UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2009-2010

College of Letters and Science

Chemistry and Biochemistry

• Web Home Pages:
  • College of Letters and Science
  • Chemistry and Biochemistry

• Prerequisite Preparation for Majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Course of Study: Major Options in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Honors in the Major
• Course of Study: Majors in Other Areas
• Course of Study: Minor
• Courses: Chemistry (CHEM)
• Faculty

In addition, department courses provide a foundation in the basic science of chemistry to students majoring in biological or physical sciences, students planning a career in medicine or other health-related fields, students in the College of Engineering and Applied Science, and students in the liberal arts. Especially in its graduate programs, the department stresses interdisciplinary approaches, as exemplified by the Laboratory for Surface Studies and the Great Lakes WATER Institute. It also cooperates with chemists of the Milwaukee area’s industrial and scientific community.

Prerequisite Preparation for Majors in Chemistry and Biochemistry

General chemistry is a prerequisite to all further courses in chemistry. This requirement is satisfied by Chem 102 and 104 (10 cr). Students without high school chemistry or whose background in science is weak may need to take Chem 100 first.

Mathematics and physics also are required for a major in chemistry. Three semesters of calculus and two semesters of calculus-based physics (or equivalents) are prerequisites to physical chemistry, which in turn is required for the advanced chemistry courses that are part of the major.

Students considering a major in chemistry or biochemistry should enroll in general chemistry and mathematics in their first semester if at all possible, and physics should be started as soon as its prerequisites are met. Because the study of chemistry is cumulative, postponing one’s start in math and chemistry courses is likely to delay completion of the degree. It is recommended that chemistry majors follow the suggested sequence for the Course in Chemistry degree program as closely as possible for the first two years. (See L&S "Special Degree Programs" section of this catalog.)

Students may declare a major in chemistry (chemistry or biochemistry option) when they have completed Chem 102 and 104, either have completed or currently are enrolled in Chem 343, Math 232, and Physics 209, and have earned a GPA of 2.50 or better on all chemistry courses attempted. Those who wish to declare the biochemistry major must satisfy the same requirements except that they do not need Math 232 and Physics 209, which are not part of this major. Students are urged to contact the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department for academic advice as soon as they believe they have an interest in a major in chemistry.

Course of Study: Major Options in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Students may choose from four different curricular options in chemistry: the standard option of the chemistry major, the biochemical option of the chemistry major, the biochemistry major, and the Course in Chemistry degree program. For any option, at least 15 credits must be taken in chemistry courses numbered 300 or above in residence at UWM. The College requires that students attain at least a 2.5 GPA on all credits in the major attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all credits attempted, including transfer work. Undergraduate research is encouraged strongly for students in any of the chemistry options. In some cases, students may start research with a faculty member as early as their freshman year. Information about research opportunities may be obtained from the department office or from SAACS (the American Chemical Society student affiliate group). Foreign language, particularly a reading knowledge of German and either French or Russian, is desirable for students who plan to do graduate work in chemistry. Premedical students who choose to follow one of the chemistry or biochemistry options should see the L&S pre-professional programs section in this catalog and should consult their premedical advisor and an advisor in chemistry regularly.

Standard Chemistry Major Option. The Standard Chemistry Major Option may be followed in either the Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. It provides a suitable background for students preparing for employment in chemistry and related scientific fields or for subsequent graduate study. The courses required to complete the standard option are as follows:

Biochemical Major Option. The Biochemical Major Option differs from the standard major option in that some of the chemistry courses (Chem 511, 582, 584) required by the standard option are omitted, and courses in biochemistry and biological sciences are added. Eleven credits of biochemistry and a minimum of 7 credits in biological sciences are required. The biochemistry course Chem 103 does not count toward the major. Some students planning further study in biochemistry, molecular biology, or medicine may prefer this option. The courses required to complete the biochemical option are as follows:

Biochemistry Major. The biochemistry major differs from the biochemical option of the chemistry major in a number of ways: it requires fewer credits in quantitative analysis and physical chemistry, eliminates the inorganic chemistry requirement, and increases the number of credits required in the biological sciences. Calculus is not required, although students take 10 credits in mathematics; the non-calculus physics sequence is sufficient for this major. These changes are intended to provide for students a more intensive education in biochemistry so that they are prepared for work in biochemical industry upon completing their baccalaureate degree. Students who are interested in graduate work in biochemistry should follow the biochemical option of the chemistry major.

The courses required to complete the biochemistry major are as follows:

MODEL FOUR-YEAR PROGRAM
Course (credits)

Freshman Year: Semester I
Chem 102 (5)
Math 205 (3)
Bio Sci 150 (4)
Elective (3)

Freshman Year: Semester II
Chem 104 (5)
Math 211 (4)
Bio Sci 325 (3)
Elective (3)

Sophomore Year: Semester I
Chem 343 (3)
Chem 223 (4)
Physics 120, 121 (5)
Elective (3)
Chem 399 (2) (research)

Sophomore Year: Semester II
Chem 344 (2)
Chem 345 (3)
Physics 122, 123 (5)
Math 405 (3)
Elective (3)

Junior Year: Semester I
Chem 560 (3)
Chem 501 (3)
Bio Sci xxx (4)
Elective (3)

Junior Year, Semester II & Senior Year
Two of the following: Chem 601 (3), Chem 602 (3), Chem 604 (3)
Chem 603 (2)
Chem 691, 692, or 697 (3) (research capstone)
Bio Sci xxx (3)
Elective (X)
Elective (X)

Math/Science Credit Totals
Chemistry: 27, Biochemistry: 13, Biological Sciences: 14, Math: 10, Physics: 10. Total: 74 of 120 for graduation

The research capstone will include a formal poster presentation at the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department Awards Day. This presentation is intended both to introduce the student to data analysis and to develop written and graphic skills required in all scientific fields.

Course in Chemistry. The Course in Chemistry is a professional degree program that follows a curriculum approved by the American Chemical Society. It differs from the chemistry major in requiring more courses in chemistry and fewer in the social sciences and humanities. While any of the chemistry curriculum options (except the biochemistry major), with an appropriate choice of electives, provides a suitable basis for graduate study or employment in chemistry or a related field, the Course in Chemistry is a more complete program and carries additional professional recognition. See the listing in the College of Letters and Science, Special Degree Programs section of this catalog.

Honors in the Major

Students in any of the chemistry or biochemistry options who meet all of the following criteria are awarded honors in the major upon
graduation:

Students who believe they may qualify for honors in chemistry should apply to the department during their last semester of study.

A departmental "Undergraduate Awards Program and Research Symposium" is held each spring to highlight undergraduate research accomplishments and honor students who have distinguished themselves in various areas. Among the awards are the Outstanding Freshman Award, the American Chemical Society-Analytical Division Award, the American Institute of Chemists Award to the outstanding senior, the Charles B. Gates Award for service and scholarship in the department, the Emeritus Faculty Award to a junior chemistry major, and the McFarland Scholarship for the best undergraduate research poster presentation.

Course of Study: Majors in Other Areas

In addition to programs of study leading to a major in chemistry, the department offers course work for liberal arts students seeking a nonscientist’s introduction to chemistry as well as for students in other areas whose programs require a background in chemistry. For the liberal arts student, an alternative to the general chemistry courses is Chem 106, "Chemistry in the World Around Us," which qualitatively examines the application of chemical principles to problems of society and everyday life.

Programs in some other science and health-related areas call for a sequence of chemistry courses beginning with the standard general chemistry (Chem 102 and 104). In some cases, this may be followed by alternative courses in organic chemistry (Chem 341) or physical chemistry (Chem 560), which are not accepted as a part of a chemistry major.

Some other professional or pre-professional programs include a sequence consisting of Chem 100 (if needed), Chem 101, and Chem 103. This latter sequence is a terminal one that does not provide prerequisite preparation for any other chemistry courses, and students in these areas who wish to keep their options open for more advanced studies should select the standard general chemistry courses. Students should consult the requirements of their programs before registering.

Teaching Major and Minor. See the School of Education section in this catalog.

Course of Study: Minor

A minor in chemistry may be a useful addition to the programs of students majoring in other natural sciences areas. The minor consists of a minimum of 20 credits in chemistry, with at least 9 of these at or above the 300 level in residence at UWM. These credits must include general chemistry (through Chem 104) and at least one course each from three of the following areas:

Analytical (Chem 221, 223, 524)
Biochemistry (Chem 501, 601, 602, 603, 604)
Inorganic (Chem 311, 511, 614)
Organic (Chem 341-345)
Physical (Chem 560 - 563)

At least one course with a laboratory, beyond general chemistry, must be taken. Students must maintain an average GPA of 2.5 in courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor courses attempted, including transfer work.

Faculty

Joseph Aldstadt, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Ohio University

Jian Chen, Asst. Prof. , Ph.D.
Fudan University, P. R. China

James M. Cook, UWM Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
University of Michigan

Mark Dietz , Prof., Ph.D.
University of Arizona

Dean Duncan, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
Emory University

Walter England, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Iowa State University

Peter Geissinger, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Bayreuth, Germany

Guilherme Indig, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of São Paulo, Brazil

Graham Moran, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Michigan

Kristin Murphy, Asst. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

Alan Schwabacher, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
Columbia University