Develop the skills necessary for a satisfactory introduction to general chemistry. Requirement may be demonstrated by successful completion of a placement examination.
Chemistry
Overview | Requirements | Courses | Faculty
Overview
The curriculum of the Chemistry Department is designed to provide the student with a sound and comprehensive grasp of the principles of chemistry, including the laboratory experience necessary for basic research, teaching, and industrial research and development. Each student is expected to participate in a research program. Research facilities and instrumentation are excellent and qualified students may begin research projects as early as their first year. Faculty research grants augmented with support from major corporations and foundations have enabled the department to offer research stipends to qualified students each summer.
To the student preparing for medicine or related professions, training is offered in the fundamental and applied branches of chemistry. In addition, chemistry offers to the liberal arts student an appreciation and understanding of the discoveries, methods, and place of this subject in our society.
The program for majors also prepares them for entrance into the School of Engineering at Columbia University and the Applied Chemistry Program of the California Institute of Technology under the Combined Plan Program. Students interested in engineering should consult the Combined Plan Program for details.
Requirements
MAJOR: Chemistry 120 and 150, or Chemistry 130; Chemistry 220, Chemistry 221, and Chemistry 240; Chemistry 300, 300L, 305, 305L, 340, a minimum of four units of Chemistry 295 or 395; and, four units of Chemistry 490. At least one elective course is to be selected from the following: Chemistry 280, 330, 332, 332L, 340L, 350, 350L, 355, 360, 370, 380, or Physics 368. Also required are Calculus 2 in Mathematics and two courses in Physics: 110 or 115, and 120 or 125. In order to graduate with American Chemical Society certification, it is necessary to take both Chemistry 332 and Chemistry 350. Chemistry 120 (or 130), 220, 221, and 240 satisfy the general and organic chemistry distribution requirements for the health professions.
MINOR: Chemistry 120 and 150, or Chemistry 130; Chemistry 220, Chemistry 221, and Chemistry 240 with eight units of elective courses. Chemistry 100, 104, 195, 295, 395 and 397 may not be included as electives.
WRITING REQUIREMENT: Students majoring in Chemistry will satisfy the final component of Occidental College's campus-wide writing requirement by submitting a portfolio of four special reports, drawn from Chemistry 240, 300L, 305L, 340 (or appropriate course work) in the fall semester of their senior year. Students should familiarize themselves with the departmental requirement at the time of declaring the major. See the Writing Program and consult the department chair for additional information.
COMPREHENSIVE REQUIREMENT: The student will satisfactorily present a seminar during the senior year on an area of current research in the field of chemistry to an audience of Occidental students, faculty, and guests. The student will also take a comprehensive examination in Chemistry. A student with an overall grade point average of 3.25 can earn distinction with a 75th percentile rank on the examination.
HONORS: Senior chemistry students with an overall grade point average of 3.25 are permitted to present a written thesis on their research for College Honors consideration at graduation. See the Honors Program and consult the department chair for additional information.
GRADUATE STUDY: The Department of Chemistry, together with the Departments of Education, Geology, and Physics, participates in offering a Master of Arts in Teaching (M.A.T.) in Physical Science. This program is available to students in the teaching credential program who have a significant background in the physical sciences and who wish to deepen their scientific level beyond the level required for a single-subject credential in one of the physical sciences. General M.A.T. degree requirements are listed in the Graduate Study section of this catalog. Students seeking the Physical Sciences degree are required to complete three five-unit graduate level courses, each of which is an enhancement of a four-unit upper-division course with the addition of a related teaching-oriented project. For additional information, please refer to the Graduate Study section of this catalog or the Chair of one of the offering departments.
SPECIAL FEATURES: The Department of Chemistry is approved by the American Chemical Society for the professional education of chemists. Completion of the suggested graduate school option admits students to full membership in the American Chemical Society upon graduation. Outlines of suggested four-year programs with emphasis in environmental chemistry, biochemistry, chemical physics, engineering, pre-medicine, and teaching may be obtained from the department chair.
Courses
100 - Introduction to Chemistry
104 - From Fundamental Chemistry to the Human Genome
This is a course suitable for non-majors and covers the chemical bases of life. The course will be structured around the chemistry of the fundamental building blocks of life - nucleic acids, proteins, polysaccharides, etc. - and how they interact to support the cellular life. Examples of the specific topics include the evolution of human genome. Prerequisite: a high school science course.
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: MATH/SCI
120 - Foundations Of General Chemistry
An introduction to the primary chemical concepts of atomic structure and quantum theory, periodic trends, molecular structure, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, thermodynamics, and acids and bases. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: satisfactory performance on the Chemistry Placement Examination or permission of instructor.
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
130 - Advanced Placement Chemistry
An advanced presentation of topics in atomic structure, periodic trends, molecular structure, molecular symmetry, and vibrational spectroscopy. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: AP Chemistry score of 4 or 5, or permission of instructor.
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
150 - Molecular Symmetry and Structure
Symmetry is a fundamental, unifying aspect of nature and is found in many human creations from art, music, and architecture, to mathematics and science. In chemistry, symmetry is central to understanding the interplay of molecular architecture and function. This course provides the student with a qualitative and formal conceptual framework for categorizing molecular structures. Prerequisite: Chemistry 100 or 120, or permission of instructor.
1 unit
195 - Directed Research in Chemistry
Intensive study in an area of chemistry or biochemistry of the student's choosing under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: permission of supervising instructor.
1 unit
220 - Organic Chemistry I
An introduction to the theory and practice of organic chemistry. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 120 or 130 or permission of instructor.
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
221 - Organic Chemistry II
A continuation of Organic Chemistry I. Includes one three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 220.
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
240 - Integrated Concepts in General Chemistry
Building on concepts developed in prerequisite classes, fundamental concepts in thermodynamics are developed from first principles with subsequent application in chemical equilibrium and kinetics. Applications to biological systems and technology are emphasized. The substantive laboratory component focuses on developing analytical skills.
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
280 - Instrumental and Separation Techniques in Organic Chemistry
The course will explore the application of 1H, 13C, and two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy to the organic laboratory as well as the important separation protocols such as column chromatography, gas chromatography, and chiral HPLC. Includes one three hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 221.
2 units
295 - Directed Research in Chemistry
Intensive study in an area of chemistry or biochemistry of the student's choosing under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: permission of the supervising instructor. May be repeated for credit.
2 units
300 - Physical Chemistry I
An introduction to the principles of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics, and their application to chemical systems. Prerequisites: Calculus 2 and Physics 120 or 125 or permission of instructor.
300L - Thermodynamics and Kinetics Laboratory
Applications of chemical thermodynamics and kinetics. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisite: Chemistry 300 (may be taken concurrently).
1 unit
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
305 - Physical Chemistry II
An introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, statistical thermodynamics, kinetic molecular theory, and chemical applications of group theory. Prerequisites: Chemistry 130 or 150, Calculus 2, and Physics 120 or 125; or permission of instructor. Mathematics 212 and 214 are strongly recommended.
305L - Spectroscopy and Structure Laboratory
Atomic and molecular spectroscopy and modern techniques in physical chemistry. One three-hour laboratory per week. Co-requisite: Chemistry 305.
1 unit
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
330 - Biocatalysis and Biotechnology
Emerging concepts in chemistry applied to biological systems are examined with an emphasis on industrial applications.
2 units
332 - Instrumental Analysis
Modern analytical instrumentation provides scientists and engineers with an impressive array of powerful tools for studying the composition and structure of matter, from the first electronic pH meter to advanced three-dimensional MRI imaging spectrometers to portable detectors explosive compounds. This course examines the statistical, electronic, physical and chemical requirements for the construction and yO operation of modern analytical instruments.
332L - Instrumental Chemistry Laboratory
Instrumental Techniques. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Chemistry 300 and 332 (concurrently).
1 unit
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
340 - Inorganic Chemistry
Application of modern theories of physics and chemistry to the synthesis, bonding, and reactivity patterns of inorganic compounds. Special emphasis on the role of metal ions in biological systems. Prerequisites: Chemistry 130 or 150, and 240; Chemistry 305 is recommended.
340L - Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
Inorganic synthesis and structure confirmation. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Chemistry 340 (concurrently).
1 unit
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
350 - Biochemistry
Biochemistry of macromolecules with an emphasis on protein structure and function. Prerequisite: Chemistry 300 or permission of instructor.
350L - Biochemistry Laboratory
Biochemistry. One three-hour laboratory per week. Prerequisites: Chemistry 300 and 350 (concurrently).
1 unit
CORE REQUIREMENT MET: LAB-SCI
355 - Introduction to Bioinformatics
The main focus of this course is utilizing biological and chemical databases for research. The course will investigate: (1) tools that are used to extract and analyze data on small molecule drugs and biological sequences from these databases (2) algorithms and scoring schemes used in sequence alignment and homology searches, (3) the significance of this information in modern chemical and molecular biology, medicine, pharmaceutical development, protein engineering and drug design, genetics and molecular evolution. Prerequisites: Chemistry 221 and Biology 130.
2 units
360 - Physical Organic Chemistry
An introduction to the study of physical organic chemistry, with special emphasis on bioorganic chemistry, bio-macromolecular structure, and biological sequence analysis. Prerequisite: Chemistry 300 or permission of instructor.
2 units
370 - Organometallic Chemistry
A continuation of Chemistry 340, focusing on the interface between organic and inorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: Chemistry 300, 340, or permission of instructor.
2 units
380 - Organic Synthesis
An introduction to the study of organic synthesis. Prerequisite: Chemistry 300 or permission of instructor.
2 units
395 - Directed Research in Chemistry
Intensive study in an area of chemistry or biochemistry of the student's choosing under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. May be repeated for credit.
397 - Independent Research in Chemistry
Individual study of an area of special interest in a field of chemistry of the student's choosing under the direct supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: permission of instructor.
490 - Senior Seminar in Chemistry
The preparation, presentation and participation in a seminar series as a part of the senior comprehensive examination. Open only to senior chemistry majors, to be repeated both semesters.
2 units
499 - Honors in Chemistry
Independent study under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Prerequisite: permission of department, may be repeated both semesters.
Faculty
Regular Faculty
Aram Nersissian, chair
Associate Professor, Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.S., Moscow State Lomonosov University; Ph.D., Armenian Academy of Sciences
Professor, Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.S., University of Puget Sound; M.S., D.A., Washington State University
Associate Dean of the College; Fletcher Jones Professor, Chemistry
B.S., UCLA; Ph.D., Caltech
Carl F. Braun Professor, Chemistry;Advisory Committee, Kinesiology
B.S., Cal Poly San Luis Obispo; Ph.D., University of Arizona
Associate Professor of the Practice of Chemistry; Advisory Committee, Biochemistry
B.A., State University of New York; M.S., Nova University; Ph.D., University of South Florida
On Special Appointment
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Chemistry
B.S., University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill; Ph.D., California Institute of Technology
Adjunct Assistant Professor, Chemistry
B.E. Tokyo University, M.E. Tokyo University, Ph.D Tokyo University