Chemistry

This course covers fundamental aspects of general chemistry in two semesters, including descriptive chemistry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry. Most of the work is quantitative in nature. The department.

This course covers fundamental aspects of general chemistry in two semesters, including descriptive chemistry, chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, states of matter, properties of solutions, thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibria, and electrochemistry. Most of the work is quantitative in nature. The department.

This course is designed to cover the important aspects of general chemistry in one semester, and is appropriate for students who have previously studied chemistry. The material covered includes chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, and general chemical physics, emphasizing the fundamental aspects of and connections between equilibria, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics. The department.

Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry in the study of evidence in criminal or civil cases. This course covers underlying chemistry concepts and scientific methods as applied to the study of the forensic evidence. An introductory level of organic and polymer chemistry relevant to the study of forensic evidence is also included. Students apply modern analytical methods in the study of glass samples, fingerprints, hair and fibers, paints, drugs, trace metals, and arson investigations. The analytical methods include thin layer chromatography (TLC), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, gas chromatography, GCMS, inductively coupled plasma (ICP), and X-ray fluorescence (XRF). The format of the course is based on lectures, laboratory exercises, case study discussions, and several guest speakers on select topics in forensics science. Sarjit Kaur.

This course provides an introduction to modern research instrumentation and techniques in chemistry through multiple-week laboratory projects. Students get experience with the use of advanced instrumentation, and in interpreting and analyzing the experimental results. Topics may include: structural characterization with X-ray crystallography; materials analysis with scanning probe microscopies; polymer synthesis and characterization; synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials; computational chemistry to perform theoretical ab initio calculations and computer modeling of biomolecules. Zachary Donhauser.

(Same as STS 146) A basic biological need of all organisms is the ability to acquire nutrients from the environment; humans accomplish this in many creative ways. Food is an important factor in societies that influences population growth, culture, migration, and conflict. Humans discovered the science and art of food preparation, topics that are explored in this course, not in a single step but rather as an evolving process that continues to this day. This course develops the basic chemistry, biochemistry and microbiology of food preparation; explores the biochemical basis of certain nutritional practices; covers social and political aspects of foods throughout world history. It covers controversies like genetically modified organisms, the production of high-fructose corn syrup, and the historic role of food commodities such as salt, rum, and cod in the world economy. Course topics are explored through lectures, student presentations, and readings from both popular and scientific literature. The course includes a few laboratories to explore the basic science behind food preparation. Miriam Rossi.

Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member of their choosing. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The department.

An introduction to the structure of organic molecules and to their nomenclature. Among the properties of organic compounds, shape, charge distribution, and spectroscopic properties are emphasized. Laboratory work includes isolation, physical transformations and identification of organic compounds including the application of gas chromatography and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The department.

A study of the reactions of organic compounds from a mechanistic point of view. Laboratory work includes synthesis, qualitative analysis, and quantitative investigation of reaction rates and equilibria which emphasize mechanistic considerations. The department.

(Same as STS 255) Forensic chemistry is the application of chemistry in the study of evidence in criminal or civil cases. This course covers underlying chemistry concepts and scientific methods in the analysis and evaluation of several types of forensic  evidence.  Topics include crime scene investigation and case studies, overview of rules of evidence, finger-printing analysis, GCMS and FTIR  characterization of organic compounds and fibers,  hair and glass analysis, and DNA profiling. Sarjit Kaur.

(Same as BIOL 272) Basic course covering protein structure and synthesis, enzyme action, bio-energetic principles, electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, selected metabolic pathways in prokaryotic and eukaryotic cells. Collin Aitken, Eric Eberhardt, Krystle McLaughlin, William Straus.

This course introduces several molecular modeling methods in computational chemistry (molecular mechanics, semi-empirical and ab-initio methods, and density functional theory) to study geometries, properties, and reactivities of organic compounds; an introductory level of theory is presented to delineate the basis of these molecular modeling methods. The course also includes computational laboratory exercises to supplement concepts covered in lectures, and project-based exercises to explore applications of computational methods in the study of chemical systems.

Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member of their choosing. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The department.

A detailed study of the structure and function of proteins. Structure determination, mechanisms of catalysis and regulation, and the interactions of enzymes in complex systems are treated. Krystle McLaughlin.

(Same as BIOL 324) An examination of the macromolecular processes underlying storage, transfer, and expression of genetic information. Topics include the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA; mutation and repair; the chemistry of RNA and protein synthesis; the regulation of gene expression; cancer and oncogenes; the molecular basis of cell differentiation; and genetic engineering. Collin Aitken.

This course explores the intersection of biology and chemistry. Topics include the structure and function of proteins, bioenergetics, information flows and the molecular basis for metabolic pathways. Eric Eberhardt.

An introduction to structure and reactivity of inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, including the following topics: chemical applications of group theory, atomic and molecular structure, theories of bonding, the solid state, coordination chemistry, inorganic reaction mechanisms, and organometallic chemistry. Miriam Rossi.

Selected topics in organic chemistry such as stereochemistry, conformational analysis, carbanions, carbocations, radicals, kinetic and thermodynamic control of reactions, mechanisms, synthesis. Christopher Smart.

Equations of state for gases; the laws of thermodynamics; solutions and phase equilibria; chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics. Zachary Donhauser.

Introductory wave mechanics and bonding theories; electrical and magnetic properties of molecules; spectroscopy; statistical mechanics. Leah Bendavid.

The course includes selected topics which are of interest to chemistry majors as well as biochemistry and physics majors. Possible topics include applications of group theory, interaction of radiation with matter, molecular spectroscopy, reaction kinetics, reaction rate theory, and statistical mechanics. The material covered in any particular semester depends on the mutual interests of the instructor and the students. The department.

An introduction to chemical analysis, this course covers the theoretical and practical aspects of spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chromatographic -methods, including topics in instrumentation, statistics, and chemometrics. Stuart Belli.

This course focuses on the use of modern analytical instrumentation to identify unknown organic compounds. Students get extensive hands-on experience using Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (NMR) (1H, 13C, DEPT, COSY, HETCOR), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), and Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS). Working with weekly unknowns, students learn to interpret spectra and assemble the data necessary to support both a formula and structure determination. The department.

Advanced laboratory work may be elected in the field of organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, biochemistry, or environmental chemistry. The department.

This course provides a comprehensive laboratory experience in chemistry. Selected experiments teach advanced chemistry techniques and reinforce principles introduced in 300 level chemistry courses. The course exposes students to chemistry as an integrated subject, tying together the sub-disciplines that are traditionally offered as independent courses. This includes: instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Alison Spodek Keimowitz and Joseph Tanski.

This course provides a comprehensive laboratory experience in chemistry. Selected experiments teach advanced chemistry techniques and reinforce principles introduced in 300 level chemistry courses. The course exposes students to chemistry as an integrated subject, tying together the sub-disciplines that are traditionally offered as independent courses. This includes: instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, biochemistry, environmental, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Stuart Belli and Zachary Donhauser.

(Same as ENST 375) This course explores the fundamentals of aqueous chemistry as applied to natural waters. The global water cycle and major water resources are introduced. Principles explored include: kinetics and thermodynamics, atmosphere-water interactions, rock-water interactions, precipitation and dissolution, acids and bases, oxidation and reduction, and nutrient and trace metal cycling. Alison Spodek Keimowitz.

Properties and uses of selected polymers (thermally stable, conducting, and biodegradable). This course includes organic and kinetic aspects of polymerizations, characterization techniques for structure determination, thermal and -mechanical properties, and measurement of molecular weight and distribution. Laboratory techniques and experiments leading to synthesis, characterization and physical properties of selected polymers (synthesized or commercially available polymers) are emphasized. Sarjit Kaur.

Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member of their choosing. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The department.