Chemistry/Biochemistry

Faculty

Faculty

Monica Feazell, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Jasmine Gardner, Assistant Professor of Chemistry


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 a B.S. degree in chemistry or biochemistry or a minor in either field.

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 Pre-Calculus

Prepares students for calculus. Subjects include the concept of a function, exponential and logarithmic functions, trigonometric functions and coordinate geometry. A student who already has a good grasp of these topics should elect MAT 125 instead of this course. Formerly MAT 123 Pre-calculus.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 103 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Quantitative Analysis Cluster

is a prerequisite for (or can be taken concurrently with) the Fundamentals of Chemistry course.

Major Requirements

Major Requirements: Chemistry (58-60 credits)

ALL of the following chemistry courses:

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 


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
CHEM 332 Chemical Analysis
CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 350 Instrumental Analysis
CHEM 351 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory

ALL of the following mathematics and physics courses:

MATH 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster


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

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

ONE course in directed research OR an internship:

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

ONE Senior Seminar

NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar

Examines selected topics in the natural sciences. Requires written and oral presentations based on reading and analysis of the current scientific literature.

3 credits

General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)

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

.

Recommended Courses

CMSC 111 Introduction to Programming

Serves as an entry-level programming course recommended for all students. Objects, arrays, program flow (if-then-else, while, do-while, for, switch), simple graphical user interfaces and applets, problem solving techniques, and elementary algorithms are covered. Effective design, implementation, debugging, and documentation of object-oriented programs are emphasized. Formerly MAT 141 Introduction to Programming.


MATH 325 Multi-Variable 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 I Laboratory.

Major Requirements: Biochemistry (61-63 credits)

ALL of the following biology courses:

BIOL 112 General Biology II

Presents a comprehensive base in biology for majors and non-science majors and is the second of a two-semester sequence. The course consists of three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory per week. There is an additional laboratory fee for this course. Formerly BIO 152 General Biology II.

4 credits

Prerequisite BIOL 111

FLC Area IV

General Education Requirement: Knowledge and Inquiry


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

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 


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
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

Examines the following topics: functions, limits, continuity, differentiation and applications, and basic integration. Formerly MAT 125 Calculus and Analytic Geometry I.

4 credits

Prerequisites: MATH 123 or placement test proficiency

General Education: Knowledge and Inquiry Area

FLC Area IV: Exploration Cluster


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

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

ONE Senior Seminar

NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar

Examines selected topics in the natural sciences. Requires written and oral presentations based on reading and analysis of the current scientific literature.

3 credits

General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)

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

Minor Requirements

Minor Requirements: Chemistry (21 credits)

ALL of the following courses:

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 


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

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 


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

Program Policies

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

.

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

.

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 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

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

Examines selected topics in the natural sciences. Requires written and oral presentations based on reading and analysis of the current scientific literature.

3 credits

General Education Requirements: Applications (Leadership)

Divisional Seminar at Trinity (NSCM 499 Divisional Seminar may count toward the 15 credit hours taken at Trinity). Biochemistry majors must take CHEM 431 Molecular Biochemistry I , 432 Molecular Biochemistry I and II at Trinity.

Course Descriptions

CHEM 101 Chemistry in a Changing World CHEM 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry I CHEM 112 Fundamentals of Chemistry II CHEM 113 Chemistry for the Health Sciences 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 CHEM 321 Advanced Organic Chemistry CHEM 332 Chemical Analysis CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry CHEM 350 Instrumental Analysis CHEM 351 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory CHEM 431 Molecular Biochemistry I CHEM 432 Molecular Biochemistry II CHEM 435 Methods of Biochemistry CHEM 484 Topics in Biochemistry CHEM 491 Internship CHEM 497 Directed Research CHEM 498 Independent Study

Trinity reserves the right to change, without prior notice, any policy or procedure, tuition or fee, curricular requirements, or any other information found on this web site or in its printed materials.

Questions may be directed to Virginia Broaddus, Ph.D., Provost at BroaddusV@trinitydc.edu