Chemistry Courses at Cedar Crest:
These are the required courses for the Chemistry major……
CHE 111 and 112: Chem. Principles and Analysis/Equilibrium
The “must have” sequence for getting started in your chemistry-related career.
Dr. Pamela Kistler, David Raker, and other faculty members couple chemical theory with a vigorous and diversified laboratory experience. Laboratory experience is unique in introducing students to the application of statistics to experimentation very early in the academic curriculum. Advanced placement for the lecture portion of CHE 111 is possible.
CHE 205 and 206: Organic Chemistry I and II (total 8 credits)
Dr. Griswold takes you through the chemistry of carbon compounds, which is the prelude to chemistry of living systems. Structure, reactivity, pharmaceutical implications, bio-active molecules and natural products are investigated. The laboratory employs synthesis, structure verification, purification, and identification of organic compounds. Second semester lab uses several spectral methods.
CHE 300: Technical Information (3 credits: non-lab)
Learning to use the chemical literature, data retrieval techniques, and drafting of scientific papers as summaries and technical publications. This course fulfills one of the college-wide writing requirements.
CHE 302: Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
Usually taken in the junior year, this course is a lab-oriented experience in the use of major instrumental methods: UV-visible, Infrared, Fluorescence, NMR, Gas Chromatography, HPLC, Atomic Absorption, and Electrochemistry. This is the course that usually gets you your first job in chemistry. Dr. Brettell
CHE 306: Advanced Organic Chemistry (3 credits: non-lab)
This course probes the mechanism of reactions and methods for identifying reaction pathways, also synthesis sequences using modern techniques, with focus on preparation of complex pharmaceutical compounds. Some student presentations included, and computer-assisted techniques. Dr. Griswold
CHE 307 and 308: Biochemistry I and II (4 credits each)
Carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids are treated in the first semester, with lab focus on separations, identifications, and reaction path studies. Second semester (optional for chem. majors) studies metabolic pathways, biochemical diseases and disorders. Drs. Staretz and Rauner
CHE 331: Inorganic Chemistry (lecture - 3 credits)
The application of group theory to chemical problems. Transition metal complexes are investigated. Bonding theories ranging from Lewis dot structures to hybrid orbitals are reviewed, and then compared to molecular orbital theory. Eventually, modes of vibration and molecular orbitals are derived for important representative molecules, and compared to the results of computer calculations. Dr. Sein
CHE 331: Inorganic Chemistry (laboratory - 1 credit)
Students synthesize (make) numerous interesting and colorful inorganic molecules, then investigate them through infrared and UV-visible spectroscopy. Advanced synthetic techniques, such as the use of inert atmosphere and glove bag, are taught and applied. Molecules synthesized include both transition metals and main group elements. Dr. Sein
CHE 335: Physical Chemistry I (4 credits)
Thermodynamics of chemical processes, reaction kinetics and rate laws, phase equilibria, solutions, vapor-liquid equilibria, and states of matter. Laboratory investigates methods for studying these phenomena. This course is an essential base for graduate study and research. Dr. Kistler
CHE 336: Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)
Introduction to quantum mechanics as applied to chemical problems, particularly spectroscopy and molecular orbital theory. Direct techniques for solution of the Schroedinger equation are studied. Students are introduced to important approximation methods, such as the variational theorem, Hueckel theory, and Hartree-Fock. Dr. Sein
CONTROLLED-POOL COURSES: You need any two of the following (although some students elect to take more of them)
CHE 314: Intro. to Toxicology (3 credits, non-lab)
An overview of inorganic and organic toxic substances and their effects on living systems and the environment. Absorption and distribution of toxic materials in animals and plants. Dr. Staretz.
CHE 320: Environmental Chemistry (3 or 4 credits- optional lab)
Distribution and fates of chemical substances in the environment, and methods of detection and control. Sources of environmental contamination, influence of human activity, legal implications. A particular emphasis of the course is the world-wide effect of environmental processes. The laboratory deals with instrumental methods of detection, identification, and quantification of compounds in environmental samples. Required for teacher certification candidates. Dr. Sein
CHE 341: Polymer Chemistry (3 credits, non-lab)
A survey of reactions leading to macromolecules; step and chain processes with kinetic implications and the relation of monomers and reaction conditions to the ultimate properties of the polymer materials generated. Dr. Griswold.
CHE 344: Heterocyclic Compounds (3 credits, non-lab)
The study of cyclic organic compounds which include certain elements other than carbon in the rings. Stabilities, reactions, naming, and natural occurrences of heterocycles, also uses and synthesis for pharmaceutical and bio-active applications. Dr. Staretz, Griswold, or Rauner. This is a valuable course for anyone pursuing organic chemistry or careers in pharmaceutical discovery and design.
CAPSTONE COURSE WORK: (required of all chemistry majors)
CHE 352: Chemistry Seminar (1 credit: part of the capstone group)
Designing a presentation based on your research (CHE 391 or 392), or your internship (CHE 393), or any approved topic. All chemistry students and staff attend these presentations, with question and answer portion included. Use of electronic presentation media is required. This is an all-important indoctrination into presenting technical material to audiences, and handling questions and discussions. Dr. Sein
CHE 391 or 392: Advanced Laboratory and Research (3 to 6 credits)
(part of the capstone group)
Student research under supervision and consultation with a faculty member, including literature searching, laboratory experimentation, recording, review and summarizing of results. Cooperative interdepartmental research is possible, as are group and individual projects. Results are presented in the seminar and also can be presented in regional meetings of research forums, such as the ACS Intercollegiate Student Chemists and Pennsylvania Academy of Sciences. Student research results have also been published. Students usually consult with a faculty member about topic selection and developing a research plan.
Summer fellowships at large research institutions are valid substitutes for research done in the department, and are encouraged for students with strong academic standing. We have sent students to summer programs at Princeton, U.of Pittsburgh, Lehigh, U.of Southern Mississippi, Ohio University, Virginia Tech, Bucknell, and others.
CHE 393: Internship (3 to 6 credits)
These research experiences are in a variety of corporate laboratories, and are usually salaried. Projects have included polymer research, organofluorine chemistry, environmental analysis, enzyme studies, paints and pigments, and development of diagnostic agents. The internship can be used to substitute for the research requirement in the department; results are presented in the seminar. Internships can be during the regular academic year or in the summer.
Course requirements for the in-house specialties, which include the Teacher Certification Pathway, Forensics Concentration, and major in Biochemistry, are listed under those specific sections.
updated:November 15, 2007
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