Course Descriptions
Spring 2006
CHEM 100N. Chemistry & Society
(4 credits)
Houseknecht, Justin
The purpose of this course is to provide non-science major students with an appreciation for the applications and importance of chemistry in our society. Basic chemical and scientific principles will be taught as necessary to understand the important societal issues discussed in class.
CHEM 162B. Chemical Structure & Analysis
(5 credits)
Anderson, Amil; Dudek, Ray; Krouse, Ian
Pre-requisites: Chem 121; Math Placement Score of 25 or Math 120 or simultaneous registration in Math 120.
This course follows Chem 121 and uses the same textbook. Topics include simple kinetics, equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, basic thermodynamics and electrochemistry, wet and instrumental analytical techniques, and a selected survey of main group elements and transition metals and their compounds. The weekly laboratory will emphasize data gathering and analysis, the use of computers in the lab, analytical techniques and inorganic synthesis.
CHEM 281. Analytical Chemistry
(5 credits)
Cline, Kristin
Pre-requisites: Chem 162 and Math 201 or equivalent.
This course will emphasize problem solving through chemical analysis. Students will learn how to choose methods for analysis, acquire data and use statistics to analyze data. The course will cover complex chemical equilibria as it applies to quantitative analysis. Specific methods to be studied and used in lab include volumetric analysis, UV-Vis absorption spectrometry, atomic absorption spectrometry, fluorescence spectrometry, gas and liquid chromatography and potentiometry. Students will design and perform an independent lab project to analyze samples of their choice. The final exam will include the ACS standardized exam on Analytical Chemistry.
CHEM 290. Introduction to Research
(1-3 credits)
Staff
Pre-requisite: Approval of the department.
Pursuit of a special project or problem under the supervision of a member of the faculty involving either laboratory or library work.
CHEM 300. Junior Seminar
(1 credit)
Cline, Kristin
Required of each Chemistry major of junior standing. Attendance at weekly one-hour seminars and discussions is required throughout the year. Each student delivers a one-half hour presentation on a chemical topic prepared under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Several sessions in the fall are devoted to bibliographic instruction, on-line searching, and standard formats for oral and written communication used by practicing chemists. Students register for this course for 0 credits in the fall semester and for 1 credit in the spring semester.
CHEM 302. Organic Chemistry II
(5 credits)
Hanson, Pete
Pre-requisite: Chem 201.
This is the second organic course in the two-tier sequence. It is designed for those students who need two semesters of organic chemistry for medical school and other health related careers, chemistry majors interested in organic synthesis and reaction mechanisms, and biology majors interested in molecular biology who would benefit from an in-depth study of organic chemistry. The course will focus on organic spectroscopy, structure-reactivity relationships, reaction mechanisms, and organic multi-step synthesis. The course will be organized around a reaction mechanism format. The weekly laboratory will emphasize the synthesis and characterization of selected organic compounds.
CHEM 303. Advanced Organic Chemistry
(4 credits)
Hanson, Pete; Houseknecht, Justin
Pre-requisites: Chem 201 and Chem 311, or permission of the instructor.
The course is divided into two portions. In the first, the organic chemistry of biologically relevant molecules will be investigated, with an emphasis on modern synthetic techniques. The second portion will emphasize physical organic chemistry, with an emphasis on reaction mechanisms, kinetics, quantitative structure-property relationships, molecular orbital theory and symmetry-controlled reactions.
CHEM 321. Inorganic Chemistry
(5 credits)
Krouse, Ian
Pre-requisites: Chem 281, Math 202, and Physics 218.
The content of this course will examine atomic and molecular structure, bonding theories, symmetry analysis and group theory, the structure of solids, acid-base theories, structure and bonding of coordination complexes, and brief overviews of organometallic compounds, cluster compounds and multinuclear FT-NMR. The weekly laboratory will involve the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds, experiments using the Computational Chemistry Lab and the Qualitative Analysis Scheme. While covering these traditional content areas, we will also focus on the development of careful critical thinking skills in science and strengthening investigative skills using the textbook and the lab. Exams, homework and lab reports are the primary methods of evaluation.
CHEM 352. Physical Chemistry II
(5 credits)
Dudek, Ray
Pre-requisite: Chem 311.
This course explores the structure and properties of individual atoms and molecules with emphasis on quantum chemistry, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Laboratory required. Writing Intensive.
CHEM 372. Biochemistry II
(5 credits)
Anderson, Amil
Pre-requisites: Chem 271, Math 131 or 201, and Phys 200.
Experimental techniques for biochemical studies will be explored both in the lecture and the laboratory. The physical theory behind many experimental methods will be the focus of the lecture portion of the course. In conjunction with the lab, we will explore some aspects of scientific writing. Approximately five laboratory reports will be written and revised. The classroom sessions will be primarily lecture with students responsible for giving a short presentation. There will be two or three exams during the semester as well as a Final Exam. Laboratory will typically meet one afternoon a week. Writing Intensive.
CHEM 400. Senior Seminar
(1 credit)
Cline, Kristin
Required of each Chemistry major of senior standing. Attendance at weekly one-hour seminars and discussions is required throughout the year. Each student delivers a one-hour presentation on a chemical topic prepared under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Several sessions in the fall are devoted to discussions of the social context in which science transpires in our culture and the ethical and professional issues of being a chemist. Students register for this course for 0 credits in the Fall semester and for 1 credit in the spring semester. Writing Intensive.
CHEM 491. Internship
(2 - 4 credits)
Staff
Pre-requisites: Chem 281 and prior approval of the department.
Chemical research or activity during the summer or academic semester at an approved site or program.
CHEM 492. Directed Research
(2 - 4 credits)
Staff
Pre-requisite: Chem 271, 311, 321 or 382 and permission of the supervising instructor.
Laboratory research project (which can include computational research) in collaboration with a member of the faculty. This may be a more intense continuation of a project started in Chem 290. Students must submit a comprehensive research report by the end of the semester. This course may be repeated for credit.
