Course Descriptions and Syllabi


Astronomy (AAST)
AAST 111 Descriptive Astronomy. (4) Introduction to the solar system and distant celestial objects such as stars, galaxies, nebulas, quasars, and black holes. Study of the night time sky, exercises and demonstrations; three lecture hours and three lab hours per week. (Spring)

Chemistry (ACHM)
ACHM 101 Introduction to Chemistry. (4) (Prereq: Completion of, placement beyond, or co-enrollment in AMTH 108) An introduction to the principles and vocabulary of chemistry appropriate for those in the health sciences or for general education. The first of a two-semester sequence of courses (ACHM 101 and ACHM 102); not intended for those in engineering, mathematical and natural sciences; three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.

ACHM 102 Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry. (4) (Prereq: ACHM 101 or consent of the department) The second semester of a two-semester sequence of courses appropriate for those in the health sciences or for general education. A survey of the nomenclature and reactions of organic compounds, and their application to the study of molecules relevant to biochemistry; not intended for those in engineering, mathematical and natural sciences; three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.

ACHM 105 Chemistry in Society. (4) (Prereq: none) An introduction to basic chemistry and chemical methodologies as they interconnect with relevant societal issues. Hands-on, small-scale laboratory exercises will be used to enhance the understanding of chemistry as it occurs in day-to-day life. Three lecture hours and three lab hours per week. Designed as a general education course. Not intended for allied health or nursing majors or for engineering, science, or premed majors requiring two or more semesters of chemistry.

ACHM 111 General Chemistry I. (4) (Prereq: at least one year of high school chemistry, ACHM 105, ACHM 101 or an equivalent course, or consent of the department. Completion of AMTH 122, with a C or better, or completion of, or placement beyond AMTH 111. If a students does not meet one of the math prerequisites, that student must fulfill the corequisite of AMTH 111.) The first portion of a two-semester sequence of courses that introduces the principles, vocabulary and methods of chemistry appropriate for those in engineering, mathematical and natural sciences. This course pre-supposes an introductory knowledge of chemistry; three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.

ACHM 112 General Chemistry II. (4) (Prereq: ACHM 111 or consent of the department) The second portion of a two-semester sequence of courses that introduces the principles, vocabulary and methods of chemistry appropriate for those in engineering, mathematical and natural sciences; three lecture hours and three lab hours per week.

ACHM 321 Quantitative Analysis. (3) (Prereq: ACHM 112; coreq: ACHM 321L) Treatment of solution equilibria in conjunction with an introduction to statistical methods, spectroscopy, separations, and electrochemistry. Three lecture hours per week.

ACHM 321L Quantitative Analysis Laboratory. (1) (Coreq: ACHM 321) The practice of volumetric and gravimetric analysis with exposure to spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical methods. Three laboratory hours per week.

ACHM 331 Organic Chemistry I. (3) (Prereq: ACHM 112; coreq: ACHM 331L) Nomenclature, reactions, mechanisms and synthesis of carbon compounds. Three lecture hours per week.

ACHM 331L Organic Chemistry Laboratory I. (1) (Coreq: ACHM 331) Laboratory safety, synthesis, separation and purification of carbon compounds. Three laboratory hours per week.

ACHM 332 Organic Chemistry II. (3) (Prereq: ACHM 331; coreq: ACHM 332L) A continuation of ACHM 331. Three lecture hours per week.

ACHM 332L Organic Chemistry Laboratory II. (1) (Prereq: ACHM 331L; coreq: ACHM 332) Continuation of ACHM 331L. Spectroscopic identification of carbon compounds. Three laboratory hours per week.

ACHM 340 Introduction to Chemical Instrumentation. (3) (Prereq: ACHM 331; Coreq: ACHM 340L) An overview of the physical principles behind the uses of modern chemical instrumentation. Three lecture hours per week. Cannot be used for credit in the chemistry major.

ACHM 340L Introduction to Chemical Instrumentation Laboratory. (1) (Coreq: ACHM 340) Focus on proper procedures for instrument usage and data interpretation. Experiments will be drawn primarily from related scientific disciplines. Three lab hours per week. Cannot be used for credit in the chemistry major.

ACHM 399 Independent Study. (1-4) (Prereq: permission of instructor)

ACHM 498 Topics in Chemistry. (1-4) (Senior standing or consent of instructor) Selected topics in Chemistry. Lecture and/or laboratory course in advanced topics not covered in existing courses.

ACHM 499 Senior Research. (1-3) (Prereq: permission of instructor; coreq: senior status) Available only for senior chemistry majors. Students will participate in a research project under the direction of a chemistry faculty member. A thesis and presentation are required upon completion of the research. This course will provide the capstone experience. During the first semester of enrollment in ACHM 499 the student may enroll for two to three semester hours. Subsequently, a student may enroll for up to three additional semester hours. A minimum of three semester hours are required for graduation and a student can enroll for a maximum of six credit hours.

ACHM 511 Inorganic Chemistry. (3) (Prereq: or coreq: ACHM 541 or consent of department) Consideration of atomic structure, valence, complex compounds and systematic study of the periodic table. Three lecture hours per week.

ACHM 511L Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory. (2) (Coreq: ACHM 511 or consent of department) The synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds by specialized methods. Six laboratory hours per week. (formerly ACHM 513)

ACHM 522 Instrumental Analysis. (4) (Prereq: ACHM 542 or consent of department) Theory and applications of instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Two lecture and six laboratory hours per week.

ACHM 541 Physical Chemistry I. (3) (Prereq: ACHM 112 and APHY 212 or APHY 202; coreq: AMTH 241, ACHM 541L or consent of department) Theories and laws relating to chemical changes. Three lectures per week.

ACHM 541L Physical Chemistry Laboratory I. (1) (Coreq: ACHM 541 or consent of department) Applications of physical chemical techniques. Three laboratory hours per week.

ACHM 542 Physical Chemistry II. (3) (Prereq: 541; coreq: ACHM 542L or consent of department) Theories and laws relating to chemical changes; a continuation of ACHM 541. Three lecture hours per week.

ACHM 542L Physical Chemistry Laboratory II. (1) (Prereq: ACHM 541L; coreq: ACHM 542 or consent of department) Applications of physical chemistry techniques. Three laboratory hours per week.

ACHM 550 Principles of Biochemistry. (3) (Prereq: ABIO 101, ACHM 332, ACHM 541) An introduction to the chemistry of biological compounds and cellular processes emphasizing thermodynamics, kinetics, and structure.

ACHM 590 Introductory Glassblowing. (1) (Prereq: junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor) The history and fundamental application of glassblowing techniques. Three laboratory hours per week.

Physics (APHY)
APHY 101 Introduction to Physical Science I. (4) An introduction to the concepts, ideas and methods of physical science for non-science majors. Particular emphasis is given to the principles of classical physics and chemistry. Experiments, exercises and demonstrations are included; three lecture hours and three lab hours per week. (Fall)

APHY 102 Introduction to Physical Science II. (3) A continuation of APHY 101 with emphasis to ideas, trends and applications of modern science. (Spring)

APHY 201 General Physics I. (4) (Prereq: AMTH 111 and 112 or AMTH 122 or equivalent) The first part of an introductory course sequence covering mechanics, electromagnetism, wave motion, sound, heat, optics, relativity, quantum physics, atomic physics and nuclear physics. No previous background in physics is assumed. Three lecture hours, one hour recitation and one two-hour laboratory per week. (Fall)

APHY 202 General Physics II. (4) A continuation of APHY 201. Three hours of lecture, one hour recitation and one two-hour laboratory per week. (Spring)

APHY 211 Essentials of Physics I. (4) (Prereq: completion of AMTH 141) Mechanics, heat, wave motion and optics, electromagnetism and modern physics. First portion of a two-semester calculus-level course primarily for students of science and engineering. Three hours of lecture, one hour recitation and one two-hour laboratory per week. (Fall)

APHY 212 Essentials of Physics II. (4) A continuation of APHY 211. Three hours of lecture, one hour recitation and one two-hour laboratory per week. (Spring)

APHY 398 Topics in Physics (1-4) (specified prereq. or consent of instructor) Selected topics in physics. Lecture and/or laboratory course in topics not covered in detail in existing courses.

APHY 399 Independent Study. (1-4) (Prereq: permission of instructor)

APHY 595 Topics in Physical Sciences for Teachers. (3-4) (Prereq: permission of instructor) Selected topics in chemistry, physics and the earth sciences with related laboratory and field experiences. With 4 hours credit a formal laboratory will be included supplementing the lecture topics. (Cannot be used to satisfy Group V general education requirements.)