Faculty
Craig R. Bieler, co-chair and professor.
B.S., 1986, Juniata College; Ph.D., 1992, University of Pittsburgh. Appointed 1995.
Lisa B. Lewis, co-chair and professor.
B.S., 1989, King's College; M.S., 1992, University of Pittsburgh; Ph.D., 1994, University of California, Irvine. Appointed 1995.
Amy B. Bethune, assistant professor.
B.A., 1996, The College of Wooster; Ph.D., 2001, Duke University. Appointed 2005.
Andrew N. French, professor.
B.A., 1986, Ohio Wesleyan University; Ph.D., 1992, University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign. Appointed 1997.
Clifford E. Harris, associate professor.
B.S., 1991, California State University, Chico; Ph.D., 1997, University of California, Santa Cruz. Appointed 1997.
Vanessa P. McCaffrey, associate professor.
B.S., 1996, McNeese State University; Ph.D., 2001, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. Appointed 2003.
Kevin M. Metz, assistant professor.
B.S., 2001, Alma College; Ph.D., 2007, University of Wisconsin—Madison. Appointed 2008.
Christopher E. Rohlman, associate professor.
B.S., 1984, Oakland University; Ph.D., 1989, University of Michigan. Appointed 2001.
Chemistry Courses
101 Chemistry That Matters (1)
As citizens and consumers, we face the question of how we can live responsibly and safely in an environment in which we are literally surrounded by synthetic chemicals. For that reason, chemistry does matter to all of us. This course is concerned with materials which we encounter every day, including foods and food additives, cleaning supplies, fuels, building supplies, pesticides and radioactive materials (e.g., radon). The emphasis is upon what these materials are, how they work, how they can be used safely, and what their impact is on the environment. Chemical principles are introduced as needed. Hands-on microscale demonstrations are used frequently in the classroom. Non-laboratory. Lecture and discussion. Intended for non-science majors. Staff.
107 Chemistry for the Non-Science Major (1)
An introduction to the methodology of science and the basic principles of chemistry. General chemistry, organic chemistry and biochemistry topics are briefly surveyed. Few mathematical skills are required. Lecture and laboratory. Not intended
for the chemistry or science major. Staff.
121 Structure and Equilibrium (1)
Basic principles of stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, and chemical equilibria, including the study of weak acids and bases in aqueous solution. Proficiency in algebra is expected. Lecture and laboratory. Staff.
123 Inorganic Chemistry: Introduction (1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121 or permission of instructor.
A systematic introduction to the chemistry of the elements; concepts include electrochemistry, solubility and complex ion equilibria. Lecture and laboratory. Staff.
187, 188, 189 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
200 Chemistry and Social Problems (1)
Prerequisite: Junior/senior standing.
An examination of selected, important social problems which have a technological basis. Discussions focus upon the economic, political and ethical dimensions of the problems, as well as the science and technology involved, and include problems such as the greenhouse effect and global warming, chlorofluorocarbons and the stratospheric ozone layer, chemical and radioactive waste disposal, and the use of pesticides. Risk/benefit analysis and the connection between chemical exposure and biological harm are important features of the discussions. Laboratory work involves the analysis of water samples for trace metals and organic contaminants, using state of the art instrumentation, and will include attempts to assess the validity of the analytical results. Intended for non-science majors as well as science majors. Lewis.
206 Chemical Analysis (1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121; Chemistry 123 recommended.
Laboratory course emphasizing the collection, analysis and interpretation of quantitative data, using both traditional and instrumental techniques. Bieler, Lewis, Metz.
211 Organic Chemistry: Structure, Stability and Mechanism (1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121.
An integrated two-semester introduction to the chemistry of carbon-based molecules--the molecules of life. The structure and stability of carbon compounds, including: nomenclature, physical properties, spectroscopic properties, stereoisomerism and acid-base properties. The physical and mechanistic understanding of organic chemical reactions, focusing on: substitution, addition, elimination and rearrangement reactions. Laboratory involves techniques of synthesis and purification. French, Harris, McCaffrey.
212 Organic Chemistry: Mechanism and Synthesis (1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 211.
A continued survey of the mechanisms and reactions of organic molecules focusing on aromatic and carbonyl compounds, and the application of organic reactions toward organic synthesis. Laboratory involves team-designed organic syntheses of biologically relevant molecules and/or synthetic methodology. French, Harris, McCaffrey.
287, 288, 289 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121.
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
301 Chemical Energetics and Kinetics (1)
Prerequisites: Chemistry 123 or 211 and Mathematics 141 or equivalent.
An exploration of the basic thermodynamic and kinetic principles that govern the outcome of all chemical reactions and physical processes. Primary emphasis is placed upon macroscopic chemical thermodynamics with applications to solutions, colligative properties and phase equilibria. Additional topics include kinetic molecular theory; the experimental basis for determining reaction rates, rate laws and rate constants; the relationship of rate laws to reaction mechanisms; and the effect of temperature change on the rate constant. Bieler, Lewis.
321 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (1/2)
Prerequisites: Chemistry 206, 212.
An exploration of advanced methods of chemical synthesis techniques in both organic and inorganic chemistry. Emphasis is placed on analysis of the synthetic products for purity and qualitative identification, using FT-NMR, FTIR, ultraviolet and visible spectroscopy. Further identification and analysis is done using HPLC, GC/MS, gas chromatography and LC/MS. Two four-hour laboratories per week. Bethune, French, Harris, McCaffrey.
323 Advanced Laboratory: Biochemistry (1)
Prerequisites: Chemistry 206, 337.
The study of biochemical laboratory techniques, including enzyme purification and kinetics; gel exclusion, ion exchange; agarose gel electrophoresis; isolation of nucleic acids; and a special student-designed project. Rohlman.
327 Advanced Physical and Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (1/2)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 206 and 301; prerequisite or corequisite: Chemistry 340.
An exploration of various areas of physical chemistry and advanced problems in analytical chemistry including thermodynamics, kinetics, spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction and quantum mechanics. In carrying out these experiments, students use UV/Vis, fluorescence, ICP, IR, and x-ray fluorescence spectrometers and gain experience with electroanalytical methods, vacuum lines, lasers and x-ray diffraction. Two four-hour laboratories per week. Bieler, Lewis, Metz.
337 Biochemistry (1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 211 or permission of instructor.
An in-depth study of biochemical structure, catalysis, metabolism and cellular regulation. Understanding living systems through molecular and chemical models. Areas of emphasis include macromolecular structure, enzyme mechanisms and kinetics, metabolic mechanisms and regulation, genomics, and proteomics. Same as Biology 337. Rohlman.
340 Physical Chemistry (1)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Normally a student is expected to have completed Chemistry 121, 123, 211, 212, 206 and 301 as well as 2 units of calculus and 2 units of physics.
The microscopic or molecular basis for chemistry. Among the topics covered are the use of Schrodinger wave mechanics to examine the energies of atoms and molecules, including structure and chemical bonds; comparison of calculated energies with experimental values obtained from atomic and molecular spectroscopy; and the use of statistical mechanics to calculate thermodynamic variables and equilibrium constants. Bieler, Lewis.
350 Advanced Organic Chemistry (1/2)
Prerequisites: Chemistry 211, 212.
Reinforces and extends the concepts introduced in Chemistry 211, 212 and introduces new concepts, reactions and molecular theories. Taught with one of two emphases: (1) the synthetic course extends understanding of organic reactions, introduces the most current synthetic organic methods and asks students to use their knowledge to propose syntheses of complex molecules; (2) the physical/mechanistic course includes topics such as aromaticity and models used to explain thermal and photochemical concerted reactions such as frontier orbital theory, Huckel-Mobius transition state theory and the conservation of orbital symmetry. Students in both courses are taught to read and understand the chemical literature, then write about and orally present the novel chemistry they have learned. French, Harris, McCaffrey.
351 Biophysical Chemistry (1/2)
Prerequisites: Chemistry 301, 337.
Examination of the physical chemistry of macromolecules in living systems. A study of thermodynamics, kinetics, ligand binding and spectroscopy related to the understanding of macromolecular structure and function. Rohlman.
353 Spectroscopy (1/2)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 340.
General principles and theories of light absorption and emission at the molecular level, including the application of symmetry and group theory. Detailed applications to IR, Raman, microwave, UV-visible and radiofrequency spectroscopy (NMR, EPR). Additional topics chosen from X-ray crystallography, mass spectroscopy, photochemistry and Mossbauer spectroscopy. Bieler, Lewis, Metz.
356 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (1/2)
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor. Normally a student is expected to have completed Chemistry 340.
An advanced-level discussion of periodic properties, chemical bonding, and acidbase concepts with an emphasis upon the bonding and properties of transition metal complexes. Bethune.
387, 388, 389 Selected Topics (1/4, 1/2, 1)
Prerequisite: Chemistry 121.
An examination of subjects or areas not included in other courses. Staff.
391, 392 Internship (1/2, 1)
Offered on a credit/no credit basis. Staff.
401, 402 Seminar (1/2, 1)
Staff.
411, 412 Directed Study (1/2, 1)
Staff.