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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.
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. Lab 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 P. Guyot-Sionnest,
111B R. S. Berry, Autumn; 112A J. Abbatt, 112B J. Light, Winter; 113A R.
Clayton, 113B S. Sibener, Spring. L: Staff; Autumn, Winter, 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. D. Levy, Autumn; S. Rice,
Winter; G. Fleming, Spring. L: Staff; Autumn, Winter, 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 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. W. Wulff, Autumn; J. Piccirilli,
Winter; D. Lynn, 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. L. Yu, Autumn; V. Rawal, Winter; P. Eaton, Spring.
223. Intermediate Organic Chemistry. PQ: A grade of C or better
in Chem 219 or 222, or consent of instructor. 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 201 and 223,
or consent of instructor. (Concurrent registration in 202 recommended.)
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 lab. 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. K. Freed. Autumn.
262. Thermodynamics. This course continues the sequence with the study
of thermodynamic principles and applications. D. Levy. Winter.
263. Statistical Mechanics and Kinetics. A discussion of statistical
mechanics, kinetics, and surface chemistry. L. Butler. Spring.
267. Physical Chemistry Laboratory. PQ: Chem 261 and concurrent enrollment
in 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 lab exercises
and experiments. Subjects include vacuum techniques, electronics, optics,
use of computers in lab instrumentation, materials of construction, and
data analysis. R. S. Berry. Winter.
268. Advanced Physical Chemistry Laboratory. PQ: Chem 267. Students
carry out research in physical chemistry in individual faculty laboratories.
L. Butler. 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. Chemical Applications of NMR Spectroscopy. PQ: Chem 220, 221,
222 (or equivalents) and 227. This course is designed to provide the
student with an in-depth working knowledge of modern fourier transform nuclear
magnetic resonance (FT-NMR) spectroscopy and its chemical applications.
Topics include fundamental theoretical and experimental considerations,
determination of acquisition parameters, one-pulse NMR experiments, the
nuclear overhauser effect (NOE), NMR of insensitive nuclei, heteronuclear
NMR, evaluation and simulation of complex spin systems, acquisition of kinetic
and thermodynamic parameters using dynamic NMR, two-dimensional NMR including
the COSY, NOESY, and HETCOR experiments. L. Sita. Winter.
304. Organometallic Chemistry. PQ: Chem 301, and 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. G. Hillhouse. 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. 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. M.
Mrksich. 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. V. Rawal, Autumn; P. Eaton, Winter.
324. Physical Organic Chemistry II. Topics include the mechanisms and
fundamental theories of the free radicals and the related free radical reactions,
biradical and carbene chemistry, and pericyclic and photochemical reactions.
N. C. Yang, L. Yu. 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. N. C. Yang,
D. Lynn. 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
interest 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 emphasis
on structure/property relationship. Not offered 1996-97; will be offered
1997-98.
361. Wave Mechanics and Spectroscopy. PQ: Chem 263. The introductory
concepts, general principles, and applications of wave mechanics to spectroscopy
are presented. J. Light. 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. T. Oka. 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. K. Freed.
Winter.
364. Chemical Thermodynamics. PQ: Chem 262. The thermodynamics
of equilibrium systems is discussed. S. Rice. Autumn.
365. Chemical Dynamics. PQ: Chem 361 required, 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, G. Fleming. Spring.
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