Dominican University

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Chemistry

Courses | Employment

Majors/Minors

The curriculum provides a broad base of knowledge in traditional areas of chemical endeavor: specifically analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and biochemistry. The small class size with constant student/teacher interaction has significant impact for chemistry majors, as only one of the required classes does not include laboratory work.

Students must take at least five of the required chemistry classes at Dominican.
Course work and experimental design experience prepare students for industrial and government laboratory employment, as well as for further education in graduate or professional school. Non-major courses offer opportunities to explore the significance of chemistry in everyday life and provide a basis for subsequent science-related courses in the elementary education, nursing and nutrition sciences programs.

Major Requirements

  • Chemistry 120, 121, 253-254, 371, 372, 380
  • Three advanced electives in chemistry
  • Physics 221-222
  • Mathematics 261 or 262 or equivalent

Physics and mathematics requirements should be completed by the end of the sophomore year. The satisfactory/fail option may not be used in any courses, including collateral courses, required for the major. A minimum of five courses in the major field must be completed at Dominican. Advanced students in chemistry are encouraged to register for Chemistry 460 (Independent Research).

Minor Requirements

  • One year of general chemistry (eight semester hours)
  • one year of organic chemistry (Chemistry 253-254)
  • fifth course of three or more credits.

The satisfactory/fail option may not be used in any courses required for the minor. A minimum of two courses in the minor field must be completed at Dominican.

Chemistry Education

Teacher certification requirements and regulations are outlined in the teacher education handbook, distributed by the School of Education. Students interested in teaching chemistry in the secondary schools should consult the chemistry faculty as early as possible in their college career.
Majors in chemistry may elect to earn the Bachelor of Science degree or the Bachelor of Arts degree. Major requirements are the same for both degrees.

Courses


101. GENERAL CHEMISTRY (4)
Introductory chemistry course intended primarily for nutrition sciences majors, pre-nursing students and non-science majors. This course is particularly suited for those who wish to fulfill the general liberal arts requirement in science by increasing their interest in and concern for the relationship of chemistry to life and society.
This course will satisfy the natural sciences core area requirement.

104. INTRODUCTORY ORGANIC CHEMISTRY (4)
An elementary course that focuses on the role of structure in chemical identity, the reactivity of organic compounds and the application of reactivity and structure to the understanding of living systems and natural phenomena. Recommended for nutrition sciences and nursing majors. Lecture and laboratory.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 101 or 120

120. GENERAL CHEMISTRY I (4)
Fundamental principles of chemistry, including atomic theory, stoichiometry, classification of reactions, states of matter, bonding theory and molecular shape. Intended primarily for science majors and post-baccalaureate pre-medical certificate students. 
Prerequisites: One year of high school chemistry and mathematics placement beyond Mathematics 130
This course will satisfy the natural sciences core area requirement.

121. GENERAL CHEMISTRY II (4)
A continuation of Chemistry 120 including, aqueous solution equilibria, kinetics, thermodynamics and nuclear chemistry.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 120 with a minimum grade of “C-”

161. CHEMISTRY IN OUR LIVES (3)
Listed also as Natural Science 161.

253. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I (5)
An introduction to the study of carbon compounds. Topics include synthesis, structure, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms and the use of spectroscopy in the study of carbon compounds.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121 with a minimum grade of “C-”

254. ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II (5)
A continuation of Chemistry 253 with further studies on synthesis, structure and reactions of carbon compounds.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 253 with a minimum grade of “C-”

256. NATURAL PRODUCTS CHEMISTRY (3)
The major foci of the course: to understand the origin and classification of natural products, to appreciate the role of chemical structure in physiological function of natural products and their derivatives, and to think critically about use of herbal remedies and the potential of drug development from natural products. Lecture only.
Prerequisite: Previous or current enrollment in Chemistry 253, 254

291. FORENSIC CHEMICAL ANALYSIS (3)
The evidence collected at a crime scene, if interpreted properly, can often tell the true story of the criminal act. This course covers various criminalistic detection and analysis techniques involving DNA, fiber, hair, body fluids, pigments, fingerprints, footprints, toxic substances and illegal drugs. Analytical techniques such as qualitative chemical analysis, refractive index, infrared spectroscopy, UV/vis spectrophotometry, microscopy, mass spectrometry, thin layer chromatography and gas chromatography will be introduced, explained and practiced. The proper handling of evidence, careful observation and logical interpretation of crime scene evidence will also be stressed.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 104 or 253

350. TOPICS IN BIO-ORGANIC SYNTHESIS (3)
A survey of selected synthesis methods for DNA/RNA, peptides/proteins, carbohydrates and their uses in biomedicine; protein modification and radio labeling; combinatorial chemistry and nanochemistry.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 254

360. BIOCHEMISTRY (3)
An intermediate level general biochemistry course focusing on the four major classes of bio-molecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids), their characteristics and their functions in living systems. Lecture only.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 253-254 or consent of instructor
Concurrent enrollment in Chemistry 361 is encouraged.

361. BIOCHEMISTRY LABORATORY (2)
A study of the central techniques and practices related to the four major classes of biomolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids), including spectrophotometry, enzyme kinetics, chromatography, electrophoresis, liquid-liquid extraction and optical rotation. Laboratory and discussion only.
Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in Chemistry 360

371. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I (4)
Principles of theoretical chemistry, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 121, one year of calculus and Physics 211, 212

372. PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II (4)
Principles of quantum theory, kinetics, and statistical mechanics.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 371 with a minimum grade of “C-”

380. ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY (3)
A study of the elements and their inorganic compounds, with particular emphasis on their structure, bonding, periodic trends, synthesis and on their reactions and mechanisms.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121

390. ADVANCED ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY (4)
Theory and techniques of special analytical procedures not used in laboratory work in earlier courses.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121

392. SURVEY OF INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS (3-4)
Descriptive coverage of fundamental techniques for the instrumental analysis of organic and biochemical compounds including MS (mass spec), UV/vis and fluorescence, CE (capillary electrophoresis), HPLC
and others.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121

404. ADVANCED TOPICS (1-3)
Reading and in-depth study in selected fields of chemistry, such as advanced organic chemistry, mechanisms, synthesis and polymer chemistry. Course may be given in conjunction with the Associated Colleges of the Chicago Area cooperative chemistry lecture series.

410. SENIOR SEMINAR (3-4)
Systematic and broad discussion of the subject matter of chemistry, for which the student is primarily responsible.

INDEPENDENT RESEARCH OR CREATIVE INVESTIGATION (1-3)
Introductory, Intermediate, Advanced, Senior Thesis Independent Research or Creative Investigation is a course in which students collaborate with faculty
mentors on an ongoing faculty research project or conduct an independent project under the guidance of a faculty member. This directed undergraduate research or creative investigation culminates in a conference presentation, journal article or other creative/scholarly project.
Prerequisite: Consent of instructor

 

Employment


Acquire a base in traditional areas of chemistry: inorganic, analytical, organic, physical and biochemistry to position yourself in this dynamic field. Picture yourself contributing to important new advances in such areas as cancer detection and therapy, environmental remediation, pharmaceuticals and drug development, biotechnology, nanotechnology, and new materials development

Employment
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