Chemistry

Contact Information

Website: www.uis.edu/chemistry/
Email: che@uis.edu
Office Phone: (217) 206-6589
Office Location: HSB 314

Bachelor of Science
- Pre-Medical Concentration
- The Science of the Environment Concentration
Minor

The Chemistry curriculum is designed to prepare students for direct entry into the chemical profession or for further studies in graduate or professional programs. The Chemistry program in the School of Integrated Sciences, Sustainability, and Public Health is accredited by the American Chemical Society’s Committee on Professional Training. Our curriculum leads to ACS certification in chemistry.

Honors in Chemistry

Chemistry majors may elect to participate in the honors program in Chemistry. To graduate with honors in Chemistry, a student must:

Complete all degree requirements.
Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all UIS Chemistry courses and 3.50 for UIS courses overall.
Make a public presentation of the results of undergraduate research. (CHE 400 or similar experiential learning project)

Undergraduate Research

One of the advantages of getting a Chemistry degree from UIS is the requirement to conduct an original research project. This requirement is fulfilled by earning three (3) credits of CHE 302 or CHE 400. These credits can be earned on campus in a project with one of the Chemistry program faculty or in an off-campus research internship. Both courses include a final written report of the research results and a professional presentation. Contact a Chemistry faculty member to discuss possible projects or to get approval of a research opportunity outside the program.

The three credits of CHE 302 or CHE 400 meet the University requirements for three credits of ECCE Engaged Citizenship. Additional Engaged Citizenship credits can be earned in an internship. There are many local paid internships in the sciences. Contact the Internships and Prior Learning office for the current list of available internships.

The Bachelor's Degree

In addition to the B.S. in Chemistry, two concentrations are available for chemistry students – pre-medical and science of the environment. The pre-medical concentration is designed to prepare students for applying to medical school or other health professions. The science of the environment concentration is useful for students seeking a career in environmental technology or government agencies.

Advising

Students wishing to major in Chemistry should consult with an academic advisor upon admission to the University to make sure they are taking required courses in the proper sequence. In order to be a chemistry major, students need to complete a Change of Curriculum form on the Records and Registration website. There is no separate admission to the major.

First-year students should contact the science advisor in the Center for Academic Success and Advising. Students with more than 30 hours (transfer students and sophomores) should contact the College of Health, Science, and Technology Advising Professional. We suggest that you meet with your advisor one time each semester to discuss courses, careers, and research opportunities. All of the faculty in the Chemistry program are available for advising as well.

Refer to the Chemistry website at www.uis.edu/chemistry/ to view the program’s Sample Curriculum / Program Guide.

General Education

All chemistry majors must fulfill the undergraduate general education requirements as described at the beginning of this catalog. Certain courses required for the UIS Chemistry Bachelor of Science degree also fulfill general education requirements, according to the table below. Consult with your academic advisor before registering to ensure that you take the correct courses in the correct sequence.

Grading Policy

Chemistry courses for which the student has attained a grade of C- or better will be applied toward the B.S. degree (grades of D+ or lower will not be accepted). Chemistry majors may repeat program courses for grade improvement only once.

Program Learning Outcomes

A chemist graduating from UIS will be characterized as being able to:

Apply the scientific process(es).
Communicate scientific information.
Integrate chemical knowledge.
Participate in the chemical profession.
Perform appropriate laboratory skills.

Students majoring in chemistry may be asked to participate in surveys of focus groups in order to assist the program in assessing the learning outcomes of the program. Other evidences of student learning (e.g., exam scores, research papers) will be used in an anonymous and confidential manner for Chemistry program curriculum review and planning.

Requirements

Life Science
BIO 141	General Biology I	4
Physical Science
CHE 141	General Chemistry I	4
Mathematical Skills
MAT 115	Calculus I	4
Applied Mathematics
MAT 116	Calculus II	4
ECCE Engagement Experience
CHE 400	ECCE: Undergraduate Research	3
or CHE 302	ECCE: Undergraduate Research

Introductory Courses
CHE 141	General Chemistry I	4
CHE 142	General Chemistry II	4
CHE 143	Recitation for General Chemistry I	0
CHE 144	Recitation for General Chemistry II	0
CHE 267	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHE 268	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	1
CHE 269	Organic Chemistry II	3
CHE 271	Organic Chemistry II Lab	1
Calculus (one year):
MAT 115 & MAT 116	Calculus I and Calculus II	8
Physics (one year):
ASP 201 & ASP 202	University Physics I and University Physics II	8
Total Hours		32

Transfer students with deficiencies in the introductory courses may enter the program conditionally but will be required to make up the deficiencies during their first year of study. This extra work may mean that some students will require more than four years to complete the B.S. degree. Transcripts submitted by transfer students must show that the following course requirement categories have been met:

General Chemistry I and II,
Organic Chemistry with lab (one year)
Calculus (one year)
Physics, calculus based (one year).

Intermediate and Advanced Courses
CHE 301	General Seminar	3
or BIO 301	General Seminar
CHE 302	ECCE: Undergraduate Research	1-6
or CHE 400	ECCE: Undergraduate Research
CHE 321	Chemical Analysis	4
CHE 401	Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics	3
CHE 402	Physical Chemistry II	3
CHE 421	Instrumental Analysis	4
CHE 475 & CHE 476	General Biochemistry and General Biochemistry Laboratory	5
Chemistry Electives (300 or 400-level)		6
Total Hours		29-34

Chemistry Minor

This minor is only open to students who are NOT majoring in Biochemistry.

To earn a minor in Chemistry, students must complete a minimum of 19 semester hours from the following courses. A minimum of eight hours of course work must be taken at UIS.

Requirements

Required Courses
CHE 141	General Chemistry I	4
CHE 142	General Chemistry II	4
CHE 267	Organic Chemistry I	3
CHE 268	Organic Chemistry I Laboratory	1
Electives
Select from the following:		7
CHE 400	ECCE: Undergraduate Research
CHE 480	Special Topics In Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry
CHE 321	Chemical Analysis
CHE 421	Instrumental Analysis
CHE 431	Environmental Chemistry
Organic and Biochemistry
CHE 269	Organic Chemistry II
CHE 271	Organic Chemistry II Lab
CHE 418	Bioanalytical Chemistry
CHE 475	General Biochemistry
CHE 476	General Biochemistry Laboratory
CHE 485	Advanced Biochemistry
Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
CHE 401	Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics
CHE 402	Physical Chemistry II
Total Hours		19

EHS HDC Admissions
Degree Program	Program Type	Dept Application Materials and Admission Criteria	Prerequisite Course Requirements	Department ADM Review	Dept Conditional Admits	Dept Appeal Process
Chemistry	BS	No additional admission requirements beyond the general UIS critera	*CHE 141, CHE 142, CHE 267, CHE 268, CHE 269, CHE 271, MAT 115, MAT 116, ASP 201 and ASP 202	N/A	N/A	N/A

Courses

CHE 124. General Chemistry for the Health Professions. 4 Hours.

First semester of a chemistry sequence for health professions majors. Topics include unit analysis, properties of matter, reactions in solutions, basic stoichiometry, behavior of gases, nuclear chemistry, basic atomic structure and chemical bonding. Three hours of lab experience per week. Course Information: Excludes CHE, BIO, and MLS majors. Prerequisites: Placement in MAT 094 or higher. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with Lab.

CHE 131. Introduction to Forensic Science. 3 Hours.

Scientific basis of forensics investigations. Discusses basic procedures for investigation of crime scenes through deductive reasoning, case history/problem-solving approach. Topics: fingerprints, soil/imprints, toxicology, ballistics, blood/body fluid analysis, DNA fingerprints, PCR technology. Course Information: Same as MLS 131. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science without a Lab. (IAI Code: P1903).

CHE 132. Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Lab illustrates basic scientific procedures/analyses used in forensic science labs. Exercises: fingerprinting, hair/fiber analysis, soil/glass analysis, PCR/DNA profiling, toxicology, blood spatter analysis, field tests for blood, semen, drugs. Optional lab to be taken with MLS 131. Course Information: Same as MLS 132. This course, with CHE 131, fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with a Lab. (IAI Code: P1903L).

CHE 137. Chemistry Cooks. 3 Hours.

A course emphasizing the general principles and theories of chemistry including atomic structure and states of matter, bonding, stoichiometry, acid-base concepts, periodicity and solution chemistry. Course Information: This course cannot be counted toward any science major or minor. The course is intended for non-science majors. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science without a Lab.

CHE 138. Lab for Chemistry Cooks. 1 Hour.

Optional lab for CHE 137. The chemical principles taught in CHE 137 will be demonstrated with laboratory exercises that involve the use of materials and methods common to the ordinary kitchen. CHE 137 must be taken concurrently or have been completed with a passing grade. Course is intended for non-science majors. Course Information: This course, along with CHE 137, fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with a Lab.

CHE 141. General Chemistry I. 4 Hours.

First semester of general chemistry for science students. Topics: properties of matter, stoichiometry, solutions chemistry, thermodynamics, gas laws, atomic structure, molecular geometry and chemical bonding. Course Information: Three hours-lab per week. Prerequisites: High school chemistry, placement in MAT 094. Co-requisite: CHE 143. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with Lab (IAI Code: P1 902L).

CHE 142. General Chemistry II. 4 Hours.

The second semester of general chemistry for science students. Topics include solid structures, solution properties, kinetics, entropy, nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry and equilibria (acid-base and solubility). Course Information: Three hours of lab weekly. Co-requisite: Enrollment in CHE 144. Prerequisites: CHE 141 or equivalent. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with a Lab.

CHE 143. Recitation for General Chemistry I. 0 Hours.

Designed for practice in problem solving in General Chemistry. Course Information: Co-requisite: CHE 141. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with Lab.

CHE 144. Recitation for General Chemistry II. 0 Hours.

Designed for practice in problem solving in General Chemistry II. Course Information: Co-requisites: CHE 142. This course fulfills a general education requirement at UIS in the area of Physical Science with Lab.

CHE 151. Survey of Organic and Biochemistry. 4 Hours.

This course will give students an overview of the principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry. It will focus on their application to the health sciences and is designed for students in nursing and applied health sciences. Course Information: Three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites: CHE 141, or equivalent.

CHE 267. Organic Chemistry I. 3 Hours.

First semester of university-level organic chemistry. Study of organic structure, reactions and mechanisms. Includes relationship of structure to function. Course Information: Prerequisite: CHE 141 and CHE 142 or equivalent. (IAI Major Code: CHM 913).

CHE 268. Organic Chemistry I Laboratory. 1 Hour.

Laboratory course cultivating techniques for separation, purification, and identification of organic compounds. Includes an introduction to spectroscopy and application of techniques to illustrative organic preparations. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 267, or equivalent, or concurrent enrollment. (IAI Major Code: CHM 913).

CHE 269. Organic Chemistry II. 3 Hours.

Second-semester of university level-organic chemistry that builds on a basic knowledge of organic structure, reactions, and mechanisms. Focus on organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms. Includes an introduction to bio-molecules. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 267 and CHE 268, or equivalent. (IAI Major Code: CHM 914).

CHE 271. Organic Chemistry II Lab. 1 Hour.

Second-semester course in organic chemistry laboratory. Continues to expose students to new laboratory techniques and integrates spectroscopy with synthesis. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 267 and CHE 268 or equivalent. (IAI Major Code: CHM 914).

CHE 301. General Seminar. 3 Hours.

Development of writing skills and discussion of professional ethics. Mastery of library skills and ability to organize material demonstrated by production of a paper on a scientific topic of interest and a seminar based on that paper. Course Information: Same as BIO 301. Prerequisites: ENG 101 and 102 or equivalents. COM 112 recommended. Recommended for the sophomore or junior year. Restricted to Chemistry and Biology majors.

CHE 302. ECCE: Undergraduate Research. 3 Hours.

Design and conduct an original research project integrating knowledge introduced in the lower-division chemistry core. Students will also receive instruction on a variety of topics important to the conduct of scientific research and their continued professional development. At the conclusion students produce individual scientific reports and make a professional group presentation. Course information: Prerequisites: CHE/BIO 301 and instructor approval. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of Engagement Experience.

CHE 321. Chemical Analysis. 4 Hours.

Introduction to acquisition and analysis of chemical data, statistical analysis, and method evaluation. Discussion of equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry and optical spectroscopy. Three hours of lab per week. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 141 and CHE 142 or equivalent.

CHE 400. ECCE: Undergraduate Research. 1-6 Hours.

Investigation of a specific problem of interest to the student. Directed and reviewed by a faculty member. At the conclusion of the project, the student will write a scientific report and make a professional presentation evaluated by the faculty. Course Information: May be repeated with approval. This course fulfills an Engaged Citizenship Common Experience requirement at UIS in the area of Engagement Experience.

CHE 401. Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics. 3 Hours.

Development of principles of classical thermodynamics; equations of state; first, second, and third laws and their applications. Course Information: Prerequisites: Passing grade in MAT 115 and ASP 202.

CHE 402. Physical Chemistry II. 3 Hours.

Examination of thermodynamic considerations that control the position of chemical equilibrium and kinetic factors that govern reaction rates. Discussion of current theories of chemical bonding in ionic and covalent compounds. Emphasis on correlation of experimental data and prediction of structures of chemical compounds. The laboratory portion includes calorimetry, fluorescence spectroscopy, and scanning probe microscopy. Course Information: Prerequisite: CHE 401 or equivalent and a passing grade in ASP 202. 420258.

CHE 403. Physical Chemistry Laboratory. 1 Hour.

A stand-alone course designed to introduce students to various laboratory techniques used in the fields of physical chemistry, and applications of theories taught in lecture. Characterization methods such as infrared spectroscopy, viscometry, and electrochemical methods will be utilized. Computer modeling of chemical systems will be included. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 401, or concurrent enrollment.

CHE 418. Bioanalytical Chemistry. 3 Hours.

The general objectives of this course include, but are not limited to, developing an appreciation for the fundamentals of bioanalytical chemistry. The course will emphasize the manipulations of biologically relevant molecules through laboratory exercises that include techniques in proteins enzymes, and nucleic acid chemistry. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 267 and CHE 268, or equivalent and CHE 475, or equivalent.

CHE 421. Instrumental Analysis. 4 Hours.

Overview of separation methods such as Gas Chromatography, High Performance Liquid Chromatography and Capillary Electrophoresis. Spectroscopic techniques include Mass Spectrometry, Optical Spectroscopy including UV-Visible, Infrared and Atomic Absorption. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 267, or equivalent.

CHE 422. Inorganic Chemistry. 4 Hours.

Survey of the bonding, structure, and reactivity of solid-state materials, main group compounds, and transition metal complexes. Examples from the interdisciplinary areas of organometallic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, and materials science will be presented. The synthesis and characterization of inorganic materials will be explored in the laboratory. A strong emphasis will be placed on the rapidly emerging fields of materials science and nanotechnology. Course Information: Prerequisites: CHE 402.

CHE 425. Medicinal Chemistry. 3 Hours.

Pharmacotherapy is defined as the treatment of disease through the administration of drugs. Medicinal chemistry is an introductory course in pharmacology that introduces the underlying principles of the mechanisms of actions of drugs used to treat diseases (pharmacodynamics), the properties of drugs (pharmacokinetics), and how they vary from individual to individual (pharmacogenetics). Course Information: Same as BIO 425.

CHE 431. Environmental Chemistry. 4 Hours.

Chemical principles behind various environmental processes and analytical chemistry techniques used to solve environmental problems will be introduced. Interactions between the geosphere, the hydrosphere, and the atmosphere will be explored. Issues of waste remediation, disposal and energy resources will be addressed. Course Information: Same as ENS 447.

CHE 432. Introduction to Neuroscience. 3 Hours.

While neurobiology traditionally focuses on the biology of the nervous system, neuroscience is an interdisciplinary field that incorporates principles from biology, chemistry, mathematics and medicine to provide a more comprehensive overview of the nervous system. In order to understand how the nervous system is organized and functions to generate behavior, we will examine the central and peripheral nervous system in anatomical, electrophysiological, cellular, and molecular terms. Course Information: Same as BIO 432.

CHE 465. Environmental Toxicology. 3,4 Hours.

Study of the effects of chemical and physical agents on the health of the public and environment. Included are sources, transport, chemical behavior, and biochemical mechanisms for adverse health effects from environmental pollutants. Course Information: Same as MPH 449.

CHE 475. General Biochemistry. 3 Hours.

This is an introductory one semester course in biochemistry that provides a foundation for the health sciences by investigating the simple molecular components of the cell to the complex dynamics of metabolism and information transfer. Course Information: Same as BIO 475.

CHE 476. General Biochemistry Laboratory. 2 Hours.

This is a laboratory and supplemental discussion to CHE 475: General Biochemistry. The course will develop a competency with basic biochemical techniques, e.g. protein and DNA preparations. The course will also provide a more in depth coverage to the topics in CHE 475. Course Information: Same as BIO 476.

CHE 480. Special Topics In Chemistry. 1-4 Hours.

Advanced topics which may involve instruction, laboratory, and/or independent study. Topics will vary depending on student interest and area of expertise of instructor. Course Information: May be repeated if topics vary. Students may register in more than one section per term.

CHE 485. Advanced Biochemistry. 4 Hours.

This is an advanced one semester course in biochemistry that provides an in depth coverage of topics that expand upon the foundations established in CHE 475: General Biochemistry as well as explore developing areas of research in biochemistry. Course Information: Same as BIO 485.

CHE 499. Tutorial. 1-4 Hours.

Intended to supplement, not supplant, regular course offerings. Students interested in a tutorial must secure the consent of the faculty member concerned before registration and submit any required documentation to him or her. Course Information: May be repeated if topics vary.