Chemistry

http://www.whitworth.edu/chemistry

The Whitworth Chemistry Department strives to develop confident, well-prepared students who are able to contribute to the world community on issues relating to modern chemistry. Our students are expected to develop strong oral and written communication skills, to engage in critical thinking, to develop excellent laboratory skills, to work on independent research, and to prepare for vocations in industrial, academic and professional areas.

The learning outcomes of this major prepare students to...

  • understand the development of chemical theory and apply current chemical content to solving problems.
  • communicate scientific issues in writing.
  • communicate scientific issues verbally.
  • use and critically analyze the chemical literature.
  • know and use standard lab techniques.
  • understand the connections between their faith and/or worldview and the theory and practice of chemistry and ethical decision-making.

B.S. students will also do the following...

  • demonstrate the ability to conduct research through the development and use of experiments to test a hypothesis.

Courses

CH 101 Introduction to Chemistry3
Introduction to the fundamental concepts in Chemistry for nursing majors, select allied health fields, and those who have not previously taken a Chemistry course. Recommended for science majors whose chemistry background is not adequate for initial placement in CH 161. Fall semester. Also offered summer semesters online.
CH 101L Introduction to Chemistry Lab1
Basic laboratory practices, titration, radioisotope measurement, simple synthesis. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 101. Fall semester. Also offered summer semesters. Lab fee.
CH 102 Bioorganic Chemistry3
Fundamentals of organic chemistry and biochemistry for nursing students. Organic structure, isomerism, nomenclature. Properties and reactions of lipids, carbohydrates, proteins. Prerequisite: CH 101 or CH 161. Spring semester. Also offered summer semesters online.
CH 102L Bioorganic Chemistry Lab1
Simple quantitative analysis, separation techniques, enzyme studies. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 102. Spring semester. Also offered summer semesters. Lab fee.
CH 104 Prep Course for History of Chemistry and Art Study Program in Europe1
Preparatory course for students accepted to the History of Chemistry and Art Study Abroad course. Students will study chemical theory, learn about art history, and ties between chemistry and art. Students will also examine the culture of the European countries to be visited.
CH 105 Chemistry History and Art in Europe3
This course will examine how chemical ideas have developed over time, how social, cultural and historical factors have influenced the development of science and chemistry and conversely, how chemistry and science have contributed to society and human culture. The course traces the historical development of chemistry from ancient to modern times on site in London, Paris, and Munich. Students will "meet" the chemists, read from their original writings, and see where they lived and what they created. Periodic offering.
CH 111 Green Chemistry3
The focus will be on environmentally friendly chemistry (green chemistry) applied to the design, development, and implementation of chemical processes and products that are not harmful to humans or the environment. Basic math and algebra skills will be used. For non-majors. Also listed as ENS 112. Periodic Jan Term offering.
CH 112 Chemistry and Health3
Applications of chemical principles to concepts of health and disease. Overview of chemistry discoveries and their contributions to understanding current health issues. For non-majors. Also listed as ENS 113. Periodic Jan Term offering.
CH 120H The Chemistry in Art3
Chemistry applied to understanding art media, color, and form as well as art appreciation, history, analysis and conservation. Explore chemistry concepts through arts & crafts projects. Appropriate for non-science students. No pre-requisites. Meets honors course criteria. Periodic Jan term offering.
CH 122 Chemistry in Modern Living3
Overview of current chemical issues for the non-science student. Topics may include air pollution, climate change, ozone layer, acid rain, nuclear energy, alternative energy, plastics, nutrition, nutrition, and/or pharmaceutical drugs. Basic math and algebra skills will be used. For non-majors. Also listed as ENS 122. Periodic offering.
CH 161 General Chemistry I3
Foundational course in chemistry. Treatment of measurement concepts, atomic and molecular theories, chemical reactions, chemical bonding, basic calculations. One year of high school chemistry recommended. Passing score on placement test and demonstrated mathematics proficiency required. Students without this prerequisite must take CH 101 before electing CH 161. Fall and spring semesters.
CH 161H General Chemistry I Honors3
Foundational course in chemistry. CHEM 161H differs from the regular CHEM 161 offering in its small class size, its emphasis on active, collaborative, and problem-based learning, and a more rigorous, process-oriented approach. The dominant theme of the course is the connection between the molecular-level attributes of matter (elemental composition, atomic structure and electronic configurations, bonding, molecular structure and intermolecular forces) and the observable physical and chemical properties of individual substances as applied in the real world. One year of high school chemistry recommended and math proficiency required. Passing score on placement test and demonstrated mathematics proficiency required. Fall, periodically.
CH 161L General Chemistry I Lab1
Basic laboratory techniques, simple synthesis, titration, qualitative analysis. Prerequisite: CH 161, CH 161H, or concurrent enrollment. Fall and spring semesters. Lab fee.
CH 181 General Chemistry II3
Properties of solutions, introduction to kinetics, acid-base concepts, equilibrium, nuclear radioactivity, electrochemistry, and thermochemistry. Prerequisite: CH 161 or CH 161H with minimum grade of C-. Fall and spring semesters.
CH 181L General Chemistry II Lab1
Titrations, equilibrium constant determination, reaction kinetics, electrochemical studies. Prerequisites: CH 161L and concurrent enrollment in CH 181. Fall and spring semesters. Lab fee.
CH 271 Organic Chemistry I3
Detailed treatment of basic organic chemistry concepts. Nomenclature, conformational and structural analysis, basic reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite: CH 181 with minimum grade of C-.
CH 271L Organic Chemistry I Lab1
Preparation, purification and identification of organic compounds. An introduction to organic synthesis. Prerequisites: CH 181L and concurrent enrollment in CH 271. Fall and spring semesters. Lab fee.
CH 278 Organic Chemistry II3
Reactions of organic molecules, mechanisms of reactions, and how such reactions may be employed in the synthesis of new compounds. Prerequisite: CH 271 with minimum grade of C-. Spring semester.
CH 278L Organic Chemistry II Lab1
Synthetic techniques for organic compounds, design of multi-step synthesis, introduction to chemical literature, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CH 271L and concurrent enrollment in CH 278. Spring semester. Lab fee.
CH 304 Prep Course for History of Chemistry and Art Study Program in Europe1
Preparatory course for students accepted to the History of Chemistry and Art Study Abroad course. Students will study chemical theory, learn about art history, and ties between chemistry and art, in addition to doing an in-depth literature research review of a historical chemist. Students will also examine the culture of the European countries to be visited.
CH 305 Chemistry History and Art in Europe3
This course will examine how chemical ideas have developed over time, how social, cultural and historical factors have influenced the development of science and chemistry and conversely, how chemistry and science have contributed to society and human culture. The course traces the historical development of chemistry from ancient to modern times on site in London, Paris, and Munich. Students will "meet" the chemists, read from their original writings, and see where they lived and what they created. Periodic offering.
CH 315 Chemical Literature1
An examination of current scientific literature and writing in chemistry. Students will gain skills in searching, reading and analysis of chemical literature. Students will practice writing using conventions found in chemistry. Prerequisite: CH 271. Fall and spring semesters.
CH 325L Community Chemistry Outreach1
Promotion of science education through service-learning opportunities in the community, such as the presentation of fun chemistry experiments/demos as part of departmental outreach efforts to local K-12 students. Prerequisite: CH 101 or CH 161. Jan Term and periodic spring.
CH 331 Environmental Chemistry3
Study of the environment from a systems approach. Includes study of the hydrosphere (water), atmosphere (air), and geosphere (earth) and interactions with the anthrosphere (humans). Offered Spring semesters, even years. Prerequisites: CH 271. Also listed as ENS 331 and CH 331W.
CH 331L Environmental Chemistry Lab1
Explore the laboratory methods typical in environmental analysis. Includes sampling techniques, use of certified protocol(s), and spectroscopic and instrumental analysis. Also listed as ENS-331L. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH331, CH331W, or ENS331. Spring semester even years.
CH 335 Analytical Chemistry3
Approaches to analyte separation and quantification including sampling, quality control, basic statistics, advanced treatment of equilibrium and electrochemistry, spectroscopic instrumentation, and chromatography. Prerequisites: CH 181. Also listed as CH 335W. Fall semesters, even years.
CH 335L Analytical Chemistry Lab1
Statistical analysis of data, separation techniques, use of instrumentation in solving analytical problems. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 335 or 335W. Fall semester, even years. Lab fee.
CH 336 Spectroscopic Analysis3
Advanced treatment of the most common spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis, IR, NMR, and GC-MS. Prerequisites: CH 278. Fall semester, odd years.
CH 336L Spectroscopic Analysis Lab1
Use of instrumentation in solving analytical problems. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 336 or CH 336W. Fall semester, odd years. Lab fee.
CH 340 Forensic Chemistry3
An examination of chemical theories and practices related to the analysis of chemical evidence in criminal investigations. This course will cover the major techniques and instruments used in the analysis of chemical and pattern evidence commonly used when analyzing forensic samples, including toxicology, explosive and firearms residues, drug classification, and ink and paint analysis. Periodic offering.
CH 345 Supramolecular Chemistry3
This course will examine the fundamental basis for molecular assembly and illustrate how intermolecular interactions can be exploited to form diverse supramolecular architectures ranging from small molecules to biological systems. The course will present an overview of the current advances in supramolecular systems and provide students with an awareness and appreciation of the broader relevance of supramolecular chemistry as applied to organic assemblies, coordination building units and systems of higher complexity. Prerequisite: CH 271. Spring semester, odd years.
CH 345W Supramolecular Chemistry3
This course will examine the fundamental basis for molecular assembly and illustrate how intermolecular interactions can be exploited to form diverse supramolecular architectures ranging from small molecules to biological systems. The course will present an overview of the current advances in supramolecular systems and provide students with an awareness and appreciation of the broader relevance of Supramolecular Chemistry as applied to organic assemblies, coordination building units and systems of higher complexity.
CH 351 Inorganic Chemistry3
A study of the elements (especially metals) and their compounds. Bonding, crystal-field theory, coordination compounds, organometallics, symmetry, group theory and descriptive inorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: CH 181 and MA 171. Also listed as CH 351W. Fall semester, even years.
CH 351L Inorganic Chemistry Lab1
Approaches to synthesis of inorganic compounds. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 351 or CH 351W. Fall semester, even years. Lab fee.
CH 381 Chemistry Seminar0
Discussion of current chemical topics. Listen to and discuss student presentations, guest lectures. Fall and spring semesters.
CH 387 Chemistry Experimental Design1
This course is designed for junior or senior students completing a B.S. degree in chemistry who may be interested in pursuing professional school or an industrial position after graduating from Whitworth. Students will be introduced to a research area through reading, discussing, and writing about primary literature. At the beginning of the semester, students will practice skills and techniques using prescribed protocols to hands-on skills and learn about experimental design. For the remainder of the semester, students will carry out a research project in order to gain experience with experimental design, troubleshooting, and the complex nature of scientific inquiry. Prerequisite: CH 315. Spring semester.
CH 387L Chemistry Experimental Design Lab1
In this laboratory, students will engage in critical thinking, will develop advanced laboratory skills, and work on independent research. Students will be introduced to a research area through primary literature and develop skills and techniques specific to the research area and experimental design. Students will then carry out a research project to gain experience with experimental design, troubleshooting, and the complex nature of scientific inquiry.
CH 394L Chemistry Research0
Research in chemistry, first semester. By permission.
CH 401 Biochemistry I3
Structure and function of major classes of biomolecules. Overview of enzyme catalysis and kinetics. Prerequisites: CH 278. Also listed as CH 401W. Fall semester.
CH 401L Biochemistry I Lab1
Biochemical separations, assays and enzyme studies. Primary focus is on proteins and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: CH 271L and CH 401. Spring Semester. Lab fee.
CH 402 The Biochemistry of DNA and RNA3
In depth study of nucleic acid structure and function. Overview of replication, transcription, translation, and control of gene expression. The history and gender inequalities surrounding the discovery of DNA structure will also be examined. Prerequisites: CH 401. Jan Term, odd years.
CH 403 Biochemistry II3
Metabolic pathways and biochemical energy conversions. Overview of cellular signaling pathways and controls. Prerequisite: CH 401. Also listed as CH 403W. Spring semester.
CH 421 Thermochemistry3
Kinetics, thermodynamics, liquids and solids, changes of state, phase diagrams. Prerequisites: CH 181, PS 153, and MA 172. Also listed as CH 421W. Spring semester.
CH 421L Thermochemistry Lab1
Energetic, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Primary focus is on phase transitions, mixtures, and gases. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 421 or CH 421W. Spring semester. Lab fee.
CH 423 Quantum Chemistry3
Basic quantum mechanical theories, and its application to lasers, magnetism, molecular structure, and vibrational and electronic spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CH 181, PS 153 and MA 172. Also listed as CH 423W. Fall semester, odd years.
CH 423L Quantum Chemistry Lab1
Infrared and electronic spectroscopy, laser spectroscopy and computer modeling of quantum chemistry problems. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 423 or CH 423W. Fall semesters, odd years. Lab fee.
CH 481 Chemistry Seminar1
Discussion of current chemical topics. Student presentations, guest lectures; attend local scientific meetings. Oral scientific presentation required. Fall and spring semesters.
CH 488LH Chemistry Research1
Student pursuit of a laboratory problem of fundamental interest to chemistry. By permission. Prerequisite: CH 315. Jan Term.
CH 490H Internship1-12
CH 494LH Chemistry Research1
Research in chemistry, second semester, or for students completing research off campus at another university, an industry site or a national laboratory. By permission.
CH 497H Dissemination of Chemistry Research1
Research performed on campus or off-campus will be shared with others. Students are expected to complete a research paper and give a presentation to a conference audience. The course should be taken in the Spring semester after completion of chemistry research. By permission. Prerequisite: CH 494L or CH 488L. Spring semester.

Requirements for a Chemistry Major, B.A. (46)

CH 161General Chemistry I3
or CH 161H General Chemistry I Honors
CH 161LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CH 181General Chemistry II3
CH 181LGeneral Chemistry II Lab1
CH 271Organic Chemistry I3
CH 271LOrganic Chemistry I Lab1
CH 278Organic Chemistry II3
CH 278LOrganic Chemistry II Lab1
CH 315Chemical Literature1
CH 381Chemistry Seminar0
CH 481Chemistry Seminar1
Approved upper-division chemistry electives *12
*One writing-intensive course and at least two credits of lab required
No more than 2 credits of internships or independent study, no more than 2 credits of teaching assistantships, no more than 4 credits of Chemistry research (CH 488LH or CH 494LH), and no more than 4 total credits for any combination of the above will count towards chemistry electives.
MA 171Calculus I4
MA 172Calculus II4
One of the following year-long sequences:8
College Physics for Life Sciences
and College Physics for Life Sciences Laboratory I
College Physics for Life Sciences II
and College Physics for Life Sciences Lab II
General Physics I
and General Physics I Lab
General Physics II
and General Physics II Lab
For teacher certification, the following course is required:
Science in Secondary School (2)
For teacher certification, the following courses are strongly suggested:
Community Chemistry Outreach
Environmental Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry Lab
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry I Lab
SI for General Chemistry
Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)

(All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements.)

Chemistry Core for B.S. Requirements (36)

One of the following:3
General Chemistry I
General Chemistry I Honors
CH 161LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CH 181General Chemistry II3
CH 181LGeneral Chemistry II Lab1
CH 271Organic Chemistry I3
CH 271LOrganic Chemistry I Lab1
CH 278Organic Chemistry II3
CH 278LOrganic Chemistry II Lab1
CH 315Chemical Literature1
CH 381Chemistry Seminar0
CH 481Chemistry Seminar1
One of the following sequences:2
Chemistry Experimental Design
and Chemistry Experimental Design Lab
Dissemination of Chemistry Research
and Chemistry Research
Chemistry Research
MA 171Calculus I4
MA 172Calculus II4
PS 151General Physics I3
PS 151LGeneral Physics I Lab1
PS 153General Physics II3
PS 153LGeneral Physics II Lab1
or PS 154L Near Space Research Project
Complete one writing-intensive course
For teacher certification, the following course is required:
Science in Secondary School
For teacher certification, the following additional courses are strongly suggested:
Community Chemistry Outreach
Environmental Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry Lab
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry I Lab
SI for General Chemistry
Elementary Probability and Statistics (3)
All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements.

General Track for Chemistry, B.S. (60)

Core requirements36
Five of the following20
Environmental Chemistry (plus lab)
Analytical Chemistry (plus lab)
Spectroscopic Analysis (plus lab)
Inorganic Chemistry (plus lab)
Biochemistry I (plus lab)
Thermochemistry (plus lab)
Quantum Chemistry (plus lab)
Approved upper-division chemistry electives4
No more than 2 credits of internships or independent study, no more than 2 credits of teaching assistantships, no more than 4 credits of Chemistry research (CH 488LH or CH 494LH), and no more than 4 total credits for any combination of the above will count towards chemistry electives.

Biochemistry Track for Chemistry, B.S. (65-67)

Core requirements36
CH 401Biochemistry I3
CH 401LBiochemistry I Lab1
CH 403Biochemistry II3
CH 421Thermochemistry3
CH 421LThermochemistry Lab1
One of the following: 4
Environmental Chemistry (plus lab)
Analytical Chemistry (plus lab)
Spectroscopic Analysis (plus lab)
Inorganic Chemistry (plus lab)
Quantum Chemistry (plus lab)
Approved upper-division chemistry electives3-4
No more than 2 credits of internships or independent study, no more than 2 credits of teaching assistantships, no more than 4 credits of Chemistry research (CH 488LH or CH 494LH), and no more than 4 total credits for any combination of the above will count towards chemistry electives.
BI 140General Biology I: Genes, Cells and Evolution4
BI 143General Biology II: Ecology and Evolution4
One of the following:3-4
Molecular Genetics
The Biochemistry of DNA and RNA

Physical Chemistry Track for Chemistry, B.S. (61-64)

Core requirements36
CH 421Thermochemistry3
CH 421LThermochemistry Lab1
CH 423Quantum Chemistry3
CH 423LQuantum Chemistry Lab1
Two of the following:8
Environmental Chemistry (plus lab)
Analytical Chemistry (plus lab)
Spectroscopic Analysis (plus lab)
Inorganic Chemistry (plus lab)
Biochemistry I (plus lab)
Approved upper-division chemistry electives3-4
No more than 2 credits of internships or independent study, no more than 2 credits of teaching assistantships, no more than 4 credits of Chemistry research (CH 488LH or CH 494LH), and no more than 4 total credits for any combination of the above will count towards chemistry electives.
Approved math or physics courses6-8
Calculus III
Discrete Mathematics
Linear Algebra
Modern Physics

Requirements for a Chemistry Minor (20)

CH 161General Chemistry I3
or CH 161H General Chemistry I Honors
CH 161LGeneral Chemistry I Lab1
CH 181General Chemistry II3
CH 181LGeneral Chemistry II Lab1
CH 271Organic Chemistry I3
CH 271LOrganic Chemistry I Lab1
Approved chemistry electives8
For teacher certification, the following course is required:
Science in Secondary School (2)
For teacher certification, the following courses are strongly suggested:
Organic Chemistry II
Organic Chemistry II Lab
Community Chemistry Outreach
Analytical Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry Lab
Environmental Chemistry
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry I Lab
SI for General Chemistry
Elementary Probability and Statistics
College Physics for Life Sciences
and College Physics for Life Sciences Laboratory I
College Physics for Life Sciences II
and College Physics for Life Sciences Lab II
All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements.

Interdisciplinary Courses

STEM 126 Seminar for Health Professions1
A seminar to introduce students to the pre-health fields. Visiting speakers will represent medical, dental, pharmacy, and veterinary fields. This course will cover the specifics of courses, majors, and other issues related to pre-health fields. Students will also reflect on the importance of the connections between academic disciplines as they consider future vocational options. Recommended for pre-health professional students interested in the fields listed above. This seminar fulfills the SC 126 Shared Curriculum requirement. Spring semester.
STEM 351 Preparatory Seminar: Health Professions1
A cross-disciplinary course focusing on synthesis of general biology, general chemistry, general physics, organic chemistry, physiology, NMR and IR spectroscopy. Strategic course for learning to apply introductory science/math knowledge to questions involving higher-order content. Intended for students planning to take the Medical College Admissions Test, Dental Aptitude Test, or veterinary-school entrance exams. Intended primarily for students in their junior or senior year. Students will prepare for health professions both in terms of the entrance exams and by researching each school's focus and prerequisites. Prerequisites: BI 140, BI 143, CH 161, CH 181, CH 271, CH 278, PS 151 & 153 or PS 131 & 133.
Dean of Arts & Sciences

JOHN PELL

Chair

TRISHA RUSSELL

Professors

DEANNA OJENNUSKAREN STEVENS

Associate professors

KERRY BRENOTRISHA RUSSELLERIC DAVIS

Hugh Johnston Endowed Professor

KRAIG WHEELER