UWM Undergraduate Catalog 2012-2013

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 any 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). 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.

Requirements and standard timetable for obtaining a degree with these fields of study are provided below.

Declaration of Major Requirements

To declare a chemistry major, the following are required:

To declare a biochemistry major, the following are required:

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.

Course in Chemistry Degree Program (Approved by the American Chemical Society)

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.

REQUIREMENTS

The Course in Chemistry also has specific requirements outside of the sciences. To graduate, students are required to have an overall GPA of 2.0 and a 2.5 GPA in chemistry courses other than Chem 106. A total of at least 18 credits in the humanities, social sciences, and arts is required. This course array supersedes the College of Letters and Science breadth requirements; courses must be selected to include the campus-wide GER distribution requirements (6 cr each in humanities and social sciences, 3 cr in arts, and 3 cr in cultural diversity). Students also must complete two courses (at least 6 credits) in a single language (including American Sign Language) other than English at the 100 level or above with grades of C or higher. This requirement is satisfied by two years of a single language (including American Sign Language) other than English taken in high school. English 102 with a grade of C or better or a score of 4 on the English placement exam also is required.

See the Course in Chemistry entry in the L&S Degree Programs section of this catalog for additional information.

Standard Chemistry Major with a Biochemical Option. The standard chemistry major with a biochemical option differs from the standard major option in that some of the chemistry courses required by the standard option are omitted, and courses in biochemistry and biological sciences are added. Some students planning further study in biochemistry, molecular biology, or medicine may prefer this option.

REQUIREMENTS

Biochemistry Major. The biochemistry major differs from the standard chemistry major with a biochemical option in a number of ways intended to provide for students a more intensive education in biochemistry so that they are prepared for work in the biochemical industry upon completing their baccalaureate degree. Students who are interested in graduate work in biochemistry should follow the standard chemistry major with a biochemical option.

REQUIREMENTS

Freshman Year: Semester I
Chem 102 (5)
Math 211 ( 4)
Bio Sci 150 (4)

Sophomore Year: Semester II
Chem 344 lab (2)
Chem 345 (3)
Physics 122, 123 (5)
Bio Sci 325 (3)
Chem 399 (2) (research)

Junior Year: Semester I
Chem 560 (3)
Chem 501 (3)

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 Durward Layde Memorial Fellowship, the Chemistry Emeritus Award forthe outstanding Junior, the McFarland Awards for the best undergraduate research poster presentations, as well as awards for Outstanding Performance in Introductory Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry (Kovacic Award), and Physical Chemistry (Vanselow Award).

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, 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 all minor courses attempted at UWM. In addition, students must attain a 2.5 GPA on all minor courses attempted, including any transfer work. Chem 106 does not count toward the minor and is not included in the minor GPA.

For further information regarding degree requirements, see the Chemistry Academic Undergraduate Advisor, Gloria Freschl. Please bring a copy of your transcript when meeting with the advisor to declare a major. Unofficial, free-of-charge UWM transcripts may be obtained from the Department of Enrollment Services in Mellencamp Hall, Room 274.

Courses (CHEM)

Faculty

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

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

M. Mahmun Hossain, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of South Carolina

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

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

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

Arsenio Pacheco-Olivella, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of British Columbia

David H. Petering, Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
University of Michigan

Kristene Surerus, Assoc. Prof., Ph.D.
University of Minnesota

Wilfred T. Tysoe, Distinguished Prof., Ph.D.
Cambridge University