General Chemistry

This course continues the study of the fundamental principles and laws of chemistry. Topics include kinetics, equilibrium, ionic and redox equations, acid-base theory, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, introduction to nuclear and organic chemistry, and complex ions. Upon completion, students should be able to demonstrate an understanding of chemical concepts as needed to pursue further study in chemistry and related professional fields. Laboratory experiments and computer-based exercises augment and reinforce the basic principles discussed in lecture as well as provide practical examples. This course has been approved to satisfy the Comprehensive Articulation Agreement for the general education core requirement in natural sciences/mathematics.

Lectures

A weekly lecture by a chemistry faculty member, or other scientist from academia or industry, on their current research activities. The goal is to provide students with a sampling of fundamental and applied research problems that are being approached from a chemical point of view. Students will see how chemical principles can be obtained from experiment and theory, and used to better understand the world we live in and make the world we live in better. Each week a different scientist will present a lecture or offer an additional activity. Intended primarily for freshman who anticipate majoring in science, but interested upperclass students should also find the lectures interesting and stimulating. Students are expected to attend all lectures and associated activities during the semester.

Chemistry Laboratory

A laboratory course emphasizing both the synthesis of inorganic compounds and the study of their physical properties. Laboratory excercises will introduce novel synthetic techniques such as high-temperature synthesis and vacuum line manipulations. Compounds will be spectroscopically characterized by UV-visible, gas-phase infrared, and multinuclear and dynamic NMR spectroscopy. Measurements of electrochemical behavior, magnetic susceptibility, and electrical conductivity will be performed.