Chemistry
Faculty:
Chemistry, as pure science, seeks to describe and make comprehensible the nature and transformations of matter. As applied science, it provides society with knowledge and tools to achieve its material purposes. By coupling creative thought with experimentation, the study of chemistry contributes to a liberal education.
The Department of Chemistry recommends that students considering chemistry as a major begin coursework as first-year students. The starting point for those with no more than a year of secondary school chemistry is Chemistry 129. (For students with AP/IB credit, starting with Chemistry 210 may be appropriate.)
The department emphasizes laboratory investigation in its curriculum. Students have excellent facilities for independent projects and study, and majors will get hands-on experience with modern instrumentation in several areas of chemistry. A variety of computers are used for data acquisition, simulation, and analysis in all courses. An active summer program provides further opportunities for intensive research.
A major in chemistry may lead to a career in chemical research or education. It also serves those who seek to enter the medical or engineering professions and those wishing to pursue graduate work in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, physiology, pharmacology, geology, environmental science, nutrition, and materials science, or for others, as a focus for liberal education.
To complete the major, mathematics through 133 and physics through 132 are needed and should be taken as early as possible. Students contemplating graduate work in science should consider taking two additional semesters of mathematics (215 and 220) as well as related coursework in biology and physics, depending on personal interests and goals. The department recommends the study of a foreign language, because chemistry is an international discipline.
A minimum of 32 credits. With permission, up to four of the 32 credits may be taken in related studies outside the department. Required are Chemistry 129, 210, 221–222, 363, 499 (four credits), and eight credits from 325, 330, 332, 358, 364, or 423. Also required are Mathematics 131 and 133 and Physics 131–132. Participation in the Chemistry Colloquium is required for 499 projects.
ACS Certification: The department’s program is approved by the American Chemical Society through its Committee on Professional Training and offers a certification program to students who meet requirements of both breadth and depth in their chemistry studies. The graduates who complete the following program meet the ACS certification standards: Five courses to achieve breadth across the subfields of Chemistry: Chemistry 210, 221, 363, 423, and Biological Chemistry 262. Four additional courses to achieve depth chosen from Chemistry 222, 325, 330, 332, 358, 364, and 499 (note: 2 of these are already required for the major at Grinnell).
To be considered for honors in chemistry, graduating seniors, in addition to meeting the College’s general requirements for honors, must be selected by the chemistry faculty. The criteria used to decide which students have achieved sufficient distinction and academic excellence to qualify for honors in chemistry are both objective and subjective in nature. It signifies, in addition, an underlying commitment to the discipline as evidenced by participation in departmental affairs and activities (such as serving as a mentor), attendance at co-curricular activities such as departmental seminars and poster presentations both on and off campus, and other indications of strong interest above and beyond normal classroom participation and achievement. The faculty believes that honors signifies both academic excellence and an unusually high commitment and dedication to the discipline. Graduating with honors in chemistry should not be regarded solely as the culmination of previous accomplishments, but rather an expectation of future accomplishments in the discipline in the years ahead.
An introductory course. Primary emphasis on stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, dynamic equilibrium, acid-base chemistry, thermodynamics, electronic structure, and intermolecular interactions. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
Leads to advanced work in the department. Principles of inorganic chemistry and elementary quantitative analysis, including ionic equilibrium, electrochemistry, and acid-base chemistry. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
A comprehensive study of structures, reactions, syntheses, and spectroscopy of aliphatic and aromatic compounds, which emphasizes modern mechanistic models. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
A comprehensive study of structures, reactions, syntheses, and spectroscopy of aliphatic and aromatic compounds, which emphasizes modern mechanistic models. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
Selected topics in organic chemistry, including spectral methods of identifying organic compounds, reaction mechanisms, and modern methods of organic synthesis. Laboratory emphasis on spectral, chromatographic, and synthetic methods. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
Examination of the mechanisms of enzyme reactions. Topics include enzyme structure, catalytic strategies, and methodologies to study enzyme mechanisms. Emphasis on enzymes that require a coenzyme (pyridoxal phosphate, flavin, etc.) to carry out their chemistry. Labs stress spectroscopic and kinetic techniques. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
Exploration of advanced topics in biochemistry with an emphasis on physical methodologies (thermodynamics and kinetics) and techniques. Topics include ligand binding theory, protein folding, and structure determination, etc. Secondary emphasis involves topics in molecular neuroscience, such as second messenger systems and ion channels. Laboratory employs some of the techniques discussed and includes an independent project. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
Analytical chemistry, including both theory and applications of spectral, electrochemical, chromatographic, and other commonly employed methods of analysis and separation. Two classes, two laboratories each week.
An introduction to physical chemistry that emphasizes experimental and theoretical aspects of chemical thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibrium, and kinetics. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
Selected topics in physical chemistry with emphasis on molecular structure and chemical bonding and the application of thermodynamic and quantum theory to a variety of physical chemical phenomena. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
An investigation of a selected topic in chemistry with readings from the recent literature discussed in a seminar format. Specific topic announced at least a semester in advance. May be repeated a second time for credit.
Selected topics, including atomic structure, bonding, acid-base theories, coordination chemistry, crystal structure, and inorganic reactions. Three classes, one laboratory each week.
* Indicates courses not offered every year.
