Chemistry Courses (CEM)

CEM 1010. The Extraordinary Chemistry of Ordinary Things (4).  (3 hours lecture, 2 hours lab)  The goal of the course is to help students understand the chemistry behind important societal issues and the consequences of actions aimed at addressing the issues. After laying the necessary chemical foundation, the course will focus on topics such as foods, fuels, consumer goods, environmental materials, and the physical materials of our bodies. Laboratory work that complements the lecture topics is a major portion of the course. ($65.00 course fee)

CEM 1030. Fundamentals of Chemistry* (4).Students in majors requiring more than one semester of chemistry should take CEM 1610 and 1620 . Topics include atomic structure, the periodic law, chemical bonding and molecular structure, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, solutions, and acid-base reactions. Laboratory experiences are an integral part of the course. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 1050. Freshman Chemistry Seminar (1).Required of all freshman chemistry majors. This orientation course aquaints students with chemistry programs, with the chemistry faculty, and the university. Topics will include opportunities in the field of chemistry, advising, scheduling, faculty expectations, career planning and networking. The academic component of this course will include current scientific literature, assignments, and discussions.

CEM 1610, 1620. General Chemistry I, II (4, 4). Prerequisite or co requisite: MTH 1110 or the equivalent.Fundamental concepts and principles are emphasized during the first semester. Emphasis is placed on structure, nomenclature, oxidation numbers and the mole concept. The second semester includes solutions, behavior of electrolytes, ionic and molecular equilibria, and nuclear chemistry. Also, there is a brief introduction to the chemistry of carbon and its compounds included in the second semester. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 1990, 2990, 3990, 4990. Special Studies in Chemistry (1-3). Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. A discussion of special topics in chemistry with depth and difficulty reflected in the course number.($65.00 course fee)

CEM 3310, 3320. Organic Chemistry I, II (4, 4). Prerequisite: CEM 1620.A functional approach is utilized in study of both the aliphatics and aromatics. Nomenclature is constantly emphasized only with the principal methods of synthesis. Selected reactions are studied with respect to mechanisms, kinetics and stereo-chemical involvement. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 3350. Chemistry of Materials (3).Prerequisites: PHY 2102, CEM 1620. This course examines the formation and structure of crystalline, amorphous and polymeric materials. Topics include thermodynamics of formation and structure of materials, bonding, formation of defects, diffusion, nucleation and growth. (Cross listed with PHY 3350)

CEM 3410. Analytical Chemistry I (4). Prerequisites: CEM 1620, MTH 1110. A modern approach to the subject is taken and includes basic statistical tools, error analysis, and a thorough discussion of equilibrium, including solubility, acid-base, complex formation, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Discussions of instrumental techniques in spectrometry, separations, and biochemical analyses are also emphasized. Independent laboratory work is a major portion of the course. ($100.00 course fee).

CEM 3500. Medicinal Chemistry (3). Prerequisite: CEM 3320. A study of selected areas of medicinal chemistry with emphasis on the organic chemistry of drug design and drug action. Topics to be studied include drug discovery, design and development, and the major classes and modes of action of drugs.

CEM 3510. Biochemistry I (4). Prerequisite: CEM 3210, CEM 3320; or consent of instructor.The molecular structure and biological function of biomolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, and lipids is emphasized. An introduction to enzymology and metabolism is included. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 3600. Biophysical Chemistry (4). Prerequisites: CEM 3320, PHY 1120, MTH 1150.An introduction to physical chemistry for students of the biological sciences. A discussion of thermodynamics, equilibria, electrochemistry, kinetics, spectroscopy, and quantum mechanics as applied to the field of biochemistry. ($100 course fee)

CEM 3610. Physical Chemistry I** (4). Prerequisites: CEM 1610, CEM 1620; PHY 2110, PHY 2120; MTH 1210, MTH 1220. The more chemical aspects of the subject are presented this semester; gas laws, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Electrochemistry is also introduced at this time. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 3700. Research in Chemistry (1). Prerequisites: 20 hours in chemistry. A discussion of research in Chemistry, including experimental design, data analysis, literature review methods, publications of chemical research, and research presentations. Student will create a proposal for research to be executed in CEM 4700.

CEM 4030.  Pharmaceutical Studies Seminar (1). This seminar course provides a forum in which students explore recent advancements in teh pharmaceutical field through readings in primary literature. Discussions and speakers will frame the majority of the meetings. Students will present both in oral and written form, the results of an independent study in the pharmaceutical area of their choice. 

CEM 4050. Chemistry Senior Capstone (1). The Chemistry Senior Capstone serves to prepare students for employment or post-graduate education. Practical issues such as career planning and interviewing will be included. Central to this course is the integration of chemical concepts and application to practical, real-world issues. This course will also be utilized for program assessment.

CEM 4420. Analytical Chemistry II (4). Prerequisites: CEM 341, MTH 111.A continued discussion of instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Included in the course are basic electronics, a more detailed discussion of spectrometry and separations, and electroanalytical techniques, all with an emphasis of instrumentation and appropriate method selection. Practical laboratory experiences and report writing are an integral part of the course. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 4520. Biochemistry II (3). Prerequisites: CEM 3310, CEM 3320, CEM 3610, CEM 4620. Emphasis is placed on the study of the molecular basis of life processes. The three-dimensional structure as it controls reaction rates and biological activity, the storage of metabolic energy, and the biosynthesis of essential molecules are studied. Finally, the transmission and expression of genetic information is considered. ($100.00 fee).

CEM 4525. Advanced Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry (1). Prerequisites: CEM 3510. This course will teach students to use advanced biochemical laboratory techniques and instrumentation in the study of biological molecules and methods for the determination of enzyme kinetic and thermodynamic properties. Independent lab work as well as detailed data analysis and interpretation will be included. Scientific report writing is an integral part of this course ($100.00 fee).

CEM 4620. Physical Chemistry II** (4). Prerequisites: CEM 1620, PHY 2120 and MTH 1210. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, introductory quantum theory, interaction of radiation with matter, nuclear structure and nuclear reactions. ($100.00 course fee)

CEM 4700. Research in Chemistry II (1-3). Prerequisites: CEM 3700.Students will execute the research project proposed in CEM 3700 or another project agreed upon by the student and the instructor. This course can be taken twice for credit, not to exceed five hours total. ($100 course fee)
Gen. Ed. Designation: EL (R – Undergraduate Research).

CEM 4720. Internship in Chemistry (2). Prerequisites: Permission of the department chair.A cooperative education assignment in which the student is placed with a participating business organization for a semester. The student must apply one semester prior to his / her anticipated work period. The student must have at least a 2.8 GPA to be eligible. The student's program of study may be extended for an additional semester. Background checks are now required 21 days before registration for CEM 4720.  Contact the instructor for details regarding the approved process.

IMS-CH 461. Marine Chemistry*.Chemistry course offered by Institute for Marine Sciences (IMS). Contact the Biology Department, Belmont University, for additional information and application forms.

*Does not count toward a major in Chemistry.
** Cannot be used on both a chemistry major and a physics major or minor.