Course Descriptions
CH 10 Chemistry - Sights and Insights
This course will fulfill a science requirement and has no prerequisites. Chemistry is presented via lecture and demonstration. The goal of the course is to provide the student with insights into the microscopic world of atoms and molecules in order that the macroscopic observable properties of real substances be more clearly understood. The models developed in the course will be applied to representative substances from inorganic, organic and biochemistry.
3 credits
CH 11-12 General Inorganic Chemistry I & II
A two-semester sequential offering in which the following topics are covered: atomic and molecular weights, the mole concept, Avogadro's number, stoichiometry, energy relationships in chemical systems, the properties of gases, the electronic structures of atoms, periodic relationships among the elements, chemical bonding, geometrics of molecules, molecular orbitals, liquids, solids, intermolecular forces, solutions, rates of chemical reactions, chemical equilibrium, free energy, entropy, acids and bases, aqueous equilibria, electrochemistry, nuclear chemistry, chemistry of some metals and nonmetals, chemistry of coordination compounds.
3 credits each
CH 11-12 Laboratory for General Inorganic Chemistry and Introductory Inorganic Chemistry
This laboratory offers the opportunity to explore and experience the rigors of an experimental physical science. Students make and record observations on simple chemical systems while learning fundamental laboratory manipulative and measurement skills. Experiments are chosen to demonstrate and supplement concepts introduced in lecture. The first semester emphasizes the standard techniques of weighing, filtering, titrating, use of volumetric glassware, data observation and recording and synthetic techniques. The second semester integrates these techniques in experimental procedures and explores physical properties and quantitative analysis of selected chemical systems.
1 credit
CH 17-18 Introductory Inorganic Chemistry I & II (including laboratory)
This two-semester course is offered for students who are judged to have already had a particularly good introduction to chemistry in high school. Students are invited to enter the course based on their performance on an examination given during freshman orientation. The number of students in the course is limited by available laboratory space. The topical content of the course does not differ from CH 11-12, however, the pace, depth and order of lecture presentation will be somewhat different. The laboratory component of this course will be interwoven into the fabric of the lecture presentation as much as possible; often the experimental "discoveries" of students in the laboratory that week will serve as a point of departure in the lecture presentation. Every effort will be made to develop the students' experimental acumen necessary to perform basic chemical operations and to get students to use these acquired skills to probe into chemical phenomena. 3 lectures, 1 recitation section, 1 laboratory.
4 credits each
CH 32 Chemistry of the Human Body
This course, having no prerequisite, is specifically intended for the nonscientist and presents the essentials for the lay person's understanding of the chemistry of the human body: chemicals of (1) life, (2) health, (3) disease and (4) cure. The course is conducted (as a discussion seminar) using readings from Scientific American specifically selected for the participants.
3 credits
CH 33 Chemistry of the New Nutrition
This course has no prerequisites and will fulfill a science requirement. The course is based on biochemist Roger J. Williams' concept of biochemical individuality and presents nutrition from the viewpoint of the chemist: fats and carbohydrates are mainly the sources of chemical energy driving body processes; quality protein, vitamins, and minerals yield enzyme chemical structures that control body chemistries. Concepts of classical nutrition, such as minimal daily requirements of nutrients, are included but not emphasized.
3 credits
CH 81 General Chemistry I
An introduction to the study of chemistry for nonscience majors. Fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry are discussed and applied to chemical reactions and phenomena.
3 credits
CH 82 General Chemistry II
A continuation of CH 81, emphasizing organic chemistry and the chemistry of living systems.
3 credits
CH 81-82 Laboratory for General Chemistry I & II
Laboratory illustrating the chemical principles treated in lecture. Experiments focus on measurements, separations, analysis and synthesis. Corequisite: CH 81-82
1 credit each
CH 83 Survey of Chemistry
A one-semester course that presumes no previous chemistry and is intended to fulfill a science requirement. The course consists of an introduction to atomic and molecular structure and the correlation of structural models to observable phenomena. The course proceeds to present and discuss topics of both historical and current relevance to society. These topics include environmental issues, energy sources, natural products and the application of chemistry in industry and medicine.
3 credits
CH 85 Chemistry, Energy and the Environment
This course explores the flow of energy in modern society from the perspective of chemistry. Topics of discussion include energy sources such as hydrocarbons, biomass, hydro, solar, tidal, wind, and nuclear. What is the source of the energy? How is it harvested? What are the short- and long-term environmental consequences of using each energy source and how are they determined? The concepts of bonding, thermodynamics, kinetics and work are employed to investigate these and related questions. Economic and political forces which shape our use of energy are discussed. The only math prerequisite is basic algebra.
3 credits
CH 86 Chemistry and Art
This is a basic chemistry course with a strong orientation to the visual arts. There are no prerequisites and the course fulfills a core science requirement. Basic concepts include atoms, molecules, elements, compounds, the periodic table, chemical bonding and reaction, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, and polymers. In the lab all these concepts are involved in the study of art media such as light, color, dyes, paint, metals, stone, ceramics, glass, plastics, paper, and fibers.
3 credits
CH 202 Elements of Physical Chemistry
This course is intended for biology majors and for students preparing for secondary school science teaching. Emphasis is placed on the laws of thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, solutions of electrolytes, electrochemical cells, and chemical kinetics. Throughout the course special emphasis is given to the physiochemical properties of living systems. Prerequisites: CH 11-12, or CH 17-18, PS 83-84, MA 21-22, or equivalent.
3 credits
CH 202 Laboratory for Physical Chemistry
Laboratory experiments illustrate the principles discussed in class (i.e., thermodynamics, kinetics, chemical equilibrium). Corequisite: CH 202 course.
1 credit
CH 211 Organic Chemistry I
This course is an introduction to the chemistry of compounds of carbon. Common functional groups are discussed from the perspective of molecular structure. Areas of emphasis include structure and characterization, methods of preparation, characteristic physical and chemical properties and their relation to molecular structure. Stereochemical concepts and their application are introduced early in the course and used extensively throughout. Prerequisite: CH12, or CH 18.
3 credits
CH 211-212 Laboratory for Organic Chemistry I & II
The first semester of this laboratory emphasizes the manipulative techniques of separation, purification, analysis and simple synthesis. The second semester emphasizes investigative experiments, more complex synthesis and qualitative organic analysis. Corequisite: CH 211-212 lecture.
2 credits each
CH 212 Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of CH 211 with emphasis on the chemistry of aromatic, carbonyl, acyl, and nitrogen compounds. The chemical properties of naturally occurring substances such as carbohydrates, lipids, proteins and nucleic acids are related to those of simpler monofunctional compounds. Spectroscopic methods of structure determination are introduced early in the course and used throughout. Prerequisite: CH 211.
3 credits
CH 222 Chemical Analysis
The course provides the theoretical basis for the required laboratory. Topics covered are: statistics, chemical equilibria and their analytical applications (acid-base, oxidation-reduction, complex formation, precipitation), electroanalytical chemistry, spectroanalytical chemistry, and chemical separations. Prerequisite: CH 12 or CH 16 or CH 18. Corequisite: CH 222 lab.
3 credits
CH 222 Laboratory for Chemical Analysis
Students develop laboratory skills by analyzing unknowns using the principles and procedures taught in CH 222. Corequisite: CH 222 lecture.
2 credits
CH 261-262 Physical Chemistry I & II
A two-semester sequential offering for chemistry and physics majors. Topics covered include: ideal and nonideal gases, kinetic molecular theory of gases, absorption of light, molar refraction and polarization, etc., chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, solution of nonelectrolytes and electrolytes, heterogeneous equilibrium, electrochemical cells, kinetics of gasphase reactions and in solution, wave mechanics, molecular symmetry and bonding, molecular spectroscopy, the solid state, and nuclear chemistry. Prerequisites: CH 12 or CH 16 or CH 18, MA 22, PS 16.
3 credits each
CH 261-262 Laboratory for Physical Chemistry I & II
The course content reflects the demonstration and verification of concepts covered in lecture courses CH 261 and CH 262. Each lab meets weekly for three hours during which time students are expected to be prepared to perform experiments with precision and care. Current technology is incorporated into each experiment and includes the use of computers in data acquisition, reduction and reporting. An extensive journal-style report format serves as the vehicle for evaluation of performance and builds upon the previous two years of chemistry lab experience. Special emphasis is placed on the value and utility of the lab journal as well as the accurate recording of observations. Corequisite: CH 261-262.
2 credits each
CH 321 Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course attempts to bring the student closer to research areas of organic chemistry. The major topics discussed are a) molecular orbital theory and its applications to molecular structure and reaction mechanisms; and b) organic synthesis with emphasis on factors contributing to chemoselectivity, regioselectivity, and stereoselectivity. Prerequisite: CH 212.
3 credits
CH 321 Laboratory for Advanced Organic Chemistry
The laboratory is project oriented. Each student is assigned a project, usually a multistep synthesis, to work on during most of the semester. The projects chosen are such that the student uses the rudimentary separation, purification, and characterization techniques introduced in CH 211-212. A written report is required. 2 laboratory periods. Prerequisite: CH 212.
2 credits
CH 324 Biochemistry I
Topics dealing with the fundamental concepts of biochemistry, including protein structure and function, metabolism and biosynthesis, storage, transmission and expression of genetic information, and molecular physiology. Prerequisites: CH 212 and CH 261 or CH 202.
3 credits
CH 324 Lab for Biochemistry I
Fundamental operations in biochemistry including isolation, analysis and investigation of function of selected proteins, carbohydrates, lipids and nucleic acids.
1 credit
CH 325 Biochemistry II
Further study of biochemical systems emphasizing structure and function in macromolecules and multimolecular complexes and interactions in complex physiological systems. Prerequisite: CH 324.
3 credits
CH 326 Chemical Instrumentation
Chemical analysis using modern instrumentation will be studied in detail. Current methods of analysis, theory of transduction, implementation of instrumental principles and physical theory of chemical systems will be explored in the context of the goals of the analytical problem. Examples of applications will be considered. Prerequisite: CH 222.
3 credits
CH 326 Instrumental Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
A major goal of this laboratory course is to provide the student, who has already been exposed to the theory of classical (CH 222 or CH 240) and instrumental methods of analysis (CH 326 or CH 240) with a general exposure to problem solving using a variety of physical and chemical methods. During the early portion of this course, an effort will be made to consolidate the principles of analytical chemistry that students have learned in the classroom into a holistic understanding of the area of analytical chemistry; this framework is intended to give the student a further appreciation of the general considerations which must be made in designing an approach to solving a problem in analysis. Some hands-on exposure will be given to the following aspects of analytical chemistry: basic electronics as appropriate to common instrumentation, methodology involved in equipment maintenance and troubleshooting, exposure to solving real world analytical problems, use of small computers and interfaces in the laboratory. A major emphasis of the course will be devoted to oral communication of results among all laboratory participants. Prerequisites: CH 222 or CH 240, and CH 326 course.
2 credits
CH 341 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
The chemistry of the elements is viewed from the perspective of structure and reactivity. The use of physical methods in the elucidation of structure is emphasized; selected principles of group theory (symmetry) and theoretical chemistry are incorporated into these discussions. The chemistry of transition metal ions is given considerable treatment. Prerequisite: CH262.
3 credits
CH 341 Laboratory for Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
A variety of inorganic compounds are offered for synthesis in the laboratory. Students prepare several compounds of their choice and perform individual projects to study the properties of these compounds. Part of the final report for each student is the presentation of a poster-assisted oral description of the results of his/her project. Prerequisite: CH 262.
1 credit
CH 363 Advanced Topics
A detailed and advanced treatment of topics from any of the four major fields of chemistry. Topics to be presented in a given semester are selected according to the needs and interests of that semester's students. This course is intended for second semester senior chemistry majors. Professors are assigned according to the topics chosen. Prerequisite: CH 341.
3 credits
CH 398 Research & Seminar
A research project, normally involving laboratory investigation, is chosen by each senior electing this course. Seminars feature students' reports on research progress and library studies of selected topics. Prerequisite: by permission.
3 credits
CH 399 Independent Study
This course is designed for students wishing to study in a pre-specified area under the close direction of a faculty member(s). The topics addressed would not routinely be encountered in the normal course sequence. This course contrasts the research and seminar course in that the goal is the assimilation of existing knowledge rather than the pursuit of new knowledge. A written final report and presentation of a seminar are required. Prerequisite: CH 262 or CH 202 or by departmental permission.
3 credits
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