Chemistry

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.

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.

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.

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.

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This course introduces students to a new field, Astrobiology, where scientists trained in biology, chemistry, astrophysics and geology combine their skills to investigate life's origins and to seek extraterrestrial life. Topics include: the origin of life on earth, the prospects of life on Mars, Europa, Titan, Enceladues and extra-solar planets, as well as the cosmological setting for life and the prospects for SETI. AST 255 is the core course for the planets and life certificate.

This course is designed as the first part of a three-semester sequence, CHM 301 and CHM 302, and MOL 345 (biochemistry). CHM 301 will introduce the principles of organic chemistry, including the structures, properties, and reactivity of organic compounds. The emphasis will be on bonding and structure, structural analysis by spectroscopy, and an introduction to the mechanisms of organic reactions. Examples will be taken from biology when appropriate to illustrate the principles. For a complete presentation of the subject, the course should be followed by CHM 302 or CHM 304 in the spring. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory.

The concepts introduced in CHM 301 are 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 are illustrated, as often as possible, with examples drawn from biological systems. Appropriate for chemistry and engineering majors, premedical students, and students with an interest in organic chemistry and its central position in the life sciences. Prerequisite: CHM 301. Two 90-minute lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory.

Continuation of CHM 301. The concepts introduced in CHM 301 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. Three lectures, one class, one three-hour laboratory.

An intro to quantum mechanics for students interested in the relevance to chemistry, molecular biology and energy science. A conceptual understanding is emphasized. Covers some historical development of quantum theory to show how quantum theory was a step-change in thinking. Examines ways quantum systems are different from classical systems. Includes the discussion of modern examples, including molecular electronic structure calculations, organic solar cells, photosynthesis, nanoscience, quantum computing, and quantum biology. Three lectures, one preceptorial. Prerequisites: CHM 201-202 or CHM 215; MAT 103-104; PHY 101-102 or PHY 103-104.

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. Prerequisites: CHM 201 and CHM 202, or CHM 207 and CHM 202, or CHM 215; MAT 104; PHY 101 and 102, or PHY 103 and 104; or instructor's permission. Three lectures, one class.

Students will study the chemical and physical processes involved in the sources, transformation, transport, and sinks of air pollutants on local to global scales. Societal problems such as photochemical smog, particulate matter, greenhouse gases, and stratospheric ozone depletion will be investigated using fundamental concepts in chemistry, physics, and engineering. For the class project, students will select a trace gas species or family of gases and analyze recent field and remote sensing data based upon material covered in the course. Environments to be studied include very clean, remote portions of the globe to urban air quality.

Covers topics including origin of elements; formation of the Earth; evolution of the atmosphere and oceans; atomic theory and chemical bonding; crystal chemistry and ionic substitution in crystals; reaction equilibria and kinetics in aqueous and biological systems; chemistry of high-temperature melts and crystallization process; and chemistry of the atmosphere, soil, marine, and riverine environments. The biogeochemistry of contaminants and their influence on the environment will also be discussed. Two 90-minute lectures. Prerequisite: one term of college chemistry or instructor's permission.

Fundamental concepts of biomolecular structure and function will be discussed, with an emphasis on principles of thermodynamics, binding and catalysis. A major portion of the course will focus on metabolism and its logic and regulation. Prerequisites: MOL 214 and either CHM 302, 304, 304B, or 337.

This course addresses the principles of experimental design, data acquisition, analysis and interpretation, and presentation of experimental results. Students are exposed to a broad range of quantitative laboratory methods in preparation for thesis work in chemical sciences. Typical laboratory exercises include inorganic synthesis, physical characterization, spectroscopy, kinetics, thermodynamics, instrument design and computational chemistry. Prerequisites: CHM 202, 204 or 215 or equivalent. CHM 373 prerequisite or concomitant enrollment in CHM 373 required. Two lectures and two three-hour laboratories per week.

Applies the principles of organic chemistry to biochemistry. Explores enzymology through the lenses of physical organic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, catalysis. Covers how proteins orchestrate the reactivity of functional groups, the range of cofactors employed to extend the scope and diversity of biocatalysis, enzymatic systems controlled by their kinetics, and how knowledge of enzyme reaction mechanisms enables modern drug design. Prerequisites: CHM 301 and CHM 302/CHM 304. Two 90-minute lectures, one preceptorial.

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.

Statistical thermodynamics, kinetics, and molecular reaction dynamics. Prerequisites: background in thermodynamics as developed in CHM 202, CHM 204, or CHM 215; MAT 201 or equivalent. Two 90-minute lectures.

Structural principles and bonding theories are discussed for the various classes of inorganic and organometallic compounds. The topics include an introduction to group theory, vibrational spectroscopy, molecular orbital theory, electronic structure of d-orbitals, and ligand field theory. Additional topics will include reactions of coordination compounds and organometallic species, kinetic mechanistic analysis, and homogeneous catalysis systems. Prerequisites: CHM 301 and 302 or CHM 301 and 304 or equivalent are required. Note: CHM 337 does not provide adequate preparation for this course. Three lectures, one preceptorial.

Structural principles and bonding theories are discussed for various classes of main group inorganic and transition metal coordination compounds. The topics include an introduction to group theory, vibrational spectroscopy, molecular orbital theory, electronic structure of d-orbitals, and ligand field theory. Additional topics will include topics in the areas of solid-state chemistry, inorganic materials chemistry, and nanoscience. Prerequisites: CHM 301 and 302 or CHM 301 and 304 or equivalent are required. Note: CHM 337 does not provide adequate preparation for this course. Three lectures, one preceptorial.

Broad introduction to polymer science and technology, including polymer chemistry (major synthetic routes to polymers), polymer physics (solution and melt behavior, solid-state morphology and properties), and polymer engineering (overview of reaction engineering and melt processing methods). Two lectures. Prerequisites: CHM 301 or CHM 337, which may be taken concurrently, and MAT 104, or permission of the instructor.

Application of quantitative chemical principles to the study of natural waters. Includes equilibrium computations, weathering and diagenetic processes, precipitation of chemical sediments, and pollution of natural waters. Two lectures. Prerequisite: one year of college chemistry. Previous or concurrent enrollment in CHM 306 recommended.