CHEM

Theoretical or experimental research done in an area of chemistry, with guidance from a mentor in the Chemistry department.

Intermolecular interactions drive the function of all biological processes, and protein interactions often are the focus of drug discovery and development efforts. This course explores the interactions of biological macromolecules such as proteins, beginning with fundamental chemical concepts underlying these noncovalent interactions. The course also explores examples of important drug target protein structures, and molecular docking tools for making predictions about the binding of drug-like molecular inhibitors.

This course explores the science of food and cooking. Topics include flavor, physical properties, nutrition, cooking methods, and reactions. In-class demonstrations and hands-on experiments allow for a tactile and sensory experience. Modern issues in food are discussed, including organic farms, GMO food, and the science behind recent dietary fads. Optional field trips occur throughout the semester.

This course emphasizes the synthesis, characterization, and properties of organic materials. In particular, the focus is on the impact of structural changes upon macroscopic properties (mechanical strength, optical behavior, etc.). The first part of the course focuses on polymer science and draws heavily on students' knowledge of synthetic and mechanistic organic chemistry. The second part of the course emphasizes liquid crystals and other related materials.

This course focuses on the fundamental reactivity of organotransition metal complexes. Topics include oxidative addition, reductive elimination, and the unique behavior of compounds possessing metal-carbon bonds. Applications of organometallic chemistry to industrial catalysis and organic synthesis are also discussed.

This course explores methods and strategies that are used in the analysis and synthesis of moderately complex organic molecules. The first part of the course focuses on the use of advanced spectroscopic techniques (with a particular emphasis on 2D NMR techniques) in structure determination. The second part of the course focuses on the use of modern synthetic methods in organic synthesis, with emphasis on the formation of carbon-carbon bonds and the control of stereochemistry. These methods are applied to the synthesis of natural products through application of retrosynthetic analysis.

The main work of the course is to understand the Earth's atmosphere from the perspective of physical chemistry. Tools include the use of thermodynamics to understand global atmospheric circulation, and quantum mechanics to interpret the spectra of atmospheric gases and aerosols. Applications include the interpretation of remote sensing data, with a focus on selected topics in the Earth climate system, including anthropogenic influences. The course concludes with a brief survey of other planetary atmospheres and atmospheric evolution.

Introduction to quantum mechanics with applications to molecular spectroscopy. Statistical thermodynamics linking microscopic and macroscopic chemical behavior. Laboratory experiments emphasize fundamental instrumentation and theory associated with physical chemistry.

Chemical thermodynamics and its applications to macroscopic systems. Analysis of microscopic properties of atoms and molecules using kinetic molecular theory with emphasis on Maxwell-Boltzmann distribution functions.

This course introduces analytical techniques and instrumental methods that are commonly used to character biological systems. Techniques surveyed may include chromatography, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, NMR, circular dichroism, fluorescence spectroscopy, and molecular dynamics simulations. The course focuses on applications of these methods to a specific system or research area, which may vary from year to year, e.g. lipid membrane, toxicology, proteomics, etc. This course does not require but is complimentary to CHEM 330 and CHEM 460.