Chemistry (CHEM)

see Chemistry Department

The science of chemistry is so intimately woven into the fabric of modern society that a chemistry degree opens many career options. A deep understanding of chemistry is necessary to work in frontier areas of science such as nanotechnology, catalysis, renewable energy, and pharmaceutical design. A degree in chemistry is commonly a prerequisite to advanced study in these areas. Training in chemistry can also serve as preparation for careers in law, medicine and business.

The American Chemical Society recommends standards for the training of professional chemists. Students interested in a career in chemistry and especially those interested in advanced study are strongly encouraged to pursue the program leading to the Batchelor of Science degree accredited to the American Chemical Society.

The Department additionally offers a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry for students interested in biochemistry. Please check Biochemistry for the degree.

Progress in chemistry is increasingly dependent of sophisticated instruments and the Department has an extensive inventory of these tools of modern chemistry. These are described on the Department’s web site at www.centenary.edu/chemistry/.

Departmental Honors in Chemistry

In order for students to be considered for admission to the Departmental Honors Program in chemistry, they must meet the general college requirements for admission to such programs. Interested students should consult the department chairperson.

Major Requirements

Bachelor of Science (American Chemical Society Recommended)

  1. Chemistry courses:
    • General Chemistry 121, 122, 123, 124
    • Organic Chemistry 201, 202, 211, 212
    • Analytical Chemistry 301, 311
    • Physical Chemistry 351, 352, 353, 354
    • Chemical Literature and Information Retrieval 361S
    • Instrumental Analysis 392
    • Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 401
    • Advanced Synthesis Laboratory 412
    • Biochemistry 321
    • Senior Assessment 900
    • at least three additional semester hours of advanced chemistry coursework (numbered 300 or above) which includes at least 50 additional hours of laboratory experience (e.g. Chemistry Internship 400 or Independent Study 493).
  2. Supportive courses:
    • PHYS 104, 105, 114, 115

Bachelor of Science

  1. Chemistry courses:
    • General Chemistry 121,122, 123, 124
    • Organic Chemistry 201, 202, 2212, 212
    • Analytical Chemistry 301, 311
    • Physical Chemistry 351, 352, 353, 354
    • Chemical Literature and Information Retrieval 361S
    • Senior Assessment 900
    • two additional chemistry courses (minimum six semester hours) numbered 300 or above.
  2. Supportive courses:
    • PHYS 104, 105,114, 115
    • Mathematics through 201.

Minor Requirements

  • CHEM 121,122, 123, 124, 201, 202, 211, 212, 301, 311, and at least two additional hours in chemistry numbered 300 or above.

105. Chemistry and Society (3)
(Open only to non-science majors.) A course designed for students with little or no science background which examines the role of science, chemistry in particular, in society. Topics include energy sources, consumer chemistry, nutrition, and drugs.

115. Chemistry and Society Laboratory (1)
The laboratory work involves individual or group projects, experiments, demonstrations, or seminars. All work is designed to accompany the lecture.

121-122. General Chemistry I and II (3-3)
Prerequisite: Score of 20 or greater on the mathematics portion of the ACT, a score of 480 or better on the mathematics portion of the SAT, or completion of MATH 107. Also, requires prior completion of or current registration in CHEM 123-124. Survey of the structure and properties of matter using atomic and molecular theory. First course includes atomic and molecular structure, periodicity, chemical bonding, intermolecular forces, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, gases, solutions, and crystalline solids. Second course includes chemical kinetics and equilibrium, thermochemistry and thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and descriptive chemistry of the elements.

123-124. General Chemistry Laboratory I and II (1-1)
Prerequisite: Prior completion of or current registration in CHEM 121-122. Guided and open inquiry laboratory investigations which lead to a discovery of the principles discussed in CHEM 121-122. Introduction to gravimetric, volumetric and instrumental techniques, data analysis and experimental design. (Three laboratory hours per week.)

201-202. Organic Chemistry I and II (3-3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 122, 124. A study of the chemistry of organic compounds. These studies are based on molecular structure, the properties due to functional groups, and the mechanisms by which reactions occur. Yearly.

211-212. Organic Chemistry Laboratory I and II (1-1)
Prerequisite: Concurrent registration in or credit for the corresponding lecture course 201 or 202. The laboratory work in this course is designed to allow students to cooperatively discover fundamental concepts of the science while introducing the common laboratory techniques of organic chemistry. The course emphasizes the use of modern and analytical instrumentation including Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Infrared Spectrophotomatry, Gas Chromatography, and Mass Spectroscopy.

Directed Research (1-3)
Prerequisites: First or second year standing and consent of instructor based on adequate preparation in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Research on an assigned problem directed by a faculty member of the Centenary College Department of Chemistry. A written report and oral presentation of the work are required.

301. Analytical Chemistry (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 122, 124, and Math 115. A study of the theory of the analytical process and the principles and methods of quantitative chemical analysis, with emphasis on the application of equilibrium theory to analytical problems. Yearly.

311. Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
Prerequisites: Concurrent registration in or credit for CHEM 301. Laboratory work dealing with various gravimetric, volumetric, electrochemical, and colorimetric analysis. Yearly (Three laboratory hours per week)

321. Biochemistry I (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 202, 212. A study of the chemical and physical properties of biological macromolecules with emphasis on structure-function relationships, enzymatic catalysis, and bioenergetics. (Same as BIOL 321)

322W. Biochemistry II (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 321. A study of the chemistry and regulation of anabolic and catabolic metabolic systems, the flow of genetic information through living systems. Yearly. (Same as BIOL 322)

324. Biochemistry II Laboratory (1)
Prerequisites: Credit for or concurrent registration in CHEM 322. Laboratory study designed to introduce biochemical techniques and methodology. (Three laboratory hours a week)

351-352. Physical Chemistry I and II (3-3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 202, 212, Math 201, PHYS 105. Study of the theoretical framework, built on physical principles, that is used to understand chemical structure and reactivity. The first semester examines kinetics and thermodynamics; the second semester includes quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. (Same as PHYS 351-352)

353W-354. Physical Chemistry Laboratory I and II (1-1)
Prerequisites: Concurrent enrollment or credit in CHEM 351-352. Laboratory investigations of the physical properties of chemical systems. First semester includes thermochemical and kinetic measurements, data and error analysis, and scientific writing in journal and review formats. Second semester includes spectrographic techniques, principles of lasers, and computational chemistry. (Three laboratory hours per week.) (Same as PHYS 353W-354)

361S. Chemical Literature and Information Retrieval (1)
Library exercises will include understanding the use of Chemical Abstracts, Science Citation Index, on-line interactive computer databases , and other sources. Students will make a number of oral presentations to the class . Enrollment limited to students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry with at least junior standing. Offered each fall.

392. Instrumental Analysis (4)
Prerequisite: Concurrent registration or credit for CHEM 351. A study of the theory and applications of instrumental methods for separation and analysis. Emphasis is on spectrometric and chromatographic methods. Spring of even-numbered years (Three hours lecture, three laboratory hours per week)

395,396. Selected Topics (3,3)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of the instructor based upon adequate preparation in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. A detailed study of an area of chemistry not normally covered in the regular chemistry course. Topics may include organic reaction mechanisms, hetrocyclic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, environmental chemistry. May be repeated once for credit when a different topic is offered. Offered on demand.

400W,S. Chemistry Internship (3)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and recommendation of the Chemistry Department faculty. Work in an industrial or research laboratory for a minimum of 120 hours. A written and oral report on the work conducted is required. Offered on demand. May be offered as a W or S course.

401. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3)
Prerequisite: CHEM 352. A systematic study of the chemistry of the elements and their compounds based upon physical-chemical concepts. Spring of odd-numbered years.

412. Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Synthesis, purification, and characterization of selected inorganic, organic, and organometallic compounds using different types of synthetic techniques and instrumental methods of analysis. Fall of even-numbered years. (One hour lecture, six laboratory hours each week)

491-496. Independent Study (1-6)
Prerequisites: Junior standing and consent of the instructor based on adequate preparation in chemistry, physics, and mathematics. Research on an assigned problem. A written report and an oral presentation of the work are required.

900. Senior Assessment (0)
Chemistry majors must take an assessment exam prior to graduation. (CR/NC)

199. Module Studies (3)
Special topics offered during the Module.

Last updated April 29, 2008.