Chemistry

Course Descriptions

You will find a variety of practical, student-oriented Chemistry courses offered at Western.  Some of these courses are required for majors.  You can check the list of courses in the suggested program.

CHEM 1000
INTRODUCTORY CHEMISTRY
A one semester course that provides an introduction to chemistry and its impact on contemporary society. This course is designed for students in nursing, education, general arts and sciences. Credit for graduation will not be awarded in both CHEM 1000 and CHEM 1020.
Prerequisite: MATH 0920 (may be taken concurrently) or equivalent Math Placement test
Corequisite Lab required

CHEM 1009
CRITICAL SCIENCE SKILS
This course is intended to develop the logical skills necessary for success in the Natural Sciences. Key concepts may include: reading a science article, writing as a scientist, scientific math and statistics skills (including computation, units conversion, concepts of probability and statistical significance, and significant digits), science study skills, the language of science, lab equipment and safety skills, lab note-taking and reading and following directions.
Prerequisite: None

CHEM 1020
GENERAL CHEMISTRY I
This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence. It is designed for science majors. The fundamental principles of chemistry with emphasis on atomic structure, periodicity, stoichiometry, bonding, chemical changes and gas laws are discussed. Credit for graduation will not be awarded in both CHEM 1000 and CHEM 1020. Prerequisite: MATH 1400 (C or better) or BIOL 1009 or CHEM 1009 (C or better), or 21 ACT Science score; or 1500 SAT score; or COMPASS algebra score of 45 or higher and COMPASS reading score of 71 or higher; and COMPASS English score of 40 or higher.
Corequisite Lab required

CHEM 1030
GENERAL CHEMISTRY II
This course is a continuation of General Chemistry I. This semester emphasizes chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, redox reactions, energy changes and nuclear chemistry and acid/base chemistry. Also included is organic and biochemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 1020 (C or better) and MATH 1400
Corequisite Lab required

CHEM 2230
QUANTITATIVE ANALYSIS
General principles of analytical chemistry. Topics include quantitative separations, equilibria, ionization and solubility. Semimicro techniques for quantitative cation and anion analyses are included.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1020, 1030
Corequisite Lab required

CHEM 2320
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY I
This course is the first semester of a two semester sequence. The chemistry of carbon compounds. This course emphasizes alkanes, alkenes, alkynes and aromatic compounds. The nomenclature, structure and reactivity of these and various functional groups is discussed.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1020, 1030
Corequisite Lab required

CHEM 2340
ORGANIC CHEMISTRY II
This course is a continuation of CHEM 2320. More functional groups are discussed as well as carbon rearrangements. Spectroscopy (i.r., n.m.r., u.v.) is discussed in lecture and laboratory. An introduction to biochemistry is included.
Prerequisite: CHEM 2320
Corequisite Lab required