BS in Chemistry


Chemistry Program Mission Statement

The B.S. program in chemistry prepares students for successful careers in private or government sectors or for pursuing graduate studies in chemistry. The program provides quality theoretical and practical learning experiences in various areas of chemistry enriched with diverse research opportunities.

Major Goals/Objectives for the Program

The chemistry program aims at preparing graduates who will be:

  1. leading professionals in private or government sectors,
  2. able to pursue higher studies,
  3. practicing safety measures,
  4. life-long learners with strong interpersonal skills, and
  5. responsible, ethically driven, and productive members of the society,
  6. able to promote creativity and analytical thinking conducive for novel discoveries and invention of processes and methods in chemical sciences.

Learning Outcomes of the Chemistry Program

Knowledge

1.1 Demonstrate a thorough knowledge of the fundamental theories and principles of analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry

1.2 Identify the main procedures, tools and techniques used by chemists

1.3 Recognize the fundamentals of mathematics and physics related to chemical sciences

1.4 Demonstrate knowledge of social responsibility and ethical principles

  1. Cognitive Skills

2.1 Demonstrate competence in the application of the principles and problem solving in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry

2.2 Carry out chemical experiments, analyze and report the results correctly

2.3 Explore competently new areas of research

2.4 Handle chemicals following safety procedures and regulations

2.5 Recognize job responsibilities of a chemist in the field and apply professional skills in an industrial setting

  1. Interpersonal Skills & Responsibility

3.1 Work effectively in teams

3.2 Demonstrate adequate life-long learning skills

  1. Communication, Information Technology, Numerical

4.1 Communicate effectively both orally and in writing

4.2 Use effectively computer applications and information technology tools related to chemistry

  1. Psychomotor

5.1 Assemble and use properly chemistry experimental setups

5.2 Perform correctly quantitative measurements requiring accurate and precise manipulations

Program Learning Outcome (Term 212)

Knowledge & Understanding
1.1 Explain the fundamental theories and principles of chemical sciences
1.2 Identify the main practical procedures, tools, and techniques used by chemists
1.3 Recognize the impact of chemistry on industry and environment
Skills
2.1 Apply the principles and techniques of chemistry to solve related problems
2.2 Carry out chemical experiments, analyze data and report results correctly
2.3 Follow safety procedures and regulations in carrying out all lab work
2.4 Use effectively computer applications, information technology, and search tools related to Chemistry
2.5 Communicate effectively both orally and in writing
2.6 Explore independently new areas of research
Values
3.1 Positively interact in a team environment
3.2 Recognize chemist’s professional and ethical responsibilities

Graduate Attributes

University Graduate Attributes Chemistry Program Graduate Attributes
Globally Aware Knowledgeable
Scientifically Aware
Solution Oriented Problem Solver
Professionally & Socially Responisble Competent Experimentalist
Digitally Enabled Digitally Up-To-Date
Effective Cumminicator Effective Communicator
Self-Learner Research Initiator
Positively Interactive Effective Team Player
Professionally & Socially Responsible Responsible & Ethically Driven


Chemistry Department's Curriculum [KFUPM]

Courses


Courses in Chemistry


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-3-4 / Prereq: None

Matter, atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding, stoichiometry of pure substances, reaction in aqueous solutions, states of matter (gases, liquids, and solids), mixtures (with emphasis on some physical aspects of solutions), and thermochemistry.

Laboratory: Qualitative and quantitative aspects of general chemistry.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-4-4 / Prereq: CHEM 101

Chemical equilibria (gases, acids and bases, and solubility equilibria), chemical kinetics, spontaneity of reactions, coordination chemistry, nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, chemistry of selected representative elements, organic structure and reactions, chemistry of materials.

Laboratory: Qualitative and quantitative aspects of general chemistry.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-3-4 / Prereq: None

Matter, atomic structure and the periodic table, chemical bonding, stoichiometry, energy and chemistry, chemical equilibria, chemical kinetics, spontaneity of reactions, electrochemistry and applications to engineering problems.

Laboratory: Experiments in general chemistry relevant to engineering problems


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 2-0-2 / Prereq: CHEM 101

Elements, compounds, chemical equations, and gas laws, spontaneity of reactions, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibria (gases, acids and bases, redox and complexation reactions), organic structures and reactions, carbohydrates, proteins and fats, pesticides and organic pollutants, colloids.

Note: Not to be taken for credits with CHEM 102


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 102 / Co-Req: CHEM 202

Structure, nomenclature, bonding, isomerism, stereochemistry and properties of organic compounds. Synthesis and reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, ethers, alkyl halides and aromatics. Mechanism of addition, elimination, substitution, radical and electrophilic aromatic substitution reactions.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 201

Micro-scale laboratory techniques, basic characterizations, separations, purifications and synthesis of organic compounds.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 / Co-Req: None

Spectroscopic identification of organic compounds. Synthesis and properties of carboxylic acids and derivatives, aldehydes, ketones, amines, hetereocycles, carbohydrates and amino acids. Conjugate additions, reactions of carbon nucleophiles, pericyclic reactions.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 102, MATH 102, PHYS 102 / Co-Req: CHEM 213

Basic gas laws, laws of thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, ideal and real solutions, phase equilibria, electrolytic solutions and electrochemistry, kinetic theory of gases.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 212

Experiments in physical chemistry including techniques of physical measurements, error analysis and statistics, heat capacity, Joule-Thompson experiment, calorimetry, vapor pressure, fractional distillation, Ebullioscopic molecular weight, Temperature-Composition (T-X) diagrams for ideal and real solutions, Temperature-Composition (T-X) diagram for a solid solution.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 2-0-2 / Pre-Req: CHEM 101 / Co-Req: CHEM 222

Introduction to quantitative and qualitative analyses, analytical processes and validation of analytical methods, data handling and statistical concepts, gravimetric methods of analysis, volumetric analysis. Acid-base, precipitation and complex formation titrations. Redox reactions, electrode potential and electrochemical cells, potentiometry, voltammetry, solvent extraction, chromatographic methods.

Note: Not to be taken for credits with CHEM 321


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None/ Co-Req: CHEM 221

Experiments in analytical chemistry, selected methods such as calibration of analytical instruments, volumetric, potentiometric and conductometric titrations, analysis by ion selective electrodes, back titration, complexation and gravimetric analysis.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-8-2 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204/ Co-Req: None

Laboratory synthesis, purification and characterization of organic compounds. Introduction to multi-step synthesis experiments. Utilization of spectroscopic and wet chemical techniques to determine structures of unknown organic compounds.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 or CHE 303 or ME 203 / Co-Req: CHEM 312

Reaction rates and mechanisms, temperature dependence of rate constant. Lindemann mechanism, catalysis, adsorption isotherms, photochemistry, transport properties, the Schrodinger equation, quantum mechanical postulates, a particle in a box, vibration-rotation spectroscopy of diatomic molecules, ensembles and molecular partition functions.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 311

Experiments in physical chemistry including chemical kinetics, transport properties of gases and liquids, and vibrational and electronic spectroscopy.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 2-4-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Overview of molecular mechanics, semiempirical and quantum mechanical approaches, basic theory and algorithms behind common computational chemistry methods. Emphasis will be placed on molecular modeling and its applications to interpret physicochemical properties of chemical systems. Implementation of selected software to solve chemical and numerical problems.

Laboratory: Projects dealing with energy minimization, conformational analysis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopic analysis and others topics for selected chemical systems.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Determination of kinetic order and rate constants, catalysis, isotope effects, medium effects, fast reactions, chemical interpretations of the transition state, structure-reactivity relationships, methodology of mechanistic organic/inorganic chemistry, reactive intermediates, kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 2-4-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 102 / Co-Req: None

Modern instrumental techniques in chemical analysis including electrochemical, spectroscopic and separation methods. Discussing the theoretical concepts, the components of the instruments, handling the data, calibration, optimization and output interpretation. Similarities and differences between various techniques will be emphasized.

Laboratory: Experiments related to analysis using advanced instrumental techniques

Note: Not open for Chemistry students


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 221 or CHEM 321 / Co-Req: CHEM 325

A survey of modem instrumental techniques in chemical analysis including electrochemical, spectroscopic and separation methods, covering instruments handling, calibration, optimization and output interpretation. Similarities and differences between various techniques will be emphasized.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 324

A survey of modem instrumental techniques in chemical analysis including electrochemical, spectroscopic and separation methods, covering instruments handling, calibration, optimization and output interpretation. Similarities and differences between various techniques will be emphasized.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 102 or CHEM 111 / Co-Req: None

Environmental chemistry in global perspective, chemistry of earth’s atmosphere, chemistry of urban and indoor atmospheres, global climate, chemistry of the hydrosphere, aquatic systems, water pollution, wastewater analysis and treatment chemistry, environmental chemistry of colloids and surfaces, microbiological processes, solid wastes, organic biocides.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 102 / Co-Req: None

Atomic structure and bonding, symmetry and group theory, molecular orbitals, acid-base and donor acceptor chemistry, coordination chemistry, theories and experimental evidences of electronic structure, reactions and mechanisms.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 2-0-2 / Pre-Req: CHEM 335 / Co-Req: CHEM 337

Topics related to modern inorganic chemistry such as selected physical techniques in inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, bonding, reactions and applications to catalysis, f-block chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry and inorganic chemistry in medicine.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 336

Synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds using different synthetic and characterization techniques including main group, coordination, organometallic and bioinorganic compounds.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 and CHEM 335 / Co-Req: None

The role of transition metals in homogeneous catalysis, important catalytic processes such as alkylation, carbonylation, oxidation-oxygenation, hydrogenation, etc., homogeneously catalyzed industrial processes such as Oxo and Wacker processes, fundamentals of heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst production and applications, shape selective catalysts, role of environmental catalysis in green chemistry, electro-, photo-, and phase transfer catalysis, most important catalytic processes operating in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 / Co-Req: None

Structures and functions of proteins, carbohydrates, nucleic acids, lipids and membranes, enzyme kinetics, mechanisms and regulation, bioenergetics, metabolic pathways, oxidation, reduction and electron transfer reactions, DNA and information transfer.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: ENGL 214, Junior Standing, Approval of the Department / Co-Req: None

A period of two months of industrial employment in appropriate industries or firms. Summer training could also be conducted in a university or a research institution/center. Students are evaluated on their performance, and are required to submit a report and present a seminar about their experience before receiving a grade for this course.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-0-0 / Pre-Req: Permission of the Instructor / Co-Req: None

State-of-the-art topics in Chemistry.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 / Co-Req: None

Chemical bonding and structure, stereochemical principles, conformational and steric effects, methods of mechanistic study, nucleophilic substitution, polar addition and elimination, carbanions, carbonyl compounds, aromatic substitution, concerted reactions, other interesting reaction types.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 / Co-Req: None

Organic reaction types, less common functional groups, reaction mechanisms, basic synthetic methods, retrosynthesis and selected total synthesis of natural products.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 / Co-Req: None

Identification and structural analysis of organic compounds by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Introduction to instrumentation, sample handling and basic theory of each technique with emphasis on their practical applications for structure determination.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

General review of wave mechanics in relation to molecular systems, vibrational and rotational energies of molecules, absorption and emission of radiation, molecular symmetry and group theory, electronic spectra of diatomic and polyatomic molecules.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

A study of the fundamental photochemical and photophysical processes which follow absorption of radiation by molecules and the techniques used to study these processes.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 321 or CHEM 324 / Co-Req: None

Introduction to quality assurance in the analytical chemistry laboratory, principles of valid analytical measurements (VAM), different approaches to ensure quality of analytical measurement results, quality control measures such as control charts, use of certified reference materials and inter-laboratory trials. Measurement uncertainty, method validation, metrological traceability, accreditations to good laboratory practice (e.g. ISO 17025 and OECD).


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 321 or CHEM 324 / Co-Req: None

Separation techniques used in various analytical applications, separation techniques principles, operation, design, problems, optimization and interpretation. Modern techniques to be covered include gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and two-dimensional separation methods. Recent developments in chromatographic techniques and applications of analytical separations in oil industry, petrochemicals, biomedical, food and environmental chemistry.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 335 / Co-Req: None

Introduction, symmetry elements and symmetry operations, introduction to groups, symmetry point groups, class structure, representations and character tables, chemical applications of symmetry, bonding and spectral interpretation from group theory.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: NA / Pre-Req: Senior Standing. Cannot be taken for credit with CHEM 537 / Co-Req: None

Basic concept of polymer chemistry, fundamental bases for understanding the principles associated with the polymerization reactions using a number of traditional and contemporary polymerization techniques (step-growth polymerization, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polymerization by transition metal catalysts) with an emphasis on the mechanisms, kinetics, stereochemistry, structure, structure-property relationships and resulting properties of polymers.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 451

Practical experience in polymer chemistry, synthesis of polymers, kinetics and mechanisms of polymerization reactions, structural analysis, characterization and properties of polymers.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Electrochemical corrosion processes and variables, anodic and cathodic corrosion, corrosion acceleration versus passivation, electrochemical thermodynamics: the Gibbs function, electrochemical reactions and equilibrium potentials, kinetics of electrode processes, electrochemical corrosion-rate measurements, localized corrosion, corrosion protection, inhibition and materials selection.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 335 / Co-Req: None

A study of inorganic chemicals and products with emphasis on industrial processes. The focus is on sulfur and sulfuric acid, ammonia and its derivatives, cement, glasses, ceramics, electrolytic processes, chlor-alkali industries, phosphorous industries, fertilizer chemicals and metallurgical processes.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 / Co-Req: None

A study of the organic chemicals and products derived mainly from sources other than petroleum. Special emphasis is on oils and fats, pharmaceuticals, agrochemical, fermentation products, surface coatings, explosives, detergents, and pollution and waste management.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-0 / Pre-Req: CHEM 451 or CHE 463 / Co-Req: None

Polymer characterization and analysis using various qualitative and quantitative analytical instruments. Principles, applications, and limitations of the classical analytical techniques required for analysis and characterizing of different kinds of polymers.‎ Analysis of molecular weight, mechanical properties, thermal properties, in addition to spectral analysis. Interpretation of data collected using different techniques of polymer analysis.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: Senior Standing / Co-Req: CHEM 459

Solid state chemistry, classification of materials, modern methods of synthesis and fabrication, characterization and applications. The topics include ceramics, glasses, metals, semiconductors, polymeric materials, nanomaterials and modern methods of materials characterization.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 458

Experiments in the synthesis and characterization of selected materials such as zeolites, metal-organic frameworks, superconductors, semiconductors, quantum dots, nano-catalysts, polymers, materials for energy application, glasses and cementitious materials with hands-on experience on modern methods of characterization.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 / Co-Req: None

This course deals with the raw materials, natural gas, associated gases and crude oils and their physical and chemical properties, composition, and processing. The course explains, through the chemistry of petrochemical reactions, the transformation of natural gas, associated gases, crude oil and further processing of paraffins, olefins and aromatics to petrochemicals. Petrochemical industry has grown enormously in Saudi Arabia.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

This course describes absorption and resonance spectroscopy and interaction between electromagnetic radiation and catalysts. Overview of characterization methods of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Literature studies of cases from homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Introduction to the mechanistic studies of some catalytic reactions.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 1-0-1 / Pre-Req: Senior Standing / Co-Req: None

Students will participate with faculty members in giving and attending seminars of general chemical interest. Topics cover both reviews of current literature and discussion of research in progress. The course includes also a guide to the use of traditional and automated methods for storage and retrieval of chemical information.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-8-2 / Pre-Req: Senior Standing / Co-Req: None

Each student is introduced to research through a specific research project under guidance of a faculty member. The students are exposed to the fundamentals of basic research where they gain experience in experimental techniques, data analysis, and interpretation of results with focus on the process of scientific discovery. Submission of a final report is required at the end of this course.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-12-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 488 and ENGL 214 / Co-Req: None

Students interested in continuing their chemistry research can take this course under the supervision of faculty members. A thorough literature survey and a greater degree of independent thinking and creativity, and a mastery of a set of laboratory skills are the hallmarks of this course. Submission of a final report as well as an oral presentation relating to the outcome of the research work is required at the end of this course.


Elective


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 2-4-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Overview of molecular mechanics, semiempirical and quantum mechanical approaches, basic theory and algorithms behind common computational chemistry methods. Emphasis will be placed on molecular modeling and its applications to interpret physicochemical properties of chemical systems. Implementation of selected software to solve chemical and numerical problems.

Laboratory: Projects dealing with energy minimization, conformational analysis, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopic analysis and others topics for selected chemical systems.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Determination of kinetic order and rate constants, catalysis, isotope effects, medium effects, fast reactions, chemical interpretations of the transition state, structure-reactivity relationships, methodology of mechanistic organic/inorganic chemistry, reactive intermediates, kinetics of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 102 or CHEM 111 / Co-Req: None

Environmental chemistry in global perspective, chemistry of earth’s atmosphere, chemistry of urban and indoor atmospheres, global climate, chemistry of the hydrosphere, aquatic systems, water pollution, wastewater analysis and treatment chemistry, environmental chemistry of colloids and surfaces, microbiological processes, solid wastes, organic biocides.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 and CHEM 335 / Co-Req: None

The role of transition metals in homogeneous catalysis, important catalytic processes such as alkylation, carbonylation, oxidation-oxygenation, hydrogenation, etc., homogeneously catalyzed industrial processes such as Oxo and Wacker processes, fundamentals of heterogeneous catalysis, catalyst production and applications, shape selective catalysts, role of environmental catalysis in green chemistry, electro-, photo-, and phase transfer catalysis, most important catalytic processes operating in Saudi Arabia and worldwide.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-0-0 / Pre-Req: Permission of the Instructor / Co-Req: None

State-of-the-art topics in Chemistry.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 / Co-Req: None

Chemical bonding and structure, stereochemical principles, conformational and steric effects, methods of mechanistic study, nucleophilic substitution, polar addition and elimination, carbanions, carbonyl compounds, aromatic substitution, concerted reactions, other interesting reaction types.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 / Co-Req: None

Organic reaction types, less common functional groups, reaction mechanisms, basic synthetic methods, retrosynthesis and selected total synthesis of natural products.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 204 / Co-Req: None

Identification and structural analysis of organic compounds by nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared and ultraviolet spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. Introduction to instrumentation, sample handling and basic theory of each technique with emphasis on their practical applications for structure determination.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

General review of wave mechanics in relation to molecular systems, vibrational and rotational energies of molecules, absorption and emission of radiation, molecular symmetry and group theory, electronic spectra of diatomic and polyatomic molecules.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

A study of the fundamental photochemical and photophysical processes which follow absorption of radiation by molecules and the techniques used to study these processes.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Transition from classical mechanics to quantum mechanics, review of quantum mechanical postulates, the hydrogen atom, angular momentum, perturbation theory, chemical bonding, molecular structures and symmetries, atomic spectra and atomic structure, molecular rotations and vibrations.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 321 or CHEM 324 / Co-Req: None

Introduction to quality assurance in the analytical chemistry laboratory, principles of valid analytical measurements (VAM), different approaches to ensure quality of analytical measurement results, quality control measures such as control charts, use of certified reference materials and inter-laboratory trials. Measurement uncertainty, method validation, metrological traceability, accreditations to good laboratory practice (e.g. ISO 17025 and OECD).


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 321 or CHEM 324 / Co-Req: None

Separation techniques used in various analytical applications, separation techniques principles, operation, design, problems, optimization and interpretation. Modern techniques to be covered include gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, ion chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and two-dimensional separation methods. Recent developments in chromatographic techniques and applications of analytical separations in oil industry, petrochemicals, biomedical, food and environmental chemistry.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 335 / Co-Req: None

Introduction, symmetry elements and symmetry operations, introduction to groups, symmetry point groups, class structure, representations and character tables, chemical applications of symmetry, bonding and spectral interpretation from group theory.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: NA / Pre-Req: Senior Standing. Cannot be taken for credit with CHEM 537 / Co-Req: None

Basic concept of polymer chemistry, fundamental bases for understanding the principles associated with the polymerization reactions using a number of traditional and contemporary polymerization techniques (step-growth polymerization, radical polymerization, ionic polymerization, ring-opening polymerization, polymerization by transition metal catalysts) with an emphasis on the mechanisms, kinetics, stereochemistry, structure, structure-property relationships and resulting properties of polymers.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-4-1 / Pre-Req: None / Co-Req: CHEM 451

Practical experience in polymer chemistry, synthesis of polymers, kinetics and mechanisms of polymerization reactions, structural analysis, characterization and properties of polymers.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

Electrochemical corrosion processes and variables, anodic and cathodic corrosion, corrosion acceleration versus passivation, electrochemical thermodynamics: the Gibbs function, electrochemical reactions and equilibrium potentials, kinetics of electrode processes, electrochemical corrosion-rate measurements, localized corrosion, corrosion protection, inhibition and materials selection.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 335 / Co-Req: None

A study of inorganic chemicals and products with emphasis on industrial processes. The focus is on sulfur and sulfuric acid, ammonia and its derivatives, cement, glasses, ceramics, electrolytic processes, chlor-alkali industries, phosphorous industries, fertilizer chemicals and metallurgical processes.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 / Co-Req: None

A study of the organic chemicals and products derived mainly from sources other than petroleum. Special emphasis is on oils and fats, pharmaceuticals, agrochemical, fermentation products, surface coatings, explosives, detergents, and pollution and waste management.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-0 / Pre-Req: CHEM 451 or CHE 463 / Co-Req: None

Polymer characterization and analysis using various qualitative and quantitative analytical instruments. Principles, applications, and limitations of the classical analytical techniques required for analysis and characterizing of different kinds of polymers.‎ Analysis of molecular weight, mechanical properties, thermal properties, in addition to spectral analysis. Interpretation of data collected using different techniques of polymer analysis.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 201 / Co-Req: None

This course deals with the raw materials, natural gas, associated gases and crude oils and their physical and chemical properties, composition, and processing. The course explains, through the chemistry of petrochemical reactions, the transformation of natural gas, associated gases, crude oil and further processing of paraffins, olefins and aromatics to petrochemicals. Petrochemical industry has grown enormously in Saudi Arabia.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 3-0-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 311 / Co-Req: None

This course describes absorption and resonance spectroscopy and interaction between electromagnetic radiation and catalysts. Overview of characterization methods of homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysts. Literature studies of cases from homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis. Introduction to the mechanistic studies of some catalytic reactions.


Level: Undergraduate / Credit: 0-12-3 / Pre-Req: CHEM 488 and ENGL 214 / Co-Req: None

Students interested in continuing their chemistry research can take this course under the supervision of faculty members. A thorough literature survey and a greater degree of independent thinking and creativity, and a mastery of a set of laboratory skills are the hallmarks of this course. Submission of a final report as well as an oral presentation relating to the outcome of the research work is required at the end of this course.


Technical Elective


Prospective Content