Department of Chemistry
Departmental Honors
Students on Summer 2023, Fall 2023, or Spring 2024 requirements CHEM-HON
The program is designed for especially well-qualified students who wish to acquire an unusually strong foundation in chemistry and to conduct original research. Most students completing the honors program enter graduate or professional school. Special courses for outstanding students are offered in general chemistry (CHEM-H 117 and CHEM-H 127) and organic chemistry (CHEM-S 341 and CHEM-S 342).
The heart of the honors program is participation in an undergraduate research project within a faculty research group. This research generally begins in the freshman or sophomore year.
Requirements
- Chemical Research Capstone. One (1) course:
- CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone
CHEM-X 499 Chemical Research Capstone
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- Consent of research director and department; and two semesters of CHEM-C 409 or CHEM-X 399
- Description
- For outstanding students in research. A written research thesis with oral presentation is required.
- Repeatability
- CHEM-X 399 and CHEM-X 499 may not be taken concurrently during the same semester. Credit given for only one of CHEM-G 410 or CHEM-X 499.
- Thesis. Successful completion of an honors research thesis.
- College GPA. A College grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.300 is required.
Exceptions to and substitutions for honors requirements may be made with the approval of the unit's Director of Undergraduate Studies, subject to final approval by the College of Arts and Sciences.
One of the following:
- Complete the requirements for one of the following degrees:
- BS in Chemistry
- BS in Biochemistry
- Complete the following requirements:
- Analytical Chemistry.
- Analytical Chemistry Lab. One (1) course from the Analytical Chemistry 1 list.
- CHEM-A 315 Chemical Measurements Laboratory
- CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM-A 315 Chemical Measurements Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-A 314; or CHEM-C 317 and CHEM-C 318
- Description
- Application of analytical techniques and instrumentation to qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Theory, instrumentation, and data analysis will be covered.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-A 315 or CHEM-A 316.
CHEM-A 316 Bioanalytical Chemistry Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- P or C: CHEM-C 318 or CHEM-A 314
- Description
- Laboratory experiments involve the application of analytical techniques and instrumentation to chemical analysis of biological samples. Methods include spectroscopy, immunoassays, chromatography, electrophoresis, and mass spectrometry.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-A 315 or CHEM-A 316.
- Analytical Chemistry Lecture(s). One (1) of the following options from the Analytical Chemistry 2 list.
- CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
- CHEM-C 317 Equilibria and Electrochemistry
- CHEM-C 318 Spectrochemistry and Separations
CHEM-A 314 Biological and Environmental Chemical Analysis
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- (CHEM-C 341 or CHEM-R 340 or CHEM-S 341) and (MATH-M 119 or MATH-V 119 or MATH-M 211 or MATH-S 211)
- Description
- Theory and application of analytical techniques, including statistical treatment of data, spectroscopy, separation methods, electroanalytical methods, radioisotopes, and immunological methods.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-A 314 or CHEM-C 318.
CHEM-C 317 Equilibria and Electrochemistry
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in CHEM-C 341; CHEM-R 340, or CHEM-S 341; and MATH-M 211, MATH-S 211, or MATH-M 213
- Description
- Treatment of analytical data; chemical equilibrium; redox titrations; electrochemical theory; potentiometry; voltammetry; coulometry.
CHEM-C 318 Spectrochemistry and Separations
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- A grade of C- or higher in CHEM-C 341; CHEM-R 340, or CHEM-S 341; and MATH-M 211, MATH-S 211, or MATH-M 213
- Description
- Ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and luminescence spectrophotometry; flame and electrical discharge techniques; X-ray and mass spectrometric methods; phase equilibria and extractions; counter current distribution; gas, thin-layer liquid, and high-performance liquid chromatography.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-A 314; or CHEM-C 317 and CHEM-C 318.
- Analytical Chemistry Lab. One (1) course from the Analytical Chemistry 1 list.
- Physical Chemistry.
- Physical Chemistry 1. One (1) course:
- CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter
- CHEM-P 360 Physical Chemistry for Biochemists
CHEM-C 361 Physical Chemistry of Bulk Matter
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 106, CHEM-S 106, CHEM-C 243, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, or CHEM-S 117; and MATH-M 212 or MATH-S 212; and PHYS-H 222, PHYS-P 202, or PHYS-P 222.
- Description
- Thermodynamics laws, free energy and chemical potentials, gases and dilute solutions, phase transitions, colligative properties, chemical equilibria, ionic solutions, chemical kinetics and transport processes, current topics.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 360 or CHEM-C 361.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-P 360 Physical Chemistry for Biochemists
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 106, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-J 117, CHEM-H 117, or CHEM-S 117; and MATH-M 212 or MATH-S 212; and PHYS-H 221, PHYS-P 201 or PHYS-P 221
- Notes
- Recommended C: PHYS-H 222, PHYS-P 202, or PHYS-P 222
- Description
- Covers elements of thermodynamics, reaction kinetics, molecular quantum states and spectroscopy, focusing on an intuitive approach to these topics at an intermediate level of mathematical rigor.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-P 360, CHEM-C 360, or CHEM-C 361.
- Physical Chemistry 2. One (1) course:
- CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
- CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
CHEM-C 362 Physical Chemistry of Molecules
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 106, CHEM-C 117, CHEM-C 243, CHEM-H 117, CHEM-J 117, CHEM-S 106, or CHEM-S 117; and MATH-M 212 or MATH-S 212; and PHYS-H 222, PHYS-P 202, or PHYS-P 222
- Notes
- R: CHEM-N 331 and MATH-M 311
- Description
- Quantum states and spectroscopy of molecules, statistical thermodynamics, and elementary kinetic theory, current topics.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 360 or CHEM-C 362.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 361 or CHEM-P 360; and CHEM-C 484
- Description
- Physical chemistry of biological macromolecules; structure and conformation of proteins and nucleic acids; thermodynamics and kinetics of biochemical reactions.
- Physical Chemistry 1. One (1) course:
- Advanced Elective Labs. One (1) course:
- CHEM-B 487 Biochemistry Laboratory
- CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
- CHEM-C 427 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials Laboratory
- CHEM-C 437 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- CHEM-P 364 Basic Measurements in Physical Chemistry
CHEM-B 487 Biochemistry Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- (CHEM-C 343, CHEM-J 343, CHEM-S 343 or CHEM-X 325); and CHEM-C 484
- Notes
- P or C: CHEM-C 485
- Description
- Laboratory instruction in the fundamental techniques of protein biochemistry, including separation of macromolecules by electrophoresis and chromatography; isolation, purification, and analysis of enzymes; and methods for probing protein-ligand interactions.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-B 487 and CHEM-B 488; or CHEM-C 487.
CHEM-C 344 Organic Chemistry II Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- (CHEM-C 342 or CHEM-S 342); and (CHEM-C 343, CHEM-J 343, CHEM-S 343, or CHEM-X 325)
- Description
- Preparation, isolation, and identification of organic compounds; emphasis on modern research methods.
CHEM-C 427 Advanced and Nanoscale Materials Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- P or C: CHEM-C 321 or CHEM-C 420
- Description
- This is a junior-senior level overview of advanced and nanoscale materials including hard, soft and hybrid materials with a focus on structure-function relationships. Lab techniques include materials synthesis, structural characterization, modeling of structures, and spectroscopic characterization. Emphasis is on modern research methods.
CHEM-C 437 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-N 330 or CHEM-N 337
- Description
- Synthesis, characterization, and study of chemical and physical properties of inorganic and organometallic compounds.
CHEM-P 364 Basic Measurements in Physical Chemistry
- Credits
- 2
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- P or C: CHEM-C 361 or CHEM-P 360
- Description
- Experiments conducted elucidate concepts explored in physical chemistry, such as heats of fusion, heat capacities, bomb calorimetry, transport properties, chemical kinetics and basic spectroscopy.
- Advanced Elective Lectures. At least two (2) courses:
- CHEM-B 486 Gene Expression and Physiology
- CHEM-C 416 Surface Analysis and Surface Chemistry
- CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM-C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
- CHEM-C 443 Organic Spectroscopy
- CHEM-C 446 Organic Chemistry III
- CHEM-C 460 Nuclear Chemistry
- CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
- CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
- CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
- CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
CHEM-B 486 Gene Expression and Physiology
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 484 or consent of instructor
- Description
- Biosynthesis of macromolecules, control of gene expression, advanced topics in biochemistry.
CHEM-C 416 Surface Analysis and Surface Chemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 360 or CHEM-C 361; or consent of instructor
- Description
- An overview of the modern instrumental techniques of surface analysis will be presented, together with a survey of their applications to solve surface chemical problems. Topics include electron and ion spectroscopies, SIMS, LEED, thermal desorption spectroscopy, surface electron and ion microscopies, catalysis, microelectronics fabrication, and corrosion.
CHEM-C 430 Inorganic Chemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 106, CHEM-N 330, or CHEM-N 331
- Notes
- R: CHEM-C 362
- Description
- Structure and bonding of inorganic compounds; survey of chemistry of the Periodic Table, group theory, electronic spectroscopy of coordination compounds, organometallic compounds, catalysis, mechanisms, and reactions.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 432 Spectroscopic Methods in Inorganic Chemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 360 or CHEM-C 361; and CHEM-C 430
- Description
- Chemical applications of group theory and the elucidation of structure and bonding in inorganic molecules and complexes by vibrational, nuclear magnetic resonance, Mossbauer, and electronic absorption spectroscopy.
CHEM-C 443 Organic Spectroscopy
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- (CHEM-C 342 or CHEM-S 342); and (CHEM-C 343, CHEM-J 343, CHEM-S 343, or CHEM-X 325)
- Description
- Elucidation of molecular structures by use of IR, UV, NMR, mass spectroscopy, and other methods.
CHEM-C 446 Organic Chemistry III
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 342 or CHEM-S 342
- Description
- Further develops concepts introduced in Organic Chemistry I and II. Advanced topics include retrosynthesis, kinetics, catalysis, organometallic chemistry, FO theory and pericyclic reactions, heterocycles, mechanism, radicals and carbenes, polymers, solid phase synthesis of peptides and organic synthesis.
CHEM-C 460 Nuclear Chemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- None
- Notes
- P or C: CHEM-C 360, CHEM-C 361, or CHEM-C 362
- Description
- Fundamentals of nuclear behavior; nuclear properties, radioactive decay, and nuclear reactions; applications of nuclear phenomena, biological effects of radiation, nuclear analytical techniques, tracers, radioisotope dating, nuclear power, and the origin of the chemical elements.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 481 Physical Biochemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 361 or CHEM-P 360; and CHEM-C 484
- Description
- Physical chemistry of biological macromolecules; structure and conformation of proteins and nucleic acids; thermodynamics and kinetics of biochemical reactions.
CHEM-C 483 Biological Chemistry
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 342, CHEM-R 340, or CHEM-S 342
- Description
- Introduction to structure, chemical properties, and interrelationships of biological substances.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 383, CHEM-C 483, or CHEM-C 484.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 484 Biomolecules and Catabolism
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 342 or CHEM-S 342
- Description
- Structure and function of cellular components and the generation of phosphate-bond energy.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 383, CHEM-C 483, or CHEM-C 484.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
CHEM-C 485 Biosynthetic Pathways and Control of Metabolism
- Credits
- 3
- Prerequisites
- CHEM-C 484
- Description
- Biosynthetic pathways, control of metabolism, and drug design.
- Repeatability
- Credit given for only one of CHEM-C 483; or CHEM-C 484 and CHEM-C 485.
- Fall 2024CASE NMcourseSummer 2024CASE NMcourseSpring 2024CASE NMcourse
- Analytical Chemistry.