Chem 490/684: Special Topics in Photochemistry
This course will cover topics in photophysics and organic photochemistry. Fundamental aspects of the creation and fate of electronically excited states will be emphasized. The application of modern instrumentation to probe excited-state dynamics will be discussed in the context of understanding photochemical mechanisms. Topics will include the theory and practical aspects of fluorescence and transient absorption spectroscopies. Representative topics include the interaction of light with molecular systems to (i) initiate and understand important light-initiated reactions, including those used in organic chemistry, photosynthesis, vision, and nucleic acid photochemistry and (ii) develop practical tools for use in biological or environmental applications. Readings from the current literature will be used throughout the course to illustrate modern applications of photochemistry.
Course Learning Objectives (LO): By the end of the course, each student should be able to:
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- Understand light/molecule interactions in organic molecules and deduce the nature of excited states that are produced.
- Evaluate how the excited states are dissipated and detected in both unimolecular and bimolecular processes.
- Categorize molecules into specific classes based on the kinds of photochemical reactions they are involved in. Use knowledge of structure/bonding and thermodynamics to predict photochemical reactions.
- Understand the components of modern instrumentation and how to elucidate reaction mechanisms.
- Critically read, evaluate and discuss current literature related to light-initiated processes and understand how the fundamental concepts in LO 1 – 4 are applied to the fields of photobiology, material science and organic chemistry.
Chem 490/684: Introduction to Polymer Chemistry
This course is an introductory polymer chemistry course. Emphasis will be on fundamental aspects of polymer synthesis, characterization of polymer properties and specialty materials based on different polymer architectures. Topics will include kinetics of polymerization (free radical, condensation, anionic), thermodynamics of polymeric macromolecules (determination of molecular weight and size, phase diagrams) and photopolymerization and optical properties of polymers. Current literature will be used to survey useful polymer architectures (nanoparticles, conducting polymers, specialty materials) in the context of fundamental polymer properties. Intended for upper level chemistry/biochemistry, chemical engineering and physics undergraduate students or graduate students. Prerequisites: Chem 352 and Chem 301 or 303; or permission of instructor.
Chem 401/611: Statistical Thermodynamics
You have already seen classical thermodynamics, equilibrium chemistry, spectroscopy and quantum mechanics in physical chemistry. Thermodynamics is concerned mainly with the properties and actions of the bulk materials, while quantum chemistry looks in detail at individual atoms and molecules. Statistical thermodynamics brings the two views together where the bulk properties and actions are predicted from the properties of the microscopic atoms and molecules. Chemicals react and rearrange. Fluids boil, freeze, and evaporate. Solids melt and deform. Rubber stretches and retracts. Proteins fold. We will study the microscopic forces that drive these (and other) macroscopic processes. Statistical thermodynamics gives us a set of tools for modeling molecular behavior and how it is realized in the macroscopic realm. Most importantly, statistical thermodynamics gives a language for interpreting experiments. We will emphasize practical examples that chemists encounter.
Course learning objectives (LO): By the end of the course you should be able to:
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- Understand the principles of probability as applied to chemical problems, with emphasis on the use and manipulation of probability distributions.
- Understand the microscopic principles of diffusion and chemical reactions as stochastic processes, and be introduced to numerical modeling techniques.
- Compute the thermodynamic properties of gases from the quantum mechanical energies through the use of the partition function.
- Compute equilibrium constants of chemical reactions through the use of partition functions.
- Understand and compute rate constants for chemical reactions from transition state theory.
- Add other sources of thermodynamic work and to develop relations between the work and thermodynamic functions.
Chem 301: Physical Chemistry I
A lecture course covering the laws of thermodynamics, with emphasis on their application to chemical systems. Topics considered include thermochemistry, equations of state, physical and chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, kinetic theory of gases, chemical kinetics and the theory of rate processes. Chem 301 serves to provide its students with a fundamental understanding of the physical descriptions of chemical systems. The course is designed to answer questions like: Will a chemical reaction occur and how much energy will be released (or consumed) in the process? How fast will the reaction be? Can changes in conditions be used to alter the chemical outcome? Detailed descriptions of the laws of thermodynamics will be presented and applied to numerous chemical systems. This course is designed as a lecture series in which open discussion of the topics is strongly encouraged. Discussions will build on the freshman chemistry curriculum and are designed to give students the background required to understand the experiments presented in CHEM 311L – Advanced Laboratory I.
Chem 302: Physical Chemistry II
This class serves to provide its students with a fundamental understanding of the quantum mechanical description of chemical systems and their spectroscopy. A detailed description of the quantum mechanics will be presented and applied to several important model systems. This class builds on freshman chemistry and thermodynamics, CHEM 301, and is designed to give students the background necessary to understand the experiments presented in CHEM 312L – Advanced Laboratory II. The course is designed as a lecture series in which open discussion of the topics is strongly encouraged. By the end of the course, you should (1) develop an appreciation for where and how quantum mechanics arose; (2) know how it is used to provide the basis for atomic and molecular structure that we have come to learn about since freshman chemistry; and (3) know how spectroscopy is used to probe these structures.
Chem 311L: Advanced Laboratory I
Laboratory exercises encompassing experimental problems in physical chemistry. Experiments will focus on measuring and analyzing signals that arise from thermodynamic and kinetic phenomena. Emphasis is placed on the careful measurement and processing of voltages that arise from various signal transduction devices (thermocouples, photon detectors, etc.). Computer interfacing and DC and AC voltage measurement devices will be used throughout the course.
Chem 312L: Advanced Laboratory II
This laboratory course is designed to build on ideas presented in the first semester physical chemistry courses; Chem 301 and Chem 311L, and to be complementary to Chemistry 302. A significant fraction of the course will expose students to laboratory techniques. The course is roughly divided in half; thermodynamic and kinetic aspects of molecular interactions, and spectroscopy. Upon completion of this course students will have a working understanding of the methods used in modern chemistry laboratories.