Chemistry

This course provides students with an introduction to the basic principles of modern chemistry. The course uses real world applications such as ozone depletion, air and water quality, nuclear power, and the pharmaceutical industry to introduce the essential concepts of modern chemistry. Co-requisite: CHEM 100L lab, 1 credit hour. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

This laboratory course introduces students to the main experimental methods used in a modern chemistry lab at a level appropriate for the non-science major. Topics include chemical safety and hygiene; the operation of balances; thermometric, gravimetric; instrumental and/or colorimetric methods of analysis; synthetic chemistry; graphical analysis of the ideal gas laws; and modeling of molecular structure. Co-requisite: CHEM 100 lecture, 3 credit hours. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

Study of the fundamental principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, and periodicity. In addition, aspects of chemical reactions will be discussed including stoichiometry, equilibria, acid-base chemistry, oxidation-reduction chemistry, and thermodynamics. Prerequisite: Math ACT of 21 or higher, or successful (C- or better) grade in MATH 105, MATH 115, or MATH 120. Corequisite: CHEM 111 lab, 1 credit hour. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

This laboratory course introduces students to the main experimental methods used in a modern chemistry lab at a level appropriate for the science or pre-professional major. Specific topics/experiments include chemical safety and hygiene; the operation of balances; volumetric, gravimetric, thermometric, colorimetric, and/or instrumental methods of analysis; synthetic chemistry; graphical analysis of the ideal gas laws/ modeling of molecular structure and an introduction to polymer chemistry. In addition, emphasis is placed on manual and computer graphing skills, stoichiometry, and the critical interpretation of collected experimental data. Prerequisite: Math ACT of 21 or higher, or successful (C- or better) grade in MATH 105, MATH 115, or MATH 120. Corequisite: CHEM 111 lecture, 3 credit hours. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

Study of atoms and molecules as well as chemical reactions. Emphasized topics include: the properties of solids; liquids and solutions; equilibrium; kinetics; acid-base chemistry; thermodynamics; electrochemistry; and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 111 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM-112L lab, 1 credit hour. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

This laboratory course introduces students to the main experimental methods used in a modern chemistry lab at a level appropriate for the science or pre-professional major. Specific topics/experiments include chemical safety and hygiene; use of pH meters to generate titration curves; determination of equilibrium constants; study of chemical kinetics via colorimetric methods; constructing basic electrochemical cells; analysis of bleach via an oxidation-reduction reaction; and an introduction to nuclear chemistry. In addition, emphasis is placed on manual and computer graphing skills, stoichiometry, and the critical interpretation of collected experimental data. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 111 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM-112 lecture, 3 credit hours. This course meets a General Education Core Curriculum requirement. Fall, Spring.

Study of the compounds of carbon, including nomenclature, structure-physical properties, reactions, and reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 112 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 221L lab, 1 credit hour. Fall, Spring.

Students will learn basic techniques and physical analysis methods in the organic chemistry lab. These techniques include separation, purification, acid-base extraction, thin-layer chromatography (TLC), melting point, gas chromatography, simple distillation, and refractive index. These techniques will be applied to the separation of mixtures and to the analysis of synthesized molecules. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 112 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 221 lecture, 3 credit hours. Fall, Spring.

Continued study of the compounds of carbon, including nomenclature, structure-physical properties, reactions, and reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 221 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 222L lab, 1 credit hour. Fall, Spring.

Students will perform reactions that demonstrate the concepts of electrophilic aromatic substitution, in addition to carbonyls, and alpha-carbon chemistry. Students will learn how to perform spectroscopic analysis of molecules to determine their structure. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 221 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 222 lecture, 3 credit hours. Fall, Spring.

A course designed to give the student sufficient background in mathematical methods required for completion of the analytical, physical, and inorganic chemistry sequences. Course discussion will include review of transcendental functions, differential and integral calculus, numerical methods, linear algebra, differential equations and functions of several variables. (This course may also be taken as MATH 310).  Prerequisite:  MATH 250 (or equivalent) with a grade of C- or better. Highly recommended: MATH 255. May not be taken to fulfill requirements for the Math major or minor. Spring as needed.

Basic theory and practice of quantitative and instrumental chemical analysis and chemical equilibrium. Skills in units, mass and solution stoichiometry, and error analysis will be further developed. Topics, including solubility/precipitation equilibria, Bronsted-Lowry acid-base equilibria, complex-formation (Lewis) equilibria, and electrochemistry, will be explored in depth to support classical quantitative methods in the laboratory. This includes the theory of volumetric titrations, gravimetry, and potentiometry. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 222 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 331 lab, 2 credit hours. Fall Even Years.

This laboratory course is the first in the analytical chemistry laboratory sequence. Students will be trained in the tools of quantitative analysis to determine the composition of synthetic and real-world samples, including software tools, balances, and volumetric glassware. Students will perform various kinds of classical analyses including titrations (with neutralization, precipitation, or complex-formation reaction chemistries), and gravimetric determinations. Students will also be introduced to simple instrumentation like pH probes and drop counters. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 222 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 331 lecture, 2 credit hours. Fall Even Years.

This is the second lecture course in the analytical chemistry sequence. Theory presented in the previous semester will be extended with particular emphasis on electrochemical analysis, the components and operation of spectrophotometers, and the components and operation of chromatographic instruments. Lecture theory supports the instrumental analysis of samples in the laboratory course. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 331 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 332L lab, 2 credit hours. Spring Odd Years.

This is the second in the analytical chemistry laboratory sequence. Students will continue with titrimetric analyses (redox chemistry) and be introduced to operation of chemical instrumentation including spectrometers (colorimeters, UV-visible, FTIR, fluorometer, AAS), chromatographs (GC, LC), and electrochemical (pH, potentiostat/galvanostat). Students will use the instruments for qualitative and quantitative determinations of synthetic and real-world samples. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 331 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 332 lecture, 2 credit hours. Spring Odd Years.

Special Topics Courses are occasionally offered based on varied topics in chemistry not available in regular courses.  Prerequisites vary depending on the course design and include the consent of the instructor.  Offered based on demand. 

Students identify a faculty mentor and work with them to develop a proposal for a laboratory-based research project. Class meetings discuss scientific literature access and the development and writing of a research proposal containing sections appropriate for a professional scientific grant or prospectus including research statement and hypothesis, methods, and anticipated results. Students will obtain appropriate safety certifications to facilitate their ability to conduct research at LMU. Professional development topics such as seeking internships, writing resumes, and mock interviews are discussed. Students present their proposal as a written paper and a poster presentation as part of the university SEWS requirement. Co-requisite: CHEM 397X. Fall, Spring.

This zero credit hour section complements CHEM 397 in which students develop a laboratory-based research proposal. Students work with a faculty mentor to develop a research statement, hypothesis, methods, and anticipated results. The proposal will be presented as a written paper and poster presentation. This section satisfies the university SEWS requirement. Corequisite: CHEM 397. Fall, Spring.

An introduction to classical thermodynamics and its applications to chemical systems. Topics include the properties of gases and kinetic theory, the First and Second Laws of Thermodynamics, entropy and spontaneity, Gibbs and Helmholtz free energies, and their applications to phase and chemical equilibria. The course also covers thermodynamics of nonelectrolyte and electrolyte solutions, chemical equilibrium, and electrochemistry. Emphasis will be placed on quantitative problem-solving, mathematical formulation of physical principles, and the connection between microscopic molecular behavior and macroscopic thermodynamic observables. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 112 and lab and MATH 150. It is highly recommended to complete MATH 310 prior to this course. Co-requisite: CHEM 451L lab, 1 credit hour. Fall Odd Years.

This laboratory course is the first in the physical chemistry sequence and is designed to complement lecture. Students apply foundational laboratory skills, including safety protocols, proper use of analytical balances and volumetric glassware, data acquisition, and computational analysis, to quantitative experiments illustrating gas laws and core thermodynamic principles. Experiments include calorimetry, determination of heat capacities, and conductivity measurements and titrations. Emphasis is placed on careful measurement, error analysis, data interpretation, and clear scientific reporting. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 112 and lab and MATH 150. Co-requisite: CHEM 451 lecture, 3 credit hours. Fall Odd Years.

An introduction to quantum mechanics and its application to atomic and molecular systems. Topics include the postulates of quantum mechanics, solutions of the Schrödinger equation for model systems, and the quantum mechanical description of atomic and molecular structure. Applications to spectroscopy will be emphasized, including rotational, vibrational, electronic, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The course also introduces chemical kinetics, including rate laws, reaction mechanisms, temperature dependence of reaction rates, and theories of reaction dynamics. Emphasis will be placed on mathematical formulation, physical interpretation, and quantitative problem-solving relevant to modern chemical science. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 451 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 452L lab, 1 credit hour. Spring Even Years.

This laboratory course is the second in the physical chemistry sequence and complements lecture. Students build upon prior training in laboratory safety, precision measurement, analytical techniques, and computational tools to investigate chemical kinetics, thermodynamic energy relationships, and fundamental quantum mechanical models of chemical systems. The course integrates experimental measurements with computational methods to analyze reaction rates, activation parameters, and molecular structure. Emphasis will be placed on quantitative analysis, error evaluation, theoretical interpretation, and professional scientific communication. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 451 and lab. Co-requisite: CHEM 452 lecture, 3 credit hours. Spring Even Years.

Use of the periodic table to show variation of physical and chemical properties of the elements. This course is a comprehensive study of properties, structures, bonding, and reactivity of the elements. It covers the main group elements, transition metals, coordination compounds, organometallic compounds focusing on bonding theories, and coordination chemistry. Prerequisite: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 111 and 112 and labs. It is highly recommended to have successfully completed CHEM 221, CHEM 222, MATH 310 and CHEM 451 and labs prior to this course. Spring Even Years.

Scientific laboratory research methods. Approved research project and written report required. May be repeated to a total 6 credit hours applicable to degree requirements. Prerequisite for enrollment is the consent of faculty supervisor. Fall/Spring as needed.

A Special Topic course (195, 295, 395, 495) is a limited time offering, by an Academic Department, of a course not listed in the undergraduate catalog. Special Topic courses are designed and offered by full-time faculty members and provide an opportunity to (a) offer a course that addresses a recently emerging issue, (b) pilot a course before submission for approval as a regular offering in the undergraduate programs course catalog, and/or (c) provide a limited offering of a topical course to enrich and expand offerings based on current student and faculty interest. Special Topic courses must be approved by (a) the department chair and (b) the school Dean. The Course Approval Form documenting departmental and school approval, as well as the course syllabus, will be archived in the Dean’s Office. Special Topic courses cannot be used as course equivalent substitutions for satisfying LMU’s General Education Core Curriculum requirements. The Department Chair can approve a Special Topic course as an elective toward a major. A Special Topic course can be taught as many as three times before it must be submitted to Academic Council for consideration as a regular course offering to be published in the Undergraduate Programs Catalog.

Students enroll in this seminar at the completion of their proposed research project that was developed in CHEM 397 and conducted under the supervision of their faculty mentor. Class meetings discuss the writing of the results and discussion sections appropriate for a professional scientific manuscript. Professional development topics such as seeking internships, obtaining employment, applying to graduate/professional school, writing resumes, and mock interviews will be discussed. Students present their findings as a written paper and an oral presentation as part of the university SEWS requirement. Prerequisites: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 397. Corequisite: CHEM 497Z. Fall, Spring.

This zero credit hour course compliments CHEM 497. Students enroll in this seminar at the completion of their proposed research project that was developed in CHEM 397 and conducted under the supervision of their faculty mentor. Students work with the faculty mentor to present their findings as a written paper and an oral presentation. This fulfills the university SEWS requirement. Prerequisites: Successful completion (C- or better) of CHEM 397. Corequisite: CHEM 497. Fall, Spring.

Staff/apprentice work experience at an approved business/agency directly related to chemistry. Each credit hour earned requires 60 hours of logged, on-duty work. The student must submit a written report or journal at the conclusion of the internship. The internship is monitored and evaluated by a faculty sponsor, in verification and close consultation with the supervising representative of the business/agency. Lincoln Memorial University retains ultimate control and supervision of the internship. Prerequisites for the course are at least Junior classification and approval of the director of the Chemistry Program. Fall/Spring as needed