Concentrations: Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical.
This department participates in the interdisciplinary NSMS program; for more information, see the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies section of this catalog.
Concentrations: Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical.
The areas of chemistry available for advanced degree work are Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical, with a particular focus on Materials and Biological Chemistry. The program in chemistry is designed to encourage a broad education while remaining flexible enough to permit students to pursue their own interests and to develop programs to satisfy their goals. The specific requirements for admission to the graduate program are a minimum of 28 semester hours of chemistry, including general, analytical, organic and physical chemistry. A general physics course and mathematics through differential and integral calculus are also required.
General requirements for the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees are specified in earlier pages of this catalog. Departmental requirements are described below and discussed in detail in the department’s Graduate Program Handbook (available upon request).
Each student’s major advisor and his or her Committee on Studies will, in consultation with the student, determine the type of additional research skills in which the student must exhibit competence (for example: computer programming, electronics, mathematics, etc.).
The department offers the master’s degree under Plan I and Plan II. In addition to the general requirements delineated earlier in this catalog, the candidate for a Plan I degree must present a seminar on his or her research work and pass a series of cumulative examinations; the candidate for a Plan II degree must prepare and orally defend a research proposal or related paper and may need to pass a series of written cumulative examinations.
General requirements for the Ph.D. degree are given in the earlier pages of this catalog. A significant department modification is that the comprehensive examination has two constituent parts: 1) a research proposal and oral defense and 2) a series of written cumulative examinations. Further details are given in the department’s Graduate Program Handbook mentioned above.
For additional Biochemistry courses, see listings under Biochemistry.
Courses
CHEM 111L. Elements of General Chemistry. (4)
One-semester course in general chemistry, especially for non-science majors in the health sciences except premedicine and medical technology. (Credit not allowed for both 111L and 121 and 123L.) Three lectures, 3 hours demo lab/recitation. Meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1114).
Prerequisite: ACT=>22 or SAT=>510 or MATH 120 or 121 or MATH 150 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 121. General Chemistry I. (3)
Introduction to the chemical and physical behavior of matter. Meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1214).
Corequisite: 123L
Prerequisite: ACT=>25 or SAT=>570 or MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 122. General Chemistry II. (3)
Continuation of 121. Meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1224).
Pre- or Co-requisite: 124L
Prerequisite: (ACT=>25 or SAT=>570 or MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264) and (121 and 123L) or 131L
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 123L. General Chemistry I Laboratory. (1)
Introduction to basic chemical laboratory principles and techniques.
Pre- or Co-requisite: 121
Prerequisite: ACT=>25 or SAT=>570 or MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 124L. General Chemistry II Laboratory. (1)
Experiments illustrating the fundamental principles and techniques of chemistry. (3 hour lab)
Pre- or Co-requisite: 122
Prerequisite: (ACT=>25 or SAT=>570 or MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264) and (121 and 123L) or 131L
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 131L. Principles of Chemistry. (4)
Chemical and physical behavior of matter, atomic and molecular structure and chemical periodicity. Introduction to quantitative laboratory techniques and chemical instrumentation. Strongly recommended for students intending to major in chemistry. Three lectures, 3 hours lab.
(Credit not allowed for both (121 and 123L) and 131L)
Prerequisite: ACT=>28 or SAT=>640 or Pre-or Corequisite: MATH 162 or MATH 180 or MATH 264.
{Fall}
CHEM 132L. Principles of Chemistry. (4)
Thermodynamics, equilibria and kinetics in chemical terms. Continuation of General Chemistry I.
(Credit not allowed for both 122 and 124L) and 132L)
Pre- or corequisite: MATH 163 or MATH 181 or MATH 264
Prerequisite: (121 and 123L) or 131L
{Spring}
CHEM 212. Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. (4)
Survey interrelating the major principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry with special emphasis toward interests of students in the health sciences.
(Credit not allowed for both 212 and 301)
Prerequisite: 111L or 121
{Fall, Spring}
CHEM 253L. Quantitative Analysis. (4)
Theory and techniques of chemical analysis. Three lectures, 4 hours lab.
Prerequisite: 122 and 124L
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM **301. Organic Chemistry. (3)
Chemistry of the compounds of carbon.
Prerequisite: (122 and 124L) or 132L
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM **302. Organic Chemistry. (3)
Continuation of 301.
Prerequisite: 301
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 303L. Organic Chemistry Laboratory. (1)
Teaches basic organic chemistry laboratory techniques, including separations, thin-layer chromatography, gas chromatography, and set up of apparatus for organic synthesis. Three hours lab.
Prerequisite: (122 and 124L) or 132L
Pre- or corequisite: 301
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 304L. Organic Chemistry Laboratory. (1)
Teaches synthesis of organic compounds using reactions learned in CHEM 302 and spectroscopic characterization of the products. Three hours lab.
Prerequisite: 303L
Pre- or corequisite: 302
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM **311. Physical Chemistry. (3)
An introduction to quantum chemistry that starts from the postulates of quantum mechanics and simple models and covers structure of polyatomic molecules.
Prerequisite: 132L or (122 and 124L) and Math 163 and (PHYC 152L or PHYC 161L)
Pre- or corequisite: MATH 264
CHEM **312. Physical Chemistry. (3)
An introduction to chemical thermodynamics. Topics will include basic thermodynamic principles, phase diagrams, and solution phase thermodynamics.
Prerequisite: 132L or (122 and 124L) and Math 163 and (PHYC 152L or PHYC 161L)
Pre- or corequisite: MATH 264
CHEM **315. Introductory Physical Chemistry. (4)
Fundamentals of physical chemistry with primary emphasis upon biological and biochemical applications.
(Cannot be used for credit toward B.S.)
(Credit not allowed for both (CHEM 311 or 312) and 315)
Prerequisite: (122 and 124L) or 132L and (MATH 163 or MATH 181) and (PHYC 152 or PHYC 161)
CHEM **325. Special Topics for Undergraduates. (1-3, may be repeated once Δ)
Possible topics are: chemical literature, environmental chemistry, photochemistry, stereochemistry, macromolecules, C-13-NMR, natural products.
CHEM **326. Special Topics for Undergraduates. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Possible topics are: chemical literature, environmental chemistry, photochemistry, stereochemistry, macromolecules, C-13-NMR, natural products.
CHEM 351L. Instrumental Analysis [Integrated Chemical Laboratory I]. (3)
Hands-on introduction to analytical methods, including instrumental technique. Students will learn how to perform quantitative lab operations and data analysis, including spectroscopic, electrochemical, mass spectrometic and chromatographic instrumentation.
Prerequisite: (131L and 132L) or 253L
{Fall}
CHEM 352. Analytical Chemistry. (3)
This course will introduce students to the theory of chemical analysis, including equilibrium calculations, classical methods, optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrochemical analysis, and analytical separations.
Prerequisite: 351L
CHEM **391. Readings in Selected Topics. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Advanced topics not covered in general offerings.
CHEM **392. Readings in Selected Topics. (1-3, may be repeated once Δ)
Advanced topics not covered in general offerings.
CHEM 411L. Laboratory Methods In Physical Chemistry [Physical Chemistry Laboratory]. (3)
Introduction to modern physical chemistry laboratory techniques including computational chemistry, quantum mechanical description of molecular rotations, molecular vibrations and electronic absorption, and thermodynamics. One lecture, 6 hrs. lab.
Prerequisite: 311 or (315 and 351L)
CHEM 412. Advanced Physical Chemistry. (3)
Advanced topics in physical chemistry, including statistical mechanics, reaction kinetics, chemical dynamics and transition state theory will be discussed.
Prerequisite: 311 and 312
CHEM 421 [421 / 521]. Biological Chemistry. (3)
Brings the fundamentals of general and organic chemistry to bear on the complex array of structures and chemical processes that occur in living organisms.
{Offered upon demand}
Prerequisite: 301 and 302 and (311 or 315)
CHEM 424L / 524L. Experimental Chemical Biology. (4)
Introduction to experimental techniques for the study of protein and nucleic acid structure and function. Topics include protein isolation and purification, protein structure analysis, protein expression systems, enzyme kinetics, RNA purification and characterization.
Prerequisite: 421 and *422
CHEM 425. Organic Chemistry of Biological Pathways. (3)
Covers basic principles of mechanisms, acidity, stereochemistry; structures; properties of biomolecules; reactions in lipid, carbohydrate, amino acid, nucleotide metabolic pathways. (3 hrs lecture)
Prerequisite: 301 and 302
CHEM *431. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. (3)
Atomic theory and molecular structure, the fundamentals of symmetry, point groups, bonding concepts, acid-base chemistry, periodic trends, and reaction chemistry of both transition metals and non-metals. .
Prerequisite: 311 or 315
CHEM 432L. Advanced Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory [Advanced Inorganic Laboratory]. (3)
Provides students with basic laboratory techniques in synthetic, structural, mechanistic, spectroscopic, and computational chemistry. 1 hr lecture, 6 hrs lab.
Prerequisite: 411L and 431
CHEM *433. Group Theory. (1)
Chemical group theory will provide basic concepts of molecular symmetry and the use of group theory in defining molecular orbitals and transition probabilities.
Prequisite: 311 or 315 Corequisite: 431
CHEM 442 / 552. Molecular Structure Analysis. (3)
Introduction to using X-ray, Mass Spec, and NMR techniques to determine structure. Suggested for students planning to use X-ray/Mass Spec facilities, required for those requesting NMR training.
Prerequisite: 312
CHEM 471. Advanced Topics in Chemistry. (2-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Current topics requiring a background in physical chemistry such as spectroscopy, reaction mechanisms, advanced synthesis, polymer chemistry and materials chemistry.
Prerequisite: 302 and either 315 or 311–312
CHEM 495. Undergraduate Problems. (1-3)
CHEM 496. Undergraduate Problems. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
CHEM 497. Senior Honors Research. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
Senior paper based on independent research.
CHEM 498. Senior Honors Research. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
Senior paper based on independent research.
CHEM *499. Chemistry Seminar–Research. (1)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 500. Scientific Teaching in Chemistry. (1-3, no limit Δ)
A course which includes lecture, seminar, workshop and field experience to provide a scientific framework for teaching chemistry and practice in strategies of scientific teaching.
CHEM 501. Molecular Structure Theory. (3)
General introduction to quantum mechanics with emphasis on chemical applications. Topics covered include basic postulates of quantum mechanics, standard analytically solvable quantum systems (free electrons, particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotor, hydrogen atom), approximation methods (perturbation theory and the variational method). An introduction to molecular quantum mechanics, molecular spectroscopy and time-dependent perturbation theory.
CHEM 504. Chemical Dynamics. (3)
A rapid review of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics. Usually for graduate students in areas outside of physical chemistry.
CHEM 511. Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry. (3)
An introduction to the methods used for determining reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry and the application of those methods for determining the mechanisms of reactions based on ionic processes.
CHEM 513. Organic Molecular Structure Determination. (3)
Determination of the structure of organic compounds using spectroscopic methods, especially hydrogen and carbon NMR, infrared and electronic spectroscopies and mass spectrometry.
CHEM 514. Synthesis in Organic Chemistry. (3)
Development of strategies for synthesizing organic compounds including stereochemical control; introduction to advanced reactions for carbon-carbon bond formation and functional group manipulation.
CHEM 515. Topics in Organic Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 516. Topics in Organic Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 521 [521 / 421]. Biological Chemistry. (3)
Brings the fundamentals of general and organic chemistry to bear on the complex array of structures and chemical processes that occur in living organisms.
Restriction: permission of instructor
CHEM 524L / 424L. Experimental Chemical Biology. (4)
Introduction to experimental techniques for the study of protein and nucleic acid structure and function. Topics include protein isolation and purification, protein structure analysis, protein expression systems, enzyme kinetics, RNA purification and characterization.
CHEM 534. Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry. (3)
Survey of the theory and application principles of spectroscopic methods typically utilized in solving molecular and electronic structure problems in inorganic chemistry. This usually includes electronic spectroscopies, vibrational spectroscopies, magnetic resonance spectroscopies, x-ray diffraction analysis, mass spectrometry and surface spectroscopies.
CHEM 536. Synthesis and Mechanism in Inorganic Chemistry. (3)
A general outline of synthesis methodologies and approaches for main group element and transition metal compounds is provided. In addition, the reactivity of these compounds is explored with particular emphasis on systematics in reaction mechanisms.
CHEM 537. Topics in Inorganic Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 538. Topics in Inorganic Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 540. Advanced Analytical Chemistry. (3)
A study of the fundamental processes underlying the techniques of chemical analysis including thermodynamics, acid/base chemistry and electrochemistry.
CHEM 541. Separations. (3)
Theory and practice of the chemical separation techniques used for chemical analysis including chromatography and electrophoresis.
CHEM 545. Topics in Analytical Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 546. Topics in Analytical Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 552 / 442. Molecular Structure Analysis. (3)
Introduction to using X-ray, Mass Spec, and NMR techniques to determine structure. Suggested for students planning to use X-ray/Mass Spec facilities, required for those requesting NMR training.
CHEM 560. Biophysical Chemistry. (3)
CHEM 565. Kinetics. (3)
Molecular reaction dynamics and chemical reactivity, experiment and theory; phenomenology or rates of chemical reactions and the relationship to reaction mechanism; potential energy surfaces, transition state theory and other approaches.
CHEM 566. Spectroscopy. (3)
A graduate physical chemistry course in spectroscopy. Covers theory of atomic and molecular absorption and emission as well as applications to Fluorescence and Raman.
CHEM 567. Topics in Physical Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 587. Advanced Topics in Biological Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 599. Master’s Thesis. (1-6, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 623. Research Colloquium. (1 to a maximum of 10 Δ)
Presentation and discussion of current research by faculty from other institutions.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 625. Chemistry Divisional Seminar. (1, no limit Δ)
Student presentations and discussion of current research by students and faculty in the same traditional division of chemistry.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 627. Chemistry Instrumentation Seminar. (1 to a maximum of 2 Δ)
Training and practice in use of research instrumentation required by a student’s graduate research.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 650. Research/Readings. (2-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 699. Dissertation. (3-12, no limit Δ)
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
