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Chemistry

This is an archived copy of the 2020-2021 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.iastate.edu.

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Undergraduate Study

For undergraduate curricula in liberal arts and sciences leading to the degrees Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts, see Liberal Arts and Sciences, Curriculum.

Graduates holding the B.S. degree in Chemistry qualify in many fields as: teachers of Chemistry, supervisors in industry, technical sales personnel, and research chemists in federal, state, municipal, academic, or industrial laboratories. Students with high scholastic standing often continue with graduate work, where they may explore more thoroughly the specialized areas of chemistry in which they are interested.

The B.A. degree is useful for students who intend to pursue studies in parallel areas, such as secondary school teaching, or to obtain additional majors or strong minors. The B.A. degree does not prepare students as well for graduate study or professional employment in chemistry.

Graduates have firm foundations in the fundamentals and application of current chemical theories. They are able to design, carry-out, record, and analyze the results of chemical experiments. They are able to use modern instrumentation and classical techniques to identify and solve chemical problems as well as explore new areas of research. Graduates are able to communicate the results of their work to chemists, as well as non-chemists. They understand the ethical and environmental dimensions of problems and issues facing chemists. They follow the proper procedures and regulations for safe storage, labeling, use of chemicals, and disposal of chemicals. Graduates are skilled in problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical reasoning. These skills may be applied to careers in education and industry; in professions such as law, medicine, environmental sciences, and forensic sciences. The curricula in Chemistry are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). Students who complete the program obtain an ACS certified baccalaureate degree provided they also take one Biochemistry course, typically BBMB 301 Survey of Biochemistry, BBMB 316 Principles of Biochemistry or BBMB 404 Biochemistry I and BBMB 405 Biochemistry II.

Liberal arts majors who wish to transfer into Chemistry at the end of their second year may still complete all degree requirements and graduate within five years.

Undergraduate students seeking the B.S. degree in Chemistry have the following courses in their degree programs as minimum requirements:

CHEM 177
CHEM 178
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
5-7
or CHEM 201 Advanced General Chemistry
CHEM 177LLaboratory in General Chemistry I1
or CHEM 177N Laboratory in General Chemistry I
or CHEM 201L Laboratory in Advanced General Chemistry
CHEM 211Quantitative and Environmental Analysis2
CHEM 211LQuantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory2
CHEM 301Inorganic Chemistry2
CHEM 316Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis2
CHEM 316LInstrumental Analysis Laboratory2
CHEM 322LLaboratory in Physical Chemistry3
CHEM 324Introductory Quantum Mechanics3
CHEM 325Chemical Thermodynamics3
CHEM 331Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 332Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 331LLaboratory in Organic Chemistry I1
or CHEM 333L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry I (for Chemistry and Biochemistry Majors)
CHEM 332LLaboratory in Organic Chemistry II1
or CHEM 334L Laboratory in Organic Chemistry II (for Chemistry and Biochemistry Majors)
CHEM 402Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM 401LInorganic Chemistry Laboratory1
Two advanced Chemistry courses (min 4 credits)4-6
The following are required as supporting work:
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
or ENGL 250H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors
ENGL 314Technical Communication3
LIB 160Information Literacy1
MATH 165Calculus I4
MATH 166Calculus II4
MATH 265Calculus III4
PHYS 221Introduction to Classical Physics I5
PHYS 222Introduction to Classical Physics II5

Plus a foreign language requirement.

Communication Proficiency requirement: According to the university-wide Communication Proficiency Grade Requirement, students must demonstrate their communication proficiency by earning a grade of C or better in ENGL 250. The Department requires a grade of C– or better in ENGL 314.

CHEM 399 Undergraduate Research or CHEM 499 Senior Research is strongly recommended. Credits earned in 399/499/490 may only be used to meet one of the advanced course requirements.

Chemistry majors seeking certification to teach Chemistry in secondary schools must meet the requirements of the College of Human Sciences as well as those of the Chemistry program. In addition, they must apply formally for admission to the teacher education program.

Undergraduate students seeking the B.A. degree in Chemistry have the following courses in their degree programs as minimum requirements:

One of the following sequences:6-8
General Chemistry I
and General Chemistry II
and Laboratory in General Chemistry I
Laboratory in General Chemistry I
General Chemistry for Engineering Students
and General Chemistry II
and Laboratory in General Chemistry for Engineering
Advanced General Chemistry
and Laboratory in Advanced General Chemistry
CHEM 211Quantitative and Environmental Analysis2
CHEM 211LQuantitative and Environmental Analysis Laboratory2
CHEM 301Inorganic Chemistry2
CHEM 316Instrumental Methods of Chemical Analysis2
CHEM 316LInstrumental Analysis Laboratory2
CHEM 324Introductory Quantum Mechanics3
CHEM 321LLaboratory in Physical Chemistry2-3
or CHEM 322L Laboratory in Physical Chemistry
CHEM 325Chemical Thermodynamics3
CHEM 331Organic Chemistry I3
CHEM 331LLaboratory in Organic Chemistry I1
CHEM 332Organic Chemistry II3
CHEM 332LLaboratory in Organic Chemistry II1
The following are required as supporting work:12
ENGL 150Critical Thinking and Communication3
ENGL 250Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition3
or ENGL 250H Written, Oral, Visual, and Electronic Composition: Honors
ENGL 314Technical Communication3
LIB 160Information Literacy1
Calculus I
Calculus II
Introduction to Classical Physics I
Introduction to Classical Physics II