Results for CHEM

This course examines the chemistry relevant to food and drink preparation, both in homes and in restaurants, which makes what we consume more pleasurable. Good cooking is more often considered an art rather than a science, but a small bit of understanding goes a long way to make the preparation and consumption of food and drink more enjoyable. The intention is to have demonstrations and tastings as a part of every class meeting. We will examine some rather familiar items in this course: eggs, dairy products, meats, breads, vegetables, pastries, and carbonated beverages. We shall playfully explore the chemistry that turns food into meals. A high-school chemistry background is assumed; bring to class a good appetite and a healthy curiosity.

Chem 31B is the second course in this two-quarter sequence, therefore only students who have completed Chem 31A may enroll in 31B. As with 31A, students will continue to engage in group problem-solving activities throughout class and participate in weekly laboratory activities. Labs and write-ups will allow students to more deeply explore and observe the different facets of chemical reactivity, including rates (kinetics), energetics (thermodynamics), and reversibility (equilibrium) of reactions. Through experimentation and discussion, students will determine what forces influence the rate of chemical reactions and learn how this can be applied to enzyme reactivity. Students will quantify chemical concentrations during a reaction, and predict the direction in which a reaction will shift in order to achieve equilibrium, including solubility equilibria. They will use these methods to estimate the possible levels of lead and other toxic metals in drinking water. Special emphasis will be placed on acid/base equilibria , allowing students to explore the role of buffers and antacids in our bodies, as well as ocean acidification and the impact on coral reefs. Students will then bring together concepts from both kinetics and equilibrium, in a deeper discussion of thermodynamics, to understand what ultimately influences the spontaneity of a reaction. Students will build a relationship between free energy, temperature, and equilibrium constants to be able to calculate the free energy of a reaction and understand how processes in our body are coupled to harness excess free energy to do useful work. Finally we will explore how we harness work from redox reactions, building both voltaic cells (i.e. batteries) and electrolytic cells in lab, and using reduction potentials to predict spontaneity and potential of a given reaction. We will look at the applications of redox chemistry in electric and fuel cell vehicles. The course's particular emphasis on understanding the driving forces of a reaction, especially the influence of thermodynamics versus kinetics, will prepare students for further study of predicting organic chemical reactivity and equilibria from structure in Chem 33. Prerequisite: Chem 31A.

An introduction to organic chemistry, the molecular foundation to understanding the life sciences, medicine, diagnostics, energy, environmental and materials sciences. Students will learn structural and bonding models of organic molecules that provide insights into reactivity. Combining these models with kinetic and thermodynamic analyses allows molecular transformations to be rationalized and even predicted. The course builds on this knowledge to begin to introduce organic reactions that can be applied to synthesis of novel molecules or materials that can positively impact society. A two-hour weekly lab section accompanies the course to introduce the techniques of separation and identification of organic compounds.

Undergraduates pursue a reading program under supervision of a faculty member in Chemistry; may also involve participation in lab. Prerequisites: superior work in CHEM 31A, 31B, 31M, or 33; and consent of instructor.

Preference to freshmen and sophomores. Department faculty describe their cutting-edge research and its applications.

This is a laboratory course that will provide a true experience of what it is like to perform research in synthetic organic chemistry. Emphasis will be on proper reaction setup, reaction monitoring, and complete characterization of final products using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods. Students will be utilizing modern electronic notebooks to prepare for and document their experiments. Concludes with an individual synthesis project. Prerequisites: Chem 124.

This is the first course in a two-quarter sequence (Chem 141/143), which will examine biological science through the lens of chemistry. In this sequence students will gain a qualitative and quantitative understanding of the molecular logic of cellular processes, which include expression and transmission of the genetic code, enzyme kinetics, biosynthesis, energy storage and consumption, membrane transport, and signal transduction. Connections to foundational principles of chemistry will be made through structure-function analyses of biological molecules. Integrated lessons in structural, mechanistic, and physical chemistry will underscore how molecular science and molecular innovation have impacted biology and medicine. Prerequisites: CHEM 121 (hard-coded).

Bonding, stereochemical, and symmetry properties of discrete inorganic molecules are covered along with their mechanisms of ligand and electron exchange. Density function calculations are extensively used in these analyses in computer and problem set exercises. Prerequisites: CHEM 33

Introduction to computational chemistry methods and tools that can be used to interpret and guide experimental research. Project based and hands-on experience with electronic structure calculations, obtaining minimum energy structures and reaction pathways, molecular simulation and modeling. Prerequisite: knowledge of undergraduate level quantum mechanics at the level of CHEM 171.

Molecular theory of kinetics and statistical mechanics: transport and reactions in gases and liquids, ensembles and the Boltzmann distribution law, partition functions, molecular simulation, structure and dynamics of liquids. Diffusion and activation limited reactions, potential energy surfaces, collision theory and transition-state theory. Prerequisites: either CHEM 173 or CHEM 171.

Use of spectroscopic instrumentation to obtain familiarity with important types of spectrometers and spectroscopic methods and to apply them to study molecular properties and time dependent processes. Methods include electronic ultraviolet/ visible absorption, fast fluorescence with time correlated single photon counting, Raman and fluorescence microscopy, Fourier transform infrared absorption, and nuclear magnetic resonance. Prerequisite: CHEM 131; CHEM 173 or CHEM 171 for students who took CHEM 171 in Spring 2021 or later.

Focus on metabolic biochemistry: the study of chemical reactions that provide the cell with the energy and raw materials necessary for life. Topics include glycolysis, gluconeogenesis, the citric acid cycle, oxidative phosphorylation, photosynthesis, the pentose phosphate pathway, and the metabolism of glycogen, fatty acids, amino acids, and nucleotides as well as the macromolecular machines that synthesize RNA, DNA, and proteins. Medical relevance is emphasized throughout. Satisfies Central Menu Area 1 for Bio majors. Prerequisite: CHEM 181 or CHEM 141 or CHEMENG 181/281.

By special arrangement with a faculty member. May be repeated 8 times for a max of 27 units. Prerequisite: CHEM 121 or CHEM 131. Corequisite: CHEM 300.

Qualified graduate students undertake research or advanced lab work not covered by listed courses under the direction of a member of the teaching staff.

Required of all second year Ph.D. students. Students present their research progress and plans in brief written and oral summaries.

Required of all third year Ph.D. students. Students present their research project as a seminar.

Required of all fourth year Ph.D. students. Students formulate, write, and orally defend an original research proposal.

Physical Organic Chemistry. This course is focused on understanding the important physical principles in organic chemistry, including bonding and structural analysis; molecular interactions; thermodynamics; kinetics; methods to investigate reactive intermediates, reactivity, and elucidate reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite: Chem 123 (formerly 131).

(Formerly 235) The uses of NMR spectroscopy in chemical and biochemical sciences, emphasizing data acquisition for liquid samples and including selection, setup, and processing of standard and advanced experiments.

Required of all second-, third-, and fourth-year Ph.D. candidates in inorganic chemistry. Students present their research progress in written and oral forms (A); present a seminar in the literature of the field of research (B); and formulate, write, and orally defend a research proposal (C). Second-year students register for A; third-year students register for B; fourth-year students register for C.

Introduction to computational chemistry methods and tools that can be used to interpret and guide experimental research. Project based and hands-on experience with electronic structure calculations, obtaining minimum energy structures and reaction pathways, molecular simulation and modeling. Prerequisite: knowledge of undergraduate level quantum mechanics at the level of CHEM 171.

Molecular theory of kinetics and statistical mechanics: transport and reactions in gases and liquids, ensembles and the Boltzmann distribution law, partition functions, molecular simulation, structure and dynamics of liquids. Diffusion and activation limited reactions, potential energy surfaces, collision theory and transition-state theory. Prerequisites: either CHEM 173 or CHEM 171 for students who took CHEM 171 in Spring 2021 or later, or equivalent course.

Focus on the combined use of organic chemistry and molecular biology to make, manipulate and measure biomacromolecules, with special focus on DNA and RNA. Synthetic and enzymatic methods for design and construction of oligonucleotides and nucleic acids; methods for bioconjugation and labeling; fluorescence tools; intracellular delivery strategies; selection and evolution methods; CRISPR mechanisms. Prerequisite: One year of undergraduate organic chemistry. Completion of a course in molecular biology is strongly recommended.

Required of all teaching assistants in Chemistry. Techniques of teaching chemistry by means of lectures and labs.

Required of graduate students. May be repeated for credit.

Required of graduate students who have passed the qualifying examination. Open to qualified graduate students with the consent of the major professor. Research seminars and directed reading deal with newly developing areas in chemistry and experimental techniques. May be repeated for credit. Search for adviser name on Axess.

(Formerly 229) Required of graduate students majoring in organic chemistry. Students giving seminars register for CHEM 231.

(Formerly 259) Required of graduate students majoring in inorganic chemistry.

(Formerly 279) Required of graduate students majoring in physical chemistry. May be repeated for credit.

For Chemistry majors who need work experience as part of their program of study. Confer with Chem student services office for signup.