course catalog page

On Line Smith College Course Catalog

Introductory Courses

Chemistry 100: Perspectives in Chemistry. Topic: Chemistry of art objects. In this museum-based course, chemistry will be discussed in the context of art. We will focus on materials used by artists and how the chemistry of these materials influences their longevity. Current analytical methods as well as preservation and conservation practices will be discussed with examples from the Smith College Museum of Art. Three hours of lecture, discussion and demonstrations. Class meetings will take place in the Museum and in the Clark Science Center. 4 credits. (Offered Spring)
Chemistry 108: Environmental Chemistry An introduction to environmental chemistry, applying chemical concepts to topics such as acid rain, the greenhouse effect, the ozone layer, photochemical, smog, pesticides, and waste treatment. Chemical concepts will be developed as needed. 4 credits. (Offered Spring)
Chemistry 111: Chemistry I: General Chemistry The first semester of our core chemistry curriculum introduces the language(s) of chemistry and explores atoms, molecules and their reactions. Topics covered include electronic structures of atoms, structure shape and properties of molecules; reactions and stoichiometry. Enrollment limited to 60 per lecture section, 16 per lab section. 5 credits. (Offered Fall)
Chemistry 118: Advanced General Chemistry This course is designed for students with a very strong background in chemistry. The elementary theories of stoichiometry, atomic structure, bonding, structure, energetics and reactions will be quickly reviewed. The major portions of the course will involve a detailed analysis of atomic theory and bonding from an orbital concept, an examination of the concepts behind thermodynamic arguments in chemical systems, and an investigation of chemical reactions and kinetics. The laboratory deals with synthesis, physical properties, and kinetics. The course is designed to prepare students for CHM 222/223 as well as replace both CHM 111 and 224. A student who passes 118 cannot take either 111 or 224. Enrollment limited to 32. 5 credits. (Offered Fall)

Intermediate Courses

Chemistry 222: Chemistry II: Organic Chemistry An introduction to the theory and practice of organic chemistry. The course focuses on structure, nomenclature, physical and chemical properties of organic compounds and alkenes, and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy for structural analysis. Reactions of carbonyl compounds will be studied in depth. Prerequisite: 111 or 118. Enrollment limited to 16 per lab section. 5 credits. (Offered Spring).
Chemistry 223: Chemistry III: Organic Chemistry Material will build on introductory organic chemistry topics covered in 222 and will focus more heavily on retrosynthetic analysis and multistep synthetic planning. Specific topics include reactions of alkyl halides, alcohols, ethers; aromaticity and reactions of benzene; and cycloaddition reactions including the Diels-Alder reaction. Prerequisite: 222 and successful completion of the 222 lab. Enrollment limited to 16 per lab section. 5 credits. (Offered Fall).
Chemistry 224: Chemistry IV: Introduction to Inorganic and Physical Chemistry This final course in the chemistry core sequence provides a foundation in the principles of physical and inorganic chemistry that are central to the study of all chemical phenomena. Topics include coordination chemistry of transition metals and quantitative treatment of thermochemistry, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry and kinetics of reactions. Prerequisite: 111; MTH 111 or equivalent; or permission of the instructor. Enrollment limited to 16 per lab section. 5 credits. (Offered Spring).

Advanced Courses

Chemistry 321: Organic Synthesis An examination of modern methods of organic synthesis and approaches to the synthesis of complex organic compounds with a focus on the current literature. Prerequisite: 223. Offered in alternate years. 4 credits. (Offered Spring '09).
Chemistry 326: Synthesis and Structural Analysis Synthetic techniques and experimental design in the context of multistep synthesis. The literature of chemistry, methods of purification and characterization with a focus on NMR spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, and chromatography. Recommended especially for sophomores. Prerequisite: 223. 4 credits. (Offered Spring).
Chemistry 328: Bio-Organic Chemistry This course deals with the function, biosynthesis, structure elucidation and total synthesis of the smaller molecules of nature. Emphasis will be on the constituents of plant essential oils, steroids including cholesterol and the sex hormones, alkaloids and nature's defense chemicals, molecular messengers and chemical communication. The objectives of the course can be summarized as follows: To appreciate the richness, diversity and significance of the smaller molecules of nature, to investigate methodologies used to study and synthesize these substances, and to become acquainted with the current literature in the field. Prerequisite: 223. Offered in alternate years. 4 credits. (Offered Spring '10).
Chemistry 331: Physical Chemistry I Quantum chemistry: the electronic structure of atoms and molecules, with applications in spectroscopy. An introduction to statistical mechanics links the quantum world to macroscopic properties. Prerequisites: 224 and MTH 112 or MTH 114. MTH 212 or PHY 210, and PHY 115 or 117 are strongly recommended. 4 credits. (Offered Fall).
Chemistry 332: Physical Chemistry II Thermodynamics and kinetics: will the contents of this flask react, and if so, how fast? Properties that govern the chemical and physical behavior of macroscopic collections of atoms and molecules (gases, liquids, solids and mixtures of the above). Prerequisite: CHM118 or CHM224 and MTH 112 or MTH 114. 5 credits. (Offered Spring).
Chemistry 335: Physical Chemistry of Biochemical Systems A course emphasizing physical chemistry of biological systems. Topics covered include chemical thermodynamics, solution equilibria, enzyme kinetics, and biochemical transport processes. The laboratory focuses on experimental applications of physical-chemical principles to systems of biochemical importance. Prerequisites: 224 or permission of the instructor, and MTH 112. 4 credits. (Offered Spring).
Chemistry 336: Light and Chemistry The interaction of light with molecules is central to studies of molecular structure and reactivity. This course builds on students' understanding of molecular structure from the core sequence (CHM 111-CHM 224) to show how many types of light can be used to interrogate molecules and to shed some light on their behavior. The combined classroom/laboratory format allows students to explore light-based instruments in short, in-class exercises as well as in longer, more traditional labs. The course culminates with an independent project that allows students to explore some of the ways light is used in cutting-edge chemical research. Prerequisites: CHM 224 or permission of the instructor. 4 credits. (Offered Spring).
Chemistry 338: Bio-NMR Spectroscopy and Imaging This course is designed to provide an understanding of the general principles governing 1D and 2D Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. Examples from the diverse use of biological NMR in the study of protein structures, enzyme mechanisms, DNA, RNA, etc. will be analyzed and discussed. A basic introduction to Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) will also be included, concentrating on its application to biomedical issues. Prerequisite: A knowledge of NMR spectroscopy at the basic level covered in CHM 222 and 223. Offered in alternative years. 4 credits.
Chemistry 346: Environmental Analytical Chemistry In this course in analytical chemistry, students will learn to use instrumental (and traditional) techniques as they investigate samples of environmental interest. Students will gain specific in-depth knowledge of certain instrumental techniques, including a molecular-level understanding of how these techniques interact with chemical compounds and mixtures. The format of the course will allow time to work with the instruments both during lecture (short, in-class activities) and during laboratory periods. Samples analyzed in the laboratory will be of environmental relevance and so lab work will necessarily include learning to deal with complex (and even inhomogeneous) mixtures. Thus, in addition to the instrumental techniques, students will learn some of the basic handling techniques for these types of samples and appropriate methods for gathering and interpreting accurate chemical data. Independent projects will allow students to investigate environmental questions of interest to them using the available suite of analytical techniques. Oral presentations and formal laboratory reports will be required. Prerequisite: CHM 224 or permission of the instructor. 4 credits (Offered Fall). (Offered Fall).
Chemistry 357: Selected Topics in Biochemistry Topic: Pharmacology and Drug Design. An introduction to the principles and methodology of pharmacology, toxicology, and drug design. The pharmacology of several drugs will be examined in detail, and computational software used to examine drug binding and to assist in designing a new or modified drug. Some of the ethical and legal factors relating to drug design, manufacture, and use will also be considered. Prerequisite: BCH 352, or permission of the instructor. 4 credits. (Offered Fall '09).
Chemistry 363: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Topics in inorganic chemistry. Application of group theory to coordination compounds, molecular orbital theory of main group compounds, and organometallic compounds. 4 credits. (Offered Spring).
Chemistry 369: Bioinorganic Chemistry This course will provide an introduction to the field of bioinorganic chemistry. Students will learn about the role of metals in biology as well as about the use of inorganic compounds as probes and drugs in biological systems. Prerequisites: CHM 223 and 223. Offered in alternate years. 4 credits. (Offered Spring '11).
Chemistry 395: Advanced Chemistry A course in which calculational techniques are illustrated and used to explore chemical systems, without regard to boundaries of subdisciplines. Topics molecular mechanics, semi-empirical, and ab initio computations. Prerequisite: 331. Offered in alternate years. 4 credits. (Offered Spring '10).

Independent Work Courses

Chemistry 400: Special Studies 1 to 4 credits as assigned. (Offered both semesters each year)
Chemistry 430: Honors Full year course. 8 credits. (Offered each year)
Chemistry 432: Honors Full year course. 12 credits. (Offered each year)

Interdepartmental and Crosslisted Courses

Biochemistry 252: Biochemistry I: Biochemical Structure and Function Structure and function of biological macromolecules: proteins and nucleic acids. Mechanisms of conformational change and cooperative activity; bioenergetics, enzymes and regulation.. Prerequisites: BIO 230/231 and CHM 223. Laboratory (BCH 253) must be taken concurrently by biochemistry majors; optional for others. 3 credits. (Offered Spring)
Biochemistry 253: Biochemistry I Laboratory: Techniques of modern biochemistry: ultraviolet spectrophotometry and spectrofluorimetry, SDS polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, Scatchard analysis, and a project lab on linked enzyme kinetics. Prerequisites: BIO 203. BCH 252 is a prerequisite or must be taken concurrently. 2 credits. (Offered Spring)
Biochemistry 352: Biochemistry II: Biochemical Dynamics Chemical dynamics in living systems. Enzyme mechanisms, metabolism and its regulation, energy production and utilization. Prerequisites: BCH 252 and CHM 224. Laboratory (BCH 353) must be taken concurrently by biochemistry majors; optional for others. 3 credits. (Offered Fall)
Biochemistry 353: Biochemistry II Laboratory Investigations of biochemical systems using experimental techniques in current biochemical research. Emphasis is on independent experimental design and execution. BCH 352 is a prerequisite or must be taken concurrently. 2 credits. (Offered Fall)
Geology 301: Aqueous Geochemistry This project-based course examines the geochemical reactions that result from interaction of water with the natural system. Water and soil samples collected from weekend field trip will serve as abasis for understanding principles of pH, alkalinity, equilibrium thermodynamics, mineral solubility, soil chemistry, redox reactions, and acid rain and mine drainage. The laboratory will emphasize wet-chemistry analytical techniques. Participants will prepare regular reports based on laboratory analyses, building to a final analysis of the projected study area. One weekend field trip. Prerequisites: One geology course and CHM 111. Enrollment limited to 9. 4 credits. (Offered Fall)
Physics 340: Quantum Mechanics The formal structure of nonrelativistic quantum mechanics, with solution of some simple problems and an introduction to approximation methods. Prerequisites: PHY 210, PHY 220 and PHY 222. 4 credits. (Offered Fall)
Physics 348: Thermal Physics Statistical Mechanics, kinetic theory of gases, introduction to thermodynamics. Prerequisites: PHY 210, PHY 220 and PHY 222. 4 credits. (Offered Fall)