Department of Chemistry

Thompson Complex, Central Wing
Office 444, Phone: (270) 745-3457 Fax: (270) 745-5361
Website: www.wku.edu/Dept/Academic/Ogden/Chemistry

Dr. Cathleen Webb, Department Head
Email: cathleen.webb@wku.edu

Professors: L. Byrd, E. Conte, D. Dahl, W. Pan, L. Pesterfield
Associate Professors: S. Burris, C. Webb, K. Williams
Assistant Professors: J. Maddox, M. Nee, C. Snyder, B. Yan, R. Zhang
Instructors: A. Brooks, L. Smith
Professors Emeritus: D. Hartman, C. Henrickson, N. Hunter, J. Reasoner, J. Riley, L. Shank, D. Slocum, C. Wilkins

Chemistry is often described as “The Central Science” in today’s technology-driven world. Chemistry plays an important role in the research, development and quality assurance of products and materials ranging from pharmaceuticals and polymers to ceramics and nanocomposites. A knowledge and understanding of fundamental chemical concepts are crucial to success in professions such as medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, forensic science, environmental science, engineering, medical technology, physical therapy, nursing, patent and environmental law and science education.

In order to best serve such a diverse audience, the chemistry curriculum at Western Kentucky University offers an integrated series of lecture and laboratory courses. Our courses provide students with grounding in theoretical models balanced with real-life applications and hands-on laboratory experiences. This allows students to achieve an understanding of chemical and physical phenomena at the molecular level and to develop the critical thinking skills necessary for chemical problem solving. In addition to course work, the Department of Chemistry provides our undergraduates a wide variety of research opportunities from biochemistry to materials science. Research encourages students to continue to build their laboratory skills and scientific knowledge while working one-on-one with a faculty member. Undergraduate research students often present their research at both regional and national professional meetings. Recently, students have presented their research at meetings located in Chicago and Houston. The combination of lecture, laboratory and one-on-one faculty interaction allows students to develop the skills necessary to be successful in their chosen profession.

As part of the educational experience, students are routinely trained in the operation of state-of-the-art instrumentation in the academic and research laboratories. The Department has an extensive holding of instrumentation which includes: atomic spectrometers, calorimeters, a capillary electrophoresis system, electrochemical analyzers, elemental analyzers, gas chromatographs, FT-infrared spectrometers, ion chromatographs, mass spectrometers, spectrofluorophotometers, supercritical fluid extractors, UV-visible spectrophotometers, a Nd-YAG laser system and a 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer.

General education requirements for students majoring outside the sciences are satisfied by CHEM 101, or 109 where only one semester of chemistry is needed and by the sequences 105-106, 107-108, 120-121, or 222-223 where two semesters of chemistry are desired. All students seeking entrance into CHEM 120 must take the Chemistry Placement Exam.  Please call the WKU Testing Center at 270-745-3159 to make an appointment.  CHEM 102 (laboratory to accompany CHEM 101) is not necessary to satisfy general education requirements but is often desired by students taking Chemistry 101.

Biochemistry courses (CHEM 446, 447, 462, and 467) may be taken as electives toward a major or minor in chemistry. CHEM 446 is required for the major certified by the American Chemical Society. Biochemistry is also strongly recommended for pre-medicine and pre-dentistry students, and for biology majors desiring a second major in chemistry.

Chemistry as the major or minor field is available under both the regular and teacher certification programs.

When planning a program of study in this department, each student should be aware of the University’s academic requirements and regulations contained in this catalog in the chapter, “Academic Information.” Specific attention should be given to the subsections in the chapter entitled (a) Academic Programs, (b) General Education Requirements, and (c) Academic Requirements and Regulations. Students should be aware that some academic programs may require additional scholastic regulations and standards not specified in the catalog. To obtain a copy of these regulations, students should contact the department head.

Major in Chemistry
The major in chemistry (reference number 623) requires a minimum of 30 semester hours and leads to the Bachelor of Science degree.  A second major or minor is also required. The department offers three programs of study that lead to a Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. Prior to selection of a program of study, a student must consult with a chemistry advisor in order to determine the most appropriate option.

Option I – ACS Certified Chemistry Major
WKU is on the approved list of the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society. For certification by this committee of the completion of minimum standards (48 hours of chemistry) for the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry, the required courses are as follows, with the sequence recommended.

Freshman year:
Fall-CHEM 120-121 and MATH 118
Spring- CHEM 222-223; and MATH 126.

Sophomore year:
Fall - CHEM 340-341; MATH 227; PHYS 255- 256
Spring- CHEM 342-343, 330 and 265-266

Junior year:
Fall – CHEM 398 (1 hour), 446, 450-451
Spring – CHEM 452-453 and 399 (1 hour)

Senior year:
CHEM 399 (1 hour), CHEM 435
Spring– CHEM 420 In addition, CHEM 476 is highly recommended. It is important that physical chemistry, CHEM 450, 451, 452 and 453, be taken in the junior year since CHEM 452 is a prerequisite or corequisite for most courses numbered above 400.

Qualified students may omit MATH 118 and start with MATH 126. Students whose high school preparation in mathematics makes them ineligible for MATH 118 should consult their academic advisor for the proper first course in mathematics. It is recommended that students in this program take MATH 307 and 331 in addition to the above math requirements.

Suggested Program of Study

Option II
Majors, who plan on attending professional or graduate school, but who do not wish the full American Chemical Society program should take the following courses:

Freshman year:
Fall – CHEM 120-121 and MATH 118
Spring - CHEM 222-223 and MATH 126.

Sophomore Year:
Fall – CHEM 340-341, MATH 227 and PHYS 255-256
Spring – CHEM 330, 342-343 and PHYS 265-266.

Junior Year:
Fall – CHEM 450-451, 320 or 446
Spring – CHEM 452-453.

Senior Year:
CHEM 398, 399, 420, 435, and 476 are highly recommended.

Suggested Program of Study

Option III
Pre-health professional students majoring in chemistry and students who desire a double major are advised to include the following courses:

Freshman Year:
Fall - CHEM 120-121 and MATH 118
Spring – CHEM 222-223 and MATH 126.

Sophomore Year:
Fall – CHEM 340-341, 330 and PHYS 231-232
Spring – CHEM 342-343 and PHYS 332-233.

Junior Year:
Fall – CHEM 446 or 320
Spring - CHEM 412

Suggested Program of Study

At least one semester of organic chemistry, one semester of inorganic chemistry or biochemistry, and one semester of physical chemistry are required, with additional courses in chemistry numbered above 300 to make a total of 30 semester hours.

For a chemistry major under the teacher certification curriculum, students should take:

Freshman Year:
Fall – CHEM 120-121 and MATH 118
Spring – CHEM 222-223 and MATH 126.

Sophomore Year:
Fall – CHEM 330, PHYS 231-232 and GEOL 111/113
Spring CHEM 314 and PHYS 332/233.

Junior Year:
Fall – CHEM 320, 446-447 and 399
Spring - CHEM 412 and CHEM 399. Education courses required for certification are: EDU 250, 351, 352, 453, 479, 489, 490 and PSY 310.

Major in Biochemistry
A BS degree in biochemistry (reference number 519) requires a minimum of 60 credit hours and consists of core chemistry and biology courses with electives selected from chemistry, biology, agriculture and physics. For more information, see “Biochemistry” under Pre-Professional and Interdisciplinary programs.

Minor in Chemistry
The minor in chemistry (reference number 335) requires a minimum of 18/21 hours. For a minor a student must have CHEM 120-121, 222-223, 330 and courses numbered above 300 to make a total of at least 18 semester hours. Note that at least nine semester hours must be earned in courses numbered 300 and above.

For a minor under the teacher certification curriculum, a student must have CHEM 120-121, 222-223, 330, 314, and 412.  An additional 5 credits of upper-division chemistry courses will also complete a second major in chemistry.

Minor in Coal Chemistry
The minor in coal chemistry (reference number 340) requires a minimum of 20-22 hours in chemistry. For a minor a student must have CHEM 120-121, 222-223, 314.

Minor in Environmental Studies
(See Environmental Studies under Pre-professional and Interdisciplinary Programs.)

Graduate Degree Programs
Graduate programs and courses leading to the Master of Science and Master of Arts in Education with a major in chemistry are available in the Department of Chemistry. Each year a number of graduate teaching assistantships are available for qualified graduate students. For additional information see the Graduate Studies Catalog or contact the Chair of the Chemistry Graduate Programs.

A cooperative graduate program leading to the doctor of philosophy is administered by the Department of Chemistry at Western Kentucky University and the Department of Chemistry at the University of Louisville. Interested students may obtain complete information about the program from Dr. Cathleen Webb, Head, Department of Chemistry, Western Kentucky University, or from the Chair of the Department of Chemistry at the University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky.