UW - La Crosse Chemistry Department/Chemistry Degree Options

UW-L Chemistry & Biochemistry Degree Options

The following degree options are available:
Biochemistry Major
Chemistry Major
Chemistry Major, ACS Certification
Chemistry Major with Business Concentration
Chemistry Major with Environmental Science Concentration
Chemistry Major, Middle/Secondary Education
Middle/Secondary Broad Field Science Major
Chemistry Minor (Business, Liberal Studies, Science and Allied Health)
Chemistry Minor (Health, Physical Education, and Recreation: Middle/Secondary Education)

Sample schedules
Click on one of the links below to see a recommended schedule for completing degree requirements. Please note that you will need the free Adobe® Acrobat® Reader software installed on your computer in order to read these files.

Biochemistry Major/Biology Minor
Dual Major in Biochemistry / Biology w/Cell and Molecular Biology Concentration
Chemistry Major/Biology Minor (PDF: 100K / 1 page)
ACS Chemistry Major/Mathematics Minor (PDF: 100K / 1 page)
ACS Chemistry Major/Computational Science Minor (PDF: 94K / 1 page)

Biochemistry Major
40 Credits, including the following:

Plus 5 credits of Electives from the following

CHM 310 Physical Chemistry II (3 credits)^#
CHM 431 Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
CHM 441 Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
CHM 499 Research and Seminar (2 credits)^##
MIC 406 Immunology (4 credits)
MIC 420 Introductory Virology (3 credits)
BIO 312 Anatomy and Physiology I. (4 credits)
BIO 424 Endocrinology (3 credits)
BIO 440 Bioinformatics (2 credits)
BIO 443 Molecular Mechanism of Drugs and Disease (3 credits)

*: CHM 309, Physical Chemistry, can be taken in place of CHM 407
**: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 207 (Calculus I), 208 (Calculus II) or 250 (Statistics), and PHY 104 or 204 (General Physics II)
***: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: BIO 306 (Genetics) and BIO 315 (Cell Biology)
#: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 207 (Calculus I), 208 (Calculus II), and PHY 104 or 204 (General Physics II)
##: Only 2 credits from CHM 499 may count toward the major

Chemistry Major
39 Credits, including the following:

CHM 103 General Chemistry I. (5 credits)
CHM 104 General Chemistry II. (5 credits)
CHM 301 Quantitative Analysis (5 credits)
CHM 303 Organic Chemistry Theory I. (3 credits)
CHM 304 Organic Chemistry Theory II. (3 credits)
CHM 305 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
CHM 309 Physical Chemistry Theory I. (3 credits)*
CHM 310 Physical Chemistry Theory II. (3 credits)**
CHM 313 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
CHM 471 Capstone in Chemistry (1 credit)

Electives in chemistry except CHM 100, 300, or 320 to total 39 credits

*: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 208 (Calculus II), PHY 103 or 203 (General Physics I)
**: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 309 (Calculus III), PHY 104 or 204 (General Physics II)

Chemistry Major-ACS Certified
The Department of Chemistry is accredited by the American Chemical Society, and students following the following curriculum meeting the standards of the Society will be certified as having an ACS major in Chemistry.
49 Credits, including the following:

CHM 103 General Chemistry I. (5 credits)
CHM 104 General Chemistry II. (5 credits)
CHM 301 Quantitative Analysis (5 credits)
CHM 303 Organic Chemistry Theory I. (3 credits)
CHM 304 Organic Chemistry Theory II. (3 credits)
CHM 305 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2 credits)
CHM 309 Physical Chemistry Theory I. (3 credits)*
CHM 310 Physical Chemistry Theory II. (3 credits)**
CHM 313 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (3 credits)
CHM 325 Survey of Biochemistry (4 credits) or CHM 417 Biochemistry I (3 credits)
CHM 405 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3 credits)
CHM 431 Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
CHM 441 Instrumental Analysis (4 credits)
CHM 471 Capstone in Chemistry (1 credits)

Electives in chemistry that include at least one laboratory course, except CHM 100, 300, or 320, to total 49 credits

*: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 208 (Calculus II), PHY 203 (General Physics I)
**: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 309 (Calculus III), PHY 204 (General Physics II)

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Chemistry Major with Business Concentration
57 Credits, including the following:

Electives in chemistry except CHM 100, 300, or 320 to total 57 credits

*: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 208 (Calculus II), PHY 104 (General Physics II, non-calculus) or 203 (General Physics I, calculus-based)

Chemistry Major with Environmental Science Concentration
51 Credits, including the following:

Six elective credits in chemistry from CHM 310, 313, 314, 325, 405, 412, 418, 422, 424, 431, 461, 471, and twelve elective credits to be selected from BIO 341, 447, ESC 345, 460, 481, PHL 341, ECO 346, and HST 317. Two additional credits from CHM 499, BIO 499 and ESC 490 recommended.

*: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 208 (Calculus II), PHY 104 (General Physics II, non-calculus) or 203 (General Physics I, calculus-based)

Chemistry Major-Middle/Secondary Education
37 Credits, including the following:

Electives in chemistry except CHM 100, 300 and 320. GEO 200, a statutory requirement, and C-I 381, an administrative code requirement must be taken in addition to the above sequence.

*: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 208 (Calculus II), PHY 103 or 203 (General Physics I)
**: Non-Chemistry prerequisites: MTH 309 (Calculus III), PHY 104 or 204 (General Physics II)

Note: An additional eight (8) credits in other science course work must also be taken to meet Wisconsin Administrative Code requirements for certification.

Middle/Secondary Broad Field Science Major
(Available to students completing programs before August 31, 2004; students completing after that date should consult an advisor)

General Science
1. Students are required to complete a 54 semester credit major in science, including:
      a. one 22-24 credit minor in one of the following: biology, chemistry, earth science, physics.
      b. 14 semester credits in one additional science area.
      c. 8 semester credits in each of the two remaining science areas.
      d. and if needed, 2-3 semester credits selected from any of the aforesaid sciences and/or history of science and/or philosophy of science and/or issues of science to total 54 credits.

2. In addition to the 54 science credits required for this major, students must complete:
      a. 2 statutory or administrative code requirements: GEO 200 - Conservation of Global Environments, 3 cr. OR GEO 324 - Conservation of Natural Resources, 3 cr., AND C-I 381 - Environmental Education Methods, 1 cr.
      b. and one mathematics course beyond general education is required.

3. In addition to C-I 469, Methods in Science, it is strongly advised that students take C-I 461, Leadership for Elementary/Middle Level Science Education.

Chemistry Minor
26 Credits, including:

CHM 103 General Chemistry I. (5 credits)
CHM 104 General Chemistry II. (5 credits)
CHM 301 Quantitative Analysis (5 credits)
CHM 300 Survey of Organic Chemistry (5 credits) or CHM 303, 304, and 305 (8 credit package)

Electives in Chemistry, except 100, to total 26 credits.

Chemistry Minor
(Teacher Certification Programs)
25 Credits, including:

Electives in Chemistry, except 100 and 320, to total 25 credits. GEO 200, a statutory requirement, and C-I 381, an administrative code requirement must be taken in addition to the above sequence.

COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CHM 100 Cr. 4
Contemporary Chemistry
A survey course focusing on applied chemistry. Fundamental chemistry and science concepts are developed and then used to study applications of this science to technology in society. Emphasis is placed on selected topics that are current. Lect. 3, Lab. 2. Course is not applicable to a major or minor in chemistry and does not meet the prerequisite requirement of any other chemistry course.

CHM 103 Cr. 5
General Chemistry I
An introduction to chemistry including topics in atomic structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, chemical stoichiometry, reactivity, states of matter, solutions, acid-base theory, and nuclear chemistry, and also including selected topics in descriptive and applied chemistry. Scientific inquiry, experimental design and data analysis are included. Lect. 3, Lab. 3, Disc. l.

CHM 104 Cr. 5
General Chemistry II
The second half of the two-semester sequence in general chemistry. The course provides an introduction to the topics of chemical kinetics, equilibria in the gas and solution phases, acid-basechemistry, solubility, thermochemistry, electrochemistry, and organic chemistry. The laboratory portion of the course serves to reinforce and demonstrate the above concepts through experiment. Qualitative wet chemical analysis is also included in the laboratory portion of this course. Lect. 3, Lab. 3, Disc. 1. Prerequisite: CHM 103.

CHM 300 Cr. 5
Survey of Organic Chemistry
A study of the properties, reactions, and uses of the major classes of organic compounds. Theories to relate the structure of organic molecules to their chemical reactions is presented as a unifying principle. Applications of organic chemistry to the life sciences and to environmental problems are emphasized. A terminal organic chemistry course recommended for students in the allied health sciences when only one semester of organic chemistry is required. Lect. 3, Lab. 4. Open to sophomores. Prerequisite: CHM 104. Course is not applicable to a major in chemistry. Students with credit in CHM 303 cannot earn credit in CHM 300. CHM 300 does not satisfy the prerequisite requirement for CHM 304.

CHM 301 Cr. 5
Analytical Chemistry
Theory and practice of selected methods of chemical analysis. Titrimetric, potentiometric, spectrophotometric and gas chromatographic methods of analysis are studied. Statistical treatment of data and techniques for quality assurance are also developed. The basic science component in the course is primarily directed towards ionic equilibria. Lect. 3, Lab. 6. Prerequisite: CHM 104. Open to sophomores.

CHM 303 Cr. 3
Organic Chemistry Theory I
A study of the structure, methods of structure determination, stereochemistry and chemical behavior of hydrocarbons, alcohols, and halogenated hydrocarbons. Theories and mechanisms are introduced to explain chemical behavior. Open to sophomores. Prerequisite: CHM 104. Students with credit in CHM 300 cannot earn credit in CHM 303.

CHM 304 Cr. 3
Organic Chemistry Theory II
Organic synthesis, common functional groups, carbanions, reaction mechanisms, lipids, carbohydrates, proteins and polymers. Prerequisite: CHM 303.

CHM 305 Cr. 2
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
An introduction to common laboratory practices in organic chemistry. Experiments are designed to illustrate synthetic and separation techniques. Organic qualitative analysis is included. Lab. 6. Prerequisite: CHM 304 or concurrent registration. Students with credit in CHM 300 cannot earn credit in CHM 305.

CHM 309 Cr. 3
Physical Chemistry Theory I
Real gases, equations of state, kinetic and molecular theory, properties of gases, quantum chemistry, molecular energies, classical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, changes of state and reaction kinetics and mechanisms. Prerequisites: CHM 104, PHY 104 or 203, MTH 208. Familiarity with Mathematica computer software desirable. Offered Sem. I.

CHM 310 Cr. 3
Physical Chemistry Theory II
Molecular spectroscopy, molecular structure, lasers, statistical thermodynamics, solid states, quantum mechanics and group theory. Prerequisites: CHM 309, PHY 104 or 204, MTH 309. Familiarity with Mathematica computer software desirable. Offered Sem. II.

CHM 313 Cr. 3
Experimental Physical Chemistry
A course designed to teach, illustrate, and strengthen basic concepts in experimental physical chemistry. Topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, introductory spectroscopy, and statistical error analysis. Students will be exposd to current experimental techniques and equipment used in investigating physical chemistry questions, and will design and implement an independent project of their choosing. A significant emphasis is placed on the development of excellence in both oral and written scientific communication. Lect. 1, Lab. 6. Prerequisite: CHM 309 or concurrent enrollment. Offered in Spring only, occasionally Fall.

CHM 314 Cr. 2
Modern Physical Spectroscopy
A course designed to teach, illustrate, and strengthen concepts in the physical aspects of experimental and computational molecular spectroscopy. Topics include infrared and uv/visible absorption spectroscopies, fluorescence spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, spectral simulation, and selected advanced methods in physical spectroscopy. Students will be exposed to current experimental techniques, equipment, and basic programming skills,, and will have an opportunity to design and implement extensions to selected experiments. A significant emphasis is placed on the development of excellence in both oral and written scientific communication. Lect. 1, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 310 or concurrent enrollment. Offered in Fall only, occasionally Spring.

CHM 320 Cr. 1-3
Practicum in Chemistry
A course designed for and adapted to the specific needs of select groups having specific interests in the applications of techniques and/or theories of chemistry, i.e., educational professionals, chemical technicians, medical technologists, etc. Lecture and laboratory will be adapted to the topic being taught. May be repeated for credit when different topic is presented. Prerequisite: to be determined - based on topic offered. Course is not applicable to a major in chemistry. Offered occasionally.

CHM 325 Cr. 4
Survey of Biochemistry
A survey of chemical processes in biological systems emphasizing the structure, function, and interactions of proteins, nucleic acids, carbo-hydrates, lipids, the regulation of cellular processes, and a description of certain clinical disorders. Lect. 3, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or 304. Students with credit in CHM 417 cannot earn credit in CHM 325.

CHM 361 Cr. 3
Radiochemistry
A study of the decay of radioactive elements, detection of radiation, methods of analysis and applications such as neutron activation and radioactive dating. Lect. 2, Lab. 2. Prerequisite: three semesters of chemistry courses. Students with credit in CHM 461 cannot earn credit in CHM 361. Offered occasionally.

CHM 405/505 Cr. 3
Advanced Synthesis Laboratory
Synthesis, characterization and separation techniques are applied to organic and inorganic compounds. Applications of nuclear magnetic resonance, gas chromatography, mass spectrometry and computerized searching of the chemical literature are included. Independent projects with multi-step syntheses are assigned to students. Lect. 1, Lab. 6. Prerequisites: CHM 304 and 305. Offered Sem. II.

CHM 407 Cr. 2
Biophysical Chemistry
A course designed to help students develop a fundamental understanding of the physical principles that drive biochemical processes. Topics covered include protein structure, molecular thermodynamics (especially as applied to molecular potential functions and protein structure calculations), basic statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics and spectroscopy (especially as applied to the study of biomolecular structure), and the kinetics of protein folding and protein motions. Lect. 2. Prerequisites: CHM 417 or CHM 325; MTH 207; MTH 208 or MTH 250 or concurrent enrollment;PHY 104 or PHY 204. Offered Sem. II. Credit cannot be used towards chemistry major.

CHM 412/512 Cr. 3
Environmental Chemistry
An interdisciplinary study that explores the role of chemistry in environmental quality. The course examines scientific, political, economic, social and moral issues related to topics such as energy, pollution, resource management and population. The applications of scientific methodologies and chemical principles to the analysis of environmental problems will be emphasized. Prerequisite: three semesters of chemistry. Offered Sem. II.

CHM 417/517 Cr. 3
Biochemistry I
A study of enzymes, nucleic acids, and other chemical components in biological systems, emphasizing the regulation and coordination of intra- and intercellular chemical processes. Laboratory emphasis is on techniques utilized in protein isolation and characterization. Lect. 2, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or 304. Students with credit in CHM 325 cannot earn credit in CHM 417. Offered Sem. I.

CHM 418/518 Cr. 3
Biochemistry II
A continuation of the study of enzymes, nucleic acids, and other chemical components of biological systems emphasizing catabolic and anabolic processes. Laboratory emphasizes protein purification and characterization. Lect. 2, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: CHM 417. Offered Sem. II.

CHM 421/521 Cr. 1-3
Advanced Topics in Chemistry
An advanced topic in chemistry based on appropriate prior work in physical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and analytical chemistry. Lecture and laboratory will be adapted to the topic being taught. May be repeated for credit when different topic is presented. Prerequisites will be determined based on topic offered and include a minimum of three semesters of chemistry courses. Repeatable for credit - no maximum. Offered occasionally.

CHM 422/522 Cr. 3
Polymer Chemistry
A study of synthetic high molecular weight materials of practical application in industry or of theoretical interest in chemistry. Representative polymer systems are examined with respect to the effect of molecular weight, weight distribution, and structure on physical properties. The choice of monomeric starting materials and mechanisms of polymerization are examined in detail. Methods of characterizing macromolecules are surveyed. Lect. 2, Lab 2. Prerequisite: CHM 304; CHM 309 highly recommended. Offered alternate years.

CHM 424/524 Cr. 3
Spectroscopy
A survey of important spectroscopic methods used in chemistry; infrared, proton and carbon-13 NMR, ultraviolet, and mass spectrometry. Emphasis is placed on structure determination and hands-on experience with chemical instrumentation. Lect. 2, Lab. 2. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or 304. Offered alternate years.

CHM 427 Cr. 4
Advanced Biochemistry
A study of chemical processes in cells (i.e., enzymes, lipids, membranes, metabolism, nucleic acids, receptor-sites, etc.) with special emphasis on building a foundation for the study of methods for diagnosis and treatment of human diseases and disorders. Prerequisite: enrollment in physician assistant program or permission of the instructor.

CHM 431/531 Cr. 3
Inorganic Chemistry
A survey of the theories of atomic structure, chemical bonding and structure and the relationship of these theories to inorganic reactions, mechanisms and coordination compounds. Also presented are the concepts of acid-base theory, non-aqueous solution chemistry, and topics of current interest in inorganic chemistry; organo-metallics, inorganic polymers, cluster compounds, etc. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304 or concurrent enrollment in CHM 304. Offered Sem. I.

CHM 441/541 Cr. 4
Instrumental Analysis
A study of the theory and principles of chemical instrumentation including the application of basic electronics, spectroscopy, separation science and electroanalytical methods of chemical analysis. Lect. 3, Lab. 3. Prerequisite: CHM 301.

CHM 461/561 Cr. 4
Nuclear Chemistry
A study of the decay of radioactive nuclides with emphasis on the theory of nuclear decay. Laboratory will include the study of the detection of radiation, methods of radio analysis and the safe handling of unsealed radioactive sources. Lect. 3, Lab. 3. Prerequisites: four semesters of chemistry courses. Students with credit in CHM 361 cannot earn credit in CHM 461. Offered Sem. I.

CHM 471 Cr. 1
Capstone in Chemistry
A senior level course specifically designed for chemistry majors that considers recent issues and developments in the chemical sciences. Students will learn to use chemical information systems. The course will also provide a forum for student, faculty and guest lecturers. In addition, students will be actively engaged in the assessment of their major. Prerequisite: senior standing and major in chemistry. Offered Sem. II.

CHM 489 Cr. 1-2
Independent Study
Independent study under the direction and supervision of a member of the chemistry faculty. Activities related to chemistry other than those normally considered chemistry research. Admission by consent of the chemistry department staff. Repeatable for credit - maximum 2.

CHM 499 Cr. 2
Research and Seminar
Laboratory research under the direction and supervision of a member of the chemistry departmental staff, for selected students. Admission by consent of the chemistry department staff. Repeatable for credit - maximum 4.

BIO 312 Cr. 4
Human Anatomy and Physiology I.
A comprehensive study of general physioloical principles, membrane physiology, body fluid compartments, the skeletal, muscular, and nervous systems and the special senses. Lect. 3, Lab. 2. Prerequisites: BIO 103 or 105 and CHM 103.

BIO 424 Cr. 3
Endocrinology
A study of the anatomy and physiology of the glands comprising the endocrine system. Lect. 3. Prerequisites: BIO 303 or 312-313 or ESS 205-206.

BIO 435 Cr. 2
Molecular Biology
A study of molecular biology with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems. The course will focus on the molecular aspects controlling biological processes. The impact of recombinant DNA technology on biotechnology and medicine will also be examined. Lect. 3. Prerequisites: BIO 306 and 315, or MIC 416, and three semesters of college chemistry including organic chemistry. Biochemistry strongly recommended. Offered Sem. I.

BIO 436 Cr. 1
Molecular Biology Laboratory
A study of molecular biology with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems. Laboratory emphasis is on recombinant DNA technology, current techniques used to express recombinant proteins in eukaryotic cells, computer based DNA analysis, macromolecular modeling using computers, and quantitative assay techniques. Lab. 3. Prerequisites: BIO 435 must be taken concurrently. Offered Sem. I.

BIO 440 Cr. 2
Bioinformatics
In this course, students will use computers to study and compare the sequence of nucleotides in DNA or RNA, or the amino acids in a protein. Computers are used to examine the three dimensional structure of proteins. Being able to manipulate and study this information is the basis for the current revolution in Biotechnology. Topics include evolution, taxonomy, genomics, and understanding disease. Thiscourse provides students with an opportunity to explore the relationships between biology, microbiology, chemistry and computer science. Lect. 2, Lab. 1. Prerequisites: BIO 306 or MIC 230 (BIO 435 or MIC 416 recommended). Half-semester course (2 weeks in J-term). Offered Sem II. and J-term.

BIO 443 Cr. 3
Molecular Mechanism of Disease and Drug Action
A survey of the leading non-infectious and non-cancerous diseases in the industrialized world. This course will explore the molecular mechanisms of disease, clinical symptomology, and pharmacological treatment. Students will be expected to conduct thorough research on a given disease and present their results in a poster session. Lect. 3. Prerequisites: BIO 306, 313, and CHM 300 or 304. Offered Sem II.

MIC 406 Cr. 4
Immunology
An introduction to how the immune system protects against infectious disease and how it can contribute to disease. A discussion of fundamental characterisitics of innate and aquired immunity is followed by study of antigens, antibodies, the major histocompatibility complex, T and B lymphocyte recognition of antigen and response, cytokines and immune regulation, hypersensitivity reactions including allergies, adn the immune system in AIDS. Lect. 2, Lab. 4. Prerequisites: MIC 230; BIO 303 or 313 and CHM 300 or 303 recommended.

MIC 420 Cr. 3
Introductory Virology
An introduction to viruses and their interactions with host organisms. Special emphasis is placed on the structure adn replication cycles of virus families with medical importance. Lect. 3. Prerequisites: MIC 230 and 416 or BIO 306 or 435, and three semesters of college chemistry to include organic chemistry. Offered Sem II.

UW-L COURSE CATALOG

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