Chemistry
Professor Zvi Pasman
Associate Professor Brent Chandler
Associate Professor Clayton F. Spencer
Associate Professor Jocelyn Lanorio
Chemistry affects all phases of our modern lives, from the clothes we wear, to the cars we drive, to the food we eat, to the houses in which we live. With substantial overlap between both the disciplines of biology and physics, chemistry is often called the “central science,” and a grounding in chemistry is beneficial for all science majors. The Department of Chemistry is committed to educating liberal arts students to think critically and independently and to communicate ideas effectively. It is the mission of the department to prepare students who wish to pursue:
- Their intellectual curiosity about the nature of the physical world and the underlying chemical principles that govern it.
- Admission to graduate programs in chemistry and related fields.
- Admission to professional programs in healthcare and engineering.
- Employment or service in areas such as education, business, industry, and government where a chemical and technical background is essential.
Majors & Programs
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Biochemistry, Major -
Chemistry, Major -
Chemistry, Minor
Courses
CH 103: General, Organic, & Biological Chemistry
CH 110: General Chemistry
CH 203: Organic Chemistry I
CH 211: Quantitative Analysis
CH 231: Inorganic Chemistry
This course will teach students about the field of Inorganic Chemistry which addresses some of the most pressing challenges of our time. Whether the problem involves making new materials to harness solar energy, drawing inspiration from nature to convert methane to methanol, or developing metal-based pharmaceuticals and catalysts, inorganic chemistry is fundamental to the solutions. This course is designed to introduce students to the fundamental principles of inorganic chemistry and expands upon what is learned in general chemistry by providing new ways of understanding electronic structure, bonding, and reactivity. In this course we will explore the entire periodic table (even carbon - as long as it's bound to a metal!). We will start by discussing about the properties of the nucleus, the origin of atoms and how they bond, and then apply our bonding models to transition metal chemistry. Additionally, we will devote class time to examining current research in order to learn what the big questions are in inorganic chemistry and what motivates leading researchers in this field. Three class hours and one three-hour laboratory period per week.
CH 304: Organic Chemistry II
CH 309: Biochemistry I
CH 312: Instrumental Methods of Analysis
CH 327: Medicinal Chemistry
CH 332: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CH 365: Quantum Theory & Spectroscopy
Introduces chemistry and physics students to principles of quantum theory with applications to material and chemical systems and spectroscopy. Topics include development of quantum theory, fundamental postulates, quantum theory of simple systems, quantum theory of molecules and extended systems, application of quantum theory to spectroscopy of atoms, molecules, and extended systems. Appropriate as an introduction to quantum theory for students of physics or as a physical chemical treatment for students of chemistry. Cross-listed between physics and chemistry.
CH 410: Biochemistry II
CH 441: Senior Seminar I
CH 442: Senior Seminar II
CH 463: Internship in Chemistry
CH 464: Internship in Chemistry
CH 465: Independent Research in Chemistry
Research on relevant topics.
CH 466: Independent Research in Chemistry
Research on relevant topics.