Chemistry Course Descriptions
Chemistry 101
- Molecular Structure and Properties
Full course for one semester. Introduction to the chemist’s
description and use of light and matter. Specific topics include
the interaction of light and matter (spectroscopy), the structure
of the atom and the atomic structure of matter, chemical bonds and
intermolecular forces, and chemical descriptions of color and
solubility. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 102
- Chemical Reactivity
Full course for one semester. An introduction to the reactions of
atoms and molecules, focusing on examples from environmental
chemistry. Specific topics include gas laws, solution phenomena,
thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, and kinetics. Prerequisite:
Chemistry 101. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 201
- Organic Chemistry
Full course for one semester each. Introduction to theories
describing the structure and reactivity of organic compounds.
Theoretical principles are illustrated using computer-based
molecular models. Structure, methods of preparation, and reactions
of important classes of organic compounds are examined. Laboratory
work introduces techniques used in the preparation, purification,
and spectroscopic identification of organic compounds. Prerequisite
for 201: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the instructor.
Prerequisite for 202: Chemistry 201 or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 202
- Organic Chemistry
Full course for one semester each. Introduction to theories
describing the structure and reactivity of organic compounds.
Theoretical principles are illustrated using computer-based
molecular models. Structure, methods of preparation, and reactions
of important classes of organic compounds are examined. Laboratory
work introduces techniques used in the preparation, purification,
and spectroscopic identification of organic compounds. Prerequisite
for 201: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the instructor.
Prerequisite for 202: Chemistry 201 or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 212
- Introductory Inorganic Chemistry
Full course for one semester. A descriptive exploration of the
chemistry of inorganic compounds including the structure, bonding,
and reactions of main-group molecules, transition metal complexes,
and extended solids. Laboratory work includes the synthesis and
characterization of molecular compounds and extended solids, and
introduces useful characterization techniques including infrared
and electronic spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal
analysis. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the
instructor. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 225
- Environmental Chemistry Seminar
One-half course for one semester. This course will deal with the
chemical reactions and behavior of compounds in the environment,
both generally and in case studies of environmental problems that
may be related to specific classes of compounds. It is anticipated
that the case studies will be facilitated by student presentations.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the instructor.
Conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Chemistry 311
- Analytical Chemistry
Full course for one semester. An examination of the principles of
chemical equilibria and the principles and methods of chemical and
instrumental analysis. The functions of classical volumetric and
gravimetric techniques, along with electronic, optical, and
mechanical instrument components and features of their organization
into measurement systems are discussed. Applicability and
limitations of representative electrochemical, spectroscopic, and
nuclear instruments are assessed. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101/102
or consent of the instructor. Lecture-laboratory.
Chemistry 316
- Physical Chemistry Laboratory
One-half course for one semester. An exploration of various
experimental strategies and techniques in physical chemistry, as
applied to inorganic, organic, and biochemical problems. Laboratory
work includes investigations of energetics, molecular structure,
and reaction dynamics requiring the use of large instrument systems
and critical analysis and interpretation of experimental data.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 311 and 333, or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-laboratory.
Chemistry 324
- Advanced Mechanistic Organic Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. Reactive species are described
from the perspective of experimental observations and molecular
models. Discussions emphasize techniques for constructing a
plausible mechanism for an unfamiliar reaction. Construction
techniques are illustrated for several types of reactions,
including cyclizations, cycloadditions, and rearrangements.
Prerequisite: Chemistry 201/202 or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference.
Chemisry 332
- Statistical Thermodynamics and Chemical Dynamics
Full course for one semester. An introduction to statistical
mechanics, which provides a bridge between the quantum mechanical
description of properties pertaining to microscopic systems and the
classical thermodynamic description of properties pertaining to
macroscopic systems. An examination of the relations between
molecular dynamics, observed rates, and inferred mechanisms of
chemical reactions will be included. Prerequisites: Mathematics 111
and 112, Physics 100, or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 333
- Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Structure
Full course for one semester. An introduction to principles of
quantum mechanics and their application to problems in atomic and
molecular structure. Prerequisites: Mathematics 111 and 112, and
Physics 100. Lecture.
Chemistry 334
- Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. A detailed discussion of the use
of symmetry and group theory in inorganic chemistry, including
applications in vibrational and electronic spectroscopy and in
molecular orbital theory. Translational symmetry will also be
discussed, including space groups and their use in crystallography,
and band theory for extended solids. Wherever possible, topics for
discussion will be drawn from the current literature.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 212 and 333, or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-conference. Not offered 2005-06.
Chemistry 343
- Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Full course for one semester. A study of synthetic methods and
design. Topics discussed include methods of building carbon
skeletons and changing functional groups, strategies for organic
synthesis, and exemplary syntheses of natural products. Laboratory
work introduces students to multistep synthesis. The laboratory and
lecture focus on the use of high field NMR spectroscopy as a tool
for structure determination. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201/202.
Lecture-laboratory. Not offered 2005-06.
Chemistry 348
- Organometallic Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. A study of the basic
principles of the organometallic chemistry of d-block elements.
Topics will include a survey of the properties and reactions of
organometallic complexes and applications of organotransition metal
compounds in catalysis, organic synthesis, bioinorganic chemistry
and medicinal chemistry. Lectures will be supplemented by
discussions of current literature in the field. Students will use
bibliographic and electronic searching software to prepare research
papers based on the current literature. Lecture-conference.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 212 and 333 (corequisite is acceptable) or
consent of the instructor.
Chemistry 391
- Structural Biochemistry
One-half course for one semester. An examination of the structure
and function of biomolecules, particularly proteins and polynucleic
acids. Areas of study include protein stability and folding,
protein–ligand interactions, enzyme kinetics and catalysis, and the
molecular mechanisms for gene regulation and protein biosynthesis.
Computer-based molecular models are used to examine biomolecular
structures in an interactive fashion. Prerequisite: Chemistry
201/202. Lecture.
Chemistry 392
- Metabolic Biochemistry
One-half course for one semester. An exploration of the regulatory
interrelationships among the numerous catalytic activities found in
living cells with the goal of learning how and why cells
molecularly maintain homeostasis. This will be accomplished by a
detailed analysis of carbohydrate metabolism and its associated
regulatory proteins (primarily enzymes) and related pathways.
Emphasis will be placed on understanding the underlying
thermodynamic and kinetic bases of energy metabolism and its
regulation. Other related topics may include a survey of crucial
biosynthetic and catabolic pathways, conservation of mechanism in
catalyses of diverse reactions, supermolecular organization and
channeling of metabolites, recent developments in understanding
nitrogen metabolism, and the mechanism of ATP synthesis.
Prerequisites: Chemistry 201/202 and 391, or consent of the
instructor. Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 394
- Biochemical Methods
One-half course for one semester. An introduction to the laboratory
techniques commonly used in biochemistry. Experiments demonstrate
methods used in the purification and characterization of proteins
and polynucleotides and illustrate principles of enzyme kinetics,
inhibition, and stereochemistry. Independent projects allow
students to probe specific areas of interest. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 391 or 392, or consent of the instructor.
Lecture-laboratory.
Chemistry 401
- Seminar in Structural Biochemistry
One-half course for one semester. An examination of current topics
relating to structural biochemistry with an emphasis on the primary
literature. Weekly writing assignments will support group
discussion sessions. Participants will prepare a term paper and an
oral presentation. The emphasis in 2005-06 will be the interactions
of metal ions with biological molecules. Corequisite: Chemistry
391. Conference.
Chemistry 470
- Thesis
Full course for one year.
Chemistry 481
- Individual Work in Special Fields
One-half course for one semester.
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