Curriculum
The chemistry curriculum begins with a year of general chemistry, Chem. 111, 111L, 112, and 112L. This course covers, at an introductory level, the basic aspects of all the important areas of modern chemistry. In the laboratory, the student begins the process of developing and refining important skills in this experimental science. In addition, in order to successfully complete the course, the student must bring to bear math skills at the algebra level.
A year long course in organic chemistry follows. The course is Chem. 230, 231, 330, and 331. This is a course that covers much of the field of modern organic chemistry. Organic chemistry is a field that has done much to shape what we call our modern way of life. The laboratory plays an important role here. In the first semester the student learns techniques that are specific to that of organic chemistry and begins the process of learning how to carry out successful laboratory synthesis of carbon- based compounds. The second semester sees the first use of chemical instrumentation, with actual hands-on experiences using several modern chemical instruments. Essential to that process is the interpretation of the results of those instrumental analyses.
The junior level courses are analytical chemistry (Chem. 313 and 314) and physical chemistry (Chem. 321 and 322). Analytical chemistry has two distinct halves, both heavily weighted towards laboratory work. In the first half, quantitative analyses are performed. Quantitative analyses are all around us today; from determination of the grams of fat in a potato chip to the amount of mercury in the soil to the picocuries of radon in the basement air. The first semester's work in analytical chemistry gives the student the basis for understanding how these analyses are performed by doing their own analyses.
In that semester the attention is mostly on more classical methods of analysis. In the second semester the student turns to the use of modern chemical instrumentation to make measurements. The Chemistry Department at SVSU is remarkably well equipped and the students are expected to make use of the instrumentation. It is this second semester that provides the most intensive instruction and use of the instrumentation.
Physical chemistry is, for many, the most difficult of the chemistry courses. Here mathematical methods, through differential and integral calculus, are brought to bear to gain a more fundamental understanding of nature. It is the course that is the most theoretical of any in the curriculum. The laboratory focuses on experiments that reinforce these fundamental ideas.
At the senior level, the student has choices to make. If they opt for a straight B.S. in Chemistry, they must take one other course in chemistry, a 400-level course. If they opt for the ACS approved degree they must take Chem. 414 (Advanced I norganic Chemistry), Chem. 495 (Research in Chemistry) and four additional 400-level credits, of which three must be in lecture.
The usual 400-level courses that a student takes are biochemistry (Chem. 412 and 413) and advanced inorganic chemistry (Chem. 414 and 414L). Biochemistry is a course in which the students are required to take the notions of chemistry, especially organic chemistry, that they have learned and apply them to biological settings. Biological processes are examined on a molecular basis. Again, the experiments in the laboratory are based on amplifying the concepts presented in the lecture.
In taking the advanced inorganic chemistry course, the student will have come full circle. Much of what was covered in the general chemistry course will be re-visited, but now with a depth of understanding conferred by the last three years of course work. The student is now required to consider chemical problems based on a background of a year's work in organic, analytical and physical chemistry. The laboratory also emphasizes work from past years. A typical experiment is synthesis of an inorganic compound, followed by the analysis of that compound by several of the chemical instruments available. By this time, the student has been exposed to the breadth of the modern chemistry curriculum and is expected to see more deeply into modern chemistry.
Other 400-level courses available include Molecular Structure, Advanced Organic Chemistry, and Polymer Science. In addition, there is a block of three 400-level courses especially designed to meet the needs of those students choosing the Environmental Chemistry option. Finally, there is Chemistry 490, Special Topics, under which topics of particular interest may be studied.
View the Online Course Catalog for more information