Program Overview

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Chemistry Program

The Chemistry curriculum is designed to prepare students for direct entry into the chemical profession or for further studies in graduate or professional programs. The department is accredited by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training.

Undergraduate Research

One of the advantages of getting a Chemistry degree from UIS is the requirement to conduct an original research project. This requirement is fulfilled by earning three credits of CHE 302 or CHE 400. These credits can be earned on campus in a project with one of the Chemistry Department faculty or in an off-campus research internship.

Honors in Chemistry

Chemistry majors may elect to participate in the honors program in Chemistry. To graduate with honors in Chemistry, a student must:

1. complete all degree requirements,
2. earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for all UIS Chemistry courses and 3.50 for UIS courses overall, and
3. make a public presentation of the results of undergraduate research (CHE 400 or similar experiential learning project).

The Bachelor's Degree

In addition to the B.S. in Chemistry, two concentrations are available for chemistry students – premedical, and science of the environment. The pre-medical concentration is designed to prepare students for applying to medical school or other health professions. The science of the environment concentration is useful for students seeking a career in environmental technology or government agencies.

Advising

Students wishing to major in Chemistry should consult with an academic advisor upon admission to the University to make sure they are taking required courses in the proper sequence.

Assessment of Learning within the Discipline

A chemist graduating from UIS will be characterized as being able to:

• Integrate chemical knowledge
• Perform appropriate laboratory skills
• Communicate scientific information
• Apply the scientific process(es)
• Participate in the chemical profession

Grading Policy

Chemistry courses for which the student has attained a grade of C- or better will be applied toward the B.S. degree (grades of D+ or lower will not be accepted).

General Education

All chemistry majors must fulfill the undergraduate general education requirements as described at the beginning of this catalog.

Degree Requirements

• Introductory Courses:
  • CHE 141: General Chemistry I
  • CHE 142: General Chemistry II
  • CHE 267: Organic Chemistry I
  • CHE 268: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
  • CHE 269: Organic Chemistry II
  • CHE 271: Organic Chemistry II Lab
  • Calculus (one year): MAT 115 and MAT 116
  • Physics (one year): ASP 201 and ASP 202
• Intermediate and Advanced Courses:
  • CHE 301: General Seminar
  • CHE 321: Chemical Analysis
  • CHE 400: ECCE: Undergraduate Research
  • CHE 401: Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics
  • CHE 402: Physical Chemistry II
  • CHE 415: Biochemistry I
  • CHE 421: Instrumental Analysis
  • CHE 422: Inorganic Chemistry
  • Chemistry Electives (300 or 400-level)

Chemistry Minor

This minor is only open to students who are NOT majoring in biochemistry. To earn a minor in Chemistry, students must complete a minimum of 19 semester hours from the following courses.

Courses

• Core courses:
  • CHE 141: General Chemistry I
  • CHE 142: General Chemistry II
  • CHE 267: Organic Chemistry I
  • CHE 268: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
• Electives:
  • Select from the following:
    • CHE 400: ECCE: Undergraduate Research
    • CHE 480: Special Topics In Chemistry
    • Analytical chemistry
    • CHE 321: Chemical Analysis
    • CHE 421: Instrumental Analysis
    • CHE 431: Environmental Chemistry
    • Organic and Biochemistry
    • CHE 269: Organic Chemistry II
    • CHE 271: Organic Chemistry II Lab
    • CHE 418: Bioanalytical Chemistry
    • CHE 475: General Biochemistry
    • CHE 476: General Biochemistry Laboratory
    • CHE 485: Advanced Biochemistry
    • Physical and Inorganic Chemistry
    • CHE 401: Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics
    • CHE 402: Physical Chemistry II
    • CHE 422: Inorganic Chemistry

Course Descriptions

• CHE 101: Preparatory Chemistry
• CHE 103: Introduction to Nanotechnology
• CHE 104: Introduction to Nanotechnology Lab
• CHE 111: Chemistry of Everyday Life
• CHE 121: Materials of the Artist
• CHE 122: Materials of the Artist-Lab
• CHE 124: General Chemistry for the Health Professions
• CHE 131: Introduction to Forensic Science
• CHE 132: Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory
• CHE 137: Chemistry Cooks
• CHE 141: General Chemistry I
• CHE 142: General Chemistry II
• CHE 143: Recitation for General Chemistry I
• CHE 144: Recitation for General Chemistry II
• CHE 151: Survey of Organic and Biochemistry
• CHE 199: Tutorial in Chemistry
• CHE 267: Organic Chemistry I
• CHE 268: Organic Chemistry I Laboratory
• CHE 269: Organic Chemistry II
• CHE 271: Organic Chemistry II Lab
• CHE 301: General Seminar
• CHE 302: ECCE: Undergraduate Research
• CHE 321: Chemical Analysis
• CHE 322: Laboratory Techniques
• CHE 361: Global Greening for a Sustainable Future
• CHE 362: Science and World Religions
• CHE 363: Energy and the Environment
• CHE 375: General Biochemistry
• CHE 399: Tutorial
• CHE 400: ECCE: Undergraduate Research
• CHE 401: Physical Chemistry I - Thermodynamics
• CHE 402: Physical Chemistry II
• CHE 403: Physical Chemistry Laboratory
• CHE 405: Chemistry Laboratory Assistant
• CHE 415: Biochemistry I
• CHE 416: Biochemistry II
• CHE 418: Bioanalytical Chemistry
• CHE 421: Instrumental Analysis
• CHE 422: Inorganic Chemistry
• CHE 425: Medicinal Chemistry
• CHE 431: Environmental Chemistry
• CHE 432: Introduction to Neuroscience
• CHE 433: Physiological Chemistry
• CHE 465: Environmental Toxicology
• CHE 475: General Biochemistry
• CHE 476: General Biochemistry Laboratory
• CHE 480: Special Topics In Chemistry
• CHE 485: Advanced Biochemistry
• CHE 499: Tutorial