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Table of Contents Academic Life Academic Regulations The Academic Programs International and Off-Campus Studies Special Programs Admissions and Financial Aid Life Outside the Classroom People Facts and Figures College Calendar |
Chemistry http://www.stolaf.edu/depts/chemistry/ Chair, 2000-01: Mary M. Walczak, physical and analytical chemistry, spectroscopy and electrochemical studies of assembled amphiphiles Faculty, 2000-01: Beth R. J. Abdella, bio-organic chemistry; Jeffrey N. Dahlseid, biochemistry and molecular biology, messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) degradation in yeast; Paul Fischer, inorganic and organometallic chemistry; Susan Green, physical and analytical chemistry, spectroscopy; Robert M. Hanson, organic chemistry, stereoselectivity in organic synthesis; Paul Jackson, analytical and environmental chemistry, liquid and gas chromatography; Gary L. Miessler, inorganic chemistry, photochemistry of transition metal complexes; Wesley A. Pearson, organic chemistry, reaction mechanisms and stereochemistry; Gary O. Spessard, organic chemistry, synthesis and biosynthesis of natural products; John P. Walters, analytical chemistry, spectrochemical analysis, applications of computers and laboratory robotics to chemical instrumentation; Robert B. Weinstock-Collins, general science, religion and science; Jackson Wiley, inorganic chemistry, bimetallic cluster compounds St. Olaf traditionally graduates more chemistry majors than any other four-year college in the United States. The college also ranks in the top five as a source of students who obtain the Ph.D. in chemistry and related fields. Chemistry faculty members have a fine record of achievement in teaching and research; several have won prestigious national awards. Students enjoy state-of-the-art instrumentation and computers in both laboratory and classroom. The Chemistry Department offers courses not only in the traditional major areas of chemistry (organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, biochemistry), but also in interdisciplinary areas that are developing rapidly, such as molecular biology and organometallic chemistry. The department has an active summer research program, in which faculty and students work together to investigate problems of current interest. Students graduating with chemistry majors have had excellent success in gaining admission to graduate and professional schools and in obtaining employment opportunities. A major in chemistry may lead to employment in chemical research and in related areas such as medical applications of chemistry, environmental chemistry, and materials science. A chemistry major also provides an excellent background for continued education in professional schools in medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, and related fields. REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MAJORRequirements for a Graduation Major Majors must complete Chemistry 125 (or 121 and 123), 126, 247, 248, 255, 371, laboratory courses 253, 254, 256, 357, and one additional course from 252, 333, 372, 379, 380, 382, 386 or 388. In addition, Physics 124L, 125L or 126L, 127L, 228, and 229L; Mathematics through courses 126 or 128; and attendance during junior and senior years at 12 departmental seminars. Completion of at least one course credit in independent research is strongly recommended for students planning careers in chemistry. Requirements for a Physical Science Teacher Major
(with a chemistry concentration) RECOMMENDATIONS FOR GRADUATE AND PROFESSIONAL STUDY St. Olaf College has been approved by the American Chemical Society through its Committee on Professional Training. Prospective majors in chemistry who expect to comply with the minimum requirements of the committee will take the following courses: Chemistry 125 (or 121 and 123), 126, 247, 248, 255, 371, 379, 380, 382, 386, and 1.50 credits of laboratory courses; Physics through 125, or 228; two years of mathematics; and computer programming experience. Students planning graduate work in chemistry should complete most of these courses. In particular, these students should take Chemistry 386 by the end of the junior year. SPECIAL PROGRAMS St. Olaf chemistry majors have a number of options for special study, from the cooperative B.A.-B.S.E. Engineering Programs at Washington University in St. Louis and the University of Minnesota, where they may earn a degree in engineering, to a concentration in molecular biology, to off-campus study in the Oak Ridge National Laboratory program. Consult the Index for information on each of these programs. COURSES 111 Fundamentals of Chemistry The important early discoveries in chemistry serve as a foundation for a broadly based study of the fundamentals of chemistry. This course pays particular attention to chemistry as it relates to the environment. Students attend three classes and one three-hour laboratory per week. GE: NST-C, NSL. Does not count toward the major. Offered Spring Semester. 119 Environmental Chemistry Students study the chemistry of the environment, from the fundamental chemical properties of air, water and soil to human impact on natural processes, including damage to and protection of the environment. GE: NST-C. Counts toward Environmental Studies Concentration; does not count toward chemistry major. 120 Chemistry of Life's Beginning This brief study of the structure and function of molecules common to living organisms such as proteins, carbohydrates, fats and DNA includes speculation on the formation of the solar system and the early chemical history of the earth and examination of possible mechanisms by which smaller and then larger molecules may have formed, from which the present great diversity of life has evolved. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or biology. GE: NST-C, NSL. Offered during Interim. 121 General Chemistry This course provides a study of chemical stoichiometry and equilibrium at a level and pace appropriate to students with little or no background in chemistry. The combination of this course and the Interim course 123 provides coverage of topics equivalent to those in Chemistry 125. Students attend three classes andd one three-hour laboratory per week. GE: NST-C, NSL. Offered Fall Semester. 123 Atomic and Molecular Structure This course, a continuation of Chemistry 121, examines atomic and molecular structure, including classical and quantum theories, bonding models, molecular orbitals, and coordination chemistry. Chemistry 121 and 123 together are equivalent in content to Chemistry 125 and are designed to prepare students for Chemistry 126. Prerequisite: Chemistry 121. Offered only during Interim. 124 Environmental Chemistry Students study the chemistry of the environment, from the fundamental chemical properties of air, water, and soil to human impact on natural processes, including damage to and protection of the environment. Laboratory work explores environmental issues such as detecting hazardous and beneficial materials in a variety of samples. GE: NST-C, NSL. Counts toward Environmental Studies major and concentration; does not count toward the Chemistry major. Offered during Interim. 125 Structural Chemistry and Equilibrium This study of chemical stoichiometry, equilibrium, coordination chemistry, and atomic and molecular structure supplies the fundamental background on which all later chemistry courses depend. It includes applications of equilibrium principles to acid-base chemistry. Students attend three classes and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisites: high school chemistry and physics, and concurrent registration in calculus (Mathematics 120 or 122). The course cannot be taken in conjunction with or after credit in Chemistry 121. GE: NST-C, NSL. Offered Fall Semester. 126 Energies and Rates of Chemical Reactions This course provides a sequential introduction to physical chemistry. Beginning with an introduction to statistical aspects of chemical equilibria, it explores the relationships between energy, entropy, and equilibria (thermodynamics); oxidation-reduction reactions and electrochemistry; transitions between phases; and rates of reactions. Students attend three classes and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 125, or 121 and 123, and Mathematics 119, 120, or 122 or permission of instructor. GE: NST-C, NSL. Offered Spring Semester. 247, 248 Organic Chemistry Organic chemistry is the study of compounds containing carbon, emphasizing the structures and mechanisms of reaction of these molecules. The first semester focuses on structure, nomenclature, and reactions of aliphatic hydrocarbons, including aspects of stereochemistry and spectroscopic identification of these compounds. The second semester delves into the chemistry of functional groups, especially those that play a role in the reactivity biomolecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Prerequisite: Chemistry 126. Chemistry 247 offered Fall Semester; Chemistry 248 offered Spring Semester. 252 Organometallic Chemistry Students study the structure, bonding, and reactions of compounds containing metal-carbon bonds. Special topics include applications of organometallic chemistry to the synthesis of organic compounds, homogeneous catalysis, and biochemistry. Examples illustrate organometallic chemistry as a bridge between organic and inorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: Chemistry 247. Offered during Interim. 253, 254 Synthesis Laboratory (0.25, 0.25) These courses introduce students to the synthesis and characterization of organic, organometallic, and inorganic compounds. Students purify the materials they produce by techniques such as chromatography and characterize them using infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopic methods. Students attend one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisites: previous or concurrent registration in Chemistry 247 for 253, and 248 for 254. P/N only.Chemistry 253 offered Fall Semester; Chemistry 254 offered Spring Semester. 255 Analytical Chemistry Students not only investigate the theory of modern analytical chemistry, but also examine the statistical treatment of errors, equilibrium, activities, acid/base chemistry, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and separations. The accompanying lab course, Chemistry 256, illustrates the topics discussed in Chemistry 255. Students taking this course use computers for solving problems. Prerequisite: Chemistry 126. Concurrent registration in Chemistry 256 is required. Offered both semesters. 256 Analytical Laboratory (0.25) This lab course exposes students to the practice of modern analytical chemistry. Although experiments change from year to year, students have hands-on experience using spectrophotometers, pH meters, liquid chromatographs, and computer interfacing. Experiments typically utilize products and/or materials that are environmentally or industrially important. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in Chemistry 255. P/N only. Offered both semesters. 294 Internship 298 Independent Study 357 Physical Laboratory (0.25) Students perform experiments that illustrate the principles of physical chemistry and utilize modern instrumentation. Students synthesize and analyze copolymers, and perform spectroscopic measurements of molecular energy levels, and perform calculations of quantum mechanical quantities using computer workstations. Students also develop their scientific writing skills by preparing reports in the style of scientific publications. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in Chemistry 371. P/N only. Offered both semesters. 371 Physical Chemistry Students delve further into the topics of kinetics, thermodynamics, and atomic and molecular structure that were introduced in the first-year courses. This course emphasizes the mathematical aspects of chemistry. Specific topics may include reaction mechanisms, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, phase transitions, macromolecules, symmetry, spectroscopy and molecular orbital theory. Prerequisite: Chemistry 126. Previous completion of Physics 124 or 126 is recommended. Concurrent registration in Chemistry 357 is required. Offered both semesters. 372 Molecular Structure One major theme of this course is the determination of the structures of molecules and solids by spectroscopic and diffraction experiments. Another emphasis is the quantum mechanical basis for spectroscopy. Topics receiving major attention are crystal structure determination, vibrational and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies, and molecular properties calculated by computational chemistry. Prerequisites: Chemistry 371 and Mathematics 220. Offered Spring Semester of 2000 and alternate Spring Semesters. 373 Experimental Biochemistry (0.25) This lab course is highly recommended to enhance the basic biochemistry course and as preparation for further study of biochemistry and related fields. The course introduces students to the process and techniques of biochemistry. Experiments include purification of a protein enzyme and characterization of enzyme activities, kinetics and properties. The course aims to provide continuity in experimentation that is investigative in nature. Significant emphasis is placed upon the development of scientific writing skills. Prerequisite: previous or concurrent registration in Chemistry 379. P/N only. Offered both semesters. 374 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (0.25) Building upon skills learned in Chemistry 253, 254, students perform multi-step syntheses that require the use of advanced techniques for purifying and characterizing compounds. The second half of the course may focus on a project chosen by each student in consultation with the instructor. Prerequisites: Chemistry 253, 254. P/N only. Offered Spring Semester. 375 Advanced Laboratory (0.25) Students work on special projects during one afternoon of laboratory per week. Each student must have the sponsorship of a staff member. P/N only. Offered both semesters. 376 Spectroscopy and Crystallography Laboratory (0.25) This laboratory course includes some basic techniques such as X-ray powder diffraction, determining the visible spectrum of I2 and the infrared spectra of HCl and DCl, and pulse techniques in nuclear magnetic resonance. Students select special projects from spectroscopy and computational chemistry such as a comparison of measured NMR chemical shifts and calculated atom charge densities. One afternoon of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: previous or concurrent registration in Chemistry 372. P/N only. Offered Spring Semester of 2000 and alternate Spring Semesters. 378 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (0.25) Students explore analytical applications, problem solving, and understanding how people and instruments operate together to make things happen. Problems include how systems of amplifiers detect signals, how computers process and display them, and how people use networks to transfer the information to others who need it. A lab robot is used to prepare samples and to do analyses. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in Chemistry 382. P/N only. Offered Fall Semester. 379 Biochemistry I This course attempts to understand biological processes at the molecular level and serves as a basic introduction to biochemistry. This course emphasizes the structure and function of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, enzyme catalysis and regulation, bioenergetics, and an introduction to carbohydrate metabolism. Subsequent enrollment in Chemistry 385 is recommended for students desiring greater breadth and depth in the subject. Prerequisite: Chemistry 248. Offered both semesters. 380 Organic Analysis and Theory In the laboratory, students investigate and identify organic compounds, singly and in mixtures. Lectures and discussion sessions investigate various spectroscopic methods and their applications to the elucidation of the structure of organic compounds. Prerequisite: Chemistry 248 and 254. Offered during Interim. 382 Instrumental Analysis Students study how an instrument functions, mechanically, mathematically, optically, and electronically, and then how its parts are linked together. Students examine electrochemical devices: spectrophotometers for absorption, emission, scattering, and resonance; devices that manipulate particles; and a host of chromatographic devices. Prerequisites: Physics 125L or 228, and Chemistry 255, 256. Concurrent registration in Chemistry 378 is required. Prior experience with computers is essential. Offered Fall Semester. 385 Biochemistry II This course builds depth of biochemical understanding upon the foundation laid in Chemistry 379. Contents include selected topics in catabolic and anabolic metabolism, integration and regulation of metabolism, photosynthesis, and biochemical genetics. In addition, students will gain experience with the primary literature. Prerequisite: Chemistry 379. Offered Spring Semester. 386 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry This course examines how modern theories of chemical bonding are applied to an understanding of the chemistry of the elements of the periodic table. Students explore chemical structures, reactions and spectra on the basis of molecular symmetry and group theory. Topics covered include chemical periodicity, acid-base systems, coordination compounds, organometallic compounds, nonmetal chemistry, and cluster compounds. Prerequisite: Chemistry 248. Offered Spring Semester. 388 Advanced Organic Chemistry This course explores use of computational techniques to understand reaction pathways. Students use computers to perform energy minimization and molecular orbital calculations on molecules taken primarily from, but not limited to, the realm of organic chemistry. Application of concepts such as kinetics, stereochemistry, and acid-base chemistry in relation to understanding reaction mechanisms is an important part of the course. Prerequisites: Chemistry 248 and 371 (or permission of instructor). Offered Spring Semester of 2001 and alternate years thereafter. 391 Selected Topics in Chemistry The field of chemistry is constantly expanding into new frontiers and understandings of principles. This course provides an in-depth study of selected topics within the broad discipline of chemistry. Classwork includes comprehensive review of the literature and group discussion. Topics will be chosen based on student interest and available staff and will be announced prior to registration for the term. Prerequisites: permission of the instructor and junior or senior standing. 394 Internship 398 Independent Research RELATED COURSE: Interdisciplinary 251: Computers and Health Computers are used in human and veterinary medicine, pharmacy, dentistry, and hospital management to do everything from controlling the delivery rate in an implanted chemotherapy pump to medical imaging. Through tutorials, lectures, labs, demonstrations, field trips, and films, students explore the way computers can enhance the interactions between professional people and their clients. It is expected that many in the class may be beginners. Does not fulfill GE credit. P/N grading only. Offered during Interim. |