Full-Time Faculty: Peter Shaber, Chair; Joseph F. Bieron, Thomas D. Corso, Frank J. Dinan, Mariusz M. Kozik, Mary O’Sullivan, Larry L. Springsteen, Steven H. Szczepankiewicz, James E. Van Verth.
The department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has three program tracks: the Professional Track in Chemistry, the Health Professions Track in Chemistry, and the Interdisciplinary Program Track in Biochemistry. The Health Professions Track and the Chemistry Professional Track both lead to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. The Biochemistry Track leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry. All three tracks are excellent preparation for students interested in ultimately pursuing advanced degrees such as an M.S., Ph.D., PharmD., D.D.S., M.D., D.O., or an M.D./Ph.D.
The Biochemistry Program Track is an interdisciplinary program with upper level requirements in both chemistry and biology. This program provides excellent preparation for careers in Medical Research, the newly emerging fields in Biotechnology, as well as the traditional fields of Pharmacy, Pharmacology, Medicinal Chemistry, Nutrition, and other Life-Science disciplines.
The Health Professions Track is for students who intend to pursue careers in Clinical Medicine, Dentistry, and other related Health Professions.
The chemistry graduate may enter a variety of fields, including research, teaching, commercial chemical production and development, technical writing, sales, patent law, and civil service. A major in chemistry has long been recognized as an excellent preparation for medical school. It may also serve advantageously as a background for graduate study in business administration or chemical engineering.
The Department also provides basic and elective courses in chemistry for students in the physical and biological sciences, medical technology, pre-engineering, pre-environmental sciences, and pre-pharmacy. Courses designed for non-science majors communicate fundamental insights into the nature of the physical world, the development of scientific ideas, and the impact of science and technology on humankind.
Chemistry Curriculum:
This curriculum has two tracks. The Professional Track is for students who wish to enter the field of chemistry as a profession. It is an excellent preparation for doctoral programs in chemistry. The Health Profession track is for students who intend to pursue careers in medicine, dentistry, and related health professions.
Professional Track:
| 1. ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 101 |
(4 courses) |
(12) |
| 2. Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII 1 |
(12 courses) |
(36) |
| 3. Major course requirements |
(20 courses) |
|
| CHM 111-112 |
General Chemistry |
(10) |
| CHM 227-228 |
Organic Chemistry |
(10) |
| CHM 230 |
Analytical Chemistry I |
(5) |
| CHM 301-302 |
Classical Physical Chemistry |
(10) |
| CHM 334 |
Spectrometric Analysis |
(4) |
| CHM 430 |
Analytical Chemistry II |
(4) |
| CHM 444 |
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry |
(3) |
| CHM 381-480-481 |
Chemistry Seminar |
(3) |
| BCH 301 |
Introduction to Biochemistry |
(4) |
| BIO 101/101L |
Introduction to Cellular/Subcellular Biology |
(5) |
| MAT 111-112 |
Calculus I & II |
(8) |
| PHY 201-202 |
General Physics |
(10) |
| Chemistry electives: three courses |
(CHM 450 must be included for A.C.S. certification)2 |
(9) |
Health Professions Track:
| CHM 111-112 |
General Chemistry |
(10) |
|
| CHM 227-228 |
Organic Chemistry |
(10) |
|
| CHM 230 |
Analytical Chemistry I |
(5) |
|
| CHM 236 |
Physical Chemistry for Health Sciences |
(3) |
|
| CHM 381-480-481 |
Chemistry Seminar |
(3) |
|
| BCH 301 |
Introduction to Biochemistry |
(4) |
|
| BIO 101/101L |
Introduction to Cellular/Subcellular Biology |
(5) |
|
| BIO 102/102L |
Organismal Biology |
(5) |
|
| MAT 111 |
Calculus I |
(4) |
|
| MAT 141 |
Inferential Statistics and Computers for Science |
(4) |
|
| PHY 201-202 |
General Physics |
(10) |
|
| Science electives: 7 courses, including at least 4 courses in Chemistry/Biochemistry and at least 2 laboratory courses4. |
(23) |
|
| Electives: MAT 211 is recommended |
(1 course) |
(3) |
|
| Total |
Professional Track |
(38 courses) |
(139) |
| |
Health Professions Track |
(38 courses) |
(137) |
The minimum requirement for graduation as a Chemistry major is 136 credit hours.
Recommended Schedule (Professional Track):
| Fall |
|
Spring |
|
| Freshman Year |
|
|
|
| ENG 101 |
3 |
ENG 102 |
3 |
| CHM 111 |
5 |
CHM 112 |
5 |
| MAT 111 |
4 |
MAT 112 |
4 |
| BIO 101/101L |
5 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
17 |
AS |
3 |
| |
|
Total |
18 |
| Sophomore Year |
|
|
|
| RST 101 |
3 |
PHI 101 |
3 |
| CHM 227 |
5 |
CHM 228 |
5 |
| PHY 201 |
5 |
PHY 202 |
5 |
| CHM 230 |
5 |
Elective (MAT 211recommended) |
3 |
| Total |
18 |
|
|
| |
|
Total |
16 |
| Junior Year |
|
|
|
| CHM 301 |
5 |
CHM 302 |
5 |
| CHM 334 |
4 |
CHM 430 or AS |
4 |
| AS or CHM 444 |
3 |
CHM 381 |
1 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
18 |
AS |
3 |
| |
|
Total |
19 |
| Senior Year |
|
|
|
| CHM 444 or AS |
3 |
Chemistry elective |
3 |
| CHM 480 |
1 |
Chemistry elective |
3 |
| BCH 301 |
4 |
CHM 481 |
1 |
| AS |
3 |
AS or CHM 430 |
3 |
| Chemistry elective3 (CHM 450 for A.C.S. certification) |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| |
|
AS |
3 |
| Elective |
3 |
Total |
16 |
| Total |
17 |
|
|
| |
|
Total |
139 |
Other Programs
Following their sophomore year, and sometimes earlier, chemistry majors may do summer work in the Department in research or applied projects. Stipends for qualified students are often available through work-study, research grants, or industrial support. Summer work in industrial laboratories is also available, and our close relationship with local industries aids in job placement after graduation.
Membership in the Canisius College student-affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society is open to all chemistry students.
Biochemistry Curriculum:
| 1. |
ENG 101, ENG 102, PHI 101, RST 10 |
(4 courses) |
(12) |
| 2. |
Area Studies: Two courses from each of these areas: II, III, IV, V, VI, VIII |
(12 courses) |
(36) |
| 3. |
Major course requirements: |
(20 courses) |
|
Interdisciplinary Program in Biochemistry:
(Note: Labs are required for all classes that have labs, except science elective)
|
| BIO 101 |
I ntroduction to Cellular/Subcellular Biology |
|
(5) |
| BIO 102 |
Organismal Biology |
|
(5) |
| CHM 111-112 |
General Chemistry |
|
(10) |
| CHM 227-228 |
Organic Chemistry |
|
(10) |
| MAT 111-112 |
Calculus I & II |
|
(8) |
| PHY 201-202 |
General Physics |
|
|
| |
OR |
|
(10) |
| PHY 223-224 |
General Physics for Physical Science Majors2 |
|
|
| BCH 301-302 |
Biochemistry |
|
(10) |
| BCH 352-451-452 |
Biochemistry Seminar |
|
(3) |
|
Biochemistry Elective: one course
(BCH 405, BIO 440 or CHM 448)
|
|
(3) |
|
Molecular Genetics Elective: one course (BIO 304, 450, 408, 432, or 435)
|
|
(4)
|
|
Cellular Biology Elective: one course
(BIO 418, 419, 425, 426 or 455)
|
|
(4) |
|
Physical Chemistry/Instrumentation: all three (CHM 236, 334 and 430) or
(CHM 301-302) and (334 or 430)
|
|
(12 or 14) |
|
Science elective: one class at or above the following levels (BIO 303, BCH 303, CHM 303, PHY 225, MAT 211, CSC 110) or one of the following (CHM 230, CHM 232, CSC 107, MAT 141 or PSY 201).
|
|
(3 or 4) |
| 4. Free electives: two courses |
(6) |
| Total: |
|
(38 courses) |
(141-144) |
Recommended Schedule:
| Fall |
|
Spring |
|
| Freshman Year |
|
|
|
| ENG 101 |
3 |
ENG 102 |
3 |
| CHM 111/111L |
5 |
CHM 112/112L |
5 |
| BIO 101/101L |
5 |
BIO 102/102 |
5 |
| MAT 111 |
4 |
MAT 112 |
4 |
| Total |
17 |
Total |
17 |
| |
|
|
|
| Sophomore Year |
|
|
|
| RST 101 |
3 |
PHI 101 |
3 |
| CHM 227/227L |
5 |
CHM 228/228L |
5 |
| PHY 201/201L |
5 |
PHY 202/202L |
5 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
19 |
Total |
19 |
| Junior Year |
|
|
|
| BCH 301/301L |
5 |
BCH 302/302L |
5 |
| CHM 334 or 301 |
4 or 5 |
CHM 236 or 302 |
4 or 5 |
| AS |
3 |
CHM 430 |
4 |
| AS |
3 |
BCH 352 |
1 |
| AS 3 |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| Total |
18 or 19 |
Total |
17 or 18 |
|
|
|
|
| Senior Year |
|
|
|
| Molecular Bio elective |
4 |
Cell Bio elective |
4 |
| Science elective |
3 or 4 |
Biochemistry elective |
3 |
| BCH 451 |
1 |
BCH 452 |
1 |
| AS |
3 |
AS |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| AS |
3 |
Elective |
3 |
| Total |
17 or 18 |
Total |
17 |
| |
|
Total |
141 to 144 |
Notes: This curriculum satisfies both the 120-credit and 40-course requirements for graduation.
Courses 2001 - 2003
CHEMISTRY CURRICULUM
CHM 104 Energy, Environment, and Society 3
Designed to provide a better understanding of energy and our environment, including man’s interaction with his environment and the consequences facing society today. (AS I)
CHM 105 Chemistry: A Human Perspective 3
Fundamental principles of chemical theory are presented by examining their historical development. (AS I)
CHM 106 The Chemistry of Life 3
The role of chemistry, specifically the chemistry of carbon, in life processes and the treatment of disease. (AS I)
CHM 108 Environmental Issues 3
For non-science majors. Water pollution, air pollution, and chemical waste management. (AS I)
CHM 111-112 General Chemistry 10
Emphasizes physical chemical principles. Includes atomic structure and periodicity, chemical bonding, kinetics, equilibrium, electrochemistry, and periodic chemical properties. Laboratory includes quantitative and qualitative analysis. Three lectures, one laboratory and one recitation per week.
CHM 201 Bio-organic Chemistry 4
Survey course in organic chemistry. All the important functional groups and the reactions which interrelate them. Oxidation-reduction and acid-base reactions, as they apply to organic compounds, are central.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112.
CHM 227-228 Organic Chemistry 10
Fundamental treatment of organic chemistry. Mechanisms, structure, and synthetic methods. Laboratory covers techniques of separation, purification, analysis, and organic synthesis. Three lectures, one laboratory, and one recitation per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112.
CHM 230 Analytical Chemistry I 5
Principles and methodology of modern analytical chemistry presented with particular emphasis on chromatographic, spectrophotometric, and electroanalytical techniques. Three lectures, one laboratory, and one recitation per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112.
CHM 232 Analytical Environmental Chemistry 4
First-level analytical course. Environmental applications. Sampling techniques and statistical analysis of data. Soil chemistry, aquatic chemistry, and atmospheric chemistry. Trace analysis with electroanalytical, liquid and gas chromatography, atomic absorption spectroscopy, and ion selective electrodes.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112. 2001-2002 only
CHM 236 Physical Chemistry for Health Sciences 3
A first course in physical chemistry emphasizing classic thermodynamics, colligative properties, equilibria, kinetics, electrochemistry, and applications to biological systems.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112; MAT 111.
CHM 301-302 Classical Physical Chemistry 10
Principles of thermodynamics with applications to chemical and phase equilibria, electrochemistry, and surface chemistry. Chemical kinetics, kinetic theory of gases, solid state chemistry,
and spectroscopy. Three lectures, one laboratory, and one recitation per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112, MAT 111-112, PHY 201-202 or 223-224, or equivalent courses.
CHM 334 Spectrometric Analysis 4
Spectrometric methods for the elucidation of chemical structures. Includes nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared, ultraviolet, and mass spectrometry. Emphasis on organic compounds. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 227-228.
CHM 381-480-481 Chemistry Seminar 1 each
Student-faculty seminar for majors. To be taken for three semesters.
Prerequisite: junior standing.
CHM 400 Inorganic Chemical Synthesis 3
Laboratory designed to illustrate some of the important synthetic and physical techniques used in modern inorganic and organometallic chemistry. One lecture and two laboratories per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 227-228, CHM 444. 2001-2002 only
CHM 401 Modern Physical Chemistry 3
An introduction to quantum chemistry and statistical thermodynamics. Applications to atoms, molecules, chemical equilibria, and chemical kinetics.
Prerequisite: CHM 301-302, PHY 201-202 or 223-224, MAT 111-112, & 211, or equivalent courses. 2001-2002 only
CHM 430 Analytical Chemistry II 4
Advanced instrumental methods of analysis including optical emission, spectroscopy, gas chromatography, and various electrochemical techniques. Three lectures and one laboratory
per week.
Prerequisite: CHM 111-112 or approval of instructor. 2000-2001 only
CHM 444 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3
Periodic classification of the elements, electronic configuration of atoms, nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, coordination compounds, unusual oxidation states, other aspects
of modern inorganic chemistry.
Prerequisite: CHM 227-228 and CHM 301. 2001-2002 only
CHM 446 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3
A study of organic reaction mechanisms using physical organic methods to provide experimental data. This is a second-level organic chemistry course.
Prerequisite: CHM 227-228.
CHM 448 Biological Organic Chemistry 3
Structure, reactions, stereochemistry of important biological derivatives, e.g. carbohydrates, amino acids, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, steroids.
Prerequisite: CHM 227-228.
CHM 450 Research in Chemistry 3
Independent research under the direction of a member of the chemistry faculty. Research and consultation times to be arranged after approval of department chair.
CHM 461 Polymer Chemistry 3
Survey of the physical and organic principles of polymer chemistry, with special emphasis on industrial applications.
Prerequisite: CHM 227-228.
CHM 498-499 Independent Study 3
Independent study under the direction of the chemistry staff.
Prerequisite: Permission of the department chair.
BIOCHEMISTRY CURRICULUM
BCH 301 Introduction to Biochemistry 4
Structure and chemical reactions of biological molecules. Cellular metabolism. Transmission of genetic information from DNA to RNA to protein; recombinant DNA technology.
Prerequisite: BIO 101-102; CHM 227; CHM 228 with a minimum grade of C–.
BCH 301L Introduction to Biochemistry Lab 1
One four-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite: BCH 301 or concurrent registration in BCH 301.
BCH 302 Cellular Biochemistry 4
The more biological aspects of biochemistry. Anabolism/ catabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins. Control of metabolism, emphasizing hormones. Biological membranes. Replication/ transcription/translation of genetic information.
Prerequisite: BCH 301.
BCH 302L Cellular Biochemistry Lab 1
One four-hour lab per week.
Prerequisite: BCH 301 and concurrent registration in BCH 302.
BCH 303 Biochemistry Laboratory 3
Techniques of isolation and characterization of macromolecules. Two lab periods and one lecture per week.
Prerequisite: BCH 301.
BCH 401 Directed Readings: Tutorial 1 - 4
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
BCH 402 Directed Research: Tutorial 1 - 4
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
BCH 404 Molecular Biochemistry 3
The more chemical and physical aspects of biochemistry. Characterization/purification of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids. Study of their function. Enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and control. Bioenergetics.
Prerequisite: BCH 301.
BCH 405 Neurochemistry 3
The biochemistry and pharmacology of the brain and nervous system. Survey of neurotransmitters and second messengers. Mechanisms of neuroactive drugs, toxins, and diseases. Special Topics on Mood, Learning and Memory.
Prerequisite: BIO 203 or BCH 301.
BCH 352-451-452 Biochemistry Seminar 1, 1, 1
1 Area I is automatically fulfilled because this program is in the Natural Sciences. Area VII is excluded because of the Mathematics courses required in this program.
2 Three advanced chemistry electives must be taken. CHM 489-499, Independent Study, may not be used to fulfill these requirements except in unusual circumstances, e.g., when course conflicts have prevented the taking of appropriate electives, and then only with the prior approval of the department chair. Students whose professional interests extend beyond the field of chemistry may, subject to the approval of the department chair, satisfy the chemistry-elective requirements by taking courses outside the department. Such electives should normally be of an advanced nature, and must be chosen to be consistent with the student’s professional objectives, after consultation with the student’s adviser. CHM 450 may be taken in place of an advanced chemistry elective and is required for A.C.S. certification.
3 Three chemistry electives required. See Curriculum, note 2.