Why is chemistry important to other sciences, technology, and society? What processes do chemists use when dealing with real problems? What conceptual models do chemists use to understand and explain their observations? The focus of this course is on the reasons for doing science, the intellectual and instrumental tools used, the models developed to solve new problems, and the assertion that chemistry has a tremendous effect on your personal life and on the decisions made by society. Along the way, we cover atoms, molecules, ions, and periodic properties; chemical equations, stoichiometry and moles; Lewis structures and VSEPR model of bonding; reactivity and functional groups; states of matter and intermolecular forces; relationships between structure and properties. Topical applications and issues vary with the instructor and may include climate change, food and fuel, and energy use for lighting. Three two-hour class periods per week of combined lecture, laboratory, and discussion. (4U) Offered each semester. Prerequisite: facility with algebra. Note: Students with a strong prior background in chemistry are encouraged to consult with the department about placement in a more advanced chemistry course.

Chemistry plays a significant role in the emerging interdisciplinary fields of nanoscience and nanotechnology. The nanoscale refers to materials with dimensions on the scale of nanometers (a thousandth of a thousandth of a thousandth of a meter). Control of the material world at the scale of atoms and molecules can produce materials with fundamentally different properties and behavior and has been touted as the next technological revolution. Some questions we will consider include: What nanotechnology already exists? What makes nanomaterials special? How can they be prepared? What tools can be used to study such materials? Three class periods and one laboratory period per week. (4U) Prerequisite: high school chemistry or physics.

Chemical equilibria are fundamental in the understanding of biological and environmental processes and in chemical analysis. This course emphasizes quantitative and graphical interpretation of acid-base, solubility, distribution, complex ion, and redox equilibria in aqueous solution and soils. Laboratory work stresses application of gravimetric, volumetric, spectrophotometric, and potentiometric techniques. Pre-professional preparation requiring one term of quantitative analysis is satisfied by Chemistry 220. Three class periods and one laboratory period per week. (4U) Offered each spring. Prerequisite: Chemistry 117 or facility with algebra and mole calculations.

Possible topics include nuclear magnetic resonance, electron spin resonance, infrared, Raman, electronic and atomic absorption and X-ray spectroscopies; mass spectrometry; gas and liquid chromatography; voltammetry; and scanning electron or probe microscopies. May be taken more than once under different topics. Prerequisite: varies with topic.

Reactions and properties of aliphatic and aromatic compounds of carbon. Considerable emphasis on modern theoretical interpretation of structure and of reaction mechanisms. Laboratory: basic techniques and synthetic procedures and modern spectroscopic methods of structure determination. Three class periods and one laboratory period per week. (4U) Offered each fall. Prerequisite: Chemistry 117 or 220.

Reactions and properties of aliphatic and aromatic compounds of carbon. Considerable emphasis on modern theoretical interpretation of structure and of reaction mechanisms. Laboratory: basic techniques and synthetic procedures and modern spectroscopic methods of structure determination; as part of the laboratory experience, each student is required to prepare an independent laboratory project and carry it out under the supervision of the instructor. Three class periods and one laboratory period per week. (4U) Offered each spring. Prerequisite: Chemistry 230.

First, second, and third laws of thermodynamics; phase and chemical equilibria; electrochemistry; experimental chemical kinetics, mechanisms, photophysics, and theories of chemical reactions. Three two-hour combined class and laboratory periods per week. Offered every other spring. Prerequisite: 1 unit of chemistry, Physics 101 or 102, and Mathematics 110 or 115.

This course is an introduction to molecular modeling and computational chemistry. Students learn the fundamentals of quantum chemistry and applications in atomic and molecular systems. Topics include the principles of quantum theory, molecular electronic structure calculation, molecular geometry and orbital modeling and visualization, molecular property analysis, chemical reactions and spectroscopic characterization. Computer software tools are used in this course. Two three-hour combined class and laboratory periods per week. Offered every other fall. Prerequisite: Physics 101 or 102 and Mathematics 110 or 115.

This course focuses on metals and their chemistry to describe color phenomena. Students develop an understanding of atomic and molecular structure and bonding and explore how structure relates to the macro- level function of chemical compounds. While the focus of the course is broadly around color and how it is experienced and measured, and how chemical compounds determine color, the applications for this work are broad and include optics, magnetics, catalysis, and energy generation and storage. Students engage with this content in both the classroom and the laboratory. Three class periods and one laboratory period per week. Offered every other fall. Prerequisite: Chemistry 220 or 230 or Geology 200 or Physics 210.

Molecular biology, bioenergetics, and regulation of cellular processes. Metabolism of carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleic acids. Laboratory experiments investigate metabolism and electron transport utilizing techniques for preparation and purification of enzymes, carbohydrates, and lipids. Three class periods and one laboratory period per week. (Also listed as Biology 260.) Offered each spring. Prerequisite: Chemistry 230 and either any college-level biology course or Chemistry 235.

At the fundamental chemical level, how do cells maintain and extract information from DNA to build and utilize proteins? Considerable emphasis on the chemical basis of biological information storage and processing, structure and function of proteins, enzyme catalysis theory, and quantitative analysis of enzyme kinetics. Three class periods and one lab period per week. (CP) (Also listed as Biology 300.) Offered each fall. Prerequisite: Chemistry 220, 235, and either any college-level biology course or Chemistry 240.

This course explores the chemistry of antibiotics, including their chemical structures, mechanisms of antibiotic action, mechanisms of bacterial resistance, methods of drug discovery, and stewardship and policy. Students engage in critical reading and discussion of scientific literature. During the laboratory component of the course, students discover and characterize antibiotic-producing bacteria from soil. Techniques include aseptic microbiological work, PCR and introductory bioinformatics (BLAST, and antiSMASH), chemical extraction, and biochemical assays. Students engage in experimental design during a semester-long research project and communicate their findings by preparing and presenting a poster about their research project. (CP) (Also listed as Biology 360.) Offered every other spring. Prerequisite: one 200-level biology course, Chemistry 230, and junior or senior standing, or consent of instructor.

This course examines the organic chemistry of drug design, development, and action with an emphasis on the chemical mechanisms of biologically important reactions. Particular attention is paid to the interaction between a drug and its receptor, looking in detail at enzyme inhibition and inactivation and interactions between drugs and DNA. Drug metabolism and drug delivery are also discussed. Specific classes of drugs and current literature in medicinal chemistry are the basis of student-led presentations throughout the semester. (CP) Offered every other year. Prerequisite: Chemistry 235.

In-depth study of selected topics stressing primary research literature. Lecture, discussion, student presentations, and papers. May include laboratory. Past offerings have included advanced organic chemistry, scientific glassblowing, medicinal chemistry, organometallic chemistry, and laser spectroscopy. May be repeated for credit if topic is different. Offered each semester. Prerequisite: Varies with topic.

Comprehensive written critical evaluation of a topic or original research. This course may partially fulfill the requirements for departmental honors. (CP) Prerequisite: consent of the department chair.

Research work under faculty supervision. Prerequisite: sophomore standing.

Work with faculty in classroom and laboratory instruction. Graded credit/no credit.

Course, laboratory, and curriculum development projects with faculty.