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.
Academic Director and Professor P.Narayanan; Program Leader and Scholarly Academic Professor (Career), A. Otoikhian; Assistant Professor (Career), J. Wu
- A thorough knowledge of the basic principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical dynamics and the chemical and physical properties of substances.
- A thorough knowledge of the subfields of chemistry, including analytical, inorganic, organic, biochemistry, and physical chemistry.
- The ability to read, critically evaluate and interpret numerical, chemical and general scientific information.
- The ability to communicate effectively about chemistry both verbally and in writing.
- The ability to design experiments and to use appropriate experimental apparatus effectively.
Schedules of Studies
Honors students complete the Honors College requirements which replace the UCORE requirements.
Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry - Standard Option (120 Credits)
A student may be admitted as a Chemistry major upon declaring their intent to the department.
To maintain good standing in the major, students must complete CHEM 105 and 106 (or 116) and MATH 171, each with a grade of C or better, by the time they earn 30 credits. Students must also have a grade of C or better in all Chemistry courses. Failure to do so may result in the student being released from the major.
| First Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Arts [ARTS] | 3 |
| CHEM 105 [PSCI] | 4 |
| ENGLISH 101 [WRTG] | 3 |
| Humanities [HUM] | 3 |
| MATH 1061 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 106 [BSCI] or 107 [BSCI] | 4 |
| CHEM 106 | 4 |
| HISTORY 105 [ROOT] | 3 |
| MATH 1081 | 2 |
| Social Sciences [SSCI] | 3 |
| Second Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CHEM 220 | 3 |
| CHEM 222 | 1 |
| Diversity [DIVR] | 3 |
| MATH 140 [QUAN]1 | 4 |
| PHYSICS 1012 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1112 | 1 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| BIOLOGY 106 or 107 | 4 |
| CHEM 301 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 102 2 | 3 |
| PHYSICS 1122 | 1 |
| Electives3 | 3 |
| Complete Writing Portfolio | |
| Third Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| CHEM 338 or 3314 | 3 |
| CHEM 345 | 4 |
| CHEM 398 | 1 |
| STAT 212 | 4 |
| Electives3 | 3 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| CHEM 348 | 4 |
| CHEM 370 or MBIOS 303 | 3 or 4 |
| ENGLISH 402 [WRTG] [M] | 3 |
| Equity and Justice [EQJS] | 3 |
| Electives3 | 2 |
| Fourth Year | |
| First Term | Credits |
| Advanced Chemistry Electives5 | 2 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Electives3,6 | 12 |
| Second Term | Credits |
| Advanced Chemistry Electives5 | 3 |
| CHEM 485 [CAPS] [M] | 3 |
| Foreign Language, if needed, or Electives3,6 | 9 |
| Exit Interview | |
Footnotes
| 1 | The minimum math requirement is MATH 140. Students who place into MATH 140 or higher are not required to take MATH 106 or 108 but must take an additional 5 credits of electives. MATH 171 may be substituted for MATH 140. Students who place into MATH 140 should take it during their first year, and may delay one of the UCORE courses [ARTS], [HUM], or [SSCI]. |
| 2 | PHYSICS 201/211 and 202/212 may be substituted for PHYSICS 101/111 and 102/112. |
| 3 | At least 11 credits in addition to those specified must be at the 300-400-level, for a total of at least 40 upper division credits. |
| 4 | CHEM 331 has prerequisites of PHYSICS 202 or 206, and MATH 273, each with a C or better. |
| 5 | Advanced Chemistry Electives (minimum 5 credits): Approved courses include CHEM 347, 425, 426, 490, 499 (maximum 2 credits), any 500-level CHEM course, or STAT 412. Other electives may be used with permission. |
| 6 | The Foreign Language requirement is that of the College of Arts and Sciences and may be fulfilled with two years of a foreign language in high school. Students are encouraged to pursue a minor while fulfilling the electives requirement. |
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.
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. Typically offered Fall.
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. Typically offered Spring.
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. Typically offered Fall and Spring. 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.
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.
338 (Effective through Summer 2025) 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.
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. Typically offered Fall.
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. Typically offered Summer Session.
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. Typically offered Spring.
440 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. Credit not granted for both CHEM 440 and 540. (Formerly CHEM 338.) Offered at 400 and 500 level.
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.
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.
540 Biophysical Chemistry 3 The modern tools and insights of physical chemistry are covered by interconnecting these fundamental concepts with key biological phenomena. Credit not granted for both CHEM 440 and 540. (Formerly CHEM 338.) Cooperative: Open to UI degree-seeking students.
540 Physical Organic Chemistry 3 Course Prerequisite: CHEM 542. The major classes of organic reaction mechanisms and their significance; kinetics and introductory theory. Offered at 400 and 500 level.
540 Biophysical Chemistry 3 The modern tools and insights of physical chemistry are covered by interconnecting these fundamental concepts with key biological phenomena. Credit not granted for both CHEM 440 and 540. (Formerly CHEM 338.) Offered at 400 and 500 level.
- Chemistry
Courses
- Chemistry
Schedules of Studies
- Bachelor of Arts in Chemistry - Standard Option