This course introduces students to a new field, Astrobiology, where scientists trained in biology, chemistry, astrophysics and geology combine their skills to investigate life's origins and to seek extraterrestrial life. Topics include: the origin of life on earth,the prospects of life on Mars, Europa, Titan, Enceladues and extra-solar planets, as well as the cosmological setting for life and the prospects for SETI. 255 is the core course for the planets and life certificate.

Broad introduction to polymer science and technology, including polymer chemistry (major synthetic routes to polymers), polymer physics (solution and melt behavior, solid-state morphology and properties), and polymer engineering (overview of reaction engineering, melt processing, and recycling methods).

CHM 201 (Fall) and CHM 202 (Spring) comprise an overview of Chemistry. This sequence serves as the entry level course for concentrators in Chemistry, and for other sciences requiring General Chemistry as a prerequisite. This sequence is also well suited for premedical students. The goal of General Chemistry is to enhance our understanding of our surroundings through a study of matter at the molecular scale. Topics in CHM 201 include chemical reactions, equilibrium, energy and entropy, quantum theory, atomic structure, and chemical bonding.

An introductory course with examples drawn from materials science, engineering and environmental impact. Basic concepts of chemistry are introduced: stoichiometry, reaction types, equilibria, thermodynamics, quantum mechanics, and chemical bonding. These concepts are applied in discussions of the structure, reactions, and properties of technologically important processes and materials: metals, semiconductors, ceramics, and polymers. CHM 207 is designed as a one term introduction to chemistry; however, it may be coupled with CHM 202 to satisfy the one-year general chemistry requirement for STEM and pre-health fields of study.

The Chemistry Research Experience sequence provide sophomore students with an in lab research experience. The sequence comprises two semesters with CHM 250 as a prerequisite for CHM 251, a credit bearing P/D/F course. Students will gain an introduction to chemical research within the laboratory of a chemistry faculty mentor. Students are expected to spend 6 hours per week engaged in research and attend weekly meetings as outlined by the mentoring faculty. At the end of the semester, students will present an oral presentation summarizing their results.

This course is designed as the first part of a three-semester sequence, CHM 301, 304 and MOL 345 (biochemistry). CHM 301 will introduce principles of organic chemistry, including the structures, properties and reactivity of organic compounds. The emphasis will be on bonding and structure, structural analysis by spectroscopy and an introduction to the mechanisms of organic reactions. Examples will be taken from biology when appropriate to illustrate the principles. For a complete presentation of the subject, the course should be followed by CHM 304 in the spring.

Introduction to quantum mechanics for students interested in its relevance to chemistry, molecular biology and energy science. Fundamental and conceptual understanding will be emphasized. The ways that quantum systems are different than classical systems will be examined. Topics include waves, eigenvalue problems, the Schrödinger equation, the uncertainty principle, tunneling, the quantum mechanical particle in a box and the quantum harmonic oscillator. Modern topics may include molecular electronic structure calculations, organic solar cells, photosynthesis, nanoscience, quantum computing and quantum biology.

A one-semester introduction to the organic chemical reactions of greatest biological importance. Covers organic mechanisms underlying fundamental metabolic reactions and introduces engineering approaches for analyzing networks of such reactions. For biology or engineering students, this course is an alternative to the standard two-semester organic chemistry sequence (CHM301 and 302/304). Satisfies the organic chemistry requirement for MOL and CBE, but not for CHM majors. Provides appropriate background for subsequent studies in biochemistry.

Four compulsory laboratory exercises explore the breadth of topics in chemistry. The compulsories include inorganic synthesis, physical characterization, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry. Incorporated into these experiments are analytical methods, quantitative methods, and instrumental methods. Students have access to state-of-the-art equipment. Proper lab technique and data management are also part of the learning experience. The once-per-week lecture component supplements the hands on experience in the lab. Grading considers pre-lab preparation, engagement, and lab technique as well as lab report submissions.

The overarching goal of this course is to learn the art of designing experiments for independent inquiry. We introduce fundamental principles of modern analytical methods such as spectroscopy, chromatography, and electrochemistry. Students learn about instrumental methods that employ these concepts and how to interpret data collected using these techniques. Discussion includes statistical treatment of data using standard methods for proper reporting of information with precision, accuracy, and uncertainty. Lectures also address developing algebraic equations for quantifying analytes in complex equilibrium systems.

Applies the principles of organic chemistry to biochemistry. Explores enzymology through the lenses of mechanistic organic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, and catalysis. Covers how proteins orchestrate the reactivity of functional groups, the range of cofactors employed to extend the scope and diversity of biocatalysis, enzymatic systems controlled by their kinetics, and how knowledge of enzyme reaction mechanisms enable modern drug design. Weeks 1-6 Foundations of Mechanistic Enzymology; Weeks 7-12 Biosynthetic Chemistry, Drug action, metabolism and design. Biological electron transfer.

Structural principles and bonding theories are discussed for various classes of main group inorganic and transition metal coordination compounds. The topics include an introduction to group theory, vibrational spectroscopy, molecular orbital theory, electronic structure of d-orbitals, and ligand field theory. Additional topics will include reactions of coordination compounds and organometallic species, kinetic mechanistic analysis, and homogeneous catalysis systems.

Discussion and evaluation of the role professional researchers play in dealing with the reporting of research, responsible authorship, human and animal studies, misconduct and fraud in science, intellectual property, and professional conduct in scientific relationships. Participants are expected to read the materials and cases prior to each meeting. Successful completion is based on regular attendance and active participation in discussion. This half-term course is designed to satisfy federal funding agencies' requirements for training in the ethical practice of scientists. Required for graduate students and post-docs.

Discussion and evaluation of the role professional researchers play in dealing with the reporting of research, responsible authorship, human and animal studies, misconduct and fraud in science, intellectual property, and professional conduct in scientific relationships. Participants are expected to read the materials and cases prior to each meeting. Successful completion is based on attendance at all course meetings and active participation in discussion. This half-term course is designed to satisfy federal funding agencies requirements for training in the ethical practice of scientists. Required for graduate students and post-docs.

Discussion and evaluation of the role professional researchers play in dealing wtih the reporting of research, responsible authorship, human and animal studies, misconduct and fraud in science, intellectual property, and professional conduct in scientific relationships. Participants are expected to read the materials and cases prior to each meeting. Successful completion is based on regular attendance and active participation in discussion. This half-term course is designed to satisfy federal funding agencies' requirements for training in the ethical practice of scientists. Required for chemistry graduate students/post-docs.

Basic quantum mechanical concepts at a rigorous level appropriate for graduate students in experimental and theoretical physical chemistry, applied physics and engineering. Topics include: (i) mathematical formalism of quantum mechanics and operators in time-independent quantum theory; (ii) exactly soluble systems: single spin, harmonic oscillator and hydrogen atom; (iii) time-independent perturbation theory; (iv) the variational theorem; (v) time-dependent perturbation theory with selected applications; (vi) indistinguishable particles.

Prediction of the structure and properties of equilibrium and nonequilibrium states of matter. Topics include Gibbs ensembles; microscopic basis of thermodynamics; Boltzmann statistics; ideal gases; Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein statistics; models of solids; blackbody radiation; Bose condensation; conduction in metals; virial expansion; distribution functions; liquids; structural glasses; sphere packings and jamming; computer simulation techniques; critical phenomena; percolation theory; Ising model; renormalization group methods; irreversible processes; Brownian motion; Fokker-Planck and Boltzmann equations.

This course covers the theory of coarse-graining and modern treatments of non-equilibrium statistical mechanics. Topics include classical density functional theory, static and dynamic correlation functions in fluids, fluctuation theorems, large-deviation theory, stochastic thermodynamics, and dynamical phase transitions. Practical techniques for constructing coarse-grained models and studying nonequilibrium many-body systems via computer simulation are discussed. Applications to soft matter, molecular self-assembly, and biophysics are introduced through discussion of selected papers from the current literature.

This course provides a comprehensive introduction to basic principles of macromolecular structure, stability, and interactions. Major topics include protein structure; protein thermodynamics and folding; nucleic acid structure and stability; principles of intermolecular recognition; and principles of ligand-binding analysis. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the relationships between structure and stability; the molecular origins of cooperative effects; and the relationships between covalent and non-covalent properties, in macromolecular systems.

To familiarize the student with basic principles of structure and reactivity of transition metal organometallic chemistry.

A detailed examination of bonding and structure in transition metal complexes and crystalline solid materials are undertaken. Group Theory is introduced on an advanced level. A variety of modern physical methods are discussed in this context. Chemical reactivity, including ligand substitution reactions, charge transfer reactions and photochemical processes, are investigated based on electronic structure considerations. Basic physical properties of solid materials are discussed in context to their electronic structure. Examples are drawn from the current literature.

A mechanism-based course on organic synthesis for advanced undergraduates and beginning graduate students who wish to learn chemical synthesis of organic compounds. Course deals with various classical and modern synthetic methodologies. Particular emphasis is placed on understanding scope, limitations, and selectivity based on the mechanism, with the goal to understand fundamental principles underlying each synthetic method. The knowledge and perspective acquired in this course is expected to provide sufficient foundation to understand and use the research literature in organic synthesis.

This course covers the fundamentals of physical organic chemistry to provide the students with a thorough understanding of chemical reactivity. Within the framework of organic reaction mechanisms, the class discusses a number of topics, including the essence of structure and bonding, the nature of reactive intermediates, and the use of kinetic measurements and isotopic labeling studies to decipher chemical mechanisms. Grades are based on problem sets, a mid-term, and a final exam.

This class emphasizes the use of chemical approaches to investigate and manipulate biological processes at the biochemical, the cellular, and the organismal level. The purpose is to provide chemical biologists with modern chemical methods. The class then discusses how these methods can be applied to study different biological problems, highlighting important questions in biology. Typically a paper from the current literature will be presented and discussed by the students each class. Grades are based on problem sets, a midterm exam, a literature presentation, and a research proposal.

Covers topics including origin of elements; formation of the Earth; evolution of the atmosphere and oceans; atomic theory and chemical bonding; crystal chemistry and ionic substitution in crystals; reaction equilibria and kinetics in aqueous and biological systems; chemistry of high-temperature melts and crystallization process; and chemistry of the atmosphere, soil, marine and riverine environments. The biogeochemistry of contaminants and their influence on the environment will also be discussed.

An integrated, mathematically and computationally sophisticated introduction to physics, chemistry, molecular biology, and computer science. This year long, four course sequence is a multidisciplinary course taught across multiple departments with the following faculty: COS: O. Troyanskaya; EEB: J. Akey; LSI: B. Bratton, J. Gadd, A. Mayer, Q. Wang; MOL: E. Wieschaus, M. Wuhr; PHY: T. Gregor, J. Shaevitz. Five hours of lecture, one three-hour lab, one three-hour precept, one required evening problem session.

An integrated, mathematically and computationally sophisticated introduction to physics, chemistry, molecular biology, and computer science. This year long, four course sequence is a multidisciplinary course taught across multiple departments with the following faculty: COS: O. Troyanskaya; EEB: J. Akey; LSI: B. Bratton, J. Gadd, A. Mayer, Q. Wang; MOL: E. Wieschaus, M. Wuhr; PHY: T. Gregor, J. Shaevitz. Five hours of lecture, one three-hour lab, one three-hour precept, one required evening problem session.

Fundamental concepts of biomolecular structure and function will be discussed, with an emphasis on principles of thermodynamics, binding and catalysis. A major portion of the course will focus on metabolism and its logic and regulation.

Close reading of published papers illustrating the principles, achievements, and difficulties that lie at the interface of theory and experiment in biology. Two important papers, read in advance by all students, will be considered each week; the emphasis will be on discussion with students as opposed to formal lectures. Topics include: cooperativity, robust adaptation, kinetic proofreading, sequence analysis, clustering, phylogenetics, analysis of fluctuations, and maximum likelihood methods. A general tutorial on Matlab and specific tutorials for the four homework assignments will be available.