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 (1st sem) 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 (1st sem) 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 (both sem 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 (both sem 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 (1st sem) 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 (2nd sem) 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)

190JH/190LF/190LS Accelerated General Chemistry (190JH lecture/190LF lab fall) (190LS lab spring) 5 credits total
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 (both sem) 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 (1st sem) 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 (both sem) 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 (both sem) 3 credits
A continuation of CHEM 261. Prerequisite: CHEM 261 or 265.

265 Organic Chemistry I for Chemistry Majors (1st sem) 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 (2nd sem) 3 credits
A continuation of CHEM 265. Prerequisite: CHEM 265 or consent of instructor.

267 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I for Majors (1st sem) 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 (2nd sem) 2 credits
A continuation of CHEM 267. Corequisite: CHEM 266.

269 Organic Lab for Nonmajors (both sem) 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 (1st sem) 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 (both sem) 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 (2nd sem) 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 (1st sem) 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 (1st sem) 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 (2nd sem) 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 (both sem) 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 (both sem) 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.