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Dedman College

DEDMAN COLLEGE
CHEMISTRY

www.smu.edu/chemistry

Professor John A. Maguire, Acting Department Chair
Professors: John Buynak, Michael Lattman, John Maguire, Mark Schell, Patty Wisian-Neilson; Associate Professors: Werner Horsthemke, David Son; Assistant Professors: Ling Hua, Brent Sumerlin; Adjunct Professor: Raj Vempati; Lecturers: Helen Babbili, Andrea Adams; Adjunct Lecturer: Jennifer O’Brien.

The atmosphere of the Chemistry Department is an informal one where students have easy access to the faculty. The advanced classes are small and most advanced laboratories are taught by the professorial staff. This gives the faculty the opportunity to get to know their undergraduate majors quite well. The Department believes that this close personal contact between faculty and students is important to success in undergraduate education. Undergraduate majors are heavily involved in research, working in teams with faculty, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Our majors are accepted into the leading graduate and professional schools in the nation. On the average, two-thirds of our graduates seek advanced degrees. Those majors at the Bachelor’s level who choose employment find excellent positions.

For Undergraduate Students

Requirements for the B.S. Degree. The completion of a minimum of 44 term hours in the department, including CHEM 1113, 1114, 1303, 1304, 3351, eight hours organic chemistry I & II with labs, 4397, 5185, 5188, 5192, 5310, 5383, 5384, 5392, 5486 and an additional 5000-level course in chemistry to be chosen in consultation with the departmental adviser. In addition, eight term hours of general physics; MATH 1337, 1338, 2339. This degree is certified by the American Chemical Society for professional training in chemistry.

Requirements for the B.S. Degree in Environmental Chemistry. CHEM 1113, 1114, 1303, 1304, 3351, eight hours organic chemistry I & II with labs, 5310, 5383, 5384, 5486, 5390 and either 5392 or GEOL 3451. In addition, PHYS 1403, 1404 (or 1407, 1408); MATH 1337, 1338, 2339; GEOL 6363; at least one introductory environmental science elective, chosen from GEOL 1301, GEOL 1315, GEOL 2320, GEOL 2321, ENCE 2304 or ENCE 2421; at least one advanced environmental science elective, chosen from BIOL 3307, BIOL 3343, GEOL 3353, GEOL 3366, GEOL 5384 or ENCE 5333; at least three term hours of Undergraduate Research (CHEM 4397 or GEOL 4399) on a topic in environmental chemistry.

The research project can be conducted in the laboratory of an SMU faculty member or as an internship with a private company, and will culminate in a written report. Students planning to attend graduate school are advised to complete MATH 2343 or a Statistical Science course at the 4000 or 5000 level. This degree program is certified by the American Chemical Society for professional training in environmental chemistry.

Requirements for the B.A. Degree. The completion of a minimum of 26 term hours in the department, including CHEM 1113, 1114, 1303, 1304, eight hours organic chemistry I & II with labs, 5381 (or 5383), plus at least seven additional hours at the advanced level, to be chosen in consultation with the department adviser. In addition, PHYS 1403, 1404 (or 1407, 1408); MATH 1337 and one additional course in math or statistics are required. This degree is not certified by the American Chemical Society.

Requirements for the Four-Year combined B.S./M.S. This program is designed for exceptionally well-prepared students who wish to accelerate their studies in chemistry. By combining summer research with the regular academic year, students in this program can complete the B.S. degree in three years and the M.S. degree after an additional year of study. No requirements for either degree are waived in this program. Students in this program are eligible for the department’s Honors courses. For further details contact the Department of Chemistry.

The Departmental Distinction Program. A chemistry major pursuing a B.S. degree may elect to graduate with departmental distinction. The student must apply to the department for this designation during the junior year, after at least 22 hours of chemistry have been completed with a minimum G.P.A. in those courses of 3.5. The student will undertake an independent research project under the supervision of a departmental faculty member, and enroll in CHEM 4397. During the senior year, a senior thesis will be written and presented to the department. Upon approval of the departmental faculty at the completion of these requirements, and provided the student maintains a minimum 3.5 G.P.A. in all chemistry courses, the student will be awarded the “departmental distinction” designation.

Requirements for the Minor. Students majoring in other departments may obtain a minor in chemistry by completing CHEM 1303, 1113 and CHEM 1304, 1114 plus three additional advanced three- or four-hour courses to be chosen in consultation with the Chemistry Department adviser.

The Courses (CHEM)

1301. Chemistry for Liberal Arts. A course designed for students with weak backgrounds in chemistry and for liberal-arts students.

1303, 1304. General Chemistry. Designed primarily for science majors, premed students and engineering students. Offers an introduction to the fundamental principles and theories of chemistry, including stoichiometry, the structure of matter, energy relationships involved in the transformation of matter, the dynamics of such transformations, and some descriptive chemistry of the important elements. It is a prerequisite to all advanced courses in the department. Withdrawal from CHEM 1303, 1304 requires withdrawal from corresponding labs.

1113. General Chemistry Laboratory. One three-hour laboratory period each week. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 1303. Withdrawal from CHEM 1113 requires withdrawal from CHEM 1303.

1114. General Chemistry Laboratory. One three-hour laboratory period each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 1113; Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 1304. Withdrawal from CHEM 1114 requires withdrawal from CHEM 1304.

3117. Organic Chemistry Laboratory. One three-hour laboratory period each week. Corequisite: CHEM 3371.

3118. Organic Chemistry Laboratory. One three-hour laboratory period each week. Corequisite: CHEM 3372.

3351. Quantitative Analysis. A course involving the theory and practice of quantitative analytical chemistry techniques including gravimetric, volumetric, electrochemical and spectroscopic analyses. Three hours of lecture and two four-hour laboratory periods per week for one-half term.  Prerequisites: CHEM 1303, 1304, 1113, 1114.

3371, 3372. Organic Chemistry. Designed to satisfy the requirements of the chemistry major and health-related professions student. The first term deals primarily with aliphatic chemistry with special emphasis on stereochemistry. The second term emphasizes aromatic substances and the chemistry of biologically relevant molecules. Prerequisites: CHEM 1303, 1304, 1113, 1114.

4000. Research. For students who hold research fellowships but are not enrolled in any credit-hour courses. No tuition.

4397. Undergraduate Research. Prerequisites: Junior or senior classification and permission of the instructor.

Courses for Undergraduate and Graduate Students

5108. Special Topics in Chemistry. Special topics of current interest. Content varies from term to term.

5110 (BIOL 5110). Biological Chemistry Laboratory. One three-hour laboratory period each week. Corequisite: CHEM 5310.

5185. Laboratory Methods in Physical Chemistry. Laboratory experiments with emphasis on thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and physical biochemistry. One half-hour of lecture and five-hour laboratory period each week for five weeks. Prerequisite: CHEM 5381 or 5383.

5188. Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. Laboratory experiments with emphasis on chemical kinetics and molecular spectroscopy. One half-hour of lecture and five-hour laboratory period each week for five weeks. Prerequisite: CHEM 5185. Corequisite: CHEM 5384 or permission of instructor.

5192. Inorganic Synthesis Laboratory. This course introduces students to advanced techniques and methods used in the synthesis of inorganic compounds. Corequisite (or prerequisite): CHEM 5392.

5308. Special Topics in Chemistry. Presentation of advanced special topics in chemistry that are at the forefront of current chemical interest. Content varies from term to term.

5310 (BIOL 5310). Biological Chemistry: Macromolecular Structure and Function. Introduction to the structure and function of macromolecules of biological importance. Emphasis on nucleic acid and protein structure, enzyme kinetics, carbohydrate and lipid chemistry. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 3371 and 3372.

5311 (BIOL 5311). Biological Chemistry: Metabolism. Introduction to the pathways and regulatory events in the metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleotides. Three lecture hours per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 3371 and 3372.

5312 (BIOL 5312). Physical Biochemistry. Physical chemistry of macromolecules and biological membranes, with an emphasis on the thermodynamics of solutions. Prerequisites: MATH 1338, CHEM 3372, CHEM 5310. (CHEM 5381 or CHEM 5383 is recommended.)

5333. Introduction to Polymer Chemistry. This course provides basic information on the synthesis, physical properties and solution properties of high molecular weight molecules. Plastics, manufacturing and fabrication of polymers are discussed. Prerequisites: CHEM 3371 and 3372,

5381. Physical Chemistry. Introduction to chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, molecular structure, spectroscopy and statistical mechanics. Designed for B.A. majors in chemistry. Prerequisites: CHEM 1304, 1114, PHYS 1106, 1304, MATH 1337.

5383. Physical Chemistry I. Gas laws; kinetic molecular theory; introduction to thermodynamics, with applications to phase transitions and chemical equilibrium; chemical kinetics. Prerequisites: PHYS 1106, 1304, 1114; MATH 2339 or permission of instructor.

5384. Physical Chemistry II. Elements of quantum mechanics and its description of many electron atoms, bonding, and spectroscopy; intermolecular forces; structure of solids; and transport properties of fluids. Prerequisite: CHEM 5383.

5390. Environmental Chemistry. An examination of the chemistry of Earth’s environment and of environmental problems caused by anthropogenic activities. Topics include aquatic and soil chemistry, nuclear chemistry, alternative energy, CO2 neutral, biomaterial and green technologies, atmospheric chemistry and global warming. Prerequisites: MATH 1338, PHYS 1303 and CHEM 1304, 1114. Recommended: PHYS 1304; and CHEM 5381, CHEM 5383, GEOL 6338.

5392. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. Survey of the bonding, structure and reactivity of inorganic compounds; coordination, organometallic, and main group element chemistry. Three hours of lecture each week. Recommended: CHEM 5384.

5393. Advanced Organic Chemistry. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisites: CHEM 3372.

5396. Advanced Physical Chemistry. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.

5397. Biotransformations and Biocatalysis. This course will cover the history, application and current trends of biotransformations and biocatalysis with an emphasis on how biocatalysts are developed and used in pharmaceutical research. Prerequisite: CHEM 3371 and CHEM 3372.

5398. Medicinal Chemistry. This course will highlight the close relationships of organic chemistry and biochemistry with the field of medicine. The course will rely on the departmental computational laboratory to permit three-dimensional visualization of molecular interactions. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 3371 and 3372.

5486. Instrumental Analysis. A course involving the theory, operation and application of instrumentation used in the modern chemical laboratory. Two hours of lecture and two three-hour laboratory periods each week. Prerequisite: CHEM 3351 or permission of instructor.