Chemistry Department


Courses

Fall Courses

117 Chemistry (prerequisites: facility with algebra)
230 Organic Chemistry I (prerequisites: Chem 117)
245 Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry (prerequisites: Physics 101, Math 110)
250 Solid State Chemistry (prerequisites: Chemistry 220 or 230 or Geology 200 or Physics 210)
300 Biochemistry of Macromolecules (prerequisites: Chemistry 220, 235, some Biology)
380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit, prerequisites: Chem 280)
385 Senior Thesis (1/2 unit)

Spring Courses

117 Chemistry (prerequisites: facility with algebra)
150 Nanochemistry (prequisites: Chem 117)
220 Environmental, Analytical and Geochemistry (prerequisites: Chem 117 or facility with mole calculations)
225 Topics in Instrumental Analysis (1/2 unit, prerequisites: Chem 220 or 230)
235 Organic Chemistry II (prerequisites: Chem 230)
240 Thermodynamics and Kinetics (prerequisites: Chem 220, Physics 101, Math 110)
260 Biochemistry of Metabolism (prerequisites: Chem 230, any 100-level biology)
280 Professional Tools for Chemists (1/4 unit, prerequisites: Chem 117 or sophomore standing)
380 Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit, prerequisites: Chem 280)
385 Senior Thesis (1/2 unit)

Other Fractional Unit Courses

390. Special Projects (1/4, 1/2, or 1). Research work under faculty supervision.
395. Teaching Assistant (1/4, 1/2). Work with faculty in classroom and laboratory instruction.
396. Teaching Assistant Research (1/4, 1/2). Course, laboratory, and curriculum development projects with faculty.

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Chem 115 - Environmental Chemistry

How can driving a car lead to climate change? What causes acid rain? How can running an air conditioner deplete stratospheric ozone? Answers to these questions can be found through the fundamental principles of chemistry. In this course, we will develop a working knowledge of chemistry through exploration of the source, fate, and reactivity of compounds in natural and polluted environments. Environmental issues to be explored include climate change, stratospheric ozone depletion, and acid rain. The fundamental chemical processes central to these environmental issues will be utilized to critically evaluate and develop solutions to these problems. Three two-hour class periods per week of combined lecture, laboratory, and discussion.

Prerequisite: No prerequisite. This course is designed for students with little prior chemistry experience. Chemistry 115 can be substituted for Chemistry 117 to meet major and minor requirements but should not be taken in addition to Chemistry 117.


Chem 117 - General Chemistry

Why is chemistry important to other sciences, technology, and society? What processes do chemists use when dealing with real problems? What conceptual models do chemists use to understand and explain their observations? The focus of this course is on the reasons for doing science, the intellectual and instrumental tools used, the models developed to solve new problems and the assertion that chemistry has a tremendous effect on your personal life and on the decisions made by society. Along the way we will cover atoms, molecules, ions and periodic properties; chemical equations, stoichiometry and moles; Lewis structures and VSEPR model of bonding; reactivity and functional groups; states of matter and intermolecular forces; relationships between structure and properties. Topical applications and issues vary with the instructor. Three two-hour class periods per week of combined lecture, laboratory, and discussion. (WL) Offered each semester.

Prerequisite: Facility with algebra. Note: Students with a strong prior background in chemistry are encouraged to consult with the department about placement into a more advanced chemistry course and possible retroactive credit for Chemistry 117.


Chem 127 - Biochemical Issues

Biochemical Issues is a course in which students experience doing what many biochemists do. They seek an interesting interdisciplinary area, such as nutrition or nerve signalling. The class acquires biochemical data and tests holistic solutions. Cooperatively, students acquire relevant biochemical skills beyond introductory biology and chemistry. Individually, each student will complete a project using her/his own unique disciplinary background, which will result in a poster suitable for public presentation. Three two-hour class periods per week. Offered each semester.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 117 or consent of instructor.


Chemistry 150 - Nanochemistry

Chemistry plays a significant role in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The nanoscale refers to materials with dimensions on the scale of nanometers (a thousandth of a thousandth of a thousandth of a meter). Control of the material world at the scale of atoms and molecules can produce materials with fundamentally different properties and behavior and has been touted as the next technological revolution. Some questions we will consider include: What nanotechnology already exists? What makes nanomaterials special? How can they be prepared? What tools can be used to study such materials? Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered spring semester.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 117


Chem 220 - Environmental, Analytical and Geochemistry

Chemical equilibria are fundamental in the understanding of biological and environmental processes and in chemical analysis. This course emphasizes quantitative and graphical interpretation of acid-base, solubility, distribution, complex ion, and redox equilibria in aqueous solution and soils. Laboratory work stresses application of gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric, and potentiometric techniques. Pre-professional preparation requiring one term of quantitative analysis is satisfied by Chemistry 220. Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered each spring.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 117 or facility with mole calculations.


Chemistry 225 - Topics in Instrumental Analysis (1/2 unit)

May be taken more than once under different topics. Possible topics include nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, infrared, Raman, electronic and atomic absorption and x-ray spectroscopies; mass spectrometry; gas and liquid chromatography; microcalorimetry; and voltammetry. Four class periods and one laboratory period per week.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 220 or Chemistry 230


Chem 230: Organic Chemistry I

Nomenclature, preparation, properties, and reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds of carbon. Considerable emphasis on modern theoretical interpretation of structure and of reactionmechanisms. Laboratory: Basic microscale techniques and synthetic procedures. Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. (Parmentier)

Prerequisite: Chem 117.


Chem 235: Organic Chemistry II

Nomenclature, preparation, properties, and reactions of aliphatic and aromatic compounds of carbon. Considerable emphasis on modern theoretical interpretation of structure and of reaction mechanisms. Laboratory: Basic microscale techniques and synthetic procedures; as part of the laboratory experience for Chemistry 235, each student is required to prepare an independent laboratory project and carry it out under the supervision of the instructor. (Parmentier)

Prerequisite: Chem 117, 230.


Chem 240: Thermodynamics and Kinetics

First, second, and third laws of thermodynamics; kinetic theory, phase and chemical equilibria, electrochemistry and reaction kinetics.Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered each spring. (Viswanathan, Spencer)

Prerequisite: Chemistry 220, Physics 101, Mathematics 110.


Chem 245: Molecular Modeling, Visualization, and Computational Chemistry

Quantum mechanics applied to one-dimensional systems; structure and visulaization of molecules using molecular modeling and computational chemistry. Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered each fall. (Viswanathan, Spencer)

Prerequisites: Physics 101, and Mathematics 110.


Chem 250: Solid State Chemistry

Solids are an important part of our materials-intensive world and at the foundation of many emerging technologies. This course focuses on the relationships among structure, composition, and periodic properties; the characterization of atomic and molecular arrangements in crystalline and amorphous solids such as metals, minerals, ceramics, semiconductors and proteins; and applications to the fields of electronics, optics, magnetics, catalysis, and energy generation and storage. Laboratory work emphasizes the synthesis, purification and characterization of inorganic compounds. Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered each fall.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 220 or Chemistry 230 or Geology 200 or Physics 210.


Chem 260 / Bio 260: Biochemistry of Metabolism

Molecular biology, bioenergetics and regulation of cellular processes. Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids and nucleic acids. Laboratory experiments investigate metabolism and electron transport utilizing techniques for preparation and purification of enzymes, carbohydrates, and membranes. Three two-hour class periods per week of combined lecture, laboratory, and discussion. Offered each spring. (Mandell)

Prerequisites: Chem 230, any 100 level biology course, or consent of instructor.


Chem 280: Professional Tools for Scientific Careers(1/4 unit)

Planning your future, defining and finding internship and post-college opportunities, finding useful technical literature, and computer-based visualization and presentations. One period per week. Graded credit/no credit. Offered each spring.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 117 or sophomore standing.


Chem 300: Biochemistry of Macromolecules

An overview of biochemistry covering macromolecular structure, function, and manipulation; intermediary metabolism and electron transport; energetics; kinetics; and chemical mechanisms of enzyme catalysis. Laboratory work is focused on purification and characterization of macromolecules. Four class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered each fall. (Mandell)

Prerequisites: Chem 220, 235, and one from Biology 110, 111, 121, or 141.


Chem 370 / 375: Advanced Topics (1 or 1/2 unit)

In-depth study of selected topics stressing primary research literature. Lecture, discussion, student presentations and papers. May include laboratory. Offered each semester. Recent offerings include Pharmacology, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Advanced Biochemistry, Miolecular Visualization, and Scientific Glassblowing.

Prerequisite: Varies with topic. May be repeated with a new topic.


Chem 380: Chemistry Seminar (1/4 unit)

Discussion of issues involving chemistry, biochemistry, health, environment, and technology using current articles from the scientific literature. May be taken more than once. One period per week. Graded credit/no credit. Offered each semester.

Prerequisite: Chemistry 280


Chem 385: Senior Thesis (1/2 unit)

Group and individual guidance on methods of writing a comprehensive paper, including scope, organization, effective use of the scientific literature, writing, and style; footnotes, and use of computer text editing. The purpose of the course is to provide an opportunity to develop and demonstrate ability to organize, extract what is most important, and present a logical discussion of a body of knowledge in the field of chemistry. Offered each semester.

Prerequisite: Senior standing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last updated Sat, June 10, 2006 2:02 PM