Chemistry

Chemistry majors and minors are in demand in the work place.  WC graduates successfully pursue careers in industry, analytical laboratories, pharmaceutical labs, lab management, etc..  Our hands-on emphasis in the laboratory, and WC’s small size and close student/faculty relationships, are uniquely suited to developing the skills needed for success in these areas.  Many graduates have also been successful in their applications to graduate school, medical school, veterinary school, and pharmacy school.  

Degrees

Courses

CH230: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY I

Credits 4
An introductory course for those majoring in the sciences. Topics include atomic structure and bonding, balancing equations, mole relationship, solutions, acids and bases, basic concepts of physical and descriptive chemistry, basic chemical laboratory techniques, data recording and analysis, laboratory safety, and preparation of laboratory reports.

CH231: PRINCIPLES OF CHEMISTRY II

Credits 4
A continuation of CH230. Particular emphasis on equilibrium and properties of aqueous solutions, descriptive inorganic chemistry, and qualitative analysis. Laboratories include analysis of data generated by students.

CH280: RESEARCH PARTICIPATION

Credits 1 2
A research course for students with lower levels of chemistry background. May be repeated for a total of four hours.

CH330: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I

Credits 4

An introduction to molecular structure, functional groups, nomenclature and properties of organic compounds, and reactivity of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols.  Associated topics include reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry and chirality, and methods of spectroscopic characterization.  Laboratory includes techniques in the synthesis and purification (recrystallization, extraction, chromatography) of organic compounds and an introduction to applied spectroscopy (UV-vis, FTIR, NMR, MS).

CH331: ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II

Credits 4

A continuation of CH330, Organic Chemistry I.  The study of the structure, nomenclature, properties, and reactivity of ethers, epoxides, arenes, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and derivatives, etc.  Associated topics include reaction mechanisms, conjugated pi systems, aromaticity, molecular orbitals, polymers, an introduction to biomolecules/biochemistry, and methods of spectroscopic characterization.  The laboratory includes techniques in the synthesis and purification of organic compounds, characterization by spectroscopy (FTIR, NMR, MS), and basics of peptide synthesis.

A continuation of CH331.This is continuation of CH330. Students learn about the reactions of the functional groups. This includes predicting the products which will result from a particular set of reactants. In addition, students learn how to use reaction mechanisms to predict not only the products obtained but the quantity of each product.

CH334: QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS

Credits 4
Skill
W
Gravimetric, volumetric, and some instrumental analysis as practiced in industry, agriculture, and the life sciences. Equivalent of two labs per week.

CH335: INSTRUMENTAL ANALYSIS

Credits 4
Skill
W
An emphasis on spectroscopic, chromatographic, and other instrumental methods of analysis. Equivalent of two labs per week.

CH430: PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I

Credits 4
Thermodynamics as applied to chemical and biochemical systems is covered. Reaction rates and kinetics are also covered.

CH435: INORGANIC CHEMISTRY

Credits 4
The study of coordination chemistry, including coordination bonding, metal complex structure and synthesis, symmetry and group theory, ligand field theory, spectroscopy and magnetism of metal complexes, organometallic chemistry and catalysis, bioinorganic chemistry, and analytical applications of inorganic chemistry.