Courses

CHEM B101 An Introduction to Problem Solving in Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

This course prepares students who have successfully completed QSEM for the introductory chemistry sequence. It offers students an environment in which to further develop the quantitative approaches and skills necessary for success in the chemistry classroom and laboratory. This course is not open to students who have completed General Chem I (CHEM B103 or H111). Prerequisite: QSEM or permission of instructor.

Course does not meet an Approach

Quantitative Methods (QM)

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CHEM B103 General Chemistry I

Fall 2025

This is an introductory course in chemistry, open to students with no previous chemistry experience. Topics include aqueous solutions and solubility; the electronic structure of atoms and molecules; chemical reactions and energy; intermolecular forces. Examples discussed in lecture and laboratory include applications of the material to environmental sciences, material science and biological chemistry. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory three hours a week. Prerequisite: Quantitative Readiness Required.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biology; Neuroscience.

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CHEM B104 General Chemistry II

Section 001 (Spring 2025): Enriched Section

Not offered 2025-26

For students who have completed General Chemistry I or have some previous work in chemistry. Topics include chemical kinetics; aqueous solutions and solubility; chemical equilibrium; electrochemistry; thermochemistry. Examples discussed in lecture and laboratory workshop include nuclear chemistry, geochemistry, environmental sciences, material sciences and biological chemistry. One section of the course is designed for students considering a major in the sciences and takes an interdisciplinary approach to the course topics. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM B103 with a grade of at least 2.0 or permission of the instructor.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biology.

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CHEM B211 Organic Chemistry I

Fall 2025

An introduction to the basic concepts of organic chemistry, including acid-base principles; functional groups; alkane and cycloalkane structures; alkene reactions; alkynes; dienes and aromatic structures; substitution and elimination reactions; alcohol reactivity; and radical reactions. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour a week. There is no longer a laboratory portion of CHEM B211. Instead, students can enroll in CHEM B216 which is a half-credit laboratory course that introduces basic operations in the organic chemistry lab, spectroscopy, and reactions discussed CHEM B211. Students should consult with their deans/advisors about whether to enroll in CHEM B216. Students planning to major in STEM disciplines or intending to fulfill pre-health requirements will need to take CHEM B216 in addition to CHEM B211. Prerequisite: CHEM 104 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B212 Organic Chemistry II:

Not offered 2025-26

The second semester of organic chemistry includes discussion of the reactivity of carbonyl carbons such as ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and derivatives, saccharides and enolate chemistry. This course also emphasizes biologically relevant topics. There is no longer a laboratory portion of CHEM B212. Instead, students can enroll in CHEM B217 which is a half-credit laboratory course that covers reactions discussed in CHEM B212, more advanced NMR spectroscopy and an extended total-synthesis project. Students should consult with their deans/advisors about whether to enroll in CHEM B217. Students planning to major in STEM disciplines or intending to fulfill pre-health requirements will need to take CHEM B217 in addition to CHEM B212. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 211 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B213 Organic Chemistry I

Fall 2025

An introduction to the basic concepts of organic chemistry, including acid-base principles; functional groups; alkane and cycloalkane structures; alkene reactions; alkynes; dienes and aromatic structures; substitution and elimination reactions; alcohol reactivity; and radical reactions. The laboratory course introduces basic operations in the organic chemistry lab, spectroscopy, and reactions discussed in lecture. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory five hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 104 with a grade of at least 2.0. For students enrolled in the postbaccalaureate premedical program only

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B214 Organic Chemistry II: Biochemistry

Section 001 (Spring 2025): Biological Organic Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

The second semester (biological organic chemistry) is broken into two modules. In the first module, the reactivity of carbonyl carbon is discussed, including ketones, aldehydes, carboxylic acids and derivatives, saccharides and enolate chemistry. Traditional biochemistry coverage begins with the second module. Amino acids (pI, electrophoresis, side chain pKa), protein structure (1°, 2°, 3°, 4°), and enzymatic catalysis, kinetics and inhibition are introduced. The reactivity of the co-enzymes (vitamins) is also covered as individual case studies in bio-organic reactivity. Lecture three hours, recitation one hour and laboratory five hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 213 with a grade of at least 2.0. For students enrolled in the postbaccalaureate premedical program only.

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B216 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I

Fall 2025

This is a half-credit laboratory course that introduces basic operations in the organic chemistry lab, spectroscopy, and reactions discussed CHEM B211. 1 hour of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Either concurrent enrollment in CHEM B211 or prior completion of CHEM B211 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B217 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II

Not offered 2025-26

This is a half-credit laboratory course that covers reactions discussed in CHEM B212, more advanced NMR spectroscopy and an extended total-synthesis project.. 1 hour of lecture and 4 hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHEM B216 with a grade of at least 2.0 and either concurrent enrollment in CHEM B212 or prior completion of CHEM B212 with a grade of at least 2.0.

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Scientific Investigation (SI)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B221 Physical Chemistry I

Fall 2025

Introduction to quantum theory and spectroscopy. Atomic and molecular structure; molecular modeling; rotational, vibrational, electronic and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Lecture three hours. Prerequisites: CHEM B104 and MATH B201.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Mathematics.

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CHEM B222 Physical Chemistry II

Not offered 2025-26

Modern thermodynamics, with application to phase equilibria, interfacial phenomena and chemical equilibria; statistical mechanics; chemical dynamics. Kinetic theory of gases; chemical kinetics. Lecture three hours. Prerequisite: CHEM B104 and MATH 201. May be taken concurrently with CHEM B212, with permission of instructor.

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B231 Inorganic Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

Bonding theory; structures and properties of ionic solids; symmetry; crystal field theory; structures, spectroscopy, stereochemistry, reactions and reaction mechanisms of coordination compounds; acid-base concepts; descriptive chemistry of main group elements. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 212.

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B242 Biological Chemistry

Fall 2025

The structure, chemistry and function of amino acids, proteins, lipids, polysaccharides and nucleic acids; enzyme kinetics; metabolic relationships of carbohydrates, lipids and amino acids, and the control of various pathways. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM B212 or CHEM H222.

Course does not meet an Approach

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Health Studies; Health Studies.

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CHEM B251 Research Methodology I

Fall 2025

This is a laboratory topics course integrating advanced concepts in chemistry from biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Students gain experience in the use of departmental research instruments and in scientific literature searches, quantitative data analysis, record keeping and writing. Prerequisite CHEM B212. Co-requisite: CHEM B221 or B231 or B242. Attendance at departmental colloquia is expected of all students.

Writing Attentive

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B252 Research Methodology II

Not offered 2025-26

This laboratory course integrates advanced concepts in chemistry from biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Students will gain experience in the use of departmental research instruments and in scientific literature searches, quantitative data analysis, record-keeping, and writing. Attendance at departmental colloquia is expected of all students. Course Prerequisites: CHEM B212. Course Co-requisites: CHEM B222 or CHEM B231 or CHEM B242.

Writing Attentive

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B311 Advanced Organic Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

A survey of the methods and concepts used in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisites: CHEM 212 and 222.

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CHEM B332 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Section 001 (Fall 2025): Solid State Chemistry

Fall 2025

This is a topics course covering topics in advanced inorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: CHEM 231 and 242 or permission of the instructor.

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CHEM B334 Organometallic Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

Fundamental concepts in organometallic chemistry, including structure and bonding, reaction types, and catalysis, and applications to current problems in organic synthesis. Lecture three hours a week. Prerequisite: CHEM 212 and 231 or permission of instructor.

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CHEM B345 Advanced Biological Chemistry

Fall 2025

This is a topics course. Topics vary. Prerequisite: CHEM B242 or BIOL B375.

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B377 Biochemistry II: Biochemical Pathways and Metabolism

Not offered 2025-26

This course is a continuation of CHEM B242 or BIOL B375. Biochemical pathways involved in cellular metabolism will be explored in molecular detail. Energy producing, degradation, and biosynthetic pathways involving sugars, fats, amino acids, and nucleotides will be discussed with an emphasis on structures and mechanisms, experimental methods, regulation, and integration. Additional topics, drawn from the primary research literature, may be covered. Readings will be drawn from textbooks and from the primary literature and assessments may include oral presentations, problem sets, written examinations, and writing assignments. This is a second course in Biochemistry and assumes a strong foundation in the fundamentals of Biochemistry. Prerequisite: BIO 375 or CHEM 242, or permission of instructor.

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biology.

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CHEM B398 Senior Seminar

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CHEM B399 Senior Seminar

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CHEM B403 Supervised Research

Many individual research projects are available, each under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Laboratory at least 10 hours a week. Oral or written presentations are required at the end of each semester. Suggested Preparation: student must seek permission of faculty supervisor.

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CHEM B511 Advanced Organic Chemistry I

Not offered 2025-26

A survey of the methods and concepts used in the synthesis of complex organic molecules. Lecture three hours a week.

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CHEM B515 Modern Medicinal Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

A survey of topics related to drug discovery including lead discovery, target interactions, structural optimization, drug metabolism and drug synthesis. The course will engage in an advanced treatment of these topics with particular attention to an understanding of drug design and development on the molecular level. Case studies will be used to illustrate the application of these principles. Discussions may include OxyContin and related opiate analgesics; aspirin and related NSAIDs; penicillin and other antibacterial agents; Tamiflu and related anti-virals; Alzheimer's disease drugs; and anti-depressants. Prerequisites: CHEM 212 or by permission of the instructor

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology.

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CHEM B532 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

Fall 2025

This is a topics course covering topics in advanced inorganic chemistry. Prerequisites: CHEM 231 and 242 or permission of the instructor.

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CHEM B534 Organometallic Chemistry

Not offered 2025-26

Fundamental concepts in organometallic chemistry, including structure and bonding, reaction types, and catalysis, and applications to current problems in organic synthesis. Lecture three hours a week. Course is open to graduate students and those undergraduates with CHEM 212 and CHEM B231 or permission from the instructor.

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CHEM B535 Inorganic Seminar: Group Theory

Not offered 2025-26

Fundamental concepts of mathematical groups, their derivation and their application to problems in bonding, spectroscopy and chemical reactivity.

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CHEM B545 Advanced Biological Chemistry

Fall 2025

This is a topics course. Topics vary. Prerequisite: Any course in Biochemistry.

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CHEM B577 Biochemistry II: Biochemical Pathways and Metabolism

Not offered 2025-26

This course is a continuation of CHEM B242 or BIOL B375. Biochemical pathways involved in cellular metabolism will be explored in molecular detail. Energy producing, degradation, and biosynthetic pathways involving sugars, fats, amino acids, and nucleotides will be discussed with an emphasis on structures and mechanisms, experimental methods, regulation, and integration. Additional topics, drawn from the primary research literature, may be covered. Readings will be drawn from textbooks and from the primary literature and assessments may include oral presentations, problem sets, written examinations, and writing assignments. This is a second course in Biochemistry and assumes a strong foundation in the fundamentals of Biochemistry. Prerequisite: BIO 375 or CHEM 375, or permission of instructor.

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CHEM B701 Supervised Work

Fall 2025

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MATH B101 Calculus I

Fall 2025, Spring 2026

This is the first in a sequence of two courses that covers single-variable calculus. Topics include functions, limits, continuity, derivatives, differentiation formulas, applications of derivatives, integrals, and the fundamental theorem of calculus. Prerequisite: proficiency in high-school mathematics (including algebra, geometry, and trigonometry).

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Quantitative Readiness Required (QR)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Physics.

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MATH B102 Calculus II

Fall 2025, Spring 2026

This is the second in a sequence of two courses that covers single-variable calculus. Topics include techniques of integration, applications of integration, infinite sequences and series, tests of convergence for series, and power series. Prerequisite: a merit grade in Math 101 (or an equivalent experience).

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Physics.

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MATH B201 Multivariable Calculus

Fall 2025, Spring 2026

This course extends calculus to functions of multiple variables. Topics include functions, limits, continuity, vectors, directional derivatives, optimization problems, multiple integrals, parametric curves, vector fields, line integrals, surface integrals, and the theorems of Gauss, Green and Stokes. Prerequisite: a merit grade in Math 102 (or an equivalent experience).

Quantitative Methods (QM)

Counts Toward: Biochemistry & Molecular Bio; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Biochemistry Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Physics.

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