Courses
The online catalog includes the most recent changes to courses and degree requirements that have been approved by the Faculty Senate, including changes that are not yet effective. Courses showing two entries of the same number indicate that the course information is changing. The most recently approved version is shown first, followed by the older version, in gray, with its last-effective term preceding the course title. Courses shown in gray with only one entry of the course number are being discontinued. Course offerings by term can be accessed by clicking on the term links when viewing a specific campus catalog.
Chemistry (CHEM)
101 [PSCI] Introduction to Chemistry 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: MATH 103 or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 45%, or credit for or concurrent enrollment in MATH 105, 106, 107, 108, 140, 171, 172, 182, 201, 202, ENGR 107, STAT 205, or 212. Atomic and molecular structure, elementary organic nomenclature and reactions, quantitative relationships, periodicity, states of matter, solutions, acids, bases, pH, equilibrium, applications to life sciences. Not recommended as preparation for CHEM 105.
102 Chemistry Related to Life Sciences 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 101 with a C or better, or CHEM 105 with C or better. Organic functional groups and their reactions; thermodynamics, kinetics, and redox reactions, polymers, macro-molecules; carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, hormones, applications to life sciences.
103 Concepts in Chemistry 4 (3-2) Course Prerequisite: A minimum ALEKS math placement score of 45%, or concurrent enrollment in or credit for MATH 103, 105, 106, 108, 140, 171, 172, 182, 201, 202, ENGR 107, STAT 205 or 212. Chemistry preparatory course for students who have not had high school chemistry or do not meet the prerequisites for CHEM 105.
104 Forensic Chemistry 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: MATH 103 or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 45%, or concurrent enrollment in or credit for MATH 105, 106, 107, 108, 140, 171, 172, 182, 201, 202, ENGR 107, STAT 205 or 212. The principles of chemistry applied to forensic science and forensic analysis.
104 (Effective through Summer 2024) Problem Solving in General Chemistry 1 (0-2) Course Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 105. A guided inquiry approach for development of problem solving skills necessary for success in CHEM 105.
105 [PSCI] Principles of Chemistry I 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: Credit for or concurrent enrollment in one of the following courses: MATH 106, 108, 140, 171, 172, 182, 202, or ENGR 107, or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 80%. Atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, quantitative relationships, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, periodicity, bonding. Recommended preparation: One year rigorous high school chemistry or CHEM 103.
106 Principles of Chemistry II 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 105 with a grade of C or better; one of MATH 106, 107, or 108 with a grade of C or better, or MATH 108 or concurrent enrollment, or a minimum ALEKS math placement score of 80%. Intermolecular forces, solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, radiochemistry. Credit not granted for both CHEM 106 and 116.
116 Chemical Principles Honors II 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Honors-level second semester general chemistry; topics generally identical to CHEM 106, with additional advanced topics at discretion of instructor. Credit not granted for both CHEM 106 and 116.
161 Nuclear Reactor Operations I 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 101 or 105 or concurrent enrollment in either. Foundational topics in reactor operations at the WSU TRIGA 1 MW nuclear research reactor, including nuclear theory, nuclear physics, radiation safety, health physics, reactor physics reactor kinetics, neutron transport theory, reactor auxiliary systems, and federal regulations.
162 Nuclear Reactor Operations II 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 161 with a C or better. Training at the WSU 1 MW TRIGA nuclear reactor, with continued knowledge development in nuclear reactor theory and operations as preparation for the Nuclear Regulatory Commission licensing exam.
191 Independent Study in Modern Chemistry V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Course Prerequisite: CHEM 101 or concurrent enrollment, or CHEM 105 or concurrent enrollment. Independent study in the theory and practice of modern chemistry; written report required. S, F grading.
220 Quantitative Analysis 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 106 or 116. Theories of quantitative chemical analysis; statistical evaluation of data; chemical equilibrium; volumetric and gravimetric methods of analysis; introduction to electrochemistry.
222 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1 (0-3) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 220 or concurrent enrollment. Application of classical methods in volumetric and gravimetric analysis; acid-base, redox and EDTA titrations; ion-exchange chromatography; introduction to spectrophotometry.
262 Senior Nuclear Reactor Operations 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 162 with a C or better. Facility design, reactor operations, safety analysis, nuclear design, risk assessment, regulatory considerations, and change management controls at the WSU 1 MW TRIGA nuclear reactor.
301 Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 106 with a C or better. A survey of the chemistry of the elements using basic principles of bonding, acid-base and oxidation-reduction chemistry, and thermodynamics.
330 Problem Solving in Physical Chemistry 1 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 106 or 116 with a C or better; MATH 273 or 283 with a C or better. Quantitative methods of data analysis and chemical concept development; emphasis on multivariable, matrix, and computer methods.
331 Physical Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: MATH 273 or 283 with a C or better; 4 credits of PHYSICS 202 with a C or better, or PHYSICS 202 and 212, each with a C or better, or PHYSICS 206 with a C or better. Concepts of physical chemistry; basic thermodynamics; free energy and entropy; phase equilibria; properties of solutions of electrolytes and non-electrolytes.
332 Physical Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: MATH 273 or 283 with a C or better; MATH 220 with a C or better; 4 credits of PHYSICS 202 with a C or better, or PHYSICS 202 and 212, each with a C or better, or PHYSICS 206 with a C or better. Elementary quantum theory; molecular structure and spectra; bonding theory; reaction rates; photochemistry and radiation chemistry; energy states and statistical thermodynamics.
333 Physical Chemistry Laboratory for Chemists 1 (0-3) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 331 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment. Experiments selected to meet the individual needs of students in biology, chemical engineering, chemistry, or materials science.
334 [M] Physical Chemistry Laboratory 2 (0-6) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 332 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment; CHEM 333 with a C or better. Continuation of CHEM 333. Experiments in molecular structure, atomic molecular spectroscopy, chemical kinetics including computational methods.
338 Biophysical Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 345 with a C or better; MATH 140 or 171 with a C or better; 4 credits of PHYSICS 101 or 102 with a C or better, or PHYSICS 101 and 111, each with a C or better, or PHYSICS 102 and 112, each with a C or better. The modern tools and insights of physical chemistry are covered by interconnecting these fundamental concepts with key biological phenomena.
338 (Effective through Summer 2024) Physical Chemistry for Chemical Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 345 with a C or better; MATH 140 or 171 with a C or better; 4 credits of PHYSICS 101 or 102 with a C or better, or PHYSICS 101 and 111, each with a C or better, or PHYSICS 102 and 112, each with a C or better. The modern tools and insights of physical chemistry are covered by interconnecting these fundamental concepts with key biological phenomena.
345 Organic Chemistry I 4 (3-3) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 102 with a C or better, or CHEM 106 with a C or better. Survey of organic chemistry providing an overview of the chemistry of the functional groups.
347 Organic Qualitative Analysis Laboratory 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 348 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment. Isolation, purification and identification of unknown compounds; for chemistry and biochemistry majors.
348 Organic Chemistry II and Problem Solving 4 (3-2) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 345 with a C or better. Advanced concepts in organic chemistry including mechanisms and multistep-synthesis; problem analysis and critical thinking development in organic chemistry. Credit not granted for both CHEM 346 and 348.
370 Chemical Biology 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 102 or 345 with a C or better. Exploration of the chemistry of biological systems with regards to structure and function relations, as well as metabolism and energy production.
398 Undergraduate Seminar 1 S, F grading.
401 Modern Inorganic Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 345. Properties of substances; periodic trends; catalysis; structure and reactivity; acid-base; oxidation-reduction; and spectroscopy. Credit not granted for both CHEM 401 and 501. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
410 Advanced Synthesis and Characterization 3 (1-6) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 346 with a C or better, or CHEM 348 with a C or better; CHEM 332 with a C or better. Synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic compounds and solid-state materials; modern synthetic technology, characterization methods, and laboratory techniques.
425 Quantitative Instrumental Analysis 2 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 220 with a C or better. Computer interfacing applicable to chemical instrumentation; principles and applications of modern chromatography, spectrophotometry and electrochemical techniques.
426 [M] Quantitative Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2 (0-6) Course Prerequisite: CHEM 425 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment. Laboratory experience in modern analytical methods.
480 Solid State Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 332 with a C or better. Properties, bonding and synthesis of solid state material; crystalline and amorphous solids and coatings.
485 [CAPS] [M] Senior Thesis in Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the major in Chemistry (BA or BS); senior standing. Required capstone course for chemistry majors culminating in the development of a written research thesis.
490 Current Topics in Chemistry V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Recent advances in the understanding and application of chemical systems.
495 Directed Research 1 Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Poster presentation of final research project.
499 Special Problems V 1-4 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: By department permission. Independent study conducted under the jurisdiction of an approving faculty member; may include independent research studies in technical or specialized problems; selection and analysis of specified readings; development of a creative project; or field experiences. S, F grading.
501 Modern Inorganic Chemistry 3 Properties of substances; periodic trends; catalysis; structure and reactivity; acid-base; oxidation-reduction; and spectroscopy. Credit not granted for both CHEM 401 and 501. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
503 Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry V 1-3 May be repeated for credit. Recent significant developments. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
509 Chemical Group Theory 3 Mathematical definitions of groups and representations, applications to chemical structure and spectra, ligand field theory, chemical reactions and selection rules.
510 Introduction to Proteomics 2 Techniques and applications for the analysis of the proteome. Recommended preparation: MBIOS 303 or equivalent.
511 Advanced X-ray Characterization 3 Foundations in X-ray diffraction, scattering, and spectroscopy-based characterization methods as applied to a wide range of systems relevant to physics, chemistry, and engineering; hands-on experience with data collection and analysis. (Crosslisted course offered as PHYSICS 511, CHEM 511.)
514 Mass Spectrometry 2 Current methods, techniques and interpretation of mass spectrometric analysis. Recommended preparation: CHEM 425 or equivalent.
517 Chromatography 2 Survey of major forms of chromatography, operating principles of common chromatographic detectors, and current case studies. Recommended preparation: CHEM 425 or equivalent.
518 Electrochemistry 2 Execution and interpretation of a variety of interfacial electroanalytical techniques. Recommended preparation: CHEM 425 or equivalent.
520 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 Statistics in chemical analysis; sampling; control of contamination and losses in analysis; electrochemical methods; separation in analysis; spectroscopic techniques. Recommended preparation: CHEM 425 or equivalent.
521 Radiochemistry and Radiotracers 2 Nuclear stability, and decay modes, interactions of radiation with matter, radioanalytical instrumentation, health physics, neutron activation, and tracer level chemistry. Recommended preparation: CHEM 425 or equivalent.
522 Radiochemistry Laboratory 1 (0-3) Theory and application of basic radiochemistry instrumentation. Required preparation must include CHEM 222, CHEM 331, and PHYSICS 202 or equivalent.
527 Environmental Chemistry 2 Natural water chemistry, AGRI processes, kinetics, thermodynamics, modeling in lake, river, and sea water.
528 Data Analysis for Chemistry 3 Data analysis methods for large data sets encountered in chemistry, programing using a scripting language, graphical and statistical analyses, chemometric methods.
529 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry V 1-3 May be repeated for credit. Selected current developments.
531 Advanced Physical Chemistry I 3 Classical physical chemistry including basic thermodynamics and kinetics; an introductory discussion of surface chemistry and electrochemistry. Recommended preparation: CHEM 331 or equivalent.
532 Advanced Physical Chemistry II 3 Introduction to quantum mechanics; postulates of quantum mechanics; exact solutions and approximation methods. Recommended preparation: CHEM 332 or equivalent. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
534 Chemical Statistical Mechanics 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 531 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment; CHEM 532 with a C or better or concurrent enrollment. Statistical theory of thermodynamic variables and chemical equilibrium; calculation of equilibrium properties from spectral data; fluctuations about equilibrium; quantum statistics.
535 Applied Spectroscopy 3 Application of optical (UV-visible, Fourier transform infrared, Raman, and fluorescence) and NMR spectroscopies to problem solving in chemical research. Recommended preparation: CHEM 331, 332, 345, and 425.
536 Quantum Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 532. Quantum mechanics applied to chemical problems: states of atoms and molecules, transitions and spectra, ladder operators and many electron methods.
537 Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry V 1-3 May be repeated for credit. Selected subjects; irreversible thermodynamics; chemical bonding; NMR; ligand field theory; x-ray diffraction; neutron diffraction. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
538 Qualifier Prep for Physical Chemistry V 1-2 Course Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment or credit with a grade of B or better in each of CHEM 509; CHEM 531; CHEM 532; CHEM 534; CHEM 564. Review of critical concepts in thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics, spectroscopy, and group theory for those preparing to take the Physical or Materials Chemistry PhD qualifying exam. S, F grading.
540 Physical Organic Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 542. The major classes of organic reaction mechanisms and their significance; kinetics and introductory theory. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
542 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 Synthesis of organic compounds; recent developments from current literature. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
543 Bioorganic Chemistry 3 Chemistry of biological systems, medicinal chemistry, protein chemistry, enzyme mechanisms and inhibitors. Recommended preparation includes two semesters of undergraduate organic chemistry and one semester of undergraduate biochemistry.
543 (Effective through Summer 2024) Bioorganic Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 542. Chemistry of biological systems, medicinal chemistry, protein chemistry, enzyme mechanisms and inhibitors.
544 Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry V 1-3 May be repeated for credit. Current research in organic chemistry. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
545 Synthetic Organic Chemistry 3 Modern synthetic methods and strategies; detailed reaction mechanisms, reaction scope and issues in catalysis will be discussed. Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
546 Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds 3 Structural interpretation of mass spectrometry and IR, UV-VIS and NMR spectrometry of small molecule organic compounds.
550 Special Topics in Nuclear Processes and Radioactive Waste Management V 1-3 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Fundamental chemistry of the nuclear industry, chemical processing and waste management.
555 Teaching Chemistry 1 Teaching chemistry; workshops for new graduate teaching assistants in chemistry focusing on tutorials and labs.
564 Molecular Spectroscopy 3 Phenomena which yield information on structures, energy levels, and interactions of molecules in solid, liquid, and gaseous phases.
564 (Effective through Fall 2024) Molecular Phenomena 3 Phenomena which yield information on structures, energy levels, and interactions of molecules in solid, liquid, and gaseous phases.
572 Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 542. Methods used to explore enzyme mechanisms; how enzymes catalyze reactions; overview of enzyme co-factors and exploration of differing classes of enzyme catalyzed reactions.
581 Environmental Chemistry I 3 Chemistry of natural and pollutant species and their reactions in the atmospheric environment.
590 Introduction to Research Topics 1 Presentation and description of research areas and projects of current interest to faculty. S, F grading.
591 Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Presentation and discussion of topics in inorganic chemistry taken from research in progress or current literature.
592 Seminar in Analytical Chemistry 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Presentation and discussion of topics in analytical chemistry taken from research in progress or current literature.
593 Seminar in Physical Chemistry 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Presentation and discussion of topics in physical chemistry taken from research in progress or current literature.
594 Seminar in Organic Chemistry 1 May be repeated for credit; cumulative maximum 6 credits. Presentation and discussion of topics in organic chemistry taken from research in progress or current literature.
600 Special Projects or Independent Study V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent study, special projects, and/or internships. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor before enrolling in 600 credit, which cannot be used toward the core graded credits required for a graduate degree. S, F grading.
700 Master's Research, Thesis, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their master's research, thesis and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 700 credit. S, U grading.
702 Master's Special Problems, Directed Study, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Independent research in special problems, directed study, and/or examination credit for students in a non-thesis master's degree program. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 702 credit. S, U grading.
800 Doctoral Research, Dissertation, and/or Examination V 1-18 May be repeated for credit. Course Prerequisite: Admitted to the Chemistry PhD program. Independent research and advanced study for students working on their doctoral research, dissertation and/or final examination. Students must have graduate degree-seeking status and should check with their major advisor/committee chair before enrolling for 800 credit. S, U grading.