Chemistry Major & Courses
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The Chemistry Major
Professor Lyons demonstrates with models. 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 emphasizes laboratory work 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 microcomputers and graphics workstations are used for data acquisition, simulation, and analysis in all courses. An active summer program provides further opportunities for intensive research.

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.
Flowchart of chemistry courses.


A major in chemistry may lead to a career in chemical research or education. It also serves those who seek to enter 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. The department's program is approved by the American Chemical Society through its Committee on Professional Training.

For more information...
Please visit Grinnell College's Academic Catalog website for full details of the chemistry program, including all course descriptions.

Chemistry Courses for 2009-2010
Fall 2009 Spring 2010
CHM 129-01: General Chemistry (Minelli)CHM 129-01: General Chemistry (Levandoski)
CHM 129-02: Gen. Chem. (Hernandez-Soto)CHM 129-02: General Chemistry (Marzluff)
CHM 129-03: General Chemistry (Ortiz)CHM 129-03: General Chemistry (Ortiz)
CHM 129L-01: Gen. Chem. Lab (Ortiz)CHM 129L-01: Gen. Chem. Lab (Trimmer)
CHM 129L-02: Gen. Chem. Lab (Trimmer)CHM 129L-02: Gen. Chem. Lab (Ortiz)
CHM 210-01: Inorg. & Anal. Chem. (Marzluff)CHM 210-01: Inorg. & Anal. Chem. (Minellii)
CHM 221-01: Organic Chem. I (Trimmer)CHM 210-02: Inorg. & Anal. Chem. (Mobley)
CHM 221-02: Organic Chem. I (Lindberg)CHM 210L-01: Inorg./Anal. Lab (Levandoski)
CHM 221-03: Organic Chem. I (Sieck)CHM 210L-02: Inorg./Anal. Lab (Levandoski)
CHM 221-04: Organic Chem. I (Mobley)CHM 222-01: Organic Chem. II (Sieck)
CHM 221L-01: Org. Chem. I Lab (Trimmer)CHM 222-02: Organic Chem. II (Lindberg)
CHM 221L-02: Org. Chem. I Lab (Lindberg)CHM 222-03: Organic Chem. II (Mobley)
CHM 221L-03: Org. Chem. I Lab (Lindberg)CHM 222L-01: Org. Chem. II Lab (Sieck)
CHM 221L-04: Org. Chem. I Lab (Trimmer)CHM 222L-02: Org. Chem. II Lab (Lindberg)
CHM 295-01**: ST: Mod Crystlgphy (Dahl, Guzei)CHM 222L-03: Org. Chem. II Lab (Lindberg)
CHM 325-01: Adv. Org. Chem. (Sieck)CHM 222L-04: Org. Chem. II Lab (Sieck)
CHM 332-01: Biophysical Chem. (Levandoski)CHM 363-01: Phys. Chem. I (Marzluff/Hernandez)
CHM 363-01: Physical Chem. I (Hernandez-Soto)CHM 364-01: Phys. Chem. II (Hernandez-Soto)
 CHM 423-01: Adv. Inorg. Chem. (Minelli)
** The short course Modern Crystallography and Molecular Symmetry will develop the fundamental ideas of modern crystallography and molecular symmetry. The class will begin by describing the symmetry of molecules leading up to the development of the Schoenflies and Hermann-Maguin notations of molecular symmetry. The use of crystallographic structural methods to determin molecular structure will then be discussed. Hands-on work with computer-based software to solve structures will be the lab component of the course. These concepts will then be applied to the crystal structures of large clusters of palladium and platinum with metal carbonyl ligands. Dates: Sept. 1 to Oct. 1, 2009. Short course deadlines apply. 2 credit option will include lab. Labs meet on Friday afternoon Sept. 18, Sept. 25, and Oct. 2. Taught by visiting scholars L. Dahl and I. Gunzei (University of Wisconsin)

Please visit the Registrar website for current information on days/times/locations, and changes to the curriculum during a particular semester.


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