Chemistry
The Chemistry major at Caldwell University is designed to prepare students for immediate employment as a chemist or for entry into health professional careers and admission to graduate/professional schools. The University also offers a scholarship program for eligible students. Requirements for the various tracks are described below.
Caldwell University has designed a chemistry major with tracks to support a variety of student interests and career goals.
BENEFITS OF THE CHEMISTRY PROGRAM AT CALDWELL UNIVERSITY
- Personalized attention and small class size
- Caldwell Scholars Program
- Faculty mentoring
- Opportunity for faculty directed student research
The department offers a B.S. in Biology; a B.S. in Chemistry; a B.S. in Health Science; and a B.S. in Medical Technology. A pre-medical post-baccalaureate certificate program is also available to college graduates who wish to complete requirements for admission to medical and other health professional schools.
Successful completion of a senior laboratory or literature project is required for the B.S. in Chemistry. The project will be submitted in the form of a paper which must demonstrate a clear understanding of scientific literature and ability to analyze data and present results in a coherent manner. The paper must be organized and written in scientific style. A short oral presentation is also required in which each student is expected to present the focus of the paper and field questions on the subject matter within the paper. The department uses data from the outcomes assessment for curriculum development.
STUDENTS WHO MAJOR IN CHEMISTRY MUST COMPLETE:
Course Code : CH 111
Course Description :
Introduces fundamental concepts of stoichiometry and thermochemistry; ionic and covalent bonding are discussed as functions of electronic structure; properties of gases, liquids, solids and solutions are explored. Students dropping CH 111 should automatically be dropped from CH 011.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA130
Course Code : CH 111L
Course Description :
Laboratory that accompanies CH 111. Incorporates experiments in substance separation, identification, and synthesis, and for determination of physical and thermodynamic constants. Introduces research literature format.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
CH111
Course Code : CH 112
Course Description :
Continues CH 111. Introduction to principles of chemical kinetics, equilibrium reactions with emphasis on acids and bases, and electrochemistry; thermochemistry is examined in greater detail.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CH 111
Co requisites :
MA 131
Course Code : CH 112L
Course Description :
Laboratory that accompanies CH 112. Incorporates experiments to determine kinetic rates, equilibrium constants, and ionic, acidic, and basic properties of substances. Introduces qualitative analysis.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
CH112
Course Code : CH 203
Course Description :
Introduces the theoretical aspects of organic chemistry stressing mechanisms, energy considerations and stereochemical implications of substitution, elimination and addition reactions. Physical and chemical properties of some organic compounds are discussed through functional group analysis.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
CH112
Course Code : CH 203L
Course Description :
Laboratory that accompanies CH 203. Laboratory procedures include recrystallization, distillation, extraction, and chromatography. Typical reactions include free radical halogenation, nucleophilic substitution, electrophilic aromatic substitution and elimination. Introduction to chemical literature and selected analytical instrumentation is also stressed.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 4 Hours
Co requisites :
CH203
Course Code : CH 204
Course Description :
Functional group properties, synthesis and reactions are continued with greater emphasis on structural determination and retrosynthetic techniques.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
CH203
Course Code : CH 204L
Course Description :
Laboratory that accompanies CH 204. Typical experiments include: Grignard, aldol, Cannizzaro, oxidation, reduction, and amide formation. Several unknown compounds are identified and literature searches are required.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 4 Hours
Co requisites :
CH204
Course Code : CH 306
Course Description :
Studies theory and calculations of volumetric, electrochemical, chromatographic, and spectrophotometric manual and semi-automated analysis, chemical equilibria, and the treatment of experimental statistics.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CH 112, and BI 216 or MA 207 or MA 220
Course Code : CH 306L
Course Description :
Laboratory that accompanies CH 306. Experimental procedures include direct application of statistical theory, titrimetric analysis, use of visual, UV, IR and fluorescent spectroscopy. Incorporates computer generated analysis of data.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
CH306
Course Code : PY 320
Course Description :
Discusses the fundamental laws, theories and concepts of thermodynamics, equilibrium and electrochemistry interpreted through the use of mathematical and physical principles. Introduces quantum mechanics.
Credit : 3
Course Code : PY 321
Course Description :
Continues PY 320. A text-based seminar format is used to examine atomic and molecular structure from the quantum mechanical perspective, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, statistical thermodynamics and topics of students interest, and to introduce theories of reactions at solids surfaces.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CH 401
Course Description :
Investigates the chemistry of proteins, enzymes and enzyme systems, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids; studies glycolysis, Krebs Cycle, basic membrane structure, transcription of DNA and biotechnology techniques.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CH204
Course Code : CH 401L
Course Description :
Laboratory correlating with CH 401.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
CH401
Course Code : NS 341
Course Description :
Affords the students an opportunity to research the literature within their fields of interest and present their findings to the Sciences faculty and students. May be used to research and compose the Senior Capstone Paper.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
Senior status, biology or chemistry major. Students must have passed (minimum grade of C) all 200-level science courses in their major before registering for this course.
OR
Course Code : NS 311
Course Description :
Introduces students to the techniques of research and familiarizes them with the literature sources within the field; incorporates supervised and independent work. natural science major and permission of instructor. 1 hr. formal meeting; other meetings as required
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : Lecture: 1 Hours
Prerequisites :
BI207, CH203
AND
Course Code : NS 411
Course Description :
Introduces natural science majors to the techniques of project and experimental design. Students conduct independent research and analysis. 1 hr. meeting with lab time as required.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
NS311 and permission of instructor
AND
Course Code : NS 412
Course Description :
Continues NS 411. Students publish their results in the form of a paper and orally present them to the Natural Sciences faculty. May be used to satisfy the senior project requirement. Meeting and lab time flexible.
Credit : 2
Instruction methods : Lecture: 2 Hours
Prerequisites :
NS411 and permission of instructor.
also, the supportive mathematics and science courses:
SUPPORTIVE MATHEMATICS AND SCIENCE COURSES (24 credits):
Course Code : BI 101
Course Description :
The first course in a two-semester introductory biology sequence. Covers molecules, cells, genetics, and evolution.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA130
Co requisites :
MA 113 or higher.
Course Code : BI 101L
Course Description :
Laboratory explorations on topics covered in BI 101.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
MA130
Co requisites :
BI 101.
Course Code : BI 102
Course Description :
The second course in a two-semester introductory biology sequence. Covers diversity of organisms, form and function in plants and animals, and ecology.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
BI101
Course Code : BI 102L
Course Description :
Change description to: Laboratory explorations on topics covered in BI 102.
Credit : 1
Prerequisites :
BI101
Co requisites :
BI 102.
Course Code : PY 201
Course Description :
Focuses on the fundamental principles and phenomena of physics; motion, Newton's Laws, work and energy, momentum, rotational dynamics and machines. Course is quantitative and closely allied with mathematics.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA131, MA221, MA220
Course Code : PY 201L
Course Description :
Tests the laws derived in PY 201 through experimentation.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
PY201
Course Code : PY 202
Course Description :
Continues PY 201. Topics discussed are heat, light, sound, electricity and magnetism.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
Any 100-level math course; PY101 or PY201, MA120, MA112, MA131
Course Code : PY 202L
Course Description :
Tests the laws derived in PY 202 through experimentation.
Credit : 1
Instruction methods : lab: 3 Hours
Co requisites :
PY202
Course Code : MA 220
Course Description :
Develops the basic theorems of calculus; develops the concepts of limit and continuity; studies techniques for finding the limit and the derivative of algebraic and trigonometric functions; applies the techniques of calculus to curve sketching, the study of motion and other fields of application; introduction to integral calculus.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA131 or placement test
Course Code : MA 221
Course Description :
Continues the development of the basic theorems of calculus; applications of the integral; differentiation and integration of exponential, logarithmic, trigonometric and inverse trigonometric functions; and some techniques of integration.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA220 or placement test
CHEMISTRY ELECTIVE (Take 4 courses for 12 credits):
Course Code : CH 402
Course Description :
Investigates the metabolic systems of cells and organelles stressing enzyme and cofactor participation, energy production and interdependence of metabolic processes.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CH401
Course Code : CH 407
Course Description :
This course will explore how drugs are designed. Structive-activity relationships (SAR), and bulk properties of drugs (partitioning, solubility) will be studied as a function of the chemical classification of medication. Receptor site topography will be correlated with drug structure and drug design. Pharmacokinetcs of drugs.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
CH204
Course Code : CH 412
Course Description :
Important organic synthetic techniques will be investigated. Students will be able to understand and semisynthetic and total synthetic mythologies that lead to the manufacturing of medicines.
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
CH204, CH204L
Course Code : CH 413
Course Description :
Examines the theory and usage of common spectroscopic methods such as ultraviolet/visible and infrared spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance. Supplies a working knowledge of structural determination and sources in the field.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
CH204
Course Code : CH 414
Course Description : This course will provide an introduction to polymer chemistry. This will include: polymer nomenclature, history, environmental impact, structure, solubility, molar mass determination, natural polymers, polymer synthesis (condensation, addition, free radical, and copolymers), reaction of polymers, polymer characterization and physical properties.
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites : CH204
Course Code : CH 420
Course Description :
Students will be expected to understand the biochemical underpinnings of the mode of action of various pharmacologic agents (pharmacodynamics).
Credit : 3
Instruction methods : Lecture: 3 Hours
Prerequisites :
CH 401
Course Code : CH 489
Course Description :
Students apply concepts learned in the classroom and gain practical knowledge and experience working under supervision in a professional setting. In consultation with a faculty advisor and the Career Planning and Development Office, the student secures an appropriate internship site. The student develops learning objectives and goals, works 120 hours at the internship site, and completes related academic assignments. Requires departmental approval.
Credit : 3
Course Code : CH 499
Course Description :
Offers qualified students the opportunity to pursue independent study in selected areas under the guidance of individual teachers.
Credit : 3
Students planning to pursue graduate studies in chemistry, are strongly encouraged to take the following:
Course Code : MA 324
Course Description :
Extends the study of the techniques of integration; studies series, parametric equations, conic sections and vectors in a plane; includes applications.
Credit : 4
Prerequisites :
MA221
Course Code : MA 340
Course Description :
Presents methods for solving first- and second-order ordinary differential equations; systems of ordinary differential equations; applications are included.
Credit : 3
Prerequisites :
MA221
Your degree includes credits from Liberal Arts and Sciences Core, Major, and Electives.
Objectives
The chemistry major at Caldwell University has three objectives. Upon completion of the major, graduates will be able to:
- apply their knowledge and understanding of chemical principles to evaluate (analyze and draw
conclusions) complex chemical problems.
- compose a report incorporating literature or laboratory based research and course work theory.
- communicate the results of laboratory based projects to professional audiences effectively.
Highlights
Recent research and presentations in chemistry by Caldwell University students and faculty include:
- “Quantitative Analysis of Caffeine and Aspirin in Medications”, presented in poster session format at ICFNJ at Liberty Science Center, March 2014, Luisi, Musz*, Ojeda and Scimone,
- “Synthesis and Melting Point Trends of Lauroyl, Myristoyl, and Palmitoyl Mixed Triesters of 1,1,1-tris(hydroxymethyl)ethane”, poster presentation at New Jersey Academy of Science Annual Meeting, Apr 2011, Loughnane, Phung*, Sinanan, Vander Valk, Casani, Scimone, and Scimone,
- “Reactivity of Activated Deineophiles in the Diels Alder Reaction” presentation at New Jersey Academy of Sciences annual meeting in April 2009 (Rutgers University) abstract published in The Bulletin, Nov. 2009, Abdulrahamn, Everett, Scimone.
- “A Green Chemistry Synthesis: Bleach Oxidation of Primary and Secondary Alcohols to Their Corresponding Aldehydes and Ketones” presentation at New Jersey Academy of Sciences annual meeting in April 2007 (Kean University) abstract published in The Bulletin, Nov. 2007, Bobbitt, Cordasco, Scimone.
Careers in Chemistry
WHAT CAN YOU DO WITH A CHEMISTRY MAJOR?
Chemistry is a central science. A degree in chemistry can open doors to career paths in many different fields such as:
- Drugs and Pharmaceutical industry
- Food and Agriculture
- Material Science and Technology
- Cosmetic Industry; Fragrance and Flavors manufacturers
- Environmental Science and Protection
- Patent Law
- Science Policy Experts in Government Agencies such as the FDA, EPA and OSHA
- Secondary Education as Chemistry Teachers
- College Professors and Administrators
- Graduate Study in many areas such as biochemistry, food science, forensic chemistry, medicinal chemistry and polymer chemistry.
- Admission to Health Professional Schools such as medical schools, dental schools and an array of health science graduate professional schools.
- and more …
