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Chemistry & Biochemistry

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UWL chemistry and biochemistry students develop problem-solving skills through challenging coursework and hands-on laboratory experiences.

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Undergraduate programs

Chemistry

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Chemistry is the study of substances, their properties, energies, the ways they interact and combine and change. Traditionally, chemistry has been broken into five main sub-disciplines: Organic, Analytical, Physical, Inorganic, and Biochemistry. The field also includes a variety of applied disciplines. Chemistry is often referred to as the central science because it joins together physics and mathematics, biology and medicine, and the earth and environmental sciences. 

Areas of study

ACS Certification

UWL's Chemistry program is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS). This degree track includes the coursework and experiences necessary to satisfy the requirements for ACS certification, meaning students who meet the ACS guidelines will receive an ACS-Certified Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. 

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Business Concentration

The chemistry major with a business concentration is appealing to students interested in both the science and business sides of chemistry. Students learn core chemical theory and laboratory skills through a series of chemistry courses. They also gain a strong foundation in business through courses in management, accounting, finance, and marketing.

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Science Education

The Chemistry Education Program includes the coursework and classroom experiences necessary to satisfy the requirements for a science, grades 4-12 (2600) teaching license in the state of Wisconsin.

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Environmental Science Concentration

The chemistry major with an environmental science concentration provides a strong background in chemistry, along with multi-disciplinary, elective course options to explore areas such as climate change, contaminants, renewable energy, geospatial analysis, and ecosystem modeling.

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Undergrad dual degree

Chemistry majors with interest in engineering may be able to receive both a UWL bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a bachelor’s degree in engineering from UW-Madison. At UWL, students must complete a minimum of 87 credits, including the general education requirements and specific math and science courses in preparation for the engineering program.

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Biochemistry

Undergrad major

Biochemistry is the chemistry of biology. It is one of the five main subdisciplines of chemistry. A biochemist explores chemical processes within basic biological systems. Biochemical research has provided a more comprehensive understanding in regenerative medicine, infectious disease, organ/tissue transplantation, clinical diagnostics and genetic disease.

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Featured courses

  • General Chemistry I
    CHM 103 | 5 credits
    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. 1. Prerequisite: grade of "C" or better in MTH 150 or placement into MTH 151 or higher. Students who are currently enrolled in CHM 103 may not register for this course again until after priority registration (unless they have instructor/department consent). Offered Fall, Spring, Summer.
  • Analytical Chemistry
    CHM 301 | 5 credits
    This course offers a broad survey of common methods and scientific instruments used for chemical analysis. Instrumental methods include the topics of spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry. Quality assurance and calibration techniques are emphasized. Lect. 3, Lab 6. Prerequisite: CHM 104. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Organic Chemistry Theory I
    CHM 303 | 3 credits
    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. Prerequisite: CHM 104; sophomore standing. Students with credit in CHM 300 cannot earn credit in CHM 303. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Physical Chemistry Theory I
    CHM 309 | 3 credits
    This course is a study of real gases, equations of state, properties of gases, molecular energies, classical thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, changes of state, and reaction kinetics and mechanisms. Prerequisite: CHM 104; PHY 103 or PHY 203; PHY 104 or PHY 204; grade of "C" or better in MTH 208. Offered Fall.
  • Fundamental Biochemistry
    CHM 325 | 4 credits
    This course is the study of the fundamental chemical processes in biological systems emphasizing the structure and function of biological macromolecules, metabolism and the regulation of cellular processes, transport mechanisms, nature of biological energy, and applications to cellular and organismal function. Lect. 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304. Students with credit in CHM 417 cannot earn credit in CHM 325. Offered Fall, Spring.
  • Industrial Chemistry
    CHM 330 | 3 credits
    An overview of both the scientific and commercial aspects of the chemical industry. Industrially important chemical processes will be discussed. Topics will include production and end use of basic inorganic chemicals of commercial importance, industrial gases, and petroleum-based products. The economics of various chemical processes will be presented. Global and local topics such as regulatory compliance, product liability, and patent/trade secret documentation may also be discussed. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 303. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.
  • Environmental Chemistry Laboratory
    CHM 413 | 2 credits
    This course is an exploration of chemical reactivity and measurement in atmospheric, terrestrial, and aquatic ecosystems. Students collect and analyze samples and perform experiments that validate major environmental topics. Lab experiments include measurement of the physical/chemical properties of air, water, and soil relative to environmental standards and toxic thresholds, as well as investigations of the chemistry of greenhouse gases, contaminants, indoor pollution, and acid rain. Lab 4. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 303 or CHM 301. Offered Fall.
  • Biochemistry I: Macromolecules
    CHM 417 | 4 credits
    This course is the study of the structure and function of biological macromolecules with special emphasis on proteins. Topics include the biochemical basis for the flow of genetic information, protein folding, protein-ligand interactions, protein function, and membrane structure and function. The laboratory focuses on contemporary biochemical techniques including quantitative biochemical assays, ligand binding, protein purification, and enzyme function. Lect 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304. Students with credit in CHM 325 cannot earn credit in CHM 417. Offered Fall.
  • Biochemistry II: Metabolism
    CHM 418 | 3 credits
    This course provides a comprehensive and integrative approach to fundamental metabolism. In particular, the course emphasizes the chemical principles governing metabolite inter-conversions, energy flow, and regulation of metabolic pathways. Prerequisite: CHM 417. Offered Spring.
  • Advanced Biochemistry Lab
    CHM 419 | 3 credits
    This capstone biochemistry laboratory course provides students with the opportunity to undertake hypothesis-driven research. Students use a variety of contemporary biochemical and biophysical techniques to study biomolecular structure and function. Students give written and oral reports of their work that incorporate the primary literature. Lect. 1, Lab 6. Prerequisite: CHM 417; CHM 418 or concurrent enrollment. Offered Spring.
  • Spectroscopy
    CHM 424 | 3 credits
    A survey of important spectroscopic methods used in chemistry; infrared and ultraviolet, proton and carbon-13 NMR, and mass spectrometry. Theory and practice of techniques are covered. Emphasis is placed on structure determination of organic molecules. Analysis of dynamic systems and mixtures may also be covered. Lect. 2, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 300 or CHM 304; junior standing. Offered Spring - Even Numbered Years.
  • Instrumental Analysis
    CHM 441 | 4 credits
    This is an in-depth course covering the operational principles, design, and application of instrumentation used for chemical analysis. Topics include instrumental methods for separations, mass spectrometry, spectroscopic, and electrochemical analysis; and specific instrumentation for materials characterization. Lect. 3, Lab 3. Prerequisite: CHM 301. Offered Fall.
  • Nuclear Chemistry
    CHM 461 | 4 credits
    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. Prerequisite: four semesters of chemistry courses; junior standing. Students with credit in CHM 361 cannot earn credit in CHM 461. Offered Spring.
  • Molecular Biology
    BIO 435 | 3 credits
    This course is a study of molecular biology with an emphasis on eukaryotic systems. The course focuses on the molecular aspects controlling biological processes. The impact of recombinant DNA technology on biotechnology and medicine are also examined. This course is taught largely at an undergraduate level. Graduate students have additional course requirements/expectations. Prerequisite: BIO 306 or MIC 416; BIO 315 or CHM 325 or CHM 417 or MIC 425; junior standing. BIO 436 is an optional laboratory which can be taken concurrently. Offered Fall, Spring.
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Portrait of Nanna Takahashi

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Nanna Takahashi

UWL has helped me in various aspects of my career, ranging from understanding difficult biological principles to working as a team with colleagues and customers. It taught me how to be self-motived, to think creatively and to problem solve on the spot.

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Jason Schroeder

I was able to present my research at a major international conference during my senior year. This was a great way to get a glimpse of what scientific life was like at the top level, and it helped me better-understand what was needed to reach that level.

Portrait of Ellie Schneider

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Ellie Schneider

When I started at Argonne National Laboratory as an intern, I hadn’t taken a single UWL biochemistry course yet. But I was so well prepared because I had been doing biochemistry research since my freshman year. Despite being so young, I still had more expertise in my field than other interns.

Portrait of Dr. Asieudu Boateng

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Dr. Asieudu Boateng

My studies at UWL helped me develop the skills and experience needed to pursue graduate and professional studies as a career goal. A great deal of the rigorous and challenging coursework between biochemistry and chemistry helped me breeze through my doctorate program in pharmacy.

Portrait of Davin Evans

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Davin Evans

Starting my research experience during my first year of college has been invaluable, and it will set me up for future success. It has solidified my goal to attend graduate school.

Portrait of Danielle Rux

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Danielle Rux

At UWL I benefited from small class sizes and one-on-one assistance, especially in upper level courses. I was able to generate professional relationships with my professors that led to more meaningful and personalized recommendations that were critical for the next steps in my career.