Chemistry

Designed as the entry course for the major. Core principles and interesting applications of chemistry combine to provide a conceptual understanding of chemistry for professional and everyday life. Principles of atomic and molecular structure, molecular energetics and classes of chemical reactions reviewed. Aspects of gas behavior, basic photochemistry and acid-base chemistry are applied to the study of environmental chemistry issues such as stratospheric ozone, the global greenhouse effect, acid rain and photochemical smog. Lab work includes the synthesis of compounds, the study of aqueous ions, titrations, and basic IR, visible and UV spectrophotometry. Learning outcomes include a strong understanding of core chemistry concepts and skills.

Introductory course designed for chemistry and biology majors as well as pre-health professionals. Focuses on basic structural and reactivity aspects in organic chemistry and their relationship to pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemicals and biological systems. Topics include stereochemistry, substitution, elimination and addition reactions. Weekly three-hour laboratory provides hands-on experience with modern organic methods and techniques. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of basic organic chemistry concepts. Additionally, students will learn to take a 'first principles' approach to organic chemistry by using what they already know to derive more complex concepts and ideas.

This course will serve as an introduction to the science of human nutrition and the relationship of food and nutrients to health and disease. Topics covered will include the macro- and micronutrients, digestion of food, and current recommendations for nutrient intake. Also discussed will be current scientific literature on the role of nutrition in selected disease processes and the use of foods as medicines.

A continuation of the sequence in organic chemistry. Focuses on more advanced structural aspects and reactivities in organic chemistry and their relationship to pharmaceuticals, agricultural chemical and biological systems. Topics include alcohol, carbonyl, amine and aromatic reactions, spectroscopy, drug design and synthetic methodology. Weekly three-hour laboratory introduces several additional modern synthesis, chromatography and spectroscopic (FT-IR, FT-NMR and GCMS) methods. A significant portion of the lab includes a student-designed synthesis and/or natural product isolation research project. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of more complex organic chemistry concepts. Additionally, students will learn to take a 'first principles' approach to organic chemistry by using what they already know from Organic Chemistry I to derive more complex concepts and ideas.

Designed for chemistry majors, minors and pre-health professionals. Problem-based learning course designed to provide a working knowledge of the principles and practices of analytical chemistry. Covers two major themes: (1) the systematic treatment of chemical equilibrium in ionic systems, including acid-base, solubility, redox, and (2) methods of quantitative chemical analysis, which includes the theory and practice of volumetric analysis and modern instrumental methods of analysis (spectroscopy and chromatography techniques). Through both lecture and laboratory instruction, students will develop a theoretical foundation for a variety of methods of analytical chemistry as well as a proficiency in chemical laboratory techniques, and the ability to apply these to practical and current problems in research. The laboratory culminates in a three-week laboratory group project and a poster presentation. Learning outcomes include a strong quantitative understanding of chemical processes and instrumentation. This includes the ability to deconduct, analyze, critically evaluate the results of, and present an analytical chemistry research project.

In the first two-thirds of the course, learning goals include taking the concepts of enthalpy, entropy and free energy and developing them as a basis for understanding the nature of chemical stability. In the last third of the course, learning goals include applying tools of rate measurement and analysis to understand chemical reactivity. Laboratory work learning goals include the application of calorimetric, potentiometric and spectrophotometric methods to study of thermodynamic and kinetic problems. Several applications utilizing computer-interfaced measurements are included. Learning outcomes include demonstrating a strong understanding of thermodynamics and kinetics concepts. This includes, but is not limited to, a quantitative understanding of the basic laws of thermodynamics.

Intended for students majoring in chemistry, biology or the health professions. Explores the role of chemistry in life processes. Topics and learning goals include, but are not limited to: detailed understanding of protein structure, enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, and cancer mechanisms. Laboratory work learning goals include, but are not limited to: buffer making, protein purification techniques, kinetic measurement methods, and FTIR spectroscopy. Learning outcomes include a working knowledge of biochemistry and the ability to think critically about and solve biochemistry related problems as a team.

The goal of this course is a systematic study of modern instrumental methods of chemical analysis with emphasis on the principles of operation of the instruments and their use for the analysis of real substances. Topics and learning goals include, but are not limited to, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, gas and liquid chromatography, mass spectrometry. Laboratory skills and learning goals include extensive hands-on experience with major analytical instrumentation: UV-Vis absorption, AAS, ICP-AES, GC and HPLC as well as important instrumentation construction skills such as data acquisition and control, electronics and the use of the machine shop. Emphasizes study of complex mixtures and the special problems of trace-level analysis. Learning outcomes include the successful understanding of the indicated goals.

This course is an investigation of important transformations of organotransition-metal species with an emphasis on basic mechanisms, spectroscopy, chemical bonding and structure-reactivity relationships. Students will examine applications of organometallic chemistry in organic synthesis and catalysis. A central goal of this course will be the development of your ability to read and understand the primary literature in Organometallic Chemistry.

Selected topics determined by the instructor for upper-level study.
 

A laboratory investigation of a specific topic conceived and planned by the student in consultation with a faculty supervisor. Culminates in a comprehensive report prepared in the style of a thesis or a scientific paper.

Majors must successfully complete comprehensive examinations in the Spring Semester of the Senior year.