Chemistry

Overview

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 now developing rapidly, such as surface science, molecular biology and organometallic chemistry. Adva courses are also offered in each of the traditional areas. Students are actively involved in many of the department's programs, including teaching (tutoring and assisting in laboratories), research, and hosting visiting speakers.

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 traditional chemical research as well as in related areas such as medical applications of chemistry, environmental chemistry, materials science, and energy-related areas. A chemistry major also provides an excellent background for continued education in professional schools in dentistry, medicine, optometry, pharmacy, and veterinary medicine.

General Education Credit

Distribution Credit

Special Programs

Requirements for the Majors

Requirements for a Graduation Major

Requirements for a Physical Science Teacher Major (with a chemistry concentration)

Recommendations for Graduate and Professional Study

Courses

111 Fundamentals of Chemistry (1) 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. Three classes and one three-hour laboratory per week. Does not count toward the major.

112 Chemical Architecture of Materials (1)

After an introduction to atomic structure and bonding, this course considers the chemistry of the materials that surround us, including salts, metals, semiconductors, superconductors, plastics, and biological materials. Special attention is given to recent developments in materials science. The laboratory includes building models of structures, preparations of some materials, and their characterization with modern instrumentation. Three hours of lecture and one 2 1/2 hour laboratory per week. Does not count toward the major.

121 General Chemistry (1)

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. Three classes and one three-hour laboratory per week.

122 Elementary Bio-organic Chemistry (1)

Students with a variety of career goals gain an understanding of the basic principles of organic chemistry and biochemistry. Exploration of the atoms, bonding patterns, and molecules that play important roles in life processes makes up the majority of the course. This course is intended for students in nursing, nutrition, and various areas of physical education. Three classes and one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 121 or 125. Offered in the spring of 1996 and alternate years thereafter. Does not cont toward the major.

123 Atomic and Molecular Structure (1) A continuation of Chemistry 121. Topics cover atomic and molecular structure, including classical and quantum theories, bonding, molecular orbitals, and energy levels. Chemistry 121 and 123 together are equivalent in content to Chemistry 125 and are designed to prepare students for Chemistry 126. Counts toward major. Prerequisite: Chemistry 121. Offered only in the Interim.

124 Environmental Chemistry (1)

Study of the chemistry of the environment, from the chemical properties of air, water, and soil to the human impact on many natural processes. While fundamental chemistry is the major topic, discussions about monitoring, controlling, and damaging the environment are also included. Laboratory work adds insight into important environmental issues such as detecting hazardous and beneficial materials in a variety of samples. Counts toward Environmental Studies concentration. Offered only in the Interim. Does not count toward the major

125 Structural Chemistry and Equilibrium (1)

As the first course in the major sequence, this study of chemical stoichiometry, equilibrium, and atomic and molecular structure supplies the fundamental background on which all later chemistry courses depend. It includes the application of equilibrium principles to acid-base chemistry and explanations for the shapes and some of the reactions of simple molecules. Three classes and one three-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisites: high school chemistry and physics, and concurrent registration in calculus. Cannot be taken in conjunction with or after credit in Chemistry 121.

126 Energies and Rates of Chemical Reactions (1)

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. 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.

247 248 Organic Chemistry (1, 1)

Organic chemistry is the systematic study of compounds containing carbon, emphasizing the structures and mechanisms of reaction of these molecules. The first semester focuses on the structure, nomenclature, and reactions of aliphatic hydrocarbons with special consideration of 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 of biologically important molecules such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins, and nucleic acids. Prerequisite: Chemistry 126.

252 Organometallic Chemistry (1)

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. Counts toward major. Prerequisite: Chemistry 247. Offered only in the 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. One 3-hour laboratory each week. Prerequisites: previous or concurrent registration in Chemistry 247 for 253, and 248 for 254. P/N only.

255 Analytical Chemistry (1)

Students investigate the theory of modern analytical chemistry, including examination of 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 included utilize products and/or materials that are environmentally or industrially important. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in Chemistry 255. P/N only. Offered both semesters.

257 Physical Laboratory (0.25)

Students perform experiments that illustrate the principles of physical chemistry and utilize modern instrumentation. Specific experiments change from year to year, but emphasize determining chemical kinetics parameters, synthesis and analysis of copolymers, spectroscopic measurement of molecular energy levels, electrochemical assessment of equilibrium constants, and molecular level 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 (beginning in fall 1998). P/N only. Offered both semesters.

294 Internship

298 Independent Study

333 Surface Science (1)

Techniques and applications of modern surface science. Topics include crystal structure, the importance of vacuum, electron spectroscopies, surface microscopies, surface thermodynamics, chemisorption and applications to research problems. Laboratory component uses electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques and takes an investigative approach. Prerequisite: Chemistry 371. Offered only in Interim.

371 Physical Chemistry (1)

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, and molecular orbital theory. Prerequisite: Chemistry 126. Previous completion of Physics 124 or 126 is recommended. Concurrent registration in Chemistry 257 is required (beginning in fall 1996. Offered both semesters.

372 Molecular Structure (1)

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 or 222.

373 Experimental Biochemistry (0.25)

This is an introduction to the process and techniques of experimental biochemistry, highly recommended to enhance the basic biochemistry course and as preparation for further laboratory work in biochemistry and related fields. Experiments involve enzyme purification and characterization, protein dynamics and interactions, and a brief introduction to molecular biology. Techniques used include absorption, fluorescence and NMR spectroscopy; electrophoresis; chromatography; kinetics; and recombinant DNA techniques. One afternoon of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: previous or concurrent registration in Chemistry 379. P/N only.

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 purification and characterization of compounds. The second half of the course focuses on a special project chosen by each student in consultation with the instructor. One afternoon of laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Chemistry 253, 254. P/N only.

375 Advanced Laboratory (0.25)

For work on special projects. One afternoon of laboratory per week. Requires 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.

378 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (0.25)

In this lab course, the emphasis is on analytical applications, problem solving, and understanding how people and instruments operate together to make things happen. At the start, we work individually to learn 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. Then, we team up to build "critical link" instrument parts that show how mechanical devices are blended with computer-based signal processing to produce a desired condition (like a known, stable temperature) or a result (like a person's respiration rate). Finally, we work in small groups, using role-playing to divide responsibilities and do larger explorations of key instrumental properties. A lab robot is used to prepare samples and to do analyses itself. Prerequisite: concurrent registration in Chemistry 382. P/N only.

379 Basic Biochemistry (1)

Biochemistry applies the concepts of chemistry and physics to an understanding of biological processes at the molecular level. This course can serve as a basic introduction to biochemistry, or, in combination with Chemistry 385 as a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry. It covers the structural and biophysical chemistry of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids, emphasizing the relationship of structure and function; enzyme catalysis; bioenergetics; and an introduction to carbohydrate and fat metabolism. Prerequisites: Chemistry 248.

380 Organic Analysis and Theory (1)

Laboratory investigation and identification of organic compounds, singly and in mixtures. Lectures and discussion sessions concerning various spectroscopic methods and their applications to the elucidation of the structure of organic compounds. Counts toward major. Prerequisite: Chemistry 248 and 254. Offered only in the Interim.

382 Instrumental Analysis (1)

In this course we seek a fundamental understanding of what counts most when an instrument is used in practical application. To do this, we study "critical links" in the chain of parts that make up the whole instrument, by illustration and example, by model, by calculation, and by computer simulation. We study how the whole instrument is built, mechanically, mathematically, optically, electronically, and then how its parts are linked together. The kinds of instruments we study are those that are most often used for chemical analysis and materials characterization: electrochemical devices, spectrophotometers for absorption, emission, scattering, and resonance; those 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.

385 Metabolic Biochemistry (1)

This course is a continuation of Chemistry 379. Together, the two courses provide a comprehensive introduction to biochemistry. This course covers the basic metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, nucleic acids, and proteins; photosynthesis; the biosynthesis of complex biomolecules; and biochemical genetics. Emphasis is placed on the interrelationships between metabolic pathways, signal transduction, metabolic regulation, and the biochemical basis of disease. Prerequisite: Chemistry 379.

386 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (1)

This course examines the applications of modern theories of chemical bonding to an understanding of the chemistry of the elements of the periodic table. The course explores chemical structures and reactions 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 371 or permission of instructor.

388 Advanced Organic Chemistry (1)

This course explores how chemists use computational techniques to understand reaction pathways. Students use computer workstations to perform energy minimization and molecular orbital calculations on molecules taken primarily from, but not limited to, the realm of organic chemistry. The application of concepts such as kinetics, stereochemistry, and acid-base chemistry as they relate to understanding reaction mechanisms and synthesis is an important part of the course. Prerequisites: Chemistry 248 and 371 (or permission of the instructor).

394 Internship

398 Independent Research

Chemistry 123 Atomic and Molecular Structure
Chemistry 124 Environmental Chemistry
Chemistry 252 Organometallic Chemistry
Chemistry 380 Organic Analysis and Theory
Interdisciplinary 222 Protein Science
Interdisciplinary 255 Hospital Health Care and the Physician

Faculty