CHEM 120: Chemistry of Life (GE)
Credit Hours: (3) Three hours lecture
Prerequisites: none
The most basic concepts and techniques of general, organic, and biochemistry will be presented by concentrating on the chemistry necessary to understand living systems.
Note(s): General Education designated course. Credit towards a Chemistry major will not be given for CHEM 120.
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Detailed Description of the Course:
Topics covered:
1. Matter and Measurements
2. Atoms and the Periodic Table
3. Ionic Compounds
4. Molecular Compounds
5. Classification and Balancing of Chemical Reactions
6. Chemical Reactions: Mole and Mass Relationships
7. Chemical Reactions: Energy, Rates, and Equilibrium
8. Gases, Liquids, and Solids
9. Solutions
10. Acids and Bases
11. Nuclear Chemistry
12. Introduction to Organic Chemistry: Alkanes
13. Alkenes, Alkynes, and Aromatic Compounds
14. Alcohols, ethers and thiols
15. Amines
16. Aldehydes and Ketones
17. Carboxylic Acids and their Derivatives
18. Amino Acids and Proteins
19. Enzymes and Vitamins
20. The Generation of Biochemical Energy
21. Carbohydrates
23. Lipids
24. Lipid Metabolism
25. Nucleic Acids and Protein Synthesis
26. Chemical Messengers: Hormones, Neurotransmitters, and Drugs
Detailed Description of Conduct of Course
CHEM 120 is a lecture and laboratory course. One hundred and fifty minutes each week is a lecture format, in which students are encouraged to participate and ask questions. Although this course is not as mathematical as the traditional introductory courses, the development of logical solutions to complex problems, especially living systems, will be emphasized. To help students prepare for tests, they are given weekly homework assignments and/or quizzes. The three hour laboratory period consists of a safety and laboratory introduction lecture, actual laboratory performance by the student, and completion of a laboratory report.
Student Goals and Objectives of the Course
Upon completion of this course students will:
Assessment Measures
Assessment of the student’s success in the course is based on the performance on three or four tests, the final exam, homework problems and/or quizzes, and laboratory reports. The weight of each assessment tool will be announced by the instructor of the course.
Review and Approval
DATE ACTION REVIEWED BY
October 2005 Walter S. Jaronski, Department of Chemistry and Physics
March 01, 2021
Revised June 2023