Program Codes:
BACHEM
Bachelor of Arts
Introduction
The curriculum of the Department is accredited by the American Chemical Society (ACS) and is designed to support and prepare students for a wide range of potential career opportunities and pathways. Our students find their obtained skills and experiences are ideal preparation (i) for graduate work and professional schools in the sciences or medicine, (ii) to develop the technical background required for industrial or commercial positions, or (iii) to teach at the secondary school level.
The Department offers programs that lead to Bachelor of Science degrees in both Chemistry and Biochemistry. A Bachelor of Arts degree is also offered in Chemistry. A student may elect to earn American Chemical Society (ACS) degree certification of their bachelor’s degree by meeting the requirements of the ACS Committee on Professional Training. In brief, requirements for an ACS certified degree are slightly more stringent than departmental requirements for graduation and include: Earning credits in all five sub- disciplines of chemistry, earning a minimum of 12 semester hours of in-depth coursework, documenting at least 400 hours of laboratory work beyond the introductory level, conducting research alongside a faculty member and authoring a well-written, comprehensive, and well-documented thesis that includes safety considerations where appropriate.
Certification in Chemistry Education is also offered through our department. Students pursuing certification in Chemistry Education earn a Chemistry degree prior to enrolling in the Master’s Program in Secondary Education at Mercyhurst, which can then be completed as a 1-year or 2-year program.
Mission Statement
The Department is committed to the education and training of the next generation of scientists. Because the nature of scientific endeavors evolves, the most important skills students in all scientific disciplines can possess are independent reasoning and problem-solving abilities.
The development of these skills in our programs and courses is facilitated by the following tenets:
The Department believes one of its strengths is the integration of undergraduate chemistry research opportunities in the curriculum culminating in the senior capstone experience. The student-centered research projects overseen by our faculty span a range of methods to address chemical problems in organic synthesis, health issues, nanotechnology and alternative energy. Seminars and poster presentations of research results at both regional and national research conferences are strongly encouraged.
Program Student Learning Outcomes
The chemistry and biochemistry programs require that students demonstrate:
The Department reserves the right to periodically conduct assessment of courses and experiences within the program. These assessments will not be tied to individual students, but rather to be used for continual evaluation and improvement of the program as a whole.
Department Requirements
All prerequisite coursework must be completed with a grade of C or better for any student to be eligible to enroll in a course. If this requirement has not been met prior to the start of the semester during which a student is enrolled, students will be removed from the course where the prerequisites have not been satisfactorily met. To be recommended for graduation in any of the Department’s degree programs a student must earn at least a 2.5 grade point average in the required major and cognate courses and labs.
When a course is re-taken, the GPA requirement includes both the original grade and the grade from the retake. A student also must earn a grade of at least C in any course from the major discipline that is to fulfill a degree requirement. No required science or math course may be taken on a Pass/Fail basis. No required courses for the major may be taken at another institution without departmental approval. Students are expected to attend all departmental seminars.
Students pursuing teacher certification must maintain a cumulative 3.0 GPA in major required courses and receive a grade of at least C in each course. Students majoring in any of the Department’s programs must maintain an overall University GPA of 2.5.
Credit will be granted for courses listing lecture and laboratory separately only if the lecture and laboratory components are taken concurrently, unless special permission is granted by the instructor and the Department. Withdrawal from one without withdrawal from the other is not allowed without permission from both the instructor and the Department. Permission to register for only one of the components will ordinarily be granted only when a student previously has successfully completed one of the components.
All students seeking degrees in programs administered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry will undergo a review by department faculty at the completion of their sophomore level in their area of concentration, the Sophomore Review. Students must successfully complete the Sophomore Review to be accepted into the Department’s programs and continue their studies in the Department. Students eligible for Sophomore Review must have been at Mercyhurst University for at least 2 years and must have completed Calculus I (MATH 170) and completed (or be in the process of completing) Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 242).
Acceptance is based on the following criteria: (1) a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 in courses taken in the major concentration, (2) a minimum overall University GPA of 2.5, and (3) professional conduct. If a student does not pass the Sophomore Review, the student will not be allowed to enroll in any further courses required for programs administered by the Department.
First-year students are required to meet with all departmental faculty members concerning research opportunities during their first year of study, which requires documentation to be submitted by March 15 of their first academic year. Students must also sign up with a research mentor and have a research plan by the time they apply for Sophomore Review.
All students within the major must enroll in the courses Research I (CHEM 410) and Research I Lab (CHEM 412) during one of their academic years.
Experimental work corequisite to General Chemistry I.
CHEM 121
This course provides a foundation in analytical chemistry through the systematic study of steps in the analytical process. Topics include: statistical analysis, equilibria, electrochemistry, chemical separations and spectroscopy.
CHEM 131, CHEM 132
CHEM 231
Experimental lab work that provides hands-on knowledge of topics and techniques covered in CHEM 230, including the statistical analysis and formal reporting of gathered data.
CHEM 131, 132
CHEM 230
Experimental techniques corequisite to CHEM 240. Crystallization, distillation and other methods used for the isolation and purification of organic compounds. Corequisite: CHEM 240. 1 credit.
CHEM 132
CHEM 240
CHEM-242
CHEM 242
Principles of the structure and function of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, membranes, proteins and enzymes, along with an overview of intermediary metabolism and introduction to carbohydrate metabolism through the study of glycolysis.
CHEM 242
CHEM_332
Experimental work corequisite to CHEM 331 with a focus on basic biochemical techniques including molecular cloning, bioinformatics, and protein overexpression and purification.
CHEM 242
CHEM_331
This course provides an in-depth experience in analytical chemistry by providing students with complete working knowledge of modern analytical instrumentation. Topics include: atomic and molecular spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, chromatography, light scattering, electrochemical analysis, surface analysis, and thermal analysis. Topics are placed into modern context by exploring ongoing research in current scientific journals. A strong background in chemistry and physics is required.
CHEM 230
CHEM_334
Experimental work corequisite to CHEM 333.
CHEM_333
This course will focus on thermodynamic and kinetic methods utilized to predict and describe change. The laws of thermodynamics as they pertain to physical change and chemical reactions will be studied in depth and with mathematical rigor. In the kinetics portion of the course, chemical reaction rates and molecular reaction dynamics will be studied.
CHEM-131 MATH-170 PHYS-202
This is the initial course in a sequence of courses on the fundamental ideas of the calculus of one variable intended for science and mathematics majors. It is here that truly significant applications of mathematics begin. Topics follow the early transcendentals path, included are functions, continuity, limits, derivatives, maxima and minima and antiderivatives and an introduction to integration. Prerequisite: MATH 118 or MATH Placement score of at least 70.
This is a calculus-based course that is designed for natural science and mathematics majors, (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, earth-space science education, mathematics). The role of physics in other scientific fields will be emphasized as classical mechanics is covered. This portion of the General Physics series will deal strictly with mechanics; topics include: motion in one-, two- and three-dimensions, the laws of motion, work, potential energy, kinetic energy, conservation of energy, linear and rotational motion, and the prediction of motion based on initial conditions.
MATH 170
PHYS 203
Laboratory experience to accompany General Physics I.
PHYS 201
This course is a continuation of General Physics I; calculus skills are required. Topics include: waves, electricity and magnetism, light and optics, and thermodynamics. Problem solving and the relationships between physics and the fields of biology, biochemistry, and chemistry continue to be emphasized.
MATH 171, PHYS 201
PHYS 206
Laboratory experience to accompany General Physics II.
PHYS 202
Select One Major Elective Course. Note that BIO 142, CHEM 335 and CHEM 316 will also include a Lab and will be 4 credits.
Short Title : CELLULAR&MOLECULAR BIO
Active Term : All Terms / All Years
Course Code : BIO 142
Course Description :
Introduction to the biology of prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells, including the structure and function of membranes and organelles, especially mitochondria and chloroplasts. Also included are studies of the molecular structure and function of DNA, with emphasis on the organization of the eukaryotic genome, transcription and translation.
Corequisites :
BIO 143
Short Title : ADVANCED ORGANIC CHEMISTRY
Active Term : Spring Term / Odd Years
Course Code : CHEM 314
Course Description : A comprehensive study of synthetic organic chemistry strategies. This course will build on the material from Organic Chemistry I and II to more fully develop reaction mechanisms and synthetic applications. Prerequisite: CHEM 242. 3 credits.
Prerequisites :
CHEM 242
Short Title : FORENSIC CHEMISTRY
Active Term : Fall Term / Odd Years
Course Code : CHEM 316
Prerequisites : CHEM 131, CHEM 132
Short Title : SPECTRAL INTERPRETATION
Active Term : Fall Term / Even Years
Course Code : CHEM 335
Course Description : A study of the acquisition and interpretation of IR, NMR and mass spectroscopy data.
Prerequisites : CHEM 242
Corequisites : CHEM_336
Short Title : CHEMICAL BIOLOGY
Active Term : Spring Term / Even Years
Course Code : CHEM 420
Course Description :
Chemical biology is an ever-expanding, highly interdisciplinary field that focuses broadly on using traditional chemistry techniques to study biological systems. This course investigates several biological systems that chemical biologists are investigating, as well as the unique chemical tools that they are discovering to help them better understand these systems. While this class will by no means cover all of the systems and tools currently being used by chemical biologists, it will provide a strong foundation in understanding chemical biology techniques and give insight into how chemical biologists address complex, multifaceted problems.
Short Title : DIFFERENTIAL EQUATIONS
Active Term : Fall Term / Odd Years
Course Code : MATH 240
Course Description :
An introduction to the basic mathematical content of ordinary differential equations and their applications. This will include analytical, qualitative, and numerical methods for ordinary differential equations. Topics include first-order and second-order equations and applications, systems of differential equations, and matrix methods for linear systems.
Short Title : MODERN PHYSICS
Active Term : Spring Term / Even Years
Course Code : PHYS 310
Course Description :
This course is a continuation of PHYS 201/202 and is designed to present natural science and mathematics students with exposure to contemporary physics topics and their applications. Topics include: relativity, nuclear physics, particle physics and basic quantum physics.
Prerequisites :
PHYS 202
Corequisites :
PHYS 312
Short Title : OPTICS
Active Term : Fall Term / Odd Years
Course Code : PHYS 335
Course Description :
With an emphasis on the visual and tangible nature of light and using the microscope as the focus of our efforts, this course presents an introduction to optics. Course topics include both geometric optics (ray tracing, lens design, aberrations, apertures and stops, etc.) and physical optics (polarization, interference, diffraction, wave guides, resolution etc.). The course is presented in a studio format to maximize the connection between the theory learned in class and the construction of optical systems.
Prerequisites :
PHYS 202
Short Title : QUANTUM MECHANICS
Active Term : Spring Term / Odd Years
Course Code : PHYS 420
Course Description :
An introduction to quantum theory and calculations, this course emphasizes the fundamental of the quantum approach. Topics include the postulates of quantum mechanics, quantum operators and the wave function, the braket notation, Hermitian operators, eigenfunctions and eigenvalues, conservation theorems, angular momentum, fermions and bosons, time development of wavefuctions, and perturbation theory as time allows.
Prerequisites :
MATH 150, MATH 240
Minor Required Courses
CHEM 121/122 General Chemistry I & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 131/132 General Chemistry II & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 240/241 Organic Chemistry I & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 242/243 Organic Chemistry II & Lab - 4 credit
Minor Elective Courses
CHEM 199, 299, or 399 Independent Research - 1-3 credits
CHEM 230/231 Quantitative Analysis & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 310 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry - 3 credits
CHEM 314 Advanced Organic Chemistry - 3 credits
CHEM 331/332 Biochemistry I & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 333/334 Instrumental Analysis & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 335/336 Spectral Interpretation & Lab - 4 credits
CHEM 341 Physical Chemistry I - 3 credits
CHEM 343 Experimental Physical Chemistry - 3 credits
CHEM 351 Physical Chemistry II - 3 credits
CHEM 420 Chemical Biology - 3 credits
At least three courses are required. At least one course must have a lab component or must be an independent lab course such as CHEM 199, 299, 399, or 343. Only one Independent Research Course may count toward the Chemistry Minor.