Knowledge of the chemical world is important for any educated person because chemical concepts and issues affect so many aspects of our personal lives and society. Coursework in chemistry naturally prepares one to understand the physical and living worlds; it also prepares one to make scientifically-informed contributions to many other fields and to society. Areas such as molecular biology, environmental law and policy, bioethics, patent law, medicine and education are examples of fields where chemical knowledge is needed. Both biochemistry and chemistry majors pursue graduate studies in chemistry, biochemistry or medicine upon graduation. Other career paths available to these majors include employment in fields such as the pharmaceutical industry, law, environmental monitoring and technical sales/management. The chemistry faculty encourages students to participate in collaborative research during the school year, Winter Term and summers. Such research is an important facet of a student's education. Students may also choose to pursue an internship at a national laboratory or in an industrial or medical setting at some point in their training. All chemistry students may participate in the activities of the award-winning Chemistry Club. The Women in Science group also sponsors speakers and activities of interest to chemistry students. Majors and minors are offered in chemistry and biochemistry. No chemistry course may be taken pass/fail.

Course Catalog

Requirements for a major

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Requirements for a minor

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Courses in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Structure and Properties of Organic Molecules

This course introduces the basics of chemical bonding, structure and behavior in the context of organic molecules. Emphasis is placed on the nature of bonding, how chemists determine structure, the three-dimensional aspects of structure and how molecular structure determines chemical behavior. Lab activities are designed to reinforce class topics while introducing common organic lab techniques, such as liquid-liquid extraction, NMR, IR, GC/MS, and molecular modeling. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or CHEM 180 or permission of instructor. May not be taken pass/fail.

Structure and Properties of Inorganic Compounds

An introduction to structure, bonding, properties and simple reactions of inorganic compounds. Topics covered include basic quantum theory, bonding theories, molecular and solid state structure and periodic properties of the elements and their compounds. Application of these topics to biological, environmental and geological systems will be stressed. The lab will focus on the synthesis, structure, properties, and reactivity of inorganic substances, including simple ionic substances and coordination complexes. Characterization using infrared and visible spectroscopy is also introduced. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or CHEM 180 or permission of instructor. May not be taken pass/fail.

Advanced Placement in General Chemistry

Advanced placement credit for entering first-year students.

Stoichiometric Calculations

A review of the quantitative treatment of chemistry and chemical reactions. Topics include ways to express the absolute and relative amount of chemicals (grams, moles and concentration), balancing chemical reactions, mole-to-mole relationships, limiting reagents and theoretical yields. The course is composed of a series of self-paced modules. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or CHEM 180 or permission of instructor. May not be taken pass/fail.

Topics in Chemistry and Biochemistry

Selected topics in Chemistry and Biochemistry, suitable for non-majors. Not open to students with credit for any college chemistry course. May not be counted toward a major in chemistry or biochemistry. May not be taken pass/fail.

First-year Seminar: Green Chemistry

A seminar focused on a theme related to the study of chemistry. Open only to first-year students. May not be taken pass/fail.

Structure and Function of Biomolecules

An introduction to the molecules of living organisms. Topics will include the chemical and physical nature of biological macromolecules, including proteins, nucleic acids, lipids and carbohydrates. The lab will emphasize characterization of biomolecules using common biochemical techniques. Physical and computer models will be utilized in both class and lab. Prerequisite: CHEM 120. Pre- or co-requisite: CHEM 170.

Thermodynamics, Equilibrium and Kinetics

A rigorous introduction to the theoretical principles governing the favorability of reactions, extent of reactions and rate of reactions. The application of these topics to environmental chemistry, geochemistry and/or biochemistry is also considered. Laboratory work is designed to reinforce class topics while stressing the importance of making careful quantitative measurements and the careful design of experiments. Prerequisite: CHEM 170, and CHEM 120 or CHEM 130. May not be taken pass/fail.

Enzyme Mechanisms

An introduction to organic mechanisms as they occur in metabolic processes. The course begins with a rigorous study of organic mechanisms commonly seen in biological systems, and progresses to the mechanisms behind the transformations of lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids and nucleotides in metabolic pathways. Examples from the primary literature will be considered in detail. May not be counted as an elective for the chemistry major. Prerequisite: CHEM 130, Chem 240, CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Organic Mechanisms and Synthesis

This course covers reactivity and mechanisms in organic chemistry, with a focus on reactions of key importance in both laboratory synthesis and biological systems. Laboratory introduces fundamental methods of synthesis and purification, and makes use of instrumentation to verify structure and purity. Prerequisites: CHEM 130, Chem 240, CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms

This course offers a more in-depth look at the range of inorganic reactions. Basics of structure, bonding and properties are used to rationalize reactions ranging from simple precipitation, redox, and acid-base reaction to significantly more involved organometallic reaction mechanisms. Topics vary from year to year but other possible topics include inorganic catalytic cycles, inner and outer sphere redox chemistry, dissociative and associative mechanisms in coordination chemistry, and major bioinorganic reaction mechanisms. Frequently examples are chosen from the most recent primary chemical literature. Prerequisite: CHEM 130, CHEM 240 and CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Inorganic Synthesis

A laboratory course focusing on advanced synthesis techniques, such as air sensitive handling, sublimation and solid-state synthesis. Use of the chemical literature will be integrated into the course. Prerequisite: CHEM 130, CHEM 240 and CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Topics in Chemical Reactivity

Selected topics in inorganic and organic chemical reactivity are offered. May be repeated for credit (with a different topic). Prerequisite: varies with topic. May not be taken pass/fail.

Topics in Biochemistry

Selected topics in biochemistry are offered. May be repeated for credit (with a different topic). Prerequisite: varies with topic. May not be taken pass/fail.

Advanced Biochemistry

Students in this class will develop an integrated picture of human metabolism by examining the chemistry, energetics and control of metabolic pathways. Through discussion of classic experiments and current research, students will also gain an understanding of how knowledge in the field develops, and how discoveries lead to treatments for metabolic disease. Prerequisites: CHEM 130, Chem 240, CHEM 260; BIO 101 or BIO 215. May not be taken pass/fail.

Chemometrics

An introduction to the mathematical handling of chemical data, including the statistical analysis of data, linear regression, standardization strategies, sampling, optimization and ruggedness testing. Prerequisite: CHEM 130, CHEM 240, CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Analytical Equilibria

This course provides a more detailed examination of equilibrium chemistry and its application to gravimetry, titrimetry and analytical separations, including solvent extractions and chromatography. Prerequisite: CHEM 130, CHEM 240 and CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Instrumental Methods of Analysis

A detailed examination of spectroscopic, electrochemical and flow injection methods of analysis. The application of kinetic methods of analysis is also considered. Prerequisite: CHEM 130, CHEM 240 and CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Topics in Chemical Analysis

Selected topics in chemical analysis are offered. May be repeated for credit (with a different topic). Prerequisite: varies with topic. May not be taken pass/fail.

Chemical Kinetics

A careful study of the key methods for the kinetic analysis of chemical systems. In addition to reviewing basic methodologies, such as the method of initial rates and simple integrated rate equations, considerable attention is given to more complicated kinetic mechanisms. Consecutive, competing, oscillating and explosive reactions are covered. Prerequisite: MATH 152, PHYS 130, CHEM 130, CHEM 240, CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Chemical Thermodynamics

This course will look at the fundamental principles of thermodynamics and how those principles govern the behavior of chemical systems. Emphasis will be given to applications in biochemical systems. Prerequisite: MATH 152, PHYS 130, CHEM 130, CHEM 240, CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Quantum Mechanics in Chemistry

This course examines the core quantum mechanical models, including the particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotor, and hydrogen atom. Emphasis is placed on the power and limits of each model in explaining molecular vibrations, rotations and electronic motions. Approximation methods are discussed to extend the models to a larger number of physical systems. Prerequisite: MATH 152, PHYS 130, CHEM 130, CHEM 240, CHEM 260. May not be taken pass/fail.

Topics in Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Selected topics in theoretical and computational chemistry are offered. May be repeated for credit (with a different topic). Prerequisite: varies with topic. May not be taken pass/fail.

Independent Study

Directed independent study. Participation by arrangement with a faculty member. An oral presentation and written report are required. May be repeated; however, only one-half course total from CHEM 395 and 405 may be counted toward the chemistry or biochemistry major. Consult with research supervisor to determine credit. Permission of instructor required.

Teaching of Chemistry

For students preparing to teach in secondary schools. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Not applicable toward the major. May not be taken pass/fail.

Thesis

Completion of a research project and the preparation of a written thesis and oral presentation. Participation by arrangement with a faculty member. For students finishing a research project and writing a thesis. May not be repeated. Course grade will be assigned by the joint chemistry faculty. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.

Biophysical Chemistry

This course will examine the physical and chemical behavior of biomolecules from a quantitative perspective emphasizing applications and problem solving. Approximately half the course will focus on understanding biochemical reactions, structures and reactivity from a thermodynamic and kinetic perspective. The other half of the course will consider selected topics from biochemical applications of spectroscopy, crystallography and separations science. Prerequisites: CHEM 130, 240, 260; MATH 151; PHYS 120; BIO 315. May not be taken pass/fail.

Method Development

Three laboratory hours and one hour recitation. A project-based laboratory course focusing on the development of analytical methods. Pre- or co-requisite: CHEM 351, CHEM 352 or CHEM 353. May not be taken pass/fail.

Theory and Experiment

Three laboratory hours and one hour recitation. This project based laboratory will develop skills in asking fundamental questions about chemical behavior, deciding which theories can be used to explain that behavior, and then designing and implementing experiments to answer these questions. Pre- or co-requisite: CHEM 361 or CHEM 362 or CHEM 363. May not be taken pass/fail.

Senior Capstone

This course provides students with the opportunity to study an area of interest within Chemistry and Biochemistry through analysis, research and reading peer-reviewed literature, participate in discussions via course topics and assignments, and develop and present a final project based on their selected area of interest.