CHEM - Chemistry

An introductory course designed to give the nonscience major an understanding of chemical phenomena and an appreciation of the role chemistry plays in everyday life. Course materials and laboratory activities emphasize real-world chemistry.

Prerequisite: MATH 099 or Level 2L placement on the Basic Math Skills Inventory. Laboratory-driven study of atomic structure, periodicity, nuclear chemistry, bonding, states of matter, thermochemistry and reaction stoichiometry. Honors section open by invitation only. Credit by exam.

Prerequisite: CHEM 101 and MATH 099 or Level 2L placement on the Basic Math Skills Inventory. Laboratory-driven study of solutions, acid-base and redox reactions and chemical equilibria. Honors section open by invitation only.

An introduction to biochemical concepts related to nutrition. Chemical properties and dietary sources of nutrients will be presented and impacts of dietary choices on health and society will be examined.

Prerequisite: CHEM 102. A detailed study of the structure and reactivity of several classes of carbon-based compounds (hydrocarbons, aromatics and alkyl halides). Laboratory experiments emphasize standard organic chemistry techniques and product analysis using modern instrumentation (NMR, IR, GC, GC/MS).

Prerequisite: CHEM 209. A continuation of Organic Chemistry I. A detailed study of the structure and reactivity of alcohols, amines and carbonyl compounds. Laboratory experiments include the collection and interpretation of proton NMR spectra and a multi-step synthesis group project.

Prerequisite: CHEM 102. A study of principles, procedures and techniques of quantitative analysis. Laboratory work on classical and spectrophotometric methods.

Prerequisites: CHEM 209. An introduction to the literature in the physical sciences. Database searches and journal article critiques will allow students to develop an understanding of the chemical, biochemical, and physics literature, which can then be applied in their future coursework.

Prerequisite: CHEM 210. A study of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and nucleic acids, with an emphasis on protein structure and function. Laboratory experience in current methods of analysis of biological molecules.

Prerequisite: CHEM 210 and CHEM 215. Advanced topics in chemical analysis with emphasis on the principles and practice of instrumental techniques.

Prerequisite: Invitation of the department. (May be repeated for a maximum of 6 credits.) An opportunity for qualified students to assist in CHEM 101, CHEM 102, CHEM 209 or CHEM 210 by tutoring students in these courses or by helping with the laboratory instruction. Assistants work under the supervision of the chemistry faculty and are selected by the department. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Prerequisites: 8 credits of 200-level coursework in chemistry, a minimum gpa of 2.20 in the discipline or permission of the department. Independent study, either reading or laboratory work, in a selected field of chemistry or biochemistry.

An upper-level special topics course offered at the discretion of the department. The content and methods vary with the interest of students and faculty members

Prerequisites: 20 hours of chemistry, 8 hours of physics or biology, or permission of the department. Individualized study and training in a cooperating laboratory or office. Instruction and experience in the use of sophisticated laboratory equipment, participation in research or other work under the guidance of a senior scientist and the reading of related scientific literature is included. Grading is on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.

Prerequisites: CHEM 209 and CHEM 215 or permission of the instructor. Open to juniors and seniors who meet the qualifications for enrolling in double-numbered courses. Chemical aspects of atmospheric and hydrologic systems with a focus on air and water quality, sources of pollution, basic chemical analysis, corrective processes and hazardous materials management.

Prerequisite: CHEM 301 or permission of the instructor. A study of information transfer and genetic regulation, membranes, cell signaling and metabolic pathways.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 402 or permission of the instructor. Laboratory experiences involving molecular techniques for separating, characterizing, detecting and analyzing nucleic acids and proteins. Modern equipment and instruments are used.

Prerequisite: CHEM 210 and CHEM 215. Open to juniors and seniors who meet the qualifications for enrolling in double-numbered courses. A study of the principles of structure and bonding, chemical reactivity and periodic relationships of inorganic compounds.

Prerequisite: CHEM 210. Open to juniors and seniors who meet the qualifications for enrolling in double-numbered courses. Advanced topics in organic synthesis and structure determination. Topics vary with the general interest of the students and professor.

Prerequisites: CHEM 210, CHEM 215, MATH 202 and PHYS 102 or PHYS 204. Introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy.

Prerequisite: CHEM 431. A continuation of CHEM 431. A study of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, and kinetics.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 431 or permission of the instructor. Investigation of atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy in a series of laboratory experiments and computer-based exercises.

Prerequisite: Concurrent enrollment in CHEM 432 or permission of the instructor. Principles of statistical mechanics, thermodynamics and kinetics are investigated in a series of experiments and computer-based simulations.

Prerequisites: CHEM 209, CHEM 215 and permission of the instructor. An opportunity for a group of students to explore current topics in chemistry and biochemistry as suggested by their special interests, and those of the faculty, but not included in the regular course offerings.

Prerequisite: By invitation of the department. The departmental honors paper is a two-semester senior-year program designed for students who wish to pursue intensive research or special projects in close coordination with faculty advisers. Departmental honors students are known as the Christine P. Tischer Scholars and receive 6 credits for this work.