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UMM Home > Division of Science & Mathematics > Chemistry & Biochemistry > Courses & Advising

Courses & Advising in Chemistry/Biochemistry

Classes in chemistry at UMM are challenging, but are taught by faculty who find teaching a great reward and are prepared to help students do their best. In addition, the Academic Assistance Center offers convenient drop in tutoring for many chemistry classes. Because multiple sections are offered for introductory classes, students and faculty alike get to know one another well. Upper-division classes are small, with a student-to-faculty ratio averaging around 10:1.

Curricular information about the Chemistry major and minor, the Biochemistry subfield and teaching licensure requirements can be found in the UMM Online Catalog. Current chemistry offerings and availability of courses can be found in the class schedule and at the course status site.

The faculty member with the primary responsibility for teaching each of the following courses in the Chemistry discipline's core curriculum is listed below, along with the chemistry electives being offered for the next two years.

Course
Primary Faculty
General Chemistry I
Alia, Pappenfus
General Chemistry II
Goodnough, Togeas

Organic Chemistry I & II
Organic Chemistry Lab I

Carpenter, Soderberg
Introduction to Research
Carpenter, Pappenfus
Analytical Chemistry
Goodnough
Physical Chemistry I
Togeas
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry Lab
Alia
Bioorganic Chemistry
Soderberg
History of Chemistry
Togeas
Inorganic Chemistry & Lab
Pappenfus
Instrumental Analysis
Goodnough
Macromolecules
Pappenfus
Molecular Spectroscopy
Carpenter / Goodnough / Alia
Synthesis & Lab
Carpenter
Theoretical Chemistry
Alia


Tentative Chemistry Electives for 2009-16
(The schedule below is subject to staffing availability. Updated 4 Jan 2012. Note that Bioorganic is offered every spring unless otherwise noted. Also note that Biol 4211/4611, Biochemistry with lab, is an acceptable chemistry elective that is taught every fall in the biology discipline. Check the class schedule to ensure that it is being taught.)

 
Fall
Spring

2009-10

History of Chemistry
Synthesis

Instrumental Analysis
Inorganic Chemistry with optional lab

2010-11
The Chemistry of Sustainable Energy

Theoretical Chemistry
Instrumental Analysis

2011-12
Synthesis

Inorganic Chemistry with optional lab
Molecular Spectroscopy
Synthesis Lab

2012-13
History of Chemistry

Polymer Chemistry and the Environment (with optional lab)
Theoretical Chemistry

2013-14
Chemistry of Sustainable Energy

Instrumental Analysis
Inorganic Chemistry with optional lab NO BIOORGANIC

2014-15
Synthesis

Polymer Chemistry and the Environment (with optional lab)
Molecular Spectroscopy
Theoretical Chemistry

2015-16
History of Chemistry
The Chemistry of Sustainable Energy

Instrumental Analysis
Inorganic Chemistry with optional lab

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Advising for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors takes place through the one-on-one relationship with an academic advisor, assigned from among the chemistry faculty. Course and career choices are made in consultation with your advisor, who can guide you to undergraduate research opportunities, internships, directed studies or specialized studies in interdisciplinary areas such as forensic science, geochemistry or environmental studies. The Academic Advising website has a plethora of valuable information:

In addition, if you are interested in pursuing the ACS-certified degree in chemistry/biochemistry, click here.

Pre-professional coursework at UMM. Many Chemistry and Biochemistry majors are interested in pursuing a career in the health sciences, including medicine. UMM prides itself on its top-quality advising, and advising for pre-meds is no exception. Professor Tim Soderberg is the Chair of our Pre-med Advising Committee and maintains the UMM Pre-Med Web Page.

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Study Abroad and the Chemistry/Biochemistry Major. Study Abroad is something every Chemistry/Biochemistry major should consider, although the number of requirements for the major and the sequential nature of these requirements means that Chem/Biochem majors will need to plan carefully for their study abroad experience. You will also need to start your planning early - preferably in your freshman year! Make an appointment to talk with Tim Soderberg, the Chemistry Discipline study Abroad advisor. You should also visit the Center for International Programs (231 Community Services) to let them know of your interest and look at the information they have available.

A short pamphlet with Study Abroad information for Chem/Biochem majors is available at the Center for International Programs, or you can download it here. In addition, the American Chemical Society has a very useful link for students considering studying abroad.

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Secondary Education Licensure. Many UMM Chemistry/Biochem majors are interested in teaching at the High School level. The fine folk in the Division of Education maintain a Licensure information website to answer all of your questions (with help from your advisor, of course!) about this career path.

Textbooks for Spring 2012 Classes

Course
Textbook Info
General Chemistry II

Acceptable Texts for lecture from Brooks/Cole publishing (now Cengage Learning):

a) Kotz, Treichel, Townsend. Chemistry and Chemical Reactivity. 7th Edition ISBN 0495390291

b) General Chemistry Lab manual: available for purchase in the UMM bookstore

c) Laboratory Notebook: available for purchase in the UMM bookstore

Organic Chemistry II

Bruice, Paula. Organic Chemistry (5th Ed.) Pearson/Prentice Hall (2007). ISBN 0-13-196316-3.

NOTE! This edition has been discontinued and will be increasingly difficult to find.

Introduction to Research
(Chem 2321-22)

Authors: Pavia, Lampman, Kriz, Engel
Title: Techniques in the Organic Laboratory. Microscale and Macroscale
Publisher: Harcourt
ISBN: 0-03-034311-9

Authors: Robinson, Stoller et al.
Title: Write Like a Chemist
Publisher: Oxford University Press
ISBN:978-0-19-530507

+ duplicating lab notebook and lab manual, available for purchase in the UMM bookstore

Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry. Atkins and de Paula. "Physical Chemistry." Either the 7th or 8th edition. Seek used copies from this year's physical chemistry students or go on-line for copies.
Synthesis Laboratory
Author: Pirrung, Michael C.
Title: The Synthetic Organic Chemist's Companion
Publisher: Wiley
ISBN: 978-0-470-10707-2

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