Physical Chemistry deals with the physics of chemistry surrounding
three important catagories that all students have had a taste of in
other classes: dynamics (in particular thermodynamics), structure
(including spectroscopy and quantum mechanics), and kinetics. In
junior year, all majors except Chemistry-Business and Medical
Technology has the requirement of completing a physical chemistry
course. The Chemistry and Chemistry-Computers majors complete the
more math-driven Physical Chemistry while the Biochemistry majors
complete the Biophysical Chemistry requirement. In addition to this,
the Chemistry and Biochemistry, Research Track majors must also
complete Organic Chemistry III which includes the organic physical
chemistry in its program. Physical Chemistry III is a Chemistry
Elective course.
Chemistry 330 Organic Chemistry III
A continuation of Chemistry 232-233, Organic Chemistry III uses the chemistry studied in the first two courses and focuses on the particulars of that chemistry. Topics include how to study organic mechanisms, an indepth look at spectroscopy including carbon-13 NMR, and physical organic chemistry. The accompanying laboratory contains experiments involve advanced techniques in synthesis and characterization of organic compounds. The Chemistry major requires a two three-hour laboratory periods per week, while the Biochemistry major only requires one three-hour laboratory period.
Chemistry 360 Biophysical Chemistry I
An introduction to the application of physical chemical principles to biological problems. This involves aqueous solutions colloidal chemistry, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, chemical kinetics, and nuclear chemistry. Experiments involving applications of physical chemical techniques to biological problems.
Chemistry 361 Biophysical Chemistry II
A continuation of Biophysical Chemistry I involving a study of atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, photo-chemistry, and surface chemistry with applications to biological phenomena. Experiments involving applications of physical chemical techniques to biological problems.
Chemistry 362 Physical Chemistry I
This course studies the physics of chemistry a little more indepth than the biophysical chemical courses, mainly because the students are expected to have taken at least Analysis I-III and Analysis-based Physics prior to entering the course. This semsester of the course studies primarily two aspects of physical chemistry: thermodynamics and structure-based quantum mechanics. Experiments in the laboratory demonstrate topics talked of in class as well as some basic skills needed to preform these tasks.
Chemistry 363 Physical Chemistry II
This second part of the course emphasises spectroscopy, electrochemistry, kinetics, and dynamics of physical chemistry. Experiments in the laboratory demonstrate the topics talked of in class including instruction on use of the FTIR and UV-Vis spectrometers.
Chemistry 460 Physical Chemistry III
This elective concentrates on quantum mechanics and quantum chemistry, including classical problems, perturbational theory, variational theory and specific applications of molecular orbital theory to organic molecules and spectroscopic application.