Click here for Fall 1999 semester Explanatory Notes from the Chemistry department

Professors Boyles (on leave, 1998-1999), Ledlie, and Wenzel; Associate Professors Lawson, Chair, and Côté; Assistant Professors Austin and Schlax Chemistry deals with phenomena that affect nearly every aspect of our lives and environment. A liberal education in this scientific and technological age should include some exposure to the theories, laws, applications, and potential of this science.

The chemistry curriculum is sufficiently flexible to allow students with career interests in areas such as the health professions, law, business, and education to design a major program suitable to their goals. Students interested in careers in chemistry or biochemistry will find sufficient chemistry electives to provide a strong background for graduate work, industry, or other positions requiring an in-depth foundation in chemistry. A major in biological chemistry has been developed in conjunction with the biology department. See separate listing under Biological Chemistry for more details. The department and its curriculum are approved by the American Chemical Society.

All students majoring in chemistry are required to meet the following minimum course requirements: Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B; Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; Chemistry 203; 206; 212; 215; 217- 218; 332; and Chemistry 457 and/or 458. Further course and unit selections depend upon the goals and interests of the student. All students preparing for graduate study or for a position in the chemical industry should include in their programs Chemistry 223, 316, and any other advanced courses in their specific area of interest. It should be noted that Chemistry 101 and 102 (no longer offered) may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the major in chemistry and that courses in mathematics and physics are prerequisites for some of the advanced courses in chemistry. A written thesis is required of all majors. This may be either a laboratory or library thesis. Students doing a laboratory thesis may register for Chemistry 457, 458, or both, while students doing a library project may register for Chemistry 457 or 458. Students in the Honors Program must register for 457 and 458. All senior majors must participate in the department's seminar program. Each major is required to present two seminars during the senior year.

General Education. The following sets are available: 107A-108A, 107A-108B, 107B- 108A, 107B-108B, 107A-s21, 107B-s21. Chemistry s21, s23, and s24, may serve as an option for the third course. The quantitative requirement may be satisfied through any chemistry course or unit except s21.

107A. Atomic and Molecular Structure. Fundamental principles and concepts necessary for a successful understanding of all aspects of chemistry are studied. Major topics include states of matter, atomic structure, periodicity, and bonding. This course, or its equivalent, is a prerequisite for all advanced courses in chemistry. Laboratory: three hours per week. Enrollment limited to 60 per section. Not open to students who have received credit for Chemistry 107. M. Côté, P. Schlax.

107B. Chemical Structure and Its Importance in the Environment. Fundamentals of atomic and molecular structure are developed with particular attention to how they relate to substances of interest in the environment. Periodicity, bonding, states of matter, and intermolecular forces are covered. The laboratory involves a semester-long, group investigation of a topic of environmental significance. This course is the same as Environmental Studies 107B. Enrollment limited to 60 per section. Not open to students who have received credit for Chemistry 107. T. Wenzel.

108A. Chemical Reactivity. A continuation of Chemistry 107A. Major topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base behavior, and electrochemistry. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B. Enrollment limited to 60 per section. Not open to students who have received credit for Chemistry 108. T. Lawson, P. Schlax.

108B. Chemical Reactivity in Environmental Systems. A continuation of Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B. Major topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base chemistry, and electrochemistry. Examples developed throughout these topics relate to chemical processes that occur in the environment. The laboratory involves a semester-long, group investigation of a topic of environmental significance. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 107A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 107B. This course is the same as Environmental Studies 108B. Enrollment limited to 60 per section. Not open to students who have received credit for Chemistry 108. R. Austin.

132. Women in Chemistry. Women continue to be under-represented in chemistry. Furthermore, important discoveries made by women are often omitted from the chemistry curriculum. Topics addressed in this course include the important scientific contributions of women chemists; the barriers that have inhibited and factors that have promoted the participation of women in chemistry, including balancing family and career; the extent to which practices and descriptive language in chemistry are inscribed with gender; and feminist critiques of science, particularly as they apply to chemistry. Enrollment is limited to 50. T. Wenzel

201. Environmental Risk Assessment. Current methodology allows us to find some level of toxic chemicals virtually anywhere we look. The decision on whether to manage the release of a toxic chemical depends on whether the chemical, at the concentration present, is judged to be a significant health risk. This course examines how the level of risk associated with a chemical is investigated. The types of questions that are asked when assessing risk, and the procedures used to try to answer those questions, are considered. The uncertainty inherent in the interpretation of scientific data and in the definition of terms such as "significant" and "risk" is addressed. Prerequisite(s): any 100-level science set. Open to first-year students with Advanced Placement credit awarded for a 100-level science set (a score of 4 or 5 on the AP examination). Open to first-year students. T. Wenzel.

203. Thermodynamics and Kinetics. Major topics include thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, and reaction kinetics. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): one of the following: Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; and Mathematics 105 and 106. Prerequisite(s) or Corequisite(s): Physics 107. J. Boyles.

206. Quantum Chemistry. Major topics include quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, and spectroscopy. Recommended background: Physics 301 Prerequisite(s): one of the following: Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B; and Physics 107, Mathematics 105 and 106. Corequisite(s): Physics 108. M. Côté.

212. Separation Science. A study of some of the most universally used methods and techniques of chemical separation. Both theory and applications are covered. Topics include chemical equilibrium, liquid-liquid extraction, and gas and liquid chromatography. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B. T. Wenzel.

215. Descriptive Inorganic Chemistry. A study of the wide-ranging aspects of inorganic chemistry. The use of periodic trends and fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry to systematize the descriptive chemistry of the elements is explored. Topics include reaction mechanisms in inorganic chemistry, ligand field theory, and solid state chemistry. Applications of inorganic chemistry to biochemistry, environmental chemistry, and geochemistry are also considered. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B. R. Austin.

217. Organic Chemistry I. An introduction to organic chemistry. Topics include bonding, structure, and nomenclature; reactions of alkanes, alkenes, alkylhalides, alkynes, and aromatics; and spectroscopic methods. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B. D. Ledlie.

218. Organic Chemistry II. A continuation of Chemistry 217. The reactions of organic halides, alcohols, phenols, ethers, carbonyl compounds, and organic nitrogen compounds are studied from both a mechanistic and a synthetic point of view. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 217. D. Ledlie.

220. Biophysical Chemistry. This course covers an overview of physical chemical principles and techniques used in understanding the properties, interactions, and functions of biological molecules. Thermodynamic, kinetic, and statistical mechanical principles are applied to understanding macromolecular assembly processes (i.e., assembly of viruses or ribosomes) and macromolecular interactions involved in gene expression and regulation, DNA replication, and other biological processes. Quantum chemical principles and spectroscopic techniques used in studying protein folding, RNA folding, and enzyme kinetics are presented. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 108A or 108B, Physics 107, Mathematics 105 and 106. Recommended background: Biology s42 and Chemistry 321. P. Schlax

223. Analytical Spectroscopy and Electrochemistry. Spectroscopic and electrochemical methods employed in chemical analysis are discussed. Topics include nuclear magnetic resonance; ultraviolet, visible, infrared, and atomic spectroscopy; potentiometric and voltammetric methods of analysis. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 108A or Chemistry/Environmental Studies 108B. T. Wenzel.

306. Electrons in Solids. A study of the electronic properties of solid materials. Subjects include the application of quantum theory to simple models of crystalline solids, the chemical and optical properties of solids, the impact of surfaces on material behavior, and quantum confinement. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206. M. Côté.

313. Spectroscopic Determination of Molecular Structure. In this course the utilization of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectral data for structural analysis is developed. Particular attention is given to the interpretation of proton, carbon-13, and two-dimensional NMR spectra, and to the interpretation of fragmentation patterns in electron-impact mass spectrometry. Theoretical and instrumental aspects of modern NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry are covered. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 218. T. Wenzel

315. Bioinorganic Chemistry. The role that metals play in biological systems is examined, building upon an understanding of metal chemistry established in inorganic chemistry. Metals in electron-transfer proteins, small molecule transfer and storage proteins, and reduction-oxidation catalysts are studied. The role of metals in medicine and environmental toxicology is also examined. Students present and discuss selected topics, in a seminar format, drawing from the primary literature and selected textbooks. Recommended background: Biology s42. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 215. R. Austin.

316. Bonding and Symmetry in Inorganic Chemistry. A study of electronic structure in inorganic chemistry focusing both on theoretical models and spectroscopic characterizations. Primary emphasis is placed on the application of group theory to the elucidation of electronic structure. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206. R. Austin.

321. Biological Chemistry I. An introduction to biologically important molecules and macromolecular assemblies. Topics to be discussed include the structure and chemistry of proteins, the mechanisms and kinetics of enzyme catalyzed reactions, and the structure, chemistry, and functions of carbohydrates, lipids, nucleic acids, and biological membranes. Laboratory: three hours per week. Recommended background: Biology s42. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 218. T. Lawson.

v322. Biological Chemistry II. A survey of the major metabolic processes in living cells. Topics to be discussed include protein synthesis and the regulation of gene expression, the global organization of metabolic pathways, carbohydrate and fatty acid metabolism, biological oxidation, reduction and energy production, and the metabolism of nitrogen- containing compounds. Special attention will be given to the mechanisms by which metabolic processes are regulated. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 321. T. Lawson.

325. Organic Synthesis. A study of important organic reactions with emphasis on structure, stereochemistry, mechanism, and synthesis. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 218. D. Ledlie.

326. Advanced Organic Chemistry. Lectures and discussions on various aspects of theoretical organic chemistry related to the structure of organic molecules and reactive intermediates. Topics include molecular orbital theory, orbital symmetry, thermodynamics, conformational analysis, and kinetics. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 203 and 218. D. Ledlie.

332. Spectroscopy Laboratory. The use of spectroscopic methods to probe atomic and molecular structure, and to identify, characterize, and quantify chemical species is examined. Theoretical and experimental aspects of several techniques including nuclear magnetic resonance, infrared spectroscopy, and UV-visible spectroscopy are covered. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206 or 223. M. Côté, T. Wenzel.

360. Independent Study. Independent research by a student under the supervision of a member of the staff. A report is required at the end of each semester of work. Must be approved by staff supervisor and department chair. Students are limited to one independent study per semester. Staff.

457. 458. Senior Research and SeminarA laboratory or library research study in an area of interest under the supervision of a member of the staff. Two seminar presentations on their research are given by each senior major. Students register for Chemistry 457 in the fall semester, and for Chemistry 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for both Chemistry 457 and 458. Staff.

Short Term Units

s21. Biotechnology: Life Science for Citizens. A nonscientist's introduction to the science of the biotechnology revolution. Topics include the basic biology and chemistry of cells, the biochemistry of gene expression, the development and applications of recombinant DNA and related technologies, and the structure and functioning of the biotechnology research establishment in the United States. Weekly laboratory exercises include a DNA cloning project. Not open to majors in chemistry, biological chemistry, or biology. Enrollment limited to 18. T. Lawson.

s23. Science Meets Art: Loudspeaker Design and Construction. Hands-on experience in the science and art of designing, building, and testing audio loudspeakers serves as a practical introduction to the concepts of waves and resonance. Students purchase parts and materials to build loudspeakers of their own design, which they then keep. Students with either technical or nontechnical backgrounds are equally welcome. Enrollment limited to 8. M. Côté

s24. Seminar in Sustainable Development. The concept of sustainable development is examined and the implications this concept has for a number of areas of human interest are investigated. The relationship between scientific uncertainty and sustainable development is highlighted. Questions relating to social, cultural, and political feasibility are addressed. Students present and discuss selected topics in a seminar format, drawing from Our Common Future as well as from primary literature and other selected textbooks. This unit is the same as Environmental Studies s24. Enrollment limited to 20. R. Austin.

s27. Nucleic Acids. This unit provides an overview of the structure and function of DNA and RNA. Major topics include techniques for discerning structure, DNA structure, RNA structure, RNA catalysis, and interactions of nucleic acids with ligands. The unit involves critical reading and discussion of primary literature in a seminar format. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 218. Recommended background: Biology s42 and Chemistry 321. Enrollment is limited to 20. P. Schlax

s34. Chemical Pollutants: Science and Policy. On what basis are chemicals in the environment regulated? How are acceptable levels of exposure determined? This unit examines how these sorts of public policy decisions are made by studying a few chemicals as examples. Topics covered include chemical structures and toxicity, the notion of "risk" and who defines it, and the role of scientific information in the legal process. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 108A or 108B. Open to first-year students. This course is the same as Environmental Studies s34. R. Austin

s42. Molecular Spectroscopy. The unit focuses on the interpretation of spectroscopic data as a means of identifying organic and inorganic molecules. Included is the interpretation of proton, carbon-13, and two- dimensional nuclear magnetic resonance and of ultraviolet/visible, mass, and infrared spectra. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 218. T. Wenzel.

s48. Recent Developments in the Synthesis of Homochiral Molecules. Extraordinary developments have recently been made in the synthesis of a wide range of homochiral, naturally occurring organic materials and their derivatives. Examples include steroids, vitamins, antibiotics, and other important biologically active compounds. Lectures and discussions focus on the use of "chiral pools" and chiral auxiliaries as strategic synthetic methodologies which are now routinely employed in homochiral synthesis. Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 218. D. Ledlie.

s50. Individual Research. Registration in this unit is granted by the department only after the student has submitted a written proposal for a full-time research project to be completed during the Short Term and has secured the sponsorship of a member of the department to direct the study and evaluate results. Students are limited to one individual research unit. Staff.

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