Chemistry/Biochemistry

Faculty
Description
Major Requirements
     Chemistry
     Biochemistry
Minor Requirements
     Chemistry
     Biochemistry
Program Policies
Course Descriptions

Faculty

Iliana M. Restrepo, Clare Boothe Luce Assistant Professor of Chemistry (Program Chair)

Description

The Chemistry/Biochemistry Program gives students a solid foundation in analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, and emphasizes the central roles that chemistry plays in biology and the global environment. The biochemistry major provides additional insight into the relationship of chemistry to living organisms. Throughout the programs in chemistry and biochemistry, students acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to be successful in fields in which women are still underrepresented, and they gain the opportunity to explore options such as graduate school, medical school, or employment in the industrial and non-profit sectors.

Students in the College of Arts and Sciences may elect to pursue either a B.A. or a B.S. degree in chemistry or biochemistry. A major and a minor are offered in both fields.

Prospective science majors should be aware that most upper-level science courses are offered every other year, and it may not be possible to complete the requirements for the major in one academic year, regardless of the number of credits transferred in. It is suggested that any student transferring in with more than 64 credits who plans to major in chemistry or biochemistry meet with a chemistry faculty member before registering for any courses in order to plan an appropriate program and to determine how long it will take her to complete the degree requirements.

Students should note that MATH 123 is a prerequisite for (or can be taken concurrently with) the Fundamentals of Chemistry course.

Return to top

Major Requirements

Major Requirements: Chemistry (58-60 credits)

ALL of the following chemistry courses: 

CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I *
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 225 Analytical Chemistry or CHEM 331 Environmental Chemistry 
CHEM 332 Chemical Analysis 
CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry I 

ALL of the following mathematics and physics courses: 

MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
PHYS 111 General Physics I
PHYS 112 General Physics II
PHYS 211 General Physics III

THREE approved courses in chemistry or physics at the 300- or 400-level

ONE course in directed research OR an internship: 

CHEM 491 Internship 
CHEM 497 Directed Research

ONE Senior Seminar

NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar (3 credits) 

* Students who do not achieve satisfactory scores on the mathematics placement test must take MATH  103 before taking CHEM 111.

Recommended Courses

CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming 
MATH 325 Multivariable Calculus

Students planning to attend graduate school in chemistry should also take a second semester of Physical Chemistry, along with Instrumental Analysis or Physical Chemistry Laboratory through the Consortium.

Major Requirements: Biochemistry (61-63 credits)

ALL of the following biology courses: 

BIOL 112 General Biology II 
BIOL 241 Introductory Genetics 
BIOL 341 Cell and Molecular Biology 
BIOL 441 General Microbiology 

ALL of the following chemistry courses: 

CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I *
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II 
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry I 
CHEM 431 Molecular Biochemistry I
CHEM 432 Molecular Biochemistry II
CHEM 435 Methods of Biochemistry 

ALL of the following mathematics and physics courses: 

MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I
MATH 225 Calculus and Analytic Geometry II
PHYS 111 General Physics I
PHYS 112 General Physics II

ONE course in directed research OR an internship: 

CHEM 491 Internship 
CHEM 497 Directed Research

ONE Senior Seminar

NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar (3 credits) 

* Students who do not achieve satisfactory scores on the mathematics placement test must take MATH 103 before taking Chemistry 111.

Return to top

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements: Chemistry (21 credits)

ALL of the following courses: 

CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I 
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 

EIGHT additional credits in chemistry above the 100-level

Minor Requirements: Biochemistry (21 credits)

ALL of the following courses: 

CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I 
CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I 
CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I 
CHEM 431 Molecular Biochemistry I
CHEM 432 Molecular Biochemistry II
CHEM 435 Methods of Biochemistry 

Return to top

Program Policies

Advanced Placement:
A grade of 4 or 5 on the Chemistry AP exam will be accepted in lieu of CHEM 111.

CLEP Policy:
A satisfactory score on the CLEP exam in general chemistry will be accepted in lieu of CHEM 111.

Grades in Major Courses:
Students are required to earn a grade of "C" (2.0) or better in all courses counted to fulfill requirements for the major.

Pass/No Pass:
The pass/no pass option is not acceptable for courses taken to fulfill major or minor requirements.
Senior Assessment: The senior assessment in chemistry or biochemistry consists of a written report and oral presentation relating to the work done in CHEM 491 or 497.

TELL Policy:
Because of the importance of the laboratory experience, TELL credits may not be applied toward the chemistry major.

Transfer Credits:
All chemistry and biochemistry majors are required to complete successfully a minimum of 15 credits in chemistry at Trinity College. With the approval of the program chair, courses in biology or other relevant areas of study offered at Trinity may be used to satisfy the 15 credit requirement. All chemistry/biochemistry majors must take NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar at Trinity (NSCM 499 may count toward the 15 credit hours taken at Trinity). Biochemistry majors must take CHEM 431, 432 Molecular Biochemistry I and II at Trinity. 

Return to top

Course Descriptions

CHEM 101 Chemistry in a Changing World
Focuses on chemistry in the news, including the energy crisis, global warming, acid rain, radioactivity, food, and drugs. These topics are used to introduce the concepts of chemistry and biochemistry to the non-science major. It is recommended that this course be taken after completion of the Area I math requirement. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 101 Chemistry in a Changing World.
4 credits
FLC Area IV
Core III 

CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I
Introduces some of the general principles of chemistry. Topics include stoichiometry and chemical reactions; the structure and properties of atoms and molecules; chemical bonding; thermochemistry; and acid base chemistry. This course emphasizes active student involvement; many concepts are introduced via direct experimentation. Computers are used extensively. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 105 Fundamentals of Chemistry I.
4 credits
Prerequisites: MATH 123 (may be taken concurrently)
FLC Area IV 
Core III 

CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II
Continues the study of basic chemical principles, focusing on thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical equilibrium. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 106 Fundamentals of Chemistry II.
4 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of “C” or higher

CHEM 221 Organic Chemistry I
Provides students with a basic knowledge of organic chemistry through an exploration of the properties and reactions of carbon compounds, including structure and bonding, polarization, isomerism, stereochemistry, equilibrium, reaction types, and synthesis.  Will ordinarily be taken with the laboratory (CHEM 223). Formerly CHE 231 Organic Chemistry I.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 with a grade of “C” or higher; or permission of instructor

CHEM 222 Organic Chemistry II
Applies the concepts learned in Organic Chemistry I to new classes of compounds. The course includes a further investigation of substitution and elimination reactions, and the utility of infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance in determining organic structure is emphasized. Students learn about reactions and mechanisms pertaining to alkyl halides, aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers, and a variety of carbonyl compounds. A working knowledge of the reactions covered in both semesters of will enable students to develop multistep syntheses leading from starting material to product. Will ordinarily be taken with the laboratory (CHEM 224). Formerly CHE 233 Organic Chemistry II.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 221 with a grade of “C” or higher

CHEM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
Provides the laboratory component of CHEM 221. This laboratory experience illustrates modern techniques of purification, identification, and synthesis of organic compounds and the application to structural and synthetic problems. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 233 Organic Chemistry Lab I.
2 credits
Prerequisites: Concurrent registration with CHEM 221 or permission of instructor

CHEM 224 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II
Provides the laboratory component of CHEM 222. This laboratory experience illustrates modern techniques of purification, identification, and synthesis of organic compounds and the application to structural and synthetic problems. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 234 Organic Chemistry Lab II.
2 credits
Prerequisites: Concurrent registration with CHEM 222 or permission of instructor

CHEM 225 Analytical Chemistry
Introduces the student to the most relevant techniques used in chemical analysis such as gravimetric, volumetric and titrimetric methods.
3 credits
Prerequisites:  CHEM 221 (may be taken concurrently)

CHEM 321 Advanced Organic Chemistry
Explores selected topics in organic chemistry, such as reactive intermediates, reactions of carbonyls compounds, retrosynthesis, photochemistry, and the chemistry of amines. Utilizing the chemical literature will also be emphasized. Formerly CHE 350 Advanced Organic Chemistry.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 222

CHEM 331 Environmental Chemistry
Explores the causes and solutions of a variety of environmental problems, including changes in the ozone layer, air pollution, global warming, toxic organic compounds, water contamination and purification, heavy metals and soil chemistry, and energy production. Will ordinarily be taken concurrently with CHEM 332. Formerly CHE 315 Environmental Chemistry.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 221 (may be taken concurrently)

CHEM 332 Chemical Analysis
Introduces methods of chemical analysis as applied to problems in environmental chemistry. Will ordinarily be taken concurrently with CHEM 331 or CHEM 225. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 316 Chemical Analysis.
2 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 221 (may be taken concurrently)

CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry I
Examines the principles of chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, and atomic structure, with an emphasis on applications to biological systems. Introduces some of the theory behind spectroscopic techniques. Formerly CHE 377 Physical Chemistry I.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 111, CHEM 112, MATH 125, MAT 225, and PHYS 111 (may be taken concurrently); MATH 325 is recommended

CHEM 431 Molecular Biochemistry I
Explores the molecular basis of biological processes, with special emphasis on the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids and the interplay between these important classes of macromolecules. Topics are introduced using the current scientific literature in areas such as HIV and cancer. Formerly CHE 411 Molecular Biochemistry I.
3 credits
Prerequisites: BIOL 111, CHEM 222

CHEM 432 Molecular Biochemistry II
Continues the study of biochemistry, including reaction mechanisms, metabolic pathways and energetics. The course concludes with an examination of related topics of current interest. Formerly CHE 412 Molecular Biochemistry II.
3 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 431 or permission of instructor

CHEM 435 Methods of Biochemistry
Introduces the theory and application of some of the methods and techniques of modern biochemistry, including spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrophoresis. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly CHE 413 Methods of Biochemistry.
2 credits
Prerequisites: CHEM 431 or permission of instructor

CHEM 484 Topics in Biochemistry
Examines the scientific literature in areas of current interest in the biomedical sciences. Formerly CHE 415 Topics in Biochemistry.
3 credits
Prerequisites: Permission of instructor

CHEM 491 Internship
Provides practical experience in an area related to chemistry (such as in a museum, government laboratory, etc.). Formerly CHE 481 Internship.
Credits arranged
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Chair

CHEM 497 Directed Research
Offers the student the opportunity to develop research skills while conducting a research project carried out under the supervision of a faculty member, or at one of the research institutions in the area with permission of the Program Chair. Formerly CHE 491 Directed Research.
Credits arranged
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Chair

CHEM 498 Independent Study
Provides an opportunity for directed study. Formerly CHE 291 Independent Study.
Credits arranged
Prerequisites: Permission of Program Chair

NOTE:
Descriptions for courses listed as NSCM (natural sciences and mathematics) appear in the interdisciplinary courses section of this catalog.

Return to top