Chemistry
Department of Chemistry
Bill Myers, Chair
Professors Bell, Gupton, Myers
Associate Professors Abrash, Dominey, Gentile, Goldman, Hamm, Leopold, Parish, Stevenson
Assistant Professors Dattelbaum, Donald, Downey
Directors of Chemistry Laboratories Case, Miller
Director of Instrument Facilities Smith
Director of Computer-Assisted Science Education Kanters
Managers of Laboratories Collins, Wimbush
Stockroom Manager Joseph
Visiting Senior Research Scholars Seeman, Zeldin
The Chemistry Major
Note: A grade of not less than C- (1.7) is required in each chemistry course applied to the major.
For the Bachelor of Arts degree
12 units, including
CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
CHEM 205-206 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 300 Measurement Statistics
CHEM 301 Quantitative Methods of Chemical Analysis
CHEM 309 or CHEM 310 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 317 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 322 Junior Seminar
CHEM 421- 422 Senior Seminar
One additional 1-unit upper-level course in chemistry (other than CHEM 320)
MATH 212 or 232 Calculus II or Scientific Calculus II
PHYS 127 or 131 General Physics I
One unit in physics, chosen from
- PHYS 132 General Physics II
- PHYS 133 Atomic and Subatomic Physics
- PHYS 134 Biological Physics
Participation in undergraduate research is encouraged as an important part of the program.
For the Bachelor of Science degree
14.5 units, including
CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
CHEM 205-206 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 300 Measurement Statistics
CHEM 301 Quantitative Methods of Chemical Analysis
CHEM 309-310 Physical Chemistry
CHEM 317 Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 322 Junior Seminar
CHEM 421- 422 Senior Seminar
One additional 1-unit upper-level course in chemistry (other than CHEM 320)
One unit in an approved research experience (CHEM 320) that culminates in a written report or poster presentation
MATH 212 or 232 Calculus II or Scientific Calculus II
PHYS 127 or 131 General Physics I
One unit in physics, chosen from
- PHYS 132 General Physics II
- PHYS 133 Atomic and Subatomic Physics
- PHYS 134 Biological Physics
And for either of the above degrees
Additional upper-level elective courses in chemistry and two full years of either biology or physics are highly recommended.
Certifications in the Chemistry Major
Certifications by the department, based on American Chemical Society specifications, require:
For chemistry
The Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with the addition of CHEM 326 or 327. Note that CHEM 326 or 327 is in addition to, not in place of, the upper-level elective required for the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. In addition, a written research report must be submitted to the chemistry department and approved by at least two chemistry faculty members or their designees.
For chemistry/biochemistry
The Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with the addition of CHEM 327 and 329 and one nonintroductory biology elective which contains cell biology, microbiology, or genetics. Note that CHEM 327 and 329 are in place of, not in addition to, the upper-level elective required for the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry. In addition, a written research report must be submitted to the chemistry department and approved by at least two chemistry faculty members or their designees.
The completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology and CHEM 300, 301, 310, and 317 also meets the certification requirements. Note that CHEM 300, 301, 310, and 317 are in place of, not in addition to, the upper-level elective required for the Bachelor of Science degree in biochemistry and molecular biology. In addition, a written research report must be submitted to the chemistry department and approved by at least two chemistry faculty members or their designees.
Honors Program
Departmental honors in chemistry requires 1) a GPA of 3.3 overall and in the major; 2) completion of the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry with the addition of CHEM 326 (or 327) and an additional 1 unit (for at least 2 units total) of an approved research experience; and 3) a research thesis turned in to the honors coordinator and approved by at least two chemistry faculty members or their designees. (Note that CHEM 326 (or 327) is in addition to, not in place of, the upper-level elective required for the Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry.)
To obtain honors in chemistry, a student must apply to the University honors program. An application can be submitted through the chemistry honors coordinator after a student has completed 18.5 units total coursework and 3.5 units in chemistry past CHEM 141.
The Chemistry Minor
Note: A grade of not less than C- (1.7) is required in each course in the minor.
7 units, including
CHEM 141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
CHEM 205-206 Organic Chemistry
CHEM 300-301 or 302 Measurement Statistics-Quantitative Methods of Chemical Analysis or Spectroscopy and Instrumentation
CHEM 317 Inorganic Chemistry
One additional one-unit upper-level course in chemistry (other than CHEM 320)
Cooperative Program
Engineering Opportunities for University of Richmond students at Virginia Commonwealth University
A fundamental understanding of chemistry, physics, and biology coupled with problem-solving and analytical skills in chemical and life science engineering represents a unique opportunity to position students for broad employment opportunities in chemical process technology and in the rapidly growing areas of biotechnology, bioengineering, and nanoscience. Toward this end, opportunities have been created for University of Richmond students who seek the advantages of a liberal arts education coupled with a strong background in the fundamentals of engineering.
A sequence of four courses offered in the School of Engineering at Virginia Commonwealth University has been approved for University of Richmond students. The requisite math background for this core and for easy transfer into the VCU M.S. program upon graduation is three semesters of calculus and one semester each of differential equations and statistics (which may be satisfied with CHEM 300). A course in computer programming is also required.
The core courses taken at VCU are
CLSE 201 Material Balances (3 semester hours)
CLSE 202 Energy Balances and Engineering Thermodynamics (3 semester hours)
CLSE 301 Transport Phenomena I (3 semester hours)
CLSE 305 Thermodynamics of Phase Equilibria and Chemical Reactions (3 semester hours)
The core courses listed above will be accepted as transfer credit. Up to one unit will count as required elective credit within the chemistry major. For a Richmond student to qualify, the following criteria would have to be met:
- Junior or senior standing at Richmond
- Enrollment in at least 3.5 units at Richmond during each term coursework is taken at VCU
- Minimum GPA of 3.00 at Richmond
- Enrollment in no more than one course at VCU in any given semester
- Prerequisites for elective courses must be completed
- Payment of any lab fees required by VCU
- Acceptance by the School of Engineering at VCU
- Student's registration must be approved in advance by VCU registrar (case-by-case approval)
Related Major
Biochemistry and molecular biology program
Courses
CHEM
110 Pollutants in the Environment
Sources, behavior, and effects of chemical pollutants in the air, water, and soil. Topics include global warming, ozone depletion, acid rain, pesticides, and radioactive waste. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Does not count toward the chemistry major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): None (high school chemistry desirable).
General Education Requirement: (FSNC)
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
111 Chemistry Detectives: Solving Real-World Puzzles
A laboratory-based course in which students learn the language and techniques used in industrial and forensic laboratories to conduct organic chemical analysis. Students become "chemistry detectives," able to solve the types of "chemistry puzzles" that are characteristic of the fun part of doing chemistry (e.g. how chemists, such as forensic and pharmaceutical chemists, determine the structure of real-world unknown compounds). A range of applications of this chemistry is discussed, including such topics as environmental, medicinal, polymer, forensic and industrial chemistries, government regulations, natural products, pheromones, and information retrieval. In the process, students will gain hands-on experience using modern instrumentation, including IR, NMR, GC-Mass Spec, and UV-Visible spectroscopy. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Does not count toward the chemistry major or minor.
Prerequisite(s): High school chemistry or permission of instructor.
General Education Requirement: (FSNC)
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
112 Biochemistry in the Real World
The genomics revolution of the last 10 years has given birth to the "proteome," emphasizing the central role that proteins play in virtually all life and death processes. This course will explore central features of what proteins look like and how they perform their varied functions in a variety of biological and chemical processes. These will include aspects of cell differentiation, cell death, and disease states such as cancer, Alzheimer's, and viral infections by Epstein-Barr virus, papillomavirus, and AIDS. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Does not count toward the chemistry major or minor.
General Education Requirement: (FSNC)
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
141 Introductory Chemistry: Structure, Dynamics and Synthesis
Fundamental principles of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, bonding, periodicity; chemical reactions, including stoichiometry, acid base chemistry, oxidation-reduction; and an introduction to kinetics and thermodynamics, chemical reactions and, equilibria. Introductory course for science majors and those pursuing degrees in the health sciences. It is a prerequisite for upper-level courses. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week. Previous knowledge of chemistry is helpful but not assumed.
General Education Requirement: (FSNC)
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
191 Integrated Science/Math/Computer Science 3 with Laboratory
One of two courses taught spring semester as part of Integrated Quantitative Science program. Will integrate topics from Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math and Computer Science and will include instructors from all five disciplines. Each semester of the course will be organized around a guiding principle that integrates several concepts. Along with co-requisite, will include ten hours for lecture and lab combination.
Prerequisite(s): High school calculus. Biology 190 and Math 190. Co-requisite: Physics 191.
General Education Requirement: (FSNC)
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
205-206 Organic Chemistry
Chemistry of compounds of carbon, which is fundamental to understanding of both chemistry and biology. Nomenclature, structure-physical property relationships, reactions, reaction mechanisms, spectroscopy and introduction to macromolecules, including those of biological significance. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 141. Chemistry 205 is prerequisite to 206.
Unit(s): 1-1
CHEM
220 Projects
Laboratory experience with a faculty member.
Unit(s): .25-.5
CHEM
300 Measurement Statistics
Overview of statistics of measurements on chemical systems. Includes characteristics of data which contain random error. Statistics used to describe and summarize trends of measured data will be introduced, as well as a number of statistical tools needed to draw meaningful and objective conclusions based on data. Should be taken simultaneously with, or prior to, Chemistry 301. Two lecture and one laboratory hour per week for the first seven weeks in a semester.
Unit(s): .5
CHEM
301 Quantitative Methods of Chemical Analysis
Principles and techniques of chemical and instrumental methods used for quantitative analysis. Includes lecture coverage and extensive laboratory use of gravimetric, titrimetric, electrochemical, and spectroscopic methods. Three lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 300 and 317. Chemistry 300 may be taken concurrently.
Unit(s): 1.5
CHEM
302 Spectroscopy and Instrumentation
Principles and techniques of chemical and instrumental methods used for compound identification. Focus on modern instrumental methods for compound structure elucidation and the principles underlying both the spectroscopic methods and the instrumentation itself. Three lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 1.5
CHEM
303 Separations
Principles, theory, and techniques central to chemical separation sciences--both classical and instrumental methods used for compound separation and purification, as well as factors important to industrial scalability versus nanoscale applications. Focus on modern theories and implementations of instrumental methods for compound separations and principles underlying instrumentation. Three to four hours of lecture and/or laboratory per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 301 or 302.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
308 Statistical Mechanics
(See Physics 308.)
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
309-310 Physical Chemistry
Principal laws and theories of chemistry: gas laws and kinetic molecular theory, classical and statistical thermodynamics, wave mechanics and molecular structure, and chemical kinetics. Principles and properties of liquids, solids and solutions, and phase equilibria are examined along with electrochemistry. Three lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 141; Physics 132, 133, or 134; and Mathematics 212 or 232. Chemistry 317 is highly recommended.
Unit(s): 1.5-1.5
CHEM
311 Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
Involves the fundamental study of the structure, energetics, and behavior of molecular systems using tools from mathematics, physics, chemistry, and biology as implemented on a computer. Will cover the basics of the field including, but not limited to, molecular mechanics, quantum mechanics, hybrid methods, and docking. These tools can be applied to problems in drug design, protein folding, reaction mechanisms, and prediction of molecular phenomenon, to name a few.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 141 and Mathematics 212 or 232
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
316 Environmental Chemistry
Study of the fate, transport, and distribution of chemicals in the environment. The chemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and geosphere will be covered, highlighting effects of inorganic and organic pollutants. Topics such as global warming, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid rain, photochemical smog, and groundwater contamination will be discussed in detail. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 205 or permission of instructor.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
317 Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic chemistry embraces the chemistry of all of the elements. This course will focus on the synthesis and behavior of inorganic materials. As such, it will include certain aspects of thermodynamics, atomic and molecular bonding theories, kinetics, and electrochemical processes as they pertain to inorganic compounds and materials. Three lecture and four laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
320 Introduction to Research
Laboratory research experience with a faculty member.
Unit(s): .5-1
CHEM
322 Junior Seminar
Regular attendance in departmental seminar program. Normally taken in the junior year. One class hour per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 0
CHEM
326 Biochemistry
Structure and chemistry of biologically important macromolecules and chemical processes involved in cellular synthesis degradation, and assembly of these macromolecules. Three lecture hours and an extra experience per week. (Same as Biology 326.)
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
327 Biochemistry with Laboratory
Structure and chemistry of biologically important macromolecules and chemical processes involved in cellular synthesis degradation, and assembly of these macromolecules. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
329 Protein Structure, Function and Biophysics
Advanced topics in protein structure, function, and biophysics. Commences with brief treatment of essential elements of kinetics, thermodynamics, and quantum mechanics necessary for a thorough understanding of topics to be presented later and continues with detailed coverage of enzyme kinetics and ligand binding, chemical modification, site-directed mutagenesis, x-ray crystallography, spectroscopic techniques used to investigate conformation, and the folding of proteins, including Circular Dichroism, Fluorescence and NMR; and computational approaches used to compute and visualize both structure and reaction. Second half of course focuses on three classes of proteins and associated themes: 1) kinases, phosphatases, and regulation, 2) proteases and processes and 3) oligomeric enzymes and allosteric models. Three lecture and three laboratory hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry/Biology 326 or Chemistry 327.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
341 Advanced Organic Chemistry
Topics include fundamental physical organic concepts, organic reaction mechanisms, examples of syntheses from recent literature, and design of synthetic approaches to target molecules of interest. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
342 Medicinal Chemistry
Provides basic principles of the drug discovery process. Topics include general considerations, mode of action, quantitative structure activity relationships, absorption, distribution, metabolism, and inactivation of medicinal agents. In addition, major drug classes will be presented along with specific case studies for each category. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 206.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
401-402 Quantum Mechanics
(See Physics 309-310.)
Unit(s): 1-1
CHEM
417 Organometallic Chemistry
Overview of the structure, reactivity, and applications of organometallic compounds. Topics include main group and transition metal complexes, catalysis, applications to organic synthesis, and bioorganometallic chemistry. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 317 or permission of instructor.
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
419 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Study of principles of chemistry involved in bonding, structure, properties and reactions of main group transition metal, coordination and organometallic compounds with emphasis on periodic trends, thermodynamic, and kinetic factors and symmetry. Three lecture hours per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 309 and 317 (309 may be taken concurrently).
Unit(s): 1
CHEM
421-422 Senior Seminar
Participation in departmental seminar program, to include regular attendance and one presentation during one of the two semesters. Presentation will include both written and oral component, each prepared on specific topic in chemistry. One class hour per week.
Prerequisite(s): Chemistry 322. 421 is a prerequisite for 422.
Unit(s): 0 (421)-.5 (422)
CHEM
427 Independent Study
In-depth exploration of subjects not included in other courses, done independently but under faculty member's supervision.
Prerequisite(s): Four semesters of chemistry and permission of instructor.
Unit(s): .25-1
CHEM
433 Special Topics
Special course areas covered when sufficient interest exists. Considers subject matter not covered in other chemistry courses. See chemistry department home page (chemistry.richmond.edu) for special topics currently scheduled.
Prerequisite(s): Permission of instructor.
Unit(s): .5-1
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