Department of Chemistry

260 Mathematics and Science Center
(248) 370-2320
Fax: (248) 370-2321

Chairperson: Roman Dembinski

Distinguished professor emeritus: Paul Tomboulian

Professors emeriti: Gottfried Brieger, Arthur W. Bull, Denis M. Callewaert, Dagmar Cronn, Steven R. Miller, Kathleen H. Moore, Joel W. Russell, R. Craig Taylor

Distinguished professors: Michael D. Sevilla, Maria Szczesniak Bryant, Xiangqun Zeng

Professors: Sitaramayya Ari, Ferman Chavez, Roman Dembinski, John V. Seeley

Associate professors: Linda Schweitzer, David Szlag

Assistant professors: Adam Avery, Ngong Kodiah Beyeh, Evan Trivedi, Colin Wu, Ziming Yang

Adjunct professors: David Becker, Grzegorz Chalasinski, Anna C. Ettinger, Om Goel, Andrew M. Mance, Gholam-Abbas Nazri, Nessan Kerrigan, D. David Newlin, Joseph R. Stetter

Adjunct associate professors: Klaus Friedrich, James S. Dusenbury, Stacy K. Seeley, Jennifer Tillinger

Adjunct assistant professors: Janet Bennett, Gerald G. Compton, Naomi Eliezer, Jessica V. Koppen

Lecturers: Marcella Colling, Jose Esteves-Villanueva, Charlene Hayden, Kenneth Kirshenbaum, Abul Molla, Hari Prasad, Talia Sebastian, Wendy Wilson

Chief adviser: Jennifer Tillinger

Oakland University’s chemistry programs offer students the laboratories and equipment typically found at larger universities while retaining strong emphasis on the undergraduate education and informal student-faculty relations characteristic of smaller liberal arts colleges. Additionally, research opportunities are available to qualified undergraduates.

The Department of Chemistry provides highly professional chemistry programs, as well as the liberal arts dedication to developing the highest intellectual and creative potential of its students. The department offers programs of study leading to Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in chemistry and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in biomedical sciences with specialization in health and environmental chemistry.

High school students intending to major in chemistry should refer to the Admissions section of the catalog for specific preparation requirements.

Planning a Program in Chemistry

Curricula leading to a major in chemistry are quite structured, since knowledge is developed cumulatively in a four-year sequence. This leads to a fairly prescribed order of course presentation with a number of specific course requirements. Students interested in pursuing a program of study in chemistry should consult with a departmental adviser and file a program plan as early as possible in their college career.

Admission to Major Standing

To be eligible for a degree in chemistry, admission to major standing by the department is required at least three semesters before graduation. Students must consult with the chemistry department chief adviser to develop a curriculum plan prior to the term in which they first take a 3000-4000 level chemistry course. This procedure is designed to ensure that an appropriate plan of study is completed by graduation.

Application for major standing in chemistry is recommended as early as possible, preferably prior to completion of CHM 1440 /1470 , CHM 1450 /1480 , CHM 2200 , CHM 2340 -CHM 2350 , CHM 2370 , PHY 1510 /1100 and MTH 1554 . A grade point average of 2.00 or better is required for the courses listed.

Coursework more than 10 years old is subject to reevaluation by the department. An examination may be required to demonstrate proficiency in areas covered by such courses.

American Chemical Society Certification

The Department of Chemistry’s faculty members, facilities and curriculum meet the criteria of the American Chemical Society. This allows the department to certify chemistry students as eligible for society membership. Certification is granted to students who have successfully completed the requirements for the Bachelor of Science degree with a major in chemistry.

Research

The Department of Chemistry offers exceptional opportunities year-round for interested and qualified students to participate in faculty research. Course credit for research may be earned in CHM 2995 , CHM 4995 , and CHM 4996 . In addition, employment opportunities or fellowships are often available. Such research experience is of particular value to students preparing for graduate study or industrial employment.

Students should feel free to discuss research opportunities with members of the chemistry faculty. Specific arrangements with an individual faculty member must be made before enrollment in CHM 2995 , CHM 4995 , or CHM 4996 .

Departmental Honors

Departmental honors may be awarded to graduating seniors in chemistry who have been recommended for honors by their research advisers and have completed all required science courses with high grades.

Advanced Courses in Chemistry

Students pursuing a major in chemistry, B.S. program, take 8 credits of advanced courses in areas of interest. In addition to the courses listed in this catalog, the following advanced courses are open to qualified undergraduates: CHM 5210 and 5900, Advanced Analytical Chemistry and Topics in Analytical Chemistry; CHM 5340 and 5901, Advanced Organic Chemistry and Topics in Organic Chemistry; CHM 5400, Symmetry in Chemistry; CHM 5410 and 5420, Advanced Physical Chemistry and Topics in Physical Chemistry; CHM 5530 and 5902, Advanced Biochemistry and Topics in Biochemistry; and CHM 5630 and 5903, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry and Topics in Inorganic Chemistry. See the online Oakland University Graduate course listings for course descriptions.

Biochemistry Program

In cooperation with the Department of Biological Sciences, the Department of Chemistry offers a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry. Courses used to fulfill the requirements for a major in biochemistry may not be used simultaneously to fulfill the requirements for a major or minor in chemistry.

Pre-Medical Studies Concentration: Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine

Pre-Medical Studies: Medicine, Dentistry, Optometry and Veterinary Medicine Concentration

The Bachelor of Science degree with a major in biochemistry provides students with all the requirements for a pre-medical studies concentration. The Bachelor of Science degree and the Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in chemistry provide students with all the requirements for a pre-medical studies concentration with the exception of five courses in biology/biochemistry that must be completed. Students interested in a medical career should refer to the pre-medical studies concentration in medicine, dentistry, optometry and veterinary medicine (Other College of Arts and Sciences Academic Options and Concentrations ) and consult with the chemistry or biochemistry adviser and with the pre-medical studies adviser.

Course Offerings

The department offers selected courses from this catalog as warranted by student needs and availability of faculty. Specific offerings for each term may be found in the Schedule of Classes: sail.oakland.edu

The various introductory chemistry courses (CHM 1040 , CHM 1430 , CHM 1440 /1470 and CHM 1450 /1480 ) are for students in different majors with different levels of mathematical and physical science preparation. Students who do not place in MTH 0662 or a higher MTH course are advised to complete MTH 0661 prior to enrolling in any chemistry course. Students must consult with the chemistry department adviser or their major adviser before enrolling in CHM 1040 or CHM 1430 .

CHM 1040 is designed primarily for pre-nursing students. Computer science and engineering students may enroll in CHM 1430 or CHM 1440 /1470 . Science majors (biology, biochemistry, chemistry, environmental health, physics) and students majoring in the health sciences should enroll in CHM 1440 /1470 .

CHM 1440 /1470 and CHM 1450 /1480 are prerequisite to all higher chemistry courses except CHM 2010 and CHM 3000 . Credit will be allowed for only one course in the following series: CHM 1040 , CHM 1430 , CHM 1440 /1470 . Credit will not be allowed in major and minor programs in chemistry, biology or physics for CHM 1040 , CHM 2010 and CHM 3000 , except for CHM 3000 , which is allowed for the STEP majors in biology and chemistry.

Schedule of classes

Specific offerings for each semester may be found in the Schedule of Classes.