Catalogue 2021-2022 [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Chemistry Department
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Chair: Alison Keimowitz;
Professors: Zachary Donhauser, Sarjit Kaurb, Miriam Rossi, Joseph M. Tanski;
Associate Professors: Marianne Begemann (and Dean of Strategic Planning and Academic Resources), Stuart L. Belli, Eric S. Eberhardt, Alison Keimowitz, Christopher J. Smart;
Assistant Professors: Leah Bendavidb, Krystle McLaughlin, Rebecca Pollet;
Lecturers: Jennifer Appawu, Jennifer B. Herrera (and Dean of First Year Students);
Visiting Assistant Professor: Nicholas Dodge;
Adjunct Assistant Professors: Paul McLaughlin, Chi-Lin O’Young; Glenn Roy, Roger Snow;
Adjunct Instructors: Frank Guglieri, Catherine Kim, Anita Kusmierska-Gomez, Anthony Scaduto.
Advisers: Class of 2021, Krystle McLaughlin; Class of 2022, Chris Smart; Class of 2023, Alison Keimowitz; 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 121 - Chemical Fundamentals Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
This course is designed to provide the fundamentals of chemistry in the context of an instructor-specific theme; it is appropriate for students with limited previous exposure to chemistry. Students may take this course so as to be exposed to chemistry and the topic chosen, to meet the QA requirement, and/or to continue from this course into CHEM 125 Chemical Principles . Chemical topics covered include units; uncertainty; significant figures; dimensional analysis; estimation; atomic theory and symbols; the periodic table; chemical nomenclature; stoichiometry; solution chemistry including an introduction to acids and bases, solubility and precipitation, and oxidation-reduction chemistry; gases; and thermochemistry. These topics are presented in the context of the instructor-specific theme. There is no lab associated with this course. Alison Keimowitz and Rebecca Pollet.
Theme 1: When you burn one gallon of gas, how much does that increase the concentration of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere? In order to answer this and other questions crucial to climate change and the global carbon cycle, an understanding of chemical fundamentals is necessary. This course allows students to more fully understand these issues using the chemical topics listed above.
Theme 2: What are the chemical properties that make plants useful as medicine? Whether you are seeking to extract a chemical from a plant or determine its function, understanding chemical fundamentals is necessary. This course allows students to achieve an understanding of the basic principles in medicinal chemistry using the chemical topics listed above.
Three 50-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
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.
Course Format: CLS -
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.
Not offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 146 - The Culture and Chemistry of Cuisine Semester Offered: Fall
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.
Two 75-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 198 - First-Year Independent Research Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 unit(s)
In this intensive course students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The Department.
Open only to first-year students.
One 3-hour period and additional lab time required.
Course Format: INT
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 125 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory.
Course Format: CLS -
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.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 255 - Introduction to Forensic Chemistry
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.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory.
Not offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 272 - Biochemistry Semester Offered: Fall and 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. Biology and Chemistry Departments
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 and BIOL 106 or 108 .
Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 290 - Community-Engaged Learning Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 to 1 unit(s)
Course Format: INT -
CHEM 292 - Computational Techniques in Chemistry Semester Offered: Fall
0.5 unit(s)
This course provides students with a practical introduction to the foundational techniques essential in computational chemistry research, including the Linux operating system and the use of Linux from the command line, high performance computing and batch job submission, bash shell scripting, and quantum chemistry software packages. The course format also serves as an introduction to an independent research experience, in which students are guided by the instructor but primarily are independently working through tutorial material. Leah Bendavid.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 125 .
One 2-hour period.
Course Format: INT -
CHEM 297 - Reading Course Semester Offered: Fall or Spring
0.5 unit(s)
Course Format: OTH -
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 for Intensive credit. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Course Format: INT
Chemistry: III. Advanced
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CHEM 300 - Senior Thesis Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
The chemistry department strongly believes in the value of the undergraduate research experience, and therefore a senior thesis based upon a student’s independent research project is required of all chemistry majors. The senior thesis involves the design and execution of a substantial independent original research project under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Students are expected to complete research work throughout their senior year. The project follows a set of defined deadlines for completion of the work. The project culminates in a substantial manuscript-style thesis submitted to the research mentor and a second reader from the Faculty, and an oral presentation of the thesis research in a fashion designated by the Faculty. Consult the department for senior thesis guidelines. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Course Format: INT -
CHEM 323 - Protein Chemistry
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.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 350 or CHEM 272 .
Corequisite(s): CHEM 350
Two 75-minute periods.
Not offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 324 - Molecular Biology
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.
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.
Not offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 325 - Topics in Biochemistry Semester Offered: Fall
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. Eric Eberhardt.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 , BIOL 106 or BIOL 108 .
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.
Not Offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 327 - Inorganic Chemistry: Molecular Structure Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)
An introduction to the structure of inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, including the following topics: atomic and molecular structure, chemical applications of group theory, and theories of bonding, including molecular orbital theory, ligand field theory and chemical bonding classification. Joe Tanski.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 .
First six-week course.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 328 - Inorganic Chemistry: Reactivity and Properties Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)
An introduction to the reactivity and properties of inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, including the following topics: coordination chemistry, magnetism, spectroscopy, inorganic reaction mechanisms and organometallic chemistry. Joe Tanski.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 .
Second six-week course.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 342 - Advanced Organic Chemistry Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
Selected topics in organic chemistry such as stereochemistry, conformational analysis, carbanions, carbocations, radicals, kinetic and thermodynamic control of reactions, mechanisms, synthesis. Christopher Smart.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 , CHEM 350 , or permission of the instructor.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 350 - Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics Semester Offered: Spring
1 unit(s)
This course presents the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics. Topics include equations of state for gases; statistical mechanics; the laws of thermodynamics; solutions and phase equilibria; chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics. Zachary Donhauser.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 125 . It is strongly recommended that students have a foundational understanding of single variable calculus, classical mechanics, and electromagnetism. Basic knowledge of multivariable calculus is also recommended.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 352 - Physical Chemistry: Molecular Structure Semester Offered: Fall
1 unit(s)
This course presents an introduction to quantum mechanics and its application to atomic structure and chemical bonding. Topics include foundations of quantum theory, wave mechanics, applications to simple systems, atomic structure, chemical bonding, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry. Leah Bendavid.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 125 . It is strongly recommended that students have a foundational understanding of single variable calculus, classical mechanics, and electromagnetism. Basic knowledge of linear algebra and multivariable calculus is also recommended.
Two 75-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
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. Stuart Belli.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 or permission of the instructor.
Three 50-minute periods.
Course Format: CLS -
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): CHEM 272 or a 300-level course in the pertinent field and permission of the instructor.
One 4-hour period.
Course Format: INT -
CHEM 372 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I 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 chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Sarjit Kaur and Joe Tanski. Sarjit Kaur.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 245 .
Two 3-hour laboratories.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 373 - Integrated Chemistry Laboratory II 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 chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Stuart Belli and Zachary Donhauser.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 372 .
Two 3-hour laboratories.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 375 - Aquatic Chemistry
1 unit(s)
(Same as ENST 375 ) This course is a qualitative and quantitative treatment of chemical processes in aqueous environments. Geochemical cycles of major and trace elements are explored including the magnitude of anthropogenic perturbations. General topics include thermodynamics and kinetics, acid-base chemistry, oxidation reduction reactions, the chemistry of continental waters, and marine chemistry. Alison Keimowitz.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 125 , CHEM 244 ; PHYS 113 , PHYS 114 ; MATH 121 , MATH 126 and MATH 127 or the equivalent; or permission of the instructor.
Two 75-minute periods.
Not offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 380 - Computational Chemistry I - Foundational Methods Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)
This course introduces the theory and application of foundational first-principles computational chemistry, focusing on methods such as Hartree-Fock theory and density functional theory. Applications include the prediction of properties of molecular and solid state materials. The course is composed of traditional lectures and computational laboratory exercises; assignments in the class are primarily project-based. Leah Bendavid.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 352 .
First six-week course.
Two 75-minute periods.
Not offered in 2020/21.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 381 - Computational Chemistry II - Advanced Methods Semester Offered: Spring
0.5 unit(s)
This course introduces the theory and application of advanced first-principles computational chemistry methods, focusing on higher-level applications of Hartree-Fock theory and density functional theory, transition state theory, and correlated wavefunction methods. Applications include the prediction of properties of molecular and solid state materials. The course is composed of traditional lectures and computational laboratory exercises; assignments in the class are primarily project-based. Both CHEM 380 and CHEM 381 must be taken in sequence. Leah Bendavid.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 352 , CHEM 380 .
Second six-week course.
Two 75-minute periods.
Not offered in 2020/21.
Course Format: CLS -
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. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): CHEM 244 /CHEM 245 or permission of the instructor.
Two 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory.
Not offered in 2021/22.
Course Format: CLS -
CHEM 399 - Senior 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 for Intensive credit. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The Department.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of the instructor.
Open only to seniors.
Course Format: INT
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