Chemistry and Biochemistry
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers approved programs emphasizing modern areas in chemistry and biochemistry at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The curriculum for the Bachelor of Science degree in Chemistry provides basic education in chemistry with sufficient breadth and flexibility to allow students to enter a variety of chemistry-related careers. Several curricular options are available, each of which is career- and employment-directed. Employment opportunities are extensive. For example, at least 36 percent of the research and development workforce in the United States have degrees in Chemistry, more than any other discipline. The different options allow the student to emphasize his or her personal choices in course selection.
All of the options emphasize current aspects of chemistry and biochemistry with particular attention given to instrumentation, modern concepts and methods, and use of computers to help solve chemical problems. Participation in undergraduate research within an active research group in the department is an important and rewarding part of the overall program. A wide range of fundamental research programs are ongoing in all major areas of chemistry: organic, analytical, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry participates in several instructional and research programs of an interdisciplinary nature. These include computer modeling of proteins and nucleic acids, complex biological systems, techniques for ultra-sensitive detection of environmentally important chemicals, nanomaterials and optical technology and the biochemistry portion of the WWAMI medical education program. The department has active graduate programs leading to the degrees of Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy. These degrees may be obtained in either chemistry or biochemistry.
The department encourages majors in allied fields to consider either a chemistry or a biochemistry minor.
Professional Option
This option includes a central core of chemistry courses that, together with technical electives, allows the students to prepare for careers in chemistry or related fields such as medicine, patent law, chemical business, or science writing. Students interested in the more quantitative and physical aspects of chemistry may wish to include additional mathematics and/or physics courses. Students electing the professional option will be well prepared both for advanced study and for immediate employment in industry, government, or business.
Biochemistry Option
This option includes a core of chemistry, biochemistry, and biology courses for the student interested in the molecular nature of biological materials and life processes. A broad choice of biological science electives will allow the students to prepare for careers in human, animal, plant, or microbial biochemistry. Trained biochemical scientists are in demand for research and teaching in universities and for research and development work in chemical, pharmaceutical, and biotechnical industries, in medical laboratories, and in state and federal governments. Students who complete the curriculum satisfactorily will be prepared to assume responsible professional positions or undertake graduate level work in the life sciences. The curriculum also provides an excellent preparation for medical, dental, or veterinary school.
Teaching Option
This option is designed to prepare prospective teachers of chemistry at the secondary level. It provides a thorough background in the basic fields of chemistry and an acquaintance with aspects of chemistry in society that are essential to the practicing teacher of chemistry. The Chemistry Teaching option certifies graduates to be qualified to teach secondary school chemistry. Employment opportunities will be enhanced by obtaining a second area of certification, usually a teaching minor. Obtaining a teaching major, a teaching minor, and certification will require more than 120 credits.
Chemistry/Biochemistry Minors (Non-teaching)
A minor in either chemistry or biochemistry is offered for students with other majors who wish to receive formal acknowledgement for taking a core of intermediate-level chemistry and/or biochemistry courses. The minor is designed to strengthen the students' opportunities for admission to graduate school or for industrial employment.
Curricula in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Professional Option
- Biochemistry Option
- Teaching Option
- Biochemistry Minor (Non-Teaching)
- Chemistry Minor (Non-Teaching)
PROFESSIONAL OPTION
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 131--General Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 141--Honors Gen Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 132--General Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 142--Honors Genrl Chem II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 200--Undergrad Seminar 1 | 1 | ||
| MATH 181--Calculus & Anl Geom I | 4 | ||
| MATH 182--Calculus & Anl Geom II | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| PHYS 205--College Physics I | 4 | ||
| PHYS 211--Gen & Mod Phys I | 4 | ||
| PHYS 221--Honors Gen & Mod Phys I | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 9 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| CHEM 201--Undergrad Seminar 2 | 1 | ||
| CHEM 228--Fund Analytical Chem | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 311--Organic Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 314--Honors Organic Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 312--Organic Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 315--Honors Organic Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| MATH 224--Calc Funct Sev Variab | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| PHYS 206--College Phys II | 4 | ||
| PHYS 212--Gen & Mod Phys II | 4 | ||
| PHYS 222--Hnrs Gen & Mod Phys II | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 10 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| BCHM 340--General Biochemistry | 5 | ||
| CHEM 300--Undergrad Seminar 3 | 1 | ||
| CHEM 323--Physical Chemistry I | 3 | ||
| CHEM 324--Physical Chem II | 3 | ||
| CHEM 325--Physical Chem Lab I | 1 | ||
| CHEM 326--Physical Chem Lab II | 2 | ||
| CHEM 426--Spectrochem Mthds Analysis | 3 | ||
| CHEM 428--Spectrochem Mthds Lab | 2 | ||
| CHEM 490--Undergrad Research/Creative Activity | 2 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 8 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| CHEM 334--Inorganic Chemistry | 3 | ||
| CHEM 401--Capstone Seminar | 1 | ||
| CHEM 417--Synthetic Chemistry | 3 | ||
| CHEM 425--Elctrochem & Chromatography | 3 | ||
| CHEM 427--Elctrochem & Chrom Lab | 2 | ||
| CHEM 451--Department Honors Thesis | 1 | ||
| CHEM 490--Undergrad Research/Creative Activity | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 13 | ||
| 30 |
Six (6) credits of Chemistry 490 are tabulated. It is expected that substantially more than this minimum will be taken by prospective graduates. A computer science (CS) course is highly recommended. A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
Chemistry 451 (Senior year) is required for majors who are writing a thesis for Departmental Honors consideration.
BIOCHEMISTRY OPTION
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Take one of the following: | |||
| BIOL 101--Biology of Organisms | 4 | ||
| BIOL 213--Intro Biol:Cells to Organisms | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| BIOL 102--Mole & Cellular Biol | 4 | ||
| BIOL 214--Intro Biol:Molecules to Cells | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 131--General Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 141--Honors Genrl Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 132--General Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 142--Honors Genrl Chem II | 4 | ||
| BCHM 100--Undergrad Seminar I | 1 | ||
| BCHM 100--Undergrad Seminar 1 | 1 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| MATH 170--Survey of Calculus | 4 | ||
| MATH 181--Calculus I | 4 | ||
| MATH 182--Calculus II | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 5-9 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| BCHM 201--Undergrad Seminar 2 | 1 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 228--Fund Analytical Chem | 3 | ||
| CHEM 334--Inorganic Chem(in Junior Year) | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 311--Organic Chem I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 314--Honors Organic Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 312--Organic Chem II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 315--Honors Organic Chem II | 4 | ||
| PHYS 205--College Physics I | 4 | ||
| PHYS 206--College Phys II | 4 | ||
| STAT 216--Elementary Statistics | 3 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 7 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| BCHM 300--Undergrad Seminar 3 | 1 | ||
| BCHM 340--General Biochemistry* | 5 | ||
| BCHM 442--Metabolic Regulation | 3 | ||
| BCHM 489/490--Undergrad Rsch/Creative Act | 2 | ||
| Take these two: | |||
| CHEM 301--Elem of Physical Chem | 4 | ||
| CHEM 302--Physical Chemistry Lab | 1 | ||
| or these three: | |||
| CHEM 323--Physical Chemistry | 3 | ||
| CHEM 324--Physical Chemistry | 3 | ||
| CHEM 325--Physical Chemistry Lab | 1 | ||
| Biological Sciences Elec(300+) | 6 | ||
| Univesity Core and Electives | 8 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| BCHM 401C--Capstone Seminar | 1 | ||
| BCHM 441--Biochem of Macromolec | 3 | ||
| BCHM 444--Biochem Mthds Molec Biol | 3 | ||
| BCHM 489/490--Undergrad Rsch/Creative Act | 4 | ||
| CHEM 451**--Department Honors Thesis | 1 | ||
| Biological Sciences Elec (300+) | 7 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 11 | ||
| 30 |
*Students with a B or better in CHEM 311/312 or 314/315 may take BCHM 441 in place of BCHM 340 in their junior year.
**Chemistry 451 (Senior Year) is required for majors who are writing a thesis for Departmental Honors consideration.
| Acceptable Biological Science Electives Include | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| ARNR 320--Animal Nutrition | 4 | ||
| BIOL 301--Principles of Genetics | 3 | ||
| BIOL 302--Adv Cell & Molecular Biol | 3 | ||
| BIOL 310--Comparative Vertebrate Anatomy | 4 | ||
| BIOL 311--Developmental Biology | 3 | ||
| BIOL 312--Histology | 3 | ||
| BIOL 403--Evolution | 3 | ||
| BIOL 410--Advanced Human Anatomy | 3 | ||
| BIOL 411--Animal Physiology | 3 | ||
| BIOL 412--Animal Physiology Lab | 1 | ||
| BIOL 413--Neurophysiology | 3 | ||
| BIOL 426--Neuroethology | 3 | ||
| BIOL 430--Plant Physiology | 3 | ||
| BIOL 437--Plant Development | 3 | ||
| BIOL 438--Developmental Mechanisms | 3 | ||
| CH E 438--Bioprocess Engineering | 3 | ||
| HDFN 321--Nutr in the Lifecycle | 3 | ||
| HDFN 421--Nutrient Metabolism II | 3 | ||
| HDFN 422--Nutrient Metabolism I | 3 | ||
| LRES 351--Nutrient Cycling | 3 | ||
| LRES 415--Microbial Diversity, Ecology & Evolution | 4 | ||
| LRES 452--Soil and Environmental Microbiology | 3 | ||
| MB 301--Genrl Microbiology | 4 | ||
| MB 401--Immunology | 3 | ||
| MB 402--Immunology Lab | 1 | ||
| MB 403--Virology | 4 | ||
| MB 405--Hematology | 3 | ||
| MB 406--Hematology Lab | 1 | ||
| MB 409--General Pathology | 3 | ||
| MB 415--Micro Diversity,Ecol,Evol | 4 | ||
| MB 420--Micro Physiology | 3 | ||
| MB 429--Biol of Human Cancers | 2 | ||
| MB 430--Medical Bacteriology | 3 | ||
| MB 431--Medical Bacteriology Lab | 2 | ||
| MB 432--Indust Microbiology & Biotech | 2 | ||
| MB 433--Applied and Envir Microbiology | 4 | ||
| MB 437--Molecular Evolution | 3 | ||
| MB 441--Eukaryotic Pathogens | 4 | ||
| MB 449--Micro Genetics | 3 | ||
| MB 450--Research Methods in Microbiology | 4 | ||
| PS 421--Concepts of Plant Path | 3 | ||
| PS 423--Mycology | 2 | ||
| PS 426--Plant Biotechnology | 3 | ||
| PS 450--Plant Physiology | 3 | ||
| PS 457--Plant Development | 3 | ||
| PS 458--Plant Cell Physiology | 3 | ||
| PS 460--Plant Metabolism | 3 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above.
TEACHING OPTION
| Freshman Year | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 131--General Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 141--Honors Gen Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 132--General Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 142--Honors Genrl Chem II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 200--Undergrad Seminar 1 | 3 | ||
| EDCI 102--In-School Experience | 1 | ||
| HDCF 150--Lifespan Human Devlpmt | 3 | ||
| MATH 160--Precalculus | 3 | ||
| MATH 170--Survey of Calculus | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 8 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Sophomore Year | Credits | ||
| CHEM 228--Fund Analytical Chem | 3 | ||
| CHEM 201--Undergrad Seminar 2 | 1 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 311--Organic Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 314--Honors Organic Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 312--Organic Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 315--Honors Organic Chem II | 4 | ||
| EDCI 209--Ed Psy Adol Dev | 3 | ||
| EDCI 360--Found of Assmnt | 2 | ||
| HDHL 106--Drug Hlth Issue for Ed | 1 | ||
| PHYS 205--College Physics I | 4 | ||
| PHYS 206--College Phys II | 4 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 4 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Junior Year | Credits | ||
| BCHM 340--General Biochemistry | 5 | ||
| CHEM 300--Undergrad Seminar 3 | 1 | ||
| CHEM 301--Elem of Physical Chem | 4 | ||
| CHEM 302--Physical Chem Lab | 1 | ||
| CHEM 489/490--Undergrad Research/Creative Activity | 4 | ||
| EDCI 320--Found of Instr Computing | 2 | ||
| EDSD 363--Multicultural Education | 1 | ||
| EDSD 466--Method Teach Sec Science | 3 | ||
| EDSD 400 --Paraprofessional Experience | 1 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 8 | ||
| 30 | |||
| Senior Year | Credits | ||
| CHEM 451--Department Honors Thesis | 1 | ||
| CHEM 401--Capstone Seminar | 1 | ||
| HDCF 356--Exceptional Needs | 3 | ||
| Adv BCHM/CHEM courses (300 or above) | 6 | ||
| University Core and Electives | 7 | ||
| Student teaching semester | |||
| EDSD 410--Student Teaching | 10 | ||
| EDSD 413--Professional Issues | 2 | ||
| 30 |
A minimum of 120 credits is required for graduation; 42 of these credits must be in courses numbered 300 and above. The Chemistry Teaching option certifies graduates to be qualified to teach secondary school chemistry. Employment opportunities will be enhanced by obtaining a second area of certification, usually a teaching minor. Obtaining a teaching major, a teaching minor, and certification will require more than 120 credits.
CHEM 451 (Senior Year) is required for majors who are writing a thesis for Departmental Honors consideration. Twelve credits (14 weeks) of EDSD 410 is optional.
BIOCHEMISTRY MINOR ( NON-TEACHING)
| Credits | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| BCHM 340--General Biochemistry* | 5 | ||
| BCHM 441--Biochem of Macromolec | 3 | ||
| BCHM 442--Metabolic Regulation | 3 | ||
| BCHM 444--Biochem Mthds Molec Biol | 3 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 131--General Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 141--Honors Gen Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 132--General Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 142--Honors Gen Chem II | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 311--Organic Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 314--Honors Organic Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 312--Organic Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 315--Honors Organic Chem II | 4 | ||
| Any BCHM/CHEM course 301 to 450, except CHEM/BCHM 401 |
2-7 | ||
| 32 |
*Students with a B or better in CHEM 311/312 or 314/315 may take BCHM 441 in place
of BCHM 340 in their junior year.
CHEMISTRY MINOR (NON-TEACHING)
| Required Course | Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 131--General Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 141--Honors Gen Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 132--General Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 142--Honors Genrl Chem II | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 311--Organic Chemistry I | 4 | ||
| CHEM 314--Honors Organic Chem I | 4 | ||
| Take one of the following: | |||
| CHEM 312--Organic Chemistry II | 4 | ||
| CHEM 315--Honors Organic Chem II | 4 | ||
| Take these two: | |||
| CHEM 301--Elem of Physical Chem | 4 | ||
| CHEM 302--Physical Chem Lab | 1 | ||
| or these three: | |||
| CHEM 323--Physical Chemistry I | 3 | ||
| CHEM 324--Physical Chem II | 3 | ||
| CHEM 325--Physical Chem Lab I | 1 | ||
| Any BCHM/CHEM courses 301 to 450, except CHEM/BCHM 401 |
11 or 9 | ||
| 32 |
