Chemistry and Chemical Biology normally accepts applications for Fall semester only. For best consideration, the applications should be submitted before January 1. Late applications are considered on the basis of availability. Only completed files are reviewed and it is the responsibility of the applicant to make sure all required materials are sent in a timely fashion. The applicants are strongly urged to allow adequate time (6 to 8 weeks prior to the department deadline) for processing and mail delivery of the application. The department does not accept faxed or Xerox copies of any information.
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 credit hours of chemistry. A general physics course and mathematics through differential and integral calculus are also required.
This department participates in the interdisciplinary Nanoscience and Microsystems Engineering program; for more information, see the Graduate Interdisciplinary Studies section of this Catalog.
24 total credit hours, including the following plus 6 credit hours of Thesis (599):
48 total credit hours, including the following plus 18 credit hours of Dissertation (699):
Courses
CHEM 101. Chemistry in Our Community. (3)
Introduction for non-science majors to the basic chemistry required to understand scientific topics affecting our community, such as global warming, acid rain, nuclear power, plastics, drugs, and genetic engineering.
{Fall, Spring}
CHEM 111. 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 111 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: MATH 103 or MATH 121 or MATH 150 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264 or ACT Math =>22 or SAT Math Section =>540.
{Fall, Spring}
CHEM 115. Preparation for Chemistry. (2)
A preparatory course for students who feel they are not prepared, or who do not have the prerequisite requirements for, CHEM 121/123L. A grade of "CR" can be used as placement into CHEM 121/123L.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 120. Foundations of Chemistry. (3)
This course is available to students initially enrolled in CHEM 121 who find themselves unprepared. Designed for science majors, it provides foundational chemical concepts and prepares students to return and succeed in CHEM 121.
{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).
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 153 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264 or ACT Math =>25 or SAT Math Section =>590.
Pre- or corequisite: 123L.
{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).
Prerequisite: ((121 and 123L) or (131 and 123L)) and (MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 153 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264 or ACT Math =>25 or SAT Math Section =>590).
Pre- or corequisite: 124L.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 123L. General Chemistry I Laboratory. (1)
Introduction to basic chemical laboratory principles and techniques. Meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1114).
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 153 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264 or ACT Math=>25 or SAT Math Section =>590.
Pre- or corequisite: 121 or 131.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 124L. General Chemistry II Laboratory. (1)
Experiments illustrating the fundamental principles and techniques of chemistry. Three hour lab. Meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science (NMCCN 1224).
Prerequisite: ((121 and 123L) or (131 and 123L)) and (MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 153 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264 or ACT Math =>25 or SAT Math Section =>590).
Pre- or corequisite: 122 or 132.
{Summer, Fall, Spring}
CHEM 131. Principles of Chemistry. (3)
Chemical and physical behavior of matter. Atomic and molecular structure and chemical periodicity. Chemical bonds, reactions and thermochemistry. Gas, liquids, solids, and materials. Organic and biochemistry. Strongly recommended for intended majors in chemical sciences and engineering. Three lectures per week. Meets New Mexico Lower Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science.
(Credit not allowed for both 121 and 131)
Prerequisite: MATH 121 or MATH 123 or MATH 150 or MATH 153 or MATH 162 or MATH 163 or MATH 180 or MATH 181 or MATH 264 or ACT Math =>28 or SAT Math Section =>660.
Pre- or corequisite: 123L.
{Fall}
CHEM 132. Principles of Chemistry. (3)
Chemical thermodynamics, equilibria and kinetics. Solutions. Electrochemistry. Continuation of Principles of Chemistry I. Strongly recommended for intended majors in chemical sciences and engineering. Three lectures per week. Meets New Mexico Lower-Division General Education Common Core Curriculum Area III: Science.
(Credit not allowed for both 122 and 132)
Prerequisite: (121 and 123L) or (131 and 123L).
Pre- or corequisite: 124L.
{Spring}
CHEM 192. Topics. (1-3, no limit Δ)
Titles will vary.
Offered on a CR/NC basis only.
CHEM 212. Integrated Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry. (4)
Survey course 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 122.
{Fall, Spring}
CHEM 253L. Quantitative Analysis. (4)
Theory and techniques of chemical analysis. Three lectures, 4 hours lab.
Prerequisite: (122 and 124L) or (132 and 124L).
{Fall, Spring}
CHEM **301. Organic Chemistry. (3)
Chemistry of the compounds of carbon.
Prerequisite: 122 or 132.
{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 or 132) and 124L.
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: ((122 and 124L) or 132)) and MATH 163 and (PHYC 152 or PHYC 161).
Pre- or corequisite: MATH 264.
{Fall}
CHEM **312. Physical Chemistry. (3)
An introduction to chemical thermodynamics. Topics will include basic thermodynamic principles, phase diagrams, and solution phase thermodynamics.
Prerequisite: ((122 and 124L) or 132)) and MATH 163 and (PHYC 152 or PHYC 161).
Pre- or corequisite: MATH 264.
{Spring}
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 132)) and (MATH 163 or MATH 181) and (PHYC 152 or PHYC 161).
{Fall, Spring}
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.
{Offered upon demand}
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.
{Offered upon demand}
CHEM **391. Readings in Selected Topics. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
Advanced topics not covered in general offerings.
{Offered upon demand}
CHEM **392. Readings in Selected Topics. (1-3, may be repeated once Δ)
Advanced topics not covered in general offerings.
{Offered upon demand}
CHEM 411L. Laboratory Methods In Physical Chemistry. (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 and **312 and 453L.
{Fall}
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.
{On demand}
CHEM 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.
Prerequisite: **302 and (**312 or **315).
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: **302.
{Fall, Spring}
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.
{Fall}
CHEM 432L. Advanced Synthetic Chemistry Laboratory. (3)
Provides students with basic laboratory techniques in synthetic, structural, mechanistic, spectroscopic, and computational chemistry. 1 hr lecture, 6 hrs lab.
Prerequisite: 304L and *431.
{Spring}
CHEM 452. Polymer Chemistry. (3)
An introduction to polymer chemistry terminology, synthesis, characterization and application.
Prerequisite: **302.
{Fall, Spring}
CHEM 453L. Analytical Instrumentation: Theory and Application. (4)
This course introduces students to a variety of instrumentation used in chemical analysis. Content includes theory, design, statistical data analysis and application of primary instrumentation used in analytical labs. Labs and research project will be performed.
Prerequisite: 253L and (MATH 162 or MATH 180).
{Spring}
CHEM 457. Environmental Chemistry. (3)
Introduction to the chemistry of natural and polluted environments, including both atmospheric and aquatic systems.
Prerequisite: 253L and **302.
{Offered upon demand}
CHEM 468. Chemistry and Physics at the Nanoscale. (3)
Students will study chemical and physical concepts necessary to understand nanoscale materials: Quantum properties, charge confinement, and nanoscale thermodynamics, surface and interfacial forces, nanomachines and nanostructures, self-organization, and scaling. Emphasis on problem-solving skills development.
{Spring}
CHEM 469 / 569. Characterization Methods for Nanostructures. (3)
(Also offered as CBE, NSMS 412 / 512)
Nanostructure characterization methods. Examine principles underlying techniques and limitations, and how to interpret data from each method: electron beam, scanning probe, x-ray, neutron scattering, optical and near field optical. Lab demonstrations and projects provide experience.
{Fall}
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.
{Offered upon demand}
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.
{Offered upon demand}
CHEM 498. Senior Honors Research. (1-3 to a maximum of 4 Δ)
Senior paper based on independent research.
{Offered upon demand}
CHEM *499. Chemistry Seminar-Research. (1 to a maximum of 2 )
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 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. 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.
Prerequisite: **301 and 302 and (**311 or *315).
Restriction: permission of instructor.
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 545. Topics in Analytical Chemistry. (3 to a maximum of 9 Δ)
CHEM 546. Topics in Analytical Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 567. Topics in Physical Chemistry. (1-3 to a maximum of 6 Δ)
CHEM 568. Chemistry and Physics at the Nanoscale. (3)
Students will study chemical and physical concepts necessary to understand nanoscale materials: Quantum properties, charge confinement, and nanoscale thermodynamics, surface and interfacial forces, nanomachines and nanostructures, self-organization, and scaling. Emphasis on problem-solving skills development.
{Spring}
CHEM 569 / 469. Characterization Methods for Nanostructures. (3)
(Also offered as CBE, NSMS 412 / 512)
Nanostructure characterization methods. Examine principles underlying techniques and limitations, and how to interpret data from each method: electron beam, scanning probe, x-ray, neutron scattering, optical and near field optical. Lab demonstrations and projects provide experience.
{Fall}
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.
