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Chemistry

100%
OF INCOMING FIRST-YEARS & TRANSFERS
Receive scholarships or grants
12:1
RATIO
Of faculty to students
96%
EMPLOYMENT RATE
of surveyed alumni within 9 months of graduation

Understanding of the nature of matter

Chemistry touches multiple facets of life.

Mount Mercy University prepares graduates from its chemistry program to lead a new era of scientific advancements. Whether focused on one or more areas of emphasis—chemistry, biochemistry, or forensic science—students are encouraged to follow their passions.

Grounded in an understanding of the nature of matter, MMU’s chemistry majors are prepared to conserve and enhance our world.

Curriculum

Immersive, hands-on learning experience.

Mount Mercy's award-winning faculty guide student research in our cutting-edge, 24-hour laboratories. A fire-breathing chemistry professor, engaging curriculum, research opportunities and our caring, close-knit campus culture are highlights of the MMU chemistry program.

Possible degree tracks:

  • Chemistry
  • Biochemistry
  • Forensic Science

What courses will I take?

Major

Chemistry Track

Required:
CH 111General Chemistry I4.5
CH 112General Chemistry II4.5
CH 211Organic Chemistry I4.5
CH 212Organic Chemistry II4.5
CH 251Analytical Chemistry4.5
CH 302Biochemistry4.5
CH 370Physical Chemistry4.5
MA 164Calculus I4
PH 151Principles of Physics I4
PH 152Principles of Physics II4
Select Two of the Following: *6-9
CH 303
Biochemistry II
CH 334
Instrumental Analysis
CH 399
Special Topics in Chemistry
Total Hours49.5-52.5
*

 More electives will be added at a later date. Check with chemistry advisor for most up-to-date offerings.

Biochemistry Track

Required:
CH 111General Chemistry I4.5
CH 112General Chemistry II4.5
CH 211Organic Chemistry I4.5
CH 212Organic Chemistry II4.5
CH 251Analytical Chemistry4.5
CH 302Biochemistry4.5
CH 303Biochemistry II3
MA 164Calculus I4
BI 125Foundations of Biology & Scientific Inquiry I3
BI 125LBiostatistics and Scientific Investigation I1.5
BI 126Foundations of Biology & Scientific Inquiry II4.5
BI 303Genetics4.5
Choose One of the Following: *3-5
CH 334
Instrumental Analysis
CH 370
Physical Chemistry
CH 399
Special Topics in Chemistry
BI 315
General Microbiology
BI 370
Cell and Molecular Biology
Total Hours50.5-52.5
*

 More electives will be added at a later date. Check with chemistry advisor for most up-to-date offerings.

Forensic Science Track

Required:
CH 111General Chemistry I4.5
CH 112General Chemistry II4.5
CH 211Organic Chemistry I4.5
CH 212Organic Chemistry II4.5
CH 251Analytical Chemistry4.5
CH 302Biochemistry4.5
CJ 101Introduction To Criminal Justice3
CJ 350Trial Evidence3
BI 273Human Anatomy4.5
Choose One Set:12.5-13.5
Set A:
BI 125
Foundations of Biology & Scientific Inquiry I
BI 125L
Biostatistics and Scientific Investigation I
BI 126
Foundations of Biology & Scientific Inquiry II
BI 303
Genetics
Set B:
PH 151
Principles of Physics I
PH 152
Principles of Physics II
CH 370
Physical Chemistry
CH 399
Special Topics in Chemistry
Total Hours50-51

Academic Requirements

A grade of C or above (C- does not count) in each required course for the major. To count toward the major, required chemistry courses must have been taken within the last five (5) years. Alternatively a student may elect to take standard examinations for specific courses provided by the ACS Division of Chemical Education and pass with a minimum 60% of the total score.

Students planning to pursue teacher education should follow the program guidelines within the Education section of this Catalog and contact an advisor in the education division for assistance.

Chemistry Minor

Required:
CH 111General Chemistry I4.5
CH 112General Chemistry II4.5
CH 211Organic Chemistry I4.5
CH 212Organic Chemistry II4.5
CH 251Analytical Chemistry4.5
Choose One of the Following: 4.5
CH 302
Biochemistry
CH 334
Instrumental Analysis
CH 399
Special Topics in Chemistry
Choose One of the Following: 3
MA 139
Pre-Calculus
MA 164
Calculus I
Total Hours30

Academic Requirements

A grade of C or above (C- does not count) in each required course for the minor. To count toward the minor, required chemistry courses must have been taken within the last five (5) years. Alternatively a student may elect to take standard examinations for specific courses provided by the ACS Division of Chemical Education and pass with a minimum 60% of the total score.

Students planning to pursue teacher education should follow the program guidelines within the Education section of this Catalog and contact an advisor in the education division for assistance.

The following is the typical sequence of courses required for the major*:

Chemistry Track

Freshman
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 1114.5Domain3CH 1124.5
BI 1253 Elective or Domain3
BI 125L1.5 Writing Competency4
MA 1644 CO 1013
Portal3  
 16 3 14.5
Sophomore
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 2114.5Elective or Domain3CH 2124.5
PH 1514 PH 1524
Domain3 Domain3
  Domain3
 11.5 3 14.5
Junior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 3024.5Chemistry Elective or Domain3CH 2514.5
CH 3704.5 Chemistry Elective or Domain3
Domain3 Domain3
Domain3 Domain3
 15 3 13.5
Senior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 370 (or Elective)4.5Domain or Chemistry Elective3Domain or Chemistry Elective3
Elective or Chemistry Elective3 Elective2
Elective3 Elective3
Elective3 Elective3
  ME 4501
 13.5 3 12
Total Hours: 122.5

Biochemistry Track

Freshman
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 1114.5Domain3CH 1124.5
BI 1253 BI 1264.5
BI 125L1.5 Writing Competency4
MA 1644 CO 1013
Portal3  
 16 3 16
Sophomore
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 2114.5Elective or Domain3CH 2124.5
Elective3 BI 3034.5
Domain3 Domain3
Domain2 Domain3
 12.5 3 15
Junior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 3024.5CH 3033CH 2514.5
Domain or Chemistry Elective3 Chemistry Elective or Domain3
Domain3 Domain3
Elective3 Elective3
 13.5 3 13.5
Senior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
Chemistry Elective or Domain3CH 303 (or Elective)3Domain or Chemistry Elective3
Domain3 Domain3
Elective3 Elective2
Elective3 Elective3
  ME 4501
 12 3 12
Total Hours: 122.5

Forensic Science Track

Freshman
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 1114.5Domain3CH 1124.5
BI 1253 BI 1264.5
BI 125L1.5 Writing Competency4
Portal3 CO 1013
Math Competency4  
 16 3 16
Sophomore
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 2114.5Elective or Domain3CH 2124.5
CJ 1013 BI 3034.5
PH 151 (B Track) or Elective / Domain4 BI 2734.5
Domain3 PH 1524
 14.5 3 17.5
Junior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 3024.5Domain or Elective3CH 2514.5
CH 370 (Track B) or Elective4.5 CH 399 (Track B) or Elective3
Domain3 Elective or Domain3
  Elective or Domain3
 12 3 13.5
Senior
FallHoursWinterHoursSpringHours
CH 370 (Track B) or Elective4.5Elective or Domain3CJ 3503
Domain3 CH 399 (Track B) or Elective3
Elective1.5 Domain3
Elective3 Domain3
  ME 4501
 12 3 13
Total Hours: 126.5

Note: Elective courses could be used for a second major, a minor, a course of interest, internship or study abroad experience.

Note: See the Curriculum section for more information on Portal, Competency, Domain, and Capstone courses.

*Disclaimer

The course offerings, requirements, and policies of Mount Mercy University are under continual examination and revision. This Catalog presents the offerings, requirements, and policies in effect at the time of publication and in no way guarantees that the offerings, requirements, and policies will not change.

This plan of study represents a typical sequence of courses required for this major. It may not be applicable to every student. Students should contact a department faculty member to be sure of appropriate course sequence.

Courses

CH 100 Discovering Chemistry Laboratory: 1 semester hour

Students will perform a variety of chemistry and/or physics laboratory experiments. Students will be able to define problems clearly, analyze data properly and draw appropriate conclusions. Based on their laboratory experiments, the students will then be able to construct inquiry-based laboratory exercises using appropriate resources. This course fulfills the requirement of the Natural World domain for transfer students who have not taken a laboratory based natural science course before transferring to Mount Mercy. This course is also for education majors who need additional credit hours for their endorsement areas. This course can be crosslisted with PH 100.

CH 101 Chemistry in the Kitchen: 4 semester hours

This course is designed to teach students a basic understanding of chemistry using food science. The course is for non-science majors. Major topics covered in this class include: the scientific method, chemicals and food, atomic structure and food molecules, chemical measurements and calculations, thermodynamics and energy, common chemical reactions, kinetics, acid-base chemistry, and nutrients. This course fulfills the Natural World Domain requirement for non-major students.

CH 110 Introduction to Chemistry: 3 semester hours

This course is intended to provide an overview of fundamental concepts in chemistry, including: atomic and molecular structure, the nature of chemical bonding, chemical reactions, and stoichiometry, nomenclature, basic knowledge of thermodynamics and equilibrium, acids/bases, basic organic chemical nomenclature and reactivity. This course meets the needs of students not planning to take chemistry courses beyond CH 113. Students with minimal mathematical skills can use CH 110 as a preparatory course for CH 111 General Chemistry I. Three hours of lecture per week. Typically offered each fall and spring semester.

CH 111 General Chemistry I: 4.5 semester hours

This course is an introduction to the field of chemistry, providing an understanding of the structures of atoms, molecules and ions and their interactions, and a foundation for the further study of chemistry. Three lectures and one three-hour lab weekly. Prerequisite: A Mathematics Pre-Algebra and Elementary Algebra Enhanced ACT subscore of 16 or higher; or a Mathematics score of 16 or higher on the former ACT; or completion of MA 008 with a grade of C or higher.

CH 112 General Chemistry II: 4.5 semester hours

This course is a continuation of CH 111. Topics covered are: chemical kinetics; equilibrium and thermodynamics; acids and bases; electrochemistry; survey of metals, nonmetals, and transition metals; complexes; nuclear chemistry. Three lectures and one three-hour lab weekly. Prerequisite: CH 111.

CH 211 Organic Chemistry I: 4.5 semester hours

This course is an introduction to organic chemistry; an integrated presentation with emphasis on the theoretical aspects and mechanisms of reactions. Detailed discussion of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and stereochemistry. Three lectures and an additional three-hour lab meet weekly. Prerequisite: CH 111, CH 112.

CH 212 Organic Chemistry II: 4.5 semester hours

This course is a continuation of CH 211. Functional groups discussed in detail. The course will provide an introduction to absorption spectroscopy and qualitative identification of organic compounds; aromatic and heterocyclic compounds; macromolecules. Three lectures and one additional three-hour lab meet weekly. Prerequisite: CH 111, CH 112, CH 211.

CH 251 Analytical Chemistry: 4.5 semester hours

Theory and application of basic methods in quantitative analysis: titrimetric, gravimetric, chromatographic, potentiometric, and spectrophotometric determinations. Three lectures and one additional four-hour lab meet weekly. Prerequisites: CH 111, CH 112, MA 142 or MA 164.

CH 302 Biochemistry: 4.5 semester hours

This course focuses on the study of life at the molecular level. The course examines the structure and function of key biological macromolecules (proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates), enzymes (kinetics, catalytic and regulatory strategies), central metabolic pathways and their regulation (cellular respiration, gluconeogenesis, glycogen, fatty acid and lipids), cell membranes and signal-transduction pathways. The laboratory portion emphasizes techniques used to study and analyze proteins. Three hours of lecture and one four-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: CH 111, CH 112, CH 211, CH 212, BI 125 and BI 125L. (Offered fall semester).

CH 303 Biochemistry II: 3 semester hours

A continuation of CH 302. Topics include the metabolism of amino acids, proteins, and nucleotides, membrane lipids and steroids; the integration of metabolism; exploring sensory systems, immune systems, and drug development. Prerequisites: CH 111, CH 112, CH 211, CH 212, CH 302. (Offered winter term in even years).

CH 334 Instrumental Analysis: 4.5 semester hours

The course teaches the underlying principles and practical aspects of using modern instruments in chemical analysis. Students will understand the chemistry relevant to sampling, sample preparation, and the chemical processes occurring in each instrument - such as electron transfer, electron emission, light scattering and absorption, gas and liquid phase equilibria. Prerequisites: CH 111, CH 112, CH 211, CH 212, CH 251.

CH 370 Physical Chemistry: 4.5 semester hours

An introduction to physical chemistry. Topics covered include thermodynamics, kinetics, quantum chemistry, molecular structure and spectroscopy. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory weekly. Prerequisites: CH 111, CH 112, CH 211, CH 212, CH 251, MA 164.

CH 399 Special Topics in Chemistry: 3 semester hours

Chemistry is a dynamic subject and this course is designed to present topics that may not have sufficient, sustained demand to be a regular course offering. The course is intended to provide an in-depth, advanced study of topics that are chosen with attention to student interest and faculty availability. This course may be repeated if topic is different. Prerequisite: CH 211 and permission of instructor.

CH 450 Chemistry Internship: 6 semester hours

This is a directed educational experience in employment situations under joint sponsorship by a faculty member and an employer. Students enrolled in this course will work with a community partner and are expected to perform duties as assigned by the community partner, who functions as the student's on-site supervisor. Internships are anticipated to mimic the employee-employer relationship and conform to standards prevalent at the community partner. Each credit hour of internship should correlate to approximately 40 hours of internship activities (activities are mainly determined by the specific job or projects assigned by the community partner). Students are required to: (1) Keep a journal during their internship reflecting on their experiences, new skills learned, etc. Due dates for the journal entries will be determined by the facu1ty instructor. (2) Meet (this may be done electronically, e.g. Facetime or Skype video conference) with the MMU instructor at least three times during the semester: at the beginning, near mid-term, and at the end of the semester (before the end of finals week), and (3) Complete an evaluation of the internship experience. Prerequisite: a successful application must be made in writing to a supervising chemistry instructor in the semester prior to the internship.

CH 451 Chemistry Research: 6 semester hours

This course provides a research opportunity for undergraduate students, which may include an introduction to relevant background material, technical instruction, identification of a meaningful project, data collection, analysis and dissemination. Projects and topics are determined by the faculty member in charge of the course and may relate to his/her research interests, or the interests of a student. This course will be offered based on faculty availability and student demand. Students may register for 1-6 credits per semester (1 semester credit= 40 project hours); students may repeat this course. Prerequisite: approval by advising instructor.

The study of chemistry provides a firm foundation for many other subjects and can give you an advantage when it comes to searching for and finding a job or applying to graduate school or a professional school.

Kristopher Keuseman, PH.D.
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Mount Mercy University

Careers in chemistry

Studying chemistry helps you understand how the world works.

Graduates of Mount Mercy’s chemistry program often continue their education and earn advanced degrees in dentistry, medicine, optometry, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, or physician's assistant.

A chemistry degree is excellent preparation for a wide variety of career goals, such as:

  • Medicine (MD or DO)

  • Dentistry

  • Pharmacy

  • Veterinary Medicine

  • Physician's Assistant (PA)

  • Graduate school in chemistry or chemical engineering

  • Industrial research careers

  • Quality Assurance and Control

  • Formulations chemistry

  • Forensic science/criminal investigations

  • Pharmaceutical, biological, chemical, or technical sales or support

  • Patent and Intellectual Property Law

  • Medical/Clinical laboratory

What are the next steps?

Mount Mercy offers competitive tuition and generous scholarships.

We also encourage all students to apply for federal, state, and other kinds of financial assistance.

Learn more about:

We make it easy by accepting applications year-round! No deadline, no fee, no pressure.

  1. Create your application
  2. Apply under standard admissions criteria or go "test optional"
  3. Request official transcripts from all institutions previously attended. Mail to:

* Mount Mercy University Admissions
  1330 Elmhurst Drive NE
  Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52402

* If you are applying for an accelerated program, please mail to "Accelerated Programs"

For more detailed instructions on how to apply, see our Admissions page.