Allegheny College: Chemistry

Professors Deckert, Burkey, Cook, Garcia, Knaust, Lowmaster, Murphree, Persichini, Serra, Sheffield, Statman

Science is an integral part of a liberal arts education, and chemistry is a central science. The Chemistry Department offers its students not merely a collection of facts concerning the nature of chemical interactions, but endeavors to develop in them an appreciation for the experimental vision and rigor necessary to assemble such knowledge, and it expects of them a critical understanding of the logic and theory that integrates these bits of information into a unified whole. In doing so, we attempt to provide the opportunity for intellectual and personal growth. We encourage our students to appreciate science as a human endeavor and invite them to participate in the work of science as they accumulate the necessary insights and laboratory skills. We seek to stimulate and develop within each individual those qualities that foster an enthusiasm for knowledge, an attitude of critical reasoning, and the attainment of lucid self-expression, all of which transcend the limited context of chemical science.

The Major

At graduation, Chemistry majors must have a GPA of at least 2.0 in departmental courses and in required courses outside the department. The calculation is based on the grades of required courses plus the best grades from among Chemistry electives, which bring the total hours in Chemistry to 44. Only the most recent grade is considered for courses that have been repeated. Chemistry courses exceeding the minimum requirements for the major may be taken on a Credit/No Credit basis. The department recommends that the number of Credit/ No Credit courses be kept to a minimum.

The major in Chemistry requires completion of the following:
1) Core courses: Chemistry 110, 112, 222, 231, 242, and 263
2) Eight credits from among Chemistry 232, 234, 236, 340,343, 345, 347, 348, 353, and 355
3) Chemistry 581 (Junior Seminar)
4) At least four semester hours of Chemistry courses at the 400 level
5) At least four semester hours of Senior Project
6) Electives in Chemistry, which can include additional hours of Senior Project, to bring the total to 44 semester hours of Chemistry
7) Mathematics 160 and 170 (or their equivalent) and Physics 110 (or Physics 101 with permission of the department). These three courses must be completed by the end of the sophomore year.

Students desiring certification by the American Chemical Society should consult with the department. They will need to complete several additional electives that have laboratory components (such as Chemistry 236, 353 or 590).

To be considered for departmental honors a student must submit an original piece of chemical research. Normally completion of a laboratory Senior Project qualifies a student for such consideration.

Students contemplating graduate work in Chemistry are encouraged to enroll in additional Math and Chemistry courses; Math 210 or Physics 292 and Physics 120 are particularly recommended.

The Minor

The minor in Chemistry requires a total of 20 semester hours in Chemistry. These semester hours must include any four courses from the core (110, 112, 222, 231, 242, 263) and one 400 level Chemistry course. Of this total a maximum of four semester hours may be presented on a Credit/No Credit basis.

Cooperative Engineering Program
Students who participate in a cooperative engineering program (3-2 engineering) with a major in Chemistry are required to take the core, the Junior Seminar plus additional chemistry courses to bring the total to 33 semester hours in Chemistry.

Courses numbered less than 110 may not be counted toward either the major or the minor.

A study of the basic principles of chemistry and its contributions to the understanding of nature, modern technology, and the benefits and problems of science. One laboratory per week. Not open to science majors. May not be taken for credit after successful completion of Chemistry 110 or 112. This course must be taken on a letter grade basis.

The study of chemical analyses of artifacts that provide important information about past cultures.The scientific basis, archaeological significance,and practical limitations of a number of methods are examined. Techniques discussed include datingmethods and compositional analysis. Examples are taken from various cultures. One laboratory per week. Offered in alternate years. May not be taken for credit after successful completion of Chemistry 110 or 112. This course must be taken on a letter grade basis.

A study of the origins, effects, and fate of chemical pollutants. Acid rain, global warming, the “ozone hole,” and other problems of the air and water environments are discussed. Underlying questions concerning the chemistry of the environment are identified. Accounts of pollution in the popular press are critically evaluated from a scientific standpoint. One laboratory per week. Offered in alternate years. May not be taken for credit after successful completion of Chemistry 110 or 112. This course must be taken on a letter grade basis.

An integrated lab/lecture experience that introduces the fundamental principles underlying the science of chemistry. Topics include reaction and interaction, molecular shapes and structure, energy, and atomic structure. Three two-hour sessions per week. Corequisite: Math course numbered 150 or higher.

Further exploration of the topics introduced in Chemistry 110. Three two-hour sessions per week. Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 110 with a grade of “C” or better or permission of instructor. Corequisite: Math course numbered 158 or higher.

An examination of structure and bonding in inorganic compounds. Topics covered include solid-state chemistry, molecular orbital theory, acid-base chemistry, electrochemistry, and transition-metal chemistry.

An examination of the structure and reactivity of small organic molecules. Discussion of molecular architecture includes bonding, geometry, and conformation. These considerations are applied to a survey of organic reactions, mechanisms and energetics. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills and the concise communication of chemical ideas. Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 112 with a grade of “C” or better.

A continued examination of the structure and reactivity of small organic molecules, with an emphasis on synthetic methodology. The mechanistic background developed in Chemistry 231 is expanded to include aromatic compounds, and this comprehensive knowledge is applied to the study of methods for the construction of diverse synthetic targets. Also continued from Chemistry 231 is the discussion of molecular structure, which is examined from the standpoint of spectroscopic analysis. Emphasis is placed on the development of problem-solving skills and the concise communication of chemical ideas. Prerequisite: Completion of Chemistry 231 with a grade of “C” or better; Corequisite: Chemistry 234 or 236.

Designed to relate directly to the material in Chemistry 232. Problems in qualitative analysis, multistep synthesis, and natural product isolation that expand on the techniques learned in Chemistry 231 lab are presented. Emphasis is placed on the student’s ability to work skillfully and independently in the laboratory, and to present well-structured conclusions in the form of written laboratory reports. Corequisite: Chemistry 232. Credit: One semester hour.

A practical introduction to advanced synthetic laboratory skills. Multistep procedures are used to construct small organic targets and biomolecules. Reliance on the literature to plan and execute independent investigations is required. Modern instrumentation is utilized for product analysis. Corequisite: Chemistry 232. Credit: Two semester hours.

An introduction to energy in chemical systems. Topics covered include classical and statistical thermodynamics, kinetics and transport, and quantum mechanics. Examples of systems in biology, physics, and chemistry are used to illustrate the concepts. Math 210 or Physics 292 are strongly recommended as pre- or co-requisites. Prerequisites: Math 170, Physics 110, Chemistry 112.

An introduction to the methods and concepts of analytical chemistry. Topics include experimental design, statistical analysis of data, and selected classical, spectroscopic, and chromatographic methods of analysis. Analytical techniques are discussed in the context of multi- week laboratory projects that are designed, performed, and interpreted by the class. Two lectures and one laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 112.

An introduction to the study of chemical dynamics and statistical mechanics. Reaction rate theories are discussed in the context of the laboratory investigations conducted in the corequisite course. Statistical mechanics is introduced in order to relate the theoretical molecular behavior to macroscopic behavior observed in lab. Students are encouraged to complete Physics 292 before taking this course. Prerequisite: Chemistry 241; Corequisite: Chemistry 343.

The experiential component of the Chemical Dynamics and Statistical Mechanics course. Rates of chemical reactions are investigated in a weekly three-hour laboratory period. Students are encouraged to complete Physics 292 before taking this course. Prerequisite: Chemistry 241; Corequisite: Chemistry 340. Credit: One semester hour.

An introduction to the description of chemical systems on the molecular level. The macroscopic observations made in the co-requisite laboratory course are interpreted using the theoretical, microscopic description of chemical systems provided by quantum mechanics. Students are encouraged to complete Physics 292 before taking this course. Prerequisite: Chemistry 241; Corequisite: Chemistry 347.

The experiential component of the Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy course. A three-hour per week laboratory provides practical experience with a variety of spectroscopic techniques. Students are encouraged to complete Physics 292 before taking this course. Prerequisite: Chemistry 241. Credit: One semester hour.

An introduction to the use of computers to model molecules in experimental chemistry. A variety of software packages and web-based materials are introduced. Lectures combine the theory of and mechanisms for using these tools to model molecular structure and behavior. The computer laboratory provides opportunities for self-guided exploration. No previous computer programming experience is required. Prerequisites: Chemistry 231 and 222. Credit: two semester hours.

An elucidation of the structure and function of biological macromolecules such as proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipids. The chemistry of various biological processes is studied and an attempt is made to provide a molecular explanation for biological phenomena. The laboratory introduces modern techniques in experimental biochemistry. One laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 231.

A survey of the major metabolic pathways. Carbohydrate, lipid, electron transport and amino acid metabolic pathways will be explored at the molecular level. The molecular mechanisms of enzyme action and metabolic integration will be emphasized. Prerequisite: Chemistry 353. Credit: Two semester hours.

An examination of methods, theories and practices in the discipline of inorganic chemistry. Group discussion is based on readings from journal articles and monographs. Students contribute to the class through literature research, discussion and brief presentations. Prerequisite: Completion of the chemistry core. Credit: Two semester hours.

An examination of methods, theories and practices in the discipline of organic chemistry. Group discussion is based on readings from journal articles and monographs. Students contribute to the class through literature research, discussion and brief presentations. Prerequisite: Chemistry 232 or permission of the instructor. Credit: Two semester hours.

An examination of methods, theories and practices in the discipline of physical chemistry. Group discussion is based on readings from journal articles and monographs. Students contribute to the class through literature research, discussion and brief presentations. Prerequisite: Completion of the chemistry core. Credit: Two semester hours.

An examination of methods, theories and practices in the discipline of biochemistry. Group discussion is based on readings from journal articles and monographs. Students contribute to the class through literature research, discussion and brief presentations. Prerequisite: Chemistry 353. Credit: Two semester hours.

An examination of methods, theories and practices in the discipline of chemistry education. Group discussion is based on readings from journal articles and monographs. Students contribute to the class through literature research, discussion and brief presentations. Prerequisite: completion of the chemistry core. Credit: Two semester hours.

An examination of methods, theories and practices in the discipline of analytical chemistry. Group discussion is based on readings from journal articles and monographs. Students contribute to the class through literature research, discussion and brief presentations. Prerequisite: Completion of the chemistry core. Credit: Two semester hours.

Introduction to understanding and responding to scientific presentations. A departmental seminar series provides exposure to major areas of modern chemistry. Students are required to attend and participate actively at all seminars by guest speakers. Credit: Three semester hours.

Study of special topics and/or laboratory research selected by the student who wishes to pursue independent work on material not covered in established courses. Prerequisite: Permission of the instructor. Credit: One to four semester hours.

A laboratory investigation of some topic of current research interest in collaboration with a faculty member. The topic, length of project, and amount of credit are chosen by the student in consultation with the faculty mentor. Careful laboratory technique, critical evaluation of data, depth of specialized knowledge, independence and originality are cultivated. A written and oral defense before a board of Chemistry faculty and regular attendance at the departmental seminar series are required during each semester of enrollment. The Senior Project may span only one semester, earning four semester hours credit, or may involve two separate semesters of work, totaling four, six or eight semester hours of credit. Greater credit requires a greater time commitment from the student. A grade will be awarded during the terminal semester of the project. Thus, there are six separate combinations of the following courses by which to complete the Senior Project.

600

First semester enrollment, Credit/No Credit. Credit: Two semester hours.

610

Second semester enrollment, graded. Credit: Two semester hours.

601

First semester enrollment, Credit/No Credit. Credit: Four semester hours.

611

Second semester enrollment, graded. Credit: Four semester hours.

620

First semester enrollment, graded. Credit: Four semester hours.