Chemistry Course Descriptions

This course is designed for students with limited background in chemistry who plan to take additional chemistry courses to satisfy degree requirements for chemistry, biology, marine biology, or engineering programs. There is no laboratory associated with this course and this course does not fulfill chemistry requirements for science or engineering majors or minors. (3 credits) Fall

Primarily intended for science majors. Examines the development of such concepts as the structure of matter, the chemical bond, the gas laws, and solutions. Laboratory is an integral part of the course. (4 credits) Fall

Continuation of Chemistry 191L, intended primarily for science majors. Emphasizes thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium concepts, electrochemistry, and some organic chemistry. Laboratory is an integral part of the course. (4 credits) Spring

Examines the human impact of global environmental chemical products and processes. Uses system concepts to define the boundaries and essential inputs and outputs of each subsystem. Primary emphasis on the hydrosphere and the lithosphere, with major concentration on water pollution, solid waste management, hazardous wastes, and pesticides. (4 credits) Fall

This portion of the sequence concentrates on air pollution and energy. Emphasizes the biosphere and the atmosphere, and the consequences of burning fossil fuels. (4 credits) Spring

Examines the theory and basic principles of the common organic functional groups. Topics include: hydrocarbons, alkyl halides, aromatic compounds, and stereochemistry. Laboratory emphasizes organic qualitative analysis. (4 credits) Fall

Continuation of CHEM 301. Topics include: spectroscopic structural determination, alcohols, acids, and their derivatives; aldehydes and ketones; amines; and bio-organic compounds. Laboratory is project-oriented and emphasizes synthesis and instrumental techniques. (4 credits) Spring

Theory and applications of quantitative analytical techniques, including gravimetric, volumetric, and potentiometric analysis. Theory and application of separation techniques are included. Laboratory includes fundamentals applicable to the solution of biological, chemical, medical, environmental, and industrial problems. (4 credits) Fall

Emphasizes theory and application of optical and electrometric methods of chemical analysis. In the laboratory, atomic absorption, infrared spectroscopy, ultraviolet and visible absorption spectroscopy, chromatography and other instrumental methods are used. (4 credits) Alternate Spring

Examines the major underlying principles of inorganic chemistry. Topics include the systematic chemistry of the elements, electronic structure of atoms, bonding, structure, reactivity and spectroscopy of inorganic compounds. The chemistry of coordination, organometallic and biologically important inorganic compounds is also examined. The laboratory develops new experimental techniques and provides experimental data to support the theoretical discussion. (4 credits) Fall

Study of the metabolism of the chemical constituents of living matter with emphasis on mechanisms regulating the synthesis and degradation of these chemical entities in biological systems. (4 credits) Spring

Examines the basic principles underlying chemistry. Included are the laws of thermodynamics and applications to chemical phenomena, kinetic theory of gases, phase equilibria, and chemical equilibria. The laboratory illustrates the principles of physical chemistry and introduces students to the techniques and methods used to study physico-chemical systems. (4 credits) Fall

Continuation of CHEM 391. Topics include chemical kinetics, electro-chemistry, an introduction to quantum mechanics, and statistical thermodynamics. Applications include the harmonic oscillator, the hydrogen atom, approximate treatments of atoms and molecules, and the theoretical basis of spectroscopy. Part of the laboratory is devoted to special projects. (4 credits) Spring

An advanced, integrated laboratory designed to provide the upper-level chemistry student with additional exposure to modern experimental techniques. Experiments typically involve physical measurement, analysis, synthetic methods, spectroscopy, and computer data analysis. May be repeated for credit. (1 Credit) Fall, Spring

Continuation of CHEM 421. Experiments typically involve physical measurement, analysis, synthetic methods, spectroscopy, and computer data analysis. May be repeated for credit. (1 Credit) Offered on demand

Offers a series of topics at the advanced level or topics of importance in contemporary chemistry. Topics determined by students in consultation with faculty. (3 credits) Special Offering

Application of physical chemical principles to inorganic systems of Emphasizes kinetics as a tool to probe mechanistic details inorganic reactions as well as theoretical development of the spectroscopy and magnetism of atoms and complexes. Group theory and coordination chemistry also emphasized. (3 credits) Alternate Spring

Advanced course in kinetics, mechanisms, and stereo-chemical aspects of organic reactions. Structure and reactivity are discussed in terms of modern bonding theory. (3 credits) Alternate Fall

Treatment of quantum mechanics in chemistry at a level beyond the qualitative manner given in the introductory Physical Chemistry course. Emphasizes principles of quantum chemistry, especially as applied to chemical bonding and to spectroscopy. Prepares students for work in modern inorganic, organic, and biotechnology fields. (3 credits) Alternate Spring

Examines the principles of aquatic chemistry. Topics include: equilibrium processes in natural waters, including multisystem equilibria; complexation; oxidation-reduction; surface chemistry; kinetic control vs. thermodynamic control of these processes; and some aspects of sediment chemistry. (3 credits) Alternate Fall

Research and directed readings. Project chosen in consultation with the research advisor. May be repeated for credit. (1- 3 credits) Offered on demand

This course serves as a capstone experience for outstanding students majoring in chemistry. Working closely with a faculty mentor, students engage in original research on a topic of their choice. The research may involve laboratory experiments, field work, or computer simulations. This course provides experience in designing and conducting experiments, critically analyzing data, reviewing published scientific literature, and communicating scientific information. The culmination of the course is a formal written thesis and a public oral presentation. (3 credits) Fall, Spring