Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the major, students will be able to:

• Write well on exams, short paper, long papers and laboratory reports.
• Make oral reports of varying lengths, either alone or as part of a team.
• Prepare and present posters at scientific meetings.
• Exhibit critical thinking when reading texts, lecture supplements, and other materials.
• Prepare a literature review and a bibliography on a topic in chemistry.
• Obtain relevant information from primary sources in a library or online.
• Demonstrate knowledge about the broad core of chemistry.
• Recognize and use connections of chemistry to biology, computing, and mathematics.
• Use ethical scientific methods in obtaining and evaluating data.
• Demonstrate proper methods in the design and conduct of research.
• Exhibit basic laboratory skills in such areas as preparing solutions and titration.
• Use chemical instrumentation and perform both qualitative and quantitative analyses.
• Be able to use computer hardware and software for chemical purposes.
• Demonstrate safety in the laboratory.
• Make proper disposal of wastes.

Learning Outcomes Matrix [PDF]

» Click here to view more detailed learning outcomes listings for each course.

Chatham University Chemistry

Buhl Hall • Woodland Road • Pittsburgh, PA 15232

Curriculum

+Major Requirements (BA)

44 credits, including:

CHM107	Chemistry I This class begins with a study of atomic structure, then expands to cover chemical naming, patterns of reactivity, thermochemistry, the interaction of light and matter, atomic orbitals, ionic and covalent bonding, and molecular shapes. This class concludes with an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHM 109	3
CHM108	Chemistry II The second semester of general chemistry continues exploring the structure, properties, and bonding of atoms and molecules, with emphasis on the physical characteristics of gases, liquids, solids and solutions, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM205	Organic Chemistry I Development of the structural theory of organic compounds. Relationship of structure to reactivity, stereochemistry, types of organic reactive intermediates, and the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds are covered. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHM 215.	3
CHM206	Organic Chemistry II Discussion of organic functional groups and their chemistry. Spectroscopy, mechanisms, and synthetic type-reactions are included. A discussion of biologically important compounds is covered during the last third of the term.	3
CHM209	Inorganic Chemistry A descriptive survey of inorganic chemistry, including bonding theories, coordination compounds, electrochemistry, inorganic syntheses, and the chemistry of the transition metals. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student's major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs.	3
IND350	Scientific Research Methods This course serves as an introduction to research literature and research methodology in the sciences. Students prepare a research proposal including literature review, experimental design and methods, budget, timetable, and bibliography. Other topics include professional presentation techniques and research ethics. The student's major department must approve proposals prior to the Tutorial.	2
INTCHM303	Internship - Chemistry Internship - Chemistry	3
MTH151	Calculus I This is the first course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for algebraic and trigonometric functions with applications. Four hours of class per week.	4
9 additional credits in chemistry at the 300-level or above.

+Major Requirements (BS)

72 credits, including:

CHM107	Chemistry I This class begins with a study of atomic structure, then expands to cover chemical naming, patterns of reactivity, thermochemistry, the interaction of light and matter, atomic orbitals, ionic and covalent bonding, and molecular shapes. This class concludes with an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHM 109	3
CHM108	Chemistry II The second semester of general chemistry continues exploring the structure, properties, and bonding of atoms and molecules, with emphasis on the physical characteristics of gases, liquids, solids and solutions, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM205	Organic Chemistry I Development of the structural theory of organic compounds. Relationship of structure to reactivity, stereochemistry, types of organic reactive intermediates, and the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds are covered. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHM 215.	3
CHM206	Organic Chemistry II Discussion of organic functional groups and their chemistry. Spectroscopy, mechanisms, and synthetic type-reactions are included. A discussion of biologically important compounds is covered during the last third of the term.	3
CHM209	Inorganic Chemistry A descriptive survey of inorganic chemistry, including bonding theories, coordination compounds, electrochemistry, inorganic syntheses, and the chemistry of the transition metals. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM311	Physical Chemistry I Thermodynamic descriptions of chemical systems, emphasizing gases and solutions. Phase transitions and phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, kinetics, and electrochemistry. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM312	Physical Chemistry II Quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, introduction to symmetry, and introduction to statistical mechanics. Four hour lectures per week.	4
CHM322	Topics in Analytical Chemistry This course explores the fundamental chemical principles underlying modern chemical instrumentation. Students learn the advantages and limitations of these instruments, how to select the proper instrumental configuration for a specific experiment, and how to evaluate emerging chemical technologies. Three hours of lecture per week. Corequisite: CHM 318	3
CHM338	Biochemistry I This course covers the structure and functions of proteins, polynucleic acids, and biological membranes. Enzymes and kinetics are taught. Metabolic pathways, with emphasis on the thermodynamics of the equilibria and the storage and usage of energy, are covered. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM490	Integrative Capstone The integrative capstone, undertaken by the student during the senior year, is an extended project that helps the student complete their transition from an undergraduate student to a world-ready professional. The study usually centers on the student's major and may be conducted, at least in part, in the context of a group experience. Such programs are crafted to meet the unique needs of each major, and could include, for example, fieldwork, theater production, creative work in the arts, independent research, or independent readings. The integrative capstone in an interdisciplinary major must have the approval of both academic programs.	3
IND350	Scientific Research Methods This course serves as an introduction to research literature and research methodology in the sciences. Students prepare a research proposal including literature review, experimental design and methods, budget, timetable, and bibliography. Other topics include professional presentation techniques and research ethics. The student's major department must approve proposals prior to the Tutorial.	2
INTCHM303	Internship - Chemistry Internship - Chemistry	3
MTH151	Calculus I This is the first course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for algebraic and trigonometric functions with applications. Four hours of class per week.	4
MTH152	Calculus II This is the second course in the calculus sequence. Topics include differential and integral calculus for the transcendental functions, advanced methods of integration, and infinite sequences and series.	4
PHY251	Principles of Physics I Introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. This is the first course in a calculus-based sequence that focuses on classical mechanics. Topics include vector analysis, kinematics, Newton's laws, work, conservation of energy and momentum, collisions, gravity, harmonic motion, and wave phenomena.	4
PHY252	Principles of Physics II Introduction to the concepts, laws, and structure of physics. The second course in a calculus-based physics sequence. Topics include thermodynamics, fluids, electricity, circuit analysis, magnetism, Maxwell’s equations, properties of light, and optics. Four hours of class per week.	4
1 three (3) credit chemistry elective

+Minor Requirements

26 credits, including:

CHM107	Chemistry I This class begins with a study of atomic structure, then expands to cover chemical naming, patterns of reactivity, thermochemistry, the interaction of light and matter, atomic orbitals, ionic and covalent bonding, and molecular shapes. This class concludes with an introduction to organic chemistry and biochemistry. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHM 109	3
CHM108	Chemistry II The second semester of general chemistry continues exploring the structure, properties, and bonding of atoms and molecules, with emphasis on the physical characteristics of gases, liquids, solids and solutions, chemical equilibria, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM205	Organic Chemistry I Development of the structural theory of organic compounds. Relationship of structure to reactivity, stereochemistry, types of organic reactive intermediates, and the chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, and aromatic compounds are covered. Three hours of lecture per week. Co-requisite: CHM 215.	3
CHM206	Organic Chemistry II Discussion of organic functional groups and their chemistry. Spectroscopy, mechanisms, and synthetic type-reactions are included. A discussion of biologically important compounds is covered during the last third of the term.	3
CHM209	Inorganic Chemistry A descriptive survey of inorganic chemistry, including bonding theories, coordination compounds, electrochemistry, inorganic syntheses, and the chemistry of the transition metals. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
CHM311	Physical Chemistry I Thermodynamic descriptions of chemical systems, emphasizing gases and solutions. Phase transitions and phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, kinetics, and electrochemistry. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
OR
CHM338	Biochemistry I This course covers the structure and functions of proteins, polynucleic acids, and biological membranes. Enzymes and kinetics are taught. Metabolic pathways, with emphasis on the thermodynamics of the equilibria and the storage and usage of energy, are covered. Three hours of lecture per week.	3
OR

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