Course Offerings
Upcoming Semester Course Offerings in Chemistry:
The following lists indicate which courses in the department fulfill the Disciplinary Breadth requirement (DB) and the Broadened Perspectives for the 21st century requirement: Human Diversity (HD) and Natural and Fabricated Worlds (NFW):
- DB: CHEM105*
NFW: CHEM 105*, CHEM 360
* lab courses
105. Introduction to Chemistry (I; 3, 3; U)
A terminal elementary course covering in-depth selected topics, which may vary from year to year. Satisfies science requirement for bachelor of arts students not majoring in science or engineering. Either or both semesters may be taken. CHEM 105 is not a prerequisite for CHEM 106. Prerequisite: seniors by permission only.
201 and 202. General Chemistry (I and II; 3, 3; U)
Fundamental principles in inorganic chemistry. Atomic structure, bonding, equilibrium, kinetics, etc. Introduction to organic chemistry. Laboratory experiments are primarily qualitative in CHEM 201 and quantitative in CHEM 202. CHEM 201 is a prerequisite for CHEM 202. Credit will normally not be given for both CHEM 201 and CHEM 221 or CHEM 202 and CHEM 231.
211 and 212. Organic Chemistry (I and II; 3, 4; U)
Designed to familiarize the student with the chemistry of organic compounds and organic chemical theory. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or CHEM 201. CHEM 211 is a prerequisite for CHEM 212.
206. Introduction to Environmental Chemistry (I; 3, 3; U)
One semester terminal course in chemistry. Basic chemical concepts as they relate to chemical behavior, toxicity, and effects in the environment. Cast studies are used to illustrate concepts. Laboratory will emphasize techniques used for environmental analysis. Not open to students who have taken CHEM 202. Prerequisite: high school chemistry. Seniors by permission only.
221. Inorganic Chemistry I (I; 3, 3; U)
Atomic structure and introductory quantum mechanics. Molecular structure and theories of bonding. Introduction to coordination chemistry. Laboratory: introduction to quantitative techniques. Prerequisite: CHEM 212 or permission of the instructor.
231. Analytical Chemistry I (II; 3, 3; U)
Chemical equilibrium and modern analysis, with an emphasis on acid-base systems, metal ion determinations, electroanalytical, spectrophotometry, and separation methods. Prerequisite: CHEM 221.
304. X-ray Crystallography (I or II; U) Half to full course.
Independent study. Symmetry (point, plane, and space groups), diffraction (reciprocal space, precession photographs, automated data collection) and structural solution (Patterson Maps, Electron Density Maps, Refinement). Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
313. Synthetic Organic Chemistry (II; 4, 0; U)
Modern synthetic organic chemistry, with examples involving natural products and compounds of theoretical interest, and also demonstrating the applicability of organic chemical theory. Prerequisites: CHEM 211-212.
314. Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (I; 4, 0; U)
Discussions of the reaction mechanisms of substitution, elimination, cycloaddition, and acylation reactions are presented. Class topics include the influence of solvent on mechanism, and steric, stereochemical, and kinetic aspects of reactions. Weekly problem sessions are held. Prerequisites: CHEM 211-212.
317. Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0; U)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
322. Inorganic Chemistry II (II; 3, 4; U)
Descriptive chemistry of inorganic compounds and topics in coordination chemistry. Laboratory: synthetic techniques and physical measurements. Prerequisite: CHEM 231.
327. Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0; U)
Applications of group theory to spectroscopic properties of compounds. Theory and interpretation of electronic, vibrational and magnetic resonance spectra.
332. Analytical Chemistry II (I; 3, 4; U)
Theory and practice of techniques of instrumental analysis, including spectrophotometry, fluorescence, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption, chromatography, polarography, and specific ion electrodes. Prerequisite: CHEM 231.
340. Biological Physical Chemistry (II; 4, 3; U)
Introduction to physical chemistry for life science and pre-medical students. Not open to B.S. chemistry majors or graduate students majoring in chemistry. Prerequisites: CHEM 231, MATH 201, and PHYS 211. MATH 202, PHYS 212 are recommended.
341. Physical Chemistry (I; 3, 4; U)
Introductory physical chemistry, with emphasis on thermodynamics and kinetics. Prerequisites: CHEM 231, MATH 211, and PHYS 211. CSCI 203 is recommended.
342. Physical Chemistry (II; 3, 4; U)
Introductory physical chemistry with emphasis on quantum and statistical mechanics, molecular structure, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: CHEM 341, MATH 211, and PHYS 211. CSCI 203 is recommended.
343. Advanced Physical Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0; UK)
Selected topics in quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, kinetics, photochemistry, and structure. Prerequisite: CHEM 342.
347. Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0; U)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
351. Biochemistry I (I; 4, 0; U)
Introduction to modern biological chemistry, including synthesis, degradation and characterization of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and the mechanism of enzyme action. Prerequisite: CHEM 231 or permission of the instructor.
352. Biochemistry II (II; 4, 0; U)
A continuation of Biochemistry I (CHEM 351), with the emphasis on metabolism, nucleic acids, genetic engineering, lipids, carbohydrates, and selected aspects of biotechnology. Prerequisite: CHEM 351 or permission of the instructor.
358. Biochemical Methods (II; 2, 6; K)
A course in laboratory techniques, including cell fractionation, protein, and nucleic acid analysis. Spectrophotometry, chromatography, centrifugation, and electrophoresis are emphasized. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as BIOL 340.
360. Advanced Environmental Chemistry (I; 4, 0; U)
Environmental chemodynamics, transport, abiotic transformation, biotransformation, environmental toxicology, pollutants, the environmental fate/effects of chemicals will be discussed. Prerequisite: CHEM 231 or permission of the instructor.
375 and 376. Undergraduate Research (I and II; R; 0, 6-24; U) Half to two courses.
Original investigations in analytical, biological, organic, physical, or inorganic chemistry.
385 and 386. Seminar (I and II; R; 2, 0; U) Half course.
475 and 476. Research Capstone (I and II; 2, 10; U)
Students conduct a research project under the guidance of a faculty member in the sciences. In weekly meetings, they share reports from the literature and report on their own work. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
