2008–2009 Chemistry Courses
Environmental Chemistry
Level: Open
Semester: Fall
This course provides an introduction to basic concepts of chemistry and their application to current environmental issues. Topics include acid rain, ozone depletion, air pollution, global warming, and surface water and groundwater pollution. We will then consider how human activities such as transportation, energy production, and chemical industries influence the environment.
Organic Chemistry
Level: Intermediate
Semester: Year
This yearlong course is a systematic study of the chemistry of carbon compounds. Introductory topics include bonding, structure, properties, reactions, nomenclature, stereochemistry, spectroscopy, and synthesis of organic compounds from a functional group approach. More advanced topics include reaction mechanisms, chemistry of aromatic compounds, carbonyl compounds, and biomolecules such as carbohydrates and amino acids. In the laboratory, students learn the basic techniques used in the synthesis, isolation, and identification of organic compounds.
Prerequisite: General Chemistry or its equivalent.
Biochemistry
Level: Intermediate
Semester: Spring
Biochemistry is the chemistry of biological systems. This course will introduce students to the basic principles and concepts of biochemistry. Topics will include the structure and function of biomolecules such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, RNA, DNA, and bioenergetics. This knowledge will then be used to study the pathways of metabolism.
Prerequisites: Organic Chemistry and General Biology.