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University Bulletin: Undergraduate Programs 2003-2004 The George Washington University  

 
    
 
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CHEMISTRY

Professors D. Ramaker, M. King (Chair), A. Montaser, J.H. Miller, A. Vertes

Associate Professors M.J. Wagner, C.L. Cahill, H.H. Teng, V. Sadtchenko

Assistant Professors M.G. Zysmilich, L.P. Eisen, C.S. Dowd, S. Gillmor

Instructor J. Hilderbrandt

Professorial Lecturers C. Woytowicz, J.C. Zenklusen

Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry—The department offers four undergraduate majors, all designed to give students a broad background in the basic divisions of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical. Major I permits a wider selection of electives to meet the needs of students preparing to enter medicine, dentistry, law, or related fields. Major II is for students preparing for graduate study in chemistry or those planning to enter the chemical profession and wishing to be certified by the American Chemical Society as having met the minimum requirements for professional training. Major III is in forensic chemistry, preparing students to meet the needs of federal and state forensic sciences laboratories. Major IV fulfills the American Chemical Society requirement for a certified degree program in chemistry with a biochemistry option.

The following requirements must be fulfilled:

1. The general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences.

2. Prerequisite courses for the Bachelor of Arts degree for all majors—Chem 11—12; Chem 22 and 23; Math 31 and 32; Phys 21—22. Majors intending a Bachelor of Science degree must take two additional semesters of approved course work in the natural sciences or mathematics, such as BiSc 11—12 or Geol 1 and 5.

3. (a) Required courses for Major I—Chem 111—12, 113, 122, 134, 151—52, 153—54, 161.

(b) Required courses for Major II—Chem 111—12, 113, 122, 123, 134, 151—52, 153—54, 161, 195 (for a total of 3 credits). A course in a structured computer programming language, such as Stat 129 or CSci 49, 50, 100, or 102, is recommended.

(c) Required courses for Major III—Chem 111—12, 113, 122, 134, 151—52, 153—54, 161; BiSc 11—12; ForS 221, 222, 236, 238, 239.

(d) Required courses for Major IV—Chem 111—12, 113, 122, 123, 134, 151—52, 153—54, 161, 162, 163, 195; BiSc 11—12. BiSc 102, 107, and 122 are recommended.

An entering student who is considering chemistry as a major should consult a department advisor regarding the program of study for the first two years. In general, the following sequence of courses is recommended for those students considering Major II: first year—Chem 11—12, Math 31 and 32 (or 20—21 if necessary); second year—Chem 22, 151—52, and 153—54, Phys 21—22, Math 32 if not taken in first year; third year—Chem 23, 111—12, 113; fourth year—Chem 122, 123, 134, 161 (if not taken in the junior year), 195. Students in Majors I, III, and IV should follow this sequence in general and are urged to consult with the chemistry and premedical advisors concerning their academic programs.

Special Honors—In addition to meeting the general requirements stated under University Regulations, a candidate for graduation with Special Honors in chemistry must maintain a cumulative 3.0 grade-point average in chemistry courses and take Chem 195 for at least 3 credits over two semesters. In addition to the final report for Chem 195, a poster or oral presentation is required.

Five-Year Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry/Master of Forensic Sciences with a concentration in forensic chemistry—A program leading to the B.S. in the field of chemistry and M.F.S. with a concentration in forensic chemistry is available. Interested students should consult the Chemistry Department early in the junior year.

Minor in chemistry—Required: Chem 11—12; Chem 22, 23, 110 or 111, 151—52, and 153—54.

With permission, a limited number of graduate courses in the department may be taken for credit toward an undergraduate degree. See the Graduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.

11—12 General Chemistry (4—4) Hilderbrandt, Cahill, Sadtchenko, Eisen, Ramaker
  Atomic structure and properties; stoichiometry; gas, liquid, and solid state; chemical bonding; solutions; chemical kinetics and equilibria; thermodynamics; acids and bases; electrochemistry; descriptive chemistry. Prerequisite to Chem 11: one year of high school algebra. Prerequisite to Chem 12: Chem 11. Laboratory fee. (Chem 11 and 12—fall and spring)
22 Introductory Quantitative Analysis (3) Vertes
  Theory and practice of quantitative analysis by modern methods; evaluation of analytical data emphasizing detection and correction of experimental errors. Correlated with Chem 23. Prerequisite: Chem 12. (Spring)
23 Introductory Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (1) Sadtchenko and Staff
  Laboratory complement to Chem 22. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Chem 22. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring)
105 Environmental Chemistry (3) Miller and Staff
  Chemistry and physics of the environment, with emphasis on water and air pollution; environmental analysis and modeling and their limitations. (Fall)
110 Introduction to Physical Chemistry (3) Gillmor
  Thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibria, kinetics, and spectroscopy. Examples taken from biological systems. Prerequisite: Chem 11—12; Math 31; Phys 12 or 22; or permission of instructor. Not open to chemistry majors. May not be taken for credit by students who have received credit for Chem 111—12 or an equivalent course. (Fall)
111—12 Physical Chemistry (3—3) Ramaker, Wagner, Miller
  Gas laws, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, quantum chemistry, atomic and molecular spectra, structure of solids, liquids, and macromolecules. Prerequisite to Chem 111: Chem 12; Math 31; Phys 22; or permission of instructor. Prerequisite to Chem 112: Chem 111. (Academic year)
113 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2) Miller, Wagner, Gillmor
  Laboratory complement to Chem 111. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Chem 23, 111. Laboratory fee. (Spring)
122 Instrumental Analytical Chemistry (3) Montaser, Vertes
  Theory of instrumental methods in qualitative and quantitative analysis, determination of structure, with emphasis on atomic and molecular spectrophotometry, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, chromatography, and electroanalysis. Correlated with Chem 123. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Chem 111 or permission of instructor. (Fall)
123 Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (2) Wagner, Sadtchenko
  Laboratory complement to Chem 122. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Chem 111 and 122. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
134 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry (3) Cahill
  Intermediate-level course emphasizing the descriptive chemistry of the elements. Prerequisite: Chem 22, 152. (Spring)
140 Geochemistry (3) Teng
  Same as Geol 140.
141 Experimental Chemistry (3) Staff
  Experimental methods common to all disciplines of chemistry. Use of the chemical literature; operation of chromatographic and spectroscopic instrumentation; interpretation of spectra by correlation methods. Prerequisite: Chem 152 and 154. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring)
143 Aqueous Geochemistry (3) Teng
  Same as Geol 143.
151—52 Organic Chemistry (3—3) King, Dowd, and Staff
  Systematic treatment of the structure, preparation, properties, and reactions of the principal classes of organic compounds. Fundamental principles of stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopic methods of analysis. Prerequisite to Chem 151: Chem 12. Prerequisite to Chem 152: Chem 151. (Academic year)
153—54 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (1—1) King and Staff
  Laboratory complement of Chem 151—52. Introduction to and practice in basic skills of synthesis, separation, purification, and identification of organic compounds. Prerequisite or concurrent registration: Chem 151—52. Prerequisite to Chem 154: Chem 153. Laboratory fee. (Academic year)
161 Biochemistry (4) Vanderhoek
  Prerequisite: BiSc 11—12; Chem 151—52. Same as Bioc 101 and BiSc 103. (Fall)
162 Special Topics in Biochemistry (2) Staff
  Prerequisite: Chem 161. Same as Bioc 102 and BiSc 106. (Spring)
163 Biochemistry Laboratory (2) Vanderhoek
  Prerequisite: Chem 161. Laboratory fee. Same as Bioc 103 and BiSc 104. (Spring)
164 Lipid Biotechnology (2) Vanderhoek
  Prerequisite: Chem 161. Laboratory fee. Same as Bioc 104 and BiSc 185.
193 Chemical Instrumentation (3) Montaser
  Electronic analog measurements and control of electrical quantities in chemical instrumentation; digital and analog data conversion and optimization of electronic measurements in chemical instrumentation; computer interfacing and programming using PC-based systems. Prerequisite: Chem 112 and 122. Laboratory fee. (Fall)
195 Undergraduate Research (1 or 2) Staff
  Research on problems approved by the staff. Approval must be obtained prior to registration. A final written report on the work is required. For students requesting Special Honors in chemistry, a poster or oral presentation is also required. May be repeated for credit. Majors are encouraged to take the course for two semesters. Laboratory fee. (Fall and spring)
 

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© 2009 University Bulletin
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Information in this bulletin is generally accurate as of fall 2008. The University reserves the right to change courses, programs, fees, and the academic calendar, or to make other changes deemed necessary or desirable, giving advance notice of change when possible.