Concepts of Chemistry
The unifying ideas of the structure of matter and energy including topics such as the ozone layer and radioactivity, and the nature of scientific investigation. Primarily for non-science majors. Three class hours, no laboratory. This course is not currently offered.
Contemporary Chemistry
By examining what science teaches us about relevant topics such as energy, synthetics, and food, the student develops a sense of the tone, vocabulary, and demarcation of scientific discourse. Independent of, complementary to, and non-overlapping with CHEM 121N. Primarily for non-science majors. Three class hours, no laboratory. This course is not currently offered.
Introductory College Chemistry
Corequisite: Chem 141L, 142L or Chem 181L, 182L
Principles and applications of chemistry are developed. Topics include stoichiometry, chemical equations and reactions, chemical bonding, states of matter, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry and descriptive chemistry of the elements. For students planning to elect further courses in chemistry, physics, and biology. Three class hours.
Introductory College Chemistry Laboratory
Corequisite: CHEM 141, 142 or CHEM 181, 182
The practice of chemistry as an experimental science, the development of skills in laboratory manipulation, and laboratory safety. Observation, measurement and data analysis, separation and purification techniques, qualitative and quantitative analysis. Three and one-half laboratory hours and an optional one hour laboratory lecture.
Introductory Chemistry for Engineers
Corequisite: CHEM 141L, 142L, CHEM 151L, 152L or CHEM 181L, 182L
The principles and applications of chemistry are tailored to engineering students. Topics include stoichiometry, chemical equations and reactions, chemical bonding, states of matter, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids and bases, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, and descriptive chemistry of the elements. For engineering students, but may be used as a prerequisite for further courses in chemistry. Three class hours.
Introductory Chemistry for Engineers Laboratory
Corequisite: CHEM 151, 152
The practice of chemistry as an experimental science, the development of skills in laboratory manipulation, and laboratory safety. Observation, measurement and data analysis, separation and purification techniques, qualitative and quantitative analysis. Three and one-half laboratory hours. Meets every other week.
Liberal Arts Seminar
A seminar assigned primarily for first and second year students taught on a voluntary basis by a faculty member. Topics vary. This course is not currently offered.
Preceptorial in Biological Chemistry
Discussion of a current topic in biological chemistry which illustrates the role of various levels of scientific literature. Credit/no credit basis. This course is not currently offered.
Principles of Chemical Structure
First of a four semester sequence covering the basic concepts of general and organic chemistry (the 180/280 sequence is comparable to the 140/240 sequence but is more rigorous). Establishes a foundation of fundamental particles and the nature of the atom, develops a rationale for molecular structure, and explores the basis of chemical reactivity. Topics include introductory quantum mechanics, atomic structure, chemical bonding, spectroscopy, and elementary molecular reactivity. A strong background in high school chemistry is required. This course is only offered in the fall.
Principles of Chemical Structure Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 181
Accompanies CHEM 181. Four laboratory hours plus weekly lecture.
Principles of Chemical Reactions I
Prerequisite: CHEM 181
Seeks to understand elementary reaction types as a function of chemical structure by emphasizing organic compounds. Topics include acid-base, nucleophilic substitution, oxidation, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, aromaticity, and molecular spectroscopy. This course is only offered in the spring.
Principles of Chemical Reactions I Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 182
Accompanies CHEM 182. Four laboratory hours plus weekly lecture.
Archaeological Chemistry
Prerequisite: High school chemistry or physics
Methods for the discovery, scientific characterization, and preservation of archaeological artifacts; intended for students of archaeology, anthropology, art history and other disciplines dealing with ancient civilizations. This course is not currently offered.
Introductory Survey of Organic Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHEM 121, 122 or CHEM 141, 142 or CHEM 181, 182
A survey of organic chemistry designed to acquaint the student with the scope of carbon chemistry, its basic principles, and some of its applications. This course is not intended for chemistry majors, nor is it a suitable organic chemistry course for pre-medical students. (Three hours lecture, no laboratory.) This course is not currently offered.
Solution Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHEM 141, 142 or 181, 182
Applications of the principles of chemical equilibrium to solutions. The laboratory applies classical and instrumental methods to systems involving solubility, ionization, complexion formation, and oxidation-reduction equilibria. Two class hours, four laboratory hours. No credit may be received for Chemistry 222 if Chemistry 181L, 182L has been taken. This course is only offered in the spring.
Organic Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHEM 141, 142 or equivalent. CHEM 281 or 241 is a prerequisite for CHEM 242; corequisite: CHEM 241L, 242L, or 281L, 282L
A survey of the compounds of carbon in relation to their structure, identification, synthesis, natural occurrence and mechanisms of reactions. Three class hours; optional discussions.
Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Corequisites: CHEM 281, 282 or CHEM 241, 242
Development of skills in methods of preparation, purification and identification of organic compounds. One discussion hour, four laboratory hours.
Principles of Chemical Reactions II
Prerequisites: CHEM 182
A continuation of the exploration of organic reactions and structures begun in CHEM 182. Topics include electrophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic aromatic substitution, nucleophilic addition, nucleophilic acyl substitution, organometallic compounds, carbohydrates, lipids, peptides, proteins, and nucleic acids. This course is only offered in the fall.
Principles of Chemical Reactions II Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 281
Accompanies CHEM 281. Six laboratory hours plus weekly lecture.
Principles of Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics
Prerequisite: CHEM 281
Focuses on the macroscopic properties of chemical systems. Topics include states of matter, physical equilibria, chemical equilibria, thermodynamic relationships, kinetic theory, and electrochemistry. This course is only offered in the spring.
Principles of Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics Laboratory
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 282
Accompanies CHEM 282. Four laboratory hours plus weekly lecture.
Physical Chemistry
Prerequisites: Chem 141, 142 or equivalent, MATH 122, and PHYS 201, 202 or 231, 232
Introduction to physical chemistry with numerous biological applications. First semester: properties of gases, liquids and solids; thermodynamics and statistical mechanics; chemical and biochemical equilibrium; solutions; electrochemistry; structure and stability of biological macromolecules. Second semester: chemical kinetics; introductory quantum theory; chemical bonding; spectroscopy and molecular structure; biochemical transport. This course is not intended for B.S. chemistry majors.
Research Seminar in Biological Chemistry
Participating students and faculty discuss current topics of interest in biological chemistry. Intended for students who are participants in the undergraduate research program. Credit/no credit basis.
CHEM 361- (3)(Y)
Physical Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHEM 151, 152, PHYS 241E, and APMA 205, 206
A one semester introductory physical chemistry course designed specifically for undergraduate chemical engineers. The course surveys the basic principles of equilibrium thermodynamics, the kinetic theory of gases, quantum mechanics of atoms and molecules, molecular spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, and reaction dynamics. Emphasis is placed on the fundamental theories, models, and laws which have proven useful in describing, representing, and explaining physical processes and properties characteristic of chemical systems.
Physical Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHEM 181, 182 or 222, PHYS 231, 232 and MATH 132 , Chem 361 or 341
Chemical equilibrium, solution properties, electrochemistry, kinetics, elementary quantum theory, spectroscopy, atomic and molecular structure. Intended for ACS Certified B.S. majors in chemistry, for chemical engineers, and for students in related fields.
Intermediate Techniques in Chemical Experimentation
Prerequisites: CHEM 141, 142 or equivalent; corequisite: CHEM 361, 362 or 341, 342
Laboratory experiments which illustrate important laws and demonstrate quantitative methods of measuring the chemical and physical properties of matter. Four laboratory hours, one class hour.
Introductory Research Seminar
Introduction to research approaches and tools in chemistry including examples of formulation of approaches, literature searches, research methods and reporting of results. Oral presentations by students, faculty and visiting lecturers. Credit/no credit basis.
Independent Study
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Specialized topics in chemistry not normally covered in formal lecture or laboratory courses. Under the direction of the faculty. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Introduction to Research
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Introduction to the methods of research in chemistry to include use of the research literature and instruction in basic experimental and theoretical procedures and techniques. Under the direct supervision of faculty. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Inorganic Chemistry
Prerequisites or corequisites: CHEM 341, 341 or CHEM 361, 362
A unified treatment of the chemistry of the important classes of inorganic compounds and their reactions with emphasis on underlying principles of molecular structure, symmetry, and bonding theory, including molecular orbital descriptions and reactivity. Three class hours.
Biological Chemistry I
Prerequisite: One year of organic chemistry
Introduction to the components of biological macromolecules and the principles behind their observed structures. Examines the means by which enzymes catalyze transformations of other molecules, with emphasis on the chemical principles involved. A description of the key metabolic cycles and pathways, the enzymes which catalyze these reactions, and the ways in which these pathways are regulated. Three class hours.
Biological Chemistry II
Prerequisites: CHEM 441 or permission of instructor
Course covers three main areas: 1) structure and function of biological membranes, 2) complex biochemical systems and processes, including photosynthesis, oxidative phosphorylation, vision, neurotransmission, hormonal regulation, muscle contraction and microtubules, and 3) molecular biology, including DNA and RNA metabolism, protein synthesis, regulation of gene expression and recombinant DNA methodology. Three class hours.
Biological Chemistry Laboratory I
Prerequisite: CHEM 182L or CHEM 222
Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 441 or permission of instructor
The isolation and purification of biological materials. Chemical properties of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. Chemical and physical methods used in the characterization and quantitative determination of proteins. One class hour, four laboratory hours.
Biological Chemistry Laboratory II
Prerequisites or corequisites: CHEM 442 and 451
Physical methods used in studying macromolecules. Experiments include spectroscopic, hydrodynamic, and kinetic methods. Enzyme kinetics and the statistical analysis of data. One class hour, four laboratory hours.
Advanced Techniques in Chemical Experimentation
Prerequisite: CHEM 371, 372 and CHEM 432
Advanced synthetic techniques in inorganic chemistry are introduced and the products are analyzed and characterized by modern instrumental methods. Four laboratory hours, one class hour.
Techniques in Organic Chemistry
Prerequisites: CHEM 241L, 242L or 281L, 282L
A study of the theory and practice of state-of-the-art laboratory techniques in organic chemistry. One class hour, six laboratory hours.
Undergraduate Research Seminar
Corequisite: Chem 495, 496
Discussion of research approaches, methods and results for students registered in CHEM 495, 496. Oral presentations by students, faculty and visiting lecturers. Credit/no credit basis.
Supervised and Original Research in Chemistry
Prerequisites: permission of instructor
Original research involving experimental or theoretical chemistry carried out under the direct supervision of faculty. A minimum of nine hours per week, including conferences with research supervisor. Satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis.
Organic Chemistry III
Prerequisites: one year of organic chemistry. One year of physical chemistry is recommended.
A systematic review and extension of the facts and theory of organic chemistry; mechanism of reactions, structure and stereochemistry. Three class hours.
Organic Chemistry of Selected Biological Compounds
Prerequisites: CHEM 241, 242 or 281, 282
Traces the biosynthesis of naturally occurring substances from their photosynthetic beginnings to their eventual end as complex natural products. Topics include the major metabolic pathways, important enzyme systems, fatty acids, prostaglandins, terpenes, steroids, vitamins, hormones, alkaloids, pheromones, neuro-transmitters, drug development, vision and brain chemistry, insect-plant-herbivore interactions, and the basis of various human illnesses such as inborn errors of metabolism.
Advanced Physical Chemistry I
Prerequisites: Chem 396, 362
Introductory quantum mechanics. Application of group theory to molecular orbital theory. Rotational, vibrational and electronic spectra. Three class hours.
Advanced Physical Chemistry II
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor
Laws of thermodynamics and extra-thermodynamic principles; statistical mechanics; theory of reaction rates and interpretation of experimental kinetic data. Three class hours.
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I
Prerequisites: CHEM 432 or Permission of instructor
Introduction to the electronic structure of atoms and simple molecules, including basic concepts and applications of symmetry and group theory. The chemistry of the main group elements is described using energetics, structure, and reaction pathways to provide a theoretical background. The emphasis is on applying these concepts to predicting the stability and developing synthetic routes to individual compounds or classes.
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II
Prerequisites: CHEM 432 or permission of instructor
The electronic structure of compounds of the transition metals is introduced, using ligand field theory and molecular orbital theory. The chemistry of coordination and organometallic compounds is described with emphasis on structure, reactivity, and synthesis. Applications to transformations in organic chemistry and to catalysis are examined.
Instrumental Methods of Analysis
Corequisite: CHEM 341 or CHEM 361 or permission of instructor
Utilization of modern analytical instrumentation for chemical analysis. Includes emission and mass spectrometry, ultraviolet, visible and infrared absorption spectroscopy, atomic absorption, electrical methods of analysis, chromatography, neutron activation analysis, and X-ray methods. Three class hours. Chem 553 (the undergraduate equivalent version of 751) can be used as a substitute for CHEM 551 with permission of the 751 instructor