Program Objectives

A graduate of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry should have the ability to:

Understand and apply the fundamental concepts of chemistry in these areas:
 

A. Calculation and estimation by being able to:

• use experimental measurements and data to construct graphs and interpret
them as physical and/or chemical phenomena;
• perform stoichiometric calculations yielding results with appropriate units and
significant figures calculate amounts as well as theoretical, actual and percent
yields, solution molarity, mass percent, density, molality;
• prepare solutions to specified concentrations;
• correctly estimate the magnitude of calculated values.

B. Structure and properties of atoms, ions, and molecules by being able to:

• explain the quantum mechanical structure of the atom and its relation to chemical
reactivity;
• using phase diagrams, describe the states of matter, and the transitions between
states;
• use the periodic table to predict the properties and structures of a species;
• identify and name atoms, ions (simple and complex), salts, organic compounds
and macromolecules; draw the structures of atoms, ions, salts, organic
compounds, and macromolecules from their names;
• explain and predict the role that size and shape of chemical species play in their
reactivity, physical properties, and function.

C. Chemical bonding by being able to:

• explain ionic, covalent, metallic, and coordinate bonding using valence-bond,
crystal field and molecular orbital theories;
• identify and categorize bonds from hybridized orbitals;
• predict the shapes of covalent molecules and ions;
• apply bonding concepts to predict the types and extent of intermolecular forces
for a species or molecule and its resulting physical properties.

D. Chemical reactivity by being able to:

• apply kinetics, equilibrium, structure, and thermodynamics to predict the
outcomes for a given set of reaction conditions;
• apply the Arrhenius, Bronsted-Lowry and Lewis concepts to qualitatively and
quantitatively explain acid-base reactions and equilibrium;
• recognize electrochemical reactions and cells, balance oxidation-reduction
reactions, and calculate stoichiometric relationships;
• use the concepts of chemical reactivity to predict, propose and characterize
organic and biochemical reaction mechanisms.

2. Use techniques and modern tools to conduct, design, analyze, and interpret experiments in chemistry and biochemistry.

A. Students should have the skills and techniques to perform:

• qualitative and quantitative analysis;
• inorganic and organic characterizations, separations and purifications.

B. Students will be able to operate the instrumentation for, and interpret the results of:

• visible, ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometry(Vis, UV, IR)
• mass spectrometry(MS)
• nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy(NMR)
• calorimetry and differential scanning calorimetry
• column, gas, high performance, and thin layer chromatographies
• various types of electrophoretic separations

C. In addition, a B.S. graduate should have an enhanced working knowledge of (depending upon program)

• atomic absorption
• flash photolysis
• Raman spectroscopy
• rotational-vibrational IR
• the theoretical underpinnings of NMR
• protein analysis and purification
• DNA analysis

3. Communicate effectively with the scientific community by:

• A. keeping an accurate laboratory notebook;
• B. being able to read, interpret and apply the chemical and/or biochemical literature;
• C. presenting, analyzing and interpreting experimental data in oral and written forms;
• D. being proficient in computer skills in order to transfer the information cited above.

4) Apply Other Concepts

 Apply concepts of math, physical and biological sciences to chemical problems;

5. Integrate Knowledge

integrate the concepts, skills and attitudes from a general education with his/her major program to understand and explain the impact of chemistry, science and technology on issues in global, economic, environmental, and societal contexts.