Chemistry

CHEM 101. Contemporary Chemistry with Laboratory (4E)

Basic concepts of chemistry are introduced, followed by studies of their relationships to one or more selected topics (life processes, the environment, consumer products, etc.). This course is intended for students not anticipating further study in chemistry. Lecture and laboratory. This course satisfies the Core Exploration requirement in the Natural Sciences with Laboratory. Prerequisite: Successful completion of the Core Curriculum requirement in Mathematics.

CHEM 103. General Chemistry I (4F)

The fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry, including atomic structure, chemical periodicity, ionic and covalent bonding, molecular structure, stoichiometry, inorganic nomenclature, gases liquid and solids. Lecture only.

CHEM 106. General Chemistry II (4E)

The fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry, including molecular orbital theory, kinetic molecular theory of gasses, properties of solutions, chemical thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, acid and base equilibrium, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics and electrochemistry. Lecture and laboratory. This course satisfies the Core Exploration requirement in the Natural Sciences with Laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 103 with a grade of C or a 4 or 5 on the AP chemistry exam.

CHEM 197/297/397/497. Directed Research in Chemistry or Biochemistry (1-4E)

Under the direct supervision of a faculty member, a student participates in laboratory or field research. A learning contract that specifies the research goals and methodology must be filed with the Office of the Registrar. A maximum of four credit hours of directed research in chemistry or biochemistry (397 or 497 only) may be applied to major requirements in chemistry. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: Learning contract filed in the Office of the Registrar.

CHEM 199/299/399/499. Independent Study (1-4E)

This course consists of an independent creative or research project designed by the student and supervised by a chemistry faculty member. The nature of the project, the schedule for accomplishment, and the means of evaluation must be formalized in a learning contract prior to registration.

CHEM 301. Marine Chemistry (2S)

This course will introduce students to the natural chemical systems of the hydrosphere. These systems become the backdrop by which aquatic ecosystems thrive. The hydrosphere also plays a significant role in the transport of matter and energy around the world which drives climate and food production. Students will study ocean-atmospheric interactions, circulation patterns, and major chemical processes in both fresh and saltwater systems. This course is approved as an elective in the Marine Science Curriculum. Pre-requisites: CHEM 106.

CHEM 302. Geochemistry (2S)

This course will introduce students to the general field of geochemistry by studying fundamental concepts in mass transport, thermodynamics, kinetics, oxidation/reduction processes, and equilibria/disequilibria in the lithosphere and hydrosphere. We will talk about Earth’s composition and how it got this way, soil minerals and their properties, weathering reactions and the role of organic matter, and the geochemistry of coastal oceanic and estuarine waters. Students bring all that they have learned together in a final project covering human impacts on natural geochemical processes. This course is approved as an elective in the Marine Science Curriculum. Pre-requisites: CHEM 106.

CHEM 305. Quantitative Analysis (4S)

An introduction to gravimetric, volumetric, electrochemical, spectroscopic and related statistical methods of analysis. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 106 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM 306. Instrumental Analysis (4F)

Theory and practice of a number of modern techniques of chemical analysis including chromatography, spectroscopy, electrochemistry and computer interfacing. Laboratory work is designed to familiarize the student with the use of various instruments used in chemical analyses including infrared, ultraviolet-visible, atomic absorption, nuclear magnetic resonance and mass spectrometers and gas-liquid and high pressure liquid chromatographs. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 106 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM 311. Organic Chemistry I (4F)

CHEM 312. Organic Chemistry II (4S)

A systematic survey of the compounds of carbon. Nomenclature, basic reaction mechanisms, stereo-chemistry, structure elucidation, and other fundamentals of the field are pursued. This covers much of the chemistry related to the carbonyl functional groups and is particularly relevant to biochemistry. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: Completion of CHEM 311 with a grade of C- or better is required for CHEM 312.

CHEM 325. Introduction to Chemical Literature (1F)

This course provides an introduction to the literature of chemistry. Students will learn methods of retrieving information from traditional primary, secondary, and tertiary sources and they also learn to use computerized databases in retrieving information. Prerequisite: CHEM 312 or consent of the instructor.

CHEM 398/498. Off-campus Internship (4-6E)

A variety of off-campus learning opportunities can be arranged through the Career Development Center. The off-campus internship is an individually designed experience that allows the student to explore the relationship between learning in the classroom and the practical application of knowledge in everyday work situations. Prerequisites: Admission to the Internship Program and approval of the academic adviser and department chair. Credit/no credit grading.

CHEM 405. Inorganic Chemistry (4F)

A study of the principles of structure and bonding, chemical reactivity, and periodic relationships of inorganic, organometallic and bioinorganic systems. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 312 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM 420. Biochemistry I (4F)

The chemistry of biological systems with emphasis on the relationship of molecular structure to biological function. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisite: CHEM 312 with a grade of C- or better.

CHEM 425. Biochemistry II (4S)

A continuation of the material covered in CHEM 420 with an emphasis on metabolic processes. Lecture only. This course is cross-listed as BIOL 425. Students may receive credit for either course but not both. Prerequisite: CHEM 420 with a grade of C- or better. Formerly CHEM422/BIOL424. Not open to students who have received credit for CHEM422 or BIOL424. Students may receive credit for either course but not both.

CHEM 426. Advanced Biochemistry Lab (3S)

A laboratory-based class focusing on advanced biochemistry analytical and instrumental techniques. Prerequisite: CHEM 420 with a grade of C- or better. Corequisite: CHEM 425. Not open to students who have received credit for CHEM 422.

CHEM 451. Physical Chemistry I (4F)

The foundation in physical chemistry covering thermodynamics, equilibria, ideal gases and solutions, kinetics and reaction mechanisms, principles of quantum mechanics, and quantum ties to basic spectroscopy. Lecture and laboratory. Prerequisites: CHEM 106, PHYS 141 or PHYS151, and MATH 152, or consent of the instructor. CHEM 451 is a prerequisite for CHEM 452.

CHEM 452. Physical Chemistry II (4S)

A deeper look at concepts across the spectrum of physical chemistry. Topics include the quantum mechanics of orbitals, computational chemistry, bonding, quantum mechanical basis of advanced spectrometric methods, real gases and solutions, intermolecular interactions, reaction theories, and solids/surface chemistry. Lecture and laboratory.Prerequisites: CHEM451 or consent of the instructor..

CHEM 480. Topics in Chemistry (2-4)

A thorough investigation of a specialized area of chemistry. Topics are selected by the faculty according to student interest. Course may be repeated for credit if the topic is not repetitive. Prerequisite: Topics prerequisites will be listed on a case by case basis.

CHEM 493/494. St. Mary’s Project (1-8E)

The project, which may take many forms, draws on and extends knowledge, skills of analysis, and creative achievement developed through previous academic work in chemistry. The student initiates the project, identifies an area of chemistry to be explored, and proposes a method of inquiry appropriate to the topic. The project should include a reflection on the social context, the body of literature or the conceptual framework to which it is a contribution. It must be shared with the College community through posters, presentations or other means. The project may be within chemistry, across disciplines or in a cross-disciplinary study area. The project is supervised by a chemistry faculty mentor. Prerequisite: Approval of faculty mentor and department chair of the student’s major(s). Consult faculty mentor for project guidelines. The course is repeatable for up to a total of eight credit-hours.