Chemistry and Physics
Mission Statement
LaGrange College's Chemistry and Physics program exists to support students in learning through studies in the field of chemistry, biochemistry, and physics, and the application of the organized discipline knowledge they gain to solving complex problems and in communicating those solutions. Additional purposes of the program are to provide support to the College and the profession of chemistry through activity in faculty governance functions, professional organizations and scholarship. The program provides B.A. and B.S. Biochemistry Majors and a Chemistry Minor that prepare students for further studies in professional or graduate school. Courses provided by the department fulfill the Ethos lab science requirement, are cognates for other majors, and meet admission requirements for many professional programs.
Introduction
Chemistry is often referred to as “the central science,” because chemical concepts are used throughout the other sciences. Therefore, in addition to being a major in its own right, the study of chemistry is a part of many curricula. The Department of Chemistry focuses its introductory Chemistry course as an element in a liberal education, a service to other departments, and the beginning of a comprehensive study of biochemistry. The department offers B.A. and B.S. majors in Biochemistry as well as a minor in Chemistry, which can lead to a variety of future occupations. Students with a major in the Chemistry Program have gone on to traditional pursuits such as graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, pharmacy, medical school, education or law school (patent law and corporate law), as well as becoming laboratory technicians and salespersons in the chemical and related industries.
The B.A. degree offers a broad background in biochemistry while allowing ample time for extensive coursework in other fields. The B.A. is appropriate for those interested in one of the medical or law-related professions, teaching, or for students desiring the broadest possible education with an emphasis in natural science. The B.S. major is designed for those going on to graduate school in a biochemistry-related field (biochemistry or molecular biology) or those seeking employment as lab scientists after graduation. The B.S. degree is generally more highly valued at professional schools. While the B.S. degree is more demanding of a student’s time, there is sufficient time for electives outside the sciences.
Regardless of the degree pursued in the program, majors are expected to achieve an appropriate level of competency in four major objectives during their undergraduate studies: core topics in chemistry, the language of chemistry, laboratory skills and advanced studies. Each degree has specific outcomes under each of these objectives appropriate to that degree.
Declaration of Major
Students expressing interest in the BA or BS Biochemistry major are categorized as Pre-BA Biochemistry or Pre-BS Biochemistry until they meet the requirements for entering the major. Major status will be evaluated at the end of each semester. To be a BA or BS Biochemistry Major, students must complete the introductory sequence (CHEM 1101, 1102) at LaGrange College with a minimum grade of C- in each course or demonstrate proficiency by achieving 40th percentile of higher on the ACS Standardized Examination in General Chemistry or the ACS Standardized Examination in Organic Chemistry. Transfer students will be categorized as Pre- major until they demonstrate progress by completing two CHEM major courses satisfactorily or meet the ACS Exam proficiency.
Policies
Online BIOL, CHEM, and PHYS laboratories
Laboratory experiences are central to the development of scientific thought and processes as well as dexterity and laboratory safety. Online lab experiences taught at other institutions are not considered equivalent to in-person/in-seat laboratory experiences at LaGrange College and are therefore unlikely to be approved as substitutions for LaGrange College BIOL, CHEM, or PHYS laboratory courses.
Awards
The First-Year Chemistry Award is awarded annually on Honors Day to the student with the most outstanding achievement in the CHEM 1101-1102 General Chemistry sequence.
The A.M. Hicks Award for outstanding achievement in organic chemistry is awarded annually on Honors Day to the student taking organic chemistry who has attained the most outstanding record. The award is made in honor of Dr. A. M. Hicks, a long-time faculty member and chair of the chemistry department.
Majors and Minors
Major Minor
Minor in ChemistryCourses
A study of the foundations of chemistry, including stoichiometry, atomic structure and periodicity, molecular structure and bonding models, and thermochemistry.
Lab course to be taken with CHEM 1101.
A continuation of CHEM 1101; a study of the gas, liquid, and solid phases, chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, general equilibria, acid/base equilibria, ionic equilibrium, oxidation-reduction reactions, and electrochemistry.
Lab course to be taken with CHEM 1102.
(1-6 Hours) An opportunity for students to gain added applied experience and insight in approved off-campus settings. Internships consist of at least 40 working hours per credit hour in areas related to the discipline. Assignments may include selected readings, public presentation, and a final portfolio containing essays, weekly journal, and supporting material. Advisors, program coordinators, department chairs, and the internship coordinator (or designee) must approve the internship before a student begins their work. Internships will be taken as pass/no credit.
A study of the fundamentals of organic chemistry with respect to the bonding, structure, nomenclature, and reactivity of various classes of organic compounds, including aromatic compounds.
A continuation of CHEM 3201, including spectroscopy, synthesis, carbonyls, and biomolecules.
An overview of chemical thermodynamics, equilibrium and chemical dynamics taught at the algebra level and including applications to biological systems.
CHEM4201 is an extension of the study of organic chemistry as begun in the CHEM3201-3202 series, with the addition of special topics of interest for organic chemists not covered in that series.
An introductory course in the principles of biochemistry, with emphasis on the structure and function of biomolecules, membrane structure and function, and an introduction to metabolism and bioenergetics.
A continuation of CHEM 4421, with emphasis on cellular metabolism, fundamentals of molecular genetics, and current topics in biochemistry.
A study of the basic instrumentation used for the quantitative and qualitative analysis of organic and inorganic compounds. This course examines the major instrument types used for this purpose, highlighting instrument design and operation, sampling and the interpretation of output.
A capstone course for Biochemistry majors. This course will address searching the chemical/biochemical literature, the procedure by which literature papers are submitted, reviewed and approved for publication. Assignments will research using the chemical literature, reading and interpreting papers from the chemical literature. A chemical literature review project or an undergraduate research effort will culminate in an oral presentation and paper.
(1-6 Hours) An opportunity for students to gain added applied experience and insight in approved off-campus settings. Internships consist of at least 40 working hours per credit hour in areas related to the discipline. Assignments may include selected readings, public presentation, and a final portfolio containing essays, weekly journal, and supporting material. Advisors, program coordinators, department chairs, and the internship coordinator (or designee) must approve the internship before a student begins their work. Internships will be taken as pass/no credit.
A “special topic” course that may be designed to provide the student with exposure to topics and concepts not covered in the regular course offerings.
This course may have various topics and may be used for credit for undergraduate research. This course can be taken multiple times.
A non-calculus-based introduction to kinematics, dynamics, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, fluid mechanics, periodic motion, wave mechanics, and thermodynamics.
A laboratory to accompany PHYS1101. Physics is a science of measurement, testing, and experimentation—inquiry-based laboratories make physics come to life!
A continuation of PHYS 1101 and an introduction to electricity and magnetism, electric circuits, and light and optics.
A laboratory to complement PHYS1102. Physics is a science of measurement, testing, and experimentation—inquiry-based laboratories make physics come to life!
A calculus-based introduction to dynamics, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, fluid mechanics, periodic motion, wave mechanics, and thermodynamics.
A calculus-based introduction to dynamics, energy, momentum, rotational dynamics, fluid mechanics, periodic motion, wave mechanics, and thermodynamics.
A continuation of PHYS 2121, covering electricity and magnetism, electric circuits, and light and optics.
As physics is an experimental science with a focus on measurement, testing and experimentation, this course provides an inquiry-based laboratory experience.
