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COLLEGE OF SCIENCE

  • College Information
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Geological Sciences
  • Mathematical Sciences
  • Physics
    Dr. Thomas E. Brady,
    Dean
    Dr. Larry P. Jones,
    Associate Dean
    Dr. Pablo Arenaz,
    Associate Dean for
    Entering Students
    Dr. Jorge A. Lopez,
    Assistant Dean Bell Hall, Room 100
    Phone: (915) 747-5536
    Fax: (915) 747-6807
    E-mail: science@utep.edu

  • Chemistry
    201A Physical Science Building
    Phone: (915) 747-5701 (915) 747-5720
    E-mail: chemistry@utep.edu

    CHAIRPERSON: Russell R. Chianelli
    PROFESSORS EMERITI: Harold Alexander, William C. Herndon, Winston D. Lloyd, James W. Whalen
    PROFESSORS: Chianelli, Davis, Dirk, Ellzey, Pannell
    ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR EMERITUS: Joseph Scruggs
    ASSOCIATE PROFESSORS: Becvar, Gardea-Torresdey, Salvador, ter Haar
    ADJUNCT PROFESSOR: Smith

    Baccalaureate Degrees The Department of Chemistry offers both a BA degree and a BS degree in Chemistry. Both degrees include the opportunity to obtain a concentration in Secondary Teacher Certification.

    BS in Chemistry The requirement to obtain a BS in Chemistry consists of the general College of Science requirements plus the following specific requirements:

    Major (44 semester hours including 32 semester hours of upper-division courses): CHEM 1305- CHEM 1105, CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106, CHEM 2101, CHEM 2261- CHEM 2161, CHEM 3310- CHEM 3110, CHEM 3321- CHEM 3221, CHEM 3322- CHEM 3222, CHEM 3351- CHEM 3151, CHEM 3352- CHEM 3152, CHEM 4211- CHEM 4212, CHEM 4365, CHEM 4330 or CHEM 4332

    Minor: If the minor is biology, BIOL 1305- BIOL 1107, BIOL 1306- BIOL 1108, BIOL 3318, and BIOL 3320 are required, plus additional course work to meet the minimum standard of 18 semester hours. Other acceptable minors are computer science, environmental science, geology, mathematics, physics, and secondary education.

    Additional Science: PHYS 2410 and PHYS 2411 are required. If physics is the minor, the additional science requirement may be met by BIOL 1305- BIOL 1107, BIOL 1306- BIOL 1108; or GEOL 1301- GEOL 1101 (or GEOL 1303), GEOL 1302- GEOL 1102 (or GEOL 1304).

    Other: CS 1401 or CS 1420, MATH 1312, and MATH 2313 are required.

    Secondary Education Concentration

    Major: The requirement of CHEM 4330 or CHEM 4332 is waived. (This may affect the ACS certification of the BS in Chemistry.)

    Minor: This concentration requires a minor in secondary education.

    Other: PHYS 2410- PHYS 2411 is required. The recommended 12 semester hour supporting field is physics, and consists of PHYS 1120, PHYS 2410, PHYS 2411, and PHYS 3325. If so, the additional science requirement may be met by BIOL 1305- BIOL 1107, BIOL 1306- BIOL 1108; or GEOL 1301- GEOL 1101 (or GEOL 1303), GEOL 1302- GEOL 1102 (or GEOL 1304). Other 12 semester hour supporting fields may be biology, geology, or mathematics; if so, PHYS 2410 and PHYS 2411 may be used as the additional science.

    BA in Chemistry

    See the College of Liberal Arts section of this catalog for the general requirements for the BA degree. Secondary Teaching Certification in chemistry may also be obtained through these Colleges. A minor in the College of Liberal Arts requires nine semester hours of upper-division course work. The major may be selected from two concentrations:

    General: The specific courses required are (33 semester hours including 25 semester hours of upper-division courses) CHEM 1305- CHEM 1105, CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106, CHEM 3310- CHEM 3110, CHEM 3321- CHEM 3221, CHEM 3322- CHEM 3222, CHEM 3351- CHEM 3151, CHEM 3352- CHEM 3152, plus 3 semester hours selected from CHEM 4211, CHEM 4212, CHEM 4328, CHEM 4330, CHEM 4332, CHEM 4362, CHEM 4365, CHEM 4176, CHEM 4376, or CHEM 4380.

    Pre-Medical/Pre-Dental: The specific courses required are (31 semester hours including 23 semester hours of upper-division courses) CHEM 1305- CHEM 1105, CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106, CHEM 3310- CHEM 3110, CHEM 3324- CHEM 3124, CHEM 3325- CHEM 3125; plus 9 semester hours selected from CHEM 3351- CHEM 3151, CHEM 3352 - CHEM 3152, CHEM 4211- CHEM 4212, CHEM 4328, CHEM 4330, CHEM 4332, CHEM 4362, CHEM 4365, CHEM 4176, CHEM 4376, or CHEM 4380.

    Minor in Chemistry

    A minor in chemistry requires CHEM 1305- CHEM 1105, CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106, and an additional minimum of 10 semester hours, including at least 8 (9 for a BA degree) upper-division hours. Majors in mathematics or physics may select from CHEM 2261- CHEM 2161, CHEM 3321- CHEM 3221, CHEM 3322- CHEM 3222, CHEM 3310- CHEM 3110, CHEM 3351- CHEM 3151, or CHEM 3352- CHEM 3152. Other majors may select from CHEM 3324- CHEM 3124, CHEM 3325- CHEM 3125, CHEM 4330, or CHEM 4332.

    Five-Year BS-MS Program

    The curriculum for the BS degree in Chemistry can be completed in three and one-half years. After admission to the Graduate School of the University, it is possible to obtain the MS degree at the end of the 5th year of study in chemistry. Qualified students should consult their academic advisor about the course of study and regarding various forms of financial assistance obtainable through this program.

    BS Degree with Departmental Honors in Chemistry

    A candidate for Departmental Honors in chemistry will have demonstrated ability in chemistry, will have maintained a GPA of 3.0 by the end of the junior year, and will maintain this average until graduation. The main requirement for Departmental Honors will be the satisfactory completion of an Honors Thesis based on research in chemistry. Usually this research will be carried out under the direction of a member of the faculty of the Department of Chemistry or a suitable faculty member from another department of the University. The satisfactory completion of the Honors thesis will be judged by the thesis-research director in conjunction with the Departmental Honors Committee. Other faculty and outside referees may be consulted if it is deemed to be appropriate to do so.

    The candidate for Departmental Honors must request approval of candidacy during the second semester of the junior year. The Department of Chemistry reserves the right to accept or not accept a qualified student taking into consideration the number of applicants, the number of available faculty, and the competence of an individual student. The accepted honors candidate will enroll in CHEM 4176 or CHEM 4376 during both semesters of the senior year and will have accumulated a total of 6 hours of CHEM 4176 and CHEM 4376 credit on completion of the honors program. Other regulations, procedures, and dates for use by honors candidates are available from the Chairperson, Department of Chemistry.

    Advising/Placement

    All chemistry majors are required to consult with and have their enrollment approved by their department advisor before every enrollment.

    All entering freshman students with at least one year of high school chemistry with an "A" or "B" in chemistry and an SAT score of at least 1000 may take an Achievement Examination given by the department. If a student scores 80 or above, he will be given the corresponding grade AND credit for CHEM 1305.

    An entering freshman student with two years of high school chemistry with grades of "A" or "B" and an SAT score of at least 1000 may take Achievement Examinations given by the department over CHEM 1305 and CHEM 1306. If the score is 80 or above, the corresponding grade and credit for CHEM 1305 and CHEM 1306 will be given.

    An entering freshman student with the above qualifications and with scores less than 80 on the Achievement Examination may at the discretion of the department be allowed to enter the next higher course without credit granted.

    Chemistry (CHEM)

    1105 Laboratory for Chemistry 1305 (0-3)
    (Common Course Number CHEM 1111) Prerequisite: CHEM 1305 if required in student's degree plan. CHEM 1305 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 1105. Laboratory fee required.

    1106 Laboratory for Chemistry 1306 (0-3)
    (Common Course Number CHEM 1112) Prerequisite: CHEM 1306 if required in student's degree plan. CHEM 1306 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 1106. Laboratory fee required.

    1305 General Chemistry (3-0)
    (Common Course Number CHEM 1311)
    The basic laws and theories of chemistry: characterization of the elements and their most important compounds. For students who need a foundation for work in advanced chemistry and related sciences. Prerequisites: MATH 1410 or MATH 1508 or a math SAT score of at least 600; and, if required in student's degree plan, CHEM 1105. MATH 1508 and/or CHEM 1105 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 1305.

    1306 General Chemistry (3-0)
    (Common Course Number CHEM 1312)
    A continuation of CHEM 1305. Includes substantial coverage of chemical kinetics and thermodynamics. Prerequisites: CHEM 1305, CHEM 1105, CHEM 1106, and MATH 1410 or MATH 1508 or a math SAT score of at least 600. CHEM 1106 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 1306.

    1407 Introductory Chemistry (3-3)
    (Common Course Number CHEM 1405)
    Basic concepts relating to composition, structure, and transformation of matter. Satisfies the chemistry requirement for nursing. Students who need a foundation for work in advanced chemistry and related sciences or engineering fields should take CHEM 1305, CHEM 1105, CHEM 1306, and CHEM 1106. Prerequisite: MATH 0311 or an adequate score on a placement examination. MATH 0311 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 1407. Laboratory fee required.

    1408 Introductory Chemistry (3-3)
    (Common Course Number CHEM 1407)
    A continuation of CHEM 1407. Includes surveys of organic chemistry and biochemistry. Prerequisites: MATH 0311 (or an adequate score on a placement examination) and CHEM 1407. CHEM 1407 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 1408. Laboratory fee required.

    2101 Molecular Modeling and Chemical Information (0-3)
    Introduction to computational methods for molecular visualization, structure optimization, and modeling; includes strategies for chemical data analysis and obtaining chemical information from the Internet and conventional sources. Prerequisites: CHEM 1306, CHEM 1106, and department approval.

    2161 Laboratory for CHEM 2261 (0-3)
    Laboratory fee required.

    2261 The Periodic Table (2-0)
    A survey course that expounds the principles of periodicity in the descriptive chemistry of the elements. Among the areas covered will be the alkali and alkaline earth metals, the carbon/silicon/germanium/tin and lead group, the chemistry of nitrogen, phosphorus, and the halogens. Where possible, pertinent technical applications of the elements, and materials derived from them, will be presented, e.g., medicinal, inorganic polymer, and semi-conductor applications. Prerequisites: CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106.

    General Prerequisite: All required lower-division courses in the major should be completed with a "C" or better in order to enroll in upper-division courses in the major. Some upper-division courses may be applied toward graduate degrees; consult the Graduate Studies Catalog for the listing of these courses.

    3110 Laboratory for Chemistry 3310 (0-4)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3310. CHEM 3310 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3110. Laboratory fee required.

    3124 Laboratory for Chemistry 3324 (0-3)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3324. CHEM 3324 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3124. Laboratory fee required.

    3125 Laboratory for Chemistry 3325 (0-3)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3325. CHEM 3325 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3125. Laboratory fee required.

    3151 Laboratory for Chemistry 3351 (0-4)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3351 if required in student's degree plan. CHEM 3351 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3151. Laboratory fee required.

    3152 Laboratory for Chemistry 3352 (0-4)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3352 if required in student's degree plan. CHEM 3352 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3152. Laboratory fee required.

    3221 Laboratory for Chemistry 3321 (0-6)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3321. CHEM 3321 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3221. Laboratory fee required.

    3222 Laboratory for Chemistry 3322 (0-6)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 3322. CHEM 3322 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3222. Laboratory fee required.

    3310 Analytical Chemistry (3-0)
    Quantitative measurements and calculations, chemical equilibrium as applied to analyses and separations. This course is designed for chemistry majors. Prerequisites: CHEM 3322, CHEM 3351, CHEM 3110, MATH 2313, and PHYS 2411. CHEM 3351, CHEM 3110, and MATH 2313 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3310.

    3321 Organic Chemistry (3-0)
    A study of chemical bonding and structure in organic molecules, functional group synthesis and reactions, reaction mechanisms, nomenclature, stereochemistry, and isomerism. Intended for chemistry majors and others requiring a comprehensive approach to organic chemistry. May not be counted in addition to CHEM 3324. Prerequisites: CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106 and CHEM 3221. CHEM 3221 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3321.

    3322 Organic Chemistry (3-0)
    A continuation of CHEM 3321. Intended for chemistry majors and others requiring a comprehensive approach to organic chemistry. May not be counted in addition to CHEM 3325. Prerequisites: CHEM 3321- CHEM 3221 and CHEM 3222. CHEM 3222 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3322.

    3324 Organic Chemistry (3-0)
    A study of the fundamental types of carbon compounds. Intended for students not requiring the detailed comprehensive courses specified for the BS degree in Chemistry. May not be counted in addition to CHEM 3321. Prerequisites: CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106 and CHEM 3124. CHEM 3124 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3324.

    3325 Organic Chemistry (3-0)
    A continuation of CHEM 3324 with emphasis on organic compounds and their reactions in living systems. May not be counted in addition to CHEM 3322. Prerequisites: CHEM 3324 and CHEM 3125. CHEM 3125 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3325.

    3351 Physical Chemistry (3-0)
    Chemical thermodynamics. Prerequisites: CHEM 1306- CHEM 1106, CHEM 3151, MATH 2313, and PHYS 2411. CHEM 3151 and MATH 2313 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3351.

    3352 Physical Chemistry (3-0)
    A continuation of CHEM 3351. Quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHEM 3351- CHEM 3151 and CHEM 3152. CHEM 3152 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 3352.

    4165 Laboratory for Inorganic Chemistry (0-4)
    Provides laboratory practical exposure for students taking Inorganic Chemistry 4365. Prerequisite: CHEM 4365. CHEM 4365 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 4165. Laboratory fee required.

    4176 Introduction to Research (0-0-3)

    4376 Introduction to Research (0-0-9)
    Credit will be granted only upon completion of research in the senior year on the recommendation of the head of the Chemistry Department. May be repeated for credit up to a total of 6 credit hours of CHEM 4176 and CHEM 4376. All credit accrued will be counted as elective hours only. Prerequisite: Instructor approval. Fees required.

    4211 Instrumental Methods of Analytical Chemistry (2-0)
    A study of the more important optical and electrical methods of chemical analysis. Prerequisites: CHEM 3352- CHEM 3152 and CHEM 4212. CHEM 4212 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 4211.

    4212 Laboratory for Chemistry 2411 (0-6)
    Prerequisite: CHEM 4211. CHEM 4211 may be taken concurrently with CHEM 4212. Laboratory fee required.

    4328 Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry (3-0)
    Selected topics at the undergraduate level which are not usually covered in introductory courses in organic chemistry. Course may be repeated for credit when topics vary. Prerequisite: CHEM 3322 or CHEM 3325.

    4330 Biochemistry: Structure and Function (3-0)
    A study of the major classes of biomolecules, including amino acids, proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates and lipids with introductions to biochemical techniques and enzyme kinetics. Prerequisite: CHEM 3322 or CHEM 3325.

    4332 Biochemistry: Dynamics and Information (3-0)
    Investigation of enzyme function, bioenergetics, metabolism, and the molecular aspects of replication, transcription, and translation. Prerequisite: CHEM 3322 or CHEM 3325. CHEM 4330 is recommended but not required as a prerequisite.

    4362 Structure of Matter (3-0)
    Introduction to quantum theory; atomic and molecular structure; atomic and molecular spectra; chemical bonding. Prerequisites: (1) PHYS 2411 and CHEM 3352 or (2) instructor approval.

    4365 Inorganic Chemistry (3-0)
    Principles of molecular structure and chemical reactivity of inorganic compounds; coordination chemistry and introduction to ligand field theory; kinetics and mechanisms of inorganic reactions; organometallic compounds; chemistry of nonmetals and physical methods in inorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: CHEM 3322 and CHEM 3352.

    See the Graduate Studies Catalog for graduate programs and courses.

     

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