Course Descriptions

UMass Amherst Chemistry course listing in SPIRE. All prerequisite courses require a grade of 'C-' or better.

101 General Chemistry for Nonscience Majors (Fall) 4 credits
Fundamental chemical laws via such topics as nuclear energy, chemistry and the environment, present and future energy sources, some industrial processes.

103 Science of Craft for Nonscience Majors (Fall) 4 credits
In this course, principles and skills of physical sciences are developed and used to investigate questions inspired by four crafts: Blacksmithing, Ceramics, Brewing, and Glassblowing.

111 General Chemistry for Science and Engineering Majors (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) 4 credits
With lab. Basic principles of structure and reactivity. Microscopic nature of atoms and molecules; the macroscopic properties of chemical systems. Topics include stoichiometry, thermochemistry, atomic structure, molecular structure, properties of gases. Prerequisite: MATH 104 (or Math 101 & 102) or a score of 20 or higher on Part "A" of the Math Placement test.

112 General Chemistry for Science and Engineering Majors (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) 4 credits
With lab. Continuation of CHEM 111. States of matter, solutions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics, oxidation-reduction processes, and electrochemical cells. Prerequisite: CHEM 111 or CHEM 121H.

121H General Chemistry (Fall) 4 credits
With lab. Basic Principles of chemistry. Microscopic nature of atoms and molecules; macroscopic properties of chemical systems. Topics inlcude stoichiometry, atomic and nuclear structure, chemical bonding, molecular structure, gases, and intermolecular forces. More extensive lecture treatment of advanced topics and laboratory work than CHEM111. Prerequisite: Secondary school chemistry and a grade of 23 or greater on Part A and 5 or greater on Part B of the math placement exam.

122H General Chemistry (Spring) 4 credits
With lab. A continuation of CHEM121H. Basic Principles of chemistry. Topics include solids, liquids, solutions, equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, acids & bases, precipitation, and descriptive chemistry. More extensive lecture treatment of advanced topics and laboratory work than CHEM 112. Prerequisite: CHEM 121H or CHEM 111 (with instructor consent)

123H/123LF/123LS Accelerated General Chemistry (123H lecture/123LF lab Fall) 3/1 credits (123LS lab Spring) 1 credit
A high-level treatment of concepts covered in Chem111/112 or Chem121/122 sequence, presuming mastery of General Chemistry principles and skills at the AP Chemistry level or equivalent. Prerequisite: AP Chemistry score 4 or 5.

196 Independent Research Study (Fall and Spring) 1-6 credits, 196ish honors section
For first year students. Does not satisfy the B.S. independent research project requirement. Experimental or theoretical study that may involve lab or library work or a combination. Work supervised by faculty sponsor who determines direction of project, nature of reports required, and grade and credit awarded. 3-4 hrs lab work per week per 1 unit is expected. This course cannot substitute for CHEM 388 or CHEM 499Y/T. Department Consent Required.

250 Organic Chemistry (Spring) 3 credits
A one-semester introduction to chemistry of organic compounds: alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, aromatic compounds, alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives, phenols, amines, fats, amino acids, carbohydrates. Emphasizes nomenclature, structure, synthesis, stereochemistry, mechanisms of organic reactions. Prerequisite: CHEM 111 or equivalent.

261 Organic Chemistry I for Non-majors (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) 3 credits
Satisfies requirements for medical school admissions, and is acceptable, though not recommended, for chemistry majors. Brief review of basic principles of chemical bonding, electronic theory, and acid-base reactions. Introduction to principles of stereochemistry and organic spectroscopy. Discussions of the most common types of reactions of organic molecules and their mechanisms. Prerequisite: CHEM 112 or 122.

262 Organic Chemistry II for Non-majors (Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer) 3 credits
A continuation of CHEM 261. Prerequisite: CHEM 261 or 265.

265 Organic Chemistry I for Chemistry Majors (Fall) 3 credits
Introduction to organic chemistry; structure of organic molecules, reactions of the principal functional groups, and basic theory. Emphasis on prediction of reaction products and rates using reaction mechanisms as a unifying principle. Prerequisite: one year of general chemistry or consent of instructor. Prerequisite: CHEM 112 or 122 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Corequisite: CHEM 267.

266 Organic Chemistry II for Chemistry Majors (Spring) 3 credits
A continuation of CHEM 265. Prerequisite: CHEM 265 or consent of instructor.

267 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors (Fall) 2 credits
Experimental organic chemistry with underlying physical principles: separation and purification, synthesis, and analysis, including spectroscopy. Identification of organic compounds and use of library resources. Work conducted on micro- and macroscales with emphasis on safe laboratory practice and proper disposal of wastes. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 265.

268 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II for Majors (Spring) 2 credits
A continuation of CHEM 267. Corequisite: CHEM 266.

269 Organic Lab for Nonmajors (Fall, Spring and Summer) 2 credits
Experimental organic chemistry with emphasis on underlying physical principles. Separation and purification, synthesis, analysis, and identification of organic compounds, including spectroscopy. Microscale work predominates. Emphasis on safe laboratory practices and proper disposal of wastes. Prerequisite or co-requisite: CHEM 262 or 266.

291A Undergraduate Seminar (Fall) 1 credit
Weekly lecture by guest scientist working in chemistry or chemically related field (research, teaching, administration, product development, sales, etc.) Brief reports.

296 Independent Research Study (Fall and Summer) 1-6 credits, 296ish honors section
For second year students. Does not satisfy the B.S. independent research project requirement. Experimental or theoretical study that may involve lab or library work or a combination. Work supervised by faculty sponsor who determines direction of project, nature of reports required, and grade and credit awarded. 3-4 hrs lab work per week per 1 unit is expected. This course cannot substitute for CHEM 388 or CHEM 499Y/T. Department Consent Required.

315 Quantitative Analysis (Spring) 4 credits
With lab. Fundamental principles of quantitative analytical chemistry with practical inorganic and organic applications. Includes titrimetric methods, acid-base, complexometric and redox, plus separation, electrochemical, and spectroscopic techniques. Prerequisites: CHEM 261 or 265.

330 Writing in Chemistry (Fall) 3 credits
Satisfies Junior Year Writing requirement. Develops written and oral communication skills. Emphasizes writing as a process. Covers letters, summaries, critiques, reports, articles, reviews, resumes, and proposals. Open to Senior and Junior CHEM majors only. Prerequisites: CHEM 262 or 266.

341 Introductory Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry (Fall) 3 credits
Chemical periodicity, reaction behavior and structural interrelationships within the framework of a systematic treatment of the main group and transition elements. Prerequisite: CHEM 262 or 266.

342 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (Spring) 2 credits
The synthesis of inorganic materials and their characterization using a variety of physical techniques. Topics include solid state and inert atmosphere techniques and compounds relevant to biological systems. Includes a class project culminating in a written document in professional journal format, and an interactive oral presentation. Satisfies the Integrative Experience requirement for BA-Chem and BS-Chem majors. Prerequisite: CHEM 341 or consent of instructor.

388 B.S. Independent Research Project (Fall and Spring) 3 credits
Used to satisfy the B.S. independent project requirement. A research project, which may consist of laboratory work or theoretical work or both. Project and research director selected by student with consent of instructor and departmental Undergraduate Research Coordinator required. About 8-10 hours of independent work per week, in close consultation with research director, culminating in written and oral reports. A copy of the written report must be included in the student's academic folder.

396 Independent Research Study (Fall and Spring) 1-6 credits, 396ish honors section
For third year students. Does not satisfy the B.S. independent research project requirement. Experimental or theoretical study that may involve lab or library work or a combination. Work supervised by faculty sponsor who determines direction of project, nature of reports required, and grade and credit awarded. 3-4 hrs lab work per week per 1 unit is expected. This course cannot substitute for CHEM 388 or CHEM 499Y/T. Department Consent Required.

423 Biochemistry for Chemists (Fall) 3 credits
Introduction to the macromolecules and networks of reactions of living cells, with emphasis on underlying chemical principles. Topics include structure of proteins and nucleic acids, mechanisms of enzyme catalysis, metabolic reaction networks, transfer of genetic information, and recombinant DNA technology. Open to CHEM and CHEM-ENG students only. Prerequisites: Either CHEM 261 & 262 or CHEM 265 & 266. Students who have taken BIOCHEM 523/524 are ineligible without instructor permission.

471 Elementary Physical Chemistry (Fall & Spring) 3 credits
An overview of physical chemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, statistical and quantum mechanics, and spectroscopy) emphasizing applications to biology including macromolecule structure and stability, ligand binding, enzyme catalysis, and membrane structure and transport. Prerequisites: (CHEM 112, 123LS, or 122H), AND (PHYSICS 132, 152 or 182), AND (MATH 128 or 132)

475 Physical Chemistry (Fall) 3 credits
Introduction to modern quantum chemistry and wave mechanics, atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy. Open to Chemistry majors only. Prerequisites: (CHEM 112, 123LS or 122H) and MATH 233 and PHYSICS 152.

476 Physical Chemistry (Spring) 3 credits
Introduction to the laws controlling equilibrium and kinetic properties of macroscopic chemical systems, using thermodynamics and statistical mechanics. Prerequisites: CHEM 475(or CHEM-ENG 475)

477 Physical Chemistry Lab (Fall) 2 credits
Experience in classical and modern physiochemical techniques applied to making meaningful chemical measurements. Pre-lab lecture. Part illustrates material offered in junior-level chemistry major physical chemistry lecture course; part is independent. Prerequisites: CHEM 315; MATH 233, PHYSICS 152; concurrent enrollment in CHEM 475 or 476.

496 Independent Research Study (Fall & Spring) 1-6 credits, 496ish honors section
For fourth year students. Does not satisfy the B.S. independent research project requirement. Experimental or theoretical study that may involve lab or library work or a combination. Work supervised by faculty sponsor who determines direction of project, nature of reports required, and grade and credit awarded. 3-4 hrs lab work per week per 1 unit is expected. This course cannot substitute for CHEM 388 or CHEM 499Y/T. Department Consent Required.

499P Honors Project, 499T Honors Thesis, 499Y Honors Research (Fall & Spring) 3-6 credits
Honors Project expectations are high. The intended end-product is a traditional project manuscript with accompanying artifact(s), all projects: - are 6 credits or more of sustained research on a single topic, typically conducted over two semesters. - begin with creative inquiry and systematic research. - include documentation of substantive scholarly endeavor. - culminate in an oral defense or other form of public presentation.

513 Instrumental Analysis (Fall) 3 credits
Theory and practical application of modern instrumental methods for chemical analyses. Atomic and molecular spectroscopy, electroanalytical chemistry, chromatography and mass spectrometry. Applications to real analytical problems. Open to Chemistry majors only. Prerequisites: CHEM 315 and either CHEM 471 or 476.

514 Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (Fall) 2 credits
This lab is the practical application of modern instrumental methods for chemical analyses. Atomic and molecular spectroscopy, electroanalytical chemistry, chromatography and mass spectrometry. Applications to real analytical problems. In this course you focus on two areas: 1. Learning how to operate instruments on your own without being provided a specific protocol and 2. The basics of designing and carrying out a research project. Prerequisite: CHEM 315 Students must be either concurrently enrolled in CHEM 513 or have previously passed CHEM 513.

546 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (Fall) 3 credits
Basic atomic structure concepts: stereochemical principles and bonding models applied to main group and transition metal compounds and to the structure of solids. Includes elementary molecular orbital and ligand field theory, and kinetics and reaction mechanisms of d-block complexes. Descriptions of metal-metal bonded and organometallic systems. Structure and bonding principles applied to catalytic and biological system reactivity. Prerequisites: CHEM 341, 476.

551 Advanced Organic Chemistry (Fall) 3 credits
Mechanisms of some important organic reactions. Topics covered may include application of qualitative molecular orbital theory to pericyclic reactions, free radical chemistry, photochemistry, heterocyclic systems, cationic and anionic reactions. Prerequisites: CHEM 262 or 266.

552 Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds (Fall) 3 credits
Modern techniques for identification and structural analysis of organic compounds. Emphasis on the interpretation of spectra. Optional lab sections with opportunities to use spectroscopic facilities in the department, and to use spectroscopic techniques and procedures, such as nuclear-nuclear decoupling or 2-D NMR experiments (DEPT, COSY), spectral simulation and prediction, standard sample preparation methods. Completion of a two-semester physical chemistry course prior to enrollment strongly recommended. Prerequisites: Undergraduates are required to have CHEM 262 or 266 AND either CHEM 268 or 269.

559 Computational and Mathematical Methods in Chemistry (Spring) 3 credits
This class is focused on computational and mathematical problems in chemistry using modern symbolic computational tools. Using the free desktop software platforms (primarily Mathematica) which are free to UMass students via site license, we will develop tools for data visualization and manipulation, and statistical methods in chemistry, kinetic modeling using analytic and numerical differential equation solving tools and visualization of solutions. In addition, we will explore elements of linear algebra, linear transformations, and group theory as applied to chemical systems. Prerequisites: Math 132

560 Materials Chemistry (Spring) 3 credits
The application of chemical principles to modern materials discovery, design, and characterization will be discussed. Topics covered will include inorganic solids, nanoscale materials, polymers, inorganic-organic hybrid materials, and biological materials, with specific focus on how the atomic-level chemistries dictate material properties across various length scales. Aspects of materials chemistry with regard to scalability and sustainability will also be covered. Prerequisite 341.

581 Chemical Biology (Spring) 3 credits
This course describes how the principles and techniques of organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, and physical chemistry can be used to study proteins, nucleic acids, and sugars. Methods for their synthesis, purification, and chemical manipulations will be discussed, focusing on the application of chemical approaches to studying biological questions. For each topic, appropriate bioanalytical techniques will be emphasized. Prerequisites: CHEM 261 & 262 OR 265 & 266.

584 Adv Phys Chem (Fall) 3 credits
Introduction to quantum mechanics and its application to chemical problems; electronic structure of atoms and molecules, molecular orbital theory, chemical bonding, potential energy surfaces, and molecular spectroscopy. Prerequisite: CHEM 476 or equivalent.

585 Adv Phys Chem II (Spring) 3 credits
Short review of thermodynamics. Introduction to statistical thermodynamics and its application to chemical problems. Statistical mechanical basis of thermodynamic behavior, e.g., entropy and attainment of equilibrium, and derivation of thermodynamic properties from basic microscopic description of molecules and solids, via quantum mechanics. Other topics may include gas imperfections, theory of liquids, adsorption, and molecular simulations. Prerequisite: CHEM 476 or equivalent.

627 Biomolecular Structure (Fall) 3 credits
A course for first and second year graduate students focusing on protein and nucleic acid structure and function. Topics include: physical basis for structures, tools used in structure determination such as x-ray crystallography, NMR, and circular dichroism as well as structure prediction, visualization and design. Prerequisites: One full year of undergraduate organic chemistry.

631 Bioanalytical Chemistry (Fall) 3 credits
This course will introduce methods that are used to analyze compounds of biological importance. Such methods include both analytical techniques that are used to measure biomolecules and techniques that use biological processes for analyte detection. The course will discuss basic analytical theories and stay current by incorporating frequent examples of emerging bioanalytical techniques.

651 Supramolecular Chemistry (Spring) 1 credit
Intermolecular interactions play an important role in chemistry. This course will teach students core concepts in the area of supramolecular chemistry. Principles and concepts learned from this course can be translated to advanced problems in the areas of chemistry, materials science and biological sciences. Students may register for CHEM 651, 652, and/or 653. Each of these courses is 1/3 semester long.

652 Organometallic Chemistry (Spring) 1 credit
Organometallics play an important role in synthetic chemistry. This course will teach students core concepts in the area of organometallic chemistry. Principles and concepts learned from this course can be translated to advanced problems in the areas of synthetic chemistry. Students may register for CHEM 651, 652, and/or 653. Each of these courses is 1/3 semester long.

653 Organic/Hybrid Semiconductors (Spring) 1 credit
Organic and hybrid semiconductors play a central role in organic electrics. This course will teach students core concepts in the area of organic and hybrid semiconductors. Principles and concepts learned from this course can be translated to advanced problems in materials chemistry. Students may register for CHEM 651, 652, and/or 653. Each of these courses is 1/3 semester long.

657 Drug Design (Spring) 3 credits
This course will survey the current picture in pharmaceutical research, including how targets are selected, how the rational and combinatorial methods are harnessed, as well as how the industry is evolving in the post-genomic era. The instructors will provide background and introduce various topics, which will be discussed by a series of invited lecturers who are active in drug design and discovery. Prerequisites: One BIOCHEM class and one year of Organic Chemistry required.

726 Applied Analytical Chemistry (Spring) 3 credits
Applications of analytical techniques to actual problems in industrial regulatory, and instrumentation development laboratory settings. The place of analytical chemistry in related disciplines. The analytical chemical academic-industrial interface. Visiting industrial seminar speakers. Format flexible. Prerequisite: CHEM 513 or 515.

728 Physical Biochemistry (Spring) 3 credits
Chemical, physical, and biological properties of proteins and nucleic acids. Macromolecular structure of biopolymers; optical, hydrodynamic, and magnetic resonance techniques; multiple equilibria; relaxation kinetics, and conformational transitions. Prerequisites: BIOCHEM 423, 523, or CHEM 423, and CHEM 471 or 475.