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 the student to:
- understand the development of chemical theory and apply current chemical content to solving problems;
- communicate scientific issues in writing;
- communicate scientific issues orally;
- use and critically analyze the chemical literature;
- know and use standard lab techniques;
- apply independent research skills learned through research experiences and/or independent projects within courses.
Requirements for a Chemistry Major, B.A. (47) | ||
|---|---|---|
| One of the following: | 3 | |
CH 161 | General Chemistry I | |
CH 162 | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CH 161L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 181 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 181L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 271 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 271L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 278 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 278L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 315 | Survey of Chemical Literature | 1 |
| One of the following: | 1 | |
CH 381 | Chemistry Seminar | |
CH 383 | Chemistry Seminar | |
| One of the following: | 1 | |
CH 481 | Chemistry Seminar | |
CH 483 | Chemistry Seminar | |
| Approved upper-division chemistry electives * | 12 | |
| *One writing-intensive course and at least 2 credits of lab required | ||
| (No more than two credits of internship and two credits of teaching assistantship) | ||
| MA 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PS 151 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PS 151L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| PS 153 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PS 153L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| For teacher certification, the following courses are required: | ||
CH 335W | Analytical Chemistry (3) | |
CH 335L | Analytical Chemistry Lab (1) | |
MA 256 | Elementary Probability and Statistics (3) | |
EDU 455 | Science in Secondary School (2) | |
(All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements.
Requirements for a Chemistry Major, B.S. (65) | ||
|---|---|---|
| One of the following: | 3 | |
CH 161 | General Chemistry I | |
CH 162 | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CH 161L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 181 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 181L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 271 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 271L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 278 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 278L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 335W | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 335L | Analytical Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CH 336 | Spectroscopic Analysis | 3 |
| CH 336L | Spectroscopic Analysis Lab | 1 |
| CH 351 | Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 351L | Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CH 401 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CH 401L | Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 421W | Thermochemistry | 3 |
| CH 421L | Thermochemistry Lab | 1 |
| CH 423 | Quantum Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 423L | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| CH 315 | Survey of Chemical Literature | 1 |
| CH 496L | Research in Chemistry | 1 |
| CH 497 | Dissemination of Chemistry Research | 1 |
| One of the following: | 1 | |
CH 381 | Chemistry Seminar | |
CH 383 | Chemistry Seminar | |
| One of the following: | 1 | |
CH 481 | Chemistry Seminar | |
CH 483 | Chemistry Seminar | |
| MA 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PS 151 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PS 151L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| PS 153 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PS 153L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| One of the following: | 4 | |
MA 273 | Calculus III | |
PS 251W | General Physics III | |
| For teacher certification, the following additional courses are required | ||
MA 256 | Elementary Probability and Statistics (3) | |
EDU 455 | Science in Secondary School (2) | |
All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements.
Requirements for a Chemistry Major B.S. with a Track in either Biochemistry or Physical Chemistry | ||
|---|---|---|
| Each track requires the following foundational courses | 37 | |
| One of the following | 3 | |
CH 161 | General Chemistry I | |
CH 162 | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CH 161L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 181 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 181L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 271 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 271L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 278 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 278L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 315 | Survey of Chemical Literature | 1 |
| CH 496L | Research in Chemistry | 1 |
| CH 497 | Dissemination of Chemistry Research | 1 |
| One of the following | 1 | |
CH 381 | Chemistry Seminar | |
CH 383 | Chemistry Seminar | |
| One of the following | 1 | |
CH 481 | Chemistry Seminar | |
CH 483 | Chemistry Seminar | |
| MA 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 172 | Calculus II | 4 |
| PS 151 | General Physics I | 3 |
| PS 151L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| PS 153 | General Physics II | 3 |
| PS 153L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
Biochemistry Track (67-68) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foundational courses | 37 | |
| CH 401 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CH 401L | Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 403W | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CH 421W | Thermochemistry | 3 |
| CH 421L | Thermochemistry Lab | 1 |
| Two of the following | 8 | |
CH 335W | Analytical Chemistry (plus lab) | |
CH 336 | Spectroscopic Analysis (plus lab) | |
CH 351 | Inorganic Chemistry (plus lab) | |
CH 423 | Quantum Chemistry (plus lab) | |
| BI 140 | General Biology I: Genes, Cells and Evolution | 4 |
| BI 141 | General Biology II: Organismal Biology | 4 |
| One of the following | 3-4 | |
BI 347 | Microbial Physiology | |
BI 354 | Developmental Biology | |
BI 363 | Genetics | |
BI 404 | Neurophysiology | |
BI 412 | Advanced Cell Biology | |
Physical Chemistry Track (67-69) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Foundational courses | 37 | |
| CH 421W | Thermochemistry | 3 |
| CH 421L | Thermochemistry Lab | 1 |
| CH 423 | Quantum Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 423L | Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| Two of the following | 8 | |
CH 335W | Analytical Chemistry (plus lab) | |
CH 336 | Spectroscopic Analysis (plus lab) | |
CH 351 | Inorganic Chemistry (plus lab) | |
| MA 273 | Calculus III | 4 |
| PS 251W | General Physics III | 4 |
| Approved upper-division math or physics courses | 6-8 | |
Requirements for a Chemistry Minor (20) | ||
|---|---|---|
| CH 161 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 162 | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CH 161L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 181 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 181L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 271 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 271L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| Approved upper-division chemistry electives | 8 | |
Requirements for a Chemistry Minor for Endorsement* (37) | ||
|---|---|---|
| CH 161 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 162 | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CH 161L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 181 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 181L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 271 | Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CH 271L | Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 278 | Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 278L | Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| CH 335W | Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 335L | Analytical Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| PS 151 | General Physics I ** | 3 |
| PS 151L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| PS 153 | General Physics II ** | 3 |
| PS 153L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| MA 171 | Calculus I | 4 |
| MA 256 | Elementary Probability and Statistics | 3 |
| EDU 455 | Science in Secondary School | 2 |
| * | All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements. |
| ** | Note: PS 151 has a prerequisite of MA 171 (Calculus I) and PS 153 has a prerequisite of MA 172 (Calculus II). |
Requirements for a Science Endorsement for Majors in Biology, Chemistry, or Physics* (32) | ||
|---|---|---|
| BI 140 | General Biology I: Genes, Cells and Evolution | 4 |
| BI 141 | General Biology II: Organismal Biology | 4 |
| CH 161 | General Chemistry I | 3 |
| or CH 162 | Honors General Chemistry I | |
| CH 161L | General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| CH 181 | General Chemistry II | 3 |
| CH 181L | General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| PS 151 | General Physics I ** | 3 |
| PS 151L | General Physics I Lab | 1 |
| PS 153 | General Physics II ** | 3 |
| PS 153L | General Physics II Lab | 1 |
| PS 141 | Introduction to Astronomy | 4 |
| One of the following | 4 | |
GL 131 | Understanding Earth | |
GL 139 | Environmental Geology | |
NS 101 | Earth and Sky | |
| * | All endorsements subject to change; see School of Education for updated requirements. |
| ** | Note: PS 151 has a prerequisite of MA 171 (Calculus I) and PS 153 has a prerequisite of MA 172 (Calculus II). |
Courses
| CH 101 Introduction to Chemistry | 3 |
| An exploration of fundamental concepts in chemistry for nursing majors and other selected allied health fields. Recommended for science majors whose chemistry background is not adequate for initial placement in CH 161. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 101L Introduction to Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| Basic laboratory practices, titration, radioisotope measurement, simple synthesis. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 101. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 102 Bioorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| 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. | |
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| CH 102L Bioorganic Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| Simple quantitative analysis, separation techniques, enzyme studies. Corequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 102. Spring semester. | |
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| CH 111 Green Chemistry | 3 |
| 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. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| CH 112 Chemistry and Health | 3 |
| 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. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| CH 122 Chemistry in Modern Living | 3 |
| Overview of current chemical issues, for the non-science student. Topics may include air pollution, global warming, ozone layer, acid rain, nuclear energy, solar energy, plastics, nutrition and/or pharmaceutical drugs. Basic math and algebra skills will be used. For non-majors. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| CH 161 General Chemistry I | 3 |
| Foundational course in chemistry. Treatment of measurement concepts, atomic and molecular theories, radioactivity, chemical reactions, basic calculations. Prerequisite: one year of high school chemistry and demonstrated mathematics proficiency. Students without this prerequisite must take CH 101 before electing CH 161. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 161L General Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| Basic laboratory techniques, simple synthesis, titration, qualitative analysis. Prerequisite: CH 161, CH 162, or concurrent enrollment. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 162 Honors General Chemistry I | 3 |
| An advanced treatment of topics covered in CH 161, with emphasis on environmental applications. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 181 General Chemistry II | 3 |
| Properties of solutions, introduction to kinetics, acid-base concepts, equilibrium, nuclear radioactivity, electrochemistry, and thermochemistry. Prerequisite: CH 161 or CH 162. Spring semester. | |
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| CH 181L General Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Titrations, equilibrium constant determination, reaction kinetics, electrochemical studies. Prerequisites: CH 161L and concurrent enrollment in CH 181. Spring semester. | |
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| CH 191 Independent Study | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 196 Topics in Chemistry | 1-3 |
| Selected lower-division topics in chemistry. Periodic offering. | |
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| CH 225 Community Chemistry Outreach | 1 |
| 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. Periodic Jan Term offering. | |
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| CH 271 Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| Detailed treatment of basic organic chemistry concepts. Nomenclature, conformational and structural analysis, basic reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite: CH 181. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 271L Organic Chemistry I Lab | 1 |
| Preparation, purification and identification of organic compounds. An introduction to organic synthesis. Prerequisites: CH 181L and concurrent enrollment in CH 271. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 278 Organic Chemistry II | 3 |
| Reactions of organic molecules, mechanisms of reactions, and how such reactions may be employed in the synthesis of new compounds. Prerequisite: CH 271. Spring semester. | |
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| CH 278L Organic Chemistry II Lab | 1 |
| Synthetic techniques for organic compounds, design of multi-step synthesis. Prerequisites: CH 271L and concurrent enrollment in CH 278. Spring semester. | |
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| CH 280 Field Studies | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 290 Internship | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 291 Independent Study | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 315 Survey of Chemical Literature | 1 |
| An examination of current scientific literature. Students will gain skills in searching, reading and analyzing chemical literature. The course should be taken in the fall semester of junior year. Prerequisite: CH 278. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 335W Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| Sampling, basic statistics, quality control, UV- visible absorption techniques, fluorescence measurements, ion-selective electrodes, atomic absorption. Prerequisites CH 181 and CH 271 (CH 278 suggested). Fall semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 335L Analytical Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| Statistical analysis of data, separation techniques, use of instrumentation in solving analytical problems. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 335W. Fall semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 336 Spectroscopic Analysis | 3 |
| Advanced treatment of the most common spectroscopic techniques including UV-Vis, IR, NMR, and GC-MS. Prerequisites: CH 181 and CH 278. Spring semester, even years. | |
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| CH 336L Spectroscopic Analysis Lab | 1 |
| Use of instrumentation in solving analytical problems. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 336. Spring semester, even years. | |
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| CH 351 Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| Bonding, crystal-field theory, coordination compounds, organometallics, symmetry, group theory and descriptive inorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: CH 181 and MA 171. Spring semester, even years. | |
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| CH 351L Inorganic Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| Approaches to synthesis of inorganic compounds. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 351. Spring semester, even years. | |
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| CH 380 Field Studies | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 381 Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Discussion of current chemical topics. Listen to and discuss student presentations, guest lectures; attend local scientific meetings. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| CH 383 Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Discussion of current chemical topics. Listen to and discuss student presentations, guest lectures; attend local scientific meetings. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| CH 386 Readings | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 390 Internship | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 391 Independent Study | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 395 Teaching Assistantship | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 396 Topics in Chemistry | 1-3 |
| Selected upper-division topics in chemistry. Periodic offering. | |
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| CH 401 Biochemistry I | 3 |
| Structure and function of major classes of biomolecules. Overview of enzyme catalysis and kinetics. Prerequisites: CH 271 and CH 278. Fall semester. | |
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| CH 401L Biochemistry I Lab | 1 |
| Separations, assays and kinetic studies in biochemical systems. Primary focus is on amino acids, peptides, and protein enzymes. Prerequisites: CH 271L and CH 401. Spring semester. | |
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| CH 403 Biochemistry II | 3 |
| Metabolic pathways and biochemical energy conversions. Overview of gene transcription, translation, and cellular controls. Prerequisite: CH 401. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 403W Biochemistry II | 3 |
| Metabolic pathways and biochemical energy conversions. Overview of gene transcription, translation, and cellular controls. Prerequisite: CH 401. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 421W Thermochemistry | 3 |
| Kinetics, thermodynamics, liquids and solids, changes of state, phase diagrams. Prerequisites: CH 181, PS 153 and MA 172. | |
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| CH 421L Thermochemistry Lab | 1 |
| Energetic, kinetic and thermodynamic studies. Primary focus is on phase transitions, mixtures, and gases. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 421W. Fall semester, even years. | |
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| CH 423 Quantum Chemistry | 3 |
| Quantum mechanics and its significance in rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CH 181, PS 153 and MA 172. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 423W Quantum Chemistry | 3 |
| A study of quantum mechanics and its significance in rotational, in rotational, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CH 181, PS 153 and MA 172. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 423L Quantum Chemistry Lab | 1 |
| Infrared and electronic spectroscopy, laser spectroscopy and computer modeling of quantum chemistry problems. Prerequisite: concurrent enrollment in CH 423W. Spring semester, odd years. | |
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| CH 480 Field Studies | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 481 Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Discussion of current chemical topics. Student presentations, guest lectures; attend local scientific meetings. Oral scientific presentation required. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| CH 483 Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| Discussion of current chemical topics. Student presentations, guest lectures; attend local scientific meetings. Oral scientific presentation required. Fall and spring semesters. | |
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| CH 486 Readings | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 490 Internship | 1-4 |
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| CH 491 Independent Study | 1-4 |
| See information on Directed Studies page. | |
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| CH 493 Literature Preparation for Research | 1 |
| This course should be taken during the term preceding the one in which the student plans to carry out a research project. After selecting a research project with a faculty member, the student will perform a literature search and initiate ordering of any necessary chemical supplies and/or equipment needed to perform the research. By permission. | |
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| CH 494 Research in Chemistry | 2 |
| Student pursuit of a laboratory problem of fundamental interest, under direct guidance of a faculty member. At the conclusion of the research, students will be required to submit their notebook for evaluation, write a paper and undertake one of the following: make a poster display, present a seminar on the research findings, or to create a computer web site of their research. By permission. | |
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| CH 495 Teaching Assistantship | 1-4 |
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| CH 496 Off-campus Research in Chemistry | 3-4 |
| Students may perform a research project at an off-campus facility such as another university, an industry site or a national laboratory. Forty hours of research experience are expected to be completed for each semester-credit granted. Thus, 120 hours of research work must be performed in order to earn three credits. During the semester in which the student returns to campus, he or she will be evaluated based on faculty conversations with the student's field supervisor. The student will also be expected to write a paper, and to undertake one of the following: present a seminar on the research findings, create a poster display, or create a website on the research. This course can be taken only with prior faculty approval. | |
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| CH 496L Research in Chemistry | 1 |
| Student pursuit of a laboratory problem of fundamental interest to chemistry. Students may complete the laboratory research on campus, under direct guidance of a faculty member or off campus at another university, an industry site or a national laboratory. By permission. Prerequisite: CH 315. Jan Term. | |
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| CH 497 Dissemination of Chemistry Research | 1 |
| 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 496L. Spring semester. | |
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