Chemistry

The Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program guides students in the study of the properties, composition, and structure of substances, the transformations they undergo, and the energy changes that occur during these processes. Students gain a strong foundation of knowledge in chemistry and develop their scientific skills needed to succeed in careers or post-graduate study.  Our chemistry program is housed in a state-of-the-art science facility with modern instrumentation including FT-NMR, FTIR, GCMS, LCMS, HPLC, flame AAS, ICP, DSC, and SEM. Guided by expert faculty, students can choose from a variety of authentic hands-on learning experiences including undergraduate research, service learning, and internships. Students can also practice leadership skills and engage in professional development through involvement in the Chemist Honor Society or other registered student clubs. Students in this program select one of four concentrations: General Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Pre-Health Sciences, and Industrial Chemistry as described further below.

General Chemistry Concentration: This concentration provides students the opportunity to study a broad range of chemical sciences and is designed to allow flexibility in preparing students for a multitude of chemistry roles. Students can design a course of study that will prepare them for work in private sectors, government agencies, or for continued graduate education.

Environmental Chemistry Concentration: This concentration integrates the chemical, biological, and physical sciences providing students with a strong foundation in the study of chemical processes occurring in the environment which are impacted by human activities. Many environmental chemists work for local, state, or federal governments conducting research or monitoring and advising on policy, non-governmental organizations, or academia. 

Pre-Health Sciences Concentration: This concentration provides students with a strong foundation in a variety of the laboratory sciences required for entry into and success in post-graduate professional programs and degrees including medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, and advanced research degrees in these fields.

Industrial Chemistry Concentration: This concentration provides students with a strong foundation in chemistry that can be applied to industrial applications such as processes in manufacturing and commercial production of chemicals. Many of our students obtain internships and careers within the local industries.

Recommended minors: Biology, Mathematics, or Sustainability

This degree prepares students for a variety of career opportunities ranging from applied or basic laboratory research in state and federal organizations and industry to education in public and private school systems. Furthermore, the degree provides the ideal preparation for entry into professional school and graduate programs including medical school, dental school, and veterinary school or advanced studies in chemistry.

Bachelor of Science

Area A: Essential Skills
ENGL 1101English Composition I3
ENGL 1102English Composition II3
MATH 1113Precalculus Mathematics3
Area B: Institutional Options
Beginning Fall 2022, incoming (entering) students with 29 hours or fewer college credits will take only a Perspectives course for their one-hour Area B credit.
COMM 1110Fundamentals of Speech3
One of the following electives:1
Intro to Greek Mythology
Creative Writing
Natural Hazards
Appalachian Hist-Special Topic
Sports Hist & Amer Character
Health and Wellness Concepts
Mystery Fiction in Pop Culture
Christian Fiction/Pop Culture
Race and Ethnicity in America
PRSP Elective (See advisor)
Area C: Humanities/Fine Arts
Choose one to two ENGL course(s):3-6
Topics in Literature & Culture
World Literature I
World Literature II
British Literature I
British Literature II
American Literature I
American Literature II
Intro to Film as Literature
If only one ENGL course chosen, add one of the following:0-3
Art Appreciation
Expressions of Culture I
Expressions of Culture II
Music Appreciation
World Music
American Music
Theatre Appreciation
Area D: Science/Mathematics/Technology
One of the following Laboratory Science Sequences:8
Introductory Physics I
and Introductory Physics II
Principles of Physics I
and Principles of Physics II
MATH 2253Calculus and Analytic Geom I *4
Area E: Social Sciences
HIST 2111United States History to 18773
or HIST 2112 United States Hist since 1877
POLS 1101American Government3
Two of the following electives:6
Intro to Cultural Anthropology
Principles of Macroeconomics
Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to Geography
Intro to Human Geography
Intro to Physical Geography
World Civilization to 1500 CE
World Civilization since 1500
United States History to 1877
United States Hist since 1877
Intro to World Religions
Intro to Philosophical Issues
Logic and Critical Thinking
Intro to Political Science
State and Local Government
Comparative Politics
International Relations
Introduction to Psychology
Psychology of Adjustment
Human Development
Introduction to Sociology
Social Problems
Area F: Major-Related
BIOL 1107KPrinciples of Biology I4
CHEM 2000Scientific Communication2
CHEM 1211KPrinciples of Chemistry I4
CHEM 1212KPrinciples of Chemistry II4
MATH 2254Calculus and Analytic Geom II4
Required Chemistry Courses
CHEM 3211KOrganic Chemistry I4
CHEM 3212KOrganic Chemistry II4
CHEM 3311KQuantitative Analysis4
CHEM 3312KInstrumental Methods of Analys4
CHEM 3411KPhysical Chemistry I4
CHEM 3412KPhysical Chemistry II4
CHEM 4000Senior Seminar2
CHEM 4110KAdvanced Inorganic Chemistry4
MATH 2255Calculus and Analytic Geom III4
Upper Level Chemistry Electives9
Biochemistry
Environmental Chemistry
Drug Action and Drug Design
Adv Organic Spectroscopy
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Internship in Chemistry
Special Topics in Chemistry
Research in Chemistry
Choose one Concentration: **/***/****
NOTE: Concentration must be declared through the Registrar's Office.
General Chemistry Concentration:
General Chemistry STEM Electives13-14
Environmental Studies
Principles of Biology II
Botany ****
Principles of Entomology
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Microbiology
Principles of Programming I
Computing for Scien & Engineer
Statics
Materials Science&Engineering
Elementary Statistics
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Statistics and Applications
Intro Envir Sustainability
Any 3000 or 4000 level BIOL course EXCEPT BIOL 4000. **/***/****
Any 3000 or 4000 level CHEM course including CHEM 3900 and CHEM 4800. **/***
Any 3000 or 4000 level MATH course EXCEPT MATH 3703, MATH 3803, and MATH 4713.
Any 3000 or 4000 level SUST course EXCEPT SUST 4000.
Free Electives3
Select 3 hours from any transfer credit courses in the College curriculum.
Environmental Chemistry Concentration:
Environmental Chemistry STM Electives13-14
Environmental Studies
Principles of Biology II
Botany ****
Principles of Entomology
Research Methods in Biology
Ecology
Plant Biology ****
Invertebrate Zoology
Freshwater Ecology
Conservation Biology
Ornithology
Herpetology
Field Biology Techniques
Bioremediation
Ecotoxicology
Principles of Programming I
Computing for Scien & Engineer
Elementary Statistics
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Statistics and Applications
Biological Statistics
Intro Envir Sustainability
Any 3000 or 4000 level CHEM course including CHEM 3900 and CHEM 4800. **/***
Any 3000 or 4000 level SUST course EXCEPT SUST 4000.
Free Electives3
Select 3 hours from any transfer credit courses in the College curriculum.
Industrial Chemistry Concentration:
Industrial Chemistry STEM Electives13-14
Principles of Biology II
Principles of Programming I
Computing for Scien & Engineer
Statics
Materials Science&Engineering
Elementary Statistics
Introduction to Linear Algebra
Differential Equations
Statistics and Applications
Biological Statistics
Intro Envir Sustainability
Any 3000 or 4000 level CHEM course including CHEM 3900 and CHEM 4800. **/***
Any 3000 or 4000 level SUST course EXCEPT SUST 4000.
Free Electives3
Select 3 hours from any transfer credit courses in the College curriculum.
Pre-Health Sciences Concentration:
Pre-Health Sciences STM Electives13-14
Principles of Biology II
Anatomy and Physiology I
Anatomy and Physiology II
Microbiology
Research Methods in Biology
Cellular Biology
Developmental Biology
General Microbiology ****
Genetics
Neuroscience
Readings in Biology
Immunology
Pathology
Evolution
Human Evolution
Epidemiology
Comparative Vertebrate A & P
Molecular Biology
Biotechnology
Service Learning in Biology **
Human Dissection
Special Topics in Biology ***
Research in Biology
Elementary Statistics
Biological Statistics
Any 3000 or 4000 level CHEM course including CHEM 3900 and CHEM 4800. **/***
Free Electives3
Select 3 hours from any transfer credit courses in the College curriculum.
Total Hours120-121
*

One hour from MATH 2253 may be used toward the STM Electives in the concentration.

**

Students are limited to a maximum of eight credit hours in applied learning courses (BIOL 3900, CHEM 3900, BIOL 4800, CHEM 4800, BIOL 4860, CHEM 4860, BIOL 4960, and CHEM 4960). Students are limited to a maximum of four credit hours in any one of the four applied learning categories; readings (BIOL 3900 and CHEM 3900), service learning (BIOL 4800 and CHEM 4800), internships (BIOL 4860 and CHEM 4860), and research (BIOL 4960 and CHEM 4960).

***

CHEM 4900 (Special Topics in Chemistry) and BIOL 4900 (Special Topics in Biology) can be taken multiple times when topic has changed.

****

Students will not be able to count both BIOL 1203K & BIOL 3510K or BIOL 2260K & BIOL 3340K in Upper Level or General Elective areas. A student may take both classes in these pairs, but only one course will count in the Upper Level or General electives.  The other course may count as a free elective.

Courses

CHEM 1151K. Survey of Chemistry. 3-3-4 Units.

Introduces the fundamentals of chemistry including general principles of atomic structures, bonding, reactions, gases, water, solutions, pH and elementary organic chemistry and biochemistry.(S)
Prerequisites: MATH 1001, 1101, or 1111 and ENGL 0999 unless exempt.

CHEM 1211K. Principles of Chemistry I. 3-3-4 Units.

Explores the discipline of chemistry through an understanding of the basic laws and properties of matter, stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, gas laws, solutions and the physical states of matter. Requires laboratory experimentation which illustrates applications of concepts studied in lecture.(F,S,M)
Prerequisites: MATH 1111 with a grade of "C" or better, ENGL 0999 unless exempt.

CHEM 1212K. Principles of Chemistry II. 3-3-4 Units.

Continues the exploration of the discipline of chemistry begun in CHEM 1211. Focuses on the more quantitative aspects of chemistry including chemical equilibria, kinetics, acid-base, solubility product, electrochemistry and coordination compounds. Requires laboratory development of techniques necessary to identify common metallic and non-metallic ions.(F,S,M)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1211K.

CHEM 2000. Scientific Communication. 2-0-2 Units.

An introduction to the principles of ethics in the chemical sciences. Also, the infrastructure of scientific scholarship is introduced with an emphasis on interaction with the scientific community, responsible conduct in research, and communication of scientific findings.(F)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1211K Corequisites: CHEM 1212K.

CHEM 3211K. Organic Chemistry I. 3-3-4 Units.

Introduces the chemistry of organic compounds including aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, stereochemistry, monofunctional compounds and some polyfunctional compounds. Requires the illustration of techniques for synthesis, separation, purification and identification of organic compounds in the laboratory.(F,S,M)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K.

CHEM 3212K. Organic Chemistry II. 3-3-4 Units.

Continues the exploration of the chemistry of organic compounds with an emphasis on the characteristics and reactions of a variety of functional groups. Requires the illustration of techniques for synthesis, separation, purification and identification of organic compounds in the laboratory.(F,S,M)
Prerequisites: CHEM 3211K.

CHEM 3311K. Quantitative Analysis. 3-4-4 Units.

Introduction to statistics. The use of spreadsheets. Principles and techniques of volumetric analysis. Concepts of chemical equilibria as applied to acid-base, precipitation, and complex ion reactions. Electrochemistry and potentiometry. Introduction to spectroscopy and chromatography.(F,S)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K and MATH 1113.

CHEM 3312K. Instrumental Methods of Analys. 3-3-4 Units.

Theoretical principles and uses of modern instrumental methods covering: measurement theory, atomic spectroscopy, molecular spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrometry, electroanalysis and chromatographic separations.(S)
Prerequisites: CHEM 3311K.

CHEM 3411K. Physical Chemistry I. 3-3-4 Units.

A study of macromolecular phenomena in terms of micro molecular concepts including the gas state and thermodynamic.(F)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K, MATH 2254, PHYS 1112K or PHYS 2212K.

CHEM 3412K. Physical Chemistry II. 3-3-4 Units.

A continuation of CHEM 3411K including liquid and solid state, kinetics, and equilibria.(S)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K,MATH 2254, and PHYS 1112K or PHYS 2212K.

CHEM 3500. Biochemistry. 3-0-3 Units.

The chemical aspects of protein, carbohydrate, lipid, and nucleic acid, and enzyme function, bioenergetics, metabolism, photosynthesis, nuclei acid function, and protein biosynthesis.(S,M)
Prerequisites: BIOL 1107K and CHEM 3211K.

CHEM 3700K. Environmental Chemistry. 3-3-4 Units.

This course will cover the environmental chemistry involving the transport, distribution, reactions, and speciation of inorganic, organometallic and organic chemicals occurring in the air, soil and water environments at the local, national and global scale. Environmental transformations and degradation processes, toxicology, pollution and hazardous substances will be discussed(F)
Corequisites: CHEM 3211K.

CHEM 3900. Readings in Chemistry. 0-0-2 Units.

Independent in-depth study of the literature within a topic of current research in Chemistry. Approval of a faculty supervisor required before registration.(F,S, M)
Prerequisites: 12 hours of Chemistry and permission of the instructor.

CHEM 4000. Senior Seminar. 2-0-2 Units.

Survey of various topics, especially highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of chemistry.(S)
Prerequisites: 12 hours of upper level chemistry.

CHEM 4110K. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. 3-3-4 Units.

Advanced theories of bonding and structure in inorganic chemistry with emphasis on ligand field theory, bioinorganic chemistry, and organometallic chemistry(S)
Prerequisites: CHEM 3212K, CHEM 3311K.

CHEM 4120. Drug Action and Drug Design. 3-0-3 Units.

This course is intended to introduce chemistry and biology students the key concepts in medicinal chemistry that overlaps the disciplines of a variety of science fields extended from chemistry and biology. This course will primarily consist of molecular mechanisms of drug target interactions in the body and drug design strategies for improving drug action. Some discussion will be devoted to specific drug classes, but the primary focus of the course will be acquiring the chemistry and theory of general drug action and drug design. This course will include limited hands-on experience using available computer programs in medicinal chemistry. (S) Prerequisite(s): CHEM 3212K or permission of instructor.

CHEM 4420. Adv Organic Spectroscopy. 3-0-3 Units.

This course is intended to introduce the spectroscopic methods used in the modern determination of organic structures. This will primarily consist of the study of mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, and nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometry. Some discussion will be devoted to instrumental methods, but the primary focus of the course will be acquiring skill in the interpretation of this spectral data. This course will include hands-on experience using instrumentation. (F even-numbered years) Prerequisites: CHEM 3212K

CHEM 4430. Advanced Organic Chemistry. 3-0-3 Units.

Advanced topics in organic chemistry. Such topics include biomolecules, stereochemistry, physical organic chemistry, and heterocycles(F odd-numbered years)
Prerequisites: CHEM 3212K.

CHEM 4800. Service Learning in Chemistry. 0-0-1-4 Unit.

A lecture assistantship or laboratory assistantship within a chemistry course here at Dalton State. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 credit hours.(F,S,M)
Prerequisites: Approval of both a faculty supervisor and department chair.

CHEM 4860. Internship in Chemistry. 0-0-1-4 Unit.

A supervised, credit-earning work experience of one academic semester with a previously approved business firm, private agency or government agency. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 credit hours. (F,S,M).
Prerequisites: Permission of department chair.

CHEM 4900. Special Topics in Chemistry. 0-0-1-4 Unit.

Advanced concepts in chemistry will be presented, the detailed content varying from year to year. Course may be repeated for credit when topic differs.(Offered as Needed)
Prerequisites: CHEM 3212K and additional 3 upper level Chemistry courses.

CHEM 4960. Research in Chemistry. 0-0-1-4 Unit.

Research project conducted by a student under guidance of a faculty member. Variable 1-4 hours. Repeatable for a maximum of 4 hours.(F,S,M)
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K and approval of both a faculty supervisor and department chair.