Chemistry

Department of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences  

Professors: 

  • Kenneth LaiHing, Ph.D. 
  • Rufus Ranatunga, Ph.D. 
  • Alexandre Volkov, Ph.D.
  • Steven LaiHing, Ph.D. 

Associate Professor 

  • Patrick Ochieng, Ph.D. (Chair)

Purpose 

The purpose of the Department of Chemistry is to provide students with quality Christian education that integrates biblical foundation with science, technology, and learning. The Department prepares graduates to serve humanity as chemists, biochemists, and health care professionals. Also, the department prepares them for graduate or professional school in fulfillment of their educational objectives.

High School Preparation 

Students planning to study chemistry at Oakwood should take as many science and mathematics courses as possible in high school and they should endeavor to make superior grades in these courses. The following courses are strongly recommended: Algebra I, Algebra II, Precalculus, Geometry, Biology, Chemistry, and Physics.

Application for Admission 

To be admitted as a major in the Department of Chemistry, students must have completed at least 32 hours of course work, including EN 112 Freshman Composition, and have an overall minimum GPA of 2.25. 

Prerequisites: 

All prerequisites must be passed with a minimum grade of C.

Exit Examinations 

Chemistry majors will be required to take an exit examination prepared by the American Chemical Society that will be administered in the junior year. The examination is designed to assess the student’s general knowledge of the subject areas of general, organic, analytical, physical chemistry, instrumental methods and biochemistry. A minimum of 45 percent is required for passing, and if failed, the student may repeat the examination in the senior year. 

Career Opportunities 

Ask an old chemist what he would like most, and his answer would be, ‘’a young chemist.” This statement describes the atmosphere of enthusiasm about chemistry and chemical research that permeates the department. Indeed, chemistry at Oakwood is an exciting confrontation of the student with the theories and the methods of modern chemistry and biochemistry. Many of the graduates of this department have earned doctoral degrees in science, medicine, and dentistry from some of the most prestigious universities in this country and in Europe. Others have achieved successful careers in the laboratories of government and industry as chemists, biochemists, and engineers. Oakwood has been listed as one of the 23 historically Black colleges that are most productive of Black scientific talent.

Degrees

Courses

CH 100: Chemistry in Society

Credits 3
This course is a non-mathematical study of chemical principles. Students are introduced to the role of chemistry in society, how molecules are built, react, and affect our lives. Topics will include current problems such as acid rain, global warming, and ozone depletion.

CH 101: Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry and Lab

Credits 3

This course is a survey of the fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry. There are three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week. This course does not apply to a major or minor in chemistry. Concurrent registration in lecture and lab is required.

CH 101H: Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry and Lab (Honor)

Credits 4

A survey of the fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week. Does not apply to a major or minor in chemistry. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments.

CH 102H: Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry and Lab (Honor)

Credits 4

A survey of fundamental principles of organic and biochemistry. Three hours of lecture and two hours of laboratory each week. Does not apply to a major or minor in chemistry. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments.

CH 105: Pregeneral Chemistry

Credits 3
Pregeneral Chemistry is a survey of chemical calculations that are basic to an understanding of general chemistry. This course is required of students who are not prepared to enter general chemistry.

CH 141: General Chemistry and Lab

Credits 4

General Chemistry is a survey of the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry, with special emphasis on the working of problems and the relationship between atomic structure and the chemistry of the elements. There are three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.

CH 141H: General Chemistry and Lab (Honor)

Credits 4

A survey of the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry, with special emphasis on the working of problems and the relationship between atomic structure and the chemistry of the elements. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week. This Honors section will have additional requirements that may include extra or expanded assignments, projects or modified assessments.

CH 142: General Chemistry and Lab

Credits 4

General Chemistry is a survey of the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry, with special emphasis on the working of problems and the relationship between atomic structure and the chemistry of the elements. There are three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory each week.

CH 211: Quantitative Analysis and Lab

Credits 4

The fundamental principles of quantitative analysis using gravimetric, volumetric, and spectrophotometric measurements are covered in this course. (previously Analytical Chemistry and Lab)

CH 230: Introduction to Dentistry

Credits 2
This course is designed to give the student an understanding of dentistry and dental hygiene as professions and to develop some basic and clinical skills. The course will give the students basic knowledge in dental anatomy, morphology, and dentistry as a career. Laboratory experience will include visits to local dentists’ offices and the School of Dentistry at Meharry Medical College or UAB.

CH 311: Organic Chemistry

Credits 3
This course is a survey of organic chemistry, which includes a general treatment of the mechanisms of organic reactions, resonance theory, the molecular orbital theory, the physiochemical basis of synthetic reactions, and an introduction to spectroscopy.

CH 312: Organic Chemistry

Credits 3
This course is a survey of organic chemistry, which includes a general treatment of the mechanisms of organic reactions, resonance theory, the molecular orbital theory, the physiochemical basis of synthetic reactions, and an introduction to spectroscopy.

CH 331: Nutritional Biochemistry

Credits 3

Nutritional Biochemistry is a study of metabolism, macronutrition, vitamins, trace elements, food additives, and processing. This course does not apply to a major in biochemistry.

CH 341: Physical Chemistry

Credits 3

This course is a study of the fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and quantum mechanics.

CH 342: Physical Chemistry

Credits 3

This course is a study of the fundamentals of chemical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and quantum mechanics.

CH 350: Chemistry Seminar

Credits 1
This course is designed to acquaint students with current research. Extramural research experience is also discussed. This course is open to all students interested in research.

CH 351: Chemistry Seminar

Credits 1
This course is designed to acquaint students with current research. Extramural research experience is also discussed. This course is open to all students interested in research.

CH 401: Biochemistry

Credits 3

The chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, intermediary metabolism is emphasized in this course. Biochemistry is the study of the biology and chemistry of the human body. It is the chemistry of life. It explains, for example, why and how muscles grow during exercise and how the body uses carbohydrates to produce energy. Biochemistry seeks to explain the rationale and reasons for chemotherapy, control of blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

CH 402: Biochemistry

Credits 3

The chemistry of carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, nucleic acids, intermediary metabolism is emphasized in this course. Biochemistry is the study of the biology and chemistry of the human body. It is the chemistry of life. It explains, for example, why and how muscles grow during exercise and how the body uses carbohydrates to produce energy. Biochemistry seeks to explain the rationale and reasons for chemotherapy, control of blood pressure, diabetes, and cancer.

CH 411: Instrumental Methods and Lab

Credits 4

This course focuses on the basic theory of instrument design and parameter optimization in the operation of scientific instrumentation, with application to thermal and electrical instrumentation methods.

CH 421: Special Topics in Chemistry

Credits 3
Code
W
Exact topics will be listed in the schedule. Topics may include quantum chemistry, instrumental analysis, qualitative organic analysis, and biochemistry.

CH 441: Inorganic Chemistry and Lab

Credits 4

This course focuses on the molecular structures and properties of inorganic complexes and compounds. It covers concepts in bonding, trends in periodic properties, molecular symmetry and its relationship to spectra, solid-state, reaction mechanisms, coordination chemistry and descriptive chemistry of selected elements.