130 courses with the subject CHEM, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
CHEM 105Chemistry and Society4
Fundamentals of chemistry are studied with the aim of gaining an understanding of the importance of chemistry for humanity and society. Topics of historical interest and current relevance are explored. Laboratory emphasis is on the principles of scientific inquiry, including the collection, analysis and interpretation of data. Intended primarily for non-science majors. Fall and spring.
CHEM 123General Chemistry 1, which is no longer offered at CSB/SJU4
but some students transfer in, is an acceptable substitution for CHEM 125/201. The Major Field Test in Physics is to be taken in the spring semester of the senior year Additional Requirements: General Education Requirements: All undergraduate students must complete the requirements of the Integrations Curriculum (IC) which is designed to ensure all of our students receive a liberal arts education. Please review details of the Integrations Curriculum (p. 23) requirements here (p. 23). ours Graduation Requirements: In addition to the Integrations Curriculum, all undergraduate students must meet the following minimum degree requirements to earn their 4 degree from CSB and SJU.
CHEM 250 or higher 20 Total Hours 24-27 Except CHEM 316 Catalysts & Initiators, CHEM 330 Chemistry Lab Research, CHEM 349 Chemistry in Experience and Practice, CHEM 360 Junior/Senior Capstone Research, CHEM 390 Science Ethics: How Science and Policy Shape How We Live in the World. Students can elect to take CHEM 359 Symmetry & Spectroscopy or
This course is to expose sophomore students to a sampling of fundamental and applied research problems, develop problem solving and communications skills (written and oral) skills, and prepare them for advanced laboratory research projects. Resources and methods for searching the chemical literature, proper referencing, protocols, and technology enhanced presentation skills will be emphasized. The assigned problems will engage students in hands-on activities and provide a supportive environment to develop their confidence in understanding, operating, and manipulating instruments, and computational methods. At the end of the semester, students will present their results through written reports and oral presentations. or CHEM 250A) and (CHEM 201 or CHEM 201A) and (CHEM 202 or CHEM 202A)
Supervised reading or research at the lower-division level. Permission of department chair required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Restrictions: Students with a class of First Year may not enroll.
Integrated Laboratory builds on the Foundation technique-based laboratories with the goal of allowing students to develop an understanding that chemistry is not five separate disciplines, but is an integrated approach to chemical problems. The laboratory will have one recitation and two laboratory session each cycle. The laboratory experiments are project-based where the projects will include synthesis, method development for analysis, data reduction and computational components. Students will develop the skills needed to conduct an individual laboratory research project. Offered Fall and Spring. Co- 202A) and (CHEM 203 or CHEM 203A) and CHEM 205 and (CHEM 251 or CHEM 251A) and (CHEM 315 (may be taken concurrently) or CHEM 255 (may be taken concurrently))
In this research-based biochemistry lab experience, students will work towards redesigning malate dehydrogenase (MDH) to be able to detect conformational changes upon its binding to other proteins in the citric acid cycle. The semester long experiment will begin with analyzing the published crystal structure of MDH to make a hypothesis about where mutations can be made that will incorporate a fluorophore, while not negatively impacting the activity of the enzyme. Students will then design primers for their mutations, perform the mutagenesis, transform the resultant mutant plasmid, and over-express the mutant MDH protein. After protein purification and quantitation, the specific activity, Michaelis- Menten kinetic parameters, and fluorescent properties of both wild- type and the mutated MDH will be spectroscopically determined and compared. Analyzing class data will allow us to reach some conclusions, refine our initial hypotheses, and determine next steps. Data will be shared with other undergraduate labs across the country studying different aspects of MDH.
This course will engage students in service leadership in chemistry. Students will design and implement a service or leadership project in the context of the chemistry department and/or the broader community. This course is typically taken in the third year.
Exploration of chemical systems from a quantum mechanical perspective. Spectroscopy will be emphasized as one of the techniques that link theory with data. Statistical methods will be developed for the assessment of instrumentation as well as a fundamental understanding of spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques used in the analysis and exploration of chemical properties. and (PHYS 105 or PHYS 105Z or PHYS 191 or PHYS 191Z) and (PHYS 106 or PHYS 106Z or PHYS 200 or PHYS 200Z Attributes: Abstract Structures (AS), Quantitative Reasoning (QR), Thematic Focus - Truth
The Chemistry Department offers a series of topics courses, 321-326. These courses, offered for variable credit, cover the major areas in chemistry and are used to extend or supplement topics introduced in previous chemistry courses.
CHEM 322ATopics in Analytical Chemistry - Forensics2
Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry and toxicology in a legal setting. This course covers various criminalistic detection and analysis techniques involving DNA, fiber, hair, body fluids, pigments, fingerprints, footprints, toxic substances and illegal drugs. The proper handling of evidence, careful observation, and logical interpretation of crime scene evidence will also be stressed.
This course explores chromatographic and instrumental methods used in the analysis of foods and drugs. Students will examine analytical techniques that assess composition, structure, physicochemical properties, and sensory attributes, providing critical insights into food safety, nutrition, and quality. These methods also play a key role in the development and quality control of pharmaceuticals and recreational drugs. The course covers sampling techniques, data analysis, and the application of analytical procedures in product development and regulatory compliance.
This course explores the analytical techniques used to assess chemical exposure, toxicity, and disease patterns in human and environmental health. Students will examine instrumental methods such as chromatography, mass spectrometry, and biomonitoring assays for detecting toxins, pollutants, and biomarkers in biological and environmental samples. Topics may include dose-response relationships, toxicokinetics, exposure assessment, risk analysis, and the role of analytical chemistry in epidemiological studies. Through this course, students will develop skills in interpreting toxicological data and evaluating the chemical basis of public health outcomes. CSBSJU Undergraduate Academic Catalog 2026-2027 245
Have you ever wondered why cherry pits made the list of the most dangerous foods in the world, what the latest lettuce recall is all about, what the causative agent of bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE or mad cow disease) is, why peanut allergies are so severe for many people, or whether it’s a good idea to eat the deviled eggs Grandpa made for the family picnic that have been sitting out in the sun all day? We will explore these topics and more as we focus on understanding naturally occurring toxins in food, synthetic toxins in food, toxins introduced into food in its preparation, processing, and preservation as well as how the body reacts to and rids itself of these toxins. In the first part of the course, we will immerse ourselves in basic principles of toxicology to be able to understand primary literature in the latter part of the course. Students will also design and complete a project based on their interest related to food toxicity. Prerequisites: CHEM 250.
This course will cover the use of fermentation processes in the production of foods, beverages, and chemical products. We will build on topics involving structure and reactivity of important biomolecules. The course will then cover a variety of biochemical pathways and investigate the types of organisms typically used in fermentation. This material will then be applied to the processes involved in making fermented foods (such as cheese, yogurt, bread and pickles) and beverages (beer, wine, spirits and kombucha). Topics may also include the use of fermentation in pharmaceutical and chemical industries including tours of MN companies. A study abroad component after the semester will include tours of several industries, reflections on the different cultural contexts for brewing and industry.
CHEM 323CThe Biochemistry of SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19)2
In the winter of 2020, COVID-19 took the world by surprise. This course will focus on the biochemical aspects of what we now know about the virus and what we have still yet to learn. We will begin by immersing ourselves in background material on viruses and SARS-CoV-2 in particular, and use the primary literature to explore the vaccines that have been approved and those that look promising as well as the drug targets that have been identified and those that have been used to design therapeutics. Students will also design and complete a project based on their interest in COVID-19.
This course will focus on the molecular level, biochemical details of drug action. The course will begin with background topics in pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics, including how drugs interact with protein targets and how they are absorbed, distributed, metabolized, and excreted by the human body. The main part of the course will use that background knowledge to read and understand primary literature- based case studies on the mechanism of action of drugs that have been recently FDA approved, including those for SARS-CoV2, Hutchinson- Gilford Progeria Syndrome (an orphan disease), and neurodegenerative diseases. Each student will be invited to bring their interests, experiences, and backgrounds into the course in a culminating final project.
Reactions in which electrons are transferred provide unique opportunities for chemists to analyze redox-active species and store energy. This course will explore electroanalytical techniques such as cyclic voltammetry, which can be used to study electron transfer kinetics, detect species of only transient stability or probe the mechanism of a chemical reaction. In addition, we will explore batteries and fuel cells in current use as well those that may be part of our energy future. Finally, we will see how electrochemistry allows the development of qualitative and quantitative sensors, such the glucose sensor in insulin pumps, ion-selective electrodes and oxygen sensors in cars. Learning goals: after completion of the course, successful students. 1. Will gain an understanding of electrochemical techniques in which current or voltage are applied to gain qualitative or quantitative information about a sample. 2. Will understand situations in which a current or voltage is generated, such as batteries and fuel cells. 3. Will be able to understand applications in which electrochemically active species are detected and quantified, such as sensors.
This course explores the intersection of art conservation, examining the scientific principles, techniques, and preservation of artworks. Topics may include the chemistry of pigments, binders, and metals; degradation processes; and analytical techniques used to study and restore artwork. Students will gain insight into real-world conservation challenges, ethical considerations, and emerging technologies in the field.
Independent laboratory research will be completed under the supervision of a faculty advisor. In this course, students will apply foundation level laboratory skills in the research setting, learn trouble-shooting, data analysis and other research skills, discuss the results of research activities with a faculty mentor and use primary literature to develop new approaches to answering a research question.
Along with the positive advances that result from chemistry, copious amounts of toxic and corrosive chemicals have also been produced and dispersed into the environment. The course will address selections from different areas of environmental study that impact our climate and habitat. Specific topics could include; global warming, ozone depletion, pollution, energy production and usage, and toxic waste disposal. Approaches for remediation will be discussed.
The behavior of chemicals in earth’s natural systems is critical to the study of environmental chemistry. Recently, copious amounts of toxic and corrosive chemicals have been produced and dispersed into the environment. This course will address the source and fate of compounds found both in natural and polluted air. The reactivity of compounds and their effect on the natural cycle in the atmosphere will also be explored. Specific topics could include CFCs, dioxins, pesticides, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), ozone, and particulate matter.
This course is intended to teach students the underlying principles in the operation and process development of a product for industrial scale mass production. Topics for this course will include; testing/trials, production design, and resource management.
This course will focus on the fundamental principles in nanomaterials. Topics may include; structural materials, conductors, semiconductors, sensors, or polymers. The students will be presented with current synthetic techniques for the production of bulk and nanostructured materials along with analytical methodologies to physically characterize materials. NOTE: The in-depth courses do not require a completion of all the foundation courses indicated by the specified prerequisite course(s).
Chemical biology will cover topics of current interest in chemical biology and will survey the way in which small molecules are used to investigate and manipulate biological systems wither for a biological or chemical purpose. Specific topics may include; protein design, development of unnatural biological molecules, peptide-carbohydrate interactions, combinatorial synthesis/libraries, molecular recognition, chemical genetics, biosynthesis, and methods of drug discovery.
Molecular design and catalysts are important applications of chemical reactivity concepts. In this course, students will learn about some current methods useful in synthesis and see these methods applied in the synthesis of complex molecules. Topics may include; organo-transition metal reactions, catalytic methods of enantioselective synthesis and retrosynthetic analysis. Students will demonstrate basic proficiency in these areas and also carry out detailed analyses of total syntheses from the current literature.
The design and synthesis of compounds containing transition metals is an important area of modern chemistry. In this course, students will learn the general principles of inorganic syntheses. Case studies from the chemical literature will then be examined in areas such as the synthesis of homogenous and heterogeneous catalysts, models for active sites in metalloenzymes, and solid state compounds.
Students will participate in and write reflections about structured activities designed to explore jobs, graduate education, research, ethical issues, and general career planning in chemistry. Students should enroll in their sophomore or junior year.
Living cells and organisms must respond to their environment, which allows them to adapt to a variety of external conditions. We will use the language of chemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, analysis, reactivity, and modeling) as well as the languages of biology and mathematics, to explore systems of regulation within and between cells, and how signaling and regulation within complex biological systems leads to biological function, behavior, homeostasis, adaptation, and emergence of new traits. Special attention will be given to the development of learning and memory. or BIOL 121Z or BIOL 101 or BIOL 100 or BIOL 101Z)
The world’s energy demands are increasing and drawbacks associated with fossil fuels have spurred the search for energy alternatives. This course will examine alternative options such as solar energy, nuclear energy, hydrogen economy and fuel cells, ethanol production from switchgrass or algae versus corn, other biofuels, and batteries. In addition, methods for making fossil fuels more sustainable will be discussed. Emphasis will be on the chemistry and thermodynamics of these processes with a focus not only the final energy production but the actual energy costs and environmental impacts of a given technology. 255A)
This course provides an overview of principles of bioanalytic methods and the application of modern instrumental techniques to biological systems. Particular focus will be placed on fundamental principles and analytical measurements of biomolecules, immunoassays, separations, biological mass spectrometry, microscopy, and imaging. Emerging technologies such as nanotechnology-enabled biosensors, microfluidic devices, and lab-on-chip may also be addressed. Error analysis, statistical treatment of data, and validation of bioanalytical methods and devices are included. Recommended additional prerequisite BIOL 121.
This course will study the modern techniques of instrumental analysis focusing on electronics, optics, physical design and limitations of instrumentation in analytical chemistry. Upon completion of this course students will understand the theory of instrumentation for optical spectroscopy, chromatography, and mass spectroscopy. Additionally, students will be able to select an instrument based on experimental goals and sample types. The course will also examine the development of new technologies for instrumentation used in security devices, in the human body for medical devices, as well as in space and underwater exploration.
This course provides a systematic study of the modern techniques for analytical separations in terms of underlying principles, instrumentation, data interpretation, and practical applications. Emphasis will be placed on gas and liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, two dimensional separations, and hyphenated techniques. Topics will be explored through a combination of scientific readings, case studies, and independent projects.
Students will explore how the unique 3D structures of proteins, RNA, nucleic acids, and glycans arise and confer on those molecules, their role in catalysis, regulation, recognition, and informational storage. Students will develop an enhanced structural, thermodynamic, and dynamic understandings of biomacromolecules and their biological functions, and how in vivo and in vitro alternations in structure confers on them new biological properties. Recommended additional prerequisites BIOL 121.
Symmetry, group theory, and molecular orbital theory will be used to explore and explain the behavior of chemical systems on the molecular and atomic scale. The emphasis will be to develop orbital theory in order to gain an understanding of observed spectroscopic behavior such as Raman, IR, and UV. Additionally, symmetry and orbital theory will be used to explain chemical reactivity using models such as Woodward-Hoffman rules and photochemical selection rules. or PHYS 191 or PHYS 191Z) and CHEM 255 and (PHYS 106 or PHYS 106Z or PHYS 200 or PHYS 200Z
This course will study how chemists determine organic, inorganic, and biochemical reactions. Emphasis will be on methods for monitoring reaction rates and using experimental data to propose reaction mechanisms. Techniques discussed could include kinetics, isotopic labeling studies, isolation of reaction intermediates, site-directed mutagenesis, computational models, and/or synthesis of compounds for model studies.
This course explores various aspects of the chemistry of macromolecules. Topics may include synthetic approaches; chemical composition, molar mass and structure relationships to properties/ property relationships; applications of soft materials, thermodynamic and kinetic considerations in property control, and physical characterization of pure polymers, solutions, and blends.
The major emphasis of this course will be on molecular structure determination. This skill is essential for chemists in many areas, such as medicinal chemistry, process chemistry, natural products chemistry, polymer chemistry, forensic chemistry, and many other sub-specialties of analytical chemistry. This course will prepare students with an up-to-date presentation of the tools used for the advanced analysis and structure elucidation of organic molecules using a variety of spectroscopic data including mass spectrometry, IR spectroscopy, fluorimetry, x- ray spectroscopy, etc. The specific techniques may vary depending on instructor choice. However, as NMR has proven to be one of the most powerful tools available, this course will provide students with an understanding of the basic principles of NMR and the students will explore the use of different techniques such as decoupling, relaxation time measurements, nOe, and interpretation of 1D and 2D NMR spectra.
This course will explore the fundamental aspects and current methodologies involved in the drug discovery process. The fundamental aspects include the physical, chemical, and pharmaceutical properties of drugs. The methodologies include lead discovery strategies, structure activity relationships, structure-based and mechanism-based design methods, computational drug design methods, combinatorial chemistry techniques, and drug delivery considerations. Application to current topics such as chemotherapy of cancer, or viral or microbial diseases will be examined. Recommended additional prerequisite BIOL 100.
Supervised reading or research at the upper-division level. Permission of department chair and completion and/or concurrent registration of 12 credits within the department required. Consult department for applicability towards major requirements. Restrictions: Students with a class of First Year may not enroll.
