Department of Chemistry
Department website: http://www.wku.edu/chemistry
Kevin Williams, Department Chair
Kelly Thompson Hall 4016
(270) 745-3457
chemistry@wku.edu
Faculty
Professor
Stuart C. Burris PhD (Chemistry), North Carolina State University, 1998
Eric D. Conte PhD (Chemistry), University of Massachusetts, 1993
Ranjit Koodali PhD (Chemistry), Indian Inst of Tech-Madras, 1995
Matthew J. Nee PhD (Chemistry), University of California-Berkeley, 2005
Lester L. Pesterfield PhD (Chemistry), University of Tennessee, Knoxville, 1991
Cathleen J. Webb PhD (Chemistry), University of Washington, 1989
Kevin M. Williams PhD (Chemistry), Emory University, 2000
Bangbo Yan PhD (Chemistry), Nanyang University, 2003
Rui Zhang PhD (Chemistry), University of Hong Kong, 2001
Associate Professor
Lawrence J. Hill PhD (Chemistry), University of Arizona, 2014
Moon-Soo Kim PhD (Food Science and Technology), Cornell University, 2007
Jeremy B. Maddox PhD (Chemistry), University of Houston, 2003
Assistant Professor
Lei Li PhD (Chemistry), University of Florida, 2018
Senior Instructor
David E. Wolfgang PhD (Biochemistry), Cornell University, 1998
Chemistry Courses
CHEM 412G Introduction to Physical Chemistry 5 Hours
Chemical principles involved in thermodynamics, kinetics, molecular structure, and other topics using biological examples. Specifically for secondary education students and those students not qualifying for the CHEM 450/452 sequence. Lecture, 3 hours; lab, 2 hours. Lab meets 4 + hours per week.
Restriction(s): Students cannot enroll who are in Chemistry (059)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 420G Inorganic Chemistry 3 Hours
Atomic and molecular structure, bonding theory, ionic substances, electron deficient compounds, acid-base theory and coordination chemistry.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023
CHEM 421G Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory 1 Hour
A laboratory course emphasizing the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds of main group and transition metals. Laboratory meets once a week for three hours.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 420G
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
CHEM 425G Polymer Chemistry 4 Hours
The principles of polymer chemistry. Lecture topics include molecular weights, morphology, mechanisms, kinetics, characterization, and uses of polymers by free radical and ionic methods in their characterization by thermal analysis, spectroscopy, viscometry, and chromatography.
Course Fee: $35
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 430G Forensic Chemistry 3 Hours
Methods and instrumentation used in the crime laboratory and in the medical technology laboratory. Topics include drugs, blood enzymes, organic and inorganic analysis, etc.
Course Fee: $35
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2023
CHEM 435G Instrumental Analysis 3 Hours
Modern instrumental methods of analysis including spectroscopic, electroanalytical and chromatographic techniques.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2022; fall 2023
CHEM 446G Biochemistry 3 Hours
A study of biochemical compounds and their role in intermediary metabolism. Special topics include biochemical energetics and coenzyme mechanisms.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023
CHEM 447G Lab Biochemistry 2 Hours
A basic laboratory study involving selected experiments which illustrate biochemical principles including separation, identification and chemical properties of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and enzymes.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 446G
Course Fee: $35
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 450G Physical Chemistry I 3 Hours
A study of theoretical chemistry, including such as gaseous state, solid state, liquid state, thermodynamics, thermochemistry and phase and chemical equilibria.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
CHEM 451G Lab Physical Chemistry I 2 Hours
A laboratory to accompany CHEM 450G and includes experiments on state of matter, surface phenomena, macromolecules, thermochemistry, thermodynamics and equilibria. Pre-lab lecture and laboratory meets four and one-half hours per week.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 450G
Course Fee: $50
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 452G Physical Chemistry II 3 Hours
A continuation of CHEM 450G including studies of kinetics, atomic and molecular structure, theory of chemical bonding, electromotive force and selected topics.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2022; spring 2023
CHEM 453G Lab Physical Chemistry II 2 Hours
A laboratory to accompany CHEM 452G and includes experiments on chemical kinetics, spectroscopy, molecular structure, electrochemistry and mass spectroscopy. Pre-lab lecture and laboratory meets four and one-half hours per week.
Corequisite(s): CHEM 452G
Course Fee: $50
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 462G Bioinorganic Chemistry 3 Hours
This course is a study of the coordinating properties and reactivity of metal ions in living organisms. Metal ion toxicity and detoxification systems and functions of various metalloenzymes will be discussed.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 467G Biochemistry 3 Hours
A study of the reactions of living systems and an introduction to the mechanisms and energetics of metabolism.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 470G Chemistry/Middle School 2-4 Hours
Chemical theories and principles in the middle school science curricula. (elective credit only)
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 475G Selected Topics in Chemistry 1-3 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Topics in analytical, biochemical, coal, inorganic, organic, physical and polymer chemistry.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 476G Advanced Laboratory Investigations in Chemistry 2 Hours
A course for advanced students involving assigned laboratory work in the field of inorganic chemistry. Typical procedures and experiments are those involving the synthesis, characterization, and identification of various chemical compounds, using a variety of handling techniques, and the application of various physical methods.
Course Fee: $50
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 490G Materials Chemistry 3 Hours
A study of the three major classes of materials, metals, polymers, and ceramics. Topics discussed will include chemical composition, bonding, common chemical and physical properties, microstructures, and how processing and uses are affected by chemical and physical properties.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 491G Materials Chemistry Laboratory 3 Hours
A laboratory course in materials that includes experiments on liquid flow, solid deformation, thermal properties, electrical conductivity of materials, microscopy, diffraction techniques, processing and testing of shaped articles.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 516 Chemical Literature Review 1-3 Hours
Review of chemical literature on topics of individual interest. Includes reports and proposals for further research.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
CHEM 520 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 3 Hours
Various aspects of coordination chemistry.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
CHEM 531 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 Hours
Survey of selected topics in modern instrumental methods of chemical analysis. Includes instrumental techniques not covered in CHEM 435.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2022
CHEM 535 Analytical Biochemistry 3 Hours
An overview of the science of modern analytical and instrumental techniques with particular emphasis on techniques relevant to measurements in biochemistry and biology.
Prerequisite(s): (CHEM 446G or CHEM 446) or (BIOL 446G or BIOL 446) or permission of instructor
Equivalent(s): BIOL 535
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; spring 2023
CHEM 540 Organic Reactions 3 Hours
An advanced discussion of organic synthesis, including modern synthetic methods used to make targeted compounds in systematic ways.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2023
CHEM 541 Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 Hours
Modern physical-organic chemistry including bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, concerted reactions, photo-chemistry, and free-radical reactions.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; spring 2023
CHEM 550 Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 Hours
Covers thermodynamics, kinetics and molecular structure in preparation for graduate study or research.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2022
CHEM 560 Chemical Agents and Explosives 3 Hours
A study of the fundamental principles of chemical agents and explosives. Review of chemical reactions associated with these chemicals including detection methods, effects on targets, modes of delivery, and methods for protecting people.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2023
CHEM 562 Advanced Biochemistry 3 Hours
Survey of biochemical research areas where significant advances have been made in recent years. Textbook readings, review articles and current research papers will be incorporated into lectures and discussions.
Equivalent(s): BIOL 562
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021; fall 2023
CHEM 569 Internship in Chemistry 3 Hours
Practical experience in a supervised work situation with a cooperating business, industry, or governmental agency. Emphasizes application of knowledge and skills in chemistry.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 570 Lecture Demonstration Techniques 3 Hours
The design and operation of meaningful lecture demonstrations in chemistry.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 572 Detection/Analysis of Chemical Agents and Explosives Lecture 3 Hours
An advanced study of the fundamental principles and applications for detection/analysis of chemical threats.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 560
Corequisite(s): CHEM 573
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 573 Detection/Analysis of Chemical Agents and Explosives Laboratory 1 Hour (repeatable max of 3 hrs)
An applications laboratory for detection/analysis of chemical threats.
Course Fee: $25
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 580 Chemical Skills 3 Hours
Skills in the use of the library, glass working, and the laboratory. May be used to satisfy the research tool requirement.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 588 Research Proposal 2 Hours
This course is to provide a practical graduate-level overview of research design and proposal writing in chemistry. Students will learn to identify problems/needs, review chemical literature, formulate hypotheses, and design research methodology for their thesis projects.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
CHEM 590 Material Chemistry 3 Hours
A class describes the various materials, including metals, semiconductors and polymers. The class is focusing on understanding the relationships between the arrangement of atoms, ions, or molecules comprising materials, and its bulk structural/physical properties, as well as thermochemical properties, kinetic rates and spectroscopic properties of materials.
Recent Term(s) Offered: fall 2021
CHEM 591 Material Chemistry Laboratory 3 Hours
Laboratory course focusing on the properties of materials and how they relate to the structure of the materials. Materials studies will include metals, polymers, ceramics, composites and energetic materials, and a variety of applications will be discussed including high energy, industrial, and pharmaceutical materials. Techniques including thermal analysis, X-ray diffraction, microscopy, and mechanical testing will be employed.
Recent Term(s) Offered: None
CHEM 595 Scientific Writing in Chemistry 1-6 Hours
A course to build and enhance students' writing skills when preparing lab reports, scientific articles and other professional communications.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 596 (may be taken concurrently) or permission of instructor
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023
CHEM 596 Practicum Research Experience in Chemistry 1-10 Hours
A student will work under the direction of a faculty advisor on a project proposed by the student or a project of mutual scientific interest. This research will lead to a thesis in chemistry.
Prerequisite(s): permission of instructor
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023
CHEM 598 Graduate Seminar 0.5 Hours (repeatable max of 2 hrs)
Required each semester for all MS Chemistry students. Attendance is required of all full-time graduate students.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; fall 2023
CHEM 599 Thesis Research/Writing 1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Thesis research and writing directed by faculty committee.
Course Fee: $50
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021; summer 2021; fall 2021; spring 2022; summer 2022; fall 2022; spring 2023; summer 2023; fall 2023
CHEM 600 Maintaining Matriculation 1-6 Hours (repeatable max of 6 hrs)
Continued enrollment for thesis completion.
Recent Term(s) Offered: spring 2021
CHEM 799 Doctoral Research/Chemistry 1-6 Hours
No course description is available
Recent Term(s) Offered: None