Visit the Course Catalog for the official course description and listing
Designed for nonscience students. After a coverage of basic principles, a case study approach is used to examine societal problems caused, influenced, or solved by chemistry. Background information and rationale are discussed as well as the chemistry involved. Specific topics will vary from year to year depending on the interests of students and staff. The laboratory emphasizes the scientific approach with experiments using consumer products. Lecture/laboratory. Students who have credit for CHEM 121 or 122 may not take 102 for credit. Students who have credit for 102 may not take 121 for credit.
Students will understand the basic principles of reaction stoichiometry, atomic structure, chemical bonding, chemical thermodynamics, and kinetics. They will develop strategies and skills for solving quantitative and qualitative problems. The laboratory work illustrates fundamental principles emphasizing proper laboratory techniques.
Prerequisite: CHEM 121 for CHEM 122
Introduces the theories of atomic structure and bonding in main-group and solid-state compounds. Common techniques for characterizing inorganic compounds such as NMR, IR, and mass spectrometry are discussed. Descriptive chemistry of main group elements is examined. Conductivity, magnetism, superconductivity, and an introduction to bioinorganic chemistry are additional topics in the course. In lieu of the laboratory, students have a project on a topic of their choice. Serves as an advanced chemistry elective for biochemistry majors.
Prerequisite: CHEM 122
Same as CHEM 212 plus one three-hour laboratory per week, which includes experience in the synthesis, purification, and characterization (infrared and electronic spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility, NMR, cyclic voltammetry, and x-ray powder diffraction) and properties of inorganic compounds.
Prerequisite: CHEM 122
General aspects of organic chemistry including nomenclature, structure, reactions, synthesis, and spectroscopy are surveyed. This course is intended to prepare students for a career in chemistry or biochemistry, as well as the medical and engineering professions. Lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 122 or 213 for CHEM 221; CHEM 221 for CHEM 222
A thorough study of the fundamental techniques and theoretical background of classical volumetric and gravimetric analysis together with some instrumental analytical methods such as colorimetry, potentiometry, and separation techniques. Lecture/laboratory.
This course discusses the chemical principles underlying natural processes and the ways in which human activity affects those processes. Sources, sinks, and interactions of important environmental compounds are investigated.
Prerequisite: CHEM 122
A one-semester course designed primarily for A.B. majors and premedical students. A study of gas properties, thermodynamics, elementary quantum mechanics, kinetics, and lasers.
Prerequisite: CHEM 122 or 213; PHYS 112; MATH 125, 162, or 172
A study of classical thermodynamics, equilibria, ideal and real gases, and solutions.
Prerequisite: PHYS 112, 122, or 131; MATH 162; CHEM 122
This course covers quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and kinetics.
Prerequisite: PHYS 112, 122, or 131; MATH 162; CHEM 122
A study of classical thermodynamics, equilibria, ideal and real gases, and solutions. The laboratory focuses on the thermodynamics of phase changes, solution formation, and chemical reactions. Lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYS 112, 122, or 131; MATH 162; CHEM 122
This course covers quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and kinetics. The laboratory utilizes techniques in IR and UV-VIS absorption and fluorescence spectroscopy to investigate concepts in quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and kinetics. Lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: PHYS 112, 122, or 131; MATH 162; CHEM 122
A study of advanced optical, electroanalytical, chromatographic, and other instrumental methods of analysis. Lecture/laboratory. [W]
Prerequisite: CHEM 221, 231, and 311 or 325, 326
This course builds upon the basic concepts and reactions of organic chemistry. Topics to be included are the effect of structure on chemical reactivity, molecular orbital theory as applied to organic molecules, heterocyclic chemistry, natural products chemistry, and the application of computers to organic chemistry. Lecture.
Prerequisite: CHEM 222
This course provides an understanding of structure, function, and metabolism of biological molecules including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Other topics include enzyme catalysis, bioenergetics, metabolic control mechanisms, and information transfer at the molecular level.
Prerequisite: CHEM 222
This course provides laboratory experience and a theoretical analysis of modern preparative, analytical, and physical techniques utilized for the study of proteins, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, membranes, and organelles. Lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 351
This course can either be an independent research project or a study of one or more advanced topics in chemistry based on the interests of the student and faculty member. This course does not count as an advanced chemistry elective or fulfill the research requirement of the B.S. chemistry or B.S. biochemistry major.
This course can either be an independent research project or a study of one or more advanced topics in chemistry based on the interests of the student and faculty member. This course does not count as an advanced chemistry elective or fulfill the research requirement of the B.S. chemistry or B.S. biochemistry major. [W]
A research project carried out under the guidance of a faculty member. A formal presentation to the chemistry department is required. Fulfills the research requirement for B.S. chemistry and B. S. biochemistry majors.
A research project carried out under the guidance of a faculty member. A formal presentation to the chemistry department is required. Fulfills the research requirement for B.S. chemistry and B.S. biochemistry majors. [W]
This course uses molecular orbital theory to explain the electronic structure and reactivity of inorganic complexes. Topics include symmetry and its applications to bonding and spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy of transition-metal complexes, mechanisms of substitution and redox processes, organometallic and multinuclear NMR. [W]
Prerequisite: CHEM 213, 311, or 324, 325 or 326, MATH 162
Use of infrared, ultraviolet, nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, and computational methods in the determination of the structures of organic molecules. These methods also have application to the problems of inorganic chemistry. Lecture/laboratory.
Prerequisite: CHEM 311, or 323, 324 or 325, 326
This course covers a variety of topics with emphasis on the molecular basis of human disease, new areas of biochemical research, and advances in biotechnology. Topics may include immunobiochemistry, molecular mechanisms of cellular signal transduction, advanced topics in metabolism, chemical carcinogenesis, and the physical basis of biochemical methodology.
Prerequisite: CHEM 351
A study of one or more selected topics of current interest in physical chemistry. Dependent upon staff, topics may include advanced spectroscopy, computational chemistry, materials chemistry, or statistical thermodynamics.
Prerequisite: The topics and prerequisites (CHEM 323 or 324, depending on topics, or permission of instructor) for a given semester will be announced before registration.
Dependent upon staff and student interest, one or more special topics in chemistry are examined.
A student may register for this course after meeting with department staff and finding a faculty member who agrees to act as his or her research adviser. Discussion of research areas with the faculty and preliminary work involving literature searching and planning should be completed before the beginning of the senior year. Research in some areas requires certain prerequisite courses.