Miriam A. Bowring
Mechanistic organometallic chemistry.
Kelly N. Chacón
Metallobiochemistry, x-ray absorption fine structure (EXAFS), electronic absorption, and fluorescence spectroscopy of metal sites in proteins.
Juliane Fry
Atmospheric chemistry, urban air pollution, formation and composition of atmospheric aerosol, atmospheric reaction mechanisms and kinetics, chemistry-climate interactions. On leave 2016–17.
Daniel P. Gerrity
Experimental physical chemistry, application of laser spectroscopy to the study of chemical dynamics and molecular electronic structure.
Arthur Glasfeld
Structural biochemistry and bioinorganic chemistry.
Sameh Helmy
Organic chemistry.
Rebecca LaLonde
Organic synthesis and organometallic chemistry. On sabbatical fall 2016.
Alan Shusterman
Computational organic and organometallic chemistry, green chemistry.
Christopher Walsh
Analytical and environmental chemistry including fate and transport of persistent organic pollutants, atmospheric transport modeling, radioanalytical chemistry.
Courses in chemistry provide a comprehensive description of the interaction of matter and energy at the atomic level. Examples of chemical phenomena drawn from current research, together with modern theoretical principles, are used to examine a diverse set of subjects, including atomic and molecular structure, the energetics of physical and chemical processes, the dynamics and mechanisms of chemical reactions, the chemical principles underlying biological and environmental processes, and the synthesis of new organic, inorganic, and biochemical compounds and materials.
Coursework is integrated with appropriate laboratory work and is designed to teach the skills used by practicing chemical scientists. A large assortment of modern research-quality instruments is available for undergraduate use, including GC-MS, FT-IR, and FT-NMR spectrometers; an X-ray diffractometer; a 250-kilowatt research reactor (see “Campus Facilities”); and a computational chemistry laboratory.
Research investigations are used to refine and integrate skills and to introduce students to the daily activities of practicing scientists. The senior thesis provides an opportunity to focus on a single research topic for an extended period of time and is typically conducted as a collaboration between the student and one or more faculty members. Independent study, including research, is encouraged as a method for tailoring studies to the needs of the individual student. Several students are offered employment each summer as research assistants and are able to conduct original research. Much of this research is supported by grants from the National Science Foundation, the National Institutes of Health, the American Chemical Society, and other sources.
Requirements for the Major
- Chemistry 101 and 102, 201 and 202, 212, 311, 316, 332, 333, 470.
- Physics 101 and 102.
- Mathematics 111 and 112.
If a student wishes to obtain certification of their program by the American Chemical Society, one unit of biochemistry must be included. This certification is not required for graduation, but may prove useful for students seeking employment as chemists following graduation.
Students with special interests in physical and/or theoretical chemistry should take Mathematics 201 and 202, Physics 201 and 202, and Chemistry 403 and/or 324 (or independent study in theoretical/computational chemistry), and should consult with an adviser concerning more advanced courses in mathematics and physics. Students contemplating graduate work in biochemistry or related fields should take Chemistry 391, 392, and 394, and should consult with an adviser concerning additional courses in biology. Students interested in pursuing advanced degrees in analytical or bioanalytical chemistry should take Mathematics 141. Students should also examine the detailed descriptions of the interdisciplinary programs in chemistry and physics, and biochemistry and molecular biology, which are listed in another section of the catalog. Students interested in combining the study of chemistry with the study of environmental themes in other fields, such as biology, political science, economics, and history, should consider the environmental studies–chemistry major. Interdisciplinary programs linking chemistry to mathematics or other disciplines can also be arranged.
Chemistry 101 - Molecular Structure and Properties
Full course for one semester. Introduction to the chemist’s description and use of light and matter in the context of larger issues such as astronomy, the greenhouse effect, and fats in our diet. Specific topics include the interaction of light and matter (spectroscopy), the structure of the atom and the atomic structure of matter, chemical bonds and intermolecular forces, and chemical descriptions of color and solubility. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 102 - Chemical Reactivity
Full course for one semester. An introduction to the reactions of atoms and molecules. Specific topics include gas laws, solution phenomena, thermodynamics, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, and kinetics. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 201 - Organic Chemistry
Full course for one semester. Introduction to theories describing the structure and reactivity of organic compounds. Theoretical principles are illustrated using computer-based molecular models. Structure, methods of preparation, and reactions of important classes of organic compounds are examined. Laboratory work introduces techniques used in the preparation, purification, and spectroscopic identification of organic compounds. Prerequisite for 201: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 202 - Organic Chemistry
Full course for one semester. A continuation of Chemistry 201. Structure, methods of preparation, and reactions of important classes of organic compounds will be stressed. Laboratory work includes the preparation, purification, and spectroscopic identification of organic compounds. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201 or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference-laboratory.
Chemistry 212 - Introductory Inorganic Chemistry
Full course for one semester. An introduction to inorganic chemistry, including the structure, bonding, and reactions of main-group molecules, transition metal complexes, and organometallic compounds. Laboratory work includes the synthesis and characterization of molecular compounds and extended solids, and introduces useful characterization techniques including infrared and electronic spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and thermal analysis. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference- laboratory. May be taken without the lab for one-half unit.
Chemistry 230 - Environmental Chemistry
Full course for one semester. An introduction to the chemistry of natural and polluted environments. Fundamental principles of chemistry are used to understand the sources, reactivity, and fate of compounds in the Earth’s atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere. Topics include the stratospheric ozone layer, photochemical smog and particulate air pollution, climate change and energy use, water toxics and treatment, and agricultural modification of the surface environment. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101/102. Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 311 - Analytical Chemistry and Instrumentation
Full course for one semester. An examination of the principles of data acquisition and statistical analysis, chemical equilibria, and the principles and methods of chemical and instrumental analysis. The functions of classical volumetric and gravimetric techniques, along with electronic, optical, and mechanical instrument components and features of their organization into measurement systems, are discussed. Applicability and limitations of representative electrochemical, spectroscopic, and nuclear instruments are assessed. Prerequisite: Chemistry 101/102 or consent of the instructor. Lecture-laboratory.
Chemistry 316 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory
Full course for one semester. An exploration of various experimental strategies and techniques in physical chemistry, as applied to inorganic, organic, and/or biochemical problems. Laboratory work includes investigations of energetics, molecular structure, and reaction dynamics requiring the use of large instrument systems and critical analysis and interpretation of experimental data. Prerequisites: Chemistry 311 and 333, or consent of the instructor. Lecture-laboratory.
Chemistry 324 - Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. An introduction to experimental, computational (molecular modeling), and theoretical methods for investigating the properties of short-lived species relevant to organic chemistry. Topics include the transition states of thermally induced concerted reactions and excited state species found in concerted photochemical reactions. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201/202 or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 332 - Statistical Thermodynamics and Chemical Dynamics
Full course for one semester. An introduction to statistical mechanics, which provides a bridge between the quantum mechanical description of properties pertaining to microscopic systems and the classical thermodynamic description of properties pertaining to macroscopic systems. An examination of the relations between molecular dynamics, observed rates, and inferred mechanisms of chemical reactions will be included. Prerequisites: Mathematics 111 and Physics 101 (corequisite is acceptable), or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 333 - Quantum Mechanics and Molecular Structure
Full course for one semester. An introduction to principles of quantum mechanics and their application to problems in atomic and molecular structure. Prerequisites: Mathematics 111 and Physics 101 and 102. Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 334 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. A discussion of the use of symmetry and group theory in inorganic chemistry to enhance understanding of structure and bonding, including applications in vibrational and electronic spectroscopy and molecular orbital theory. Translational symmetry, crystallography, and band theory for extended solids will also be introduced. Examples will be drawn from the literature to highlight frontier research in the field of inorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: Chemistry 212. Lecture-conference.
Not offered 2016—17.
Chemistry 343 - Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Full course for one semester. A study of synthetic methods and design. Topics include methods of building carbon skeletons and changing functional groups, strategies for organic synthesis, and exemplary syntheses of natural products. Laboratory work introduces students to multistep synthesis. The laboratory and lecture focus on the use of high-field NMR spectroscopy as a tool for structure determination. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201/202. Lecture-laboratory.
Not offered 2016—17.
Chemistry 348 - Organometallic Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. An introduction to the organometallic chemistry of d-block elements. A survey of characteristic molecular structures and reactions, spectroscopic characteristics of common ligands, bonding and reactivity using molecular models, and applications in catalysis and synthetic chemistry. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201, 202, and 212, or consent of the instructor. Conference.
Not offered 2016—17.
Chemistry 391 - Structural Biochemistry
Full course for one semester. An examination of the structure and function of biological molecules, including lipids, polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids. Areas of study include protein stability and folding, protein-ligand interactions, enzyme kinetics and catalysis, and protein biosynthesis. Special attention will be given to biophysical techniques employed in the characterization of biological molecules. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201, 202. Lecture.
Chemistry 392 - Metabolic Biochemistry
Full course for one semester. This course will explore the logic and chemistry of the metabolic processes in the cell that produce and consume energy. Significant focus will be placed on the energy-producing pathways: glycolysis, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, and fatty acid oxidation. Additional topics will include biosynthetic pathways, regulatory mechanisms for cellular homeostasis, and principles of metal ion homeostasis. Prerequisite: Chemistry 201, 202, and 391, or consent of the instructor. Lecture-conference.
Chemistry 394 - Biochemical Methods
One-half course for one semester. An introduction to the laboratory techniques commonly used in biochemistry. Experiments demonstrate methods used in the purification and characterization of proteins with attention to a variety of biophysical techniques. Prerequisites: Chemistry 391 or 392, or consent of the instructor. Lecture-laboratory.
Chemistry 401 - Topics in Biochemistry
One-half course for one semester. An examination of current topics relating to structural biochemistry with an emphasis on the primary literature. Corequisite: Chemistry 391. Conference.
Not offered 2016—17.
Chemistry 403 - Topics in Physical Chemistry
One-half course for one semester. An examination of current topics relating to the use of spectroscopy to study electronic structure, molecular dynamics, and chemical reactivity with an emphasis on the primary literature. Prerequisites: Chemistry 316, or 332, or 333, or consent of the instructor. Conference.
Chemistry 470 - Thesis
Full course for one year.
Chemistry 481 - Individual Work in Special Fields
One-half course for one semester.