Catalogue 2017-2018 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Chemistry Department
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Chair: Miriam Rossi;
Professors: Sarjit Kaur, Miriam Rossi, Joseph M. Tanski;
Associate Professors: Marianne Begemann (and Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources), Stuart L. Belli, Zachary Donhauser, Eric S. Eberhardt, Teresa A. Garrett, Christopher J. Smart (and Assistant to the President);
Assistant Professors: Leah Bendavidb, Alison Keimowitz, Krystle McLaughlin;
Senior Lecturer: David Nellis;
Lecturer: Jennifer B. Herrera.
b On leave 2017/18, second semester
Advisers: Class of 2018, Joseph Tanski; Class of 2019, Zachary Donhauser; Class of 2020, Leah Bendavid; Correlate Sequence Adviser, Sarjit Kaur.
Major
Master
Correlate Sequence in Chemistry
A correlate sequence in chemistry provides students interested in careers ranging from public health to patent law an excellent complement to their major field of study. The chemistry correlate sequence is designed to combine a basic foundation in chemistry with the flexibility to choose upper-level chemistry courses relevant to the student’s particular interests. Students considering careers in such areas as art conservation, public policy relating to the sciences, scientific ethics, archeochemistry, the history of science, law or public health may benefit from a course of study in chemistry. This correlate is not intended for students majoring in closely related disciplines, such as biology or biochemistry, and therefore not more than one course can be credited towards both the correlate and the student’s major. The correlate consists of 6 1/2 units distributed as follows: Chemistry: I. Introductory
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CHEM 108 - General Chemistry Semester Offered: Fall
0 or 1 unit(s)
This course covers fundamental aspects of general chemistry in two semesters, including descriptive chemistry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry. Most of the work is quantitative in nature. The department.
First semester of the two-semester sequence CHEM108/109 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 109 - General Chemistry Semester Offered: Spring
0 or 1 unit(s)
This course covers fundamental aspects of general chemistry in two semesters, including descriptive chemistry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry. Most of the work is quantitative in nature. The department.
Second semester of the two-semester sequence CHEM 108 /109.
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 125 - Chemical Principles Semester Offered: Fall and Spring
0 or 1 unit(s)
This course is designed to cover the important aspects of general chemistry in one semester, and is appropriate for students who have previously studied chemistry. The material covered includes chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, and general chemical physics, emphasizing the fundamental aspects of and connections between equilibria, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics. The department.
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 135 - Introduction to Forensic Chemistry
1 unit(s)
Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry in the study of evidence in criminal or civil cases. This course covers underlying chemistry concepts and scientific methods as applied to the study of the forensic evidence. An introductory level of organic and polymer chemistry relevant to the study of forensic evidence is also included. Students apply modern analytical methods in the study of glass samples, fingerprints, hair and fibers, paints, drugs, trace metals, and arson investigations. The analytical methods include thin layer chromatography (TLC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography, GCMS, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The format of the course is based on lectures, laboratory exercises, case study discussions, and several guest speakers on select topics in forensics science. Ms. Kaur.
Not offered in 2017/18.
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CHEM 145 - Chemistry Research Techniques
0.5 or 1 unit(s)
This course provides an introduction to modern research instrumentation and techniques in chemistry through multiple-week laboratory projects. Students get experience with the use of advanced instrumentation, and in interpreting and analyzing the experimental results. Topics may include: structural characterization with X-ray crystallography; materials analysis with scanning probe microscopies; polymer synthesis and characterization; synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials; computational chemistry to perform theoretical ab initio calculations and computer modeling of biomolecules. Mr. Donhauser.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 125 .
Enrollment by permission of the instructor.
Not offered in 2017/18.
One 50-minute period; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 146 - The Culture and Chemistry of Cuisine
1 unit(s)
(Same as STS 146 ) A basic biological need of all organisms is the ability to acquire nutrients from the environment; humans accomplish this in many creative ways. Food is an important factor in societies that influences population growth, culture, migration, and conflict. Humans discovered the science and art of food preparation, topics that are explored in this course, not in a single step but rather as an evolving process that continues to this day. This course develops the basic chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology of food preparation; explores the biochemical basis of certain nutritional practices; covers social and political aspects of foods throughout world history. It covers controversies like genetically modified organisms, the production of high-fructose corn syrup, and the historic role of food commodities such as salt, rum, and cod in the world economy. Course topics are explored through lectures, student presentations, and readings from both popular and scientific literature. The course includes a few laboratories to explore the basic science behind food preparation. Miriam Rossi.
Not offered in 2017/18.
Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 198 - Freshmen Independent Research Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 unit(s)
Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member of their choosing. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The department.
Open only to freshmen.
Chemistry: II. Intermediate
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CHEM 244 - Organic Chemistry: Structure and Properties Semester Offered: Fall
0 or 1 unit(s)
An introduction to the structure of organic molecules and to their nomenclature. Among the properties of organic compounds, shape, charge distribution, and spectroscopic properties are emphasized. Laboratory work includes isolation, physical transformations and identification of organic compounds including the application of gas chromatography and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 109 or CHEM 125 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 245 - Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Mechanisms Semester Offered: Spring
0 or 1 unit(s)
A study of the reactions of organic compounds from a mechanistic point of view. Laboratory work includes synthesis, qualitative analysis, and quantitative investigation of reaction rates and equilibria which emphasize mechanistic considerations. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 255 - Introduction to Forensic Chemistry Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
(Same as STS 255 ) Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry in the study of evidence in criminal or civil cases. This course covers underlying chemistry concepts and scientific methods in the analysis and evaluation of several types of forensic evidence. Topics include crime scene investigation and case studies, overview of rules of evidence, finger-printing analysis, GCMS and FTIR characterization of organic compounds and fibers, hair and glass analysis, and DNA profiling. Sarjit Kaur.
Prerequisite: CHEM 244 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 272 - Biochemistry Semester Offered: Spring
0 or 1 unit(s)
(Same as BIOL 272 ) Basic course covering protein structure and synthesis, enzyme action, bio-energetic principles, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, selected metabolic pathways in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Collin Aitken, Eric Eberhardt, Teresa Garrett, Krystle McLaughlin, William Straus.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 and BIOL 106 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 275 - Computational Methods in Chemistry
0.5 unit(s)
This course introduces several molecular modeling methods in computational chemistry (molecular mechanics, semi-empirical and ab-initio methods, and density functional theory) to study geometries, properties, and reactivities of organic compounds; an introductory level of theory is presented to delineate the basis of these molecular modeling methods. The course also includes computational laboratory exercises to supplement concepts covered in lectures, and project-based exercises to explore applications of computational methods in the study of chemical systems.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 or permission of the instructor.
Not offered in 2017/18.
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CHEM 290 - Field Work
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
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CHEM 297 - Reading Course Semester Offered: Fall
0.5 unit(s)
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CHEM 298 - Independent Research Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member of their choosing. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The department.
Chemistry: III. Advanced
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CHEM 300 - Senior Thesis Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
1 unit(s)
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CHEM 323 - Protein Chemistry Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
A detailed study of the structure and function of proteins. Structure determination, mechanisms of catalysis and regulation, and the interactions of enzymes in complex systems are treated. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 350 or CHEM 272 . Corequisite: CHEM 350
Two 75-minute periods. -
CHEM 324 - Molecular Biology Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
(Same as BIOL 324 ) An examination of the macromolecular processes underlying storage, transfer, and expression of genetic information. Topics include the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA; mutation and repair; the chemistry of RNA and protein synthesis; the regulation of gene expression; cancer and oncogenes; the molecular basis of cell differentiation; and genetic engineering. Collin Aitken.
Prerequisite(s): one unit of any 200-level biology and one unit of biochemistry (BIOL 272 /CHEM 272 or CHEM 325 ).
Two 75-minute periods. -
CHEM 325 - Topics in Biochemistry Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
This course explores the intersection of biology and chemistry. Topics include the structure and function of proteins, bioenergetics, information flows and the molecular basis for metabolic pathways. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 , BIOL 105 or BIOL 106 .
This course does NOT meet the biochemistry major requirement. Students may not take both BIOL 272 /CHEM 272 and Chem 325.
Three 50-minute or two 75-minute periods. -
CHEM 326 - Inorganic Chemistry Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
An introduction to structure and reactivity of inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, including the following topics: chemical applications of group theory, atomic and molecular structure, theories of bonding, the solid state, coordination chemistry, inorganic reaction mechanisms, and organometallic chemistry. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 352 , or permission of the instructor.
Two 75-minute periods. -
CHEM 342 - Advanced Organic Chemistry Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
Selected topics in organic chemistry such as stereochemistry, conformational analysis, carbanions, carbocations, radicals, kinetic and thermodynamic control of reactions, mechanisms, synthesis. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 , CHEM 350 , or permission of the instructor.
Two 75-minute periods. -
CHEM 350 - Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
Equations of state for gases; the laws of thermodynamics; solutions and phase equilibria; chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 ; PHYS 113 , PHYS 114 ; MATH 121 , MATH 126 and MATH 127 or the equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Three 50-minute periods. -
CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry: Molecular Structure Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
Introductory wave mechanics and bonding theories; electrical and magnetic properties of molecules; spectroscopy; statistical mechanics. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 ; PHYS 113 , PHYS 114 ; MATH 121 , MATH 126 and MATH 127 or the equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Three 50-minute periods. -
CHEM 357 - Chemical Physics
1 unit(s)
The course includes selected topics which are of interest to chemistry majors as well as biochemistry and physics majors. Possible topics include applications of group theory, interaction of radiation with matter, molecular spectroscopy, reaction kinetics, reaction rate theory, and statistical mechanics. The material covered in any particular semester depends on the mutual interests of the instructor and the students. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 350 and CHEM 352 or permission of the instructor.
Not offered in 2017/18.
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CHEM 362 - Instrumental Analysis Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
An introduction to chemical analysis, this course covers the theoretical and practical aspects of spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chromatographic -methods, including topics in instrumentation, statistics, and chemometrics. Mr. Belli.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 or permission of the instructor.
Three 50-minute periods. -
CHEM 365 - Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds
0.5 unit(s)
This course focuses on the use of modern analytical instrumentation to identify unknown organic compounds. Students get extensive hands-on experience using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HETCOR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Working with weekly unknowns, students learn to interpret spectra and assemble the data necessary to support both a formula and structure determination. The department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 .
Not offered in 2017/18.
One 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 370 - Advanced Laboratory Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 or 1 unit(s)
Advanced laboratory work may be elected in the field of organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, biochemistry, or environmental chemistry. The department.
Prerequisite(s): a 300-level course in the pertinent field. Corequisite: a 300-level course in the pertinent field.
One 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 372 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
This course provides a comprehensive laboratory experience in chemistry. Selected experiments teach advanced chemistry techniques and reinforce principles introduced in 300 level chemistry courses. The course exposes students to chemistry as an integrated subject, tying together the sub-disciplines that are traditionally offered as independent courses. This includes: instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. The department.
One 50-minute period; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 373 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
This course provides a comprehensive laboratory experience in chemistry. Selected experiments teach advanced chemistry techniques and reinforce principles introduced in 300 level chemistry courses. The course exposes students to chemistry as an integrated subject, tying together the sub-disciplines that are traditionally offered as independent courses. This includes: instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. The department.
One 50-minute period; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 375 - Aquatic Chemistry
0.5 or 1 unit(s)
(Same as ENST 375 ) This course explores the fundamentals of aqueous chemistry as applied to natural waters. The global water cycle and major water resources are introduced. Principles explored include: kinetics and thermodynamics, atmosphere-water interactions, rock-water interactions, precipitation and dissolution, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, and nutrient and trace metal cycling. Alison Spodek.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 ; PHYS 113 , PHYS 114 ; MATH 121 , MATH 126 and MATH 127 or the equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Not offered in 2017/18.
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CHEM 382 - Special Topics in Organic Chemistry: Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
1 unit(s)
Properties and uses of selected polymers (thermally stable, conducting, and biodegradable). This course includes organic and kinetic aspects of polymerizations, characterization techniques for structure determination, thermal and -mechanical properties, and measurement of molecular weight and distribution. Laboratory techniques and experiments leading to synthesis, characterization and physical properties of selected polymers (synthesized or commercially available polymers) are emphasized. Sarjit Kaur.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 /CHEM 245 or permission of the instructor.
Not offered in 2017/18.
Two 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. -
CHEM 399 - Senior Independent Research
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member of their choosing. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The department.
Open only to seniors.
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