Course Descriptions

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: CHEMISTRY

CHE 103: INTRODUCTION TO COLLEGE CHEMISTRY. The basic chemical concepts, which describe matter and the changes that it undergoes, are introduced both qualitatively and quantitatively with emphasis on contemporary scientific issues. Topics include measurement and properties of matter, atomic theory, structure, periodicity and bonding, stoichiometry, solutions, oxidation and radioactivity. Co-requisite: MAT103.Three hours of lecture per week. Offered each semester. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 104: INTRODUCTION TO CHEMICAL PROBLEM SOLVING. Introduction to key chemistry concepts: mole concept, stoichiometry, periodic table, states of matter and chemical bonding. Critical mathematical concepts as well as reading for success in chemistry are taught. The course will meet four hours per week. The course will not meet major or General Education requirements; however, it will count toward college graduation. Co-requisite: MAT 102. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 115-116: GENERAL CHEMISTRY I - II. An introductory course in the principles of chemistry. Topics include the mole concept, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermodynamics, chemical bonding, equilibria, kinetics, acid-base reactions, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Prerequisite for CHE 115:Math ACT score 20 or CHE 104 with a grade of C and co-requisite CHE 117, Mat 103 or 104 or 221; Prerequisite CHE 116: CHE 115 with grade of C and co-requisite MAT 104 or 221 and CHE 118. Three hours of lecture and one hour of recitation per week. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 117-118: GENERAL CHEMISTRY LABORATORY I-II. This is an introductory laboratory course to demonstrate, clarify, and develop experimentally the principles of chemistry taught in CHE 115-116.Co-requisite: CHE 115 for CHE 117; CHE 116 for CHE 118.One three-hour laboratory per week. CREDIT:ONE SEMESTER HOUR.

CHE 225-226: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I-II. An introduction to the chemistry of carbon compounds. Organic structures and functional groups, stereochemistry and conformational analysis, kinetics, important organic reactions and their mechanisms and their use in organic synthesis are discussed. Prerequisite: CHE 116 with C or better grade for CHE 225.CHE 225 with C or better grade for CHE 226.Three hours of lecture per week. Offered each semester. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 227: ORGANIC LABORATORY I. This is an introductory laboratory course that includes techniques and methods used in synthesis, separation, and purification.IR spectroscopy, thin-layer and column and gas chromatography methods are studied. Co-requisite: CHE 225.Four hours of laboratory per week. Offered each semester. CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR.

CHE 228: ORGANIC LABORATORY II. This is a course discussing the theory and use of IR, NMR, and mass spectrometry; strategies of multistep synthesis; and methods of organic structure determination. It involves practical laboratory experience with multistep syntheses, organic structure determination and the use of various instrumental techniques. Prerequisite: CHE 227 with a grade of C or above. Co-requisite: CHE 226. Four hours of laboratory per week. Offered each semester. CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR.

CHE 231: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS. This is a course to learn the theoretical understanding of techniques used in analytical chemistry. Course will include gravimetric analysis, titration, spectrophotometry, chromatography and electrochemical analysis. Co-requisite: CHE 233.Prerequisite: CHE 116 and CHE 118 with grade of C or higher. Two hours of lecture per week. CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS.  

CHE 233: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS LABORATORY. A laboratory course to learn experimental techniques of analytical chemistry taught in CHE 231.Course will include experimental methods of gravimetric analysis, titration, spectrophotometry, chromatography, and electrochemical analysis. Co-requisite: CHE 231.Two three-hour laboratories per week. CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 333-334: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I-II. A study of theoretical chemistry based on selected topics such as states of matter, atomic and molecular forces, quantum theory, chemical bonding, statistical mechanics, physical properties and structures, kinetics, thermodynamics, properties of solutions, and electrochemistry. Pre-requisites: CHE 116, MAT 321 and PHY 224. Three hours of lecture per week. CHE 333 offered every Fall; CHE 334 offered every Spring. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 337-338: EXPERIMENTAL PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I-II. A laboratory course designed to elucidate principles of physical chemistry and to introduce students to physical measurements encountered in chemical research. Physical experimental methods are used to study kinetics, thermochemistry, electrochemistry and spectroscopy. The writing of a technical report that is readable and well organized is stressed. This course serves to fulfill the requirement for the junior/senior level writing intensive course. Co-requisite: CHE 333 for CHE 337; CHE 334 for CHE 338, CHE 337 offered every Fall; CHE 338 offered every Spring. Four hours of laboratory per week. CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 340: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY. This course aims to provide students with a modern view of the chemistry of inorganic molecules and solids. The material will include the wave-mechanical description of atoms, molecules, and solids; structure and bonding in metals and ionic compounds; chemistry in non-aqueous solvents; chemistry of s- and p- block elements and their compounds; bonding, electronic structure and some chemical reactions of transition metal complexes. Prerequisite: Chemistry 116.Offered alternate years. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 412: BIOCHEMISTRY. The course covers structure and functions of the living cell and the subcellular particles. Chemistry of metabolism and biological function of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, enzymes and coenzymes are discussed in detail. Three hours of lecture per week. Prerequisite: CHE 226. Offered every fall. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 417: BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY. This laboratory course provides a background in the methods and principals involved in the isolation, analysis and functioning of the enzymes, biochemical materials, and cellular organelles. Pre-requisites CHE 226, CHE 228; co-requisite: CHE 412.Four hours of laboratory per week. Offered every fall. CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR.

CHE 445: SELECTED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY. An advanced course designed to introduce students to material not covered in other courses. The content and structure of the course are flexible and are decided by the faculty and students. Offered as staffing permits. CREDIT: TO BE ARRANGED.

CHE 456: INSTRUMENTAL METHODS OF ANALYSIS. This is an introduction to electronics and principles of chemical instrumentation used in spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, electrochemistry and chromatography. The laboratory consists of a practical application of lecture material. Prerequisite: CHE 235. Offered alternate years. CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS.

CHE 461/462: SENIOR SEMINAR. Students are required to conduct an original literature search. Students present a seminar on their reading and understanding of the material. One hour of discussion per week. Students are required to complete a senior paper. They are also required to take the Major Field Test for Chemistry. CHE 461 is offered in the fall and CHE 462 in the spring. CREDIT: ONE SEMESTER HOUR.

CHE 467/468: RESEARCH COURSE IN CHEMISTRY I-II. This course offers the opportunity to pursue a chemical research problem. Permission of the Department Chair is required. CHE 467 offered each fall; CHE 468 offered each spring. CREDIT: TWO SEMESTER HOURS.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS: PHYSICS

PHY 101: ELEMENTS OF PHYSICS. A course treating the basic concepts of physics, relating them to everyday experiences and practical applications. Two hours of lecture/discussion and one laboratory period per week. Offered every semester. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 123, 124: INTRODUCTION TO PHYSICS I, II. A basic study of the principles of physics for science majors and for non-science majors with good mathematics backgrounds. Topics covered without the use of calculus include space, time and motion, optics and waves, mechanics, heat, electricity and magnetism, and modern physics. Three hours of lecture and problem solving, and three hours of laboratory per week. Co-requisite: MAT 103, MAT 104, or MAT 105 (to replace MAT 103, 104) or consent of the instructor. PHY 123 offered every fall; PHY 124 offered every spring. CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 223, 224: GENERAL PHYSICS I, II. This course is a one year sequence employing calculus in the study of mechanics, waves, thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics. Three hours of lecture and problem solving and a three-hour laboratory period per week. Co-requisite: MAT 221 for PHY 223, MAT 222 for PHY 224.PHY 223 offered every fall, PHY 224 offered every spring. CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 333: ELECTRONICS. An introductory course in electrical circuits and electronics, designed for students majoring in any of the natural sciences. Three hours of lecture and problem solving and a three-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: PHY 224 or 124.Offered in fall. CREDIT: FOUR SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 335: JUNIOR/SENIOR LABORATORY. Selected experiments in classical and modern physics, requiring comprehensive written laboratory reports. Two three-hour laboratory periods per week. Prerequisite: PHY 224.Offered in fall. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 347, 348: MECHANICS I, II. A one-year sequence covering Newtonian mechanics in one, two and three dimensions, non-inertial reference systems, central forces, systems of particles, rigid bodies, oscillating systems, and Lagrange’s and Hamilton’s equations. Three hours of lecture and problem solving per week. Prerequisite: PHY 224. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 357, 358: ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM I, II. A one-year sequence covering electric and magnetic fields in vacuum and in matter, Maxwell’s equations, electric and magnetic energy, boundary-value problems, electromagnetic waves in media. Three hours of lecture and problem solving per week. Prerequisite: PHY 224. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 465, 466: MODERN PHYSICS I, II. A one-year sequence in contemporary physics introducing such topics as special relativity, quantum mechanics, atomic physics, molecular physics, solid state physics and 96 nuclear physics, with a fair degree of mathematical sophistication. Three hours of lecture and problem solving per week. Prerequisite: PHY 224. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 467, 468: RESEARCH IN PHYSICS. A course that provides the opportunity to pursue a research problem in Physics. The student in consultation with the instructor will select appropriate literature and/or apparatus, and will meet with the instructor at least once per week. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor and Department Chairperson. Offered when staffing permits. CREDIT: TO BE ARRANGED.

PHY 472: MODERN PHYSICS LABORATORY. Ordinarily taken concurrently with PHY 466. Experiments and computer applications are chosen to illustrate the material of PHY 465 and 466. Two three-hour laboratory periods per week. Co-requisite: PHY 466. Offered in the spring semester when staffing permits. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 476: QUANTUM MECHANICS. A course extending the treatment of quantum mechanics begun in PHY 465. The course will cover topics such as wave mechanics, various applications of Schrodinger equation, matrix mechanics, the hydrogen atom, angular momentum, perturbation theory, two-electron systems, and so forth. Pre-requisite: PHY 465. Offered in spring when staffing permits. CREDIT: THREE SEMESTER HOURS.

PHY 495, 496: SELECTED TOPICS IN PHYSICS. Topics not covered, or introduced only briefly in other courses, are elected by the instructor and students in the class. Possible topics include astrophysics, solid state physics, classical or quantum optics, statistical or thermal physics, mathematical methods of physics, nuclear physics, and high-energy physics. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. CREDIT: TO BE ARRANGED