Department of Chemistry

Catherine Clark, Ph.D., Interim Chair

Professors: Griffin, Iyere;

Associate Professors: Clark, de Bruyn, Wellman;

Assistant Professors: Hughey, Kim.

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

The department of chemistry at Chapman University offers the bachelor of science degree in chemistry with the option of an environmental chemistry emphasis and the bachelor of science degree in biochemistry. Our programs provide comprehensive learning experiences in classroom theories and laboratory applications with a personal touch. Faculty members in the department of chemistry have active research programs involving undergraduate students, which provide students with excellent opportunities to gain research experience over the course of two or three years. Our faculty members conduct exciting research in various areas of chemistry including environmental chemistry. Many of our students have presented their research results at national and local conferences and several have been included as co-authors on peer-reviewed journal articles.

The B.S. degree in chemistry is patterned after guidelines from the American Chemical Society. The program therefore offers students the opportunity to pursue advanced degrees in chemistry, chemical physics, forensics or biochemistry and a career in chemical industry. The environmental chemistry emphasis is suitable for students who are interested in graduate school in either chemistry or environmental chemistry or who want futures in environmental consulting or environmental analytical laboratories.

The B.S. degree in biochemistry is an integrated degree that allows students to study the molecular mechanisms that constitute living systems and is intended primarily for students preparing for medical, dental or optometry school; industrial positions in technical sales, marketing, or customer relations; graduate work in the field of biochemistry or in the biomedical sciences; and for employment as a biochemist in government and industry. The biochemistry major incorporates all skills and learning outcomes recommended by the ASBMB (American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology) guidelines for an undergraduate degree.

Thus, all our degree programs are suitable as terminal degree programs as well as for preparation for more advanced study in chemistry, environmental chemistry and biochemistry or as preparation for many professional programs in a variety of career fields. A large number of free electives in the degree programs allow students to take courses in interdisciplinary focus areas. In order to optimize each student's program of study to meet individual needs all chemistry majors are assigned to Ph.D. chemistry faculty advisors fully familiar with the many options available in chemistry and biochemistry careers.

Degree Programs

Students should pay careful attention to course prerequisites as not all courses are offered every year. Enrollment in and completion of the appropriate mathematics and physics courses should not be delayed. Of the 124 credits required, 42 credits must be earned from upper-division course-work.

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry

Students must complete at least 21 upper-division credits at Chapman University to earn a degree in Biochemistry. Transferability of credits from other institutions will be determined at the discretion of the program director. Students with sufficient high school background or appropriate AP, IB test scores may waive one course or more of the following: BIOL 204, CHEM 140, MATH 110, PHYS 107.

required courses (39 credits)

Note: Senior Capstone Project is the same as in chemistry but must be in biochemistry area

electives (9-12 credits)

three of the following

science requirements (14 credits)

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

required courses (24 credits)

introductory courses

cognate courses

chemistry foundation courses (20 credits)

chemistry in-depth courses (13-15 credits)

chemistry electives (10 credits)

10 credits of the following

recommended electives

Environmental Chemistry Emphasis

required courses (56 credits)

environmental chemistry electives (10 credits)

10 credits of the following

Pre–Medical and Pre–Pharmacy

The chemistry major provides an excellent foundation for careers in medicine. Medical and pharmacy school curricula are taught more and more on a molecular level, and a background in chemistry and biochemistry is more important than ever. A B.S. degree in chemistry with a year of general biology and a semester of molecular biology will fulfill entrance requirements at most medical and pharmacy schools.

Bachelor of Science - suggested 4-year plans

Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry (suggested 4-year plan)

Students should include general education courses for additional credits. The upper–division chemistry elective may be completed in any semester after course prerequisites are completed. Courses listed in the junior and senior years may be switched, depending on the order of the alternate year courses when a student first enrolls.

freshman year

fall (11 credits)

spring (7 credits)

sophomore year

fall (12 credits)

spring (11-12 credits)

junior year

fall (7-8 credits)

spring (6-7 credits)

senior year

fall (4 credits)

spring (4 credits)

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry (suggested 4-year plan)

Students should include general education courses for additional credits. The upper–division chemistry elective may be completed in any semester after course prerequisites are completed. Some courses may be offered in alternate years.

freshman year

fall (7 credits)

spring (7 credits)

sophomore year

fall (9 credits)

spring (9 credits)

junior year

fall (8 credits)

spring (7 credits)

senior year

fall (5 credits)

spring (11 credits)

Environmental Chemistry Emphasis (suggested 4-year plan)

Note: students should include GE courses for additional credits

freshman year

fall (7 credits)

spring (7 credits)

sophomore year

fall (10 credits)

spring (9 credits)

junior year (odd year)

fall (11 credits)

spring (11 credits)

senior year (odd year)

fall (4 credits)

spring (7 credits)

*May be replaced with CHEM 499 (1-3 credits). This can be spread over multiple semesters. Students will take additional environmental courses through relevant GE cluster

Alternate junior/senior year plan

junior year (even year)

fall (12 credits)

spring (11 credits)

senior year (even year)

fall (3 credits)

spring (3 credits)

*May be replaced with CHEM 499 (1-3 credits). This can be spread over multiple semesters. Students will take additional environmental courses through relevant GE clusters.

Minor in Chemistry

A minimum of 22 graded credits in Chemistry. 14 credits must be upper division (a course number 300 or higher), and at least 6 of the upper-division credits must be completed at Chapman University. Upon completion of the minor core chemistry courses, at least one course of three or more credits must be taken from Group A, the Analytical/Inorganic/Physical Chemistry area plus one course of three or more credits from Group B, the Biochemistry area. Courses in Group A and Group B that are required for your major do not count towards the Chemistry Minor, i.e., you must complete one additional course of three or more credits in Group A and also Group B beyond what is required for your major in order to satisfy the Chemistry Minor requirements. Students pursuing a Chemistry Minor must earn a grade of C or better in each course for the chemistry minor.

Minor core chemistry courses (16 credits)

Group A-analytical/inorganic/physical chemistry area (3 or more credits)

Group B-biochemistry area (3 or more credits)

Course Descriptions – Chemistry

CHEM 101 Introduction to Science and its Behavior in Living and Non–living Systems

A course intended for non–science majors. Lecture/discussion imparts sufficient knowledge of key concepts and fundamental laws in physical and biological sciences that will enable students to appreciate the influence of science on daily life and the society as well as make informed decisions on contemporary public issues and policies from science point of view. (Offered every semester.) 3 credits.

CHEM 105 Chemistry of Environmental Issues

Designed for the non-science major. Lectures cover the basics of chemistry as applied to environmental issues, such as air pollution, global warming, ozone depletion, and alternative energy. Lecture, laboratory. (Offered spring semester.) 4 credits.

CHEM 140/140L General Chemistry I and Lab/General Chemistry I Lab

Introduction to fundamental concepts in chemistry: atomic and molecular structure, periodic table, stoichiometry, chemical bonding, equations and reactions, and kinetic theory of gases. (Offered every fall.) 4 credits.

CHEM 150/150L General Chemistry II and Lab/General Chemistry II Lab

Prerequisite, CHEM 140/140L. This is a continuation of general chemistry I. It features thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, solids and liquids, electrochemistry, etc. (Offered every spring.) 4 credits.

CHEM 200 Environmental Chemistry Seminar

Prerequisite, CHEM 150, or consent of instructor. A series of seminars will be given by a combination of students and faculty highlighting current environmental chemistry research. Student's seminars will be based on current literature articles or current research. Departmental faculty will be invited to five seminars on current research. (Offered every year.) 1 credit.

CHEM 229 Experimental Course

(Offered as needed.) 1–3 credits.

CHEM 299 Chemistry Research

Prerequisites, CHEM 140, 150, consent of instructor. For freshmen or sophomores. (Offered as needed.) 1–3 credits.

CHEM 301 Inorganic Chemistry

Prerequisites, CHEM 140, 150, or consent of instructor. Fundamental concepts of inorganic chemistry, emphasis on atomic and molecular structure. Periodic table, chemical bonds, chemical reactions explained in terms of fundamental atomic and molecular structure, descriptive chemistry. Lecture. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.

CHEM 302 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory

Prerequisites, CHEM 140, 150, or equivalent. CHEM 302 is the inorganic chemistry laboratory course for CHEM 301. Experiments in inorganic chemistry laboratory techniques and inorganic syntheses. Laboratory. (Offered spring semester.) 1 credit.

CHEM 310 Analytical Chemistry I and Lab/Analytical Chemistry I Lab

Prerequisite, CHEM 150. Gravimetric, volumetric, instrumental analysis techniques, and related theory with particular emphasis on the statistical analysis of data, sample collection and sample preparation. Lecture, laboratory. (Offered fall semester, alternate years.) 4 credits.

CHEM 329 Experimental Course

(Offered as needed.) 1–3 credits.

CHEM 330/330L Organic Chemistry I and Lab/Organic Chemistry I Lab

Prerequisite, CHEM 150. Characteristic alkane, alkene, alkyl halide, and alcohol compounds are discussed with reference to theories, nomenclature, principle reactions, preparations, and spectroscopy. Lecture, Laboratory. (Offered fall semester.) 4 credits.

CHEM 331/331L Organic Chemistry II and Lab/Organic Chemistry II Lab

Prerequisite, CHEM 330/330L. Students build upon the fundamentals learned in CHEM 330/330L studying organic chemistry and spectroscopic analysis of carbonyl compounds, aromatic compounds, amines, biomolecules, and electrocyclic reactions. There is an emphasis on synthetic organic chemistry in CHEM 331/331L. Lecture, Laboratory. (Offered spring semester.) 4 credits.

CHEM 335/335L Biochemistry I : BioMolecules/Biochemistry I : BioMolecules Lab

Prerequisite, CHEM 331. Biochemistry is study of the chemical and molecular interactions that occur in and constitute living organisms. In Biomolecules, students will examine the structure and function of the fundamental building blocks of life (carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and nucleic acids). Lecture, laboratory. (Offered fall semester.) 4 credits.

CHEM 336 Biochemistry II: BioMetabolism

Prerequisite, CHEM 331. Recommended CHEM 335. Biochemical study of the metabolic processes involved in the maintenance of life. Special attention is given to understanding the energetics of life (bioenergetics) and the molecular logic, regulation and control of biochemical reactions constituting metabolic pathways. Lecture. (Offered spring semester.) 3 credits.

CHEM 340/340L Physical Chemistry I and Laboratory

Prerequisites, CHEM 140, 150, PHYS 101, 102, MATH 110, 111. Quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy and photochemistry. Lecture, laboratory. (Offered fall semester.) 4 credits.

CHEM 350 Medicinal Chemistry

Prerequisites, BIOL 204, CHEM 331, or consent of instructor. A study of the physiological, toxological, and pharmacological effects of drugs on the human body. The interaction between potent chemicals, including plant and food ingredients, and living systems studied to understand biologic processes and provide strategies for treatment, prevention, and diagnosis of diseases. Lecture. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 3 credits.

CHEM 384 Student-Faculty Research

Students enrolled in CHEM 384 will pursue faculty-sponsored independent or collaborative research in a laboratory setting, developing methodology, conducting research, and/or analyzing data. Minimum 3 hours work per week per credit. P/NP. (Offered every semester.) 1-3 credits.

CHEM 411/411L Analytical Chemistry II/Analytical Chemistry II Laboratory

Prerequisites, CHEM 331, 340, or consent of instructor. Recommended, CHEM 310. Principles, methods, and techniques of qualitative and quantitative physical and chemical analyses. Using modern instrumentation such as AA, UV-VIS, HPLC, GC, GC-MS, and NMR. Lecture, laboratory. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 4 credits.

CHEM 413 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Prerequisites, CHEM 301, 302. This course describes the trend in structure, reactivity and properties of elements on the periodic table and their compounds giving insight into the background of the periodic table and a solid foundation to build perceptiveness. The focus is on foundations that discusses the underlying principles of structure and thermodynamics, the role of the underlying principles in the properties of the elements and the contemporary areas of chemistry at the cutting edge of exploration. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, bonding theories, molecular symmetry, group theory, acid-base reactions, transition and actinide elements and organometallic complexes. Frontier topics include catalysis involving inorganic compounds, inorganic nanochemistry and the use of inorganic elements in medicine. (Offered spring semester). 3 credits.

CHEM 425 Atmospheric Chemistry

Prerequisites, CHEM 411, 441, or consent of instructor. This course will cover the important atmospheric chemistry of both the troposphere and stratosphere. Students will be introduced to the atmosphere, its structure, physical properties and the principles that govern its chemistry before moving on to look at more detailed chemistry, both heterogeneous and homogeneous, of the troposphere and stratosphere. The relationships between atmospheric chemistry and physical climate will be examined. (Offered fall, alternate years.) 3 credits.

CHEM 426 Aquatic Chemistry

Prerequisites, CHEM 411, 441 or consent of instructor. The study of natural water chemistry: a foundation in general principles and selected advanced topics. Special emphasis is given to chemical thermodynamics, redox processes, photochemistry, heterogeneous interactions and kinetics. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

CHEM 427 Environmental Geochemistry

Prerequisite, CHEM 441. Natural and anthropogenic chemical contaminants impacting air, soil, and water are discussed. Topics may include smog formation; ozone depletion; chemicals released into air, soil, and surface ground water, and the fate and transport of contaminant chemicals. Emphasis is placed on chemical reactions and mechanisms. Lecture. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 3 credits.

CHEM 428 Advanced Topics in Environmental Chemistry

Prerequisites, CHEM 150, 330. Natural and anthropogenic chemical contaminants impacting air, soil, and water are discussed. Topics may include smog formation; ozone depletion; chemicals released into air, soil, and surface ground water, and the fate and transport of contaminant chemicals. Emphasis is placed on chemical reactions and mechanisms. Lecture. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 3 credits.

CHEM 429 Experimental Course

(Offered as needed.) 1–3 credits.

CHEM 432 Advanced Organic Chemistry

Prerequisite, CHEM 331. Corequisite, CHEM 433. Students learn modern methods of organic synthesis and apply these by examining the total synthesis of organic compounds isolated from natural sources, some of which demonstrate medicinal properties. Lecture. (Offered alternate years.) 3 credits.

CHEM 433 Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Organic Chemistry

Prerequisite, CHEM 331, or equivalent. Corequisite, CHEM 432. Students will conduct organic syntheses using modern methods of functional group interconversions, protecting group chemistry, and prepare a target molecule requiring several synthetic steps. Products from each step will be purified and then characterized using FT-IR and FT-NMR, as well as determinations of typical physical properties. Purification techniques may include vacuum distillations, Kugel Rohr distillations, and column chromatography. (Offered fall semester, alternate years.) 1 credit.

CHEM 441/441L Physical Chemistry II and Physical Chemistry II Laboratory

Prerequisite, CHEM 340. Thermodynamics, thermochemistry, reaction kinetics, liquid and gaseous states, reaction equilibrium, phase equilibrium, surface chemistry, electrochemistry and statistical mechanics. Lecture, laboratory. (Offered spring semester, alternate years.) 4 credits.

CHEM 450 Selected Advanced Topics in Chemistry

Prerequisites, depends on topics offered. Study of advanced topics including qualitative organic analysis, advanced organic chemistry, medical pharmacology, radiochemistry, polymer chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, group theory and spectroscopy, toxicology. Lecture. May be repeated for credit. (Offered as needed.) 3 credits.

CHEM 490 Independent Internship

P/NP. (Offered every semester.) 1–3 credits.

CHEM 497, 498 Senior Capstone Project

Prerequisites, CHEM 150, 331 for CHEM 497; CHEM 497 for CHEM 498. Chemistry capstone course. Working with a faculty mentor, a student designs a research project informed by a literature search during the first semester. During the second semester the student conducts laboratory research to test the project hypothesis, analyzes data, and writes a report summarizing the findings. The student makes an oral presentation to the chemistry faculty upon completion of all work. (Offered every year.) 3 credits.

CHEM 499 Research in Chemistry

Prerequisite, consent of instructor. (Offered every semester.) 1–3 credits.