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CHEMISTRY

Professors: David L. Beveridge, Philip H. Bolton, Joseph W. Bruno, Albert J. Fry, Stewart E. Novick (Chair), George A. Petersson, Rex F. Pratt, Wallace C. Pringle, Irina Russu, Jr., Peter S. Wharton

Associate Professors: Joseph L. Knee, T. David Westmoreland

Assistant Professor: Anne M. Baranger, Rex X-F Ren

Adjunct Associate Professor: G. Ravishanker (Director of Technology Support Services, Information Technology Services)

Research Fellows (2000-01): Suara Adedirah, Kamaljit Kaur, David Kombu, Scott Nolan, Felicia Pitici

Departmental Advising Experts (2000-2001): Wallace Pringle (Analytical), Rex Pratt (Biochemistry), Albert Fry (Organic), George Petersson (Physical), Joseph Bruno (Inorganic)

 

Chemistry is the science of molecules. Scientific, medical, and technological phenomena ultimately are understood in terms of molecular structure and interactions. Understanding of chemistry is essential to effective work in all sciences, and some knowledge of chemistry is useful in such fields as law, government, business, and art. Many aspects of our high-technology society can be understood better from the viewpoint of chemistry.

The following are typical important chemical problems: the structure of DNA, the molecular details of the resistance of bacteria to penicillin, the chemistry of air pollution, the synthesis of new molecules that might be expected to have medical applications, the consequences of putting electrons and photons into molecules, the details of what happens as two molecules collide, the fundamental basis of the energies of molecules, and the role of metallic elements in organic chemistry and biochemistry. These are all areas of research by Wesleyan faculty and their undergraduate and graduate co-workers.

The Chemistry Department at Wesleyan University meets the needs of nonscience majors, chemistry majors, and other science majors with the following programs:

1. Nonscientists are encouraged to consider CHEM114, 117, 118, 119, 150 or CHEM141/142 as part of their program to meet NSM requirements. CHEM114 provides a broad survey of fundamental chemistry, with emphasis on environmental issues. CHEM117 covers the basic aspects of human biochemistry. CHEM118 covers basic aspects of plant biochemistry with emphasis on photosynthesis, metabolism, evolution, and genetics. CHEM119 studies the basic chemistry of several diseases including AIDS, cancer, bacterial infections, and the drugs used to treat them as well as psychotherapeutic drugs. CHEM150 has non-science students consider scientific methods using case histories in a lecture-discussion format. These courses are essentially qualitative in nature. CHEM141/142 is an introduction to chemistry, which includes quantitative material. CHEM141 can be taken as a single-semester course toward the NSM requirements and can be taken by students who have had no high school chemistry.

2. Scientists majoring in areas other than chemistry can prepare themselves better for work in their discipline by having a grounding in chemistry, which will enable them to understand molecular phenomena. CHEM141/142 or 143/144 cover introductory chemistry. The CHEM143/144 sequence, requiring some prior chemistry and calculus, provides a more sophisticated introduction and represents a better preparation for science majors. The CHEM141/142 sequence requires no previous exposure to chemistry or calculus and emphasizes environmental and biological applications. CHEM152, Introductory Chemistry Laboratory, may be elected concurrently with CHEM142 or 144, in the spring semester. Principles of Organic Chemistry I/II (CHEM251/252) normally follows Introductory Chemistry. The laboratory courses, CHEM257, the General Chemistry Laboratory, and CHEM258, the Organic Chemistry Laboratory, are usually taken concurrently with CHEM251/252. The two courses, Introductory Chemistry and Organic Chemistry, plus the laboratory sequence, CHEM152, 257, 258, are required for admission to medical, dental, and veterinary schools.

3. Chemistry majors. Students who anticipate the possibility of majoring in chemistry should, if possible, take CHEM143/144 as freshmen. The program for majors is described in detail below. Students who have scores of 4 or 5 in the Chemistry Advanced Placement Examination should consult with the department about the possibility of advanced placement in organic chemistry or, in exceptional circumstances, in physical chemistry.

4. Biochemistry. A student whose interest in biochemistry arises from a desire to understand biological systems at the molecular level may choose to study biochemistry as a chemistry major. The chemistry major program offers excellent preparation for career opportunities or advanced work in biochemistry. Students interested in this option would take CHEM143/144, if possible, and then biochemistry (CHEM383) as an elective; other electives may be chosen from upper-level chemistry, MB&B or biology courses. Participation in the weekly graduate biochemistry evening seminars (CHEM587/588) and in undergraduate research is also recommended.

5. Seminars are an important part of the intellectual life of the Chemistry Department. Weekly departmental seminars on Friday afternoons are followed by refreshments and discussions in the Chemistry Lounge. Important scientists from other universities and research laboratories are the speakers at these departmental gatherings. Majors are strongly encouraged to attend these graduate seminars and, with permission of instructor, may obtain academic credit (CHEM 521/522). (Such credit cannot count toward the electives for the major, however.) In addition, chemistry students and faculty speak at weekly research seminars in chemical physics, organic-inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. Programs for each semester are available from the chemistry office.

6. Research in chemistry is an important part of the program for most majors. Wesleyan’s small but excellent graduate program makes it possible for majors to work at the cutting edge of discovery in chemistry. Every full-time faculty member is involved in significant research. Undergraduates participating in the departmental research program normally attend a research seminar in their area, and most research groups have weekly meetings to discuss new results.

Major in chemistry. To major in chemistry, a student should complete a year of introductory chemistry (CHEM141/142, or, preferably, CHEM143/ 144 and the associated lab, CHEM152), unless the student has been given Advanced Placement. In addition, a year of organic chemistry (CHEM251/252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/258), and a year of physical chemistry (CHEM337/338) are required. One year of advanced laboratory is required (CHEM375/376, the Integrated Chemistry Laboratory). The major is completed by electing a total of at least three credits from 300-level courses (other than 337/338, or 348 or 349). One of these three may be replaced by two research tutorials. All chemistry majors are encouraged to do research with a faculty member, including during one or more summers. Financial support for summer research is generally available.

Calculus (MATH117 and 122, or MATH121 and 122 or advanced placement) is also required for the major. Students who have been exempted from CHEM144 must take CHEM361 to gain familiarity with inorganic chemistry.

Before or during the second semester of the sophomore year, a student interested in majoring in chemistry should consult with the chair of the Chemistry Department or the departmental advisors for specific areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical) concerning a suitable program of study. If the student does opt for a chemistry major, these people may also assist in the choice of a major advisor for the student.

A chemistry major planning graduate work in chemistry ordinarily takes at least one additional 300-level chemistry course (excluding 337/338, 348/349, or 350) and two semesters of undergraduate research (CHEM421/422 or 409/410). When feasible, an intensive continuation of research during at least one summer is encouraged. The preparation of a senior thesis based on this research (CHEM 409/410) provides extremely valuable experience and is strongly recommended. Graduate courses may be elected with permission. A chemistry major planning to attend medical school, teach in a secondary school, or do graduate work in such fields as biochemistry, geochemistry, environmental science, or chemical physics may request permission from the departmental curriculum committee to replace one of the elective credits in the concentration program with an appropriate course offered by another science or mathematics department. A similar substitution may be requested when appropriate as part of an interdepartmental major. Independent research is encouraged.

A solid mathematical background is important to those students who plan to do graduate work in chemistry. Such students should also try to take PHYS113 and 116 prior to their junior year. MATH221 and 222 are recommended to those whose interests lie in physical chemistry.

The biological chemistry track within the chemistry major. The Chemistry Department recognizes that a number of students each year are interested in a major program containing both a strong biology or biochemistry component and somewhat less emphasis on chemistry than the standard chemistry major. In response to this interest, the Chemistry Department now offers a biological chemistry track. This track would, for example, be an excellent preparation for medical school or graduate school in biochemistry. (Students interested in chemistry as a profession are advised to take the standard chemistry major track, which provides a better preparation for graduate school in chemistry.)

To begin a major in this track, a student should complete a year of introductory chemistry (CHEM141/142, or, preferably CHEM143/144, and the associated laboratory, CHEM152), unless the student has been given advanced placement. In addition, a year of organic chemistry (251/252), the concurrent laboratories (CHEM257/258), and a year of biology (BIOL205/206) are required. One year of advanced laboratory (CHEM375/376, the Integrated Chemistry Laboratory) is also required. The major is completed with Biochemistry (CHEM383) and Physical Chemistry for the Life Scientist (CHEM381) and two electives, one of which should be a 300-level chemistry course and the other may be molecular biology (MB&B208), another upper-level MB&B course, or another 300-level chemistry course. One of the two electives may be replaced by two research tutorials. Participation in the weekly graduate biochemistry evening seminar (CHEM587/588) and in research, both during the academic year and over at least one summer, are strongly recommended.

 



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