Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
University of Delaware

Introductory Chemistry Courses List of majors and course required.

Seven different entry-level sequences of introductory chemistry are offered. Each is designed for a different target audience, usually differentiated by major. Although topical coverage is frequently similar, each sequence is taught at a different level of difficulty, requiring different levels of ability, motivation, and effort, as well as different levels of high school preparation in mathematics and chemistry, on the part of the student. Each course in the regular sequences consists of a large lecture section (or sections), which is split up into several smaller laboratory sections (24 students maximum), which are taught by graduate teaching assistants. Some of the courses (CHEM-105, CHEM-111/112) are also split up into smaller recitation sections. The Honors versions of CHEM-111/112 and CHEM-119/120 are taught in small lecture (25 max.) and laboratory (16 max.) section formats. Informal help sessions are available in all courses. Many of the major programs offered by the University of Delaware require one of these sequences. A listing is given at the end of this section. In the following, the courses are described in order of increasing difficulty. Only one course among CHEM-101, 103, 105, and 111 (or CHEM-102, 104, and 112) can count toward graduation requirements.

CHEM-100 Chemistry and the Human Environment

A non-mathematical, non-laboratory course oriented toward students who are not required to take any chemistry courses in their curricula. CHEM-100 emphasizes how chemistry can be employed to help understand environmental phenomena and demonstrates relationships between chemistry and energy, food, toxic and solid waste, air and water pollution, drugs, and other student-generated topics.

CHEM-101 and CHEM-102 General Chemistry

This two semester sequence is required by a variety of majors in the following Colleges: Agriculture and Natural Resources, Health Sciences, and Human Services, Education and Public Policy (see majors at the end of this brochure). It is also a natural science elective for a significant number of arts, humanities, and social science majors. Topics covered in CHEM-101 include: stoichiometry, thermochemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, chemical bonding, states of matter, colligative properties, redox, concentration units, and acids/bases. Those dealt with in CHEM-102 involve: kinetics, equilibria, electrochemistry, descriptive inorganic chemistry, introduction to organic chemistry, and nuclear chemistry. One year of high school chemistry is a recommended prerequisite; high school algebra or concurrent enrollment in MATH-010 or a higher mathematics course is strongly recommended for CHEM-101. CHEM-101 is a prerequisite for CHEM-102.

CHEM-105 General Chemistry

CHEM-105 is an introductory course which is designed exclusively (and required) for nursing majors. Although its level is comparable to that of CHEM- 101/102, it is functionally a more difficult course due to its vastly accelerated pace. Most of the topics covered in CHEM-101/102 are dealt with in CHEM-105 in one semester: nuclear chemistry, atomic structure, periodicity, chemical bonding, molecular structure, nomenclature, stoichiometry, states of matter, thermodynamics, acids and bases, concentration units, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry.

One year of high school chemistry is recommended; high school algebra or concurrent registration in MATH-010 or a higher level mathematics course is required for CHEM-105

CHEM-106 Elementary Bioorganic Chemistry

CHEM-106 is also intended (and required) solely for nursing majors. It is a single semester survey of relevant elementary organic and biochemistry, with strong emphasis on the latter. CHEM-105 is a prerequisite for CHEM-106.

CHEM-103 and CHEM-104 General Chemistry

This two-semester sequence is designed (and required) for science and engineering majors (see list of majors at the end of this brochure). CHEM-103 deals with stoichiometry, gases, liquids, solids, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions in solution, and properties of solutions. CHEM-104 covers thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium among gases, liquids and solids, equilibrium in solution, acids and bases, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Descriptive chemistry of representative elements is interspersed throughout both courses. Topics touched on briefly in CHEM-104 include transition elements and types and nomenclature of organic compounds. One year of high school chemistry is a strongly recommended prerequisite, and MATH-114 or a higher level mathematics course is a required corequisite for CHEM-103. CHEM-103 is a prerequisite for CHEM-104.

CHEM-103 and CHEM-104 Honors: General Chemistry

The content of CHEM-103/104 Honors is similar to CHEM-103/104, but the format used in the Honors version is a combination of active, cooperative, and problem-based learning techniques supplemented by a framework of mini-lectures, rather than the traditional straight lecture. These courses are intended to allow students to take further chemistry courses if desired or needed. Prereq: one year of high school chemistry, highly recommended; concurrent registration in MATH-114 or a higher mathematics course required. CHEM-104H is open to all students with B or better average, overall, and in CHEM-103.

CHEM-111 and CHEM-112 General Chemistry

This two-semester sequence is designed (and required) for B.S. chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering majors. Topics covered in CHEM-111 include: states of matter, nomenclature, stoichiometry, concentration units, periodicity, redox reactions, atomic structure, chemical bonding , molecular structure, and valence bond and molecular orbital theories. Those dealt with in CHEM-112 include: descriptive inorganic chemistry, acids and bases, coordination chemistry, organic chemistry, nuclear chemistry, thermodynamics, equilibria, electrochemistry, and kinetics. One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college chemistry is a required prerequisite, MATH-115 or a higher level mathematics course is a corequisite. CHEM-111 is a prerequisite for CHEM-112.

CHEM-119 and CHEM-120 Quantitative Chemistry I and II

CHEM-119 deals with principles of stoichiometry and chemical equilibrium as applied to the analysis of solids, liquids, and gases. It is intended for Bachelor of Science majors in
chemistry and biochemistry (required) and chemical engineering (required), as well as others with a good background in general chemistry. One year of high school chemistry or one semester of college chemistry is required as a prerequisite. Corequisites are CHEM-111 and MATH-115 or a higher mathematics course. CHEM-120 is a continuation of CHEM-119, and is a required course for B.S. chemistry, and biochemistry. The theory of analytical chemistry is extended to both qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis with introductory practice in UV-visible spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and separation science. Prerequisites are CHEM-103 or CHEM-111; corequisite is CHEM-112.

CHEM-111 and CHEM-112 Honors: General Chemistry

CHEM-111/112 honors have the same general course content as CHEM-111/112. CHEM-111H is recommended for students entering Delaware as freshmen in the Honors Program who plan to major in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering. A year of high school chemistry (B or better) is required. MATH-241 or higher should be taken concurrently. Elementary calculus is used in CHEM-112H. CHEM-112H is open to all students with B or better average, overall, and in CHEM-111. CHEM-111H and CHEM-112H are not required in any major.

CHEM-119 and CHEM-120 Honors: Quantitative Chemistry I and II.

CHEM-119/120 Honors have the same general course content as CHEM-119/120. CHEM-119H is recommended for students entering Delaware as freshmen in the Honors Program who plan to major in chemistry, biochemistry, or chemical engineering. A year of high school chemistry (B or better) is required. CHEM-120H is open to all students with B or better average, overall and in CHEM-119. CHEM-119H and CHEM-120H are not required in any major.

Majors and Required Freshman Chemistry Courses

DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
CHEM Courses Required by Majors Outside the Department
9/1/07

College of Arts and Science Requirements: Group D:

CHEM-100, CHEM-101 OR CHEM-103 OR CHEM-105 OR
CHEM-111, CHEM-102 OR CHEM-104 OR CHEM-112

Second Writing Course: CHEM-410 (also a Group B course)

Departmental Requirements*
CHEM-1XX Level: see Majors and Required Freshman Chemistry Courses.