| CHM 101. | Basic Chemistry (NS-2) | |
|---|---|---|
| 4 credits | ||
| MTH 101 | ||
| Study of basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, equilibria and chemical behavior. Intended for students who are non-science majors and may not count toward a Chemistry major or minor. DR and academic credit will only be awarded to one of CHM 101, CHM 103 or CHM 115. | ||
| CHM 103. | Basic Chemical Investigations (NS-2) | |
| 4 credits | $10 | |
| MTH 101 | ||
| Basic chemical phenomena and methodology for non-science majors. Topics center on real-world problems and societal issues with significant chemical content. Laboratory uses modern chemical instrumentation including spectrophotometers and computers. Does not count toward the Chemistry major or minor. DR and academic credit will only be awarded to one of CHM 101, CHM 103 or CHM 115. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM 110. | Russia — Science and Technology | |
| 4 credits | ||
| CHM 115 and Permission | ||
| A trip to Russia with primary focus on science and technology in St. Petersburg. Russian language study and cultural programs planned. Spring Term only. Does not count toward the Chemistry major or minor. | ||
| CHM 115. | Introductory Chemistry: Chemical Analysis (NS-2) | |
| 4 credits | $10 | |
| MTH 112 concurrently or Proficiency | ||
| Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry in a context of chemical analysis. Intended for students in the sciences. Includes the periodic table, elements, ionic and covalent compounds, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, ideal gases, pH and acid-base reactions. DR and academic credit will only be awarded to one of CHM 101, CHM 103 or CHM 115. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *223-*224. | Organic Chemistry (NS-2) | |
| 4 credits each | $10 each | |
| CHM 115 | ||
| Study of the chemistry of carbon-containing compounds, emphasizing the various functional groups and their transformations, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry, and the development of synthetic schemes. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *230. | Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry | |
| 4 credits | $10 | |
| CHM 224 or Permission | ||
| Study of the chemistry of the metals and non-metals emphasizing periodic behavior, elementary thermodynamics, ionic and covalent structures, oxidation and reduction reactions, acid-base chemistry, equilibria, transition metal complexes and reaction kinetics. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *299. | Independent Study | |
| 1-4 credits | ||
| Permission | ||
| Planned program of reading or laboratory experimentation. | ||
| CHM *310. | Medicinal Chemistry | |
| 4 credits | ||
| CHM 230 | ||
| Study of the molecular aspects of drug function leading to an understanding of the basis for rational drug design. Discussion of physical-chemical properties and their effect on biological activity, structure-activity relationships, drug metabolism and receptor theory. | ||
| CHM *311. | Environmental Chemistry | |
| 4 credits | ||
| CHM 230 | ||
| Introduction to environmental chemistry, emphasizing the origins, transport, reactions, effects and fates of chemical species in the water, air, soil and living environments. | ||
| CHM *320. | Instrumental Analysis | |
 |
4 credits | $10 |
| CHM 230 | ||
| Principles and laboratory methods of chemical analysis using instrumentation: chromatography, spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, atomic absorbance and ion selective electrodes. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *331-*332. | Physical Chemistry | |
| 4 credits each | $10 each | |
| CHM 230, MTH 122 and PHY 113 or 122 | ||
| Study of the physical principles of chemistry with emphasis on thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics and kinetics. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *380-*480. | Topics in Chemistry | |
| 1-4 credits | ||
| CHM 230 | ||
| Chemical topics chosen by the instructor. May be taken more than once for credit. | ||
| CHM *399-*499. | Research in Chemistry | |
| 1-4 credits | $10 | |
| Permission | ||
| Laboratory investigation of an original problem. | ||
| CHM *411. | Advanced Organic Chemistry | |
| 4 credits | $10 | |
| CHM 224 and 331 | ||
| Advanced study of modern synthetic reactions, mechanisms and theoretical perspectives. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *412. | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | |
| 4 credits | ||
| CHM 332 | ||
| Advanced study of periodic chemistry of main group and transition elements, including coordination compounds and organo-metallic compounds. | ||
| CHM *420. | Spectroscopic Methods | |
| 4 credits | $10 | |
| CHM 331 or Permission | ||
| Advanced study of modern spectroscopic methods as applied to problem solving and investigation of chemical phenomena. Includes use of one- and two-dimensional NMR techniques, mass spectral analysis and other modern methods. Laboratory. | ||
| CHM *450. | Senior Seminar in the Chemical Sciences | |
| 1 credit | ||
| Senior Standing, CHM or BCM major | ||
| Analysis of the literature in a variety of chemical subfields. Culminates in an oral exam evaluating the ability to read and interpret the literature. | ||
| CHM *500. | Senior Thesis | |
| 2 credits | ||
| 6 credits in CHM 399/499 | ||
| Preparation of a comprehensive thesis and a public presentation on an investigation of an original problem. Required for departmental honors. | ||
Courses
Spring Term at Alma is a one-month immersion on a single academic topic that offers learning experiences not typically available during the more traditional 15-week fall and winter terms. For example, during Spring Term ‘07 students explored important cultural sites in China, worked to restore a Jewish Holocaust cemetery in Poland, analyzed ethic politics in Scotland, and studied medieval literature in London.
Graduate Profile
Katie Wibby
Graduation: 2001
Major: Chemistry
Katie Wibby felt nothing but prepared to teach chemistry after her Alma College education.
“Having a chemistry degree was important because it made sure that I fully understood the chemistry that I would be teaching,” the 2001 graduate says. “My upper-level classes helped me to understand the theory behind the elementary chemistry concepts. I worked with a local chemistry teacher on my thesis project, and that helped me prepare for student teaching.”