Chemistry Courses

Chemistry | Courses | Faculty

(All courses carry 3 credits unless otherwise noted. A minimum grade of CD in prere-quisite chemistry courses, or consent of the instructor, is required for enrollment in chemistry courses. Exceptions are CHEM 265 and 266, with C being required.)

101 General Chemistry for Nonscience Majors (PS) (1st sem)

Fundamental chemical laws via such topics as nuclear energy, chemistry and the environment, present and future energy sources, some industrial processes.

102 General Chemistry for Nonscience Majors (PS) (2nd sem)

Fundamental chemical laws; emphasis on the relationship between the structure of molecules and their properties exemplified by the chemicals of life (proteins, carbohydrates, DNA, etc.), foods, medicines, and synthetic polymeric materials.

110 General Chemistry (PSL) (1st sem) 4 cr

Primarily for health and allied science students. With lab. Basic principles of general chemistry. Microscopic and macroscopic properties of chemical systems. Topics include stoichiometry, thermochemistry, molecular structure, aqueous solution chemistry, and acid-base equilibria.

111 General Chemistry for Science and Engineering Majors (PSL) (both sem and summer) 4 cr

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. Note: a maximum of 5 cr may be received for both CHEM 101 and CHEM 102, or 2 cr for either, if CHEM 111 is completed. Prerequisite: MATH 104 or equivalent.

112 General Chemistry for Science and Engineering Majors (PSL) (both sem and summer) 4 cr

With lab. Continuation of CHEM 111. States of matter, solutions, thermodynamics, equilibrium, kinetics, oxidation-reduction processes, and electrochemical cells.

121 General Chemistry (PSL) (1st sem) 4 cr

With lab. Same lecture material as 111 but more extensive coverage. Prerequisite: secondary school chemistry; concurrent enrollment in MATH 135.

122 General Chemistry (PSL) (2nd sem) 4 cr

With lab. Continuation of CHEM 121. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 or 111, MATH 135 and consent of instructor.

241 Introductory Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry

Chemical periodicity, reaction behavior and structural interrelationships within the framework of a systematic treatment of the main group and transition elements. Prerequisite: CHEM 112 or 122.

242 Introductory Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2nd sem) 1 cr

Introduction to basic preparative and characterization techniques in inorganic chemistry. The chemistry of both main group and transition elements covered, and molecular modeling exercises included. Prerequisite: CHEM 241.

250 Organic Chemistry
(may not be offered '02-'03)

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.

252 Organic Chemistry Lab
(not offered '02-'03) 1 cr

Introduction to basic lab techniques in organic chemistry, including melting point determinations, crystallization, distillation, extraction, and thin layer chromatography. Organic syntheses, such as tert-butyl chloride, acetylsalicylic acid (aspirin), and saponification of fats to make soap. Identification of unknown aldehyde or ketone. Prerequisite or corequisite: CHEM 250.

261 Organic Chemistry I (both sem)

Together with CHEM 262 satisfied requirements for medical school admissions. Acceptable, with approval of the Undergraduate Chemistry Adviser, 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 (both sem)

A continuation of CHEM 261. Prerequisite: CHEM 261 or 265.

263, 264 Organic Chemistry Lab I, II (summer) 1 cr

Experimental organic chemistry with emphasis on underlying physical principles. Separation and purification, synthesis, analysis, and identification of organic compounds, including spectroscopy. Micro-scale work predominates. Emphasis on safe laboratory practices and proper disposal of wastes. Concurrent enrollent in 261, 262 required. CHEM 263 plus 264 is the equivalent of CHEM 269.

265 Organic Chemistry I (1st sem)

For chemistry majors and Commonwealth college students. Others by consent of instructor. Introduction to the structure and synthesis of organic molecules, the reactions of the the principal functional groups, and the basic theory of organic chemistry. The prediction of reaction products using reaction mechanisms, and the determination of organic structure using spectroscopy. The underlying role of stereochemistry in organic structure and reactions. Prerequisite: CHEM 112 or 122 with a grade of C or better. Corequisite: CHEM 267.

266 Organic Chemistry II (2nd sem)

For Chemistry majors and Commonwealth College students; others by consent of instructor. A continuation of CHEM 265. Prerequisite: grade of C or better in CHEM 265 or consent of instructor. Corequisite: CHEM 268.

267 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I
(1st sem) 2 cr

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
(2nd sem) 2 cr

A continuation of CHEM 267. Corequisite: CHEM 266.

269 Organic Chemistry Lab for Nonmajors
(both sem) 2 cr

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 250, 262 or 266.

291A Undergraduate Seminar (2nd sem) 1 cr

Weekly lecture by guest scientist working in chemistry or chemically related field (research, teaching, administration, product development, sales, etc.) Brief reports. Prerequisite: CHEM 265 or 261 and concurrent enrollment in CHEM 266 or 262.

312 Analytical Chemistry (2nd sem) 4 cr

With lab. For nonchemistry majors and B.A. chemistry majors. Essential theory and practice of analytical chemistry and interpretation of data. Applications to fields other than chemistry (e.g., the health sciences); selected instrumental methods. Includes K-12 teaching experience. Prerequisite: CHEM 250, 262, or 266.

315 Quantitative Analysis (1st sem) 4 cr

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 262 and 269, or 266 and 268.

342 Inorganic Chemistry Lab (2nd sem) 2 cr

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. Prerequisite: CHEM 241 or consent of instructor.

369 Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory (2nd sem alt yrs) 2 cr

The sequential synthesis of important organic and organometallic compounds. Advanced laboratory techniques emphasized. Products characterized by spectral methods (IR, NMR). Strong emphasis on journal-style writing skills, as well as use of Chemical Abstracts and the chemical literature. An introduction to research methods in synthetic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 268 or 269.

388 B.S. Independent Research Project (both sem)

Used to satisfy the B.S. independent pro-ject 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.

391A Seminar: Writing in Chemistry (1st sem)

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. Prerequisite: CHEM 266 or 262.

471 Elementary Physical Chemistry (1st sem)

For nonmajors. Principles of physical chemistry with emphasis on applications to biological systems: thermodynamics and kinetics applied to understanding protein and DNA structure and biological processes such as ligand binding, enzyme catalysis, and membrane transport. Prerequisites: CHEM 112; PHYSIC 132, MATH 132 or 128 (one year introductory chemistry, one year introductory physics, calculus through partial derivatives).

472 Elementary Physical Chemistry (not offered '02-'03)

For non-majors. Basic quantum mechanics and chemical bonding, statistical mechanics with applications to understanding the stability of macromolecules, principles of spectroscopy and diffraction with applications to understanding the structure and function of proteins and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: CHEM 112; PHYSIC 132; MATH 132 or 128 (one year introductory chemistry, one year introductory physics, calculus through partial derivatives).

473 Physical Chemistry
(not offered '02-'03)

For engineers. Introduction to thermodynamics and application to chemical phenomena; to chemical and phase equilibria and solutions; to statistical thermodynamics; to chemical kinetics, rate laws, analysis of rate processes, theories of reaction rates, complex reactions. Prerequisite: MATH 233 (knowledge of partial differentiation). Corequisites: PHYSIC 152, CHEM 315 or 312.

474 Physical Chemistry
(not offered '02-'03)

For engineers. Introduction to quantum theory; Schroedinger equation, electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Elementary rotational and vibrational spectroscopy of moleculesómicrowave, infrared, Raman spectraóand nuclear magnetic resonance. Miscellaneous other topics. Prerequisite: CHEM 473.

475 Physical Chemistry (1st sem)

For majors. Introduction to thermodynamics and application to chemical phenomena; to chemical and phase equilibria and solutions; to statistical thermodynamics; to chemical kinetics, rate laws, analysis of rate processes, theories of reaction rates, complex reactions. Prerequisite: MATH 233 (knowledge of partial differentiation). Corequisites: PHYSIC 152, CHEM 315 or 312.

476 Physical Chemistry (2nd sem)

For majors. Introduction to quantum theory; Schroedinger equation, electronic structure of atoms and molecules. Elementary rotational and vibrational spectroscopy of molecules (microwave, infrared, Raman spectra) and nuclear magnetic resonance. Miscellaneous other topics. Prerequisite: CHEM 475.

477 Physical Chemistry Lab (both sem) 2 cr

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: working knowledge of common analytical techniques or CHEM 315; MATH 233, PHYSIC 152; concurrent enrollment in CHEM 473, 474, 475, or 476.

478 Physical Chemistry Lab
(not offered '02-'03) 2 cr

Experiments by arrangement. Tutorial development of experiments, introduction to scientific research. 1-4 reports. Prerequisite: CHEM 477.

489 Chemistry of Macromolecules (not offered '02-'03)

Synthetic and biological polymers discussed and contrasted. Topics include: chain polymerization; characterization of molecular weight and size distributions; protein and DNA sequence analysis; polymer solution thermodynamics and configurational statistics; rubber elasticity; helix-coil transition; the structure and stability of proteins and nucleic acids. Prerequisites: one year of organic and physical chemistry or equivalent and MATH 233.

496 Independent Study (both sem) 2-6 cr

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. Prerequisite: consent of instructor.

497 Special Topics 1-3 cr

Faculty member selects a topic of personal interest and discusses it in greater detail and rigor than is possible in normal curriculum. Consent of instructor required.

499Y Honors Research

An independent research project supervised by a professor chosen by student. Early in semester a thesis proposal is written, approved by a thesis committee and submitted to the Honors Office. About 3-4 hours of lab per week per credit. Continued as 499T subsequent semester. Prerequisites: faculty sponsor approval and 3.2 average.

499T Honors Thesis (both sem)

Lab. Continuation of CHEM 499Y in which experimental part of course is completed, thesis is written, oral presentation of the work given to the Thesis Committee, and accepted thesis presented to the Honors Office. Prerequisite: CHEM 499Y.

513 Instrumental Analysis (1st sem)

With lab. 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. Prerequisites: CHEM 315 and 476 or consent of instructor.

515 Theory of Analytical Processes (1st sem)

Aspects of the theory underlying modern analytical chemistry. Topics treated in depth vary with instructor, but can include relevant aspects of quantitative analysis; essential signal processing for analytical techniques; chromatography and other separation procedures; optical spectroscopy and spectrometry; flow injection analysis; use of statistics for the analysis and treatment of data. Prerequisite: CHEM 315.

516 Chemical Microscopy 2-3 cr

Lab, with lecture. Theory and application of various optical techniques of microscopy, including bright field, dark field, phase contrast, polarization, fluorescence, and interferometry in both qualitative and quantitative analyses. Introduction to microspectrophotometry, quantitative stereology, other uses of computer-interfaced optical microscopy. Prerequisite: CHEM 513 or consent of instructor.

519 Electronic Instrumentation for Scientists (2nd sem)

With lab. Analog and digital circuits. Electronically aided measurement. Concepts involving instrumentation. Data domain conversion circuits. Approaches to improve the signal-to-noise ratio. Hands-on hardwiring and computer circuit simulation in lab. Prerequisites: year of physics; at least three junior/senior courses in student's major; consent of instructor.

546 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
(1st sem)

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 241, 476.

551 Advanced Organic Chemistry (1st sem)

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. Prerequisite: one year of organic chemistry.

552 Spectroscopic Indentification of Organic Compounds (1st sem)

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. Prerequisites: CHEM 266 and 268 or equivalent. Completion of a two-semester physical chemistry course prior to enrollment strongly recommended. Students may enroll in the concurrent one-credit laboratory, CHEM 553, with consent of the instructor.

553 Spectroscopic Indentification of Organic Compounds Laboratory
(1st sem) 1 cr

Introduction to the use of UV-visible, infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectroscopy for identification and proof of structure of organic compounds. Work includes preparation of samples, operation of instruments and accessing the data from the literature including online sources like Beilstein Crossfire. Orientations to the University's NMR and mass spectrometry laboratories. Identification of several unknown compounds. Prerequisites: one year of organic chemistry and concurrent (or previous) enrollment in CHEM 552. A year of physical chemistry recommended.

584 Advanced Physical Chemistry (1st sem)

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 or consent of instructor.

585 Advanced Physical Chemistry (2nd sem)

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 or consent of instructor.

Chemistry | Courses | Faculty