Knowledge of chemistry is important for any educated person because
chemistry affects so many aspects of our personal and corporate lives.
Coursework in chemistry naturally prepares one to understand the physical
and living worlds; it also prepares one to make scientifically-informed
contributions to many other fields and to society. The fields of
environmental law and policy, bioethics, patent law, health care and
education are examples of areas where chemical knowledge is needed. Many
chemistry majors pursue graduate studies in chemistry, biochemistry or
medicine. Other career paths available to the chemistry major include
employment in fields such as law, environmental monitoring, technical
sales/management and the pharmaceutical industry.
The chemistry faculty encourages students to participate in
collaborative research during the school year, Winter Term and summers.
Such research is an important facet of a student's education. Students may
also choose to pursue an internship at a national laboratory or in an
industrial or medical setting at some point in their training. All
chemistry students participate in the activities of the Chemistry Club,
which brings speakers to campus on a regular basis. The Pre-health
Professions Club and the Women in Science group also sponsor speakers and
activities of interest to chemistry students.
Pending faculty action in April 2002
Requirements for a major in Chemistry:
| Total courses
required: |
nine and one-quarter courses |
| Core
courses: |
CHEM 120, CHEM 130, CHEM 170, CHEM 240, CHEM
260 |
| Other
required courses: |
Chemistry majors must also complete advanced courses
in three categories as follows:
Chemical Reactivity (1.5 courses chosen from CHEM 320,
CHEM 331, CHEM 332, CHEM 335; at least one class must include lab);
Chemical Analysis (CHEM 450 plus 1 course chosen from
CHEM 351, CHEM 352, CHEM 353, CHEM 354);
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry (CHEM 460 plus 1
course chosen from CHEM 361, CHEM 362, CHEM 363, CHEM
364). |
| # 300 and 400
level courses: |
three courses |
| Senior
requirement: |
The senior requirement consists of satisfactory
performance on the Chemistry Comprehensive Examination and
satisfactory attendance at departmental seminars during the junior
and senior years. |
Requirements for a minor in Chemistry:
| Total courses
required: |
five and one quarter courses |
| # 300 and 400
level courses: |
one course |
Courses in Chemistry
CHEM 100. Medicinal Plants for Poets --1 course, includes class
and lab
This course examines the concepts needed to understand
medicinal plants from a broad scientific and cultural perspective. In
addition to developing basic chemical concepts (emphasizing bonding and
structure, and their effects on chemical behavior), the course will draw
on areas such as pharmacology in order to build a complete picture of how
medicinal plants function. Issues such as the cultural origins of
medicinal plant knowledge, the nature of the scientific methods/scientific
truth, and the changing role of medicinal plants in society will also be
examined. The laboratory will consist of experiments and activities
designed to illustrate and elaborate on ideas discussed in lecture.No
prerequisites. Not open to students with credit for CHEM 103 or its
equivalent. May not be counted toward a major in
chemistry.
CHEM 120. Structure and Properties of Organic Molecules --1
course, class and lab
This course introduces the basics of chemical
bonding, structure, and behavior in the context of organic molecules.
Emphasis is placed on the nature of bonding, how chemists determine
structure, the 3-dimensional aspects of structure, and how molecular
structure determines chemical behavior. Lab activities are designed to
reinforce class topics while introducing common organic lab techniques
such as liquid-liquid extraction, NMR, IR, GC/MS, and molecular modeling.
Prerequisite - High school chemistry or CHEM 100.
CHEM 130. Structure and Properties of Inorganic Compounds --1
course, class and lab
An introduction to structure, bonding and
properties of inorganic compounds. Topics covered include basic quantum
theory, bonding theories, molecular and solid state structure, and
periodic properties of the elements and their compounds. Application of
these topics to biological, environmental, and geological systems will be
stressed. The lab will focus on the synthesis of inorganic substances,
including simple ionic substances and coordination complexes, and their
characterization by UV/Vis and IR spectroscopy, magnetic susceptibility,
and conductivity. Prerequisite - High school chemistry or CHEM
100.
CHEM 156. General Chemistry --1 course
Advanced placement
credit for entering first-year students.
CHEM 170. Stoichiometric Calculations --1/4 course, class
only
A review of the quantitative treatment of chemistry and chemical
reactions. Topics include ways to express the absolute and relative amount
of chemicals (grams, moles, and concentration), balancing chemical
reactions, mole-to-mole relationships, limiting reagents, and theoretical
yields. Prerequisite - High school chemistry or CHEM 100.
CHEM 197. First-year Seminar --1 course, includes
laboratory
A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of
chemistry. Open only to first-year students.
CHEM 240. Structure and Function of Biomolecules --1 course,
class and lab
An introduction to the molecules of living organisms.
Topics will include the chemical and physical nature of biological
macromolecules including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, and
carbohydrates. The lab will emphasize characterization of biomolecules
using common biochemical techniques. Physical and computer models will be
utilized in both class and lab. Prerequisite: CHEM 120.
CHEM 260. Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics --1 course,
class and lab
A rigorous introduction to the theoretical principles
governing the favorability of reactions, the extent of reactions, and the
rate of reactions. The application of these topics to environmental
chemistry, geochemistry, and/or biochemistry is also considered.
Laboratory work is designed to reinforce class topics while stressing the
importance of making careful quantitative measurements and the careful
design of experiments. Prerequisite: CHEM 170, and CHEM 120 or CHEM
130.
CHEM 320. Organic Mechanisms and Synthesis --1 course, class and
lab
This course focuses on the concept of reaction mechanisms, surveys
a variety of reactions, and introduces the principles of organic synthetic
design and strategy. Laboratory introduces fundamental methods of
synthesis and purification, and makes heavy use of instrumentation to
verify structure and purity. Prerequisite: CHEM 120 and
170.
CHEM 331. Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms --1/2 course, class
only
Topics include organometallic reaction mechanisms, inorganic
catalytic cycles, inner and outer sphere redox chemistry, dissociative and
associative mechanisms in coordination chemistry, major bioinorganic
reaction mechanisms, and inorganic photochemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM
120, 130, and 260.
CHEM 332. Inorganic Synthesis --1/2 course, 1 hour class and
lab
A laboratory course focusing on advanced synthesis techniques such
as air sensitive handling, sublimation, and solid-state synthesis. Use of
the chemical literature will be integrated into the course.
Prerequisite: CHEM 120, 130, and 260.
CHEM 335. Topics in Chemical Reactivity --1/2 course, class or
lab
Selected topics in inorganic and organic chemical reactivity are
offered. May be repeated for credit (with a different topic).
Prerequisite: varies with topic.
CHEM 341. Advanced Biochemistry --1 course, class and lab
A
detailed examination of the function, bioenergetics, and regulatory
mechanisms of enzymes. A survey of intermediate metabolism that focuses on
chemical transformation, regulation, and integration at both the cellular
level and between different organs. Prerequisite: CHEM 240 and
260.
CHEM 342. Topics in Biochemistry --1/2 course, class or
lab
Selected topics in biochemistry are offered. May be repeated for
credit (with a different topic). Prerequisite: varies with
topic.
CHEM 351. Chemometrics --1/2 course, class only
An
introduction to the mathematical handling of chemical data, including the
statistical analysis of data, linear regression, standardization
strategies, sampling, optimization, and ruggedness testing.
Prerequisite: CHEM 260.
CHEM 352. Analytical Equilibria --1/2 course, class only
This
course provides a more detailed examination of equilibrium chemistry and
its application to gravimetry, titrimetry, and analytical separations,
including solvent extractions and chromatography. Prerequisite: CHEM
260.
CHEM 353. Instrumental Methods of Analysis --1/2 course, class
only
A detailed examination of spectroscopic, electrochemical, and flow
injection methods of analysis. The application of kinetic methods of
analysis is also considered. Prerequisite: CHEM 260.
CHEM 354. Topics in Chemical Analysis --1/2 course, class or
lab
Selected topics in chemical analysis are offered. May be
repeated for credit (with a different topic). Prerequisite: varies with
topic.
CHEM 361. Chemical Kinetics --1/2 course, class only
A
careful study of the key methods for the kinetics analysis of chemical
systems. In addition to reviewing basic methodologies such as the method
of initial rates and simple integrated rate equations, considerable
attention is given to more complicated kinetic mechanisms. Consecutive,
competing, oscillating, and explosive reactions are covered.
Prerequisite: MATH 152 , PHYS 122 , and CHEM 260.
CHEM 362. Chemical Thermodynamics --1/2 course, class
only
This course will look at the fundamental principles of
thermodynamics and how those principles govern the behavior of chemical
systems. Emphasis will be given to applications in biochemical systems.
Prerequisite: MATH 152, PHYS 122, and CHEM 260.
CHEM 363. Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry --1/2 course, class
only
This course examines the core quantum mechanical models, including
the particle in a box, the harmonic oscillator, the rigid rotor, and the
hydrogen atom. Emphasis is placed on the power and limits of each model in
explaining molecular vibrations, rotations, and electronic motions.
Approximation methods are discussed to extend the models to a larger
number of physical systems. Prerequisite: MATH 152, PHYS 122, and CHEM
260.
CHEM 364. Topics in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
--1/2 course, class only
Selected topics in theoretical and
computational chemistry are offered. May be repeated for credit (with a
different topic). Prerequisite: varies with topic.
CHEM 395. Independent Study --1/4-1/2-1 course, laboratory
only
Directed independent study. Participation by arrangement with a
faculty member. An oral presentation and written report are required.
May be repeated; however, only one-half course total from CHEM 395 and
405 may be counted toward the chemistry major. Permission of instructor
required.
CHEM 400. Teaching of Chemistry --1/2 course
For students
preparing to teach in secondary schools. Prerequisite: permission of
instructor. Not applicable toward the major.
CHEM 405. Thesis --1/4 course, includes laboratory
Completion
of a research project and the preparation of a written thesis and oral
presentation. Participation by arrangement with a faculty member. May
not be repeated. Course grade will be assigned by the chemistry faculty.
Only one-half course total from CHEM 395 and 405 may be counted toward the
chemistry major. Prerequisite: CHEM 311 and permission of
instructor.
CHEM 450. Method Development --1/2 course, 1 hour class and
lab
A project-based laboratory course focusing on the development of
analytical methods. Prerequisite: CHEM 351, CHEM 352 or CHEM
353.
CHEM 460. Theory and Experiment --1/2 course, 1 hour class and
lab
This project based laboratory will develop skills in asking
fundamental questions about chemical behavior, deciding which theories can
be used to explain that behavior, and then designing and implementing
experiments to answer these questions. Prerequisite or co-requisite:
CHEM 361 or CHEM 362 or CHEM 363.
