Chemistry and Biochemistry

Department Website

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers courses in the traditional areas of analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, as well as specialized classes in areas like biochemistry and molecular biology, environmental, forensic, materials, biophysical, polymer and computational chemistry. Students will be equipped with a solid scientific foundation, knowledge of computer programming and written communication skills, providing a strong background for a career in the sciences or for future graduate studies. 

Our department has three undergraduate bachelor’s degrees and a minor. The general major leads to the Bachelor of Science with a major in chemistry. The intensive major, suggested for those intending to enter a chemistry-related profession, leads to the degree of Bachelor of Science in Chemistry. Our department also offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry and molecular biology. 

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has been approved by the American Chemical Society’s (ACS) Committee on Professional Training, and the curriculum for the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry meets ACS requirements. Graduates who attain the certified degree (the B.S.C.) complete requirements that exceed those of the general track, and this comprehensive experience provides an excellent foundation for a career in the molecular sciences. 

Retention, Progression, and Transfer Standards

Chemistry majors may enroll in a chemistry course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher. Biochemistry and molecular biology majors may enroll in a biology or chemistry course a maximum of twice to earn the required grade of C or higher.
A chemistry major must receive a grade of C or higher in any chemistry course in order for it to be used to satisfy a major requirement. A biochemistry and molecular biology major must receive a grade of C or higher in any chemistry or biology course in order for it to be used to satisfy a major requirement.
Any student applying for transfer to the chemistry major from other programs within the University, or from other accredited colleges and universities, is required to have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.

Note: All three standards apply for the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S. degree. The first three standards apply for the Chemistry, B.S. and the Chemistry, B.S. Chem degrees.

Programs

Courses

CHEM 101 - Fundamental Chemistry I (4 Credits)

A science elective surveying inorganic and solution chemistry. First of a terminal two-semester sequence. Three lecture, one recitation, and two laboratory hours per week.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 102 - Fundamental Chemistry II (4 Credits)

An introductory survey of organic and biochemistry. Three lecture, one recitation, and two laboratory hours per week.

Prerequisites: 1 year high-school chemistry, CHEM 101, CHEM 111, or equivalent.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 105 - Chemistry and Modern Society I (4 Credits)

A conceptual and qualitative approach to chemistry, its evolution, achievements, and goals and its impact on technology, the environment, and modern life and thought. (Specifically designed for non-science majors.) Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 106 - Chemistry and Modern Society II (3 Credits)

A continuation of Chemistry 105. Three lecture hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 105.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 106L - Chemistry and Modern Society II Laboratory (1 Credit)

Laboratory associated with CHEM 106. Three hours of laboratory per week.

Prerequisites: CHEM 105.

Corequisite: CHEM 106.

CHEM 107 - Introduction to Forensic Science (3 Credits)

Surveys chemical aspects of criminal investigation and adjudication including drug, arson, DNA, paint, and fiber identification.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 107L - Introduction to Forensic Science Laboratory (1 Credit)

An analytical approach to surveys of criminal investigation and adjudication of crime scene analysis and collection and preservation of evidence. Analysis will include but not be limited to drug, arson, DNA, fingerprints, blood splatter, and fiber identification. Note: Three laboratory hours per week.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 111 - General Chemistry I (3 Credits)

Survey of the principles that underlie all chemistry with applications illustrating these principles. Three lecture and one recitation hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in MATH 111, MATH 115, MATH 122, MATH 141 or higher math (or by placement score into MATH 122, MATH 141 or higher math).

Corequisite: CHEM 111L (unless grade of C or higher in CHEM 111L earned previously).

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 111L - General Chemistry I Lab (1 Credit)

Introduction to the principles and techniques of experimental chemistry with emphasis on formula investigations, equations, elementary statistics, and chemical reactivity.

Prerequisites: MATH 111 or MATH 115 or higher.

Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHEM 111.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 112 - General Chemistry II (3 Credits)

Continuation of CHEM 111. Special emphasis on chemical equilibrium. Three lecture and one recitation hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 111 and C or higher in MATH 111, MATH 115, MATH 122, MATH 141 or higher math.

Corequisite: CHEM 112L.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 112L - General Chemistry II Lab (1 Credit)

Continuation of CHEM 111L with emphasis on solution properties, kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, and qualitative analysis.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 111 and CHEM 111L or CHEM 141.

Prerequisite or Corequisite: CHEM 112.

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 118 - Computational Chemistry I (1 Credit)

Introduction to the use of computers in solving chemical problems. One discussion and two laboratory hours per week.

Corequisite: CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L or CHEM 142 (unless a grade of C or higher earned previously).

CHEM 141 - Principles of Chemistry I (4 Credits)

Advanced general chemistry I. Atoms and chemical bonds. Three lecture hours, one recitation hour, and three laboratory hours per week. Credit cannot be received for both CHEM 111 and CHEM 141.

Prerequisites: high-school chemistry; C or higher in MATH 141 or higher math (or by placement score into MATH 142 or higher math).

Carolina Core: SCI

CHEM 142 - Principles of Chemistry II (4 Credits)

Advanced general chemistry II. Chemical kinetics, equilibria, and thermodynamics. Three lecture hours, one recitation hour, and three laboratory hours per week. Credit cannot be received for both CHEM 112 and CHEM 142.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 141.

CHEM 318 - Computational Chemistry II (1 Credit)

A continuation of CHEM 118, with applications to more advanced chemical problems. One discussion and two laboratory hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CSCE 145 or CSCE 106 and in CHEM 118.

CHEM 321 - Quantitative Analysis (3 Credits)

Gravimetric, volumetric, and introductory instrumental analysis. Three lecture and one recitation hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L or in CHEM 142.

Corequisite: CHEM 321L.

CHEM 321L - Quantitative Analysis Laboratory (1 Credit)

Three laboratory hours per week. Credit cannot be received for both CHEM 321L and CHEM 322L.

Corequisite: CHEM 321.

CHEM 322 - Analytical Chemistry (3 Credits)

Qualitative analysis, quantitative analysis, fundamental or method analysis, and molecular characterization.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L (or in CHEM 142) and in MATH 141 or higher MATH.

Corequisite: CHEM 322L.

CHEM 322L - Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1 Credit)

Laboratory skill building in analytical techniques. Applications of stoichiometry, spectroscopy, phase transfer, electrochemistry and kinetics. Credit cannot be received for both CHEM 321L and CHEM 322L.

Prerequisites: C or better in CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L or CHEM 142.

Corequisite: CHEM 322.

CHEM 331L - Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1 Credit)

Laboratory safety, syntheses, separation, and purification of carbon compounds. For non-majors.

Corequisite: CHEM 333 (unless grade of C or higher in CHEM 333 earned previously).

CHEM 332L - Essentials of Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1 Credit)

Continuation of CHEM 331L. Spectroscopic identification of carbon compounds. For non-majors. Three lab hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 331L.

Corequisite: CHEM 334 (unless grade of C or higher in CHEM 334 earned previously).

CHEM 333 - Organic Chemistry I (3 Credits)

Contemporary theories, nomenclature, reactions, mechanisms, and syntheses of carbon compounds. Three lecture and one recitation hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 112 or in CHEM 142.

CHEM 333L - Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2 Credits)

Laboratory safety, synthesis, separation, and purification of carbon compounds. Required for chemistry majors. Six laboratory hours per week.

Corequisite: CHEM 333 (unless grade of C or higher in CHEM 333 earned previously).

CHEM 334 - Organic Chemistry II (3 Credits)

Continuation of CHEM 333. Three lecture and one recitation hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 333.

CHEM 334L - Comprehensive Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2 Credits)

Continuation of CHEM 333L. Spectroscopic identification of carbon compounds. Required for chemistry majors. Six laboratory hours per week.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 333L.

Corequisite: CHEM 334 (unless grade of C or higher in CHEM 334 earned previously).

CHEM 340 - Elementary Biophysical Chemistry (3 Credits)

A non-calculus approach to the study of the principles of physical chemistry emphasizing their application to significant biochemical and biological systems. Chemical thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, solution chemistry, the structure of macromolecules, and acid-base properties of biomolecules. Credit for a degree will not be given for both CHEM 340 and CHEM 541.

Prerequisites: C or higher in CHEM 112 and CHEM 112L or in CHEM 142.

CHEM 360 - Undergraduate Seminar (1 Credit)

Student seminars and a survey of biochemical and molecular biology research at the University of South Carolina. Required of all biochemistry majors.

CHEM 399 - Independent Study (1-3 Credits)

Contract Required.