Department of Chemistry
Course Descriptions
85* Introduction to Chemistry
Survey of the principles of chemistry taught
in the context of environmental and/or other contemporary issues. Topics include chemical
formulas, atomic structure, bonding, chemical reactions and stoichiometry. Laboratories
involve hands on experience with collecting
and analyzing data as well as some elements of
laboratory method design. One semester,
4 credits.
95 Preparation for General Chemistry
Scientific measurements, matter, elements and
compounds, the periodic table,nomenclature,
chemical formulas and equations,
stoichiometry, oxidation-reduction, gas laws,
and solutions are covered. Problem-solving
techniques are stressed. Prerequisite: Eligible
to take Math 85. One semester, 3 credits.
110 A,B General Chemistry
Lecture and laboratory work covering the
fundamental principles of chemistry, states
of matter, chemical bonding, ionic theory,
kinetics, equilibria, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and descriptive chemistry of
metals and non-metals. Laboratory work also includes qualitative analysis and elementary
quantitative analysis. Prerequisites: one
semester of college math, suffi cient score on
math profi ciency exam, or permission. Two
semesters, 4 credits each.
220A,B Quantitative Analysis
Lecture (2 credits in the Fall) and laboratory
(3 Credits in January) covers elementary statistics and sampling, fundamentals of
volumetric analysis and several instrumental methods. Electrochemistry, gas and liquid
chromatography, and spectrophotometry will
be introduced. Desirable preparation for all
further work in chemistry. Prerequisite: 110B,
5 credits.
231 A,B Organic Chemistry
Investigation of the fundamental principles
of organic chemistry. This course focuses on understanding organic chemistry through
chemical mechanisms, stereochemical
principles and diverse functional reactivity.
Prerequisite: 110B. Corequisite: 233. Two
semesters, 3 credits each.
233 A,B Organic Chemistry Laboratory
Project oriented class focusing on problem
solving within the organic chemistry
laboratory. An integrated introduction to
laboratory skills, techniques, instrumentation
and chemical reactivity. Prerequisite: 110B.
Corequisite: 231. Two semesters, 1 credit each.
282* Environmental Chemistry
Atmospheric and condensed phase chemistry
involved in modern environmental challenges including global warming, air and water
pollution, and ozone depletion. Prerequisite:
110A. One semester, 3 credits.
321 A,B Physical Chemistry
Chemical thermodynamics; kinetic theory and
chemical kinetics; quantum concepts and their
applications to spectroscopy and the structure
of matter. Prerequisites: 220B, 231B, PHYS 130,
131 or PHYS 130, 150, 180, MATH 141B, or
permission. Two semesters, 4 credits for A, 2
credits for B.
325, 326* Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Precise determination of physical-chemical
properties of various systems by classical and modern techniques. Prerequisite: 321A or B.
Two semesters, 1 credit each.
431* Advanced Organic Chemistry
Detailed investigation into the subspecialties
of organic chemistry. This course focuses on understanding physical organic, synthetic
organic, bio-organic, industrial and basic pharmacological chemistry. A strong emphasis
is placed on current literature, development of problem solving skills and integration of
practicality and theory. Prerequisite: 231B and 321A. One semester, 3 credits.
433* Advanced Organic Chemistry
Laboratory
Project-based investigation of organic
laboratory skills, techniques, procedures and instrumental analysis. Through literature
review and laboratory implementation,
students investigate procedures and logical
extensions of organic chemistry research
projects. Prerequisite: 233B. One semester, 1
credit.
442* Instrumental Analysis
Operating principles and applications of
instrumental methods of analysis including
atomic absorption, UV-vis, fl uorescence,
IR, Raman, NMR and mass spectrometry.
Prerequisite: Chem 220A, B. One semester,
4 credits.
452* Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Study of structure and reactivity of
coordination and organometallic compounds;
emphasis on bonding, symmetry and catalytic
properties; laboratory emphasizes inorganic
synthesis, reactivity and determination of
structure. Prerequisite: 321B or permission.
One semester, 4 credits.
471 A,B Biochemistry
The structure and function of compounds
in living systems. 471A covers proteins
and nucleic acids and integrates them in
catalysis and protein synthesis. 471B covers carbohydrates and lipids and integrates them
into the study of biological membranes and cellular metabolism. Prerequisite: 231B or
permission. Two semesters, 3 credits each.
472 Biochemistry Laboratory
General biochemical techniques involving
protein purifi cation and enzyme catalysis.Prerequisites: 233B and concurrent
enrollment in 471A. One semester, 1 credit.
473* Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory
General biochemical techniques including
nucleic acids and protein detection.
Prerequisite: 472. One semester, 1 credit.
480* Biophysical Chemistry
Thermodynamics, equilibria, biopolymers,
kinetics, transport processes, and spectroscopy
of biochemical systems. Prerequisites: 471A,
MATH 141B, or permission. One semester, 3
credits.
486 Integrated Laboratory
Laboratory/instrument intensive course
designed to integrate the different disciplines
of chemistry. The labs will be designed for
some method design and development, data collection and analysis. The final project
will involve a self-designed project that was
proposed and developed in the CHEM 491
Seminar. Prerequisites: 233B, 321A, and 491.
January, 3 credits.
190, 290, 390, 490* Selected Topics in
Chemistry
Variable credits. Permission. May be repeated
for credit.
491 Seminar
A novel research project is developed and a
proposal written and presented. Students are further trained in giving oral presentations
on topics that lead to the development of their
proposal. May be repeated for credit. One
semester, 2 credits.
295, 395 495 Independent Studies
Credit and time arranged. Permission. May be
repeated for credit.
496 Research
Individual research projects in selected areas
of chemistry under the supervision of a
faculty member. Prerequisites: junior or senior
standing, and permission. May be repeated for
credit. One semester, variable credits.
*Not offered every year.

