Requirements for the Chemistry Major
Chemistry Course Degree
Honors in the Major
Introductory Chemistry Courses
Sequences in Which Courses Are Taken
Courses
1121 Chemistry Building, 1101 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706; 608/262-1483; www.chem.wisc.edu
Professors Burke, Burstyn, Casey, Certain, Corn, Crim, Dahl, Ediger, Ellis, Gellman, Hamers, Harriman, Kiessling, Landis, McMahon, Moore, Nathanson, Nelsen, Raines, Record, Reich, Rich, Schwartz, Shakhashiri, Sibert, Skinner, Smith, Treichel, Weinhold, Weisshaar, Whitlock, Woods, Wright, Yethiraj, Yu, Zimmerman; Assistant Professors Belshaw, Blackwell, Brunold, Cavagnero, Cui, Lee, Li, Lynn, Mecozzi, Stahl, Zanni; Laboratory Directors Bain, Clauss, Doolittle, McClain, Turner; General Chemistry Coordinator Essenmacher
Students seeking faculty advisors in chemistry should contact the undergraduate advising office, Room 1328 Chemistry, 263-2424. Pre-medical students should see Pre-Medicine in the L&S General Academic Information section, above.
Faculty diversity liaison: Arun Yethiraj, yethiraj@chem.wisc.edu
There are two routes to the study of chemistry, the chemistry course degree and the chemistry major. The chemistry major leads to a bachelor of science or a bachelor of arts degree; the chemistry course leads to the special degree Bachelor of Science-Chemistry. The chemistry major curriculum is a major within the College of Letters and Science. The student is required to meet all the breadth requirements of the college, along with the major requirements listed below. This curriculum provides good preparation in chemistry, along with breadth in the liberal arts.
The chemistry course curriculum, set entirely by the Department of Chemistry, lacks the breadth of the chemistry major, but the requirements are more comprehensive in chemistry. Currently, the chemistry course degree is undergoing development. Please consult the Department of Chemistry for current information.
Both curricula qualify the student for a wide variety of opportunities in the chemical industry and related industries, such as petroleum, metals, fibers, plastics, paper, and food, as well as environmental and health-related sciences. Combined with the courses required for teacher certification, either route will qualify the student to teach chemistry in secondary schools.
Please consult the School of Education section in this catalog for teacher certification requirements. Both the chemistry course and the chemistry major give the basic preparation for graduate work in chemistry or in several related fields, such as chemical physics, biochemistry, and biophysics. Students who do well in their undergraduate work are encouraged to undertake graduate studies so that they may qualify for more responsible positions in research and teaching. Qualified students with good scholastic records can usually obtain financial support for graduate study through teaching or research assistantships and fellowships. The chemistry department's placement office may be consulted for specific career information in Room 1120 Chemistry Building or at 262-0363.
Any student who is interested in majoring in chemistry should consult with the undergraduate advising office in room 1328 of the Chemistry Building as soon as possible to obtain assistance in choosing an advisor.
Chem 109 (5 cr), Chem 109H (5 cr), or Chem 115 (5 cr)
Chem 329 (4 cr) or 116 (5 cr)
Chem 311 (4 cr)
Chem 343 (3 cr) Chem 344 (2 cr) Chem 345 (3 cr)
Chem 561 (3 cr) or 565 (4 cr)
Chem 562 (3 cr)
Chem 567 (2 cr)
Notes:
Chem 104 may be taken in lieu of Chem 109.
Students who declare the Chemistry major after taking Chem 327, may count 327 toward the major instead of Chem 329. Chemistry 110 will be treated as equivalent to 329 in terms of satisfying credits for the major.
Chemical Engineering 211 may be taken in place of Chem 561.
Chemistry 567 is a new Physical Chemistry Laboratory that combines parts of 563 and 564 to form a 2-credit, one-semester course. This course should be taken concurrently with 562. Chem 563 (1 cr) and 564 (1 cr) may be taken in lieu of Chem 567 (2 cr).
Chosen from any 500-600 level course in chemistry, biochemistry, and/or environmental chemistry and technology. The extra credits associated with 116 and 565 count toward the 5 credits.
Chosen from the following Chemistry labs:
346, any 500 level laboratory, 681-682, 691-692, and/or 699.
Note: 2 cr of Chem 524 counts for requirement F and 1 credit for requirement G.
All students are required to fulfill the L&S requirement of at least 15 credits of upper-level work in the major completed in residence. Chem 346, all courses with numbers greater than 500 in chemistry, as well as Biochemistry 501, 507 and 508, count toward this requirement. Other advanced level courses in departments outside of chemistry may also count in this area. Note: completion of all courses in the major automatically satisfies this requirement.
Math 222 is required; Math 234 and Math 320 are highly recommended.
A year of physics based on calculus is required. Physics 207-208 is recommended. Physics 201-202 also fulfills this requirement.
The chemistry major may take more than 40 credits of chemistry but a minimum of 80 credits in subjects outside the department is required for graduation in the College of Letters and Science.
Any student who is interested in majoring in chemistry course should consult with the undergraduate advising office in room 1328 of the Chemistry Building as early as possible.
To be admitted to the honors program in chemistry, students must have declared a major in chemistry; a GPA of 3.3 or higher for all chemistry courses taken; and fill out an honors registration form (available in Room 1328 Chemistry Building).
Once admitted, honors majors must select a faculty research mentor by the fall semester of their junior year. Mentors may come either from chemistry or from a related department such as chemical engineering, pharmacology or biochemistry. Students who choose a mentor from outside the chemistry department are responsible for providing the mentor with the requirements for the honors major in chemistry.
Candidates for honors in the major take at least 3 credits of advanced work; complete at least two consecutive semesters of research on a single topic; submit an honors thesis in their senior year; present their work to their peers in a symposium; and are expected to maintain a 3.3 overall GPA in all their courses; and have an overall GPA of at least 3.3 in all courses taken at UW-Madison at the time of graduation. The requirement for advanced work may be met in one of three ways: (1) with additional 500-level or higher courses in chemistry or biochemistry, (2) with additional breadth courses in other related disciplines, or (3) with additional research credits beyond what is normally required for honors in the major (vide infra). Examples of breadth courses include engineering, physics, molecular biology, computer science, water chemistry and business. Advanced-level courses should be chosen in consultation with the student's research mentor.
Courses counted for the basic major in chemistry cannot be used to simultaneously satisfy the advanced course requirement for honors in the major. Chemistry 681-682 (Senior Honors Thesis, minimum of 4 credits) guides honors candidates through the process of writing the required honors thesis. Honors theses must conform to the guidelines published by the department, available either from the honors advisor or at www.chem.wisc.edu. At the end of their senior year, honors candidates have the opportunity to present their work either at UW-Madison or at the annual statewide Undergraduate Chemistry Research Symposium.
For most students needing two or more semesters of chemistry, Chem 103-104 is the sequence of choice. Chemistry, chemical engineering, biochemistry, and other science majors with one or more years of high school chemistry, honors program students, students whose math placement is Math 221 or beyond, and other well-prepared students should consider Chem 109. The General Chemistry Office, Room 1328 Chemistry Building, may be consulted regarding selection.
Students who need only a single semester of chemistry and others using chemistry as a science elective may choose to take Chem 108, which is a one-semester survey of general, organic, and biochemistry. Chem 108, however, does not meet the prerequisite for subsequent chemistry courses, and the sequence Chem 108-104 is not recommended. Only 4-5 credits from among the courses Chem 103 and 108 will be accepted for degree credit.
Advanced Placement. A student may receive 3 credits for one semester of introductory chemistry via the National Advanced Placement Examination or a similar exam offered through the General Chemistry Office, Room 1328 Chemistry Building. Consult this office for details.
The organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry course sequences are independent and the student may begin the second sequence before completing the first. Opportunities for taking advanced electives or for doing research in one area or the other may be enhanced somewhat by an earlier start in that area. Students should consult their advisor prior to selecting an appropriate sequence of courses.
All classes listed in the course descriptions section will be offered regularly unless otherwise noted. Please check with the department office for information on specific courses.
Note: Only 4-5 credits from among the courses Chem 103 and 108 will be accepted for degree credit. Only 4-5 credits from among courses 116, 327 and 329 will be accepted for degree credit. Enrollment in Chem 115 is by consent of instructor only. Entering freshmen are screened on the basis of high school record and placement scores, and additional information is sent to those who might be eligible.
103 General Chemistry. I, II, SS; 4 cr (P-E). Introduction. Stoichiometry and the mole concept, the behavior of gases, liquids and solids, thermochemistry, electronic structure of atoms and chemical bonding, descriptive chemistry of selected elements and compounds, chemical equilibrium. For students taking one year or more of college chemistry; serves as a prereq for Chem 104; lecture, lab and discussion. P: Placement above Math 112 or completion of Math 112 or equiv & 1 yr HS chem recommended. Open to Fr. From Chem 103, 108, & 109 only 4-5 cr for degree credit.
104 General Chemistry. I, II, SS; 5 cr (P-E). Principles and application of chemical equilibrium, coordination chemistry, oxidation-reduction and electrochemistry, kinetics, nuclear chemistry, introduction to organic chemistry. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 103 & placement above Math 112 or completion of Math 112 or equiv. Open to Fr. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 109 or 115.
108 General Chemistry. I, II; 5 cr (P-E). Introduction to chemistry. A one-semester survey of inorganic and organic chemistry. Emphasis is on relevance to biological and social issues. Not intended for students who expect to take additional chemistry courses. P: Open only to those taking only 1 sem of chem, no HS chem req, 1 yr HS chem is permitted. Open to Fr. Only 4-5 crs from Chem 103, 108, & 109 will be accepted for degree cr.
109 Advanced General Chemistry. I; 5 cr (r-P-E). A modern introduction to chemical principles that draws on current research themes. For students with good chemistry and math background preparation who desire a one-semester coverage of general chemistry. Recommended for students intending majors in chemistry or allied fields. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: 1 yr HS chem, 3 yr HS math; suitable math placement score. Open to Fr. Only 4-5 credits from Chem 103, 108, & 109 will be accepted for degree credit.
115 Chemical Principles I. I; 5 cr (r-P-E). For specially well qualified students majoring in chemistry or chemical engineering. Lecture, lab, and quiz. P: Adv placement or adv HS chem, cr or con reg in Math 221 or cons inst. Open to Fr.
116 Chemical Principles II. II; 5 cr (P-I). Continuation of Chemistry 115. Chemistry 115 and 116 satisfy the requirements for general chemistry and introductory analytical chemistry; lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 115 or cons inst. Open to Fr.
201 Environmental Chemistry and Ethnicity. II; 3 cr (e-P-E). Topics course covering issues in environmental chemistry as they relate to ethnic groups in the U.S. or its territories. P: One semester of gen chem or equiv. Open to Fr.
299 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (I). P: Cons inst.
311 Chemistry Across the Periodic Table. I, II; 4 cr (P-I). This course explores the descriptive chemistry of the elements in the context of state-of-the-art research and technology development. The weekly three hour laboratory introduces students to the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. P: Chem 109 or 104. Open to Fr.
327 Fundamentals of Analytical Science. I, II, SS; 4 cr (P-I). Fundamentals of chemical measurement in chemistry, biology, engineering, geology, and the medical sciences. Topics include equilibria of complex systems, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, separations, and quantitative laboratory technique. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 104, or 109 or cons inst.
329 Fundamentals of Analytical Science. I, II; 4 cr (P-I). Fundamentals of chemical measurement in chemistry, biology, engineering, geology, and the medical sciences. Topics include equilibria of complex systems, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, separations, and quantitative laboratory technique. For chemistry majors, chemical engineering majors, and related majors. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 104, 109 or cons inst.
341 Introductory Organic Chemistry. I; 3 cr (P-I). P: For those stdts who expect to take only 1 sem organic chem; Chem 104, 107, or 109. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 343.
342 Organic Chemistry Laboratory. I; 1 cr (P-I). For students who expect to take only one semester of organic chemistry. Concurrent registration in Chemistry 341 is recommended. P: Chem 341 or con reg.
343 Introductory Organic Chemistry. I, II, SS; 3 cr (P-I). P: For stdts expecting to take 2 sems organic chem; Chem 104 or 109. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 341.
344 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 2 cr (P-I). Basic analytical techniques for organic chemistry. Commonly used synthetic methods. Purification and characterization of reaction products. P: Credit or con reg in Chem 345.
345 Intermediate Organic Chemistry. I, II, SS; 3 cr (P-I). P: Chem 343 with grade of C or better.
346 Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory. I, II; 1-2 cr (P-A). Multi-step synthetic processes. Advanced experimental techniques such as high-vacuum distillation. Independent research projects. P: Chem 344 & 345 or cons inst.
425 Undergraduate Rheology Seminar. (Crosslisted with CBE, EMA, ME) I, II; 0-1 cr (A). Rheology seminar course encouraged for all interested in professions related to polymers, suspensions or rheology; will not count toward credit requirement of the major. P: Cons inst or Jr st.
511 Inorganic Chemistry. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Theoretical principles and descriptive chemistry of the elements. P: Jr st or cons inst.
524 Chemical Instrumentation. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Instrumental methods of measurements, as applied to modern chemical analysis; lecture and lab. P: Chem 343 & cr or con reg in Chem 561 or cons inst.
547 Advanced Organic Chemistry. II; 3 cr (P-A). A third semester of descriptive organic chemistry. P: Chem 345.
561 Physical Chemistry. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Macroscopic theory: equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and transport properties. P: Chem 110, 221, or 223; Math 222; Physics 201 or 207. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 565.
562 Physical Chemistry. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Molecular theory: quantum chemistry, molecular structure and spectra, statistical mechanics, selected topics in the molecular theory of matter in bulk. P: Chem 561 or 565 or ChE 211; Physics 202 or 208.
563 Physical Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (P-A). Principles of experimental physical chemistry applied to the acquisition of thermodynamic and kinetic data; use of basic physical laboratory equipment; related computations, analysis of errors, interpretation of results. P: Chem 561 or 565 or ChE 211.
564 Physical Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 1 cr (P-A). Principles of experimental physical chemistry applied to the acquisition and interpretation of basic data on molecular structure and dynamics, and properties of macromolecules; principles and use of spectroscopic and other electronic instrumentation. P: Chem 562 and 563. Not for cr for those who have taken 567.
565 Biophysical Chemistry. I, II; 4 cr (P-A). Equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and transport properties, with emphasis on solution behavior and applications to biological macromolecules in solution. For students interested primarily in the biological applications of physical chemistry. P: Chem 110, 221, or 223; Math 222; Physics 201 or 207; Biocore 303, or Biochem 501 or con reg, or cons inst. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 561.
567 Physical Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 2 cr (A). Principles of experimental physical chemistry applied to the acquisition of thermodynamic and kinetic data; acquisition and interpretation of basic data on molecular structure and dynamics, and properties of macromolecules; principles and use of spectroscopic and other electronic instrumentation use of basic physical laboratory equipment; related computations, analysis of errors, interpretation of results. P: Cr or con reg in Chem 562. Not for cr for those who have taken 563 or 564.
603 Chemical Bonding and Reactivity. I; 3 cr (P-A). Application of quantum chemistry to the understanding and prediction of chemical bonding and reactivity. P: Chem 562 & Chem 345 or cons inst.
605 Spectrochemical Measurements. I; 3 cr (P-A). Mass spectrometry and applied nuclear magnetic resonance. Two lecture sessions, or lectures, and one problem session per week. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.
606 Physical Methods for Structure Determination. II; 1-3 cr (P-A). A survey of spectroscopic methods for inorganic structure determination. This course will introduce the major non-crystallographic techniques with an emphasis on the application to structural analysis. The basic theory and methodology of each form of spectroscopy will be presented. Topics covered include: ligand field theory, electronic absorption, IR/Raman, Mossbauer and EPR stectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility. P: Chem 511 & 562 or cons inst. Chem 608 or equiv recommended.
607 Laboratory Safety. II; 1 cr (A). Aspects of laboratory safety relating to chemical, electrical, optical, mechanical, cryogenic and radiological hazards will be discussed. Safety equipment, techniques (including first aid), and facilities will be introduced. P: Chem 346 or cons inst.
608 Symmetry, Bonding, and Molecular Shapes. I; 1-3 cr. This course provides a solid background in elementary bonding theory and its application to understanding molecular geometry and reactivity. The course emphasizes qualitative methods applied to the bonding of elements from throughout the periodic table. P: Grad st or cons inst.
613 Chemical Crystallography. II; 3 cr (P-A). Theory of structural chemistry, experimental methods involved, applications to problems of chemical interest; use of diffractometric equipment and computer data analysis for an actual structure determination. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.
619 Microscopy of Life. (Crosslisted with Physics, Anatomy, BME, Med Phys, Phmcol-M, Radiol) II; 3 cr (I). Survey of state of the art microscopic, cellular and molecular imaging techniques, beginning with subcellular microscopy and finishing with whole animal imaging. P: 2nd semester intro physics including light & optics (e.g. 104, 202, 208) or cons inst.
621 Instrumental Analysis. I; 3-4 cr (P-A). Chemical instrumentation, spectrochemical, electrochemical and other methods of instrumental analysis; lecture and lab. P: Cr or con reg in Chem 561 or cons inst.
622 Organic Analysis. Alt yrs.; II; 2 cr (P-A). Methods and underlying theory of functional group analysis. P: Chem 345 & 524 or cons inst.
623 Experimental Spectroscopy. Alt yrs.; I; 2-3 cr (P-A). The theory behind current spectroscopic methods employed in chemical analysis with applications in atomic and molecular absorption spectroscopy, infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopy, fluorescence and light scattering; lecture and laboratory projects. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.
624 Electrochemistry. Alt yrs.; I; 2-3 cr (P-A). Theory of interfacial electron transfer and mass transport processes in electrochemistry, with applications to electroanalysis, electrodeposition and electrochemical separations; lecture and laboratory projects. P: Grad st or cons inst.
625 Separations in Chemical Analysis. Irr.; 2-3 cr (P-A). Fundamentals of transport processes and the origins of chemical potential differences giving rise to separation. Principles of chromatography, electrophoresis and field flow fractionation. Lecture and laboratory projects. P: 1 sem organic & 1 sem phys chem, or cons inst.
628 Chemical Instrumentation: Design and Control Applications. II; 3 cr (P-A). The design and application of chemical instrumentation; basic principles for monitoring and controlling chemical experiments; optical, electrical and mechanical sensors and transducers of importance to analytical chemical instrumentation; lecture and lab. P: Chem 524, 621 or cons inst.
630 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry. I, II; 1-3 cr (P-A). Lectures of a specialized nature in advanced analytical chemistry. P: Chem 524, 621 or cons inst.
636 Topics in Chemical Instrumentation: Introduction to NMR. I, II; 2 cr (A). This course will instruct students on the theory and practice of NMR spectroscopy. It is a full semester course, consisting of 15 hours of lecture and 30 hours laboratory instruction. P: Cons inst. Enrollment will be limited based on avail instrumentation for lab exercises.
637 Topics in Chemical Instrumentation: Advanced Methods in NMR. SS; 1 cr (A). This course will instruct students on advanced methods of NMR spectroscopy. It is offered as a seven week module, consisting of 7 hours of lecture, 14 hours of laboratory instruction, 1 hour final exam. P: Cons inst. Enrollment will be limited based on avail instrumentation for lab exercises.
638 Topics in Chemical Instrumentation: Introduction to Mass Spectrometry. I, II; 1 cr (A). This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of mass spectrometry. It is offered as a 7 week module, consisting of 15 hours of lecture and laboratory instruction. P: Cons inst. Enrollment will be limited based on avail instrumentation for lab exercises.
641 Advanced Organic Chemistry. I; 3 cr (P-A). Topics in physical organic chemistry. P: Chem 345 or cons inst.
647 Electron Pushing Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry. II; 1 cr (P-A). Application of the electron pushing formalism for manipulating Lewis structure representations of organic structures. Emphasis is placed on mechanistic rationalization of complex organic transformations. P: Chem 345.
651 Science for Critical Technologies. (Crosslisted with MS&E, Physics) Irr.; 3 cr (P-A). Explores how basic science impacts cutting-edge technology, using specific examples taken from technologies of critical importance to the US economy. Speakers from industry and academia. P: Chem 561, Chem 310, MS&E 350 or cons inst.
654 Materials Chemistry of Polymers. II; 2-3 cr (A). Polymer classification, synthesis, and molecular architecture; solid state structure and characterization; glassy state and glass transition; polymer rheology in solids and gels; transport, dielectric and optical properties. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.
661 Chemical and Statistical Thermodynamics. I; 3 cr (P-A). Basic chemical thermodynamics with applications to chemical and phase equilibria and the study of solutions; introduction to statistical mechanics and calculation of thermodynamic quantities from molecular models; stability and fluctuations. P: Chem 561 or 565, & Chem 562; or cons inst.
664 Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules. I, II; 2-3 cr (P-A). Structure, thermodynamics, and dynamics of polymers in solution and in the bulk; theoretical models and experimental methods; polymer characterization. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.
665 Biophysical Chemistry. (Crosslisted with Biochem) I; 4 cr (A). Equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and transport properties, with emphasis on solution behavior and application to noncovalent interactions of biological macromolecules in solution. For graduate students interested in the biological applications of physical chemistry. P: Grad st or cons inst. Stdts must meet prereqs for Chem 565 & have some prev background in phys chem.
675 Introductory Quantum Chemistry. I; 3 cr. Basic principles of quantum chemistry, exactly solvable problems, angular momentum, approximation methods, applications to electronic structure. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.
681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). An independent and original study done under the direction of a member of the staff, recommended for seniors majoring in chemistry. P: Honors candidacy.
682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). Continuation of 681. P: Honors candidacy.
691 Senior Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). An independent and original study done under the direction of a member of the staff, recommended for seniors majoring in chemistry. P: Cons inst.
692 Senior Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). Continuation of 691. P: Cons inst.
699 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-6 cr (A). P: Jr or Sr st. Graded on a lettered basis; requires cons inst.