Chemistry

Department Chair: Dr. Michelle Steiger, steigerm@stthom.edu

Chemists and biochemists study matter and the changes it undergoes. They recognize that there are many different substances in everyday life created by a world of atoms and molecules whose nature and actions account for the properties of these substances. Studying chemistry or biochemistry requires thoughtfulness, analysis, and imagination. It also requires exactness as predictions are tested and views of the atomic and molecular world modified based upon the results of measurements.

Admission to courses beyond CHEM 1341 requires a “C “or better in their prerequisites at the University of St. Thomas or their equivalents at another appropriately accredited institution. The decision on the adequacy of an equivalent rests with the department chair.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) degrees in Chemistry and Biochemistry are accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS) Committee on Professional Training.

Degrees and Certificates

Classes

CHEM 1100: The Chemistry of Food Lab

This lab course will introduce students to the scientific method, chemical transformations and analysis using food, cooking and baking as the model system. Students will be expected to perform a combination of take-home cooking exercises and in-lab analysis of various foods. Comparisons of how different starting materials and different amounts of certain materials influence the final product will be emphasized. Analytical test on foods will be carried out to emphasize food quality and chemical components
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CHEM 1102: Quantitative Reasoning for Chemistry Scholars

The Quantitative Reasoning for Chemistry Scholars course will cover relevant quantitative concepts and problem-solving strategies for General Chemistry I (CHEM 1341). This course focuses on the application of those concepts which are discussed in CHEM 1341 lecture. The course involves developing speed, accuracy and proficiency with the following quantitative skills: Basic arithmetic operations, calculations with exponents, decimals and the metric system, basic algebraic manipulations, dimensional analysis, conversions, significant figures, word problems, quantitative relationships in the periodic table, chemical nomenclature, balancing equations, stoichiometry, and concentrations. All MSEIP Scholars are required to enroll in this course. However, non-MSEIP Scholars must receive instructor approval to enroll. This is a Pass/Fail course.
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CHEM 1300: Chemistry of Food

This core course will introduce students to the scientific method and chemistry using the components and transformations associated with food and cooking/baking. This course will cover general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry topics as they relate to food and cooking. Student will be expected to utilize their knowledge of the chemical properties and the cooking/baking process to predict how alterations to a recipe will alter the final food produced
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CHEM 1341: General Chemistry I

Fundamental laws and concepts are presented and studied qualitatively and quantitatively. Topics include atomic and molecular structure; bonding, intermolecular forces, stoichiometry, and aqueous solutions.
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CHEM 2343: Organic Chemistry I

Chemistry of carbon–containing compounds. First semester: principles of structure, mechanism and reactivity as a basis for explaining organic chemical reactions. Second semester: these basic concepts are used to develop an understanding of the reactions of functional groups found in organic molecules.
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CHEM 3134: Biochemistry Laboratory

(BIOL 3134) Preparation of dilutions, buffer preparation, titration of amino acids, colorimetric tests for proteins, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, chromatography, preparation of standard curves for unknown identification, spectrophotometry, enzyme kinetics and electrophoresis. Accompanies CHEM/BIOL 3334. Laboratory: 3 hours per week. Corequisite: CHEM 3334. Prerequisites: junior standing; CHEM 2343, 2143 or permission of instructor.
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CHEM 3333: Organic Chemistry II

Chemistry of carbon–containing compounds. First semester: principles of structure, mechanism and reactivity as a basis for explaining organic chemical reactions. Second semester: these basic concepts are used to develop an understanding of the reactions of functional groups found in organic molecules.
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CHEM 3343: Analytical Chemistry

Classical Quantitative Analysis. Gravimetric and volumetric methods of analysis, including stoichiometry, equilibria, acids, bases, buffers, redox chemistry and electrochemistry. Instrumental methods are introduced. The use of statistics in data analysis will also be covered. Co–requisite: CHEM 3143.Prerequisites: CHEM 1341, 1342.
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CHEM 3353: Computational Chemistry

Introduction to the main areas of computational chemistry including theoretical background, algorithms and implementation, and applications in molecular modeling. Major topics include potential energy surfaces, molecular mechanics, continuum methods, docking, molecular dynamics, quantum mechanics, basis-sets, and post Hartree-Fock methods. This hands-on course will also provide experience in scientific programming in Python, and use a variety of free software tools for molecular visualization and simulation. No prior programming experience is assumed.
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CHEM 4112: Scientific Communication

This course develops the abilities of students to communicate science effectively in a variety of contexts. Topics include speaking and writing science. Students will also research an approved topic and present their work in the form of a professional meeting. Prereq: Junior/Senior standing
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CHEM 4150: Laboratory Research Methods

Students participate in an independent research project under the direction of a faculty member. A minimum of 3 laboratory hours per week is required. Students interested in taking this course should seek a faculty research advisor in advance of registering for this course since this course is only offered when funding and enrollment positions are available. Enrollment by instructor permission only.
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CHEM 4151: Senior Thesis

Students in this course will continue the independent research projects begun in CHEM 4150. A minimum of 3 laboratory hours per week are expected for students enrolled in this course. Successful completion of this course requires students to write a formal research paper over the research project. Enrollment by instructor permission only.
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CHEM 4161: Physical Chemistry I Laboratory

Covers measurement techniques related to thermodynamics and kinetics. Topics include electronic measurements of pressure and temperature, gas phase spectroscopy, thermodynamic cycles, and reaction kinetics. Analysis topics include confidence intervals, linear and non-linear regression, propagation of errors, and Python programming for numerical analysis and visualization.
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CHEM 4250: Laboratory Research Methods

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit. A minimum of 3 laboratory hours per week per credit hour. Nonchemistry majors may enroll with permission of the faculty research advisor. Course is offered when research funding and faculty advisors are available. (Pass/Fail grade).
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CHEM 4332: Inorganic Chemistry

A selection of basic and current topics of inorganic chemistry. Topics include: atomic theory, ionic and covalent bonding, acid/bases and nonaqueous solvents, symmetry, transition metal (structures, chemistry and bonding) and organometallics. Prerequisites: CHEM 3333, 3133. Corequisite: 4132.
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CHEM 4334: Advanced Biochemistry

Focus will be on advanced topics such as detailed analysis of nucleic acid chemistry, nucleic acid–protein interactions, protein–protein interactions and some special topics on the biochemistry of diseases. The course will include instructor–led lectures and group discussions of classical and current primary literature papers. Prerequisites: CHEM/BIOL 3334
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CHEM 4344: Advanced Analytical Techniques

This advanced course has an applications-focused approach to analytical chemistry with an emphasis on the development of analytical skills useful to any scientific field. A major component of this course will be method development and optimization. Students will be expected to draw on prior knowledge of general and analytical chemistry concepts and laboratory skills. This course will allow the student to delve deeper into the analytical process using a variety of modern analytical techniques and instrumentation to separate, identify, and quantify analytes. Students will be encouraged to select new techniques and instrumentation that involve industrial, clinical and environmental applications.
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CHEM 4350: Laboratory Research Methods

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit. A minimum of 3 laboratory hours per week per credit hour. Nonchemistry majors may enroll with permission of the faculty research advisor. Course is offered when research funding and faculty advisors are available. (Pass/Fail grade).
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CHEM 4361: Physical Chemistry I

Covers thermodynamics and kinetics from a molecular perspective. Major topics include atomic and molecular degrees of freedom, gases, statistical mechanics, macroscopic thermodynamics, and kinetics. An emphasis is placed on understanding the assumptions that go into first principle derivations and how those assumptions can break down in practical application. Main application areas are molecular spectroscopy, expansion/compression of gases, thermodynamic cycles, chemical equilibrium, pure and mixed phase behavior, and dynamics of chemical reactions. The language of calculus is used throughout.

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CHEM 4362: Physical Chemistry II

Covers kinetic molecular theory and quantum mechanics. Major topics include continuous probability distributions, the origins of quantum theory, solutions to Schrodinger's equation for model systems and the hydrogen atom, approximation methods including perturbation and variational principle, and iterative solutions based off the Hartree-Fock method. Main application areas are molecular spectroscopy, tunneling, computational chemistry, and potential energy surfaces. The language of calculus and differential equations is used throughout.
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CHEM 4364: Materials Science

This course will cover physical and chemical concepts of materials with a special emphasis on nanomaterials. After introducing underlying concepts of condensed matter physics the relationship between structure, properties (electrical, optical, chemical, magnetic) and performance of nanomaterials is investigated. Characterization and fabrication methods as well as interdisciplinary applications ranging from drug delivery and therapy to nanoelectronics and alternative energy production are discussed.
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CHEM 4450: Laboratory Research Methods

Students participate in faculty and departmental research programs. The initial project may be continued or a new project undertaken for additional credit. A minimum of 3 laboratory hours per week per credit hour. Nonchemistry majors may enroll with permission of the faculty research advisor. Course is offered when research funding and faculty advisors are available. (Pass/Fail grade).
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CHEM 5301: Engineering Flow and Heat Exchange

Course aims to equip students with the practical tools needed to apply fluid mechanics and heat transfer in an industrial setting. Topics covered include: Mechanical energy balance; flow of Newtonian and non-Newtonian fluids in pipes; flow through packed beds; compressible flow of gases; conduction, convection, and radiation; heat transfer resistances; and heat exchangers.
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CHEM 5302: Chemical Reactors and Separation Processes

Course aims to equip students with the practical tools needed to apply reaction kinetics and thermodynamics in an industrial setting. Topics covered include: chemical reaction kinetics; homogeneous and catalytic reactions; batch, continuously-stirred, plug-flow, and fixed bed reactors; thermodynamics and mass transfer of separation processes; distillation; absorption and adsorption; membranes.
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CHEM 5303: Analysis and Design of Chemical Processes

Course aims to equip students with the practical tools needed to analyze and design a chemical process for the production of commodity chemicals. Topics covered include: process flow diagrams; tracing chemicals through the process flow diagram; process conditions; engineering economic analysis of chemical processes; process control and optimization; process performance; process simulation.
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CHEM 6301: Industrial Organic Chemicals

Course aims to equip students with the practical tools needed to analyze and design chemical processes for the production of commodity organic chemicals. Topics covered include: Natural gas, petroleum, and coal; distillation and refining of petroleum; chemicals from methane; chemicals and polymers from ethylene and propylene; chemicals and polymers from C4 and C5 streams; chemicals and polymers from BTX.
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CHEM 6302: Industrial Inorganic Chemicals

Course aims to equip students with the practical tools needed to analyze and design chemical processes for the production of commodity inorganic chemicals. Topics covered include: Sources of inorganic raw materials; sulfuric acid and sulfates; ammonia and nitrogen compounds; phosphorous compounds; chlor-alkali compounds; titanium dioxide.
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CHEM 6303: Waste Management

Course aims to equip students with the practical tools needed to effectively manage waste streams generated from chemical processes. Topics covered include: Air, water, and solid waste legislation and regulations; pollution prevention; green chemistry; air pollution management of stationary sources; industrial wastewater management; management of solid wastes.
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