The Department of Chemistry and Physics offers majors in chemistry, chemistry with a concentration in biochemistry, and physics. Minors in chemistry and physics are also offered. The courses of study are designed to meet the highest professional standards and are attuned to meet the needs of students with individual variations in preparation, interests, and career goals. Graduates of the chemistry and physics programs are well prepared to undertake careers in industry or teaching, graduate work in chemistry or physics, or advanced study in professional programs such as law or the health professions (including medicine, pharmacy, or dentistry). The majors in chemistry and physics also allow students to participate in the Five-Year Dual-Degree Engineering Program with the University of Notre Dame.
Some courses in chemistry and physics are offered as a service to the other departments that require backgrounds in chemistry or physics for their students. Other courses are specifically designed to fulfill the Sophia Program requirements in the natural sciences for students who are not science majors but who seek to understand scientific concepts and processes that affect their daily lives in a technology-dependent world.
Saint Mary’s has a long history of providing quality international programs as an essential part of our educational mission—forming women leaders who will make a difference in the world. As this world becomes increasingly interdependent, the College offers an expanding range of semester, year, semester break, and summer study and service programs in a wide variety of countries, and encourages students to take advantage of them. Learn more about the various Study Abroad opportunities.
Christopher Dunlap
178 Science Hall
574-284-4658
T. Barstis, M. Becker, I. Bentley, K. Cossey, C. Dunlap, D. Feigl, J. Fishovitz, K. Haas, A. Houser, J. Mason
A survey course for students majoring in disciplines other than the natural sciences. Application of fundamental chemical principles to selected inorganic, organic, and biological systems, with particular emphasis on topics of interest to citizens in a technological society. Offered in fall or spring semester for 4 credits (Three hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory) or summer session for 3 credits (Three hours lecture, no laboratory).
One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: CHEM 101.
This course seeks to make the Saint Mary’s College student aware of the chemicals that affect her directly as she lives her daily life. (Three lecture hours per week).
An introduction to the fundamental concepts of general chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry with applications to the field of nursing. Laboratory experiments will closely correspond with the lecture material. (Four hours lecture and one two-hour laboratory) Prerequisite: One year high school chemistry and MATH 102 or concurrent enrollment in any higher level math course; or permission of the instructor.
One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: CHEM 118.
This course is an introduction to chemical stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, and bonding. Laboratory will explore principles presented in lecture. (Three-hour lecture and one three-hour laboratory). Prerequisite: high school chemistry or permission of the instructor; students must be calculus-ready. For biology, chemistry, physics, and engineering intended majors. This course also satisfies the LO2 Critical Thinking Seminar.
One three-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: CHEM 121.
An introduction to chemical energetics, chemical equilibria, acid-base chemistry, and kinetics. Laboratory will explore principles presented in lecture. (Three hours lecture and one three-hour laboratory) Prerequisite: CHEM 121 or permission of instructor.
One three-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: CHEM 122.
A treatment of the properties, structures, preparations and reactions of the important classes of compounds of carbon with emphasis on foundational concepts illustrated primarily through the chemistry of aliphatic hydrocarbons. (Three hours lecture) Prerequisite: CHEM 122.
A course in a variety of organic laboratory skills, including separation and purification techniques. One three hour lab per week. Corequisite: CHEM 221.
A course in organic chemistry laboratory skills, including identification using chemical and instrumental methods. One three hour lab per week. Corequisite: CHEM 222.
An exploration of periodic properties and structure and the important reactions of inorganic compounds. Focus will be on ionic compounds, covalent molecular structures, properties of elements, and coordination chemistry. (Two hours lecture) Prerequisite: CHEM 122.
A study of the chemical reactions of cells, the major metabolic pathways, and the interrelationship of these pathways. (Three hours lecture per week) Prerequisites: CHEM 222.
Quantitative methods of analysis are explored. The theory and application of wet chemical techniques and modern instrumental techniques (spectroscopy, chromatography and electrochemistry) are introduced with a focus on method selection and underlying chemical concepts. Analytical chemistry uses of statistics and equilibrium are also discussed. (Three hours lecture per week). Prerequisites: CHEM 221, PHYS 122.
This course explores the properties and bonding of inorganic elements that are important to biological systems and biologically-inspired inorganic materials. Students will apply chemical principles in understanding the endogenous roles of metals in charge balance, catalysis, and structure. Students will learn how inorganic chemists design metal-based drugs and imagining agents to solve problems in human health, and how reverse-engineering of bio-inorganic systems have led to revolutionary inorganic solid state- and nano-materials. (Three hours lecture per week) Prerequisite: CHEM 222.
Laboratory methods in chemistry are explored. Students will learn how to design and conduct experiments and gain hands-on experience with various laboratory techniques within the overall context of answering chemical questions. They will learn the basic chemical and physical principles upon which these varied techniques are based, plus they will demonstrate and apply their overall chemical knowledge from their first through third years of courses and laboratories. Students will also learn scientific presentation and writing skills. (Two 4-hour laboratories per week). Prerequisite: CHEM 222.
Advanced topics in the chemistry and chemical mechanisms involved in intermediary metabolism and developmental processes with consideration of the biochemistry current in the literature. Offered according to student demand. (Three hours lecture per week). Prerequisites: CHEM 324, CHEM 311, or permission of instructor.
A study of modern inorganic chemistry with emphasis on the principles, properties, and chemical trends of coordination compounds, This course will also explore the essentials of structure, bonding, symmetry, spectroscopy, and reactivity. (Three hours lecture per week). Prerequisite: CHEM 342. Concurrent or Prerequisite: CHEM 312.
Participation in original experimental or theoretical investigation in collaboration with a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair. May be repeated.
Topics in Chemistry not covered in the regular department offerings and selected according to the interests of the students and instructor. Offered according to student demand. (Two or three lectures per week) Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
Topics in Chemistry not covered in the regular department offerings and selected according to the interests of the students and instructor. Offered according to student demand. (Two or three lectures per week) Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
Experience in a chemistry internship. Graded S/U. May be repeated.Prerequisites:Permission of department required.
An introduction to concepts, and applications of physics through the lens of energy. This course deals with the science of national and global energy concerns. The laboratory introduces fundamental principles of scientific investigation via experimental exploration. This course is intended for students not majoring in science. (Three hours lecture and a two-hour laboratory). Prerequisite: None.
A study of stars and galaxies within the Universe from our Earth based perspective. Scientific techniques and the history of scientific observation are included in addition to the properties of light and gravity. This course is intended for students not majoring in science or mathematics. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisite: None.
An introduction to mechanics, and waves. This is the first semester of a two-part algebra-based physics sequence designed primarily for students in life-sciences (biology, and neuroscience), communications sciences and disorders, and environmental studies. (Three hours of lecture and two hours laboratory.) Prerequisite: MATH 103.
One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: PHYS 111.
An introduction to thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics. This is the second semester of a two-part algebra-based physics sequence designed primarily for students in life-sciences (biology, and neuroscience), communications sciences and disorders, and environmental studies. (Three hours of lecture per week and a two-hour laboratory.) Prerequisite: PHYS 111.
One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: PHYS 112.
An introduction to mechanics, and waves. This is the first semester of a two-part calculus-based physics sequence designed for students in science, math, and engineering. (Three hours of lecture and two hours laboratory.) Prerequisite: either MATH 131, MATH 132, or MATH 133. (High school physics strongly recommended)
One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: PHYS 121.
An introduction to thermodynamics, electricity, magnetism, and optics. This is the second semester of a two-part calculus-based physics sequence designed for students in science, math, and engineering. (Three hours of lecture per week and a two-hour laboratory.) Prerequisite: PHYS 121; and either MATH 132 or MATH 133.
One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: PHYS 122.
A study of material properties at the intersection of physics, chemistry and engineering. Materials such as polymers, ceramics, and metals will be explored. This physics elective is intended for students interested in science and engineering. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and CHEM 122.
A study of the scientific, mathematical, and ethical issues concerning topics from nuclear physics. Concepts in nuclear medicine, nuclear power and nuclear weapons are discussed in detail. This physics elective is intended for students interested in science and engineering. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and CHEM 122.
An introduction to the conceptual and mathematical foundations of elementary quantum physics, and the historical framework and methodology of twentieth century physics, including contributions of women scientists. Special relativity and atomic physics are also discussed. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisite: PHYS 112 or PHYS 122 and MATH 231.
Computational methods in physics are explored. This course covers computational topics in physics, primarily in astrophysics and nuclear physics/quantum mechanics. Offered in the spring on a three-year rotation. (Three hours laboratory). Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
Experimental methods in physics are explored. This course covers experimental topics primarily from modern physics and materials science. Offered in the spring on a three-year rotation. (Three hours laboratory). Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
Laboratory methods in physics are explored. This course covers experimental and computational topics related to wave mechanics. Offered in the spring on a three-year rotation. (Three hours laboratory). Prerequisite: PHYS 122.
This course will cover topics in classical mechanics including wave motion. The primary focus is the Lagrange formalism which is used to setup simple differential equations and solve for equations of motion. This course covers the same material as PHYS 323 but only lasts for the first third of the semester. This course is intended for students who are also required to take additional courses in mechanics. Typically offered fall of even-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisite: PHYS 253.
A detailed study of classical mechanics including Newton’s laws, and conservation laws. Equations of motion are derived based on the Lagrange and Hamiltonian formalisms. Typically offered fall of even-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisite: PHYS 253.
This course will cover topics in thermodynamics from a statistical mechanics viewpoint. Systems containing large numbers of particles will be analyzed using Boltzmann statistics. This course covers the same material as PHYS 343 but only lasts for the first third of the semester. This course is intended for students who are also required to take additional courses in Thermodynamics. Typically offered fall of odd-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisite: PHYS 253.
A detailed study of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics. Systems containing large numbers of particles will be analyzed using Boltzmann statistics. The laws of thermodynamics will be introduced. Cyclic processes and other thermodynamic concepts will be developed. Typically offered fall of even-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisite: PHYS 253.
A detailed physical and mathematical study of electricity and magnetism focusing on applications from vector calculus. Interactions between electric and magnetic fields are explored including the use of Maxwell’s equations. Typically offered fall of odd-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisites: PHYS 253 and MATH 326.
Participation in original experimental or theoretical investigation in collaboration with a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair. May be repeated.
Topics in Physics not covered in the regular department offerings and selected according to the interests of the students and the instructor. Offered according to student demand. (Two or three lectures per week) Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. May be repeated for credit with a different topic.
Enables properly qualified students to carry out independent study under the guidance of an instructor. Content dependent on student need and interest. Elective with permission of the department chair. Generally graded S/U; may be letter graded. May be repeated with a different topic.
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