Chemisty
253.535.7530
www.chem.plu.edu
Chemistry seeks to understand the fundamental nature of matter, as
well as how its composition and energy content change. Use of this knowledge
influences our lives in many profound ways. Whether interested in the
chemical profession itself, including biochemistry, polymer chemistry,
radiation chemistry, and other specialities, or in chemistry in conjunction
with other fields such as business, the social sciences, and the humanities,
students will have suitable programs available to meet their interests
at PLU. Diversity in career planning is a key concept in the chemistry
department. Programs are available which are broadly applicable to the
health, biological, physical, environmental behavioral, and fundamental
chemical sciences.
The chemistry department's courses, curriculum, faculty, and facilities are approved by the American Chemical Society.
The department uses numerous scientific instruments in the laboratories.
Research and teaching equipment include: 300 MHz Fourier transform nuclear
magnetic resonance, Fourier transform infrared, ultraviolet, visible,
emission, and electron spin resonance spectrometers; gas and liquid
chromatographs; gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; electrophoresis;
precision refractometer; dipolometer; short path distillation apparatus;
scintillation counter; zone refiner; fluorometer; C-H-N analyzer; ICP-AES;
and two SGI workstations.
Faculty research projects involve undergraduate participation.
Faculty: Fryhle, Chair; Cotton, Mardis, Swank, Tonn,
Waldow
Students deciding to major in chemistry should officially declare their
intent as soon as possible and not later than after having completed
Chemistry 232 and after consultation with a faculty advisor in the chemistry
department. Transfer students desiring to major in chemistry should
consult a departmental advisor no later than the beginning of their
junior year.
The chemistry department considers computers to be important tools
and strongly recommends that a student planning to major in chemistry
take at least one 2-credit hour course in computer science.
Bachelor of Arts Major: Chemistry 120 or 125, 232, 234, 332,
334, 338, 341, 342, 343, 499. Required supporting courses: Math 151,
152; Physics 153, 154, 163, 164.
Bachelor of Science Major (three alternatives):
- General - leads to American Chemical Society certification; Chemistry 120 or 125; 232, 234, 332, 334, 338, 341, 342, 343, 344, 405 or 450 or 456, 410, 435, 499; Math 151, 152; Physics 153, 154, 163, 164. For American Chemical Society certification, 450 and either 405, 440, or 456 are required.
- Biochemistry emphasis: Chemistry 120 or 125; 232, 234, 332, 334, 338, 341, 343, 403, 405, 410, 435, 499; Biology 161, 162, 323; 4 hours selected from Biology 328, 332, 348, 364, 407, 441, 448 or Chemistry 342; Math 151, 152; Physics 153, 154, 163, 164.
- Chemical-physics emphasis: Chemistry 120 or 125; 232, 234,
332, 334, 341, 342, 343, 344, 499; Math 151, 152, 253;
Physics 153, 154, 163, 164, 331, 332, 336, 356.
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- Refer to the Division of Natural Sciences section of this catalog for other beginning curriculum options.
- The department stresses the importance of taking physics during either the first year or the sophomore year. This permits a better understanding of chemistry and enables a student to complete degree requirements with no scheduling difficulties in the junior and senior years. Students interested in the Bachelor of Science with biochemistry emphasis should plan to take biology in the alternate year.
- Students desiring to fulfill the College of Arts and Sciences foreign
language requirement under Option I, or who desire to attain or maintain
a language proficiency, should take a language course as part of their
optional selections.
Departmental Honors: In recognition of outstanding work the designation with Departmental Honors may be granted to Bachelor of Science graduates by vote of the faculty of the chemistry department, based on the student's performance in these areas:
- Course work: The grade point average in chemistry courses
must be at least 3.50.
- Written work: From the time a student declares a major in
chemistry, copies of outstanding work (e.g., laboratory, seminar,
and research reports) will be kept for later summary evaluation.
- Oral communication: Students must evidence ability to communicate
effectively as indicated by the sum of their participation in class
discussion, seminars, help session leadership, and teaching assistantship
work.
- Independent chemistry-related activities: Positive considerations include the extent and quality of extracurricular work done in background reading, independent study, and research; assisting in laboratory preparation, teaching, or advising; any other chemistry-related employment, on campus or elsewhere; and participation in campus and professional chemistry- related organizations.
The departmental honors designation will appear on a graduating chemistry
major's transcript.
Bachelor of Arts in Education: Students interested in this degree
develop their chemistry program through the department in conjunction
with the School of Education. See School of Education section.
Chemical Engineering: Students interested in pursuing studies
in chemical engineering should see the course outline in the Engineering
Science section of this catalog. The department chair should be
consulted for assignment of a program advisor.
Minor: 22 semester hours, including 120 or 125; 232, 234, 332,
334 or 336; 338, and 4 hours of additional 300- or 400-level chemistry
course(s) completed with grades of C or higher.
Prerequisite and corequisite requirements are strictly enforced.
Back to topCourse Offerings
104 Environmental Chemistry - NS, SM
Basic principles of chemical structure and reactions, with applications
to human activities and the natural environment. No prerequisite; students
without high school chemistry are encouraged to take 104 before taking
105 or 120. Also suitable for environmental studies, general science
teachers, BA in geo-sciences, and general university core requirements.
I (4)
105 Chemistry of Life - NS, SM
Basic organic and biochemistry applied to chemical processes in human
systems; suitable for liberal arts students, nursing students, physical
education majors, and prospective teachers. Students who have not completed
high school chemistry recently should take 104 before taking 105. II
(4)
120 General Chemistry - NS, SM
An introduction to energy and matter, atomic and molecular theory, periodic
properties, nomenclature, states of matter, chemical calculations, solution
properties, acids and bases, equilibrium, and kinetics. Includes laboratory.
One year of high school chemistry is required. Students with no high
school chemistry or a weak mathematical background should take Chemistry
104 before this course. Corequisite: MATH 140 or math placement in a
course higher than 140. I (4)
125 Advanced General Chemistry - NS, SM
An advanced presentation of thermodynamics, atomic structure, valence
bond and molecular orbital theories, complex equilibrium, kinetics,
macromolecules, and coordination chemistry. Includes laboratory. Designed
for those who desire to pursue studies beyond the bachelor's degree.
An outstanding record in a one year high school chemistry course or
advanced high school chemistry is required. Corequisite: MATH 151. I
(4)
210 Nutrition, Drugs, and the Individual - NS, SM
An introduction to basic metabolic interactions, general endocrinology,
mind and body interactions, and roles of drugs in modifying biological
and behavioral functions. Prerequisites: one year of high school chemistry
or equivalent recommended. I (4)
232 Organic Chemistry - NS, SM
An introduction to structure, reactivity, and general properties of
organic molecules. Prerequisite: 120 or 125. Corequisite: 234. II (4)
234 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I - NS, SM
Reactions and methods of synthesis, separation, and analysis of organic
compounds. Microscale techniques. Practical investigation of reactions
and classes of compounds discussed in 232. Corequisite: 232. II (1)
332 Organic Chemistry II - NS, SM
Chemistry of aromatic compounds, carbonyl-containing functional groups,
amines, phenols, and an introduction to biologically important molecules.
Prerequisites: 232, 234. Corequisite: 334 or 336. I (4)
334 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II - NS, SM
Synthesis of organic compounds, including instrumental and spectroscopic
analyses. Practical investigation of reactions and classes of compounds
discussed in 332. Prerequisite: 234. Corequisite: 332. I (1)
336 Organic Special Projects Laboratory - NS, SM
Individual projects emphasizing current professional-level methods of
synthesis and property determination of organic compounds. Corequisite:332.
This course is an alternative to 334 and typically requires somewhat
more time commitment. Students who wish to prepare for careers in chemistry
or related areas should apply for departmental approval of their admission
to this course. II (1)
338 Analytical Chemistry - NS, SM
Chemical methods of quantitative analysis, including volumetric, gravimetric,
and selected instrumental methods. Includes laboratory. Prerequisites:
120 or 125; MATH 140. II (4)
341 Physical Chemistry - NS, SM
A study of the relationship between the energy content of systems, work,
and the physical and chemical properties of matter. Classical and statistical
thermodynamics, thermochemistry, solution properties, phase equilibria,
and chemical kinetics. Prerequisite: CHEM 120 or 125, MATH 152, PHYS
154. I (4)
342 Physical Chemistry - NS, SM
A study of the physical properties of atoms, molecules and ions, and
their correlation with structure. Classical and modern quantum mechanics,
bonding theory, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy. Prerequisites:
CHEM 120 or 125, MATH 152, PHYS 154. II (4)
343 Physical Chemistry I Laboratory - NS, SM
Experiments in kinetics and thermodynamics. Attention given to data
handling, error analysis, instrumentation, computational analysis, and
correlation with theory. Prerequisite or corequisite: 341. I (1)
344 Physical Chemistry II Laboratory - NS, SM
Experiments in molecular structure and spectroscopy. Attention given
to data handling, error analysis, instrumentation, computational analysis,
and correlation with theory. Prerequisite or corequisite: 342. II (1)
403 Biochemistry I - NS, SM
An overview of the structures, function, and regulation of proteins,
carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, and an introduction to metabolic
and regulatory cellular processes. Majors are encouraged to take both
403 and 405 for a comprehensive exposure to biochemical theory and techniques.
Prerequisites: 332, 334. I (4)
405 Biochemistry II - NS, SM
A continuation of 403 that provides further insight into cellular metabolism
and regulation, enzyme kinetics and mechanisms of catalysis, protein
synthesis, nucleic acid chemistry, and biotechnology. Concepts introduced
in Physical Chemistry and Biochemistry I will be applied to this course.
Laboratory designed to stimulate creativity and problem-solving abilities
through the use of modern biochemical techniques. Prerequisites: 341
and/or 342 or permission; 403. II (3)
410 Introduction to Research - NS
An introduction to laboratory research techniques, use of the chemical
literature, including computerized literature searching, research proposal
and report writing. Students develop an independent chemical research
problem chosen in consultation with a member of the chemistry faculty.
Students attend seminars as part of the course requirement. II (2)
435 Instrumental Analysis - NS, SM
Theory and practice of instrumental methods along with basic electronics.
Special emphasis placed on electronics, spectrophotometric, radiochemical,
and mass spectrometric methods. Prerequisites: 338; 341 and/or 342;
343. II (4)
440 Advanced Organic Chemistry - NS
Students will develop a repertoire of synthetic methodology and a general
understanding of a variety of organic reaction mechanisms. Synthetic
organic strategies and design, the analysis of classic and recent total
syntheses from the literature, and advanced applications of instrumentation
in organic chemistry. Prerequisite: 332. a/y II (2)
450 Inorganic Chemistry - NS, SM
Techniques of structural determination (IR, UV, VIS, NMR, X-ray, EPR),
bonding principles, nonmetal compounds, coordination chemistry, organometallics,
donor/acceptor concepts, reaction pathways and biochemical applications
are covered. Laboratory: Synthesis and characerization of non-metal,
coordination and organometallic compounds. Prerequisites: 332, 341;
Prerequisite or corequisite: 342. a/y II (3)
456 Polymers and Biopolymers - NS, SM
A course presenting the fundamentals of polymer synthesis, solution
thermodynamic properties, molecular characterization, molecular weight
distribution, and solution kinetics. Free radical, condensation, ionic,
and biopolymer systems, with emphasis on applications. The 1-credit
laboratory examining polymer synthesis through experiments is optional.
Prerequisite: 341; Prerequisite or corequisite: 342. a/y II (3)
491 Independent Studies
Library and/or laboratory study of topics not included in regularly
offered courses. Proposed project must be approved by department chair
and supervisory responsibility accepted by an instructor. May be taken
more than once. I II (1, 2, or 4)
497 Research
Experimental or theoretical investigation open to upper- division students
with consent of department chair. May be taken more than once. Generally
consists of an expanded study of the research project developed in 499.
I II (1, 2 or 4)
499 Capstone: Seminar - SR
Senior capstone course. Presentation by students of knowledge gained
by personal library or laboratory research, supplemented with seminars
by practicing scientists. Participation of all senior chemistry majors
is required and all other chemistry-oriented students are encouraged
to participate. Seminar program will be held during the entire year
but credit will be awarded in the spring semester. I II (2)
598 Non-thesis Research Project
Open to master's degree candidates only. Prerequisite: consent of department
chair. I II (2-4)