Major
Chemistry
Chairwoman and Associate Professor: COURTNEY E. MEYET
Professors: LEE ANN FISHER BARON, CHRISTOPHER S. HAMILTON, MARK A. NUSSBAUM, CHRISTOPHER A. VANORMAN, MATTHEW A. YOUNG
Associate Professor: KELLI N. KAZMIER
Assistant Professors: MARDI BILLMAN, IAN WALSH
Chemistry is the study of the physical world around us on a molecular and atomic level. It is the “central science” in that it bridges the foundational principles of physics with the large-scale structures and mechanisms of biological or geological processes. An understanding of chemical principles, appreciation of experimental methodology, and associated critical thinking skills are fundamental to a liberal education for all students, regardless of field of concentration. For those who intend to pursue scientific endeavors as a vocation, the Chemistry Department provides a rigorous and personal preparation for graduate studies, medical school, industrial employment, or teaching. The Chemistry Department offers a major or minor in chemistry and in biochemistry. Within each major, students may pursue either a standard or American Chemical Society (ACS)-certified degree.
The chemistry of biomolecules is the essence of biochemistry: a study of the structure, function, and role in biology of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. The biochemistry curriculum at Hillsdale College seeks to provide students with a strong background in chemistry and the cellular/molecular branch of biology. This curriculum provides the foundation necessary to understand the important advances that have occurred at the interface of chemistry and biology. The biochemistry major at Hillsdale is designed to prepare students for careers in biochemical and biotechnical research, graduate study in biochemistry, and for further education in professional schools of medicine, dentistry, and allied health fields. The courses for the major draw from both the Chemistry and Biology Departments. The required courses follow the recommendations of the American Society of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
Degrees
-
Biochemistry, -
Biochemistry, Minor -
Chemistry, Major -
Chemistry, Minor
Courses of Instruction
CHM 101: Great Principles in Chemistry
Credits 3This introductory chemistry course is designed for the non-science major. The student will explore and consider the implications of the "big ideas" of chemistry, why they are important, and the evidence for them. These great principles include the atomic nature of matter, bonding, intermolecular forces, structure and shape, chemical reactions, and transfer of energy. The nature of empirical scientific methodology and the strengths and limitations of science as a way of knowing will be discussed in the context of a liberal education. The course will make use of primary or secondary sources that shed light on the process and context through which key advances have occurred. In addition, the relationship of fundamental principles of chemistry to current and emerging global issues will be explored. Lecture, discussion, and laboratory.
CHM 201: General Chemistry I
Credits 4Two four-hour courses in introductory chemistry. These courses cover fundamental laws and theories: the atom and its construction, the nature of the chemical bond, stoichiometry, phases of matter, solution chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, electrochemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Three lectures plus one two-hour laboratory per week in the fall, and three lectures plus one three-hour laboratory per week in the spring. Prerequisites: two years of high school mathematics plus high school chemistry are recommended. CHM 201 is a prerequisite for 202.
CHM 202: General Chemistry II
Credits 4Two four-hour courses in introductory chemistry. These courses cover fundamental laws and theories: the atom and its construction, the nature of the chemical bond, stoichiometry, phases of matter, solution chemistry, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, electrochemistry, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Three lectures plus one two-hour laboratory per week in the fall, and three lectures plus one three-hour laboratory per week in the spring. Prerequisites: two years of high school mathematics plus high school chemistry are recommended. CHM 201 is a prerequisite for 202.
CHM 303: Organic Chemistry I
Credits 4Two four-hour courses in the general field of organic chemistry including reaction and preparations of both aliphatic and aromatic compounds, functional group approach to reactions, and the theoretical relationship of electronic structure to mechanisms. The laboratory will emphasize preparative methods. Designed for preprofessional students in allied health fields, as well as for students working in this field of concentration. Three lectures plus one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CHM 202. CHM 303 is a prerequisite for CHM 304.
CHM 304: Organic Chemistry II
Credits 4Two four-hour courses in the general field of organic chemistry including reaction and preparations of both aliphatic and aromatic compounds, functional group approach to reactions, and the theoretical relationship of electronic structure to mechanisms. The laboratory will emphasize preparative methods. Designed for preprofessional students in allied health fields, as well as for students working in this field of concentration. Three lectures plus one laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CHM 202. CHM 303 is a prerequisite for CHM 304.
CHM 393: Topics in Chemistry
Credits 1 Max Credits 3An elective course on special topics in chemistry that are not normally offered. Specific topics may vary. The course may be taken for credit more than once under different titles.
CHM 403: Advanced Organic Chemistry
Credits 3A course devoted to the study of stereochemistry, mechanisms, multi-step syntheses and newer synthetic methods. Characterization of compounds will utilize spectroscopic methods. Emphasis is placed on recent and current developments in organic chemistry. Periodical literature is employed in addition to textbooks. Three lectures per week; some laboratory work may be required. Prerequisite: CHM 304.
CHM 406: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Credits 3An in-depth study of the structure and properties of atoms, ions and molecules. Topics include coordination chemistry, ligand field theory, organometallic compounds and descriptive chemistry. Lecture with lab.
CHM 415: Analytical Chemistry
Credits 4The theory, principles and practices of analytical chemistry involving statistical analysis, equilibria, acid-base chemistry, complexation, oxidation-reduction, spectroscopy, and electrochemistry. Quantitative determinations using gravimetric analysis, titrations (acid-base and complexiometric), and spectrophotometry are a part of the laboratory portion of this course. Three lectures plus one four-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHM 202
CHM 419: Analytical Separation Science
Credits 3An in-depth examination of techniques used to separate and analyze mixtures. Topics examined include gas and liquid chromatography, solid-phase extraction, dialysis and electrophoresis. Particular emphasis will be placed on liquid chromatography (ion chromatography, size exclusion, reversed-phase, normal-phase, affinity and chiral separations) and capillary electrophoresis (free solutions, gels, micellar and isoelectric focusing). Lecture with lab. Prerequisite: CHM 415
CHM 452: Biochemistry
Credits 3Introduces an integrated analysis of the chemical structure, dynamic mechanisms, and cellular functions of proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and carbohydrates. Topics will include enzymology, molecular biology, metabolism, and methodological theory. Prerequisites: CHM 304 and BIO 202.
CHM 453: Advanced Biochemistry
Credits 3Detailed study of advanced topics in cellular signaling and metabolism. This course will focus on hormonal control mechanisms, signal transduction pathways, and enzyme mechanisms related to the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and the degradation and biosynthesis of sugars, fatty acids, amino acids and nucleotides. There will be an emphasis on understanding the primary literature and recent advances in the field of biochemistry. Three lectures per week. Prerequisite: CHM 452
CHM 454: Laboratory Techniques in Biochemistry
Credits 1In this laboratory course, students will engage with methods and instrumentation common to research in biochemistry. Students will learn to modify protein sequences, express and purify proteins, and assess the function of proteins through kinetic and thermodynamic assays. Students will also design and implement an independent research project culminating in a primary literature-style paper based on their findings. Pre- or co-requisite: CHM 452
CHM 470: Junior Seminar
Credits 1As a pre-professional course, students will learn about various career paths associated with degrees in chemistry and biochemistry. They will receive instruction on developing application materials for internships, graduate and professional schools, and jobs. Graduate school and career opportunities will also be presented, in part by invited speakers from both industry and academia. Opportunities for laboratory research at Hillsdale and elsewhere will be explained, and students will decide on a faculty research mentor. Students will also be introduced to the scientific literature, including the peer review process, skills for searching within scientific research databases, and the use of citation management software. They will be taught the processes of reading scientific literature, using discursive reasoning for evaluation, and writing a scientific paper. To be taken by the fall of the junior year by all biochemistry and chemistry majors.
CHM 475: Junior Research
Credits 1Students will meet in small groups with their faculty research mentors. Students will give presentations on background information, lab techniques, and previous research relevant to their research interests. They will formulate and write a research proposal with the aid of their faculty mentor and peer group, and will serve as critical reviewers of their peers' presentations and/or proposals. They will also attend several senior thesis presentations (CHM 575) and presentations by invited speakers from industry and academia. To be taken in the spring of the junior year by all biochemistry and chemistry majors. Prerequisite: CHM 470
CHM 501: Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences
Credits 3A study of thermodynamics, kinetics, molecular structure and spectroscopy, with an emphasis on biological applications. The concepts of energy, enthalpy, entropy, chemical equilibrium, kinetics of complex reactions, dynamics of microscopic systems, chemical bonding, non-covalent interactions, optical spectroscopy and magnetic resonance will be covered in some detail, and the discussion will center on the importance of these concepts in the life sciences. Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: CHM 452 and MTH 120.
CHM 502: Physical Chemistry I
Credits 4An advanced treatment of chemical principles. Topics include quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, origin of spectra, molecular orbital theory, computational chemistry, laser spectroscopy, and magnetic resonance. Three lectures plus one four-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHY 102 or 202, CHM 304 and MTH 220
CHM 503: Physical Chemistry II
Credits 4A continuation of CHM 502. Topics include statistical thermodynamics, first, second, and third laws of thermodynamics, thermochemistry, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, molecular motion, chemical kinetics, photochemistry, and reaction dynamics. Three lectures plus one four-hour laboratory period per week. Prerequisite: CHM 502
CHM 504: Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry
Credits 3This course will expand on topics introduced in CHM 502 and 503. Course content will vary with each offering and will depend on the interests of enrolled students. Possible topics to be covered include computational chemistry, surface chemistry, advanced group theory and crystallography, advanced spectroscopy and nuclear chemistry. Three lectures per week; some laboratory work may be required. Pre- or co-requisite: CHM 503
CHM 522: Instrumental Analysis
Credits 4A course that includes lecture and laboratory work in basic electronics, flame atomic emission and absorption spectroscopy, UV-Vis and IR molecular absorption, luminescence methods, NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrochemical analysis, and liquid and gas chromatography. Three lectures and one four-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHM 415 and 501 or 502
CHM 570: Senior Seminar
Credits 1Students will be provided information and guidance about writing and editing a successful senior thesis and giving an effective oral presentation on their research. More broadly, through readings, presentations, and discussions, students will be expected to reflect on their scientific knowledge and experience in the context of ethical, social, and philosophical considerations and implications. A variety of topics may be covered, including attributes of good science, ethics in science, faith and science, responsibilities of scientists in society, and the limitations of science. Students will submit an essay on a theme from the course (e.g., the place of science within the traditional liberal arts). They will also attend presentations by invited speakers from industry and academia. Students seeking Departmental Honors or an ACS-certified degree will compose an initial draft of their senior thesis. To be taken in the fall of the senior year by all biochemistry and chemistry majors. Prerequisite: CHM 475.
CHM 575: Senior Thesis
Credits 1Each student will critically review the thesis of another member of the class (peer review). They will make necessary revisions to their own senior theses after peer review and review by their faculty research mentors. They will also give a formal oral presentation of their research to the department, and attend presentations by invited speakers from industry and academia. Each student will also serve as a mentor to a junior who is preparing a presentation for CHM 475. To be taken in the spring of the senior year by biochemistry and chemistry majors who are seeking Departmental Honors or an ACS-certified degree. Prerequisite: CHM 570.
CHM 590: Chemical Research
Credits 1 Max Credits 3Laboratory and/or literature research in advanced chemistry, designed to develop independent research skills through the guidance of a research mentor on a specific chemical problem. Prerequisite: CHM 304.
CHM 597: Special Problems
Credits 1 Max Credits 3Investigation of special problems under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor.
CHM 598: Lab Assistantship
Credits 1 Max Credits 2Practical experience in setting up experiments and supervising laboratory work. Time requirement: three hours per week of laboratory work for each credit hour. Total limit: two hours of credit.