Courses

"The training of undergraduates and preparing them for the real world, I think that is my real accomplishment. I believe the science of chemistry can only be taught in a research lab where fundamental questions on the frontiers of chemistry are probed. In my view, both researching and teaching are integral parts of the learning process."

Narayan S. Hosmane
Distinguished Research Professor
Inaugural Board of Trustees Professor

CHEM 110 — Chemistry

Catalog Description

Development of the fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry by lecture–demonstration, as well as the development of an appreciation of the nature of chemistry as a science. An historical development of the most important concepts and ideas. Methods and limitations of chemistry, its evolution and discussions of the problems currently being solved and created.

General Education Course Objectives

  • Improve ability to think critically and logically Improve ability to reason quantitatively and to perform basic chemical computations.
  • Learn how to use the scientific method and theories to understand chemical phenomena.
  • Develop an appreciation for the importance of the role of chemistry in everyday life.
  • Develop an understanding of the historical development of the field of chemistry.

Content Objectives of this Course

  • Understand the concepts of matter and energy and become acquainted with metric and SI units of measurement.
  • Understand the electronic arrangement in atoms and the periodic properties of elements.
  • Learn how to write chemical formulas, name compounds and perform simple chemical calculations.
  • Familiarity with the behavior of gases, liquids and solids.
  • Become knowledgeable about the properties of aqueous solutions.

CHEM 210 — General Chemistry I

Catalog Description

Fundamental laws and principles of chemistry; atomic structure and chemical bonding; stoichiometry; kinetic theory; gases; liquids; solids; solutions.

Prerequisites and Notes

PRQ: MATH 110 and CHEM 110, or satisfactory performance on the Chemistry Placement Examination, or consent of department. Not available for credit to students with credit in CHEM 210. CRQ: CHEM 212.

General Education Course Objectives

  • Improve ability to think critically and logically.
  • Improve ability to reason quantitatively and to perform basic chemical computations.
  • Improve ability to interpret mathematical models.
  • Learn how to use the scientific method and theories to understand chemical phenomena.
  • Develop an appreciation for the importance of the role of chemistry in everyday life.
  • Develop an understanding of the historical development of the field of chemistry.

Content Objectives of this Course

  • Understand the components of atoms and ions.
  • Learn how to write chemical formulas and name compounds.
  • Learn how to balance chemical equations and how to perform simple stoichiometry calculations.
  • Understand the behavior of gases, liquids and solids.
  • Become familiar with the electronic structure of atoms and understand how chemical reactivity depends on electronic structure.
  • Correctly predict the shapes of complex molecules and ions.
  • Become familiar with the theories of chemical bonding.

CHEM 460 — Inorganic Chemistry of the Transition Metals

Catalog Description

Introduction to symmetry elements and point group classification. Structures, bonding and physical properties of transition metal complexes, as identified by electronic, vibrational and diffraction methods. Kinetics and thermodynamics of transition metal reactions. Organometallic chemistry and catalysis. Bioinorganic transition metal chemistry. Three lectures per week

Prerequisites and Notes

PRQ: CHEM 325, CHEM 337 and CHEM 440, or consent of department.

CHEM 600A — Selected Topics in Chemistry

Catalog Description

Lecture and discussions of special topics for beginning graduate students. One to 3 semester hours as scheduled; course may be repeated up to a maximum of 9 semester hours.

Special Topic: Organometallic Chemistry

  • Special emphasis on 18‐Electron Rule, Sigma (ó) ‐, Pi (ð) ‐ and Other Important Ligands.
  • Reactions that occur at the Metal Center.
  • Reactions Involving Modification of Ligands.
  • Synthesis, Structures, Bonding and Reactivity of Organometallic Compounds including Carboranes and Metallacarboranes and their Applications in Catalysis.

Contact

Narayan S. Hosmane, Ph.D.
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Faraday Hall 305
815-753‐3556
hosmane@niu.edu

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