Courses
Prerequisites: Proficiency in CH 131 and 132 or in CH 137 and 138 for all courses in chemistry numbered 223 or higher. Additional prerequisites are stated in descriptions of courses below.
CH 111. LABORATORY FOR CH 131
0—3—1
A laboratory course designed to reinforce the concepts covered in CH 131. Corequisite: CH 131.
CH 112. LABORATORY FOR CH 132
0—3—1
A laboratory course designed to reinforce the concepts covered in CH 132. Prerequisites: CH 111 and CH 131. Corequisite: CH 132.
CH 117. LABORATORY FOR CH 137
0—3—1
Experiments designed to demonstrate the basic principles of chemistry with respect to observations, measurements, and calculations. Corequisite: CH 137.
CH 118. LABORATORY FOR CH 138
0—3—1
A continuation of CH 117. Emphasis is placed upon proper procedures in chemical syntheses and analyses. Prerequisites: CH 117 and CH 137. Corequisite: CH 138.
CH 125. LABORATORY FOR CH 137*
0—5—2
Basic directed and guided-inquiry laboratory experiments, including an introduction to the use of laboratory instruments. Some experiments will be project-based, illustrating the nature of modern chemical thought. Corequisite: CH 137, for CH majors only*.
CH 126. LABORATORY FOR CH 138*
0—5—2
A continuation of CH 125, including both qualitative and quantitative analyses. The laboratory will also be an introduction to research philosophies in chemistry. Prerequisites: CH 125 and CH 137. Corequisite: CH 138, for CH majors only*.
CH 131. CHEMICAL SCIENCE I
3—0—3
Study of the basic principles of chemistry designed for liberal arts majors. Topics include classification of matter, history of the atom, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, acids and bases, and redox. Corequisite: CH 111.
CH 132. CHEMICAL SCIENCE II
3—0—3
Continuation of CH 131. Emphasis is on applications of chemical principles to problems including, but not limited to, the economy, the environment, energy sources, and human health. Topics include organic chemistry, natural and artificial polymers, energy sources, and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisites: CH 131 or CH 137 and CH 111 or CH 117. Corequisite: CH 112.
CH 137. INTRODUCTORY COLLEGE CHEMISTRY I
3—0—3
A study of the fundamental principles of chemistry and their applications, designed for science, math, and engineering majors. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, gases, thermochemistry, stoichiometry, physical and chemical properties. Corequisite: CH 117 or CH 125.
CH 138. INTRODUCTORY COLLEGE CHEMISTRY II
3—0—3
A continuation of CH 137. Topics include solutions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, ionic equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, organic chemistry, descriptive chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisite: CH 137. Corequisite: CH 118 or CH 126.
CH 223. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
3—0—3
Basic studies concerning bonding, structure, and stereochemistry related to the physical and chemical properties of organic compounds, and emphasizing kinetics, thermodynamics and acid-base theory. Synthesis and reactions of alkyl halides, alcohols, alkenes and alkynes are emphasized. Prerequisite: CH 138 or its equivalent.
CH 224. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
3—0—3
A continuation of CH 223 with emphasis on the preparation, reactions, and interconversions of organic compounds, stressing synthetic and biochemical aspects as well as modern theoretical and mechanistic approaches. Prerequisite: CH 223 with minimum grade of C.
CH 225. ORGANIC LABORATORY I
0—3—3
A laboratory which emphasizes scientific observation and communication, while introducing the use of modern analytical techniques such as thin layer, vapor phase, and column chromatography. Corequisite: CH 223.
CH 226. ORGANIC LABORATORY II
0—3—3
A laboratory course that includes mechanistic studies and synthetic problems, and employs instrumental techniques to determine the purity and structure of reaction products. Prerequisite: CH 225. Corequisite CH 224.
CH 229. ORGANIC LABORATORY I FOR NON-MAJORS
0—3—1.5
A laboratory course serving as traditional companion for Organic Chemistry emphasizing organic synthesis and laboratory techniques. Scientific observation and communication and the use of modern analytical techniques will also be included. Co-requisite: CH 223.
CH 230. ORGANIC LABORATORY II FOR NON-MAJORS
0—3—1.5
A laboratory course serving as traditional companion for Organic Chemistry that includes mechanistic studies and synthetic problems, and employs instrumental techniques to determine the purity and structure of reaction products. Prerequisite: CH 229 and Corequisite CH 224.
CH 246. INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
The principal topics for discussion will be coordination chemistry, transition metal chemistry, and organometallic chemistry. Other topics may include bioinorganic chemistry, catalysis, metal cluster chemistry, and physical methods in inorganic chemistry.
CH 262. PUBLIC HEALTH ISSUES
3—0—3
The course introduces students to the field of public health and its role in their lives and their community. Students will explore a variety of topics including, but not limited to:(1) the mission/goals of public health (2) the role of epidemiology in public health (3) clinical studies and ethical issues; (4) risk factors for disease (5) global nutritional and disease issues (6) food safety, food born diseases and investigating food Bourne outbreaks; (7) cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and obesity; (8) genetically engineered foods and foods from cloned animals; and (9) body image and eating disorders. Topics can be modified to address other contemporary issues in the field of public health. Prerequisites: One of the following: CH 131, CH 137, BI 101 or by instructor approval.
CH 301. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I
3—0—3
An introduction to gases and chemical thermodynamics. Emphasis is placed on understanding ideal and real gases, distribution functions and the mathematical implications of differential equations to the laws of thermodynamics. Prerequisites: MA 116.
CH 302. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II
3—0—3
A continuation of CH 301 with emphasis on chemical kinetics, equilibria, phase equilibria, solutions, electrochemistry, and quantum mechanics. Prerequisites: MA 201 and PY 207.
CH 311W. LABORATORY FOR CH 301
0—3—3
CH 312W. LABORATORY FOR CH 302
0—3—3
Laboratory exercises which illustrate physical chemistry principles and laboratory techniques. Corequisites: CH 301 for CH 311 and CH 302 for CH 312.
CH 321. STRUCTURAL BIOCHEMISTRY
3—0—3
This will be a two-semester presentation of general biochemistry. In the first semester (BC 321 Structural Biochemistry), each of the major classes of biological molecules will be presented in light of their chemical composition and properties, emphasizing that these molecules obey the fundamental tenets presented in both general chemistry and biology. Structure /function interrelationship will be emphasized. Enzyme kinetics and basic thermodynamics will also be presented. This course also has a laboratory component (BC 323). Prerequisites: CH 224.
CH 323 LABORATORY FOR CH 321
0—3—1.5
Selected experiments involving biochemical principles presented in CH 321. Emphasis will be placed on current analytical and instrumental methods used to separate and identify biologically important compounds. Prerequisite: CH 226.
CH 322. METABOLIC BIOCHEMISTRY
3—0—3
The second semester (BC 322 Metabolic Biochemistry) will investigate metabolic pathways as they exist in a variety of organisms. While the metabolism of humans will be emphasized, unique metabolic systems in plant and microbial species will be introduced to demonstrate alternative strategies for energy production and utilization.
CH 335. ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY I
3—0—3
Theory and practice of chemical analysis. Classical volumetric methods and an introduction to instrumental methods including potentiometric titrations, spectrophotometry, flame emission and ion selective electrodes. Corequisite CH 337.
CH 336. ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY II
3—0—3
A continuation of CH 305 with emphasis on more advanced techniques of chemical analysis including gas chromatography, high pressure liquid chromatography, spectroscopy including Fourier Transform Infrared, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Fluorescence, atomic absorption and ultraviolet/visible and mass spectrometry. Prerequisites CH 301 and CH 335. Corequisite CH 302 and CH 338.
CH 337. LABORATORY FOR CH 335
0—3—3
Laboratory component for CH 335 emphasizing laboratory technique while illustrating analytical principles.
CH 338. LABORATORY FOR CH 336
0—3—3
The laboratory component for CH 336 featuring hands-on use of instruments, sample preparation and data interpretation.
CH 362. TEACHING MENTORSHIP IN CHEMISTRY
2—3—3
Senior students may take this course with the approval of the chemistry department head. Students interested in a teaching career are required to select a professor who will be willing to monitor the student’s progress during the course. The student will be required to observe both classes and laboratories which the professor teaches, most likely general chemistry. The student will be required to give short lectures throughout the term in both the recitation and the pre-laboratory classes. The student will also be required to submit sample test questions throughout the semester. Finally, the student will be required to submit a complete syllabus for both a lecture and a laboratory general chemistry course.
CH 255-256. SUMMER RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY
NO CREDIT
CH 355-356. SUMMER RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY
NO CREDIT
CH 455-456. SUMMER RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY
NO CREDIT
Independent study opportunities, offered in each summer session, for students participating in chemical research under faculty supervision. Prerequisites: permission of department head and faculty research adviser.
CH 359. RESEARCH TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY
0—4—2
CH 401. ADVANCED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
An in-depth, interdisciplinary exploration of a current area of chemical research coupled with a strengthening of chemistry fundamentals. Required of all 1st Class chemistry majors. This is a Capstone Course.
CH 360. RESEARCH TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY
0—4—2
Only qualified junior chemistry students may take this course with the approval of the Chemistry Department head and a research supervisor. Independent research under a faculty mentor.
CH 357-358. INDEPENDENT SUMMER RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
CH 457-458. INDEPENDENT SUMMER RESEARCH
0—2—1 TO 0—6—3
Independent research for participants in the VMI Chemistry Department’s Summer Research Program. A student working under the supervision of a faculty supervisor, may earn a maximum of four credit hours per summer session. An oral presentation and a comprehensive written research paper are required for each course. Prerequisites: permission of department head and faculty research supervisor.
CH 396X. CHEMISTRY IN A HISTORICAL CONTEXT
0—3—3
This is a course designed to acquaint the student with a historical and cultural context surrounding some of the major chemicals, chemical theories, and discoveries. Using certain themes, i.e. alchemy, medicinal chemistry, conservation of mass and man-made materials, the history and development of chemistry and chemical thought are traced from ancient times to the present. Prerequisite two semesters of General Chemistry.
CH 425. QUALITATIVE ORGANIC ANALYSIS
3—0—3
The course is concerned with the theory and practice of systematic identification of organic compounds based on their physical and chemical properties. The application of modern instrumental methods (ir, uv, gc/ms. And nmr spectroscopy) of analysis is discussed. Prerequisites: CH 223, CH 224, CH 301, and CH 302. Corequisite: CH 427.
CH 426. ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
Topics covered may include organic reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry of carbon compounds, modern synthetic methods, polymers, and organometallics. The selection of topics is left to the discretion of the instructor. At present, polymer chemistry is the main topic of discussion. Prerequisites: CH 223, CH 301, and CH 302.
CH 434. CHEMICAL SYNTHESIS
0—4—2
A laboratory course involving the synthesis and characterization of selected inorganic and organic compounds.
CH 444. ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
The principal topics for discussion will be coordination chemistry, transition metal chemistry, and organometallic chemistry. Other topics may include bioinorganic chemistry, catalysis, metal cluster chemistry, and physical methods in inorganic chemistry.
CH 451. SENIOR THESIS
0—4—2 TO 0—6—3
CH 452. SENIOR THESIS
0—4—2 TO 0—6—3
Only qualified senior chemistry students may take this course with the approval of the department head. Students are required to select a research project or an advanced phase of some subject in either inorganic, analytical, organic, or physical chemistry, with the approval of the professor in charge of the particular branch of chemistry. Work is performed under the supervision of the professor. (0-6-3 for students taking departmental honors.)
CH 461-464. SELECTED TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
Selected areas of chemistry, reflecting the current expertise of the faculty, such as polymer chemistry, the chemistry of amorphous materials, bioorganic chemistry, or the pharmacology of transition metal compounds, will be presented on a year to year basis. Prerequisites: The core chemistry courses.
CH 466. POLYMER CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
The course will study the chemical and physical properties of polymers. Cadets will explore a variety of topics including, but not limited to: organic polymers, inorganic polymers, polymer synthesis, polymer characterization, polymer applications, copolymers, molecular weight distributions, crystallinity, morphology, glass transition temperature and plasticizers. It is planned that a final individual project/poster session will be included as part of this course. Topics may be modified to address other contemporary issues in the field of polymer science. Prerequisites: Both CH 224 and CH 302 or instructor approval.
CH 467. THEORETICAL CHEMISTRY
3—0—3
Concepts in quantum chemistry, molecular symmetry and spectroscopy, statistical thermodynamics, and superconductivity are related to contemporary ideas in physical chemistry. Prerequisites: CH 301 and 302.