Course Descriptions

This course is designed for those students who have had no previous chemistry, and who wish to go on in sciences. A study of atoms, molecules, the mole, chemical formulas, ionic and covalent bonding, balancing equations, simple stoichiometry problems, solutions, acids, bases and salts, equilibrium, gas laws.

This course introduces students to the fundamental principles of chemistry including the concepts of nomenclature, stoichiometry, states of matter, chemical bonding, thermochemistry, equilibria, and nuclear science.

A course for students who plan careers in science. A brief review of stoichiometry, nomenclature and the gaseous state; atomic structure; periodic trends; chemical bonding and molecular structure; an introduction to organic chemistry and intermolecular forces.

A course for students who plan a career in science. Kinetics, mechanism, substitution and elimination reactions in organic chemistry; equilibrium; acids, bases, salts and buffers; thermodynamics; solubility; redox equations and electrochemistry.

In this course students will obtain a qualitative understanding about the chemical aspects of food, nutrition, drugs, our environment, and the chemical issues that confront us in the media. Thus the students will learn to develop an awareness of the influence of chemistry in our society.

A course for engineering students only. A study of stoichiometry, atomic structure and bonding, the solid state, chemical kinetics, chemical equilibrium, thermodynamics and electrochemistry.

A study of nomenclature, structure, and spectroscopy of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, alcohols, ethers and alkyl halides. Also a study of infrared spectroscopy and nuclear magnetic resonance.

Aromatic chemistry, aldehydes, ketones, acids and their derivatives, amines, nitro, azo, diazo and related compounds, heterocyclics, carbohydrates, protein chemistry, polymers, and natural products.

This course provides an introduction to chemical kinetics, thermodynamics and spectroscopy with an emphasis on applications in the life sciences.

An introduction to the properties, bonding, structure and reactivity of coordination complexes and main group compounds. Modern spectroscopic methods, solid state chemistry and bio-inorganic chemistry will also be covered. The laboratory component emphasizes the synthesis of inorganic compounds and the use of modern analytical instruments.

The basic principles and techniques of analytical chemistry, including neutralization, complex-formation and gravimetric reactions. Various types of chromatography will be introduced along with an introduction to visible and ultraviolet spectroscopy, atomic absorption spectroscopy and electrochemical methods of analysis.

This course focuses on the structure, bonding and chemical reactivity of common organic functional groups with an emphasis on the reactions and chemical properties of biologically important molecules.

Biochemistry is the study of the molecules and chemical reactions responsible for the phenomenon of life. This course introduces students to structure-function relationships in fundamental biological macromolecules. Topics include amino acid chemistry, protein structure and regulation, carbohydrates, lipids and membranes, nucleic acids, DNA replication and repair, and gene expression.

An introduction to the properties, bonding, structure and reactivity of transition metals and main group metals. An examination at production of these metals and their impact on the environment and their role as catalysts in many industrial processes.

This course is an introduction to chemical thermodynamics, kinetics and equilibrium for engineering students. The laws of thermodynamics will be examined with applications toward numerous chemical reactions as well as phase equilibria and phase diagrams.

An introduction to the properties, bonding, structure and reactivity of numerous functional groups such as alkyl halides, alkenes, aromatics, alcohols, aldehydes, ketones and carboxylic acids. Current industrial processes will be presented with an emphasis on the synthesis and structure of polymers.

Since the harnessing of fire over two million years ago, the ability of humans to exploit chemistry has been one of the most important factors in establishing our species as the dominant life form on the planet. This course will critically examine the benefits and perils associated with this central role of chemistry in human society. Topics covered will include chemistry and the environment, chemistry of life, medicinal chemistry, and others selected by the instructor.

This course provides a broad overview of the chemical basis of important environmental issues including ozone depletion, the enhanced greenhouse effect, heavy metal poisoning and water pollution. Environmental impact of past and current industrial processes as well as green chemistry solutions will be discussed.

This course focuses on the application of spectroscopic techniques to the identification of organic and inorganic compounds. Topics include ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy, infrared spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and nuclear magnetic resonance. The application of these important techniques to environmental chemistry and biomedical science will be discussed. In the laboratory, students will have the opportunity to synthesize, purify and characterize compounds using the methods listed above.

This course introduces students to metabolism: the collection of chemical processes by which cells derive energy from their surroundings and use this energy to make the building blocks of life. The major metabolic pathways involved in the synthesis and breakdown of important biological molecules are explored, along with the mechanisms of regulating these pathways in the body. Links between errors in metabolism and human disease are also discussed.

Green chemistry is the design of chemical products and processes that eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. This course will introduce students to the philosophy of green chemistry and the impact of sustainable technologies on the environment and society. Students will learn the philosophy of green chemistry. The laboratory will focus on sustainable chemistry practices and green alternatives to conventional experimental methods.

In this course, we will examine the chemistry behind the small molecules that affect human health. Topics include the principles of drug design, pharmacology and pharmacokinetics, drug delivery, approval and regulation of new drugs, bioactive natural compounds (including antibiotics and vitamins), and the use of chemical agents in disease detection and diagnosis.