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Academics

Contact Information

P: 864-656-3065
E: chemistry@clemson.edu

Campus Location

235 Hunter Chemistry Laboratory

Hours

Monday - Friday:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Undergraduate Chemistry Courses

All engineering, science and health-related majors at Clemson University include chemistry courses in their curriculum. The Department of Chemistry is glad to provide service and instruction to these majors through both general and organic chemistry lecture courses and labs.

 

Curriculum Information

To view a curriculum map, please select your catalog year below. Each year will include both the Bachelor of Science and the Bachelor of Arts. Contact the department for years not listed or if you have any questions.

Course Information

The following is an overview of courses offered by the Department of Chemistry. Descriptions can be found below.

General Chemistry

  • CH 1010 and CH 1011 General Chemistry (linked lecture and lab).
  • CH 1020 and CH 1021 General Chemistry (linked lecture and lab).
  • CH 1050 and CH 1051 Chemistry in Context I (linked lecture and lab).
  • CH 1060 and CH 1061 Chemistry in Context II (linked lecture and lab).

Organic Chemistry

  • CH 2010 Survey of Organic Chemistry.
  • CH 2020 Survey of Organic Chemistry Laboratory.
  • CH 2230 Organic Chemistry (Part 1).
  • CH 2270 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Part 1).
  • CH 2240 Organic Chemistry (Part 2).
  • CH 2280 Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Part 2).

Lab Exemption

Please email Kris Coleman for a general chemistry lab exemption if you are retaking the chemistry class within five years and your previous lab grade was at least 75.

  • When Are Courses Offered?

    When Major Courses are Offered: Bachelor of Science

    BS Course Title Semester Offered
    CH 1010 General Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 1020 General Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 1520 Chemistry Communication spring
    CH 2050 Intro to Inorganic spring
    CH 2230 Organic Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 2270 Organic Chemistry Lab fall and spring
    CH 2240 Organic Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 2280 Organic Chemistry Lab fall and spring
    CH 3130 Quantitative Analysis fall
    CH 3150 Quantitative Analysis fall
    CH 3310 Physical Chemistry fall 
    CH 3390 Physical Chemistry Lab fall
    CH 3320 Physical Chemistry spring
    CH 3400 Physical Chemistry Lab spring
    CH 3600 Chemical Biology spring
    CH 4110 Instrumental Analysis spring
    CH 4120 Instrumental Analysis Lab spring
    CH 4010 Organometallic Chemistry fall
    CH 4020 Inorganic Chemistry fall
    CH 4430 Research fall and spring
    CH 4030 Advanced Synthetic Techniques spring
    CH 4440 Research fall and spring
    CH 4500 Chemistry Capstone spring
     

    When Major Courses are Offered: Bachelor of Arts

    BA Course Title Semester Offered
    CH 1010 General Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 1020 General Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 1520 Chemistry Communication spring
    CH 2050 Intro to Inorganic spring
    CH 2230 Organic Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 2270 Organic Chemistry Lab fall and spring
    CH 2240 Organic Chemistry fall and spring
    CH 2280 Organic Chemistry Lab fall and spring
    CH 3130 Quantitative Analysis fall
    CH 3170 Quantitative Analysis Lab fall
    CH 3310 Physical Chemistry fall 
    CH 3320 Physical Chemistry spring
    CH 4500 Chemistry Capstone spring

Transfering Chemistry Courses

Students who are planning to take summer courses at other institutions will need to have the transfer credits approved prior to their completion of the course. The Department of Chemistry will only guarantee the seamless transfer of courses evaluated beforehand.

Prior to the Academic Term

Prior to enrolling in a course, a student must complete the following steps in order to ensure Department of Chemistry approval of coursework taken elsewhere. Steps are as follows:

  1. Complete the Coursework To Be Taken Elsewhere Form (PDF) with the student’s major advisor.
  2. Confirm whether or not the course has been successfully evaluated and transferred to Clemson previously by using the Transfer Course Equivalency List.
    • If the course is on the TCEL: A Department of Chemistry signature is not needed. Complete the form with you advisor and return it to 104 Sikes Hall.
    • If the course is not on the TCEL: Obtain a copy of the course syllabus from the institution and provide it, along with the form, to Kris Coleman, 219 Hunter Laboratory.

Following Course Completion

After a student has completed an approved course at another institution, it is imperative that the student provide Enrolled Student Services with the appropriate official transcript in a timely manner. Lack of timeliness in providing a transcript may impact a student being able to register for a subsequent course. We recommend physically bringing a sealed official transcript in person at the start of the next academic term at Clemson.

Course Descriptions

The courses that are of primary interest to bachelor’s degree students are as follows:

CH 1010, H1010 General Chemistry 4(3,3) Introduction to the elementary concepts of chemistry through classroom and laboratory experience. Emphasizes chemical reactions and the use of symbolic representation, the mole concept and its applications and molecular structure. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 1010 and 1050. Preq or Coreq: CMPT score of 60 or higher; or MTHSC 1010, 1020, 1030, or 1050.

CH 1020, H1020 General Chemistry 4(3,3) Continuation of CH 1010, treating solutions, rates of reactions, chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemistry of selected elements, and an introduction to organic chemistry. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 1020 or 1060. Preq: CH 1010 with a C or better.

CH 1050 Chemistry in Context I 4(3,3) The chemistry of societal issues including air quality, global warming, acid rain, and alternative energy sources is discussed in the context of their impact on society. May not be taken as a prerequisite for organic chemistry. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 1010 or 1050.

CH 1060 Chemistry in Context II 4(3,3) Continuation of CH 1050. Topics include the chemistry of nuclear energy, new energy sources, nutrition, medicines, new materials, and genetic engineering. May not be taken as a prerequisite for organic chemistry. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 1020 or 1060. Preq: CH 1010 or 1050.

CH 1410 Chemistry Orientation 1(1,0) Lectures, discussions, and demonstrations devoted to health and safety in chemistry laboratories; use of the chemical literature; and career planning. Preq: Concurrent enrollment in CH 1010.

CH 1520 Chemistry Communication I 2(2,0) Methods for scientific communication including oral, written, and electronic formats. Service-learning projects engage participants with community needs pertaining to chemistry issues.

CH 199 Creative Inquiry—Chemistry I 1-4(1-4,0) In consultation with and under the direction of a faculty member, students pursue scholarly activities individually or in teams. These creative inquiry projects may be interdisciplinary. Arrangements with mentors must be established prior to registration. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits.

CH 2010 Survey of Organic Chemistry 4(3,3) Introduction to organic chemistry emphasizing nomenclature, classes of organic compounds, and chemistry of functional groups. For students needing a one-semester course in organic chemistry. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 2010 or 2230. Preq: CH 1020 or consent of instructor.

CH 2050 Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry 3(3,0) One semester treatment which emphasizes the properties and reactions of the more common chemical elements. Preq: CH 1020.

CH 2230 Organic Chemistry 3(3,0) Introductory course in the principles of organic chemistry and the derivation of these principles from a study of the properties, preparations, and interrelationships of the important classes of organic compounds. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 2010 or 2230. Preq: CH 1020 or consent of instructor.

CH 2240 Organic Chemistry 3(3,0) Continuation of CH 2230. Preq: CH 2230.

CH 2270 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1(0,3) Synthesis and properties of typical examples of the classes of organic compounds. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 2270 or 2290. Preq: CH 2230 or concurrent enrollment.

CH 2280 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1(0,3) Continuation of CH 2270. Preq: CH 2240 (or concurrent enrollment) and 2270.

CH 2290 Organic Chemistry Laboratory 1(0,3) One-semester laboratory for Chemical Engineering students. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 2270 or 2290. Preq: CH 2230.

CH 2991 Creative Inquiry—Chemistry II 1-4(1-4,0) In consultation with and under the direction of a faculty member, students pursue scholarly activities individually or in teams. These creative inquiry projects may be interdisciplinary. Arrangements with mentors must be established prior to registration. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits.

CH 3130 Quantitative Analysis 3(3,0) Fundamental principles of volumetric, gravimetric, and certain elementary instrumental chemical analyses. Preq: Concurrent enrollment for credit in CH 3150 or 3170.

CH 3150 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 2(0,6) Laboratory techniques of volumetric, gravimetric, and elementary instrumental chemical analyses. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 3150 or 3170. Coreq: Concurrent enrollment for credit in CH 3130.

CH 3170 Quantitative Analysis Laboratory 1(0,3) Standard techniques of analytical chemistry—gravimetric, volumetric, and instrumental. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 3150 or 3170. Coreq: Concurrent enrollment for credit in CH 3130.

CH 3300 Introduction to Physical Chemistry 3(3,0) One-semester treatment of physical chemistry emphasizing topics that are especially useful in the life sciences, agriculture, and medicine: chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium, solutions, kinetics, electrochemistry, macromolecules, and surface phenomena. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 3300 or 3310. Preq: MTHSC 1060.

CH 3310 Physical Chemistry 3(3,0) Includes the gaseous state, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, and atomic and molecular structure, from both experimental and theoretical points of view. Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of CH 3300 or 3310. Preq: MTHSC 2060, PHYS 2210.

CH 3320, H3320 Physical Chemistry 3(3,0) Continuation of CH 3310, including chemical kinetics, liquid and solid state, phase equilibria, solutions, electrochemistry and surfaces. Preq: CH 3310 or consent of instructor.

CH 3390 Physical Chemistry Laboratory 1(0,3) Experiments are selected to be of maximum value to Chemistry and Chemical Engineering majors. Coreq: CH 3310 or CH E 2200.

CH 3400 Physical Chemistry Laboratory 1(0,3) Continuation of CH 3390. Preq: Concurrent enrollment in CH 3320.

CH 3990 Creative Inquiry—Chemistry III 1-4(1-4,0) In consultation with and under the direction of a faculty member, students pursue scholarly activities individually or in teams. These creative inquiry projects may be interdisciplinary. Arrangements with mentors must be established prior to registration. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits.

CH 4000 Selected Topics in Chemistry 1-3(1-3,0) Comprehensive study of topics of current interest in chemistry. May be repeated for a maximum of twelve credits, but only if different topics are covered.

CH 4010 Organometallic Chemistry 3(3,0) Organometallic compounds are useful in applications ranging from large-scale industrial reactions to antibiotics, and this versatility arises from the chemically unique metalcarbon bond. Course begins with fundamental coordination chemistry, then progresses through ligand substitution, oxidative addition/reductive elimination, catalytic transformations and polymerization reactions. Includes honors sections. Preq: CH 2230.

CH 4020, H4020, 6020 Inorganic Chemistry 3(3,0) Basic principles of inorganic chemistry are discussed with special emphasis on atomic structure, chemical bonding, solid state, coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and acid-base theories. The chemistry of certain selected elements is treated. Preq: CH 3310, 3320.

CH 4030 Advanced Synthetic Techniques 2(0,6) Introduction to advanced laboratory techniques in synthesis and characterization of inorganic and organic compounds. Laboratory sessions consist of a set of eight experiments in modern fields of chemistry, including superconductivity, buckminsterfullerene, bioinorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, asymmetric synthesis, and polymer chemistry. Preq: CH 2270, 2280, 4020, or consent of instructor.

CH 4040, H4040, 6040 Bioinorganic Chemistry 3(3,0) Covers fundamentals of bioinorganic chemistry with review of necessary inorganic and biochemical concepts. Topics include metal uptake, transport, and storage in biological systems; functions of metals in proteins; metal ion interactions with nucleic acids; physical methods used in bioinorganic chemistry; heavy element toxicity, radiopharmaceuticals and other metallodrugs. Preq: BIOCH 3010 or CH 2050.

CH 4110, 6110 Instrumental Analysis 3(3,0) Principles of operation and application of modern chemical instrumentation in the field of analytical chemistry. Topics include basic electronics, statistics, optical, mass, magnetic resonance, electron and x-ray spectroscopies, radiochemistry, and separation science. Preq: CH 331, 332.

CH 4120 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory 2(0,5) Reinforces principles of chemical instrumentation described in CH 4110 by practical, hands-on experience. Aspects of sample preparation, standardization, data acquisition and interpretation, and report formulation procedures common in chemical analyses are considered for a range of modern instrumental methods. Coreq: CH 4110. 

CH 4130, H4130 Chemistry of Aqueous Systems 3(3,0) Study of chemical equilibria in aqueous systems, especially natural waters; acids and bases, dissolved CO2, precipitation and dissolution, oxidation-reduction, adsorption, etc. Preq: CH 1020 or 1060.

CH 4140, 6140 Bioanalytical Chemistry 3(3,0) Survey of selected areas of importance in bioanalytical chemistry. Fundamental principles, advanced topics, and applications of analytical measurements of biomolecules, bioassays, immunoassays, separations, mass spectrometry, method validation, macromolecular crystalography, microscopy, and imaging. Preq: CH 3130, 4110, or consent of instructor.

CH 4210, H4210, 6210 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3(3,0) Survey of modern organic chemistry  emphasizing synthesis and mechanisms. Preq: CH 2240, 3320, or equivalent.

CH 4250, 6250 Medicinal Chemistry 3(3,0) Survey of the pharmaceutical drug discovery process. Covers discovery of candidate compounds, bio-assay methods, and associated regulatory and commercial issues. Case studies are selected from the current literature. Preq: CH 2240 or equivalent or consent of instructor.

CH 4270, H4270, 6270 Organic Spectroscopy 3(2,3) Survey of modern spectroscopic techniques used in the determination of molecular structure. Emphasizes the interpretation of spectra: nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet, infrared, mass spectroscopy, optical rotatory dispersion, and circular dichroism. Preq: One year each of organic chemistry and physical chemistry.

CH 4350, H4350, 6350 Atomic and Molecular Structure 3(3,0) Introduction to quantum theory and its application to atomic and molecular systems. Topics include harmonic oscillator, hydrogen atom, atomic and molecular orbital methods, vector model of the atom, atomic spectroscopy, and molecular spectroscopy. Preq: CH 3320 or consent of instructor.

CH 4430, H4430 Research Problems 1-6(0,3-18) Original investigation of an assigned problem in a fundamental branch of chemistry. Work must be carried out under the supervision of a member of the staff. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Preq: Senior standing in chemistry or consent of instructor.

CH 4440, H4440 Research Problems 1-6(0,3-18) Continuation of CH 4430. Original investigation of an assigned problem in a fundamental branch of chemistry. Work must be carried out under the supervision of a member of the staff. May be repeated for a maximum of six credits. Preq: Senior standing in chemistry or consent of instructor.

CH 4500 Chemistry Capstone 3(1,6) Students undertake capstone projects in a team format. Projects necessitate the use of electronic and print resources, demonstrate expertise with a specific instrument or experimental technique, require strong collaboration within a team setting, and produce a peer-reviewed oral and written report. Preq: Senior standing or consent of instructor.

CH 4510, 6510 Frontiers in Polymer Chemistry 3(3,0) Survey of selected areas of current research in polymer science with particular emphasis on polymer synthesis. Although a text is required for review and reference, course is primarily literature based and focused on areas of high impact to multidisciplined technology. Preq: CH 2230, 2240, PFC 4150 or consent of instructor.

CH 4520 Chemistry Communication II 1(1,0) Methods for scientific communication including oral, written, and electronic formats. Student presentations focus on current chemical literature topics pertinent to their CH 443/444 undergraduate research or results of that work are appropriate. Preq: CH 1520.

CH 4710, 6710 Teaching Chemistry 3(3,0) Study of topics in chemistry addressed in the context of constructivist methodologies. Also considers laboratory work and management, laboratory safety, and the use of technology in the chemistry classroom. Preq: 300-level chemistry course or high school teaching experience or consent of instructor.

CH 4990 Creative Inquiry—Chemistry IV 1-4(1-4,0) In consultation with and under the direction of a faculty member, students pursue scholarly activities individually or in teams. These creative inquiry projects may be interdisciplinary. Arrangements with mentors must be established prior to registration. May be repeated for a maximum of eight credits. 


Footnotes:

1 Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of the following: CH 1020, 1060

2 Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of the following: CH 2010 or 2230

3 Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of the following: 2270 or 2290

5 Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of the following: CH 3150 or 3170

6 Credit toward a degree will be given for only one of the following: CH 3300 or 3310

Contact Information

P: 864-656-3065
E: chemistry@clemson.edu

Campus Location

235 Hunter Chemistry Laboratory

Hours

Monday - Friday:
8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.