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).

Energy drives everything we do, from charging our phones to fueling global economies. This course explores the fascinating world of energy in ways that are accessible and engaging for non-science majors. We’ll unravel the mysteries of how energy is produced, consumed, and impacts our planet. Through real-world examples, we'll investigate topics like biological energy, renewable energy, batteries, climate change, and the ethical dimensions of energy use in society. Students will also reflect on their personal energy consumption and explore how individual choices contribute to larger societal trends. By the end of the course, students will be equipped to think critically about energy issues and their role in shaping a sustainable future. No prior science background is required—just curiosity and a willingness to explore the forces that power our modern lives.

Through this course, you will be exposed to examples of chemistry in different popular culture mediums, including books, movies, television shows, the internet, and social media. Through investigation of the accuracy and validity of the science, you will learn principles of chemistry and biochemistry and will learn how to critique depictions of science in the media. In addition, this course will explore how real-world applications of chemistry influence pop culture and vice-versa. This course is for students majoring in non-science disciplines which fulfills the Natural Science (no lab) general education requirement.

What is AI? How does it “learn” from data? Where does the data come from? How do artificial intelligence and human intelligence differ? What are the ethical implications of artificial intelligence? What is the environmental impact of artificial intelligence? Throughout this one-semester introduction to the principles, promises, and perils of artificial intelligence, we will introduce the concepts and tools necessary to investigate and explore such questions. Specifically, we will delve into the history of computers and machine intelligence; learn how to read and utilize a machine learning algorithm; explore natural language processing algorithms such as ChatGPT; and investigate the ethical concerns regarding the training, utilization, and energy needs of artificial intelligence. We will also utilize artificial intelligence as a tool to help with brainstorming, outlining, and gathering references for a thesis-driven essay.

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.

An introduction to the theory and practice of organic chemistry. The course focuses on the foundational principles of organic chemistry, including properties, structure, nomenclature, and structural analysis of organic compounds. Reactions of alkenes, alkyl halides, and aromatic compounds are studied in depth with building a foundation of synthesis strategies. (Three hours lecture per week) 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 continuation of organic chemistry I (CHEM 221), with a focus on the study of reactions and synthesis of alcohols and carbonyl compounds. Radical and cycloaddition reactions are discussed in addition to varied topics in modern organic chemistry with a focus on synthesis. (Three hours lecture per week) Prerequisite: CHEM 221.

A course in organic chemistry laboratory skills, including emphasizing qualitative analysis using chemical and instrumental methods. One three hour lab per week. Corequisite: CHEM 222.

A detailed study of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetics. This calculus- based course integrates concepts of chemistry and physics. Three hours lecture. Prerequisites: CHEM 122, PHYS 122; Recommended: CHEM 221.

A detailed study of quantum chemistry, including techniques and applications of quantum theory, atomic and molecular structure, bonding, symmetry, group theory, and spectroscopy. (Three hours lecture) Prerequisites: CHEM 122, PHYS 122. Recommended: CHEM 221, 231.

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.

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). Prerequisites: CHEM 222 and CHEM 222L.

A continuation of CHEM 361, students will explore more advanced laboratory techniques, building upon their experience of the previous course. Students will also build their scientific writing and presentation skills. (Two 4-hour laboratories per week). Prerequisite: CHEM 361.

Advanced topics in the chemistry and chemical mechanisms involved in intermediary metabolism and developmental processes with consideration of the biochemistry current in the literature. (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.

Participation in original experimental or theoretical investigation in collaboration with a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. 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.

A professional development course for Chemistry and Physics majors. The course will cover various topics with a focus on writing, presentation and critical thinking skills as used in the physical sciences

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.

This course provides an introduction to the concepts and applications of physics through an exploration of everyday motion. This course will involve discussions of conceptual models to facilitate analyzing and viewing the natural world. The lab component of the course introduces fundamental principles in scientific investigation and will utilize the scientific method.

One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: PHYS 101.

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.

Faster, Higher, Stronger: Science of Olympic Sports is a topics course for students majoring in non-science disciplines which fulfills the Natural Science general education requirement. In this course, we will discuss real-life examples of physics in the sports of the summer Olympic games. Through examination of a wide variety of sports, including track & field, gymnastics, swimming, soccer, and basketball, you will learn physics concepts such as force, momentum, torque, and pressure while gaining a deeper appreciation of the performance of Olympic athletes.

This course is intended for students not majoring in science or mathematics. (Three hours lecture). The course will introduce students to the scientific method in the context of acoustics. The students will learn the physical concepts of waves and oscillations and their applications in music and speech. Students will also apply these concepts to understand natural phenomena and technologies related to sound.

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.

This course is an introduction to concepts and applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Science and everyday life. It aims to give an understanding of the use and interpretation of available data and more particularly the STEM scientific data to recover accurate information using prediction techniques. This course will be based on the use of AI interactively with the students to solve real problems and predict solutions.

An introduction to mechanics. This is the first semester of a two-part algebra-based physics sequence designed primarily for students in life-sciences (biology, and neuroscience), speech language and pathology, 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 waves, 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), speech language and pathology, 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 or corequisite: 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 corequisite OR prerequisite either MATH 132 or MATH 133

One two-hour laboratory per week. Corequisite: PHYS 122.

Nuclear science of the interplay between mathematics, science and ethics. This course contains a discussion of multiple facets of introductory nuclear science including applications such as nuclear power, nuclear weapons, nuclear medicine and food irradiation. Basic nuclear structure will be discussed as well as nuclear reactions and nucleosynthesis. Mathematical themes including algebra, statistics, probability and differential equations (exponential decay) will be introduced and used at various points in the course.

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; Corequisite MATH 231.

Computational methods in physics are explored. This course covers computational topics in physics, primarily in astrophysics, biophysics, and quantum mechanics. Offered in the fall on a three-year rotation. (Three hours laboratory). Prerequisite: PHYS 122.

Experimental methods in modern physics are explored. This course covers experimental topics primarily from modern physics and materials science. Offered in the fall 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 in both mechanical phenomenon and circuit analysis. Offered in the fall 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 122 and Corequisite: MATH 231

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 122 and Corequisite: MATH 231.

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 122 and Corequisite: MATH 231.

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 122 and Corequisite: MATH 231.

The course will include an introduction to astrophysics. The night sky and coordinate systems, Kepler’s law, observational astrophysics, magnitudes, and telescope types will all be discussed. The course will also introduce students to stellar physics and the evolution of stars.

A detailed physical and mathematical study of quantum mechanics including wave mechanics. Physical applications of quantum mechanics are also discussed. Typically offered spring of odd-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisites: PHYS 253 and MATH 326.

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 spring of even-numbered years. (Three hours lecture). Prerequisites: PHYS 122 and MATH 426.

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.

A professional development course for Physics majors. The course will cover various topics with a focus on writing, presentation and critical thinking skills as used in the physical sciences.

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.