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111-112-113. General Chemistry I, II, III (=EnvStd 111-112-113). PQ:
Good performance on the mathematics and physical sciences placement tests. This
course sequence fulfills the Common Core requirement in the physical sciences.
A discussion of atomic and molecular theories, chemical periodicity, and
types of chemical reaction is followed in the first quarter by the chemical
importance of pressure and temperature, phase diagrams, and acid-base and
heterogeneous equilibria. During the second quarter the principles of chemical
thermodynamics are covered, with applications to chemical and biological
systems and to phase equilibria and electrochemistry. In the third quarter,
ideas of atomic structure and chemical bonding are studied, along with the
special features of liquids and solids and the chemistry of the representative
elements. Laboratory work in Chem 111-112-113 includes some quantitative
measurements, the properties of the important elements and their compounds, and
experiments associated with the common ions and their separation and
identification by semi-micro methods. Section A emphasizes the role of chemical
and physical processes in the environment, especially in water and in the
atmosphere. Section B has a more traditional organization. 111A R. Clayton,
111B J. Light, Autumn; 112A D. Oxtoby, 112B T. Oka, Winter; 113A G. Fleming,
113B R. S. Berry, Spring. L: R. Gomer, Autumn; R. Gomer, Winter; L. Butler,
Spring.
121-122-123. Honors General Chemistry I, II, III. PQ: Superior
performance on the mathematics and physical sciences placement tests. This
course sequence fulfills the Common Core requirement in the physical sciences.
The subject matter and general program of Chem 121-122-123 is the same as
that of Chem 111-112-113. However, this course is designed for the student
deemed well prepared for a systematic study of chemistry. K. Freed, Autumn;
P. Guyot-Sionnest, Winter; L. Butler, Spring. L: R. Gomer, Autumn; R. Gomer,
Winter; L. Butler, Spring.
201-202. Inorganic Chemistry I, II. PQ for Chem 201: Chem 111-112-113 or
121-122-123 and some knowledge of organic chemistry. PQ for Chem 202: Chem 201
and 222. The extraordinarily diverse chemistry of the elements is organized
in terms of molecular structure, electronic properties, and chemical
reactivity. Chem 201 concentrates on structure and bonding, solid state
chemistry, and selected topics in the chemistry of the main group elements and
coordination chemistry. Chem 202 focuses on organometallic chemistry,
reactions, synthesis, and catalysis as well as bioinorganic chemistry. J.
Burdett, Winter; B. Bosnich, Spring.
217-218-219 and 220-221-222. Organic Chemistry I, II, III. PQ: An
average grade of C or better in Chem 111-112-113 or 121-122-123
or consent of the department. Two conceptually equivalent sequences of
Organic Chemistry are offered. Both sequences start at the same point but use
different examples to develop a conceptual understanding of organic structure
and reactivity.
217-218-219. Organic Chemistry I, II, III (Variant A). The fundamental
structures of organic molecules and the spectroscopic methods used to define
these structures are studied. An understanding of the reaction mechanisms of
organic molecules is developed and extended to biological reactions and the
molecules that catalyze these reactions. The structure and functional aspects
of these molecules are used to develop the principles of chemical catalysis and
an understanding of reaction mechanisms. Primary focus is placed on catalysis
in biological reactions. D. Lynn, Autumn; J. Piccirilli, Winter; E. Gouaux,
Spring.
220-221-222. Organic Chemistry I, II, III (Variant B). The fundamental
structures of organic molecules and the spectroscopic methods used to define
these structures are studied. An understanding of the reactions of organic
molecules is developed and extended to the study of molecules with multiple
functional groups. The chemistry of biologically important molecules such as
carbohydrates, peptides, and nucleic acids is addressed and extended to the
study of macromolecular structures of both natural and unnatural origin. W.
Wulff, Autumn; D. Lynn, Winter; P. Eaton, N. C. Yang, Spring.
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223. Intermediate Organic Chemistry. PQ: A grade of C or better
in Chem 219 or 222. This course is intended to provide a more in-depth
study of structure and reactivity in organic chemistry and bioorganic
chemistry. It deals with aspects of multistep synthesis, elemental molecular
orbital theory, pericyclic reactions, chemistry of macromolecules and
biological macromolecules, and introduction to bioorganic chemistry. N. C.
Yang. Autumn.
227. Advanced Organic-Inorganic Laboratory. PQ: Chem 223. A
project approach is combined with an exposure to the more advanced techniques
in organic and inorganic chemistry. Multistep syntheses, the synthesis of
air-sensitive compounds, advanced chromatographic and spectroscopic
characterization of products, and the handling of reactive intermediates are a
part of the laboratory. G. Hillhouse. Spring.
261-262-263. Physical Chemistry I, II, III. PQ: Chem 113 or 123, Math
201, and Phys 133. This three-quarter sequence contains a study of the
application of physical and mathematical methods to the investigation of
chemical systems.
261. Quantum Mechanics. This course presents quantum mechanics, the
Schrödinger wave equation with exact and approximate methods of solution,
angular momentum, and atomic spectra and structure. S. Sibener.
Autumn.
262. Thermodynamics. This course continues the sequence with the study of
thermodynamic principles and applications. S. Rice. Winter.
263. Statistical Mechanics and Kinetics. A discussion of statistical
mechanics, kinetics, and surface chemistry. D. Levy. Spring.
267. Physical Chemistry Laboratory. PQ: Chem 261 and concurrent
enrollment in Chem 262. An introduction to the principles and practice of
physical chemical measurements. Techniques used in the design and construction
of apparatus are discussed in lectures and practice is provided through
laboratory exercises and experiments. Subjects include vacuum techniques,
electronics, optics, use of computers in laboratory instrumentation, materials
of construction, and data analysis. G. Fleming. Winter.
268. Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. PQ: Chem 267. Students
carry out research in physical chemistry in individual faculty laboratories.
R. Gomer. Spring.
299. Advanced Research in Chemistry. PQ: Consent of a faculty sponsor
and the undergraduate counselor. Open only to students eligible for honors who
have submitted the College Reading and Research Course Form. May be taken
either for a letter grade or for P/N or P/F. Advanced,
individually guided research for College students concentrating in chemistry.
Students may submit a written report covering their research activities for
consideration for departmental honors. Staff. Summer, Autumn, Winter,
Spring.
301. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. PQ: Chem 201 and 263, or consent of
instructor. Group theory and its applications in inorganic chemistry are
developed. These concepts are used in surveying the chemistry of inorganic
compounds from the standpoint of quantum chemistry, chemical bonding
principles, and the relationship between structure and reactivity. L. Sita.
Autumn.
302. Inorganic Spectroscopy and Physical Methods. PQ: Chem 301.
Spectroscopic techniques and physical methods important in inorganic and
organic chemistry (vibrational spectroscopy, electrochemistry, practical NMR
techniques, magnetic properties of metal complexes, etc.) are emphasized. J.
Burdett, L. Sita. Winter.
304. Organometallic Chemistry. PQ: Chem 301, and Chem 321 or 322.
The preparation and properties of organometallic compounds, notably those
of the transition elements; their reactions; and the concepts of homogeneous
catalysis are discussed. J. Halpern. Spring.
306. Chemistry of the Elements. PQ: Chem 201. The descriptive
chemistries of the main-group elements and the transition metals are surveyed
from a synthetic perspective, and reaction chemistry of inorganic molecules is
systematically developed. B. Bosnich, G. Hillhouse. Winter.
321. Physical Organic Chemistry. PQ: Chem 222 and 262, or consent of
instructor. This course focuses on the quantitative aspects of structure
and reactivity: molecular orbital theory and the insight it provides into
structures and properties of molecules, stereochemistry, thermochemistry,
kinetics, substituent and isotope effects, and pericyclic reactions. L. Yu,
L. Stock. Autumn.
322-323. Synthetic Organic Chemistry. PQ: Chem 222 or consent of
instructor. Chem 322 represents a close consideration of the mechanisms,
applicability, and limitations of the major reactions in organic chemistry, and
of stereochemical control in synthesis. Chem 323 represents a dissection of the
most important syntheses of complex natural and unnatural products and covers
such topics as synthesis planning and methodology, the logic of synthesis, and
biogenesis. P. Eaton, Autumn; W. Wulff, Winter.
325. Bioorganic Chemistry. A goal of this course is to relate chemical
phenomena with biological activities. The course covers two main areas: (1)
chemical modifications of biological macromolecules and their potential effects
and (2) the application of spectroscopic methods to elucidate the structure and
dynamics of biologically relevant molecules. K. Agarwal. Spring.
329. Polymer Chemistry. PQ: Chem 222 and 263. This course introduces
a broad range of polymerization reactions and discusses their mechanisms and
kinetics. New concepts of polymerization and new materials of current interests
are introduced and discussed. The physical properties of polymers, ranging from
thermal properties to electrical and optical properties in both a solution
state and a solid state are discussed, with the main emphasis on
structure/property relationship. L. Yu. Spring.
361. Wave Mechanics and Spectroscopy. PQ: Chem 263. The introductory
concepts, general principles, and applications of wave mechanics to
spectroscopy are presented. D. Levy. Autumn.
362. Quantum Mechanics. PQ: Chem 361. A formal development of
quantum mechanics is presented, including operators, matrix mechanics, and
perturbation methods. The theory is applied to the description of the
electronic structure of atoms and molecules. K. Freed. Winter.
363. Statistical Mechanics. PQ: Chem 262. The general theory of
statistical mechanics is applied to thermodynamics. Various perfect systems,
some special distributions, and special topics are examined. J. Light.
Winter.
364. Chemical Thermodynamics. PQ: Chem 262. The thermodynamics of
equilibrium systems is discussed. R. S. Berry. Autumn.
365. Chemical Dynamics. PQ: Chem 361 required; Chem 363 recommended.
This course develops a molecular-level description of chemical kinetics,
reaction dynamics, and energy transfer in both gases and liquids. Topics
include potential energy surfaces, collision dynamics and scattering theory,
reaction rate theory, collisional and radiationless energy transfer,
molecule-surface interactions, Brownian motion, time correlation functions, and
computer simulations. S. Sibener. Spring.
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Chemistry Courses
In the following course descriptions, L refers to courses with
laboratory. In chemistry laboratories, safety goggles must be worn at all
times. Students who require prescriptive lenses may wear prescription glasses
under goggles; contact lenses may not be worn. Medical exceptions must be
obtained from the laboratory director.
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