism and energy exchange. The course includes three one-hour lectures each week.(3 credit hours)

465L. Biochemistry I Laboratory (Same as BIO 465L)
Corequisite: CHM/BIO 465.
Investigative laboratory component to complement CHM/BIO 465. Techniques used include electrophoresis, analysis of enzyme kinetics, chromatography, centrifugation, and protein analysis and centrifugation. Experimental design and formal laboratory writing are required. The course includes one four-hour laboratory each week. (1 credit hour)

466. Biochemistry II (Same as BIO 466)
Prerequisite: CHM/BIO 465.
A continuation of CHM/BIO 465 covering the chemistry of cellular metabolism. Topics include biosynthesis and degradation of lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides; photosynthesis; the chemistry of DNA and RNA; and the concepts of molecular physiology. The course includes three one-hour lectures each week. (3 credit hours)

466L. Biochemistry II Laboratory (Same as BIO 466L)
Corequisite: CHM/BIO 466.
Investigative laboratory component to complement CHM/BIO 466. This course focuses on the analytical tools used in the modern biochemical laboratory. Experimental design and formal laboratory writing are required. The course includes one four-hour laboratory each week. (1 credit hour)

481. Selected Topics in Chemistry (Subtitle)
Prerequisites: CHM 311, 332, senior status, and departmental approval.
A study of a topic in much greater detail than is done in the more general courses. The particular topic will be selected by joint consultation between the department, the instructor, and the students registering for the course. The number of lectures and laboratories will depend on the topic. (Variable credit hours)

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