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 108
The Chemistry of Art
A study of the chemistry underlying topics of interest to artists and art historians. Topics may include: papermaking; pigments, dyes, and binders; photography; glass and ceramics; metals; and printmaking. The course is designed for all students. Combined lecture and laboratory.
Units: 6.
CHEM 109
Weird Science
A study of the chemistry underlying famous curious chemical phenomena such as Fitzroy's Storm Glass, glowing slime, sparklers, and the Mentos effect. Two three-hour laboratory sessions per week. The course is designed for all students, and satisfies the college's laboratory science general education requirement. Students should consult instructor if their background in high school chemistry is weak.
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 for students who have not completed CHEM 115. See the chemistry department's web page for placement examination information.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 115 or 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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Sophomore standing; Counter Registration Required
CHEM 210
Analytical Chemistry
A course in the quantitative and qualitative description of chemical equilibria in solution (acid-base, complexation, redox, solubility) using classical, separation, electrochemical, and spectrochemical methods of analysis. This course covers methods of quantification, statistics, and data analysis as applied in modern chemistry. Opportunities for individually designed projects. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116, placement exam, or consent of instructor
Also listed as Environmental Studies 250
CHEM 212
Atmospheric & Environmental Chemistry
This course focuses on the fundamental chemical processes that control Earth's atmosphere, ocean, soil, and climate. The course emphasizes the mechanisms that regulate the flow of energy in different ecosystems, the environmental role of particulate matter and solar radiation, chemistry-climate relationships, and the anthropogenic impact on the environment.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116
Also listed as Environmental Studies 222
CHEM 225
Nanoscience and Nanotechnology
This course provides an introduction to the novelty, challenge, and excitement of nanoscale science and technology. Emphasis on the physical and chemical properties and phenomena at the nanoscale and their influence in chemistry, biochemistry, and environmental chemistry. Opportunities for individually designed projects. No formal laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: At least one introductory course sequence in either chemistry (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.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
Also listed as Environmental Studies 247
CHEM 250
Organic Chemistry I
A study of the relationship between structure and function in organic compounds. Basic topics such as molecular orbital theory, conformational equilibria, stereochemistry, and nucleophilic substitution are covered. Students also learn to use instrumental analysis (NMR, IR, GC-MS) to identify and characterize compounds. One four-hour laboratory per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 116 or 119 or consent of instructor
CHEM 252
Organic Chemistry II
A study of organic reactions and their mechanisms. The focus of the class is synthesis, both in the concrete sense of building molecules and in the abstract sense of pulling together disparate concepts to solve problems. Case studies from the polymer and pharmaceutical industries underline the relevance of the discipline to everyday life. One four-hour laboratory per week.
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.
Prerequisite: CHEM 250 or concurrent enrollment, or consent of instructor
Also listed as Biology 444
CHEM 370
Physical Chemistry I
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 catalysis. No laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: MATH 150, PHYS 150, CHEM 116; 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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
CHEM 400
Advanced Topics in Chemistr
An examination of a particular, cross-disciplinary topic in chemistry.
Topic for Spring Term 2011:The Energy Conondrum
An advanced course in inorganic chemistry focusing on emerging energy technologies. Topics may include solar, wind, geothermal, and nuclear energies, fuel cell technology, and biofuels, among others. Classroom experiences may include biodiesel synthesis, construction of fuel cells and dye-sensitized solar cells, and catalytic water splitting.
Units: 6.
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 quantification and identification in modern chemistry. Emphasis on instrument design, operating principles, interpretation of instrumental data, and discrimination between techniques. Discussion of spectroscopic, chromatographic, and electrochemical techniques and their application in fundamental and applied research. Three lectures and one laboratory per week.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 210 or consent of instructor
CHEM 420
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
A continuation of inorganic chemistry addressing cross-disciplinary topics such as organometallic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, nanosciences, inorganic spectroscopy, and main group chemistry, with examples drawn from the primary literature. The course is especially recommended for majors who plan to continue studies in graduate or professional school.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 250, CHEM 320, and CHEM 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.
Prerequisite: CHEM 340 or consent of instructor
Also listed as Biology 455
CHEM 445
Biochemistry of Viruses
The advanced biochemical, molecular, epidemiological and biotechnological aspects of animal, bacterial and plant viruses will be covered in this course. Specific areas of virology will be covered, including viral structure and assembly, viral replication, viral recombination and evolution, virus-host interactions, viral transformations, antiviral drugs, and vaccines. Selected virus families are discussed individually with respect to classification, genomic structure, virion structure, virus cycle, pathogenesis, epidemiology and immunity.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 340 or BIOL 354
CHEM 450
Topics in Advanced Organic Chemistry
A study of modern topics in organic chemistry, emphasizing current literature. Topics may vary from year to year, but the class typically covers organic synthesis in depth. Students will often use the literature and their own expanding understanding of chemical reactivity to design synthetic routes to complex drugs and natural products. No formal laboratory; lab exercises may occasionally substitute for lectures.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: CHEM 252 or consent of instructor
CHEM 470
Physical Chemistry II
Develops and explores theoretical methods and models for the quantum description of atoms and molecules as chemical systems; statistical methods that link the macroscopic and molecular levels of these descriptions are also explored, along with the treatment of deviations from equilibrium. No laboratory.
Units: 6.
Prerequisite: MATH 150 and CHEM 370; or consent of instructor
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; or consent of instructor
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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
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: 1 TO 98.
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: 1 TO 98.
Prerequisite: Counter Registration Required.
