Chemistry
Chair: Laura Muller
Department home page: http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/acad/chemistry/
The curriculum of the Chemistry Department includes introductory courses both for students who have studied chemistry previously and for those who are beginning the subject. These courses aim for a broad understanding of scientific theories and methods as well as an appreciation of the interplay between science, the environment and society. They emphasize both theory and experimentation and prepare students for further study in graduate and medical schools, academic or industrial research, and secondary-level teaching. The use of modern instruments and computers for data acquisition as well as data analysis is an integral part of laboratory work. Supervised individual research is encouraged.
Major
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Chemistry courses
Chem 153 Chemical Principles
Chem 154 Inorganic Reactions
Chem 253 Organic Chemistry I
Chem 254 Organic Chemistry II
Chem 331 Analytical Chemistry I
Chem 332 Analytical Chemistry II
Chem 355 Physical Chemistry I
Chem 356 Physical Chemistry II
Chem 361 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 400 Seminar
Additional courses
Phys 170 Introductory Physics I
Phys 171 Introductory Physics II
Math 104 Calculus II
An additional course in mathematics is recommended for students contemplating graduate studies.
The curriculum offered for those planning to major in chemistry is certified by the American Chemical Society. Certification requires the courses needed for the major plus Chem 362 and Chem 305. Chem 500 can be substituted for Chem 305, if the independent work is in Biochemistry.
Combined majors with other departments such as biology, physics, political science or art can be arranged.
Minor
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Any five chemistry courses including one at the 300 level. Only two courses can be at the 100 level.
Courses
103. Chemistry and Your Environment
Fundamental chemical principles and chemical aspects of air and water pollution as well as energy production and resources. For the non-science major who desires an introduction to chemistry with applications to environmental problems. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week. No prior knowledge of chemistry required.
(Jani Benoit, Matthew J. Evans)
Connections:
Conx 23009 The Environment
104. The Chemistry of Life
Fundamental principles of organic chemistry leading up to a discussion of biologically relevant molecules. Topics covered include amino acids, proteins, lipids, carbohydrates and pharmaceuticals along with some discussion of the biological effects of each. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.
(Christopher Kalberg)
109. Edible Chemicals
For the non-science major who is interested in the chemical basis of food and cooking. The focus is on the chemical constituents of food, their structures, functional properties and interactions. The laboratory component examines chemical characteristics of carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and micronutrients. Genetically modified foods are discussed, with attention to their potential and their problems. Three hours lecture and two hours laboratory per week.
(Elita Pastra-Landis)
Connections:
Conx 23002 Food
145. Art, Color and Chemistry
The scientific basis of art media including the chemical basis for color, molecular interactions and reactions involved in the creation of works of art and methods for dating and authenticating works of art. Two two-and-one-half-hour integrated lab/lecture meetings per week.
(Laura Muller)
Connections:
Conx 20047 Molecules to Masterpieces
153. Chemical Principles
Basic concepts: atomic structure, chemical reactions, thermochemistry, gas laws, quantum theory, electron configurations, periodic relationships, chemical bonding and structure. Designed for science majors. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week.
(Jani Benoit)
154. Inorganic Reactions
Properties of liquids and solutions, aqueous equilibria, precipitation reactions, acids and bases, reaction rates, oxidation-reduction, electrochemistry, qualitative analysis and nuclear chemistry. Three hours lecture and three hours laboratory per week.
(Laura Muller)
198. Experimental Course
253. Organic Chemistry I
The chemistry of carbon compounds, including structure and bonding, acid-base properties and stereochemistry. Theory of reaction mechanisms, methods of synthesis and spectroscopy. The chemistry of alkanes, alkenes, alkyl halides and free radicals. In the laboratory, fundamental techniques for the isolation, purification and characterization of organic compounds. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Christopher Kalberg, Nancy Lane)
254. Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of Chem 253. The chemistry of aromatic, carbonyl and acyl compounds. In the laboratory organic reactions and synthesis projects, including isolation and mass, infrared, uv and nmr spectroscopy. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Christopher Kalberg, Nancy Lane)
Connections:
Conx 20069 Structure and Function of Drugs
298. Experimental Courses
Chemistry of Natural Waters
The focus of this course will be on practical uses of water, soil, mineral, and bedrock chemistry to furthering our understanding of the processes that occur as geology, hydrology, and biology (including us humans) interact at the earth's surface. We will examine the chemical cycles between land, ocean and atmosphere, as well as soil formation, weathering, and aquatic chemistry. We will use the fundamentals of acid-base and redox chemistry to focus on understanding the natural system with an eye to assessing how anthropogenic influences have affected it.
303. Current Problems in Environmental Chemistry
An overview of major biogeochemical pathways and basic principles of atmospheric and aquatic chemistry, highlighting human perturbation of natural cycles. Investigation of significant environmental problems, including air and water pollution, ozone depletion, global warming and hazardous wastes, with an emphasis on reading scientific literature and writing science papers. Three hours lecture per week.
(Matthew J. Evans)
Connections:
Conx 23009 The Environment
Conx 20048 Environmental Problem Solving
305. Biochemistry
See Bio 305.
331. Analytical Chemistry I
Chemical equilibrium and its application to the analysis of inorganic substances, including neutralization and complexometric titrations and optical methods. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Laura Muller)
Connections:
Conx 20044 Mathematics of Chemical Analysis
332. Analytical Chemistry II
Theory and application of electrochemistry and separation techniques to the solution of chemical problems. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Jani Benoit)
Connections:
Conx 20044 Mathematics of Chemical Analysis
355. Physical Chemistry I
Thermodynamics as a basis for consideration of the properties of matter, electrolytic and nonelectrolytic solutions and electrochemistry. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
Connections:
Conx 20045 Mathematical Tools for Chemistry
356. Physical Chemistry II
Reaction kinetics with applications to mechanisms and quantum mechanics. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Laura Muller)
Connections:
Conx 20045 Mathematical Tools for Chemistry
361. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Principles of bonding, structure and reactions in inorganic chemistry, with emphasis on transition metal complexes. This includes correlation of structure and reactivity, symmetry and group theory, organometallics and catalysis. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Christopher Kalberg)
362. Advanced Organic Chemistry
Structure and reactivity of organic compounds including reaction mechanisms and synthetic methods. Discussion of primary journal reports of recent synthetic accomplishments. A common theme throughout the course is carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions. Three hours lecture and four hours laboratory per week.
(Christopher Kalberg, Nancy Lane)
400. Seminar
Selected topics from contemporary chemistry.
(Laura Muller)
500. Individual Research
Research under the direction of individual department members for two semester course credits. A thesis is required of each student.