Chemistry Course Descriptions
CHEM 104 Inside Chemistry
Basic aspects of structural chemistry and interaction of chemical and biochemical knowledge with society, emphasizing consumer chemistry. Offered occasionally.
CHEM 110 Basic Chemistry
Basic aspects of structural chemistry with emphasis on physiological applications. Offered each fall.
CHEM 120 Forensic Science
Study of the scientific aspects of evidence from the gathering of the evidence through the laboratory stage. The course emphasizes the scientific method and the reliability of evidence. The roles of forensic experts in both the laboratory and the criminal courts are discussed. Offered occasionally.
CHEM 130 Chemistry of the Environment
See Environmental Studies 130. A survey of chemistry principles with an emphasis on the application of these principles to environmental topics such as air and water pollution, global warming, and energy. Laboratory experiments may involve analysis of water from local stream and lakes and the analysis of vegetables for pesticide residue. Can be used toward the Environmental Studies minor. Offered occasionally.
CHEM 135 Water Quality
See Environmental Studies 135. A May Term investigation of water quality, with a double focus: (1) laboratory and field environmental work to describe local issues of water quality (drinking water, lakes, and rivers), focusing on the chemical analysis of water; and (2) study of global water quality issues and science, including uses, sources, shortages, and politics. Offered occasionally in May Term.
CHEM 140 Chemistry in the Kitchen
An introduction to the basic chemical concepts through an examination of food. The course examines the constitution of raw foodstuffs, and what happens on a molecular level as these substances are combined, cooked and metabolized. Offered occasionally.
CHEM 201 General Chemistry
Fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry. Offered each fall.
CHEM 202 General Chemistry
Fundamental principles and concepts of chemistry. Prerequisites: 201. C- or better in 201 or consent of instructor. 202 offered each spring.
CHEM 240 From Beverages to Biofuels
This interdisciplinary course will introduce students to the science and history of fermentation, distillation, biofuels, and the alcoholic beverage industry. Through a combination of on-campus and travel activities students will study the biochemistry of fermentation, the chemistry of distillation, quality control and flavor in the ethanol industry, the utility and challenges of ethanol as a motor fuel, the social history of brewing and distillation in the US, the role of women in these industries, and the rise and fall of prohibition. Students must be 21 years old by the start of the course and have completed CHEM 201/202 and one of the following sequences: BIOL 101/102. BIOL 107/108 or CHEM 311/312, all with grades of C- or better. The class will visit venues where alcoholic beverages are produced/served. Tasting activities are optional. This course cannot be used to fulfill a major or minor requirement. Offered occasionally May Term.
CHEM 300 Chemistry Seminar
This course will introduce students to a variety of chemistry research topics and scientific pursuits through attendance at a required number of chemistry colloquia and other science and career related events. Required for declared sophomore, junior, and senior chemistry majors. Zero units in fall and 0.25 units in spring. May be repeated for a total of 1.0 course units. Credit/No Credit grading. Prerequisites: C- in CHEM 202 or consent of a chemistry faculty member. Offered each semester
CHEM 301 Quantitative Analysis
Introduction to modern analytical chemistry with emphasis on ionic equilibria. Prerequisite: 202. Offered each fall.
CHEM 304 Instrumental Analysis
Principles of the design and use of modern electronic instrumentation in the chemistry laboratory with emphasis on spectral, electroanalytical and chromatographic instrumentation. Prerequisites: 301 and 321 or consent of instructor. Corequisites: 322 and 380 or consent of instructor. Offered each spring.
CHEM 311 Organic Chemistry
Fundamentals of aliphatic and aromatic chemistry including mechanisms, syntheses, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: 202 (grade of C- or better). 311 offered each fall.
CHEM 312 Organic Chemistry
Fundamentals of aliphatic and aromatic chemistry including mechanisms, syntheses, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy. Prerequisites: 202 (grade of C- or better); 311(grade of C- or better). 312 offered each spring.
CHEM 317 Survey of Biochemistry
An introduction to the fundamental principles of biochemistry and the application of chemical principles to biological problems. Topics include the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids as well as the major catabolic and biosynthetic pathways. Prerequisite: Biology 102 and Chemistry 312 (grade of C- or better) or the consent of the instructor. Offered each spring.
CHEM 321 Physical Chemistry I: Thermodynamics
Classical thermodynamics and its applications in chemistry. Prerequisites: 202, physics 102 or 106; math 156, 162 or 166; or consent of instructor. Offered each fall.
CHEM 322 Physical Chemistry II: Kinetics
Kinetic molecular theory, mass transport, experimental and theoretical chemical kinetics. Prerequisites: 202, physics 102 or 106, math 156, 162, or 166. Corequisite: enrollment in 304 and 380. Or consent of instructor. Offered each spring.
CHEM 323 Physical Chemistry III: Quantum Mechanics
See physics 407.
CHEM 330 Topics in Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
See Environmental Studies 330. Application of chemistry and biology fundamentals to the study of fate and behavior of chemicals in the environment. This course will consider natural chemical processes, reactivity and transport of pollutant chemicals, and exposure and toxicology of potentially toxic pollutants to humans and the biosphere. Prerequisites: Chemistry 311 and Biology 102, or consent of instructor. Offered in spring.
CHEM 332 Inorganic Chemistry
An introduction to the fundamentals of inorganic chemistry including atomic structure; metallic, ionic, and covalent substances; acids and bases; coordination compounds; and descriptive chemistry of the elements. Students will use electronic structure, modern bonding theories, and models (tangible, virtual, and theoretical) to systematically understand the physical and chemical properties of inorganic substances. Prerequisite: 311 or consent of instructor. Offered each spring.
CHEM 340 Introduction to Food Biochemistry: Hawaii
This course focuses on the fundamental biology and chemistry of food preparation and metabolism as well as the agricultural production of food processing, and food manufacture. Students will meet with local farmers, molecular biologists, horticulturists, and USDA scientists to examine the science behind modern food production techniques in Hawaii. Prerequisites: BIOL 102 or 108 and CHEM 202. Offered in alternate years, May.
CHEM 380 Advanced Inorganic Synthesis and Analysis
Individualized projects which emphasize techniques of advanced inorganic synthesis and instrumental analysis. Prerequisites: 301 and 321. Corequisites: 304 and 322. Offered each spring.
CHEM 397 Internship in Chemistry
Internships in scientific research centers or industrial laboratories. Prerequisites: sophomore status and consent of the department chair. This course does not meet major requirements. Internship offered for 0.5 or 1.0 course units. Offered occasionally.
CHEM 413 Advanced Organic Chemistry
A detailed examination of selected classical and modern topics within organic chemistry. Topics may include pericyclic reactions, spectroscopic methods of structure determination, physical-organic chemistry, synthetic transformations and strategy, and bio-organic/medicinal chemistry. Prerequisites: C- or better in 312 and 321, or consent of instructor. Offered each spring.
CHEM 414 Biochemistry I
The fundamentals of biochemistry, including an exploration of biomolecules and an introduction to experimental techniques. An emphasis is placed on understanding the structure and function of proteins, enzyme kinetics and regulation, nucleic acid chemistry, and bioenergetics. Primary literature will be used to explore topics in depth. One four-hour lab per week is required.The laboratory component will emphasize the use of molecular biology and spectroscopic techniques. Prerequisite: 312 (grade of C- or better) or the consent of the instructor. Offered each fall.
CHEM 415 Biochemistry II
A continuation of Chemistry 414. Topics include the major catabolic and anabolic pathways, the integration and regulation of these pathways, cell signaling and biochemical genetics. The majority of the readings for this course will come from the current primary literature. Prerequisite: Chemistry 414 or the consent of the instructor. Offered each spring.
CHEM 432 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
A detailed examination of advanced topics in inorganic chemistry. Topics will include the quantum atom and electronic states; the application of molecular symmetry and group theory to spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography; the mechanisms of inorganic reactions; bioinorganic chemistry; and catalysis. Prerequisites: 301 and 321 and 332 or consent of the instructor. Offered each fall.
CHEM 470 Special Topics in Chemistry
Designed to offer topics not normally covered by the chemistry curriculum.May be used to meet major requirements.May be repeated for credit if subject matter is different. Prerequisite: 322 or consent of instructor. Offered occasionally.
CHEM 495 Directed Study
Individualized directed readings on a topic of interest to the student which is not normally a part of the curriculum. The work may include a laboratory component. It may also include the requirement for the preparation of a significant paper which brings together the results of the study. Offered for 0.5 or 1.0 course unit. Prerequisite: consent of instructor. Offered each semester.
CHEM 499 Research/Thesis
Directed or independent study of a specialized topic which may include laboratory research.May be repeated for a maximum of two course units. Offered for 0.5 or 1.0 course units. Prerequisites: junior standing, four previous course units in chemistry, and consent of instructor. Offered each semester.