Introductory courses in chemistry focus primarily on a molecular view of nature. We explore current understanding of atomic structure, the forces that draw atoms together to form molecules and ultimately the characteristics of these molecules that give them their unique properties and govern their reactivities. All sections of 100-level and 200-level chemistry courses include an intensive laboratory experience. Laboratory experiences are shaped to enable students, working alone and in teams, to develop powers of observation, physical manipulation, and problem-solving skills. Labs are designed to invoke principles addressed in the lecture and initiate conversations around the application of these concepts. Evening support and office hours are provided to assist students in their work for both the lecture and laboratory components of the 100- and 200-level courses.
An unusual feature of the chemistry curriculum is that introductory chemistry is taught in one semester, and is offered only in the fall. Students interested in chemistry, medicine, or a related science are strongly encouraged to start chemistry in their first semester at the College. Introductory chemistry students have the option to take either of two courses, Chem 120 or 125. Both of these courses provide an appropriate foundation for subsequent work in chemistry or other sciences. Chem 120 is a lecture-based course that is appropriate for any student. Lecture sections of Chem 120 will contain approximately forty students and will provide a broad overview of the central principles and theories of chemistry. The Chem 120 lab involves weekly experiments intended to explore specific chemical concepts and to familiarize students with a range of standard laboratory techniques. Chem 125, which is a proseminar limited to sixteen students per section, is intended for students with a strong interest in science and/or medicine who will thrive in a small, discussion-based chemistry class. Students electing to take Chem 125 should have good high school preparation in chemistry. Discussions in Chem 125 will explore the underlying science and chemistry associated with current issues related to health, the environment, and public policy. Central principles and theories will be covered in the context of these broader issues. The 125 laboratory component is a discovery-based, semester-long investigation that addresses analytical and chemical approaches to environmental chemistry. Students with questions about which course to elect, Chem 120 or 125, should contact Tim Elgren (telgren@hamilton.edu) or Ian Rosenstein (irosenst@hamilton.edu).
Most students who continue beyond Chem 120 or 125 enroll in Organic Chemistry I (Chem 190) in the spring semester. The second year of the chemistry curriculum starts with the fall semester of Organic Chemistry II (Chem 255). Students may choose between Inorganic Chemistry and Materials (Chem 265) and Biological Chemistry (Chem 270) for their fourth semester of chemistry; either Chem 265 or Chem 270 completes the pre-health professions requirement of four semesters of chemistry. Please note that Organic Chemistry is not a prerequisite for Inorganic Chemistry and Materials.
Nuts & Bolts: AP credit is awarded to students with AP scores of 4 or 5 following completion of Chem 125 (or Chem 190 for any student with exceptional preparation who chooses Chem 190 as her/his first course in chemistry). We recommend that all students interested in medicine, chemistry, chemical physics, biology, environmental studies, geology, neuroscience or biochemistry, begin the study of chemistry at the start of their Hamilton College education. Pre-medical students must complete two years of chemistry by the end of the junior year; thus, starting chemistry in the first year gives pre-medical students the flexibility to study away from campus in the junior year. The same is true for students who end up concentrating in chemistry or biochemistry.
120F Principles of Chemistry.
Exploration of the central principles and theories of chemistry including stoichiometry, thermodynamics, equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and molecular structure and bonding. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory. Lecture offered in three sections. Cotten, C Jones, Wile.
125F Principles of Chemistry in the Context of Health and Environmental Chemistry.
Intended for students with strong preparation in chemistry and high motivation, the course explores central principles in the context of current issues, including health, the environment and public policy. A discovery-based lab component addresses analytical and chemical approaches to environmental chemistry.
(Proseminar.)
Discussion-based course centered on the unifying concepts in chemistry and the use of those concepts to develop critical-thinking skills. Three hours of class and three hours of laboratory.
Maximum enrollment, 16.
Elgren.
190S Organic Chemistry I.
Structure and bonding of organic compounds and their acid-base properties, stereochemistry, introduction to reactions and reaction mechanisms of carbon compounds and the relationship of reactivity and structure. Three hours of class and four hours of laboratory. Prerequisite, 120 or 125. Ruppel and Snyder.
255F Organic Chemistry II.
Chemistry of conjugated alkenes and aromatic and carbonyl compounds, emphasizing mechanism and synthesis; introduction to carbohydrate and amino acid chemistry. Three hours of class and four hours of laboratory. Prerequisite, 190. Ruppel and Snyder.
265S Inorganic Chemistry and Materials.
Topics in inorganic chemistry, including atomic structure and periodicity of the elements, bonding and properties of solid state materials, coordination chemistry and electrochemistry. Laboratories emphasize synthesis and characterization of inorganic coordination compounds, electrochemistry and inorganic materials. Three hours of lecture and three hours of laboratory. Prerequisite, 120 or 125. Brewer.
270S Biological Chemistry.
A survey of the chemical and physical nature of biological macromolecules, including nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates; biochemistry of enzyme catalysis; bioenergetics and regulatory mechanisms. Principles and techniques of experimental biochemistry, focusing on isolation methods and techniques for analyzing structure and function. Three hours of class and three hours of laboratory. Prerequisite, 190.
(Same as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology 270 and Biology 270.)
Elgren.
298F,S Chemistry Research.
Independent work in the research laboratory under supervision of a faculty member. Prerequisite, instructor’s signature. May be repeated for credit, but not counted toward concentration requirements. Students may count up to one credit of chemistry research toward graduation. One-quarter, one-half or one credit per semester. No senior concentrators. The Department.
320S Biophysical Chemistry.
A study of the fundamental concepts and principles of physical chemistry applied to biological systems. Topics include the spectroscopy, thermodynamics and kinetics of proteins and other biomolecules, and the use of this knowledge to explain the physical basis of biochemical properties. Prerequisite, Chemistry 270 and Mathematics 114. Physics 105, 195 or 205 is recommended.
(Same as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology 320.)
Cotten.
321F Physical Chemistry I.
A study of the fundamental concepts and principles of quantum chemistry. Topics include quantum mechanics and the nature of the chemical bond; applications of molecular quantum mechanics; spectroscopy. Laboratory focuses on experiments that lead to the development of quantum mechanics, on molecular modeling and on spectroscopy. Laboratory includes applications to biochemistry. Three hours of class plus laboratory. Prerequisite, 125 or 190, Mathematics 114, Physics 105, 195 or 205.
(Same as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology 321.)
Van Wynsberghe.
322S Physical Chemistry II.
A study of the fundamental concepts and principles of thermodynamics and kinetics. Topics include the laws of thermodynamics, prediction of the direction and extent of chemical reactions, equilibrium, chemical kinetics, catalysis, reaction rate theory and photochemistry. Three hours of class plus laboratory. Prerequisite, 125 or 190, Mathematics 114, Physics 105, 195 or 205. The department recommends that students take 321 prior to 322.
(Same as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology 322.)
C Jones.
371F,S Research Methods in Chemistry.
Development of research skills in chemistry through a semester-long intensive laboratory project. Emphasis on laboratory work focusing on advanced synthetic techniques and spectroscopic characterization. Scientific writing, oral presentation skills and use of the chemical literature are also stressed. Six hours of laboratory and one hour of class. Prerequisite, 265 or 270.
Maximum enrollment, 12.
Ruppel and Elgren (Fall), Snyder and Van Wynsberghe (Spring).
380F Chemical Immunology and Immunopharmacology.
Study of immunological responses at the molecular level including an introduction to the mechanisms of immunity, methods and techniques to diagnose infections, and treatment of infections diseases with an emphasis on the design and synthesis of immunotherapeutics. Prerequisite, 255 (270 or Biology 346 strongly recommended). Snyder.
393F Advanced Organic Chemistry I.
Exploration of a diverse array of organic reactions, with an emphasis on mechanism and how they are used in the synthesis of biologically-active natural products. Examples taken from the primary chemical literature. Prerequisite, 255. Ruppel.
[412S]
Advanced Organic Chemistry II.
Study of the techniques and theoretical framework used to investigate reaction mechanisms. Topics include thermochemistry, kinetics, linear free energy relationships and molecular orbital theory and symmetry. Prerequisite, 255 and 321.
423S Advanced Inorganic Chemistry.
Introduction to the chemical applications of group theory, including molecular structure and spectroscopy. Structure, bonding and reaction mechanisms of coordination compounds with readings in the primary literature. Prerequisite, 321 or 322. Wile.
[436S]
Biophysical Chemistry.
A study of physical chemical forces and interactions that determine structures, functions and behavior of proteins and other macromolecules. Discussion of spectroscopic and other physical techniques employed in studying macromolecular structures and properties. Prerequisite, 321.
(Same as Biochemistry/Molecular Biology 436 .)
551-552F,S Senior Project.
An intensive research project carried out in association with a faculty member, culminating in a thesis. Prerequisite, 371. Attendance at weekly departmental seminars is required. Candidates for honors should elect both 551 and 552. The Department.
