CHEM - Chemistry
CHEM 104
Life Sciences by Numbers
Guided individual and small-group study of selected topics in chemistry, biology, and the biomedical sciences through solving numerical problems embedded within “word stories” drawn very broadly from biological contexts, enabling students with good verbal skills to strengthen their competence and confidence in mathematical, logical, and critical thinking. No formal laboratory. Units: 6.
CHEM 111
Principles of Chemistry: Foundations
A one-term introduction to chemistry, with emphasis on its basic principles and their application in daily life, including the environment, food and nutrition and the like. Intended for students seeking a brief introduction to the field or desiring to fulfill general education requirements. Short laboratory exercises provide skills and methods for evaluating and interpreting laboratory data and practice in qualitative and quantitative reasoning. Three lectures and one laboratory session, or two integrated lab/discussion sessions per week. Units: 6.
CHEM 115
Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity
Introduction to the basic principles of chemistry, emphasizing structures of chemical species (atoms, ions, and molecules), stoichiometry, the relationships between structure and reactivity, basic chemical models (gas laws, e. g.) and laboratory skills. This course will serve primarily to prepare students who have not had any previous (high school) coursework in chemistry for CHEM 116. Three lectures and one laboratory session each week. Students with high school chemistry should normally take 116 instead of this course. See the chemistry department's web page for placement examination information. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Placement examination
CHEM 116
Principles of Chemistry: Energetics and Dynamics
Introduction to the study of chemistry, for students who have taken high school chemistry or CHEM 115, emphasizing stuctural and quantitative models of chemical behavior. Topics include bonding, thermochemistry, equilibrium, kinetics, and related applications. Three lectures and one laboratory per week. Enrollment is determined by placement examination. See the chemistry department's web page for placement examination information. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: Placement examination
CHEM 191
Directed Study in Chemistry
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
CHEM 195
Internship in Chemistry
An opportunity to connect work experiences in industry, government, or the non-profit sector to the academic program in chemistry. Internships, either summer activities or full- or part-time work experiences during the academic year, are arranged by students in consultation with a Lawrence instructor. In each case, the academic credit (and grading) is based on related readings, discussion with the instructor, and a summary report, plus a presentation on campus, usually in the chemistry seminar series. Advance consultation and application is required, normally by the fifth week of the previous term. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 210
Analytical Chemistry
A course in the fundamental principles of quantitative analysis, stressing both chemical and instrumental techniques. Emphasis on application of analytical chemistry to practical problems, including environmental issues, food science, biochemical systems, and industrial processes. Opportunities for individually designed projects. Lectures and two laboratories per week. Units: 6.
Also listed as Environmental Studies 250
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
CHEM 225
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
This course provides an introduction to the novelty, challenge, and excitement of nanoscale science and technology. In a series of team-taught two-week units based on both popular and technical literature, students will investigate some of the unique structures, properties, experimental techniques, and other processes that are associated with the nanoscale. No laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: At least one introductory course sequence in either chemistry (119 or 115, 116) or physics (150, 160 or 120, 130)
CHEM 247
The Elements of Life
A seminar that introduces the biological chemistry of some 20 elements, mostly “inorganic,” that living systems incorporate and require, touching upon the topics of uptake, selectivity, compartmentalization, control, energetics, catalysis, structure, and toxicity. Students will draw from the text to elucidate in class the biological roles of individual elements. No laboratory. Units: 6.
Also listed as Environmental Studies 247
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
CHEM 250
Organic Chemistry I
A study of carbon compounds, with hydrocarbons discussed in detail and some of the major functional groups introduced. Lectures and weekly laboratory. Laboratory session directed toward the synthesis and analysis of organic compounds and the elucidation of reaction mechanisms. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
CHEM 252
Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of the study of carbon compounds, including additional functional groups and polyfunctional compounds. One four-hour laboratory per week, directed toward more advanced synthetic and analytic problems. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 250
CHEM 270
Biophysical Chemistry
A study of the physical processes involved in living systems including thermodynamics and equilibria, kinetics and transport phenomena, and applications of quantum chemistry and spectroscopy. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116, MATH 140 (or MATH 120 and MATH 130), and PHYS 130 or PHYS 160
CHEM 320
Inorganic Chemistry
A survey of structures, properties, reactivities, and interrelationships of chemical elements and their compounds. Topics include unifying principles and concepts that enable the interpretation of experimental data associated with materials. Emphasis on multidisciplinary aspects of inorganic chemistry. Lectures and weekly laboratory. Laboratory projects involve synthesis and studies of compounds using a variety of experimental methods. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
CHEM 340
Biochemistry I
An introduction to the study of biological processes at the molecular level with emphases on protein struction and function, enzyme mechanism and kinetics, fundamentals of physical biochemistry, and the chemistry of biological molecules, including carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids. Units: 6.
Also listed as Biology 444
Prerequisite: CHEM 250 or concurrent enrollment, or consent of instructor
CHEM 370
Chemical Dynamics
Develops and explores theoretical descriptions of chemical systems: physical states, the laws of thermodynamics as applied to chemical and physical equilibria, chemical reaction kinetics, and spectroscopy. No laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: MATH 120 or 140; one of the following courses: PHYS 120, PHYS 150, CHEM 210, or CHEM 270; or consent of instructor
CHEM 380
Seminar: Perspectives on Chemistry
A series of presentations by visiting chemists and Lawrence students, faculty, and staff, featuring current issues in chemistry, important applications of chemistry, and professional development topics appropriate to chemistry majors or minors. Approximately one meeting per week. Two or more short “reaction papers” (a short seminar critique or summary) required of each student. Offered annually in the Fall Term. May be repeated for credit. Units: 1.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; offered annually in the Fall Term
CHEM 390
Tutorial Studies in Chemistry
Advanced reading and/or laboratory work in chemistry on topics not covered in regular offerings. Available to both majors and non-majors. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 391
Directed Study in Chemistry
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
CHEM 395
Internship in Chemistry
An opportunity to connect work experiences in industry, government, or the non-profit sector to the academic program in chemistry. Internships, either summer activities or full- or part-time work experiences during the academic year, are arranged by students in consultation with a Lawrence instructor. In each case, the academic credit (and grading) is based on related readings, discussion with the instructor, and a summary report, plus a presentation on campus, usually in the chemistry seminar series. Advance consultation and application is required, normally by the fifth week of the previous term. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 399
Independent Study in Chemistry
Original experimental or theoretical research in cooperation with a faculty member. Seniors considering an honors project should register for this course for one or more terms. Available to both majors and non-majors. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 400
Topic for Winter 2010: Green Chemistry
Green chemistry, also known as sustainable chemistry, is the design of chemical products and processes that reduce or eliminate the use or generation of hazardous substances. Green chemistry applies across the production life cycle, including the design, manufacture, and use of chemicals. In this course, we will examine the primary literature as well as popular scientific sources to identify hazardous chemicals in our environments, the sources for these pollutants, and green chemistry approaches to reducing or eliminating the use and accumulation of hazardous chemicals.
Students will apply green chemistry techniques to revise a laboratory class in the Lawrence chemistry curriculum. We will also investigate green chemistry practices in the Lawrence community and potential new green chemistry initiatives. Finally, we will explore local, national, and international examples of green chemistry policy and practice.
Advanced Topics in Chemistr
An examination of a particular, cross-disciplinary topic in chemistry.
Also listed as Environmental Studies 405
Prerequisite: Junior standing with at least one chemistry course beyond general chemistry, or instructor approval.
CHEM 410
Instrumental Analysis
An advanced course in instrumental methods of compound identification and analysis. Emphasis divided between instrument design and operating principles and interpretation of instrumental data. Discussion of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques. Illustrative experiments drawn from various fields of chemistry, with an emphasis on natural systems and environmental issues. One laboratory per week. Lectures and weekly laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 210, 252, and 370 or consent of instructor
CHEM 425
Structure and Reactivity in Organometallic Chemistry
Compounds with metal-carbon bonds are important throughout organic, inorganic, biological and polymer chemistry. In this class, we will explore the structure and reactivity of both main-group and transition-metal organometallic compounds, and the bonding properties which give these compounds their activities. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 252 and CHEM 320 or consent of instructor
CHEM 440
Biochemistry II
A continuation of Biochemistry I. A study of biological processes at the molecular level with an emphasis on metabolic pathways, recent advances in biochemical medicine, and biochemical aspects of gene replication, protein synthesis, molecular motors, and sensing. The course is divided between lecture and discussion and will rely heavily on current biochemical literature. Units: 6.
Also listed as Biology 455
Prerequisite: CHEM 340 or consent of instructor
CHEM 442
Advanced Reserch in Biomolecular Chemistry
A formal introduction to advanced research and techniques in biochemistry. Students will go through the process of developing and independent research project from analyzing scientific literature to conducting experiments. Results and data analysis will be disseminated in the form of oral or written reports. Units: 6.
Also listed as Biology 460
Prerequisite: CHEM 340 or BIOL 354, and consent of instructor
CHEM 450
Topics in Advanced Organic Chemistry
A study of modern topics in organic chemistry, emphasizing current literature. Topics vary year to year and may include organic structure, reaction mechanisms, and synthetic methods. No formal laboratory; lab exercises may occasionally substitute for lectures. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 252 and 370 or consent of instructor
CHEM 470
Quantum Chemistry and Statistical Mechanics
Develops and explores theoretical descriptions of macroscopic chemical systems and their relation to the microscopic point of view: equations of state for macroscopic systems of gases, liquids, and solids at equilibrium; the microscopic quantum description of atoms and molecules in such systems; statistical methods that link the macroscopic and microscopic levels of description; and the treatment of deviations from equilibrium. No laboratory. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 370
CHEM 475
Spectroscopy
A study of the theory and practice of spectroscopy. Theoretical topics may include energy quantization, selection rules, and group theory. Experimental topics may include infrared, Raman, ultraviolet/visible, electron spin resonance, or nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies and their applications. Two lectures and two laboratories per week. Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 370 or CHEM 470
CHEM 480
Seminar: Chemical Literature
A seminar course intended primarily for junior majors and minors in chemistry. Students learn the character and organization of the chemical literature and become familiar with search strategies, as each selects a topic and, guided by the instructor, conducts a literature search for key papers on that topic, contructs an annotated bibliography, reads several of the most important of the papers, and prepares an end-of-term presentation highlighting key research findings related to their chosen topic. Units: 2.
Prerequisite: Junior standing, or consent of instructor
CHEM 590
Tutorial Studies in Chemistry
Advanced reading and/or laboratory work in chemistry on topics not covered in regular offerings. Available to both majors and non-majors. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 591
Directed Study in Chemistry
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
CHEM 595
Internship in Chemistry
An opportunity to connect work experiences in industry, government, or the non-profit sector to the academic program in chemistry. Internships, either summer activities or full- or part-time work experiences during the academic year, are arranged by students in consultation with a Lawrence instructor. In each case, the academic credit (and grading) is based on related readings, discussion with the instructor, and a summary report, plus a presentation on campus, usually in the chemistry seminar series. Advance consultation and application is required, normally by the fifth week of the previous term. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 599
Independent Study in Chemistry
Original experimental or theoretical research in cooperation with a faculty member. Seniors considering an honors project should register for this course for one or more terms. Available to both majors and non-majors. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 680
Seminar: Senior Seminar
A seminar course for senior majors, culminating in an individual seminar presentation by each student. Units: 3.
CHEM 690
Tutorial Studies in Chemistry
Advanced reading and/or laboratory work in chemistry on topics not covered in regular offerings. Available to both majors and non-majors. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 691
Directed Study in Chemistry
Directed study follows a syllabus set primarily by the instructor to meet the needs or interests of an individual student or small group of students. The main goal of directed study is knowledge or skill acquisition, not research or creative work. Units: Variable.
CHEM 695
Internship in Chemistry
An opportunity to connect work experiences in industry, government, or the non-profit sector to the academic program in chemistry. Internships, either summer activities or full- or part-time work experiences during the academic year, are arranged by students in consultation with a Lawrence instructor. In each case, the academic credit (and grading) is based on related readings, discussion with the instructor, and a summary report, plus a presentation on campus, usually in the chemistry seminar series. Advance consultation and application is required, normally by the fifth week of the previous term. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing. Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 699
Independent Study in Chemistry
Original experimental or theoretical research in cooperation with a faculty member. Seniors considering an honors project should register for this course for one or more terms. Available to both majors and non-majors. Units: Variable.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.