Course Prerequisites for Fall 2013

Summer 2013 Course Prerequisites: Click here for informationCHEM - 001. Foundations of Chemistry (4)
Designed for students intending to take CHEM - 111 and  CHEM - 113, with intensive study of problem solving. Offered every Spring.

CHEM - 100. Getting a Grip on Science: From Mass and Motion to Molecules (4)

This multidisciplinary introductory course for non-science majors fulfills AREA B2 of the CORE. It explores several key topics including the solar system, energy and its forms, and the composition and behavior of atoms. Science is presented as a human endeavor through which we come to understand the natural world of which we are a part. Three lectures per week plus one two-hour lab session. Offered intermittently.

CHEM - 105/105L. Evolution & Human Origins (Core B2 Science, 4)
How can we understand ourselves? In this interdisciplinary course we will examine the evidence that all life forms on earth, including human beings, have evolved from a common ancestor by means of natural selection. We will draw on ideas from biology, geology, paleontology, philosophy and history in order to gain an evolutionary perspective on what it means to be human. This lecture/lab course fulfills the Core B2 Science requirement for non-science majors. Field trips during class time will include SF Zoo, SF Botanical Garden & Cal Academy of Sciences.

CHEM - 110/110L. Molecular Gastronomy: The Science of the Food We Eat (SII Students Only, 4)
The lecture/lab course Molecular Gastronomy fulfills the Core B2 Science requirement for non-science majors. This course will focus on the science of food and drink, including pasta, coffee and ice cream. What happens on the molecular level when eggs are whipped? And why does popcorn pop? Such questions will form the basis for the science you will learn in lecture and underlie our approach to the laboratory component of the course where we will cook, scientifically examine (and eat) food.

CHEM 111 – General Chemistry I (3)
Prerequisites: All students must take the online, timed USF Chemistry Placement test to be admitted into CHEM 111/112L. If you did not take high school chemistry, you are not eligible for CHEM 111. If you got a C or higher in USF CHEM 001 you may register for CHEM 111 without a placement score; concurrent registration in CHEM 112 Lab.The first in a two-semester course sequence, this course introduces the fundamental principles of modern chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, periodicity of the elements, stoichiometry, properties of gases and of solutions. Three lectures weekly. Offered every semester and Summer.

CHEM 112L – Laboratory (1)
Co/Prerequisites: concurrent registration in CHEM 111, or prior completion of that course with a grade of C or higher. A laboratory course designed to accompany General Chemistry I. Emphasis is placed on experiments that illustrate the fundamental principles and laws of chemical behavior and engage students in cooperative data acquisition and analysis.  Topics include accuracy/precision, qualitative analysis, titrations, atomic spectroscopy, properties of gases and of solutions.  Assessment based on laboratory technique, pre-lab assignments, written laboratory reports, accuracy of analyses, and a final exam. One four-hour lab per week. Offered every semester and Summer.

CHEM 113 – General Chemistry II (3)
Prerequisites: CHEM 111 and CHEM 112L with a grade of C or higher; concurrent registration in CHEM 114 Lab. The second in a two-semester course sequence, this course covers the principles of modern chemistry with an emphasis on quantitative problem solving. Topics include energy, equilibrium, kinetics, acids, bases and buffers, thermochemistry, redox chemistry and coordination compounds. Three lectures weekly. Offered every Spring and Summer.

CHEM 114L – Laboratory (1)
Co/Prerequisites: CHEM 111 and CHEM 112L with a grade of C or higher; concurrent registration in CHEM 113, or prior completion of that course with a grade of C or higher. A laboratory course designed to accompany General Chemistry II.  Topics include techniques of data analysis, thermochemistry, chemical kinetics, equilibrium, acids, bases and buffers, electrochemistry and coordination chemistry. Wherever appropriate, computer skills are introduced and applied to data collection and analysis. Assessment based on laboratory technique, pre-lab assignments, written laboratory reports, accuracy of analyses, and a laboratory practical exam. One four-hour lab per week. Offered every Spring and Summer.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 113 with grade of C (2.0) or higher. First semester of a two-semester course. This course introduces students to the fundamental concepts necessary for understanding organic molecules. These include nomenclature, conformational analysis, stereochemistry, radical and nucleophilic reactions, and spectroscopy. Offered every Fall and Summer.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 230 with grade of C (2.0) or higher. Second semester of a two-semester course. Surveys the chemistry of functionalized organic compounds emphasizing mechanisms and multi-step syntheses. Offered every Spring and Summer.

Pre- or corequisites: CHEM - 230 or CHEM - 236. Experimental course that highlights the concepts learned in lecture. Students will learn and employ techniques for the preparation, isolation, purification and characterization of organic molecules. Offered every Fall.

Prerequisites: CHEM - 230 with minimum grade of C, and CHEM - 232 with minimum grade of C. Experimental course emphasizing advanced laboratory techniques and concepts in organic chemistry. These include the handling of air-sensitive reagents, spectroscopic analysis of compounds, and the use of computational methods to complement experimental results. In addition, students will learn literature searching techniques and ACS-style writing. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisites: CHEM - 230 with minimum grade of C, and CHEM - 232 with minimum grade of C. Not open to chemistry majors. A continuation of the first semester lab course. Students will gain more experience in multistep synthesis and analysis of products. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 113 with minimum grade of C-. A survey of the fundamentals of organic chemistry. May be taken prior to, or along with, CHEM 232. This course may not be substituted for CHEM 230. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 113 with grade of C (2.0) or higher. Modern and classical methods of quantitative analysis. Detailed chemical equilibria. Two lectures and two laboratory periods weekly. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisites: CHEM - 113 with a grade of C- or higher, and one of the following: ENVS - 212, CHEM - 230 or CHEM - 236. This course provides in-depth coverage of major topics in the chemistry of the environment, including tropospheric air pollution, stratospheric ozone depletion, aquatic chemistry, water pollution and water treatment, soil chemistry, and toxic organic compounds. Offered intermittently. Cross Listed With: ENVS – 311

Prerequisites: CHEM - 113, PHYS - 210 and MATH - 110 with minimum grade of C. First semester of a two-semester sequence. The main topics are: thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and kinetics. Offered every Fall.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 340 with minimum grade of C. Second semester of a two-semester sequence. The main topics are: quantum mechanics, spectroscopy, and statistical thermodynamics. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisites: CHEM - 231 with minimum grade of C or CHEM - 236 with minimum grade of C, BIOL - 105 with minimum grade of C- and BIOL - 106 with minimum grade of C- or permission of instructor. First semester of a two-semester course. Surveys the physical and chemical properties of biomolecules and how these properties lead to observed biological functions. Offered every Fall.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 350 with minimum grade of C. Second semester of a two-semester course. Surveys the major metabolic pathways and the control of metabolism at the nucleic acid and protein levels. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 350 with a minimum grade of C. Corequisite: CHEM - 351. Techniques commonly used in biochemical research, with emphasis upon protein and enzyme isolation and characterization. Instructor approval required. Priority given to Chemistry Majors with a Concentration in Biochemistry. Offered every other year.

Prerequisites: CHEM - 231 with minimum grade of C, or CHEM - 236 with minimum grade of C. A survey of biochemical concepts emphasizing the nature of cell components, their interaction in metabolism and the regulation of metabolism. Offered every Fall.

CHEM - 386. Special Topic for Fall 2013: History of Drug Discovery (4)
Prerequisite: CHEM 230, minimum grade of C. The history of drug discovery is fascinating and full of human interests. History is replete with examples of breakthrough medicines that have saved millions of lives. Ether as an anesthetic by Morton, penicillin as an antibiotic by Fleming, and insulin for diabetes by Banting are just a few examples. The discoverers of these medicines are certainly benefactors to mankind—for instance, without penicillin, 75% of us probably would not be alive now because some of our parents or grandparents would have succumbed to infections.

This course is divided into three parts. (1) Lectures on the history of drug discovery of 12 therapeutic areas including anti-cancer, antiviral, cardiovascular drugs etc. (2) Lectures on real world drug discovery by experts from Biotech Companies in the Bay Area. (3) Students will write a book chapter for the book “Drug Discovery Today” in lieu of a final exam. (This course fulfills the elective option for the Major in Chemistry and the elective requirement for the Minor in Chemistry.)  ____________________________________________________

Previous Special Topics:

CHEM - 386. Special Topic for Spring 2013: Molecular Gastronomy: The Science of the Food we Eat  (4)
Prerequisite: CHEM 231, minimum grade of C. This course will focus on the physical and chemical properties of actual food and drink, including pickles, tea and ice cream, and the transformative nature of cooking.  What happens on the molecular level when eggs are whipped?  Why does popcorn pop? And why is some cheese so stinky? Such questions will form the basis of the science we will cover in the lectures, in-class exercises and demonstrations.  Parallel with the scientific content of the course we will read Michael Pollan’s The Omnivores Dilemma as a means for analyzing and debating American food culture. Students will have the opportunity to autonomously investigate selected topics in detail through independent projects. (This course fulfills the elective option for the Major in Chemistry and the elective requirement for the Minor in Chemistry.) 

Medicinal Chemistry (4)
Prerequisite: CHEM 231, minimum grade of C. This course will present an overview of the principles underlying the discovery, design, and development of modern medicines. Topics will include: target identification; pharmacodynamics & pharmacokinetics; lead identification & optimization; and considerations for application to the clinic. Students will have the opportunity to autonomously investigate selected topics in detail through independent projects. (This course fulfills the elective option for the Major in Chemistry and the elective requirement for the Minor in Chemistry.)

Chemical Conversion and Storage of Solar Energy (4)
Prerequisite: CHEM-230 with a minimum grade of C. The objective of the course is to give students an overview of the principles underlying chemical methods for the conversion and storage of solar energy. Topics include: The Carbon Cycle, alternative energy solutions, light harvesting and photoredox processes including photobiomimetic systems, artificial systems for water splitting and oxygen evolution, approaches to photochemical CO2 reduction, dye–sensitized solar cells, synthesis and applications of metal oxides as photocatalysts, and commercial exploitation opportunities. (This course fulfills the Minor in Chemistry elective requirement.) 

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CHEM - 397. Research Methods and Practice (1)(4 semesters, 1 unit each maximum)
The primary purpose of the course will be a hands-on research experience as part of a faculty led research or scholarly project. Students must be accepted into a research group before adding the course, with priority given to majors who have completed Chem 231/260.  In fall all undergraduate researchers will meet periodically to evaluate the chemical literature, review safety and give an informal presentation. In addition, the faculty will assist students in writing a required research progress report from work completed in fall or the preceding summer. In spring, the course instructor will assist students in preparing a professional oral or graphical presentation of research for a campus, local and/or national meeting. A full written report is required for students in their final semester who are completing the optional ACS-certified degree. Offered every semester for 1 unit and can be repeated for a maximum of 4 units.

CHEM - 398. Directed Study (1-3)

Study of selected topic, under the guidance of a member of the faculty. The consent of the instructor is required.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 340 with minimum grade of C. In this laboratory course students will perform experiments designed to deepen instrumentation skills and build upon the conceptual material being delivered in the second semester P-Chem lecture course (CHEM 341). The introduction of quantum mechanics will allow a deeper discussion of spectroscopy and reaction kinetics. The conceptual basis of NMR will be elaborated upon and NMR spectroscopy will form a major element of the course. Offered every Spring.

Prerequisite: CHEM - 340 with minimum grade of C. Bonding, structure, and reactivity of the elements, inorganic, and organometallic compounds. In the laboratory students will perform experiments designed to: a) build upon foundational measurement taking and documenting skills learned in Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 260) as well as b) reinforce and extend the conceptual material being presented in the Physical Chemistry lecture course (CHEM 340), c) build upon previous lower division experience with Inorganic and Organic synthesis and characterization. Three lectures weekly and two laboratory periods. Offered every Fall.