Chemistry

Selected topics in introductory level chemistry for students not intending to pursue a science major. Lecture-only. Offered periodically.  Not for major or minor credit.

This course is intended for non-science majors and/or students who desire to learn more about the chemistry and science of food. Topics will include different types of food, the growth and production of food, cooking methods, the storage of food, fad diets, and the food needs of humans as they relate to “hot topics” that influence our current society and the future of our world.

A special program offering the student the opportunity to learn about chemical applications in the United States and in foreign countries. The student will incur additional costs.

Jan 2022 Hit the Road, Monterey Jack!  Have you ever wondered how cheese is made and why it tastes the way it does?  This non-lab, natural science GEP course will focus on the science of cheese making.  We will work our way through several cheese making methods starting with raw milk through the aging process. We will also introduce the molecules that are responsible for giving various cheeses their distinct flavors and learn why some cheeses pair with other foods better than others. In addition to learning the science behind various types of cheeses and how they are made, we will embark on an epic quest in France to taste cheeses and explore how they are made. 

First-Year Seminars (FYS) constitute a common and academically significant experience in a student’s first year at Converse University. All incoming first- year students are required to take a 3-credit hour FYS in the fall semester, choosing from a variety of discipline specific topics. Each FYS carries the corresponding departmental prefix, but with a common course number. Lecture format only. FYS in chemistry will explore modern topics in chemistry as determined by the instructor. Special emphasis is given to cultivating critical thinking, effective speaking and writing skills. Offered periodically.

A laboratory course designed for non-science majors that provides an introduction to current innovations and research in chemistry. Specific topics will be selected by the instructor but could include forensics, medicine, food, environmental issues and nuclear chemistry. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab Fee. Offered alternate Fall Terms.

This is the first course in an introductory four semester sequence intended for chemistry and biochemistry majors, minors and pre health students. The course lays the foundation for further coursework in chemistry. Topics include atomic and molecular structure, stoichiometry, various chemical reactions, chemical bonding models, and an introduction to chemical thermodynamics and equilibrium. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab Fee.

A course for Nisbet Honors Program students who are interested in understanding some contemporary technological issues with the discipline of chemistry. The course provides the basic scientific knowledge necessary to understand these issues. The laboratory will introduce students to the scientific method and common laboratory techniques in chemistry. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab Fee. Offered periodically in rotation with seminars and other disciplines. Satisfies the FYS requirement for 1st year students.

This is the second course in the four semester introductory chemistry sequence for majors, minors and pre health students. A systematic survey of alkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alkyl halides. Study includes structure, functional groups, nomenclature, stereochemistry, reactions, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopy (IR and NMR), with an emphasis on the connection between structure and reactivity. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee. Offered every Spring Term

This is the third course in the four semester introductory chemistry sequence for majors, minors and pre health students. A systematic survey of aromatic compounds, alcohols, ethers, ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids, carboxylic acid derivatives, and amines. Study includes structure, functional groups, nomenclature, stereochemistry, reactions, reaction mechanisms, and spectroscopy (IR and NMR), with an emphasis on the synthesis of organic compounds. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee. Offered every Fall Term.

A study of the theoretical and practical aspects of the quantitative chemical analysis of samples, with emphasis on non- instrumental techniques. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee. Offered every Fall Term.

A team-taught course open to Nisbet Honors Program participants and to others who meet Honors Program guidelines; course is taught by faculty from two different departments. All students registering for this course must register not only through the Honors Program but also with their adviser and the Registrar’s Office. Offered periodically.

The actual structure of an organic compound cannot be determined from its bulk properties but must be unraveled using indirect spectroscopic evidence. Interpretation of the data gathered from IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry will be used to solve the structures of various organic compounds.

Major Elective. 
 

As the first of two capstone courses for chemistry and biochemistry majors, this course provides students with the opportunity to a) delve deeply into a current area of chemical or biochemical research, b) write a formal proposal for their own independent research project, c) carry out that research project, and d) communicate the results of their research via a formal oral presentations. Course is completed in the student’s junior year. Offered every Spring Term. Major Credit.

This is the fourth course in the four semester introductory chemistry sequence for majors, minors and pre health students. Study of the synthesis and behavior of inorganic substances. Topics include certain aspects of thermodynamics, transition metal chemistry, group theory, atomic and molecular bonding theories, and electrochemical processes as they pertain to inorganic compounds and materials. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab Fee. Offered every Spring Term.

A study of the chemical substances that are major causes of pollution in our environment and of the techniques used to detect their presence and/or prevent their release into the environment. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee. Offered periodically during the Jan term.

This is the first course of a two part sequence that studies the underlying physical concepts important to chemistry. As an upper level course, it goes in depth to study the mathematical relationships and physical interpretations of those relationships. Topics include the properties of gases, thermodynamics, and chemical kinetics. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee. Offered every Fall Term.

This is the second course in the two-part physical chemistry sequence. This course goes in depth to study the physical structure of atoms and molecules, bonding theory, quantum mechanics, modern computational methods, and spectroscopy. Lecture and laboratory format. Offered alternate Spring Terms.

This is a 2 credit, upper level, seminar type class designed for Chemistry and Biochemistry majors. This course will focus on reading and discussing primary literature articles around the topics of polymers and polymeric materials. Course material will start with a general introduction and history of polymeric science. The majority of the class will concentrate on current advances in the field over the last 10 years. Students will be expected to participate in weekly discussions, lead discussions, give formal presentations, and write literature reviews.

A course designed as a continuation of important theoretical concepts, reaction types, and reaction mechanisms of organic chemistry. Topics include molecular orbital theory, heterocyclic compounds, polymers, pericyclic reactions. Lecture only. Offered periodically during the Jan Term

The second of two capstone courses for chemistry and biochemistry majors. Course is completed in the student’s senior year. Offered during Spring Term. Capstone. Writing Intensive.

This course focuses on the principles, instrumentation, and applications of various instrumental methods of analytical chemistry. Some of the instruments covered include: UV-Visible, IR, and NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, gas and high pressure liquid chromatography, atomic emission and absorption spectroscopy, and electroanalytical methods. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee. Offered alternate Spring Terms.

A study of the structure and function of biological molecules, with a major emphasis on proteins, lipids and carbohydrates. Important concepts will include bioenergetics, biological catalysis, and introductory metabolic pathways as interacting regulated systems. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee; Offered alternate Fall Terms.

A continuation of Chemistry 415. Topics to include advanced metabolism, mechanisms of replication, transcription, translation, and signal transduction pathways. The laboratory portion of the course will involve team based research projects. Lecture and laboratory format. Lab fee; Offered alternate Spring Terms

Advanced laboratory research experience with a faculty member. Students will be expected to submit an abstract to a regional, state or national conference. May be repeated. A maximum of three credit hours can be applied as elective credit towards the major.

This course is for qualified students pursuing honors in chemistry. Students perform independent research and write a thesis under the direction of a chemistry faculty member.