Courses intended for non-science majors
Courses intended for members of the Collegiate
Honors Program
Courses intended for students majoring in chemistry
and the sciences (or intending to enter a Health Profession)
Additional courses intended for students majoring
or minoring in chemistry
Courses Intended for Non-Science Majors:
IDIS 150 - Science in the Movies: From Frankenstein to Star
Wars - Science-fiction films have an enduring popularity, perhaps
because they often reflect both the dreams and the anxieties which
the public has about science. Whether the science is good or bad,
this type of film often attracts scientists as well as the general
public. This course focuses on scientific principles and ethical
issues in science-fiction films. Students will view a series of
movies that have themes related to astronomy, biology, chemistry,
computer science, physics, and psychology. Some of these themes
are: artificial intelligence, alien life forms, behavior modification,
evolution, robotics, and space travel. A combination of lecture
and discussion pertaining to its scientific content will follow
each film. Experiments in the laboratory explore some elementary
scientific phenomena related to the films. IDIS 150 may be combined
with either a physical or life science laboratory course to satisfy
the collegiate requirement in laboratory science. One three-hour
laboratory period per week. Four credits. Prof. Schreiner
CHEM 111 - Chemistry for the Citizen - This course, intended
for non-science majors, uses familiar topics to introduce chemical
concepts. The module, "Can we Find a Cure for AIDS?" discusses
the problem of why and how AIDS is spread as well as background
on the disease itself, and focuses on organic chemistry principles.
The module "The Art of Faking It" discusses the chemistry
behind forgery, particulary art forgery. Various specroscopic techniques
will be discussed and inorganic chemistry is introduced. The final
module, "Rock Climbing, Kayaking, and Cycling: The Chemistry
of Outdoor Sports," explores the world of polymer chemistry
by taking an in-depth look at the materials which are used outdoor
sporting equipment. Four credits. Prof. Marchetti and Schreiner.
CHEM 125 - Chemistry and Crime: From Sherlock Holmes to
Today's Courtroom - In this course the student will acquire an understanding
of the methods and techniques used in crime detection. Topics as
diverse as microscopy, toxicology, serology, fingerprinting, and
document and voice examination, as well as arson and explosives
investigation will be examined. Extensive use of case studies will
be made, emphasizing the role that the forensic scientist played
in the detection and solution of the crime. May be used in partial
fulfillment of the collegiate laboratory science requirement, in
combination with one semester of a life science or one semester
of an interdisciplinary science. Three hours of lecture and one
three-hour laboratory. Four credits. Can also be taken without laboratory
for three credit hours. However, the course without laboratory
does not satisfy the collegiate laboratory science requirement.
Prof. Marchetti
CHEM 130 - Environmental Chemistry - This course will provide
students with an interdisciplinary understanding of the chemical
processes that govern environmental phenomena including "global
warming", the "ozone hole," and "biomass conversion".
Students will also investigate public policy surrounding these issues,
as well as the relationship of these issues to physics, biology,
and environmental science. May be used in partial fulfillment of
the collegiate laboratory science requirement in combination with
one semester of a life science or one semester of an interdisciplinary
science. Three hours of lecture and one three-hour laboratory session
per week. Offered alternate years. Four credits. Prof. Moores
Courses for Members of the Collegiate
Honors Program:
HONR 193- Better Living with Chemistry- It has been
stated that "the most tangible way in which science, especially
chemistry, can be concerned with the well-being of society is its
use in the maintenance and improvement of the fabric of society".
This course was designed to introduce some of the fundamental principles
of chemistry and chemical technology, and apply them to a number
of specialized fields of chemistry. We will explore aspects of environmental
and polymer chemistry, as well as forensic and materials science.
In particular, we will focus on how the development of chemical
technology affects our lives on a daily basis. While the scientific
and technological background will allow us to analyze some interesting
areas of chemistry, it is hoped that the course will instill an
appreciation for chemistry as a discipline intimately related to
one's life, and for science in general, as an open-ended field of
study through which one can understand everything from nutrition
to nuclear energy. This course will partially satisfy the collegiate
requirement in the laboratory sciences. Four credits. Staff
Courses for Science Majors and Pre-Health
Profession Students:
CHEM 100 - Introduction to Health Professions - This course
is designed to introduce students to both medical and paramedical
professions. Over a one-semester period of time, students will hear
from experts in many of the major areas of medicine, surveying requisites
to entry, current lifestyle and average pay within each field, and
future potential of each specialty area. Included in this survey
will be information on how to gain exposure to different areas of
the medical professions (internships, volunteering, etc.), where
to apply, and an introduction to the application process. This course
is taught by a local physician. One hour of lecture per week. One
semester hour. Dr. Wortham
CHEM 121-122 - College Chemistry - This two-semester lecture
and lab sequence is designed to prepare science majors for an in-depth
study of the fundamental principles of chemistry. In the fall semester
concepts of structure and composition of matter (the atomic model
and the periodicity model)and bonding (models for ionic and covalent
compounds) are introduced. In the spring semester concepts in equilibrium
and dynamics will be presented: the kinetic-molecular theory of
gases; the kinetic theory of liquids; chemical reaction equilibrium;
thermochemistry, entropy and free energy; rates, extent, and types
of chemical reactions will be covered. Chemistry 121 is a prerequisite
for Chemistry 122. Chemistry 121 may be used in partial fulfillment
of the collegiate laboratory science requirement, in combination
with one semester of a life science or one semester of an interdisciplinary
science. Chemistry 122 is required for an A.C.S. approved degree.
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Three hours of lecture
and three hours of lab per week. Four hours each. Profs. Green and
Schreiner
CHEM 221-222 - Organic Chemistry - Completion of this sequence
satisfies a requirement for chemistry minors, chemistry and biology
majors, and premedical and predental students. Fundamental facts,
theories, and nomenclature of organic compounds and their reactions
are discussed. Students are required to study and understand such
topics as structural theory, stereochemistry, reaction rate theory,
and reaction mechanisms, as applied to basic physical, chemical,
and spectroscopic properties of aliphatic, alicyclic, and aromatic
hydrocarbons, mono-, di-, and polyfunctional compounds, including
some natural products and biomolecules. Computer aided molecular
design is used extensively throughout the course. Laboratory assignments
are designed to teach techniques and theoretical concepts involved
in separation, isolation, purification, and identification of organic
compounds in carrying out organic reactions and the synthesis of
organic materials. Most of the information covered in this course
is prerequisite to biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, other advanced
chemistry, and some biology courses. Prerequisite: Chemistry 122.
Chemistry 221 is a prerequisite for Chemistry 222. Three hours of
lecture and three hours of lab per week. Four hours each. Professor
Thoburn.
Courses for Chemistry Majors/Minors:
CHEM 251-252, CHEM 351-352 - Directed Study in Chemistry
- These courses are designed for students wishing to work on a research
project prior to the senior year. Interested students may select
a project in consultation with a faculty member and work under his/her
supervision. Permission from a chemistry faculty member is required.
The student is required to spend at least three hours per week in
the laboratory. Prerequisites: Chemistry 122. Corequisite for Chem.
251-252: Chem. 221-222. One semester hour. Staff
CHEM 311-312 - Physical Chemistry - Application of the laws
of physics to chemical phenomena will be examined. An attempt is
made to provide a theoretical foundation for the study of the other
disciplines of chemistry, and applications are drawn from these
disciplines whenever possible. Topics considered include chemical
thermodynamics, including its application to thermochemistry, phase
equilibria, electrochemistry and surface chemistry; the kinetic
theory of gases and statistical mechanics as applied to chemical
systems; chemical kinetics, including the treatment of rate data
and the theory of rate processes; quantum theory as applied to the
spectra and structure of atoms and molecules; and the elements of
crystallography. Prerequisites: Chemistry 121-122, Physics 152,
and Mathematics 132 or 142. Chemistry 311 is a prerequisite for
Chemistry 312. Three credits. Prof. Moores
CHEM 321 - Quantitative Chemical Analysis - This course
presents the theory and techniques necessary for quantitative analysis
of chemical systems at equilibrium. Topics covered will include
volumetric and gravimetric analysis, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry,
spectrophotometry and chromatography. Laboratory investigations
will involve wet chemical methods and introductory instrumental
techniques to analyze quantitatively the components of complex mixtures
and statistical methods to interpret the analytical results. Three
hours of lecture and three hours of lab per week. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 122 and 122L, Physics 151 (corequisite), or consent of
the instructor. Offered in alternate years. Four hours. Prof. Marchetti.
CHEM 322 - Instrumental Methods of Analysis - In this course
the student will acquire an understanding of the fundamental principles
upon which modern measuring devices are based, the kinds of information
an instrument can contribute to a chemical analysis and how to interface
the instruments to a computer both for instrumental control and
for data acquisition. Among the methods studied will be UV/visible,
fluorescence, IR, NMR and AA spectrosocpy, mass spectrometry, gas
and high pressure liquid chromatography, thermal methods (DSC and
TGA). Three lectures per week. Prerequisites: Chemistry 311, 321,
321L, Physics 102 or 112 and 122L (corequisites). Three credits.
Prof. Marchetti.
CHEM 325 - Introduction to Research - This course is designed
to introduce chemistry students to the principles and techniques
of chemical research. Topics covered include chemical literature
searching, research proposal writing, oral presentation, experimental
design, the principles of laboratory safety, and scientific ethics.
This course, which is offered only in the spring term, serves as
a prerequisite to Chem. 497, and is open only to second-semester
juniors. One semester hour. Staff.
CHEM 341L - 342L - Advanced Chemistry Laboratory I and II:
Synthesis and Separation - An introduction to the synthesis and
separation of various classes of compounds. Experimental projects
will be drawn from diverse areas of chemical compounds: organometallics,
polymers, bioorganic and bioinorganic compounds, etc. Numerous
separatory techniques (recrystallization, fractional distillation,
and chromatography, etc.) will be introduced as needed in the lab.
Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of
the work done through performance in lab, preparation of written
laboratory reports, and oral presentations in class. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 222. One three-hour laboratory per week. One semester
hour. Staff
CHEM 400 - Chemical Internship - This course is designed
to introduce chemistry majors who express an interest in pursuing
a career in chemistry to industrial and institutional research and
development. Each student will spend four weeks (five days per week)
in an industrial or institutional scientific laboratory. Actual
work performed will be determined by on-site supervisors. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 121-122 , 221-222, 311, 341 or 342, 321, a quality point
average of 3.00 in all chemistry courses, and departmental approval.
Offered only during the January Term. Enrollment is limited. Three
credits. Staff
CHEM 401 - Advanced Experimental Chemistry - A student who
wishes to work on a research project for eight hours per day, five
days per week, for four weeks during the January term will have
the opportunity to do so in this course. Daily logs, weekly reports,
and a final report must be written to the satisfaction of a faculty
supervisor. Offered only during the January Term. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 121-122, 221-222, 321, 311 and 341 or 342. Three credits.
Staff
CHEM 402 - Medicinal Chemistry - This course is offered
for those students who want to pursue a career in some area of the
health-related sciences. It should be of interest to both chemistry
and biology majors. Studies are made of the chemical structures
of drugs and their direct influence on pharmacological activity.
Many classifications of drugs are covered, and emphasis is placed
on structures, mechanisms of action, syntheses, and structure-activity
relationships. Students are expected to obtain an understanding
of the structural features of drugs that cause them to produce various
types of biological responses. This basic understanding will support
further studies in such fields as medicine, dentistry, biochemistry,
or pharmaceutical chemistry. Three hours of lecture each week. Prerequisite:
Chemistry 221-222 or permission of the instructor. Three credits.
Prof. Green.
CHEM 405 - Inorganic Chemistry - This course offers chemistry
majors an in-depth study of the fundamental principles of inorganic
chemistry. Topics such as bonding, molecular geometry, and the chemical
reactions of ionic, covalent, and metallic substances will be discussed.
Concepts of acid-base chemistry (Bronsted-Lowry, Lewis, Drago, and
Lux-Flood systems) will be examined. The student will study the
synthesis, structure, properties, and periodic trends of the main-group
elements as well as the coordination chemistry and descriptive chemistry,
bonding, spectroscopy, thermodynamics, kinetics, and structure of
the compounds of the transition elements. As time permits, applications
to organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry will be introduced.
Three hours of lecture each week. This course is required for an
A.C.S. approved degree. Prerequisite: Chemistry 311 or 321 or consent
of the instructor. Three credits. Prof. Schreiner
CHEM 407-408 - Biochemistry - An in-depth study of the chemistry
of living systems. Topics to be covered will include: structures
of amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, nucleic acids;
protein folding and function; membrane structure and transport;
hormones and receptors; kinetics, mechanisms, and regulation of
enzymes; degradative and synthetic metabolic pathways of various
classes of molecules; synthesis of nucleic acids and proteins; expression
of genetic information. A major theme of the class will be the relationships
between molecular structure, function, and regulation. Three hours
of lecture each week. Chemistry 407 is required for an ACS approved
degree. Prerequisites: Chemistry 221-222; introductory biology is
helpful but is not required. Chemistry 407 is a prerequisite for
Chemistry 408. Three credits. Prof. Green.
CHEM 415 - Chemistry Seminar - This course serves to present
chemistry and the chemist in a variety of contexts. Lectures given
by students and guest speakers describe recent chemical research,
discuss chemists' participation in industry, law, medicine, and
other areas, and emphasize written and oral communication of technical
information. Senior standing required. One semester hour. Speaking
intensive. Staff.
CHEM 441L - Advanced Chemistry Laboratory III: Analysis
and Characterization - An introduction to the molecular characterization
of various classes of compounds. Experimental projects will be drawn
from diverse areas of chemistry: organometallics, polymer, bioorganic,
bioinorganic, etc. Numerous analytical techniques (for example spectroscopic,
electrochemical, or calorimetric) will be used as needed in lab.
Students will be expected to demonstrate their understanding of
the work done through performance in lab, preparation of written
laboratory reports, and oral presentations in class. One three-hour
laboratory per week. One semester hour. Offered only in the fall
term. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222 and 342 or consent of the instructor.
Prof. Schreiner.
CHEM 442 - Advanced Chemistry Laboratory IV: Exploration
and Discovery - A synthesis of Chem 341-342 and Chem. 441. Students
participating in this course will select and carry out a research
project covering an area of current chemical investigation. The
project may be selected from the traditional areas of chemistry
(inorganic, organic, analytical, physical, or biochemistry) or from
an interface between these areas. An oral presentation and a final
report must be given at the conclusion of the course. One three-hour
laboratory period per week. One semester hour. Offered only in the
spring term. Prerequisites: Chemistry 325 and Chemistry 441. Staff
CHEM 497-498 - Senior Project - The purpose of this sequence
is to allow qualified students to carry out original experimental
work within a research atmosphere. Considerable self-discipline,
diligence, and ingenuity on the part of the students are necessary.
Students may spend the entire period working on a research project
of their own choice, upon approval and under the guidance of the
departmental faculty, or on projects designed by and of interest
to individual faculty members. In either case, students may be required
to use techniques and apparatus that may not have been available
to them in other courses. They will be expected to plan and carry
out their work on their own initiative to the satisfaction of the
faculty member directly involved and of the department. A written
thesis and several oral presentations are required. The equivalent
of six hours of laboratory work per week, in addition to time required
for library research and thesis preparation, is expected of each
student who enrolls in this sequence. The ultimate goal of this
training is to impart to each student self-reliance and confidence
concerning laboratory research. All qualified students who intend
to pursue graduate work in chemistry are urged to enroll in this
sequence. It is required for an A.C.S. approved degree. Prerequisites:
Chemistry 325 and Departmental approval. Three credits. Staff