Course Catalog - Chemistry
Chemistry 110 — Methods of Chemistry
Alternate years
Designed to reinforce problem-solving methods that are used in Atoms and Molecules, Organic 1, Organic 2, and Introduction to Equilibrium and Reactivity. Th e quantitative aspects of chemistry are emphasized. This course is not a prerequisite for any other chemistry course but will be helpful for those with a limited background in the sciences who plan to complete the four-semester introductory chemistry sequence (Chem 181, 221, 222, and 231). One unit.
Chemistry 141 — Environmental Chemistry
Alternate years
Investigates the chemistry of the Earth’s environment through systematic studies of our atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere and the exchange and interplay between them. The primary focus of the course will be environmental change taking place today including those that threaten plant and animal habitats and pose hazards to human health. Understanding of our environment and current threats to it will be gained through a combination of readings, lectures, discussions, demonstrations, and problem sets. One unit.
Chemistry 144 — Chemistry and Society
Alternate years
Acquaints non-science majors with chemistry as a human endeavor and helps them acquire some appreciation of the benefits and limitations of science. Readings from the current popular and scientific literature are examined to illustrate the relationships of science to society. Some of the basic concepts and principles of chemistry necessary for an understanding of environmental problems will be considered in detail. One unit.
Chemistry 181 — Atoms and Molecules
Fall
This introductory general chemistry course leads students to explore in-depth the scientific method through the formulation and testing of hypotheses in the laboratory. Laboratory experiments lead students to discover basic principles, i.e., stoichiometric relationships, electronic confi guration and molecular structure. Lectures will explain and expand upon laboratory results. This course is suitable for students seeking to satisfy the science distribution requirements. It is also the first course in the sequence for science majors and
premedical students. One four-hour “discovery” laboratory session per week is included. One and one-half units.
Chemistry 221 — Organic Chemistry 1
Spring
A study of organic compounds from the points of view of the chemistry of the functional groups, modern structural theory and reaction mechanisms. The chemistry of aliphatic hydrocarbons, alkenes, alkynes, dienes, and alkyl halides is introduced in a discovery mode. Substitution, addition and elimination mechanisms are studied in detail. Emphasis is placed on stereochemistry. One four-hour “discovery” laboratory session per week is included. Students learn various techniques of separation, purification, and identification (chemical and spectroscopic) of organic compounds in the laboratory. Th ere is an emphasis on one-step synthetic conversions which introduce the reactions to be studied in the lecture course. One four-hour “discovery” laboratory session per week is included. Prerequisite: Chemistry 181. (It is strongly recommended that students with a grade below C in Chemistry 181 do not continue with Chemistry 221 (see Chemistry 110)). One and one-half units.
Chemistry 222 — Organic Chemistry 2
Fall
A continuation of Chemistry 221. Aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers, aldehydes, ketones, amines, carboxylic acids and their derivatives are studied. Aromatic substitution, acyl transfer and carbonyl condensation reactions are developed. The mechanistic implications and synthetic applications of these organic reactions are evaluated. One four-hour “discovery” laboratory session per week is included. Microscale synthetic techniques are included. Prerequisite: Chem 221. (A student should obtain a grade of C or better in Chemistry 221 to continue in Chemistry 222.) One and one-half units.
Chemistry 231 — Equilibrium & Reactivity
Spring
Focuses on studying and understanding the role equilibrium, thermodynamics and kinetics play in chemical systems. Specific topics include phase and chemical equilibria, colligative properties of solutions, acid/base equilibria, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry, thermodynamics including enthalpy, entropy and free energy, and gas laws. Laboratory focused, this general chemistry course also introduces students to modern analytical instrumentation (such as UV-Vis spectrophotometer and GC-TCD) while developing critical wet chemical analytical techniques. Knowledge and skills gained in Chem 181, 221 and 222 will be built upon with an emphasis on obtaining quantitative understanding. One four-hour “discovery” laboratory session per week is included. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222 (or permission of Chair) and one semester of college calculus. One and one-half units.
Chem 299 – Special Topics
Annually
Courses explore various topics in chemistry. The subject and format varies with each offering. One unit.
Chemistry 304 — Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Every third year
Covers a selection of modern synthetic methods and reagents used in organic chemistry. Topics to be presented include oxidation/reduction, organometallic reactions, functional group interconversions, protecting group strategies, enolate additions, and pericyclic reactions with a focus on asymmetric synthesis. The course will build upon the individual methods discussed to ultimately demonstrate their combined use in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Prerequisite: Chemistry 222. One unit.
Chemistry 309 — Spectroscopy
Every third year
This course focuses on chemical structure identification through the interpretation of spectroscopic data. With a concentration on organic molecules, Mass, Vibrational (IR and Raman), and Magnetic Resonance (NMR and EPR) spectra are analyzed. There is an emphasis on NMR spectroscopy (including an introduction to modern multipulse techniques) to elucidate molecular structure. The course is conducted with a problem-solving approach and student participation is expected. Prerequisite: Chemistry 335 or 336. One unit.
Chemistry 310 — Bioorganic Chemistry
Every third year
Focuses on chemistry of the major biochemical macromolecules: carbohydrates, proteins and nucleic acids. Topics discussed include structure determination and enzyme mechanisms relevant to chemical reactions involving these macromolecules. In addition, through the use of student presentations, the chemistry underlying the interaction of medicinal agents with these macromolecules is explored. Prerequisite: Chemistry 222. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Chemistry 231. One unit.
Chemistry 317 — Nanotechnology
Every third year
Introduces students to nanometer scale material and devices. Materials in this size regime often possess unusual properties that have application in molecular electronics, medical diagnostics and devices, molecular motors, and self-assembly and surface chemistry. Students will read a variety of books and scientific articles from peer reviewed journals. Nanotechnology is a multidisciplinary field of study where projects often require collaborations between chemists, physicists, biologists and engineers. Students other than chemistry
majors who have completed the prerequisites are encouraged to enroll to broaden both their own perspective and that of the class. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222 and 231. One unit.
Chemistry 335 — Modern Physical Chemistry
Annually
The course is a study of the basic concepts, principles and methods of modern physical chemistry. Physical chemistry asks “how?” and/or “why?” things happen as they do. Here, the emphasis will be on developing a deeper understanding of the microscopic properties that govern chemical phenomena. The topics covered may include quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, spectroscopy, group theory, and computational chemistry. Prerequisites: Chemistry 336 and Mathematics 133, 134 or Mathematics 131, 132 or Mathematics 136 and Physics 111, 112 (with laboratory) or Physics 115, 116. One unit.
Chemistry 336 — Classical Physical Chemistry
Annually
This course is a study of the basic concepts, principles and methods of classical physical chemistry. Physical chemistry asks “how?” and/or “why?” things happen as they do. Here, the emphasis will be on developing a deeper understanding of the macroscopic properties that govern chemical phenomena. The topics covered may include thermodynamics, chemical and phase equilibria, kinetics, reaction dynamics, statistical mechanics, and complex solution behavior. Prerequisites: Chemistry 231 and Mathematics 133, 134 or Mathematics 131, 132 or Mathematics 136 and Physics 111, 112 (with laboratory) or Physics 115, 116. One unit.
Chemistry 337 — Physical Chemistry Lab
Annually
This advanced laboratory course is designed to teach students modern instrumental and computational methods used in physical chemistry and to develop student research skills. Students investigate classical and modern physical principles utilizing a variety of experimental and computation methods. Th e course introduces advanced data analysis techniques and develops student abilities to interpret data and communicate results in professional technical reports. The course fosters greater independence in the lab and advanced laboratory skills. Experiments complement Classical Physical Chemistry (Chemistry 336). One four-hour laboratory per week. Overload. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Chemistry 336. One-half unit.
Chemistry 338 — Physical and Inorganic Chemistry Lab
Annually
This laboratory course is designed to teach students modern instrumental, synthetic and computational methods used in physical and inorganic chemistry. The course is equally divided between physical and inorganic work. Students investigate major physical principles utilizing a variety of experimental and computation methods during the physical half of the course. They perform experiments in synthetic inorganic chemistry and learn about methods of characterization during the Inorganic half of the course. Throughout the course, students further develop their abilities to analyze and interpret data and improve technical writing skills. The course fosters greater independence in the lab and advanced laboratory skills. Experiments
complement Modern Physical Chemistry and Inorganic Chemistry (Chemistry 335, 336, and 351). One four-hour laboratory per week. Overload. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Chemistry 335. One-half unit.
Chemistry 346 — Instrumental Chemistry and Analytical Methods 1
Fall
The application of instrumentation to chemical research and analysis has had a dramatic impact on the field of chemistry. As chemists, we must understand how instrumentation works in order to exploit its capabilities. This course focuses on spectroscopic, chromatographic and mass spectrometric methods of analysis. Specific analytical techniques included are molecular and atomic UV-Vis spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, TLC, GC, HPLC, and mass spectrometry (GC-MS). Laboratory and lecture work emphasize understanding instrumental design, major analytical methods of analysis and method development. When the student finishes this course he or she should be able to understand how and/or why instruments are designed to operate according to certain specific criteria and make intelligent choices among several possible ways of solving an analytical problem. Furthermore, the student should have confidence in his/her ability to work with modern chemical instrumentation. One four-hour laboratory session per week is included. Prerequisite: Chemistry 231. One and one-half units.
Chemistry 348 — Analytical Methods 2 Lab
Spring
A continuation of Chemistry 346. In this laboratory students continue to acquire fi rst-hand experience with modern analytical instrumentation and develop their problem-solving skills. This course introduces fluorescence and electrochemical methods of analysis. It also emphasizes quantitative analysis and experimental design including a series of guided analytical research projects involving sample preparation and/or new methods of analysis and concluding with a student designed research project utilizing analytical methods and instrumentation. One four-hour laboratory per week. Overload. Prerequisite: Chemistry 346. One-half unit.
Chemistry 351 — Inorganic Chemistry
Spring
Group theory and modern theories of bonding are used to discuss structural and dynamic features of inorganic compounds. The structure and bonding of transition metal coordination compounds are related to various reaction mechanisms. The principal structural and mechanistic features of transition metal organometallic chemistry are studied with emphasis on catalysis of organic reactions. The role of inorganic chemistry in biological systems is also explored. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Chemistry 336. One unit.
Chemistry 372 — Advanced Organic Chemistry
Every third year
Explores the methods and concepts used by organic chemists to study reactions. Topics include: acidity measurements, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, reactive intermediates and their characterization, kinetics, isotope eff ects, linear free energy relationships, and pericyclic reactions. In addition to discussing methods of carrying out detailed mechanistic studies, students continue to develop their skills in proposing rational mechanisms for transformations. Students read and discuss articles from the primary chemical literature on a weekly basis. Prerequisite or Co-requisite: Chemistry 336. One unit.
Chemistry 373 — Advanced Physical Chemistry
Every third year
Aims to acquaint the student with selected topics in physical chemistry. The course material will change yearly, depending on the needs of the students and the direction of the professor. Topics covered in the recent past include Biophysical chemistry, Lasers, Surface Chemistry, Statistical Mechanics, Group Theory and Its Chemical Consequences, and Thermodynamics. Prerequisites: Chemistry 335 and 336. One unit.
Chemistry 381 — Bioinorganic Chemistry
Every third year
This course is organized around the important biological proteins, enzymes and other biological systems that utilize metal ions. An important goal is to explain their functional/positional importance based on the chemistry at the metal center(s). Topics include bioinorganic systems such as photosynthesis, hemoglobin/myoglobin and other iron proteins, copper proteins, and the biochemistry of zinc. Current research efforts in the field are discussed to demonstrate the dynamic nature of the subject. Prerequisite: Chemistry 351. One unit.
Chem 384 — Environmental Forensics
Every third year
Investigates the ways in which chemical evidence provides the clues necessary to unravel complex environmental mysteries. Th e course will take a case study approach, focusing on mysteries that have surrounded human health disasters as well as environmental disasters aff ecting non-human life. In the process, students will be introduced to the ways in which chemical information must be coupled to medical, historic, geographic and meteorological information in order to make sense of and ultimately solve these mysteries. Students will learn about temporal and spatial analyses, isotope analyses, and tracer techniques. They will also become familiar with modeling techniques important in forensic studies. Environmental Forensics builds on student knowledge gained throughout the chemistry curriculum. Prerequisite: Chemistry 335, 336 or 346.
Chemistry 385 — Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Every third year
Focuses on advanced instrumental methods and how these methods can be applied to solve contemporary problems in the analytical sciences. Students use current literature to explore analytical methods and their applications. The focus of the course may change yearly. In recent years topics have included applications in art, archeology and forensics. Prerequisite: Chemistry 346. One unit.
Chemistry 389 — Introduction to Research
Fall, spring
Involves a commitment to join a research group. Specific activities will be established with the individual Research Advisor but may include: attendance of group meetings, working on a lab or computer project with other group members, and/or reading/discussing literature related to group research. The course is by permission only. It is taken as an overload and receives no grade. It may be taken more than once. Interested students are invited to apply early in the fall or spring of the second, third or fourth year. The candidate’s academic record will be reviewed to determine if the student could reasonably benefit from such a program. Prerequisites/Corequisites: Chemistry 222 or 231. No units.
Chemistry 390 — Independent Research
Fall, spring
Involves an original and individual experimental investigation with associated literature study in one of the fields of chemistry under the supervision of a member of the faculty. The culmination of all research projects will be a report. The course is by permission only. Interested students are invited to apply before the registration period in the spring of the second or third year or the fall of the third or fourth year. The candidate’s academic record will be reviewed to determine if the student could reasonably benefit form such a program.
This course does not count toward the minimum number of chemistry courses required of the major. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222 and 231 or prior research experience at Holy Cross. One unit.
Chemistry 405, 406 — General Research 1 and 2
Fall, spring
Involves an original and individual experimental and/or computational investigation with associated literature study in one of the fi elds of chemistry under the supervision of a member of the faculty. The culmination of all research projects will be a report, as well as an oral presentation to be given during the spring semester. Students will be required to attend the weekly department seminar program (fall and spring). Chemistry 405 is the first course of the consecutive two-semester research experience and carries no course credit; it is
taken as an overload, on an “in-progress” basis. A grade will be given upon completion of Chemistry 406, which carries one and one-half units. Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 405 (including a poster presentation) is a prerequisite for Chemistry 406. Each course is by permission only. Interested students are invited to apply before the registration period in the spring of the second or third year. Application in the first year requires nomination by a faculty member. Taking Chemistry 405 in the spring semester requires approval of the Department Chair. The candidate’s academic record will be reviewed to determine if the student could reasonably benefit from such a program. Prerequisites: Chemistry 222 and 231 or prior research experience at Holy Cross. One and one-half units.
Chemistry 407, 408 — General Research 3 and 4
Fall, spring
This program builds on the experiences gained in Chemistry 405 and 406. The second year of research provides the opportunity for further in-depth investigations. The culmination of all research projects will be a report and oral presentation to the chemistry faculty during the spring semester. Students will be required to attend the weekly departmental seminars program (fall and spring). Chemistry 407 is the first course of this consecutive two-semester research experience and carries no course credit; it is taken as an overload, on an “in-progress” basis. A grade will be given upon completion of Chemistry 408, which carries one and onehalf units. Chemistry 408 can not be counted toward the required minimum number of chemistry courses. Satisfactory completion of Chemistry 407 (including a poster presentation) is a prerequisite for Chemistry 408. Both Chemistry 407 and 408 are by permission only. Interested students normally apply before the registration period in the spring of the third year. The candidate’s academic record to date, with particular attention given to performance in Chemistry 405 and 406, will be reviewed to determine if the student could reasonably benefi t from such a program. Prerequisites: Chemistry 405 and 406. One and one-half units.
* The courses and descriptions listed above are taken directly from the official College Catalog.