Department of Chemistry
Chair
Robert J. Cava
Associate Chair
David W. C. MacMillan
Departmental Representative
Jeffrey Schwartz
Robert P. L’Esperance
Professor
Steven L. Bernasek
Andrew B. Bocarsly
Roberto Car
Robert J. Cava
G. Charles Dismukes
John T. Groves
Michael H. Hecht
David W. C. MacMillan
Robert A. Pascal Jr.
Herschel A. Rabitz
Clarence E. Schutt
Jeffrey Schwartz
Martin F. Semmelhack
Zoltán G. Soos
Erik J. Sorensen
Salvatore Torquato
Visiting Professor
Henny W. Zandbergen
Associate Professor
Jannette L. Carey
Annabella Selloni
Assistant Professor
Stefan Bernhard
Abigail G. Doyle
Joshua D. Rabinowitz, also Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics
Lecturer
Henry L. Gingrich
Robert P. L’Esperance
Associated Faculty
Emily A. Carter, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Applied and Computational Mathematics
Benjamin A. Garcia, Molecular Biology
Frederick M. Hughson, Molecular Biology
Manuel Llinás, Molecular Biology, Lewis-Sigler Institute for Integrative Genomics
François Morel, Geosciences
Satish C. B. Myneni, Geosciences
Yigong Shi, Molecular Biology
Jeffry B. Stock, Molecular Biology
Information and Departmental Plan of Study
The department offers a flexible program suitable for those who plan to attend graduate school, as well as for premedical students or those intending to pursue a career in secondary school teaching. Indeed, a chemistry major is appropriate for anyone who desires a broad background of undergraduate training in science.
Advanced Placement. Because a relatively small number of secondary school students take the Chemistry Advanced Placement Examination, a departmental placement examination is given during freshman orientation week. A student who received an Advanced Placement Examination score of 4 qualifies for one unit of advanced placement and is eligible to take CHE 215 Advanced General Chemistry: Honors Course, which completes the general chemistry curriculum in one semester instead of two. A student who received an Advanced Placement Examination score of 5 qualifies for two units of advanced placement and is eligible to take 301 or 303. One term of advanced placement satisfies the B.S.E. chemistry requirement.
Prerequisites. Before entering the department, students are expected to take:
1. general chemistry, such as 201/203/207 and 202/204, or 215, or the equivalent (such as two units of advanced placement in chemistry), and
2. differential and integral calculus, such as MAT 103 and 104, or the equivalent advanced placement.
Students who plan to enter the department are urged to fulfill as many of these requirements as possible during freshman year. Prerequisite courses may not be taken using the P/D/F grading option.
The sophomore program of prospective chemistry concentrators should include organic chemistry (301 and 302, or 303 and 304, or equivalent credit) and a year of general physics (PHY 101 and 102, or 103 and 104, or equivalent credit). In any event, these courses must be taken no later than junior year.
Note: Completion of the ISC/CHM/COS/MOL/PHY 231, 232, 233, 234 series fulfills the general chemistry and physics prerequisites. (For full course descriptions see page 373.)
Early Concentration. A qualified student who has been granted advanced placement credit in chemistry and has taken advanced courses in the subject during both terms of freshman year may be eligible for independent work in the sophomore year. Students interested in this option should contact one of the departmental representatives in the spring of their freshman year.
Course Requirements. University regulations require that before graduation students take eight courses, designated as departmental courses, in their field of concentration. A chemistry concentrator may, with the approval of the departmental representative, use one or more nonintroductory courses from other science departments, mathematics, and engineering as departmental courses.
An understanding of chemistry requires a thorough background in physics and mathematics. Students majoring in chemistry should obtain a broad background in these subjects. In general, it is desirable to take courses in mathematics at least through multivariable calculus (MAT 201 or 203) and linear algebra (MAT 202 or 204), and these courses are required for professional certification (see below). These courses may be counted as departmental courses.
Students must take three 300-, 400-, or 500-numbered courses in chemistry and at least one term of experimental laboratory instruction at Princeton as departmental courses. These courses must include at least one term each of organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry. The experimental requirement may be fulfilled by taking either CHM 371, or MOL 350, or MSE 302, or PHY 311 or 312, or CHE 346, or QCB 301. The remaining departmental courses required by the general University regulations can be either in chemistry or a cognate scientific area (for example, molecular biology, engineering, geology, materials science, computer science, mathematics, or physics). Many courses in the sciences at the 300-, 400-, and 500- levels are approved as departmental courses. Courses are evaluated on an individual basis. To qualify as a departmental, the course must have one or more prerequisites (i.e., be nonintroductory) and must have a strong chemistry component. The program described above deliberately allows substantial flexibility and encourages a broad view of chemistry. Chemistry majors typically take more than eight courses that qualify as departmental. In May of senior year, the department administers examinations to fulfill University degree requirements. These examinations cover the fields of biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Preparation for these exams involves the following: (1) the biochemistry exam covers material presented in MOL 345. (2) the inorganic chemistry exam encompasses material from both CHM 407 and 408. (3) The organic chemistry exam spans a full year of course work from either CHM 301/302 or CHM 303/304. (4) The physical chemistry exam includes material from both quantum chemistry (CHM 305 or 405) and thermodynamics (CHM 306 or 406). Seniors preselect and complete two of the four examinations for this requirement.
Junior Independent Work.
First-term program:
1. The Junior Colloquium: One evening each week throughout the fall term there will be talks by faculty members on topics not normally included in course work.
2. Juniors will also be assigned three successive “tutorial advisers” from the faculty, one each for October, November, and December. Beginning in October, each student will see his or her first adviser. The adviser will select, for instance, a recent journal article or a chapter in a book on which the student will prepare a brief written report outlining the background and significance of the problem under consideration, the direction of the attack on the problem, and the contribution to the solution of the problem made by the article. The report will be due at the end of the first tutorial period. The student may also be questioned orally to demonstrate understanding of the problem, and what he or she has read.
Early in November and December, the same process will be repeated with a second and third adviser.
Tutorial advisers will be selected by the Junior Colloquia chairperson to give the student a broad sampling of faculty interests. The student’s final term grade is calculated by the departmental representative using the grades on the three tutorial reports plus mandatory attendance at evening colloquia.
Second-term program:
All students will select a faculty adviser for their spring independent work by the start of the second term. (This adviser may also act as the senior thesis adviser in the senior year.) During the second term, the student will work on an independent research project under the guidance of his/her faculty adviser. At the end of the term, the student will write a paper discussing the semester’s research.
Senior Independent Work. At the end of the junior year, each student selects a thesis adviser (who may or may not be the same as the adviser during the junior year). The adviser and the student will agree on a topic on which the student will undertake independent research throughout both terms of the senior year. This project will consist largely of original research involving “wet” laboratory work and/or chemical theory. On or before dean’s date, a written thesis based on this research work must be submitted to the department through the student’s adviser.
Departmental Examination. In May of senior year, the department administers a departmental examination using examinations produced by the American Chemical Society. The examinations cover the fields of biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. (The physical chemistry examination covers both quantum chemistry and thermodynamics. The inorganic chemistry examination covers material from both CHM 407 and CHM 408.) Seniors preselect and complete two of the four examinations for this requirement.
Junior Year Study Abroad. The department encourages students to consider opportunities for study abroad. Most of the requirements for the junior independent work program are then met at the foreign host institution. In addition, the number of required departmental courses will normally be reduced by one cognate per semester abroad, assuming advance approval of a chemistry-related course of study at the foreign institution. Students considering study abroad are urged to discuss their plans with one of the departmental representatives early in the planning stages to lay out course work, obtain approvals, and set up junior independent work assignments.
Professional Certification in Chemistry—as Specified by the American Chemical Society. Students intending to pursue a career in chemistry, whether directly after graduation or following graduate work, may wish to pursue a course of study leading to professional certification by the American Chemical Society. This certification requires two semesters of organic chemistry (one each of 301 and 302, or 303 and 304, or equivalent), two semesters of physical chemistry (normally 305 or 405, and 306 or 406), one semester of inorganic chemistry (normally 407 or 408), one semester of experimental chemistry (371), multivariable calculus (MAT 201 or 203), linear algebra (MAT 202 or 204), and exposure to biochemistry. EEB/MOL 214 satisfies the biochemistry requirement, but is not counted as a departmental course; some upper-level courses in molecular biology or one of several different advanced chemistry courses also satisfy the requirement.
Chemistry Outreach Program
Nothing serves to foster excitement about science more than well-planned chemical demonstrations and activities. Many chemistry faculty, staff, and students participate in programs for local schools, museums, community groups, and youth organizations. The Chemistry Outreach Program gives chemistry majors hands-on experience with demonstrations and presentations and the opportunity to increase interest in science in the schools and the community. After a brief series of training sessions, Chemistry Outreach students, in concert with faculty and staff, present programs for visitors to Princeton and at local schools, museums, or libraries. The training sessions emphasize effective presentation, safe practice, choice of age-appropriate activities, and coordination with local educational requirements. They include laboratory sessions in which students master demonstrations and activities tested by the department or by the American Chemical Society. Students may also develop or help to develop new demonstrations or activities, and they may help with other science programs, such as the New Jersey State Science Olympiad. Students who contribute 18 hours to outreach activities receive a certificate of recognition from the department at graduation. Interested students should contact Dr. Kathryn Wagner, director, kmwagner@princeton.edu.
Courses
CHM 201 General Chemistry I — Fall ST
An introductory course. Principles of chemistry; understanding the world around us; structure and reactions of atoms and molecules; laboratory manipulations, preparations, and analysis. Fulfills medical school entrance requirements in general chemistry and qualitative analysis. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. Open to those whose mathematics preparation is insufficient to qualify them for 203. M. Hecht, R. L’Esperance
CHM 202 General Chemistry II — Spring ST
Continuation of 201. Principles of chemistry; introduction to chemical bonding and solid state structure; chemical kinetics, nuclear chemistry; descriptive inorganic chemistry; laboratory manipulations, preparations, and analysis. Fulfills medical school entrance requirements in general chemistry and qualitative analysis. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. A. Bocarsly, R. L’Esperance
CHM 203 Advanced General Chemistry I — Not offered this year ST
The fundamental principles of chemistry; descriptive chemistry, molecular structure, and bonding. Lectures and demonstrations. Laboratory includes qualitative and quantitative methods in chemical analysis, as well as selected experiments in general chemistry. Fulfills medical school entrance requirements in general chemistry and qualitative analysis. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
CHM 204 Advanced General Chemistry II — Not offered this year ST
Continuation of 203. Topics in chemistry selected to illustrate fundamental principles; electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, bonding, and descriptive chemistry focusing on inorganic chemistry. Lectures and demonstrations. Laboratory includes qualitative and quantitative methods in chemical analysis, as well as selected experiments in general chemistry. Fulfills medical school entrance requirements in general chemistry and qualitative analysis. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
CHM 207 Advanced General Chemistry: Materials Chemistry — Fall ST
Introduction to the basic concepts of chemistry: stoichiometry, types of reactions, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and chemical bonding. Introduction to the structure, chemistry, and properties of technologically important materials: metals, semiconductors, ceramics, and polymers. Fulfills medical school requirements in general chemistry and qualitative analysis. Three lecture hours, one class, one three-hour laboratory. R. Cava, R. Pascal, R. L’Esperance
CHM 215 Advanced General Chemistry: Honors Course — Fall ST
An intensive study of fundamental theoretical and experimental principles. Topics are drawn from physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry. For students with excellent preparation who are considering scientific careers. Fulfills medical school entrance requirements in general chemistry and qualitative analysis. Completion of 215 qualifies the student for 300-level courses and some 400-level courses after consultation with the instructor of the upper-level course. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory. S. Bernasek, R. L’Esperance
CHM 231–236 An Integrated, Quantitative Introduction to the Natural Sciences I–IV (see ISC 231–236)
CHM 255 Life in the Universe (see GEO 255)
CHM 301 Organic Chemistry I — Not offered this year ST
An introductory course that covers the structures, properties, spectroscopy, and reactivity of organic compounds. Students will learn the mechanisms of organic chemistry and general principles through a combination of lectures and problem-solving in small groups. The course may be followed by 302 or 304. This course is appropriate for students in chemistry, biology, and premedical programs. Prerequisite: 201 and 202; or 203 (or 207) and 204; or 215; or a score of 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam. Three lectures, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
CHM 302 Organic Chemistry II — Not offered this year ST
Continuation of 301. The principles introduced in 301 are extended to the structures and reactions of more complex, often polyfunctional molecules. Small-group problem-solving is emphasized. This course is appropriate for students in chemistry, biology, and premedical programs. Prerequisite: 301. Three classes, one three-hour laboratory. Staff
CHM 303 Organic Chemistry I: Biological Emphasis — Fall ST
Introductory course devoted to the concepts of organic chemistry, including the structures, properties, and reactivity of simpler organic compounds. Emphasis on the mechanisms of organic chemistry; examples from biology when appropriate to illustrate the principles. The course should be followed by 304 in spring. Appropriate for students in biology or premedical programs. Prerequisite: 201 and 202; or 203 (or 207) and 204; or 215; or a score of 5 on the AP Chemistry Exam. Three lectures, one preceptorial, one three-hour laboratory. M. Semmelhack, H. Gingrich
CHM 304 Organic Chemistry II: Biological Emphasis — Not offered this year ST
Continuation of 303 (or 301). The concepts introduced in CHM 303 will be extended to the structures and reactions of more complex molecules, with an emphasis on how organic chemistry provides the framework for understanding molecular processes in biology. The fundamental concepts of organic chemistry will be illustrated, as often as possible, with examples drawn from biological systems. Prerequisite: 301 or 303. Three lectures, one preceptorial, one three-hour laboratory. E. Sorensen, H. Gingrich
CHM 305 The Quantum World — Fall
Introduction to quantum mechanics, surveying applications in chemistry, physics, molecular biology, and molecular imaging. Computer-based tools will be emphasized. Prerequisites: 202 or 204 or 215; MAT 102 or 104; PHY 101 (may be taken concurrently) or AP Physics. Three lectures, one preceptorial. Z. Soos
CHM 306 Physical Chemistry: Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics — Spring
Introduction to chemical thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and kinetics. Special emphasis on biological problems, including nerve conduction, muscle contraction, ion transport, enzyme mechanisms, and macromolecular properties in solutions. Three lectures. Prerequisites: 201 and 202, or 203 (or 207) and 204, or 215; MAT 104; PHY 101 and 102, or PHY 103 and 104; or instructor’s permission. C. Schutt
CHM 331 Introduction to Environmental Geochemistry: Chemistry of the Natural Systems (see GEO 331)
CHM 333 Oil to Ozone: Chemistry of the Environment (also ENV 333) — Spring
The chemistry behind environmental issues, including energy consumption, atmospheric change, water consumption and pollution, food production and toxic chemicals. The course includes discussion of questions and problems, guest lectures, and a group project to construct an informational Web page. Prerequisites: a 200-level chemistry course or permission of instructor. F. Morel
CHM 345 Biochemistry (see MOL 345)
CHM 371 Experimental Chemistry — Fall
Discusses the principles of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and the presentation of experimental results. Students are exposed to a broad range of quantitative laboratory methods in preparation for thesis work in chemistry. Typical laboratory exercises include synthesis, physical characterization, spectroscopy, kinetics, thermodynamics, electronics and instrument design. Lectures on experimental design, data analysis, interpretation, and presentation. Two lectures, two three-hour laboratories. A. Bocarsly
CHM 403 Advanced Organic Chemistry — Fall
A selection of advanced topics in organic chemistry. Topics include reaction mechanisms, synthetic chemistry, chemistry of biologically important molecules. Selected biosynthetic pathways are compared and contrasted to synthetic approaches. Three lectures. Prerequisites: 301 and 302 (or 304); or, 303 and 304. J. Groves
CHM 405 Advanced Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics — Fall
Introduction to quantum theory, atomic and molecular structure, and spectroscopy. This course will emphasize the development of fundamental underlying principles and illustrative examples. Prerequisites: 202, 204, or 215; MAT 201 or 203 (required); MAT 202 or 204 (very helpful, even if taken concurrently); PHY 103 (may be taken concurrently) or AP Physics. Three lectures, one preceptorial. A. Selloni
CHM 406 Advanced Physical Chemistry: Chemical Dynamics and Thermodynamics — Spring
Statistical thermodynamics, kinetics, and molecular reaction dynamics. Three lectures. Prerequisites: background in thermodynamics as developed in 202, 204, or 215; MAT 201 or equivalent. Z. Soos
CHM 407 Inorganic Chemistry: Structure and Bonding — Fall
Structural principles and bonding theories are discussed for the various classes of inorganic and organometallic compounds. Includes an introduction to the electronic structure of transition elements and ligand field theory. Prerequisites: 201 and 202, or 207 and 202, or 215, or advanced placement. Three lectures. S. Bernhard
CHM 408 Inorganic Chemistry: Reactions and Mechanisms — Spring
Synthetic and mechanistic aspects of inorganic chemistry are presented; modern problems in inorganic chemistry are emphasized. Prerequisites: 201 and 202, or 207 and 202, or 215, or advanced placement. Three lectures. J. Schwartz
CHM 410 Molecular Structure and Property: Product Engineering (see CHE 410)
CHM 415 Polymers (see CHE 415)
CHM 418 Environmental Aqueous Geochemistry (see GEO 418)
CHM 421 Catalytic Chemistry (see CHE 421)
CHM 443 Pharmaceutical Research and Health Policy (see WWS 327)
CHM 448 Chemistry, Structure, and Structure-Function Relations of Nucleic Acids (see MOL 448)
CHM 470 Environmental Chemistry of Soils (see GEO 470)
Graduate courses 501, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 514, 515, 516, 521, 522, 523, 524, 526, 527, 530, 531, 532, 533, 535, 536, 537, 538, 539, 542, 543, 544 are open to those suitably prepared without special permission.