Course Catalog 2009-2010

Associate Professor Peter Kuhlman, Chair

Associate Professors Jordan L. Fantini, Michael M. Fuson, Peter Kuhlman, Sonya L. McKay, Charles W. Sokolik; Assistant Professors Annabel M. Edwards, Anthony R. Layson, Joseph J. Reczek, Kimberly Musa Specht; Visiting Assistant Professor Albert Pyzik; Academic Administrative Assistant Cathy Romei

The chemistry and biochemistry curriculum provides courses which are designed to enable students as contributing professionals and engaged citizens to deal effectively with a world increasingly dominated by the ideas and methods of modern science. Majors are qualified for immediate employment in industry. However, many elect to attend graduate school in chemistry, biochemistry, or related areas, or enter schools of medicine, dentistry, or engineering. The department is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society to offer a Certificate of Professional Training in Chemistry to students who satisfy certain requirements beyond a B.S. in chemistry.

Majors are encouraged to participate in the various on-going research projects in the department. Non-majors have access to the department's resources as they are required for their projects. Additional research opportunities are available in the department during the summer and as part of the Oak Ridge Science Semester described at www.orss.denison.edu. Students interested in teaching should consult with faculty in the Department of Education. Although a teacher licensure program is not offered currently, students may take a course of study to explore the field of Education. Faculty and staff in the Department of Education assist students in creating individually designed plans for obtaining licensure through a range of programs after graduation.

Approved eye protection is required in all laboratory courses. The general policy regarding safety glasses is explained in detail on page Safety Glasses Requirement.

A policy of breakage fees governs equipment use in all laboratory courses. This policy is described earlier in this catalog.

The department provides two routes to the bachelor's degree in Chemistry: a Bachelor of Science program for students wishing an intensive study of chemistry in preparation for professional careers, graduate work in chemistry, or professional schools; and a Bachelor of Arts program for students intending to pursue fields such as dentistry, medicine, secondary school teaching or other areas requiring a strong chemistry background. Earning a B.A. degree does not preclude a professional scientific career, although an additional year of undergraduate study may be required for admission to some graduate programs.

A student may graduate with a B.A. degree in chemistry on fulfillment of G.E. requirements and the successful completion of the following courses:

A student may graduate with a B.S. degree in chemistry on fulfillment of G.E. requirements and the successful completion of the following courses:

(The B.S. major who takes Chem. 431 and Chem. 302 as part of the degree requirements will earn a degree certified to the American Chemical Society.)

The Chemistry courses listed above must be taken at Denison, with the following exception. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recognizes the valuable contribution that off-campus study can provide to a broad liberal arts education, and so one course in the major at the 300-level or higher may be taken at another institution, providing that prior approval is sought and received from the department.

The department also offers a Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry. This is a rigorous course of study which will provide the student with a strong background for professional schools (medical, dental, pharmacology, veterinary) as well as graduate schools in biochemistry and related fields.

A student may graduate with a B.S. degree in biochemistry on fulfillment of G.E. requirements and the successful completion of the following courses:

(All advanced courses in Biology have prerequisite courses that a student majoring in biochemistry may not have completed. Students without the appropriate prerequisite courses must obtain the permission of the instructor before registering for these advanced Biology courses.) The Chemistry courses listed above must be taken at Denison, with the following exception. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry recognizes the valuable contribution that off-campus study can provide to a broad liberal arts education, and so one course in the major at the 300-level or higher may be taken at another institution, providing that prior approval is sought and received from the department.

The department requires 20 semester hours of work in chemistry for the completion of a minor in chemistry: Chem. 121-122, Chem. 223-224 and the associated laboratory work, and one additional semester of course work at the 200 level or above would satisfy this requirement. All five courses for the minor must be taken at Denison University.

Chemistry in Modern Society (CHEM-110).  This course is intended for students who are not majoring in the sciences or who need further preparation before entering General Chemistry. It consists of an introductory treatment of the fundamental ideas of chemistry such as periodic properties of atoms, molecular structure and chemical reactivity. These ideas are then applied to examination of topics of current interest such as the environmental chemistry of air, water and pollution, and the health related chemistry of food, drugs and radiation. This course satisfies the GE science requirement. Three class periods and one laboratory weekly. Safety goggles required. 4

General Chemistry I (CHEM-121).  An introductory study of basic chemical topics including the scientific method, error analysis, fundamental language and nomenclature, atomic structure, stoichiometry, chemical bonding, molecular geometry, periodicity of chemical properties, comparison of states of matter, chemical reactions, and intermolecular forces. Laboratory experiments are designed to introduce quantitative and/or synthetic techniques and are selected to illustrate and reinforce material discussed in lecture. Prerequisite: high school chemistry or Chemistry in Modern Society (CHEM-110). Four class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety goggles required. 4

General Chemistry II (CHEM-122).  Building on the fundamentals of General Chemistry I (CHEM-121) topics covered include acid-base chemistry, chemical equilibrium, kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and nuclear chemistry. Laboratory experiments are designed to expand the application of quantitative analysis to chemical systems and are selected to illustrate and reinforce material discussed in lecture. Prerequisite: General Chemistry I (CHEM-121). The department strongly recommends that students enrolling in this course have earned a grade of C or higher in General Chemistry I. Four class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety goggles required. 4

Introductory Topics in Chemistry (CHEM-199).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

Environmental Chemistry (CHEM-212).  A study of the chemistry of the atmosphere, natural water, and soils with a special focus on acid precipitation, greenhouse gases, ozone depletion, urban and indoor air pollution, water and soil pollution, solid and hazardous waste disposal and risk assessment. Prerequisites 121-122. Three class periods and one laboratory weekly. This course can be used to satisfy minor in chemistry. Safety glasses required. (Offered every other year in spring semester only) 4

Organic Chemistry I (CHEM-223).  A study of the structure, bonding, stereochemistry and reactions of organic molecules. Focus is on reactions of alkanes, alkyl halides, alkenes, alkynes and alcohols. Functional groups are explored through spectroscopy and experiments are selected to demonstrate the behavior and characterization of typical organic compounds, and to introduce the techniques of organic qualitative analysis. The laboratory provides an experimental basis for illustrating aspects of the chemistry discussed in class. Prerequisites: 122. The department strongly recommends that students enrolling in this course have earned a grade of C or higher in General Chemistry II (CHEM 122). Three class periods and one laboratory period weekly. 4

Organic Chemistry II (CHEM-224).  The reaction chemistry and stereochemistry of aromatics, aldehydes and ketones, and carboxylic acids and derivatives are emphasized, specifically syntheses, reaction mechanisms, theoretical concepts, and the spectroscopic analysis of compounds. Increasingly, work in the second semester deals with biologically important examples. Experiments are selected to introduce techniques of preparation of organic compounds. The laboratory provides an experimental basis for illustrating aspects of the chemistry discussed in class. Prerequisites: 223. The department strongly recommends that students enrolling in this course have earned a grade of C or higher in Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 223). Three class periods and one laboratory period weekly. 4

Organic Chemistry Laboratory (Majors) (CHEM-228).  Directed laboratory work in organic chemistry focusing on developing library and laboratory research skills. Taken concurrently with 224 by those students planning to major in chemistry or biochemistry. One laboratory period weekly. Safety goggles required. 1

Analytical Chemistry (CHEM-231).  A course of quantitative analytical chemistry based on principles of chemical equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamics. The laboratory includes exposure to a range of solution methods along with spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques for analysis. Offered fall semester only. Three class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety glasses required. Prerequisite: 122. 4

Intermediate Topics in Chemistry (CHEM-299).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

Biochemistry (CHEM-302).  A study of the chemical and physiochemical properties of living organisms. Concepts will be developed through a study of the physical and chemical properties of biological compounds and integration of various metabolic pathways in an attempt to understand the dynamics of living systems. The laboratory will include the isolation and study of properties of biological compounds. Prerequisites: 224 and Biology 201. The department strongly recommends that students enrolling in this course have earned a grade of C or higher in Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 224) and Molecular Biology (BIOL 201). Offered in the fall semester (also as Biology 302). Three class periods weekly plus laboratory. Safety glasses required. 4

Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM-341).  An examination of the physical properties of chemical systems from both macroscopic and microscopic points of view. Topics include: gas laws and the kinetic molecular theory; thermodynamics and thermochemistry; equilibria and chemical kinetics. Prerequisites: Chemistry 122, Math 123, Physics 122. Four class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety glasses required. 4

Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy (CHEM-342).  An examination of the structures and energies of molecules. Topics include: structure and bonding from a quantum mechanical point of view; symmetry; and an introduction to spectroscopy. Four class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Prerequisites: Chemistry 122, Math 123, Physics 122. Safety glasses required. 4

Directed Study (CHEM-361).  Laboratory (or library) research, in consultation with a member of the chemistry faculty. Offered to juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: 224 plus 342 or consent. Hours arranged. Safety glasses required. 1-4

Directed Study (CHEM-362).  Laboratory (or library) research, in consultation with a member of the chemistry faculty. Offered to juniors and seniors. Prerequisites: 224 plus 342 or consent. Hours arranged. Safety glasses required. 1-4

Independent Study (CHEM-363).  1-4

Independent Study (CHEM-364).  1-4

Advanced Topics in Chemistry (CHEM-399).  A general category used only in the evaluation of transfer credit. 1-4

Advanced Biochemistry (CHEM-401).  This is a topical course, the content of which will vary from year to year. In general, a detailed look at a variety of recent biochemical topics will be conducted through readings of the primary literature. Laboratory will offer an in-depth, semester-long research experience. Offered Spring semester (also as Biology 401). Prerequisite: CHEM/BIOL 302. Safety glasses required. 4

Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM-402).  A study of synthetic strategy and certain theoretical aspects of organic chemistry using specially selected examples. The latter include some of the more complex compounds of the aliphatic, aromatic, and heterocyclic series, including compounds of biological significance. Prerequisites: 224. Three class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety glasses required. (Offered every other year) 4

Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM-417).  A study of inorganic chemistry well beyond that encountered in 122. Topics treated include: chemical bonding; theory, structure and reactivity of coordination complexes; acid-base concepts; organometallic chemistry and bioinorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: 224. Three class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety glasses required. (Offered every other year) 4

Instrumental Analysis (CHEM-431).  An examination of modern instruments used in absorption spectroscopy, electrochemistry, and chromatography. Emphasis is on instrumental use as well as underlying theory. Selected aspects of electronics are also discussed. Examples and problems are drawn from the current chemical literature. Prerequisite: 231. Three class periods and one laboratory period weekly. Safety glasses required. Offered every other year in spring semester only. 4

Senior Research (CHEM-451).  Laboratory research for qualified seniors working under faculty supervision. Students who wish to qualify for graduation with honors must first enroll in these courses. Prerequisite: Staff approval. Hours arranged. Safety glasses required. 4

Senior Research (CHEM-452).  Laboratory research for qualified seniors working under faculty supervision. Students who wish to qualify for graduation with honors must first enroll in these courses. Prerequisite: Staff approval. Hours arranged. Safety glasses required. 4

Chemistry and Biochemistry Senior Seminar (CHEM-470).  Based on current literature in chemistry and biochemistry, this course encourages a critical reading of the primary literature and the thoughtful expression of its analysis through student-led presentations. Topical focus will vary from year to year. Required of all Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. Prerequisite: Senior standing or consent of instructor. This course satisfies the Oral Communication requirement. (Offered spring semester) 2