Chemistry (2022 - 2024)
The Department of Chemistry strictly enforces all prerequisites and de-enrolls students from courses for which they do not meet the prerequisites. Prerequisite courses must be completed with a grade of C (not C-) or better. Courses are lectures unless otherwise indicated.
Introduction to Modern Chemistry and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 120 Not open to students majoring in chemistry. Science majors and prehealth students take CHEM-UA 125, 126. No prior coursework in chemistry is assumed. A knowledge of algebra is desirable. Offered every semester. 5 points.
Selected principles and applications with emphasis on the fundamental nature of chemistry. Concepts of atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, solution chemistry, equilibrium, reaction rates, and properties of gases, liquids, and solids.
General Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 125 Prerequisite: placement into Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or completion of a course in precalculus. High school chemistry is recommended. Students cannot receive credit for both CHEM-UA 129 and either or both of CHEM-UA 125 and 126. Offered every semester. 5 points.
Introduction to inorganic and physical chemistry for science majors, engineers, and the prehealth professions. Emphasizes fundamental principles and theories of chemistry. Topics include: theories of atomic structure; stoichiometry; properties of gases, liquids, solids, and solutions; periodicity of the properties of elements; chemical bonding; equilibrium; kinetics; thermodynamics; acid-base reactions; electrochemistry; coordination chemistry; nuclear chemistry. Laboratories provide an introduction to basic techniques used in experimental chemistry. Experiments include manual and automated titrations, basic chromatography, stoichiometry, thermodynamics, and colorimetry.
General Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 126 Prerequisite: General Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 125) with a grade of C or better. Students cannot receive credit for both CHEM-UA 129 and either or both of CHEM-UA 125 and 126. Offered every semester. 5 points.
See General Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 125), above. Laboratories are a continuation of CHEM-UA 125, with emphasis on the analysis of quantitative data rather than its collection. Experiments provide illustration and reinforcement of the topics covered in lecture, including solution chemistry, kinetics, equilibrium, buffers, solubility, and electrochemistry.
Accelerated General Chemistry
CHEM-UA 129 Prerequisites: Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or credit for Advanced Placement Calculus (or equivalent); advanced secondary school courses in chemistry, mathematics, and physics; a departmental placement exam; and departmental permission. Corequisite: Calculus II (MATH-UA 122). Students can also place out of Calculus I or Calculus II via the placement exams administered by the Department of Mathematics. Completion of CHEM-UA 129 substitutes for the CHEM-UA 125, 126 sequence. Students cannot receive credit for both CHEM-UA 129 and either or both of CHEM-UA 125 and 126. Lecture and laboratory. Offered in the fall. 6 points.
Intended for potential majors in the natural sciences or in engineering. Covers a year of chemistry in one semester. Topics include: atomic structure, thermodynamics, chemical transformations, and reaction kinetics. The associated laboratory is designed to reinforce lecture topics.
Mathematics of Chemistry
CHEM-UA 140 Prerequisite: Calculus II (MATH-UA 122) with a grade of C or better or equivalent (or equivalent AP credit). Does not count as an advanced chemistry elective. 4 points.
The mathematical foundations needed to progress into Quantum Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Physical Chemistry Laboratory, and other advanced courses in chemistry. Topics include a brief review of Calculus I and Calculus II, algebra of complex numbers, vectors and matrices, calculus of several variables, basis expansions and integral transforms, ordinary differential equations, partial differential equations, and an introduction to group theory. Emphasizes applications to real chemical problems.
Principles of Organic and Biological Chemistry and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 210 Formerly Principles of Organic Chemistry and Laboratory. Prerequisite: Introduction to Modern Chemistry and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 120) with a grade of C or better. Not open to chemistry majors. Intended primarily for nonscience majors and students in the Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development or the College of Nursing. Offered every semester. 5 points.
Covers nomenclature, conformations, stereochemistry, chemical reactions, and synthesis of organic compounds. Fundamentals of biochemistry, including carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, peptides, and nucleic acids.
Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 225 Prerequisite: General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 126) or Accelerated General Chemistry and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 129) with a grade of C or better. Offered every semester. 5 points.
An introduction to the chemistry of organic compounds. The material is presented in the functional group framework, incorporating reaction mechanisms. Topics include structure and bonding of organic materials, nomenclature, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, spectroscopy, and reactions of aliphatic and aromatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, ethers, amines, and carbonyl compounds. Multifunctional organic compounds are covered, including topics of relevance to biochemistry, such as carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, and nucleic acids. Laboratories include crystallization, distillation, extraction, and other separation techniques, such as column chromatography. Experiments involving the synthesis of organic compounds are introduced, as well as qualitative organic analysis.
Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 226 Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 225) or Majors Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 227) with a grade of C or better. Offered every semester. 5 points.
A continuation of the study of chemistry of organic compounds. See topics under CHEM-UA 225. Laboratories provide training in the syntheses of organic precursors in high yields and high purity needed for multistep procedures. An extensive research project involving unknown compounds is conducted. The use of IR and NMR spectroscopy is explored.
Majors Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 227 Prerequisites: General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 126) or Accelerated General Chemistry and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 129) with a grade of C or better and permission of the department. Offered in the fall. 5 points.
Emphasizes the theory and structures of covalent bonded materials and develops greater insight into how organic compounds react. Because of the focus on fundamental properties and the depth of coverage, designed for students who plan to major in either chemistry or biochemistry.
Majors Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 228 Prerequisites: Majors Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 227) with a grade of C or better and permission of the department. Offered in the spring. 5 points.
A continuation of CHEM-UA 227. Emphasis on oxygen-bearing functional groups such as ketones, acids, and acid derivatives, and their importance in forming carbon-to-carbon bonds. These topics are further extended to polyfunctional compounds such as carbohydrates. Because of the depth of coverage, designed for students who plan to major in either chemistry or biochemistry.
Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy
CHEM-UA 651 Prerequisites: General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 126) or Accelerated General Chemistry and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 129); Calculus II (MATH-UA 122); and General Physics I and II (PHYS-UA 11, 12), all with grades of C or better [students in the three-course sequence for physics majors must complete all three courses plus their separate labs (PHYS-UA 91, 93, and 95 with PHYS-UA 71, 72, and 73)]; and a 2.0 in the chemistry or biochemistry major. Mathematics of Chemistry (CHEM-UA 140) is strongly recommended; students may substitute Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140) and/or Calculus III (MATH-UA 123). Offered in the fall and spring. 4 points.
Introduction to quantum mechanics—general principles and applications to model systems. Electronic structure of one- and many-electron atoms and theory of chemical bonding in diatomic and polyatomic molecules. Principles and applications of molecular spectroscopy: rotational, vibrational, electronic, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Elements of photochemistry. CHEM-UA 651 and 652 may be taken in either order.
Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics
CHEM-UA 652 Prerequisites: General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 126) or Accelerated General Chemistry and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 129); Calculus II (MATH-UA 122); and General Physics I and II (PHYS-UA 11, 12), all with grades of C or better [students in the three-course sequence for physics majors must complete all three courses plus their separate labs (PHYS-UA 91, 93, and 95 with PHYS-UA 71, 72, and 73)]; and a 2.0 in the chemistry or biochemistry major. Mathematics for Chemistry (CHEM-UA 140) is strongly recommended; students may substitute Calculus III (MATH-UA 123) and/or Linear Algebra (MATH-UA 140). Offered in the fall and spring. 4 points.
Develops the close connection between the microscopic world of quantum mechanics and the macroscopic world of thermodynamics. Topics: properties of gases, kinetics, elementary statistical thermodynamics, and thermodynamics of single and multicomponent systems. CHEM-UA 651 and 652 may be taken in either order.
Physical Chemistry Laboratory
CHEM-UA 661 Prerequisite: General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 126) or Accelerated General Chemistry and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 129) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisites or corequisites: Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (CHEM-UA 651) and Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM-UA 652) with grades of C or better. Laboratory and lecture. Offered in the fall and spring. 4 points.
The principles and practices of experimental methods in analytical and research laboratories. Emphasizes background physicochemical theory, and capabilities and limitations of methods and interpretations of data. Covers instrumental methods, such as UV/visible spectroscopy, FT-IR, NMR, and fluorescence, for the systematic characterization of compounds. Includes computer modeling of molecular properties.
Analytical Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 662 Formerly Experimental Methods II. Prerequisites: either General Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 126) or Accelerated General Chemistry (CHEM-UA 129) with a grade of C or better, and Calculus I (MATH-UA 121) or equivalent with a grade of C or better. Recommended corequisite: either Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (CHEM-UA 651) or Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM-UA 652). Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Provides instruction in the use of instruments that are central to modern chemical analyses and presents principles that underlie the measurements and the corresponding instrument function. Describes criteria for the selection of particular instrumental methods and discusses the advantages and limitations of specific methods. The laboratory component of the course familiarizes students with the variety of instrumental methods they will encounter both as undergraduates and later in the work environment or advanced study programs.
Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM-UA 711 Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 226) or Majors Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 228) with a grade of C or better, and either Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (CHEM-UA 651) or Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM-UA 652) with a grade of C or better, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: CHEM-UA 651 or 652 (whichever was not taken as a prerequisite). Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Studies of methods in inorganic chemistry that utilize symmetry to describe bonding and spectra of inorganic compounds. Reactions and kinetics of inorganic, organometallic, and bioinorganic compounds. Selected topics in main group chemistry.
Computational Chemistry
CHEM-UA 752 Formerly Computational Nanotechnology. Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 226) or Majors Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 228). Corequisite or prerequisite: Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (CHEM-UA 651) or Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM-UA 652). Offered in the fall. 4 points.
Develops solid understanding of computational methods and competence in applying them to molecular modeling. Recommended for students with some computer science background.
Structural DNA Nanotechnology
CHEM-UA 828 Formerly CHEM-UA 382. Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 226) or Majors Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 228) with a grade of C or better, or permission of the instructor. Corequisite: Biochemistry I (CHEM-UA 881). Offered once a year. 4 points.
Using DNA secondary structures to control and program molecular structure on the nanometer scale. Students present on recent papers in the field. Specific advanced topics vary: molecular orbital theory, electrocyclic reactions, photochemistry, free radical chemistry, natural products, bioorganic chemistry, organic synthesis, crystallography, and nucleic acid chemistry.
Special Topics in Biochemistry: Cellular Biochemistry
CHEM-UA 850 Prerequisite: Biochemistry I (CHEM-UA 881) with a grade of C or better. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Biochemistry as it relates to the cell biology of eukaryotic cells. Examines eukaryotic cell compartmentation (organelles) and how this plays a vital role in the control and regulation of the biochemistry of the cell.
Chemical Biology
CHEM-UA 868 Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 226) or Majors Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 228) with a grade of C or better, and Biochemistry I (CHEM-UA 881) with a grade of C or better. Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Biological processes at the molecular and structural levels, with an emphasis on the development of chemical reagents and tools. Emphasizes the thought process involved in making new discoveries and the insights gained from these discoveries, and introduces physical organic principles and biophysical spectroscopy methods as necessary. Highlights application of synthetic organic chemistry to develop ligands and inhibitors that regulate biomolecular interactions (including DNA-protein, RNA-protein, and protein-protein interactions) as potential therapeutics.
Biochemistry I, II
CHEM-UA 881, 882 Formerly CHEM-GA 1881, 1882. Prerequisite for CHEM-UA 881: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 226) or Majors Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 228) with a grade of C or better. Prerequisite for CHEM-UA 882: Biochemistry I (CHEM-UA 881) with a grade of C or better. CHEM-UA 881 offered in the fall and spring; CHEM-UA 882 offered in the spring. 4 points per term.
Introduction to the chemistry of living cells. Structure and function of proteins, lipids, carbohydrates, and nucleic acids; enzyme structure, mechanism, and regulation of enzyme activity; membrane structure and transport; and mechanisms of cellular processes and cellular physiology, including ion channels and pumps, cell motility, and the immune response. The second term emphasizes analysis of basic metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, electron transport, and oxidative phosphorylation, as well as mechanisms of metabolic regulation and integration.
Experimental Biochemistry and Laboratory
CHEM-UA 885 Prerequisite: Biochemistry I (CHEM-UA 881). Laboratory and lecture. Offered in the fall and spring. 4 points.
Molecular analysis of biomolecules. Analytical techniques used in biochemical research, including chromatography, spectrophotometry, and electrophoresis; isolation and characterization of selected biomolecules; kinetic analysis of enzymatic activity; analysis of protein-protein and protein-DNA interactions that direct basic biochemical pathways.
Advanced Biochemistry
CHEM-UA 890 Prerequisites or corequisites: Physical Chemistry: Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy (CHEM-UA 651) and Physical Chemistry: Thermodynamics and Kinetics (CHEM-UA 652) with grades of C or better (one must be taken as a prerequisite and the other can be taken as a corequisite). Offered in the spring. 4 points.
Methods used in biochemical, biophysical, and biological research, as well as in selected biomedical applications. Topics include molecular spectroscopic techniques such as light absorption and fluorescence, optical activity, thermodynamics, electrophoresis, nuclear magnetic resonance, and mass spectrometry. Applications include biomolecular and single molecule spectroscopy, molecular beacons, DNA technology, fluorescence, magnetic resonance imaging, and proteomics.
Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM-UA 911 Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry II and Laboratory (CHEM-UA 226) or Majors Organic Chemistry II (CHEM-UA 228) with a grade of C or better. Offered once a year. 4 points.
Focuses on structure and theory with a particular emphasis on the application of stereoelectronic and conformational effects on reaction mechanisms, catalysis, and molecular recognition.
Senior Honors in Chemistry
CHEM-UA 995, 996 Prerequisites: permission of the department and one semester of Advanced Independent Study and Research (CHEM-UA 997 or 998). Restricted to senior chemistry or biochemistry majors with a 3.65 both overall and in the courses required for the major. Required for candidates for the degree with honors. CHEM-UA 995 offered in the fall; CHEM-UA 996 offered in the spring. 2 to 4 points per term.
In consultation with the director of undergraduate studies, the student chooses a faculty member to serve as adviser in an independent program of research in experimental or theoretical chemistry. The student selects an adviser in the spring of the junior year or earlier and undertakes the work that spring, the following summer, and into the senior year. Attendance and participation in a weekly class component is required. A written progress report or oral presentation at the end of the fall semester of the senior year is required. The research is completed during the spring term, and the student presents the work at the annual College of Arts and Science Undergraduate Research Conference near the end of the term. The research culminates in the writing of a senior thesis that must be approved by the adviser and the director of undergraduate studies.
Advanced Independent Study and Research
CHEM-UA 997, 998 Prerequisite: permission of the department. Open to students majoring in chemistry or biochemistry who have maintained an average of 3.0 or better in all departmentally required courses and who possess the requisite ability to pursue research in a field of chemistry or biochemistry. CHEM-UA 997 offered in the fall; CHEM-UA 998 offered in the spring. 2 to 4 points per term.
The research adviser is selected in consultation with the director of undergraduate studies. Training or internship in a research lab is provided in current research areas. Requires a written progress report at the end of the fall semester and a final research report at the close of the academic year.
Graduate Courses Open to Advanced Undergraduates
Graduate courses in chemistry may be taken for undergraduate credit with the permission of the instructor and director of undergraduate studies. For further information, see the director of undergraduate studies and consult the Graduate School of Arts and Science Bulletin.