College of Arts & Sciences

Chemistry

Chair John Straub

Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs John Caradonna

Associate Chair for Graduate Admissions John A. Porco

Associate Chair for Graduate Programs Scott E. Schaus

Samour Family Professor Panek

Professors Coker, Dill, Jones, Keyes, Laursen, Mohr, Porco, Prock, Snyder, Straub, Tullius, Ziegler

Associate Professors Allen, Caradonna, Georgiadis, Grinstaff, Schaus

Assistant Professors Doerrer, Elliott, Liu, Reinhard, Wang, Whitty, Xia

Instructor and Coordinator of General Chemistry Golger

Instructor and Coordinator of Analytical Chemistry Abrams

Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Organic Chemistry Weinstein

Lecturer and Coordinator of Life Science Chemistry Kyte

Lecturer Rubio

The department’s undergraduate programs are designed to meet the needs of students with a variety of interests. These include preparation for graduate education, for careers in research, teaching, industry, or regulatory agencies, and, as a premedical track, for professional training in medicine and related health fields. The concentration is built upon a core of courses covering the principal areas of chemistry (chemical principles, analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, and biochemistry), as well as calculus and physics. The Option A concentration not only qualifies students for certification by the American Chemical Society but also permits diversification through coupling to minor concentrations in other fields of science, mathematics, or computer science, and to the MMEDIC program; a specialization in biochemistry is also available. The Option B concentration, with its reduced set of course requirements and greater flexibility, may be attractive to students who wish to design programs with additional elective possibilities. A program in the teaching of chemistry qualifies graduates for certification as high school teachers.

The faculty is very active in research in collaboration with undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral students. Research at the frontiers of the discipline is an essential component of the primary mission of the department: the education of its students. An advising system provides each undergraduate concentrator with an advisor drawn from the faculty’s professorial ranks and involves virtually all such faculty members.

Prospective chemistry concentrators are strongly encouraged to consult with the department’s Associate Chair for Undergraduate Programs or Undergraduate Coordinator as early in their college careers as possible.

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Programs in Chemistry

Each of the following programs uses a common set of required core chemistry courses and required related courses, which are listed below. Completion of Option A chemistry program qualifies students for certification by the American Chemical Society.

Core Chemistry Courses  CAS CH 111, 112 (or CH 109, 110, or CH 101, 102, 201), 211, 212 (or CH 203, 214, or CH 203, 204, 220), 232, 301, 351, 352, 354, and 421.

Required Related Courses  CAS MA 123, 124 (127 or 129 fulfills 123, 124 requirement), 225 (or 230); CAS PY 211, 212 (or 241, 242, or 251, 252).

Concentration in Chemistry (1905)

Option A: Core chemistry courses, required related courses, plus two advanced four-credit courses in chemistry numbered CAS CH 401 or higher, excluding CH 421 and CH 525. Only one semester of undergraduate research (CAS CH 491, CH 492, CH 401, or CH 402) can be applied toward fulfillment of the advanced course requirement. These two advanced courses may be satisfied by the completion of the requirements of a major or minor concentration in astronomy, biology, biomedical engineering, geology, physics, mathematics, or computer science. Students in the MMEDIC program may substitute GMS BI 555 and CAS CH 527 for CH 421, and GMS BI 556 and CAS CH 528 for CH 422; one additional course in chemistry numbered CAS CH 401 or higher is required.

Option B: Core chemistry courses, required related courses, plus one additional advanced four-credit course as described under Option A.

Concentration in Chemistry: Biochemistry (1925)

Option A: Core chemistry courses, required related courses, CAS BI 108, 203, CAS CH 422, and one additional course in biochemistry or molecular biology from the following: CAS BB 522, CAS BI 552, or undergraduate research in biochemistry (CH 401, 402, 491, 492).

Option B: Core chemistry courses (GMS BI 555 plus CAS CH 527 is substituted for CH 421), required related courses, CAS BI 108, 203, GMS BI 556, and one additional course in Biochemistry from the following; CAS BB 522, CAS BI 552, or undergraduate research in biochemistry (CH 401, 402, 491, 492).

Teaching of Chemistry (0850)

Core chemistry courses, required related courses, plus SED ED 100/101; DS 502; SE 251; ED 410, 412; CT 575; SC 571, 572; SC 509 or 510.

Minor Concentration in Chemistry (1905)

CAS CH 111, 112 (or CH 101, 102, 201 or CH 109, 110), 211, 212 (or 203, 214 or 203, 204, 220), and one advanced four-credit course in chemistry (CH 232 or a 300-level or higher nonresearch course). Students in the MMEDIC program may substitute GMS BI 555, 556 for this advanced course. Neither CH 201 nor CH 220 may be counted toward the five course requirement for the minor in chemistry. Note that according to CAS rules, “a student wishing to take a minor concentration may use no more than two courses from a concentration to fulfill the requirements of a minor concentration.” Students interested in the minor concentration should contact the Associate Chairman for Undergraduate Programs.

BA/MA in Chemistry (1905)

This program of a minimum of 37 courses allows the student to receive the Bachelor of Arts (BA) and Master of Arts (MA) degrees in five years. With the consent of the advisor, and with two summers of academic work, the program may be completed in four years. The departmental BA/MA statement and further information are available from the associate chairman for graduate affairs. Please refer to Special Courses and Programs under College of Arts and Sciences of this site for general information about BA/MA programs.

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Departmental Regulations

The student is charged actual cost for nonreturnable items and any breakage. Approved safety glasses must be worn in all laboratory courses. Students with prescription eyewear may wish to obtain prescription safety glasses.

For all courses in the Department of Chemistry, credit may be received for the first course in a sequence without taking the subsequent course. In all two-course sequences, the first course is prerequisite to the second except as indicated, and a failing grade in the first course precludes registration in the second.

Students may receive credit for only one sequence in General Chemistry (CH 101, 102 or CH 109, 110 or CH 111, 112). The same applies to Organic Chemistry (CH 203, 204 or CH 211, 212 or CH 203, 214).

Chemistry concentrators who start in a particular track (CH 111, 112 or CH 109, 110 or CH 101, 102, 201) must complete that track; the same is true for CH 211, 212 and CH 203, 214. Crossing between tracks is not allowed.

Students must receive a grade of at least C in all core, principal, and required related courses taken for all concentrations in chemistry.

Seniors and BA/MA students completing a two-semester sequence in undergraduate research or senior independent work for distinction are required to present the results of their research at the Departmental Undergraduate Research Colloquium held at the end of the spring semester. All students engaged in undergraduate research are encouraged to participate in the departmental colloquium.

Organizations

Sigma Xi See Honor Societies section under College of Arts and Sciences on this site.

Chemia  The student affiliate chapter of the American Chemical Society, Chemia is open to all students interested in chemistry. It sponsors visiting lecturers, films, tours of scientific facilities, and social activities.

Scholarships

J. Philip Mason Memorial Scholarship  This award is given each year to one or more upper-level students in one of the chemistry programs. It recognizes academic excellence, a strong interest in chemistry, and a demonstrated commitment to achieve a high level of performance under difficult conditions.

Anne Gounaris Scholarship  This award is given to one or more deserving CAS students majoring in chemistry, with a preference for female students. It recognizes excellence and high motivation in the field of chemistry.

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Courses

Courses marked with a (†) satisfy natural science divisional studies requirements.

Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses (marked *): CAS CH 101, 109, 111, 131, or 171.

Students may receive credit for only one of the following courses (marked **): CAS CH 172, 203, or 211.

†*CAS CH 101, 102 General Chemistry

First semester prereq: two years of high school algebra. Second semester prereq: CH 101. For science concentrators who require a two-semester general chemistry course. Stoichiometry, gases, liquids, solids, solutions, equilibrium, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, atomic structure and bonding, kinetics, and selected chemical systems. Laboratory exercises include qualitative analysis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour prelab lecture, and three hours lab. 4 cr each, both courses 1st & 2nd sem. (NS) (lab)

†CAS CH 109, 110 General and Quantitative Analytical Chemistry

Prereq: one year of high school chemistry, two years of high school algebra. Two-semester sequence for students concentrating in the sciences, especially for those considering a chemistry or biochemistry-molecular biology major but who do not enroll in CH 111/112. Stoichiometry, acids, bases, liquids, solids, solutions, equilibria, thermodynamics, kinetics, electrochemistry, atomic structure, bonding, and selected chemical systems. Correlated laboratory experiments emphasizing quantitative analysis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour lab lecture; four hours lab in each semester. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem. (NS) (lab)

†*CAS CH 111, 112 Intensive General and Quantitative Analytical Chemistry

First semester prereq: one year of high school chemistry and two years of high school algebra. Coreq: CAS MA 123, MA 127, MA 129, or advanced placement in calculus. Second semester prereq: CAS CH 111. Intensive two-semester sequence for well-prepared students concentrating in chemistry or other sciences. Priority given to chemistry concentrators. Brief review of stoichiometry, gas laws; extensive consideration of equilibrium, thermodynamics, atomic and molecular structure, kinetics; application of principles to selected elements and compounds. Correlated laboratory experiments emphasizing applications of quantitative analysis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab in each semester. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem. (NS) (lab)

†*CAS CH 131 General Chemistry for the Engineering Sciences

Coreq: CAS MA 123. A one-semester, terminal general chemistry course for students who do not require a two-semester sequence. Stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, bonding, chemistry of solid state, chemical thermodynamics, and equilibrium. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, three hours lab. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS) (lab)

†*CAS CH 171 Principles of General Chemistry

Introduction to chemistry: separation and purification of matter, atomic theory, structure of atoms, molecules and chemical bonding, chemical formulas, equations, stoichiometry; water, solutions, concentration, acids, bases, pH and buffers; gases; reaction kinetics and equilibrium, and radioactivity. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour prelab lecture, and three hours lab. 4 cr, 1st sem. (NS) (lab)

†**CAS CH 172 Principles of Organic and Biochemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 171 or CH 101, 102. Organic chemistry: structure, stereochemistry, and reactions of carbon compounds; emphasis on compounds of biochemical interest. Structure and function of molecules of biological importance. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour prelab lecture, and three hours lab. 4 cr, 2nd sem. (NS) (lab)

CAS CH 181, 182 Intensive General and Quantitative Analytical Chemistry

For seven-year medical students only. Lectures shared with CH 111, 112. See description for CH 111, 112. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 191, 192 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry I

Prereq: freshman standing; consent of instructor. Experimental or theoretical investigation of problems including the use of the literature. Attendance at weekly research seminars and the writing of a report at the end of each semester required. Application must be made through the Department of Chemistry office during the first two weeks of the semester. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 201 Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Prereq: CAS CH 102. Applications of quantitative analysis. Equivalent to the laboratory part of CAS CH 112. One hour lecture, four hours lab. 2 cr, 2nd sem.

**CAS CH 203, 204 Organic Chemistry

First semester prereq: CAS CH 102, CH 110, or 112. Second semester prereq: CAS CH 203. Fundamentals of contemporary organic chemistry, including electronic structure, stereochemistry, and reactions of important functional groups. Laboratory includes extraction, distillation, and chromatography. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour prelab lecture, three-and-a-half hours lab on alternate weeks. 4 cr each, CH 203 1st sem; CH 204 2nd sem.

**CAS CH 211, 212 Intensive Organic Chemistry

First semester prereq: CAS CH 102, CH 110, or CH 112. Second semester prereq: CAS CH 211. Recommended for Chemistry concentrators. Organic compounds and their reactions; functional groups, stereochemistry, synthesis, reaction mechanisms, and laboratory methods including qualitative organic analysis. Industrial applications and relevance to biological systems. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, one hour prelab lecture, four hours lab. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 214 Organic Chemistry with Qualitative Analysis

Prereq: CAS CH 203. Lecture and discussion shared with CAS CH 204. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion weekly, one hour prelab lecture, four hours lab. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 220 Organic Chemistry Laboratory with Qualitative Analysis

Prereq: CAS CH 204. Laboratory methods in organic chemistry including multistep synthesis, organic qualitative analysis, and instrumental analysis. Equivalent to the laboratory part of CAS CH 212 or CH 214. One hour lecture, four hours lab. 2 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 232 Inorganic Chemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 102, CH 110, or CH 112; coreq: CAS CH 204, CH 212, or CH 214. The relation of atomic and molecular structure to chemical properties. Bronsted and Lewis acid/base behavior; redox reactions; bonding and reactions of main group elements; d-metal complexes, including bonding, spectra, and reaction mechanisms; and organometallic chemistry. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 273 Principles of Biochemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 172. Biomolecules in aqueous systems. Composition, structure, and function of proteins, nucleic acids, and polysaccharides. Information transfer from DNA to RNA and proteins. Bioenergetic principles in glycolysis, oxidative energy metabolism, and selected biosynthetic paths. Applications to medicine, nutrition, and biotechnology. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS CH 291, 292 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry II

Prereq: sophomore standing and consent of instructor. See CAS CH 191, 192 for description. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 301 Chemical Synthesis and Analysis

Prereq: CAS CH 212, CH 214 or CH 220. Combined lecture/ laboratory course that introduces fundamental methods of synthesis and analysis current in chemical research. Applications include topics in organocatalysis, asymmetric synthesis and organometallic chemistry, and spectroscopy. Eight hours lab plus three hours lecture. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS CH 351 Physical Chemistry I

Prereq: CAS CH 102, CH 110, or CH 112 and CAS PY 212 and CAS MA 124; coreq: CAS MA 225. Quantum Theory, atomic and molecular structure, molecular spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, solid state chemistry. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS CH 352 Physical Chemistry II

Prereq: CAS CH 102, CH 110, or CH 112; CAS PY 212 and CAS MA 124; coreq: CAS MA 225. Thermodynamics, equilibrium, chemical kinetics. Applications include electrochemistry, phase transitions, catalysis, aqueous solutions, and polymers. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 354 Physical Chemistry Laboratory

Prereq: CAS CH 351; coreq: CAS CH 352. Experiments in thermodynamics, electrochemistry, chemical equilibrium, chemical kinetics, and spectroscopy. Applications and principles of electronics and instrumental design and applications of computers. Statistics and error analysis of laboratory data. Four hours lab plus prelab lecture. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 391, 392 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry III

Prereq: junior standing and consent of instructor. See CAS CH 191, 192 for description. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 401, 402 Senior Independent Work

Prereq: approval of the Honors Committee. Experimental or theoretical investigation of problems including search and use of literature. Weekly research seminars, periodic written reports, and oral exam and thesis at the end of the second semester. Applications for independent work for distinction must be made through the CAS Academic Advising office. 4 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 421 Biochemistry I

Prereq: CAS CH 204, CH 212, or CH 214. Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding, enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; lipids and membrane structure; bioenergetics; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. 4 cr, 1st sem.

CAS CH 422 Biochemistry II

Prereq: CAS CH 421 or equivalent. Polysaccarides, energy storage and recognition; intermediary metabolism; lipid and isoprene metabolism; nitrogen metabolism; nucleotide metabolism, macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity in the mechanisms of RNA, DNA, and protein synthesis. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion, four hours lab. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 445 Transition Metal Chemistry

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS CH 458 Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics

Not offered 2009/2010

CAS CH 491, 492 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry IV

Prereq: senior standing and consent of instructor. See CAS CH 191, 192 for description. Variable cr, 1st & 2nd sem.

CAS CH 525 Physical Biochemistry

Pre- or coreq: CAS BI/CH 421; CAS MA 121 or MA 123; CAS PY 106 or PY 212. Cannot be taken for credit as an advanced course for chemistry majors or in addition to CAS CH 351, 352. Introduction to physical chemical principles with particular application to topics in biochemistry, solution and solid phase chemistry of biomolecules as studied by equilibrium, hydrodynamics, and spectroscopic/quantum mechanical methods. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

CAS CH 527, 528 Biochemistry Laboratory I, II

Prereq: CAS CH 204 or CH 212 or CH 214. Coreq: GMS BI 555, 556. For students enrolled concurrently in GMS BI 555, 556. First semester emphasizes the purification and characterization of proteins and DNA. Second semester emphasizes protein, carbohydrate, and lipid chemistry. Development and use of modern instrumentation and techniques. Same as CAS BI 527, 528 and the laboratory portion of CAS CH/BI 421, 422. Four hours lab, one hour discussion. 2 cr each, 1st & 2nd sem.

GRS CH 621 Biochemistry I

Prereq: CAS CH 204 and CAS CH 212 or equivalent. Introductory biochemistry. Protein structure and folding enzyme mechanisms, kinetics, and allostery; nucleic acid structure; lipids and membrane structure; bioenergetics; vitamins and coenzymes; introduction to intermediary metabolism. Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory, one hour discussion. Same as GRS BI 621. Lecture and laboratory meet with CAS BI/CH 421. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 622 Biochemistry II

Prereq: GRS CH 621 or equivalent. Polysaccharides, energy storage and recognition; intermediary metabolism; lipid and isoprene metabolism; nitrogen metabolism; nucleotide metabolism; macromolecular biosynthesis with emphasis on specificity and fidelity in the mechanisms of RNA, DNA, and proteins synthesis. Three hours lecture, four hours laboratory, one hour discussion. Same as GRS BI 622. Lecture and laboratory meet with CAS BI/CH 422. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

GRS CH 626 Epigenetics

Prereq: CAS CH 421 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Surveys protein post-translational modifications and DNA/RNA processing, including mechanistic enzymology of protein and DNA modifications, signal transduction induced by the modifications, and related practical applications. Liu. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 627 RNA Structure and Function

Prereq: CAS CH 421 or equivalent, or consent of instructor. Chemical and structural biology of natural RNA molecules, including ribosomal RNA, catalytic RNA (ribozymes), siRNA (small interfering RNA), and other small transcribed RNA molecules. Some attention to biological function, but main focus is not RNA cell and molecular biology. Tullius. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 632 Advanced Coordination Chemistry II: Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms

Prereq: CAS CH 232 & CAS CH 214 or consent of instructor. The mechanistic study of ligand substitution and electron transfer processes in coordination compounds are discussed in the context of basic molecular orbital theory. The connections between small molecule inorganic and biological macromolecular metal-catalyzed processes are presented. Three hours lecture. 4 cr, either sem. Caradonna. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 633 Physical Methods for Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 232 & CAS CH 352 or GRS CH 631 or equivalents, or consent of instructor. A discussion of the physical techniques for the study of structural, magnetic, and redox-active properties of transitional metal complexes. Techniques discussed include X-ray crystallography; X-ray absorption; vibrational, NMR, EPR, and Mossbauer spectroscopies; and electrochemistry. Three hours lecture. Elliott. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

GRS CH 635 Synthetic Methodology in Inorganic Chemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 232 or equivalent. Survey of techniques for the preparation of complexes of the metallic elements in solution (as distinct from solid-state synthesis). Doerrer. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 641 Physical Organic Chemistry

Prereq: CAS CH 352 or equivalent or GRS CH 651 or consent of instructor. Physical fundamentals of organic chemistry. Thermodynamics, kinetics, molecular orbital theory, and theory of concerted reactions. Isotope effects, aromaticity, linear-free energy relationships, acidity functions, photo- and free-radical chemistry. Three hours lecture. Jasti. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 642 Organic Reaction Mechanisms

Prereq: CAS CH 212, CH 301, or consent of instructor. Fundamentals of organic reaction mechanisms. Techniques used to study reaction mechanisms. Reactive intermediates: carbonium ions, radicals, carbenes, and nitrenes. Acid/base catalysis, reactions for the carbonyl group, cycloaddition, nucleophilic displacement reactions, and redox chemistry. Three hours lecture. Stephenson. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 643 Synthetic Methods of Organic Chemistry

Prereq: GRS CH 641 and CH 642. Organic synthesis strategies for total synthesis. Various approaches for organic molecules whose synthesis constitutes major contributions to organic chemistry. Three hours lecture. Panek. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

GRS CH 644 Medicinal Chemistry

Prereq: strong background in organic chemistry. Intensive overview of recent advances in the medicinal and pharmaceutical sciences. Introduces the concepts of drug design and development, including organic synthesis, combinatorial chemistry, chemical informatics, molecular modeling and drug design, drug metabolism, and specific therapeutic targets. TBA. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 651 Molecular Quantum Mechanics I

Prereq: CAS CH 351/352 or equivalent. Postulates of quantum mechanics with emphasis on the tools they provide for solving problems of chemical importance. Applications to model systems: particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotor, hydrogen atom; tunneling; angular momentum theory; spin; ladder operators; computational methods. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Wang. 4 cr, 1st sem.

GRS CH 652 Molecular Quantum Mechanics II

Prereq: GRS CH 651 or equivalent. The chemical bond; Huckel, molecular orbital, and valence bond theories; ab initio methods, density functional theory; Born-Oppenheimer approximation/breakdown; time-dependent processes; Fermi’s golden rule; non-adiabaticity; time-dependent perturbation theory; computational methods. Three hours lecture, one hour discussion. Ziegler. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

GRS CH 655 Statistical Mechanics I

Prereq: CAS CH 352 or equivalent. Introduction to statistical mechanical fundamentals; ensemble theory, Fermi-Dirac, Bose-Einstein, Gibbs-Boltzmann statistics; computational methods, Monte Carlo, Molecular Dynamics, many-body quantum mechanical simulations, normal mode analysis; ergodic hypothesis, modern theories of liquids and biomolecules, thermodynamic perturbation theory, integral equations, Debye-Huckel theory. Three hours lecture. 4 cr, 2nd sem.

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