Courses Offered
Chem 114 - The Environment: A Chemical Perspective - 4 hours
A study of the environment with emphasis on the relationship between technology and our surroundings. Laboratory work may include field studies in the surrounding area. The course is designed for non-science students with little or no science background. No prerequisite. Fulfills laboratory science requirement. No prerequisite. (S)
Chem 115 - The Chemical World - 4 hours
An examination of the chemicals encountered in everyday life. Designed to acquaint non-science students with chemical applications which are of current environmental and social interest. No previous background in science or mathematics is required. No prerequisite. Fulfills laboratory science requirement. No prerequisite. (S)
Chem 116 - Chemistry and Crime - 4 hours
An introductory course in forensic chemistry. Designed to acquaint non-science students whith the chemical principles involved in the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data from crime scenes. Laboratory work will include the preparation and analysis of fingerprints, explosive residues, and simulated human biological samples. No previous background in science or mathematics is required. Fulfills laboratory science requirement. No prerequisite. (F)
Chem 151 and 152 - Chemical Principles I and II - 4 hours each
A year long general chemistry sequence of courses intended primarily for students concentrating in science. Algebra skills are assumed. No prerequisite for 151, Prerequisite for 152: 151. (F,S)
Chem 139, 239, 339, 439 Special Topics - Credit arranged.
Chem 201 - Advanced Chemical Principles - 4 hours
A faster paced introduction to Chemistry than Chemistry 151 and 152. Material from both Chemistry 151 and 152 will be included, but basic chemical knowledge and competence in algebra will be assumed. Lab will emphasize an introduction to several instruments and to data-handling with spreadsheets. Prerequisite: Good high school chemistry course and test into at least Math 151 on math placement test. (F)
Chem 202 - Analytical Chemistry - 4 hours
An introduction to quantitative analysis. The course provides a detailed examination of equilibrium chemistry and its application to gravimetry and titrimetry. The theory and practice of chromatographic separations and spectroscopic detection are introduced. Prerequisite: Chem 152 or 201. (S)
Chem 241 - Organic Chemistry I - 4 hours
The first of a two-course sequence that examines the structure and reactivity of compounds containing carbon. Topics include bonding, nomenclature, conformations, stereochemistry, and organic acid/base chemistry. An introduction to reaction mechanism and reaction pathways is achieved through the study of the reactivity of aliphatic hydrocarbons. Spectroscopic identification of organic molecules by IR and NMR spectroscopy is also examined in detail. Three lectures per week, one three-hour lab a week. Prerequisite: 152 or 201, corequisite: 248 (F)
Chem 242 - Organic Chemistry II - 4 hours
The second of a two-course sequence that examines the structure and reactivity of compounds containing carbon. Topics include the reactivity of aromatic hydrocarbons and molecules containing the carbonyl functional group; parallels between the behavior of these compounds and biomolecules are illustrated. Emphasis is placed on reaction mechanisms and the design of multi-step organic syntheses. Three lectures per week, one three-hour lab per week. Prerequisite: 241. (S)
Chem 301 - Biochemistry I - 4 hours
An introduction to the chemistry of the four major classes of biological molecules:proteins, sugars, lipids, and nucleic acids. The relationship between the functional roles of these molecules and their structure and reactivity will be examined using the chemical principles mastered in the prerequisite courses of general chemistry and the first semester of organic. This course will fulfill the 1-semester biochemistry prerequisite of typical health professional programs. Prerequisite: 241 (F)
Chem 344 - Instrumental Methods: Spectroscopic Techniques - 2 hours
A detailed look at the instrumentation and applications of optical spectroscopy associated with chemical analyses. Topics will include molecular and atomic absorption, fluorescence, NMR, and IR spectrometries, as well as selected advanced spectroscopic techniques. Prerequistie: 241 (F - First 7 Weeks)
Chem 348 - Biochemistry II - 4 hours
This course is the second of a two-course sequence in biochemistry and includes both lecture and laboratory components. In lecture, the chemical mechanisms of some advanced metabolic and signaling pathways, including secondary metabolism, proteomics and lipidomics, will be presented. In addition, the theoretical principles underlying many experimental techniques for the isolation and characterization of biological molecules will be presented to support projects done in the lab. The laboratory experience will emphasize multi-week experiments involving cell culture, protein purification, cellular lipid metabolism, and immunochemical methods of analysis. (3 hrs of lecture and 3 hrs of lab per week). Prerequisties: 242 and 301. (S)
Chem 351 - Chemical Kinetics - 2 hours
An introduction to the area of chemistry involving the rates at which chemical reactions occur. Topics will include classical kinetics, kinetics of fast reactions, and enzyme kinetics. Prerequisites: 152 or 201, mathematics 152. (F - First 7 Weeks)
Chem 361 - Quantum Chemistry - 4 hours
An introduction to the formalism of quantum mechanics through the core quantum mechanical models of the particle in the box, the harmonic oscillator, the rigid rotor, and the hydrogen atom. Applications of these models are then made to describe various types of spectroscopy used to study chemical systems. Prerequisites: mathematics 152: physics 181, 182 (or 151, 152); or consent of instructor. (S)
Chem 362 - Thermodynamics - 2 hours
Mathematical treatment of the fundamental laws of thermodynamics and how those laws govern chemcial and physcial changes. Prerequisite: 152 or 201, Mathematics 152, Physics 181, 182 (or 151,152) (F - Second 7 Weeks)
Chem 365 - Spectroscopy & Separation Lab - 2 hours
A laboratory introduction to various types of spectroscopy and separation techniques and how they are used in the chemistry laboratory. Techniques will include UV/VIS, IR, fluorescence, and NMR spectroscopy, and liquid and gas phase chromatography. Prerequisites: 202, 242
Chem 366 - Thermodynamics & Kinetics Lab - 2 hours
A laboratory introduction to the study of the energetics and rates of chemical reactions. Prerequisite: 202, 242.
Chem 379 - Inorganic Synthesis Lab - 2 hours
A course in preparative chemistry. Topics include the synthesis and characterization of organic, inorganic, and organometallic compounds. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.
Chem 389 - Directed Research - 1-4 hours
Directed research involves students in research projects conducted under supervision of department faculty. Recommended for students who expect to attend graduate school in chemistry. With the approval of the department, students may register for more than one semester (cumulative total may not exceed four semester hours). Prerequisites: 16 hours of chemistry, approval of the research director and the department head. (F,J,S)
Chem 395 - Independent Study - 1-4
Chem 472 - Inorganic Chemistry: Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry - 2 hours
An advanced course including properties and reactions of coordination compounds and organometallic compounds , and other advanced topics. Prerequisite: 241. Offered in even-numbered years. (S - First 7 Weeks).
Chem 473 - Inorganic Chemistry: Solid State and Bioinorganic Chemistry - 2 hours
An advanced course covering the solid state and bioinorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: 361. Offered in even-numbered years (S -Second 7 Weeks).
Chem 474 - Physical Inorganic Chemistry - 2 hours
An introduction to the use of symmetry for nonqualitative predictions of energy levels, molecular orbitals, and spectra of molecules. Prerequisites: 361. Offered in odd-numbered years (S -First 7 Weeks).
Chem 475 - Advanced Topics In Chemistry - 2 hours
Faculty will select an advanced topic of interest to students. Examples include: Advanced NMR Spectrometry, Environmental Chemistry, and Molecular Modelling. Prerequisite: Chem 361. Offered in odd-numbered years (S -Second 7 Weeks).
Chem 490 - Senior Project - 2 hours
Each student will write a research paper reporting the results and significance of the project completed to satisfy the Chemistry 490L requirement. In addition, the seminar meets weekly for lectures and discussions led by the students, faculty, and visiting scholars. Prerequisites; 365 and 4 additional hours of chemistry numbered above 300. (S)
Chem 490L - Senior Project Lab - 2 hours
A semester-long laboratory experience in which students work as a group (minimum of 6 hours per week) on a project defined by the chemistry faculty. This course requirement for majors may be waived for students who have an approved summer research experience in chemistry or a related area, or who have done research in chemistry or a related area at Luther for the equivalent of 2 semester hours. Students must submit a written request to waive 490L by May 1 of their junior year. Majors for who this lab is waived must still complete Chemistry 490. Prerequisites; 365
Chem 493 - Senior Honors Project - 4 hours
A year-long independent research project. Applications are completed on the "Honors Project" form available at the registrar's office, requiring the signatures of a faculty supervisor, the department head, the honors program director, and the registrar. Interdisciplinary projects require the signatures of two faculty supervisors. The project must be completed by the due date for senior projects. The completed project is evaluated by a review committee consisting of the faculty supervisor, another faculty member from the major department and a faculty member from outside the major department. All projects must be presented publicly. Only projects awarded an "A- or A" qualify for "department honors" designation. The honors project fulfills the all-college senior project requirement.
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