Chemistry Courses and Syllabi
NOTE: Course syllabi can be viewed in .pdf format by clicking on the course number.
Key
(2A) This course satisfies GER2A requirements.
(L) This course satisfies laboratory requirements.
(*) Starred courses may be taken only with the consent of the instructor.
(†) May be taken only with the consent of the chairperson of the department or the dean of the school concerned.
Descriptions
101. Survey of Chemical Principles [pdf](GER 2A) Fall (3 credits) For non-science majors. (Science majors and pre-medical students should enroll in chem 103). Consent of the instructor required if any chemistry lecture courses have been taken.
General chemical principles related to humans and their environment, including the compoisition of matter, chemical reactions and energy. For non-science concentrators. (Science concentrators and pre-medical students should enroll in Chem 103.) Permission of the instructor required if any chemistry lecture courses, other than Chem 150, have been taken.
101L. Chemical Principles Laboratory [pdf]
Fall (1 credit) Corequisite: Chemistry 101. For non-science majors. Science majors and pre-medical students should enroll in Chem 103L.
Laboratory techniques in chemistry. Four laboratory hours.
(GER 2A) Fall (3 credits) For science majors and pre-medical students.
A study of the nature of atoms and molecules, stoichiometry, states of matter, solutions, reactions, kinetics, and equilibrium.
103L. General Chemistry Laboratory I [pdf](Lab) Fall (1 credit) Corequisite: Chemistry 103. Science majors only.
Laboratory techniques in chemistry. Four laboratory hours.
Fall, Spring (3-4 credits)
A course designed to introduce freshmen to specific topics in the study of and applications of chemistry.
191. Freshman Honors ResearchFall (1 credit)
Introduction to chemical research with an assigned faculty mentor. Enrollment is competitive.. Application forms (available by request from the Department of Chemistry) are to be filled out and submitted during the first week of classes.
206. Organic Chemistry I Section 01 [pdf] Section 02 [pdf] Section 03 [pdf]Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 103.
A mechanistic approach to the study of the chemistry of carbon compounds. Particular emphasis is placed on the relationship between structure and reactivity in organic reactions.
206L. Chemistry Laboratory I (Organic) [pdf]
(Lab) Spring (1 credit) Corequisite: Chemistry 206.
Laboratory techniques in organic chemistry. Four laboratory hours.
209. Organic Chemistry II [pdf]
Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 206.
A continuation of the development of the chemistry of organic functional groups started in Chemistry 206. Recommended for students expecting to major in Chemistry.
(Lab) Fall, Spring (1 credit). May be taken only with the consent of the department.
Introduction to chemical research with an assigned faculty member. Credit obtained cannot be used towards an ACS certified degree and the 120 hour graduation credit minimum. Repeatable for credit.
301. Physical Chemistry I [pdf]Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 305, 308 or 335; Physics 101/102. Corequisite: Mathematics 212 or 213.
Chemistry 301 and 302 form a two-semester sequence in physical chemistry; topics covered include the states of matter, thermodynamics and its chemical applications, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics and its application to chemistry, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, and introductory statistical mechanics.
302. Physical Chemistry II [pdf]
Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 301 or consent of the instructor.
Chemistry 301 and 302 form a two-semester sequence in physical chemistry; topics covered include the states of matter, thermodynamics and its chemical applications, chemical kinetics, quantum mechanics and its application to chemistry, atomic and molecular spectroscopy, and introductory statistical mechanics.
305. Inorganic and General Chemistry IISpring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 103.
A study of chemical principles and inorganic chemistry, including acid/base chemistry, bonding, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, solid state structure and a systematic investigation of the chemical elements. Recommended for chemistry majors; also satisfies requirements for premedical students and biology and geology majors.
307. Organic Chemistry II for Life Sciences [pdf]Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 206.
A continuation of the development of the chemistry of organic functional groups started in Chemistry 206 . Particular emphasis is placed on the role of metals in living systems and the biosynthesis of organic molecules. Recommended for students expecting to concentrate in the life sciences.
308. General Chemistry II for Life Sciences: Section 1 [pdf], Section 2 [pdf]Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 103.
A continuation of the study of the principles of chemistry begun in Chemistry 103. Topics include thermodynamics, nuclear chemistry, chemical kinetics, descriptive inorganic chemistry, and acid-base chemistry. Recommended for students expecting to major in the life sciences, geology, and physics.
309. Instrumental Analysis [pdf]Fall (4 credits) Prerequisites: Chemistry 305, or 308, or 335, Chemistry 354 or 356.
Principles and applications of analytical methodology and instrumentation to chemical analysis; topics covered include electrochemistry, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and chromatography. Three class hours.
309L. Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
(Lab) Fall (1 credit) Prerequisites: Chemistry 305 or 308 or 335; Chemistry 354 or 356
A series of experiments designed to accompany Chemistry 309.
320. Introduction to Chemical Research [pdf]
Spring (1 credit)
Individual study on a problem in chemistry under the supervision of a faculty member. This includes instruction in chemical safety, in using the resources of the chemical library, the responsible and ethical conduct of research, including discussions of fabrication, falsification, and plagiarism, and writing a paper related to the problem under study. Enrollment is restricted to majors in chemistry. Students will normally take the class for (0) creditsin the Fall semester of the Junior year and for (1) credit in the Spring of the Junior year. Attendance at the departmental seminar is required when taking the class for (1) credit.
Fall (3 credits)
A systematic study of the properties and reactions of chemical elements and their compounds. Enrollment is restricted to freshmen who receive William and Mary credit for Chemistry 103 with a score of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Examination in Chemistry.
341. Physical Chemistry for Life SciencesNot Offered 2012. Spring (3 credits) Prerequisites: Chemistry 305 or 308 or 335, Math 112 o 132.
Principles in physical chemistry developed for and applied to examples from the biological sciences. Topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, and spectroscopy. Course may be used for a chemisry or biochemistry minor but not for a major in chemistry.
353. Organic Chemistry Laboratory II [pdf]Fall (1 credit) Prerequisite: Chemistry 206L. Corequisite: Chemistry 209 or 307.
Laboratory techniques in organic chemistry. Four laboratory hours.
354. General Chemistry Laboratory II [pdf]Spring (1 credit) Prerequisite: Chemistry 103L. Corequisite: Chemistry 305 or 308.
Laboratory techniques in chemistry. Four laboratory hours.
356. Quantitative and Inorganic Laboratory Methods [pdf]Spring (1 credit) Corequisite: Chemistry 305 or 308. Prerequisite: Chemistry 103L.
A second semester general laboratory course designed for chemistry majors. Emphasis on quantitative analysis, inorganic synthesis, and graphing and data analysis.
391-392. Physical Chemistry Laboratory: 391 Syllabus [pdf], 392 Syllabus [pdf]Fall and Spring (1, 1 credit) Corequisite: Chemistry 301-302.
A series of experiments designed to accompany Chemistry 301 - 302 . Four laboratory hours.
401. Advanced Physical Chemistry [pdf]Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 302.
Quantum chemistry and molecular spectroscopy; selected topics in statistical mechanics or chemical kinetics.
402. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry [pdf]Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite or corequisite: Chemistry 302.
Principles and applications of symmetry to structural, bonding, and spectroscopy.; inorganic biochemistry; structure and reactivity of transition metals; and other selected topics.
403. Advanced Organic Chemistry [pdf]Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 209 or 307.
A structure-reactivity approach to reaction mechanisms and modern synthetic chemistry.
404. Advanced Analytical Chemistry [pdf]Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 309.
Advanced topics in chemical equilibria, electroanalytical techniques and separation science.
408. Computational Chemistry [pdf]
Spring (3 credits). Prerequisite: Chemistry 302.
Principles and applications of computational methods currently used for the determination of molecular structure and energetics. Topics include: ad initio molecular orbital theory, density functional theory, semi-empirical calculations, and molecular force field methods. Two class hours. Three laboratory hours.
†409. Senior Research
Fall and Spring (credits to be arranged). Prerequisite: Chemisry 320. May be taken only with the consent of the Department.
A course for the advanced student affording an opportunity for individual work on a problem under the supervision of a faculty member. Attendance at the departmental seminar is required.
410. Seminar in Applied Chemistry
Fall (1 credit). (Not offered 2011-2012)
A series of seminars by scientists primarily from industry and government. The course is open to students who have completed four semesters of chemistry or by permission of the instructor.
411. Polymer Science I [pdf]
Fall (3 credits) Prerequisites: Chemistry 209 or 307 and Chemistry 301. (Not offered 2011) This course is the same as Applied Science 411.
An introduction to the chemical aspects of polymer science at the molecular level. Topics include the preparation, modification, degradation, and stabilization of polymers. Reaction mechanisms are stressed.
Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 301. This course is the same as Applied Science 412.
An introduction to the physical aspects of polymer science at the molecular level. Topics include the properties of polymers in bulk and in solution, conformational analysis, viscoelasticity, and rubber elasticity.
414. Biochemistry: Section 1 [pdf], Section 2 [pdf]Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 307 or 209; Prerequisite or Corequisite: Chemistry 305 or 308 or 335. This course is the same as Biology 414.
Chemistry listing: "The molecular basis of living processes; the chemistry of important constituents of living matter, biosynthesis, metabolism, bioenergetics, enzyme kinetics, metabolic control, transport mechanisms. Section 01 primarily for life science majors; section 02 for physical science majors." (Corss listed with BIOL 414) Biology listing as above but with cross listing to Chem 414.
415. Advanced Biochemistry [pdf]Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 414 or Biology 414.
A contiuation of the study of biological processes on a molecular level begun in Chemistry 414. Biosynthesis, metabolism, bioenergetics, enzyme kinetics, metabolic control, transport mechanisms.
417. Neurochemistry[pdf]
Fall (3credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 414 or Biology 414.
A study of the biochemistry and pharmacology of the nervous system. Topics include excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmitters, structure and function of receptors, reuptake transporters, and second messengers. The biochemical basis of neuro-active drugs, toxins and diseases will be covered. Recommended for chemistry, biology, and neuroscience majors, and premedical students.
420. Biochemistry Laboratory
Spring (1 credit) Prerequisite: Chemistry 309 and Chem 415.
Laboratory techniques of modern biochemistry and molecular biology.
Spring (1 credit) Prerequisite or corequisite: Chemistry 411 or 412. This course is the same as Applied Science 416. (Not offered 2012)
A series of experiments in polymer synthesis, solution characterization, and mechanical and thermal properties of polymers.
429. Experimental Genomics and Proteomics
Fall (1 credit) Prerequisite: BIOL 220, 221, 225, 226 and Chemistry 103, 103L, 206, 206L or instructor permission.
Upper level interdisciplinary genomics and proteomics laboratory.
Spring (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 209 or 307.
An advanced treatment of organic synthetic methods which includes examples of natural product synthesis.
458. Organic Spectroscopy[pdf]
Fall (3 credits) Prerequisite: Chemistry 209 or 307 and Chemistry 309.
Theory and application of spectroscopic methods to the analysis of organic compounds. Topics include absorption, fluorescence, infrared, and proton and carbon nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopies with an emphasis on structural elucidation and other practical applications.
460. Special Topics in Chemistry [pdf]
Fall, Spring (1-3, 1-3 credits) Staff. Prerequisite or corequisite: varies by topic.
Treatment of a selected chemistry topic that is not routinely covered in the regular course offerings.
†495-496. Honors
Fall and Spring (3, 3 credits)
Requirements include a program of research with readings from the original literature, presentation of an Honors essay, and the satisfactory completion of a comprehensive oral examination in the subject area of the research. Attendance at the departmental seminar is required; otherwise, hours are to be arranged. Refer to Admission to Honors.
Summer only (0 credits)
A summer program for chemistry majors affording the opportunity to learn research skills and apply these skills to a current research problem. Each student will be designated a Summer Research Fellow and will be associated with and guided by a faculty mentor. A regular program of seminars on current topics of research interest is an essential part of the program. This program is supplementary to Chemistry 320, Introduction to Chemical Research, and provides valuable preparation for either Chemistry 495-496, Honors in Chemistry, or Chemistry 409, Chemical Research. Admission to the fellowship program is competitive.
