Departments & Programs

Chemistry

Course Descriptions

Introductory Courses

C100 is a lecture course for non–science majors. Students who are required to complete only two semesters of chemistry, such as those in prenursing and some allied health areas, should take C101-C121 and C102-C122, which include labs. Students who wish to take basic courses that provide a foundation for advanced work in scientific fields should enroll in C117 (or C105-C125) followed by C341.

Special Sections and Courses

Special courses for students with unusually good aptitude or preparation and especially for students interested in the professional B.S. in chemistry and B.S. in biochemistry degree programs are identified by the prefix letter “S”: S105, S106, S117, S125, S126, S330, S341, S342, S343, and S344. These courses are equivalent to the corresponding courses lettered “C” for meeting stated requirements.

  • CHEM–C 100 The World as Chemistry (3 cr.) N & M For non-science majors, the chemistry of everyday life: fuels, plastics, drugs, water, air, and living systems. Lectures illustrated by demonstrations, films, and molecular models. Readings include articles from current newspapers and magazines.
  • CHEM–C 101 Elementary Chemistry I (3 cr.) N & M Usually taken concurrently with C121. Introduction to chemistry. The two sequences, C101-C121 and C102-C122, usually satisfy programs that require only two semesters of chemistry. Admission to advanced courses on the basis of C101-C121 and C102-C122 is granted only in exceptional cases. May be taken in preparation for C117 by students with deficiencies in chemistry. Credit given for only one of C101 or C103.
  • CHEM–C 102 Elementary Chemistry II (3 cr.) P: C101. N & M Usually taken concurrently with C122. Continuation of C101. The chemistry of organic compounds and their reactions followed by an extensive introduction to biochemistry.
  • CHEM–C 103 Introduction to Chemical Principles (5 cr.) N & M Taken in preparation for C117 by students with deficiencies in chemistry. Content includes applications of measurement and chemical formula/equation conversions; modern view of the atom; and solution processes that relate to chemical reactions. Emphasis of lectures, labs, and discussion sections will be problem-solving strategies. Credit given for only one of C101-C121, or C103.
  • CHEM–C 107 Frontiers of Chemical Research (1 cr.) P: One semester of college-level chemistry or consent of instructor. A freshman seminar featuring talks and demonstrations by various faculty about current research in analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.
  • CHEM–C 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I (5 cr.) P: Chemistry and math placement examinations and consent of department. N & M An integrated lecture-laboratory course covering basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry, including applications to physiological (biochemical) functions. Credit given for only one of the following: C105-C125, S105-S125, C117, or S117.
  • CHEM–S 117 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry I, Honors (5 cr.) P: Chemistry and math placement examinations and consent of department. N & M For students with unusual aptitude or preparation. An integrated lecture-laboratory course covering basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry. Credit given for only one of the following: C105-C125, S105-S125, C117, or S117.
  • CHEM–C 118 Principles of Chemistry and Biochemistry II (5 cr.) P: C117 or C105-C125 and consent of department. N & M An integrated lecture-laboratory course introducing the basic principles of chemistry and biochemistry within the context of important social, political, economic, and ethical issues. Topics include polymers, drug design, nutrition, genetic engineering, global warming, and alternative fuels. Second semester of a two-semester sequence. Credit given for only one of the following: C106-C126, S106-S126, C118, S118, N330, or S330.
  • CHEM–C 121 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory I (2 cr.) P or C: C101.  Introduction to the techniques and reasoning of experimental chemistry. Credit given for only one of C101-C121 or C103.
  • CHEM–C 122 Elementary Chemistry Laboratory II (2 cr.) P: C101, C121. P or C: C102. Continuation of C121. Emphasis on organic and biochemical experimental techniques.
  • CHEM–G 201 Service Learning in Chemistry (1 cr.) P: C117. C: Current enrollment in another chemistry course. Students will work within the community to foster interest, knowledge, and appreciation in the sciences. Assignments will include the preparation and execution of demonstrations and in class lessons at the primary and secondary school levels. May be repeated for a maximum of 3 credit hours.
  • CHEM–G 207 Chemical Scholarship and Presentation (1 cr.) P: C341 or S341; sophomore standing; chemistry or biochemistry majors Involves the preparation of scientific oral presentations and poster presentations. Assignments include the making of slides, using presentation software, handling of scientific data correctly, and presentation skills. Students will give presentations as the final assignment. Not repeatable for credit.
  • CHEM–C 240 Preparation for Organic Chemistry (1.5 cr.) P: C117 or C106, or permission of instructor. To develop a standard and comprehensive preparation for the study of organic chemistry. Review of electronic structure, periodicity, bonding, Lewis structures, pKa’s, simple nomenclature, and molecular geometry; problem-based approach to developing skills necessary for success in organic chemistry. Course will not count toward chemistry minor or majors.
  • CHEM–C 243 Supplemental General Chemistry (2 cr.) For transfer students with General Chemistry I credit from regional campuses or other colleges who plan to take organic chemistry. Equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics will be covered. General Chemistry I plus this course is strongly recommended as preparation for C341.
  • CHEM–G 307 Chemical Career Planning (1 cr.) P: Junior standing; chemistry or biochemistry major. Focuses on writing resumes, personal statements, and cover letters. Content includes interviewing skills, discussion of graduate programs and careers in chemistry, personal assessment, job searching strategies, labor market trends, and principles of career planning. Not repeatable for credit.
  • CHEM–A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis (2 cr.) P: C341, S341, or R340 and MATH M119 or M211. Theory and application of analytical techniques, including statistical treatment of data, spectroscopy, separation methods, electroanalytical methods, radioisotopes, and immunological methods. Credit given for only one of A314, A318, or C317-C318.
  • CHEM–A 315 Chemical Measurements Laboratory (2 cr.) P: A318 or C317-C318 or A314. Application of analytical techniques and instrumentation to qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Theory, instrumentation, and data analysis will be covered. Credit given for only one of A315 or C315.
  • CHEM–A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.) P: A318 or C317-C318 or P or C: A314. Laboratory experiments involve the application of analytical techniques and instrumentation to chemical analysis of biological samples. Methods include spectroscopy, immunoassays, chromatography, electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry.
  • CHEM–C 317 Equilibria and Electrochemistry (2 cr.) P or C: C341 or S341, and MATH M211 or M215. Treatment of analytical data; chemical equilibrium; redox titrations; electrochemical theory; potentiometry; voltammetry; coulometry. Credit given for only one of A314, A318, or C317-C318.
  • CHEM–A 318 Analytical Chemistry (4 cr.) P or C: C341, S341 or R340, and MATH M211. Theory and application of three major areas of analytical chemistry: spectrochemistry, separations, and electrochemistry. Topics include ultraviolet, infrared, luminescence, and X-ray spectroscopy, flame and electrical discharge techniques, mass spectrometry, chromatography; electrophoresis, potentiometry, coulometry, and voltammetry. Credit given for only one of A318, A314, or C317-C318.
  • CHEM–C 318 Spectrochemistry and Separations (2 cr.) P or C: C341 or S341, and MATH M211 or M215. Ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and luminescence spectrophotometry; flame and electrical discharge techniques; X-ray and mass spectrometric methods; phase equilibria and extractions; counter current distribution; gas, thin-layer liquid, and high-performance liquid chromatography. Credit given for only one of A314, A318, or C317-C318.
  • CHEM–N 330 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (5 cr.) P: C342, S342, or R340; and C343 or S343. An integrated lecture-laboratory course covering structure and bonding of inorganic compounds, including transition metal coordination compounds, organometallic compounds, and bioinorganic complexes. Further topics will include nuclear chemistry and reaction mechanisms. Credit given for only one of N330, S330, C118, S118, C106-C126, or S106-S126.
  • CHEM–S 330 Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry (5 cr.) P: C342, S342, or R340; and C343 or S343. For students with unusually good aptitude or preparation. An integrated lecture-laboratory course covering structure and bonding of inorganic compounds, including transition metal coordinate compounds, organometallic compounds, and bioinorganic complexes. Further topics will include nuclear chemistry and reaction mechanisms. Credit given for only one of N330, S330, C118, S118, C106-C126, or S106-S126.
  • CHEM–R 340 Survey of Organic Chemistry (3 cr.) P: C117 or C106 or permission of instructor. A survey of classes, structure, and reactivity of carbon-based compounds with an emphasis on those found in biological systems. Credit given for only one of R340, C341, or S341, and credit given for only one of R340, C342, or S342.
  • CHEM–C 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures (3 cr.) P: C117, S117, C106, or C243. N & M Chemistry of carbon compounds. Nomenclature; qualitative theory of valence; structure and reactions. Syntheses and reactions of major classes of monofunctional compounds. Credit given for only one of C341, S341, or R340.
  • CHEM–S 341 Organic Chemistry I Lectures, Honors (3 cr.) P: Grade of B+ or higher in S117, or consent of instructor. N & M For students with unusually good aptitude or preparation. Chemistry of carbon compounds. Nomenclature; qualitative theory of valence; structure and reactions. Syntheses and reactions of major classes of monofunctional compounds. Credit given for only one of C341, S341, or R340.
  • CHEM–C 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures (3 cr.) P: C341 or S341. N & M Syntheses and reactions of polyfunctional compounds, natural and industrial products. Credit given for only one of C342, S342, or R340.
  • CHEM–S 342 Organic Chemistry II Lectures, Honors (3 cr.) P: C341 or S341, and consent of instructor. N & M Special course for students with unusually good aptitude or preparation, covering same subject matter as C342. Credit given for only one of C342, S342, or R340.
  • CHEM–C 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory (2 cr.) P: C341 or S341. P or C: C342 or S342. Laboratory instruction in the fundamental techniques of organic chemistry, spectroscopy, and the use of general synthetic methods. Credit given for only one of C343 and S343.
  • CHEM–S 343 Organic Chemistry I Laboratory, Honors (2 cr.) P: C341 or S341. P or C: C342 or S342. Special course for students with unusually good aptitude or preparation, covering same subject matter as C343. Credit not given for both S343 and C343.
  • CHEM–C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory (2 cr.) P: C342 or S342, and C343 or S343. Preparation, isolation, and identification of organic compounds; emphasis on modern research methods. Credit given for only one of C344 and S344.
  • CHEM–S 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory, Honors (2 cr.) P: S342, S343. Special course for students with unusually good aptitude or preparation, covering same subject matter as C344. Credit not given for both S344 and C344.
  • CHEM–C 360 Introductory Physical Chemistry (3 cr.) P: C117 or S117 or C106; N330 strongly recommended. MATH M119 and PHYS P201, or equivalents. N & M Elements of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, molecular quantum states, and spectroscopy. For students not intending to specialize in physical sciences. Credit given for only one of C360, C361-C362, or S361-S362.
  • CHEM–C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter (3 cr.) P: C117 or C106; MATH M212 or M216, and PHYS P202 or P222. N & M Thermodynamics laws, free energy and chemical potentials, gases and dilute solutions, phase transitions, colligative properties, chemical equilibria, ionic solutions, chemical kinetics and transport processes, current topics. Credit given for only one of the following: C361, S361, or C360.
  • CHEM–S 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter, Honors (3 cr.) P: S117 or S106 or consent of instructor, and MATH M212 or M216. P or C: PHYS P222. N & M Thermodynamics laws, free energy and chemical potentials, gases and dilute solutions, phase transitions, colligative properties, chemical equilibria, ionic solutions, chemical kinetics, transport processes, and current topics. For students with unusually good aptitude or preparation. Credit given for only one of the following: C360, C361, or S361.
  • CHEM–C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules (3 cr.) P: C117 or C106; N330 strongly recommended. MATH M212 or M216, and PHYS P202 or P222. N & M Quantum states and spectroscopy of molecules, statistical thermodynamics, and elementary kinetic theory, current topics. Credit given for only one of the following: C362, S362, or C360.
  • CHEM–S 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules, Honors (3 cr.) P: S117 or S106, or consent of instructor, and MATH M212 or M216. P or C: PHYS P222. N & M Quantum states and spectroscopy of molecules, statistical thermodynamics, elementary kinetic theory, and current topics. For students with unusually good aptitude or preparation. Credit given for only one of the following: C360, C362, or S362.
  • CHEM–C 364 Introduction to Basic Measurements (3 cr.) P: C361 or S361. Experiments in this laboratory course will revolve around concepts explored in physical chemistry, such as heats of fusion, heat capacities, bomb calorimetry, transport properties, chemical kinetics, and basic spectroscopy. Credit given for only one of C364 or P364-P464.
  • CHEM–P 364 Basic Measurements in Physical Chemistry (2 cr.) P: C361 or S361. Experiments in this laboratory course will revolve around concepts explored in physical chemistry such as heats of fusion, heat capacities, bomb calorimetry, transport properties, chemical kinetics, and basic spectroscopy. Credit given for only one of P364-P464 or C364.
  • CHEM–C 372 Chemical Informatics II: Molecular Modeling (2 cr.) P: C341 or S341. Molecular modeling and computational chemistry; application of quantum mechanics and molecular mechanics to derive structural and energetics information about molecules; conformational analysis; quantitative structure-activity relationships (QSAR) and related methods for drug design.
  • CHEM–Y 398 Professional Practice in Chemistry (1–6 cr.) P: Approval of the Department of Chemistry. Designed to provide opportunities for students to receive credit for career-related, full-time work. Evaluation by employer and director of undergraduate studies. Course credit may count as elective hours in the B.S. in Chemistry and B.S. in Biochemistry degree requirements. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • CHEM–G 407 Chemistry Senior Seminar (1 cr.) P: G207 or instructor permission; senior standing; chemistry or biochemistry major. Students will present seminars based on current literature or their C409 research project; assignments will include surveying assigned journals. Focuses will include coverage of recent important developments, further experience in making scientific presentation, and encouragement of good literature reading habits. Not repeatable for credit.
  • CHEM–G 408 Seminar in Green Chemistry (1 cr.) This seminar series focuses on the chemical aspects of sustainable chemistry, a chemical philosophy encouraging the design of products/processes that reduce or eliminate the use and generation of hazardous substances. Invited speakers consider sustainable design from multiple perspectives involving industry, academia, and public policy.
  • CHEM–C 409 Chemical Research (1–3 cr; max 10 cr.) P: Approval of research director and department. For outstanding students. Cannot be substituted for any chemistry course. May not be used to satisfy upper-level laboratory hour requirement in a B.S. major; may not be used in fulfillment of chemistry major hours in a B.A. major. A written research thesis is required.
  • CHEM–G 410 Chemical Research Capstone (2 cr.) P: Approval of research director and department; two semesters of C409. For outstanding students in research. May be used to satisfy upper-level laboratory credit hour requirements in the B.S. major; may not be used in fulfillment of chemistry major credit hours in a B.A. major. A written research thesis with oral presentation is required.
  • CHEM–C 430 Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.) P: C106 or S106 or N330 or S330. R: C362. N & M Structure and bonding of inorganic compounds; survey of chemistry of the Periodic Table, group theory, electronic spectroscopy of coordination compounds, organometallic compounds, catalysis, mechanisms, and reactions.
  • CHEM–C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.) P: C360 or C361, and C430. Chemical applications of group theory and the elucidation of structure and bonding in inorganic molecules and complexes by vibrational, nuclear magnetic resonance, Mössbauer, and electronic absorption spectroscopy.
  • CHEM–C 437 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2 cr.) P: C343 or S343 and C430 on Bloomington campus. Synthesis, characterization, and study of chemical and physical properties of inorganic and organometallic compounds.
  • CHEM–C 443 Organic Spectroscopy (3 cr.) P: C342 and C362. Elucidation of molecular structures by use of IR, UV, NMR, mass spectroscopy, and other methods.
  • CHEM–C 460 Nuclear Chemistry (3 cr.) P or C: C360, C361, S361, or graduate standing. N & M Fundamentals of nuclear behavior; nuclear properties, radioactive decay, and nuclear reactions; applications of nuclear phenomena, biological effects of radiation, nuclear analytical techniques, tracers, radioisotope dating, nuclear power, and the origin of the chemical elements.
  • CHEM–P 464 Advanced Measurements in Physical Chemistry (2 cr.) P: P364. P or C: P362. The tools of designing experiments in modern physical chemistry will be explored in this laboratory course. Students will work through the layers involved in physical experiments from its genesis through data analysis. Components of the class include electronics, computer interfacing, vacuum and laser technology, particle or photon detection, and computations. Credit given for only one of P364-P464 or C364.
  • CHEM–C 481 Physical Biochemistry (3 cr.) P: C361 and C484. Physical chemistry of biological macromolecules; structure and conformation of proteins and nucleic acids; thermodynamics and kinetics of biochemical reactions.
  • CHEM–C 483 Biological Chemistry (3 cr.) P: C342 or S342 or R340. N & M Introduction to structure, chemical properties, and interrelationships of biological substances. Credit given for only one of C483 or C484-C485.
  • CHEM–C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism (3 cr.) P: C342 or S342. N & M Structure and function of cellular components and the generation of phosphate-bond energy. Credit given for only one of C484-C485 or C483.
  • CHEM–C 485 Biosynthesis and Physiology (3 cr.) P: C484. N & M Biosynthetic pathways, expression of genetic information, and molecular physiology. Credit given for only one of  C484-C485 or C483.
  • CHEM–B 487 Biochemistry Laboratory (2 cr.) P: C343 or S343, and C484. P or C: C485. Laboratory instruction in the fundamental techniques of protein biochemistry, including separation of macromolecules by electrophoresis and chromatography; isolation, purification, and analysis of enzymes; and methods for probing protein-ligand interactions. Credit given for only one of B487-B488 or C487.
  • CHEM–C 487 Biochemistry Laboratory (3 cr.) P: C343 or S343, and C484. Laboratory instruction in the fundamental techniques of biochemistry, including separation of macromolecules by electrophoresis and chromatography; isolation, purification, and analysis of enzymes; recombinant DNA procedures; and polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Credit given for only one of C487 or B487-B488.
  • CHEM–B 488 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory (2 cr.) P: B487. P or C: C485. Laboratory instruction in the fundamental techniques of nucleic acid chemistry, including assay methods, nucleic acid purification strategies, recombinant DNA procedures; transformations, protein expression systems, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) methodologies, and methods of genomic analysis. Credit given for only one of B487-B488 or C487.
  • CHEM–C 497 Special Laboratory Projects in Chemistry (1–3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor. Laboratory projects in chemistry or biochemistry as determined by instructor and student. May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credit hours.
  • CHEM–C 498 Special Topics in Chemistry (1–3 cr.) P: Consent of instructor; section authorization required. Topics in chemistry and biochemistry vary with each offering of this course.
  • CHEM–G 499 Internship in Chemical Instruction (1–3 cr.) P: Consent of department. Supervised experience in teaching an undergraduate chemistry course. May not count toward credit hours in the major.