CHEM - Chemistry

This course provides instruction in thermochemistry and examines models and systems used to study chemical reactions under extreme thermodynamic conditions (e.g., pressure). Students will review and develop an understanding of the changes in equilibrium and reaction kinetics that occur under non-standard and non-ideal conditions.

This course explores the basic principles of synthetic methodology, retrosynthesis, and the tactics and strategies for the total synthesis of complex organic molecules.

This course explores advanced applications of equilibrium, instrumental techniques, and analytical method development. Topics include the statistical treatment of data, signal-to-noise theory and optimization of S/N ratio, separations, and instrumental sensitivity and detection limits.

Topics include research ethics and laboratory conduct, literature searches, proposal writing, and scientific communication. Students learn about current research ongoing at Lewis and begin writing a proposal for their thesis research.

This course provides an introduction to common techniques for analyzing and visualizing data in the physical sciences using available software tools. Students will use methods from probability and statistics to interpret experimental data, to test hypotheses, to analyze statistical and systematic uncertainties, to do design of experiments, and to visualize data and results. Students will also identify, explain, and evaluate the analysis and visualization methods used in research papers and/or scientific presentations.

This course provides an introduction to common techniques used in the experimental laboratory. The seminar will focus on a set of related experimental techniques such as electronics techniques, optical measurement techniques, material characterization techniques, or other topics of current interest. This course may be repeated for credit for different topical coverage. Topics will vary. There is a laboratory fee with this course.

This course synthesizes concepts from quantum mechanics, statistical thermodynamics and fundamental inorganic chemistry to explore advanced topics in transition-metal ion and complex chemistry and spectroscopy. The purity of materials, dynamic effects, crystallographic features, and surface adsorption phenomena will be discussed.

This course explains the mechanisms of chemical reactions based on kinetic and thermodynamic principles to evaluate mechanistic arguments that govern the pathway from reactant to product. The course is meant to be broadly applicable to many types of chemistry— organic, physical, materials, etc.—and will focus on basic principles of reaction mechanisms and the subsequent energetics and dynamics present in the systems.

This course synthesizes concepts from Biochemistry and Physical Chemistry to describe quantum mechanically the behavior of biomolecules and polymers and study the behavior of proteins and protein function. Physical principles and mathematical models will be used to describe protein behavior.

This course applies a rigorous mathematical construct to fundamentals discussed in Spectroscopy and Physical Chemistry. The interaction of light and matter is developed with descriptions of the quantum mechanical aspects of light, the electric and magnetic properties of matter, group theory, perturbation theory and the time-dependent approach.

This course discusses the design and characterization of materials that are the foundation for advanced technologies.  The course  covers the synthesis, structures, and properties of advanced materials, focusing on a range of topics with current societal importance (e.g. energy, computers, nanoscience, etc.).  Specific topics may include batteries, fuel cells, catalysts, metals, semiconductors, superconductors, magnetism, and polymers.

Supramolecular chemistry can be broadly defined as chemistry of the non-covalent bond. This course explores the field of supramolecular chemistry in the context of photochemistry and photophysics. More specifically, the control of photochemical reactions through the use of supramolecular structures will be studied.  Furthermore, the strategy for the synthesis of supramolecular systems and the reaction dynamics will be explored.

Computational chemistry is the development and practical application – through high-performance computing – of quantum and classical mechanics (and informatics) to the study of chemical processes ranging from fundamental spectroscopic events in the gas phase to the nature of protein-drug interactions to the development of novel conducting materials.

This special topics course will be offered in either a lecture and/or lab format presenting topics of current interest in Chemistry. Course may be repeated for credit. Topics selected to enhance student learning and complement, not duplicate, material used in Readings, Seminar, and Thesis. Topics will vary.

Special topics in specific areas of chemistry tailored to meet the needs of individual students. Readings selected to enhance student learning and complement, not duplicate, readings designed to meet Seminar and Thesis requirements.

Students will conduct a Capstone Experience in which they complete a research project or some other kind of approved high impact experience like a significant community service or outreach project, an interdisciplinary project, or an approved internship. This Capstone project may be completed in a single semester or over multiple semesters. During this course, students will be engaged in formal preparation of the Capstone Presentation and Capstone Paper, or other approved mechanism of dissemination. Only 3 hours of Graduate Capstone may be applied to the masters degree.

Students engage in journal reading, oral presentations, and critical discussions of topics in physics or related fields by invited speakers, faculty, and graduate students. Students must take this course for at least two semesters; however, only two credit hours can be applied toward the 30 credit hour degree requirement. Seminar will not replicate content of Readings or Thesis.

Students conduct research leading toward preparation of the Master's thesis. Students are required to register for this course during any term in which they are engaged in formal preparation of the master's thesis; however, the required six credit hours are the maximum number of credit hours applicable toward the 30 credit hour degree requirement.