2025-2026 Course List

This chemistry course explores the scientific methods used in criminal investigations. Course topics will include discussions of different kinds of evidence, how to select and analyze samples, and especially how to interpret results of scientific tests. Specific topics will include the analysis of DNA, drugs, accelerants and explosives, and other organic and inorganic compounds. Case studies will be used as examples throughout the course. There will also be discussions concerning the ethics of analysis and uses of forensic data.

This course will explore the scientific, pharmacological, neurochemical and cultural aspects of psychoactive substances. The material is presented intuitively, with no mathematics. Course topics will include discussions of the major classes of pharmaceutical and psychoactive substances, basic neurochemistry, the role of psychoactive substances in medicine, the ritual use of psychoactive substances by traditional cultures, the FDA approval process, the significance and implications of drug testing, the controversy of drug-induced behavioral modification, national and global perspectives of substance abuse and the ethics of legalization. V

This course is designed for those students who struggle with Chem 191. Students will learn study skills and time management skills that will aid in their success in Chem 191. Students will also refresh concepts that were learned in high school or previous college chemistry courses.

From an engineering perspective, concepts of general chemistry will be investigated. Topics include atomic structure, stiochiometry, gas laws, periodic trends chemical bonds, thermodynamics, kinetics and organic chemistry. Other Prerequisites: Alternatively, student must demonstrate math placement requirements at or above MATH 115 in the placement chart. See Mathematics for details.

Prerequisites:

Select 1 Course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121, or MATH 122. Alternatively, student must demonstrate math placement requirements at or above MATH 115 in the placement chart. See Mathematics for details.

General chemistry lab for students who have completed CHEM 191 or transferred in a comparable general chemistry lecture course. This course provides the same lab experience as the lab associated with CHEM 201. A student's MSU major, minor, or certificate program must require CHEM 201 to enroll in this course. Other Prerequisites: A C (2.0) or higher in CHEM 191 or instructor consent. The transferred general chemistry course must be accepted by the Chemistry Department as content/level appropriate, and the student's MSU major must require CHEM 201.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 191

Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, thermodynamics and states of matter. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts. Other prerequisites: High school chemistry or C (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104. C (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or student must demonstrate math placement requirements at or above MATH 115 in the placement chart. See Mathematics for details.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 104 and Select 1 Course: MATH 112, MATH 113, MATH 115, MATH 121. High school chemistry or "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 104. "C" (2.0) or higher in MATH 112 or student must demonstrate math placement requirements at or above MATH 115 in the placement chart. See Mathematics for details.

Continuation of the basic principles of chemistry including properties of solutions, kinetics, acids and bases, equilibria, buffers, precipitation reactions, electron transfer reactions, electrochemistry, entropy and free energy. Laboratory will reinforce lecture concepts.

Prerequisites:

"C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 201

The course will cover aspects of the ethical conduct of research, chemical safety, and preparation for a profession related to chemistry or biochemistry.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 322

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Introduction to the principles of chemical analysis, with emphasis on classical methods of analysis. Lectures will stress the theory of chemical measurements and sample handling. Laboratory exercises will provide students with opportunities to explore calibration methods, method development, and established procedures for volumetric and gravimetric analyses. Basic atomic spectroscopy is also presented.

Prerequisites:

"C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

This course is designed to survey descriptive main group chemistry and augment General Chemistry's introduction to solid state and nuclear chemistry.

Prerequisites:

"C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

This course is designed to address transition metal chemistry, introduce bonding theory, nomenclature, reactivity and mechanisms for transition metal compounds. It will also address and use examples from bioinorganic chemistry and catalysis.

Prerequisites:

"C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202

Introduction to organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, mechanisms and stereochemistry. IR, MS, and NMR spectroscopy will be introduced. The chemistry of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols will be covered. Laboratory illustrates synthetic techniques and the preparation and reactions of functional groups discussed during lecture. Other Prerequisites: C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 202, "C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 202.

This course is a continuation Chem 322 and includes organic nomenclature, structure, bonding, chemical reactivity, organic acid-base reactions, and reaction mechanisms; the chemistry of ethers, aromatic and heterocyclic compounds, polyenes, ketones, aldehydes, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, and alpha carbonyl compounds and synthetic transformations is covered.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 322 with a "C" (2.0) or higher.

Laboratory will highlight common techniques including recrystallization, melting point determination, simple and fractional distillation, extraction, gas and thin layer chromatography, and chemical and spectroscopic qualitative analysis. Single and multi-step syntheses illustrating aromatic and carbonyl chemistry will be performed.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 324

Analysis of the structure and metabolism of biologically important compounds. This intermediate-level course is designed for students in the medical technology, food science, chemistry education, chemistry and pre-professional health majors. The laboratory teaches basic biochemical techniques. Other Prerequisites: C (2.0) or higher in prerequisite courses. CHEM 324 strongly recommended.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 322. CHEM 324 is strongly recommended.

This course is designed to provide hands-on research experience to RISEbiochem scholars. Students will conduct and develop an original research project as a team. Students will be exposed to a variety of research methods to conduct their research projects. As early-stage researchers, emphasis will be placed on students building a solid foundation of laboratory techniques as well as understanding the process of scientific research that consists of formulation of a research plan, data collection, analysis of results, and interpretation of data. Students are required to maintain a detailed laboratory notebook and conduct multiple presentations of their findings. Other Prerequisites: C (2.0) or higher in all pre-requisites.

Prerequisites:

BIOL 105, CHEM 201

The sources of various elements and chemical reactions between them in the atmosphere and hydrosphere are treated. Current research topics relevant to the field of environmental chemistry will also be addressed. Laboratory exercises will emphasize proper sampling technique and various analytical methods for quantifying environmentally important components.

Prerequisites:

"C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 305

This course is designed to emphasize the theoretical foundations of physical inorganic chemistry. Course topics include: bonding theory, quantum mechanics and periodic trends, symmetry and group theory.

Prerequisites:

"C" (2.0) or higher in CHEM 322, MATH 121

Spectroscopic techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, and mass spectrometry for determining structural features of molecules will be covered. Spectroscopic methods emphasize interpretation of spectra, and also provide hands-on operation of the corresponding electronic instruments. The laboratory uses these techniques for the determination of the structures of a series of unknown compounds.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 322

Advanced synthetic organic reactions and their mechanisms. Laboratory will include examples of some of this chemistry, and techniques for reaction monitoring and product purification.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 324. "C" (2.0) or higher

Detailed treatment of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics. Topics include equations of state, laws of thermodynamics, phase and reaction equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and thermodynamic properties of polymers, solutions, and of biochemical and electrochemical processes. C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites:

MATH 121, PHYS 211, CHEM 305

Detailed treatment of quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Topics include the foundations of quantum mechanics, application of quantum mechanics to atomic and molecular structure, foundations of spectroscopic techniques, photophysics and photochemistry, statistical thermodynamics, and molecular aspects of reaction kinetics. Other prerequisites: C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites:

MATH 122, PHYS 212, and CHEM 445. "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 445. An advanced treatment of measurement theory and data analysis precedes a series of thermodynamic and kinetic experiments designed to complement topics treated in lecture to help students' independence and sophistication in planning, performing, and reporting experimental work. Other Prerequisites: CHEM 445 and 450 may be taken concurrently with consent of instructor.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 445. CHEM 445 and 450 may be taken concurrently with consent of instructor.

Laboratory to accompany CHEM 446. Experiments and computational projects in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical mechanics. The experiments and projects will continue to work toward the goal of increasing the students' independence and sophistication. Other prerequisites: C (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.

Prerequisites:

CHEM 445 and CHEM 450. "C" (2.0) or higher in all prerequisites.