Chemistry | Natural Sciences | Western New Mexico University

Table of Contents

Introduction

The Chemistry major at Western New Mexico University prepares students for careers in inorganic chemistry such as extraction technology jobs (mining), bio-medical fields or organic synthesis (pharmaceutical, cosmetics, and food and drug additives), or environmental applications (water and air quality or remediation work). Chemistry is an excellent major for students going on to medical, dental or pharmacy professional programs since these programs require a large number of chemistry courses as prerequisites. Many of our students also are awarded scholarship positions (free graduate school) at other universities to pursue their M.S. or Ph.D. in chemistry.

Bachelor of Science in Chemistry - Learning Objectives

Students will demonstrate an understanding of major concepts, theoretical principles and experimental findings in chemistry.

Students will demonstrate the ability to apply the scientific process.

Understand the defining characteristics of the process of science.
Apply the methods of scientific inquiry.
Develop testable hypotheses, design appropriate experiments, and present reasoned analyses and interpretations of results.
Demonstrate proper and safe laboratory practices including the proper use of equipment and the ability to use basic lab techniques.
Demonstrate the ability to employ modern library search tools to locate, retrieve, evaluate, and apply scientific information.

Students will be able to reason quantitatively.

Understand common quantitative approaches in the four basic areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical.)
Evaluate and interpret quantitative data using the scientific method.
Interpret and act on quantitative data from a variety of sources.
Understand the role of uncertainty in science.
Evaluate information by discriminating between science and non-science.

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate and collaborate within and outside the field of chemistry.

Communicate concepts through peer interactions and collaboration.
Communicate through written, visual, and oral methods.
Recognize the interdisciplinary nature of science.

Students will understand the relationship between science and society.

Explain the historical context of scientific discoveries.
Evaluate the impact of science on society.
Evaluate the ethical implications of science.
Explain why science is integral for addressing social and environmental problems.
Explore how science is applied in a social context.

Graduates will demonstrate the ability to use their degrees to undertake careers in chemistry or to gain admittance to graduate or professional schools.

Dr. Shiva K. Kyasa
Email: ShivaKumar.Kyasa@wnmu.edu
Office: Harlan Hall 203
Office phone: (575) 538-6641

Dr. James Sanders
Email: James.Sanders@wnmu.edu
Office: Harlan Hall 210 (inside 208)
Office phone: (575) 538-6447

Core Courses

Please see the official degree plan for more details.

PHYS 151/153. General Physics I (non-calculus) & lab. First semester of introductory physics; includes a study of mechanics, sound, and heat; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: MATH 111 and 131. Offered fall of odd years. (NMCCN PHYS 1113/1111)(Area III). (4)

PHYS 152/154. General Physics II (non-calculus) & lab. Second semester of introductory physics; includes a study electricity, magnetism, and light. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 151/153. (NMCCN PHYS 1123/1121). (4)

PHYS 171/173. Principles of Physics I (calculus-based) & lab. A study of basic physics, employing calculus; includes a study of mechanics, sound, and heat; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Offered fall of even years.Prerequisites: MATH 171 and 172 or Instructor permission. (NMCCN PHYS 1213/1211)(Area III). (4)

PHYS 172/174. Principles of Physics II (calculus-based) & lab. Second semester of basic physics employing calculus; includes a study electricity, magnetism, and light. Three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: PHYS 171/173. (NMCCN PHYS 1223/1221)(Area III). (4)

MATH 131. College Algebra. Essential concepts of algebra and algebraic functions that are needed for further study in mathematics. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator. Prerequisite: Placement according to COMPASS math score or successful completion of MATH 111, or permission of the department chair. (NMCCN MATH 1113) (Area II). (3)

MATH 132. Trigonometry. Essential concepts and skills of trigonometry and other non-algebraic functions are needed for further study of mathematics. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator. Prerequisite: Placement according to COMPASS math score or successful completion of MATH 131, or permission of the department chair. (NMCCN MATH 1213). (3)

MATH 171. Calculus I. Review of functions and their multiple representations. Development of the fundamental concepts of calculus using graphical, numerical, and analytic methods for functions of a single variable; covers limit processes, derivatives, definite integrals, the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus, and applications. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator and/or computer algebra system. Prerequisite: Placement according to COMPASS math score or successful completion of MATH 131 and 132, or permission of the department chair. (NMCCN MATH 1615)(Area II). (5)

MATH 172. Calculus II. Continuation of MATH 171; covers more techniques of integration including numerical techniques, applications of the definite integral, improper integrals, an introduction to differential equations, Taylor polynomials and series. Uses appropriate technology such as a graphing calculator and/or computer algebra system. Prerequisite: MATH 171. (NMCCN MATH 1623)(Area II). (4)

CHEM 151/153. General Chemistry I & lab. Introductory course in chemistry; three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: MATH 131 or equivalent (may be taken concurrently). (NMCCN CHEM 1213/1211) (Area III). (4)

CHEM 152/154. General Chemistry II & lab. Second introductory course in chemistry; three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 151/153. (NMCCN CHEM 1223/1221) (Area III). (4)

CHEM 201/202. Analytical Chemistry & lab. Chemical equilibrium, volumetric and gravimetric analysis; two lectures and two labs per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 152/154.Offered fall of odd-numbered years. (4)

CHEM 301. Instrumental Analysis. Lectures and laboratory work on spectrophotometry (visible, ultraviolet, infrared, and atomic absorption), gas chromatography, high performance liquid chromatography, refractometry, polarimetry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and electroanalytical and radiochemical methods; two lectures and two laboratory periods per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 201/202, or 351/353, ENGL 102, and Instructor permission. Offered spring of even-numbered years.(4)

CHEM 308. Inorganic Chemistry. The study of inorganic substances, their properties and chemical reactivites. The course will start with introducing the students to the periodic table and electronic structure of an atom. Main group elements, transition metals, and f-block metals electronic structures will be discussed. Coordination properties and reactivites of the metal complexes will be address along with their spectroscopic properties. Prerequisite: CHEM 151/153 and ENGL 102. (3)

CHEM 351/353. Organic Chemistry I & lab. Introductory theory and practice of organic chemistry; three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 152/154 and ENGL 102. Offered fall of even-numbered years. (4)

CHEM 352/354. Organic Chemistry II & lab. Second introductory course on the theory and practice of organic chemistry; three lectures and one lab per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 351/353 and ENGL 102. Offered spring of odd-numbered years. (4)

CHEM 401/403. Physical Chemistry I & lab. Chemical thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, atomic and molecular structure, and kinetic theory of gases; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 151/153, 152/154, and ENGL 102. (4)

CHEM 402/404. Physical Chemistry II & lab. Continued study of chemical thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, atomic and molecular structure, and kinetic theory of gases; three lectures and one laboratory period per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 401/403 and ENGL 102. (4)

CHEM 460. Biochemistry I. The molecules, metabolism, and molecular biology of living cells; three lectures per week. Prerequisites: CHEM 351/353, and ENGL 102. Offered spring of odd-numbered years. (3)

CHEM 490. Directed Research. Original chemical research under faculty direction. Emphasis on laboratory work with library use and a written report. May be repeated. Prerequisites: CHEM 354 or equivalent, Instructor permission, and ENGL 102. (1-3)

Declaration of Major Form

To declare Chemistry as your major or minor, complete the form.

Degree Plans

Chemistry, B.A.

Chemistry, B.S.

Chemistry Minor

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