Courses

A systematic treatment of the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry and their applications. Designed for science and engineering majors. Taken concurrently with CHEM 101L. Fall and Spring.

Taken concurrently with CHEM 101. One laboratory per week. Fall and Spring.

This lecture and lab course content will be determined by the instructor to meet the learning objectives of the Scientific Inquiry requirement of the University Core. Fall and Spring.

Taken concurrently with CHEM 104. Fall and Spring.

A survey of chemical topics related to contemporary social issues. Specifically designed for non-science majors. CHEM 111L optional. On sufficient demand.

See CHEM 111 for description. Taken concurrently with CHEM 111.

This course will cover the fundamental principles of chemistry necessary to understand the source, transport, and fate of substances in the environment due to human activity. Additional topics will be chosen by the instructor but may include the environmental implications of various energy-generation methods; the chemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere; climate change; and water quality, pollution, and treatment of water sources. Taken concurrently with CHEM 123L. Spring.

See CHEM 123 course description. Taken concurrently with CHEM 123. Spring.

Topic to be decided by faculty.

The First-Year Seminar (FYS) introduces new Gonzaga students to the University, the Core Curriculum, and Gonzaga’s Jesuit mission and heritage. While the seminars will be taught by faculty with expertise in particular disciplines, topics will be addressed in a way that illustrates approaches and methods of different academic disciplines. The seminar format of the course highlights the participatory character of university life, emphasizing that learning is an active, collegial process.

This lecture only course is designed for non-science majors. Different subfields of chemistry will be explored depending on the instructor. On sufficient demand.

Introduction to foundational concepts in inorganic chemistry with emphasis on atomic structure, bonding, and reactivity. Topics will include nuclear chemistry, quantum mechanics, periodic trends, covalent bonding, ionic bonding, metallic bonding, coordinate covalent bonding, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, and thermodynamics. Three lectures per week. Fall annually.

Essential concepts in bonding and structure, acid-base chemistry, reactivity and synthesis of functional groups, nomenclature, and mechanisms of fundamental organic reactions. Three lectures and one recitation per week. Taken concurrently with CHEM 230L. Spring.

Preparation and analysis of representative organic compounds. One laboratory per week. Taken concurrently with CHEM 230. Spring.

Continuation of CHEM 230. A significant focus of the course will be on aromatic compounds and carbonyl chemistry. Other topics include organometallic chemistry, radicals, mass spectrometry and synthetic polymers. Three lectures per week. Fall annually.

Preparation and analysis of representative organic compounds. One laboratory per week. Fall.

Structure and function of the major classes of biomolecules (carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids). Fundamental concepts of protein structure and function, kinetics and enzymology, bioenergetics and thermodynamics, metabolism and regulation, will be discussed. Three lectures per week. Fall and Spring. Begins 2018.

Laboratory methods and techniques relevant to biochemistry. One laboratory per week. Fall and Spring. Begins 2018.

This course will introduce chemistry and biochemistry majors to research and career opportunities related to their major, the use of primary literature, and scientific ethics. One lecture per week. Restricted to chemistry and biochemistry majors. Spring annually.

The Biology and Chemistry departments run a variety of outreach programs that include class visits, field trip tours, special summer programs and more. All of our programs strive to engage participants with opportunities for hands-on scientific discovery and inspiration.

Introduction to the methods of laboratory teaching. Emphasis on safety, time management, direct student-teacher interaction, and class presentation.

Principles of foundational analytical techniques and methods are presented in three lectures per week. These include gravimetric, volumetric, electrochemical, spectrometric, chromatographic, and mass spectrometry topics as well as basic descriptive statistics.

Laboratory experiments including titrations, gravimetric analysis, molecular and atomic spectroscopy, potentiometry, and chromatography. Sample preparation, instrument calibration, data analysis, and reporting are emphasized. Two laboratory periods per week.

Quantum mechanics, group theory, and spectroscopy. Three lectures per week. Fall.

Thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetics. Three lectures per week. Spring.

Laboratory experiments emphasizing physical chemistry methods. Two laboratories per week. Spring.

In-depth exploration of concepts and techniques used to study biomolecules and biomolecular systems with additional emphasis on scientific writing and communication in biochemistry. Fulfills one Writing-Enriched (WE) designation in the University Core. Two laboratories per week. Fall and Spring. Beginning 2019.

Introduction to foundational concepts in physical chemistry with emphasis on quantum mechanics, gases, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Three lectures per week. Fall. Beginning 2018.

Experiments that emphasize synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds, as well as physical chemistry methods ranging from spectroscopy to thermodynamics and kinetics. One laboratory period per week. Fall. Beginning 2018.

This course will focus on scientific oral presentations and scientific writing and will prepare the students for their senior project. This course will also include outside speakers from graduate schools and the chemistry and biochemistry industry to further provide educational opportunities about continued study and employment in the field. One lecture per week. Spring. Beginning 2019.

In-depth laboratory course featuring projects, often interdisciplinary, within the analytical, inorganic, physical, and organic sub-disciplines of chemistry. Literature engagement and scientific writing are emphasized. Two laboratory periods per week. Spring. Beginning 2019.

Topic to be decided by faculty.

Undergraduate research assistantships are opportunities for student to earn a stipend while performing independent research in the laboratory of a Biology or Chemistry & Biochemistry faculty member.

CHEM 399 courses will focus on reading the primary literature in a particular content area, and will emphasize in-class discussion, writing, and/or presentations. Topics will vary. Two lectures per week. Fall and Spring. Prerequisites vary depending on topic. Beginning 2018.

Special topics in chemistry or biochemistry. Two lectures per week. Fall and Spring. Pre-requisites vary depending on topic. Beginning 2018.

Application of quantum mechanics, group theory, and molecular orbital theory to inorganic compounds including transition metal complexes. Special topics include recent advances in inorganic chemistry. Two lectures per week. Spring, even years.

The Core Integration Seminar (CIS) engages the Year Four Question: “Imagining the possible: What is our role in the world?” by offering students a culminating seminar experience in which students integrate the principles of Jesuit education, prior components of the Core, and their disciplinary expertise. Each section of the course will focus on a problem or issue raised by the contemporary world that encourages integration, collaboration, and problem solving. The topic for each section of the course will be proposed and developed by each faculty member in a way that clearly connects to the Jesuit Mission, to multiple disciplinary perspectives, and to our students’ future role in the world.

An investigation of the techniques used to examine biomolecules and biological systems. Integrated laboratory experiments in biochemistry. Two laboratories per week. Spring.

Continuation of CHEM 440, including an examination of the primary processes of cellular energy production, oxidative phosphorylation and photosynthesis. The major metabolic pathways of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides are covered. Spring.

An introduction to quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, kinetics and physical methods as they relate to the study of biological macromolecules. Spring.

Special topics in chemistry or biochemistry. Fall and Spring. Prerequisite CHEM 355 Foundational Physical Chemistry. Additional pre-requisites may be required depending on topic. Beginning 2019.

Survey of the chemical literature as background for the senior thesis or senior literature review. Presentation, both written and oral, of scientific material will be emphasized. Spring.

Required of all fourth year chemistry majors. Fall.

Required of all fourth year chemistry majors. Continuation of CHEM 485. Spring.

Literature review of special chemical problem or topic under the direction of a faculty member.

Material and credit to be arranged.

Professional work experience in a chemistry-related field.

Investigation of special chemical problems and topics under the direction of a faculty member. Required of all B.S. majors. Fall.

Required of all B.S. majors. Continuation of CHEM 498A. Spring.