29 courses with the subject CHEM, each shown exactly as we captured it from the college's catalog, with every element we hold. Where the wording looks broken, that is our reading of the catalog, not the college's text.
CHEM 113Concepts of Chemistry and Lab6
A one-term chemistry course designed for non-science majors. In this course we examine what gives rise to three-dimensional shapes of molecules and we explore how the structure and composition of molecules gives rise to chemical reactivity. Our goal is to understand readily observable phenomena (e.g. removal of grease by soap, storage of toxins in fat tissues, cancer, viruses, etc.). Topics include those of current global interest such as anthropogenic forces on the environment and energy producing technologies. The course includes one four-hour lab per week. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 100 level
Not open to students that have taken any CHEM course EXCEPT CHEM 100 with a
CHEM 122Introduction to Chemistry6
An introduction to the fundamentals of chemistry to prepare students to enter subsequent chemistry courses (Chemistry 123 or 124). Atoms and molecules, stoichiometry, and gases will be covered in the course. Although learning through discovery-based processes, small groups, and short laboratory experimentation will occur, this is not a lab course and does not fulfill the requirements for medical school. This course assumes competence with simple algebra, but no prior chemistry experience. Offered: Fall 2025 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning Tags: CL: 100 level Faculty: Daniela Kohen
CHEM 124Principles of Chemistry I with Problem Solving and Lab
An introduction to chemistry for students who have strong high school preparation in chemistry or who have taken Chemistry 122. Topics include the electronic structure of atoms, periodicity, molecular geometry, thermodynamics, bonding, equilibrium, reaction kinetics, and acids and bases. Each offering will also focus on a special topic(s) selected by the instructor. Students may only receive credit for one of Chemistry 123, 124, and 128. This section of Chemistry with problem solving is periodically offered for students who wish to further develop their general analytical and critical thinking skills. The smaller section will have additional class meetings for problem solving and review. Chemistry 124 is appropriate for students who would like to have more scheduled time to work with a faculty member on developing their scientific reasoning skills and understanding of the foundations of chemistry. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning C- or better or received a score of 3 or better on the Chemistry AP exam or received a score of 123 on the Carleton Chemistry Placement exam. NOT open to students who have taken CHEM 128 or received a score of 4 or better on the Chemistry AP exam or received a score of 5 or better on the Chemistry IB exam or received a score of 123 on the Carleton CHEM Requisite Equivalency exam. CHEM 123 and CHEM 124 are equivalent courses, if you have taken one you cannot register for the other. Tags: BIOC Core CHEM Core CL: 100 level Faculty: Daniela Kohen
OR CHEM 233: Organic Chemistry I & Lab The need for additional courses in allied sciences and mathematics will vary with the professional plans of the student. Critical Reading and Analysis Course – Required 3 credits
Theoretical aspects of carbon chemistry are examined with reference to structure-reactivity relationships, functional groups, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms and spectroscopy. Laboratory work concentrates on modern techniques of organic chemistry, inquiry-based projects, and spectroscopic analysis. One laboratory per week. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Sophomore Priority section is available Offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026 Liberal Arts Requirements: LS, Science with Lab QRE, Quantitative Reasoning CHEM 128 with grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 or better on the Chemistry AP exam or received a score of 5 or better on the Chemistry IB exam or received a score of 123 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam . Tags: BIOC Core CHEM Core CL: 200 level Faculty: Gretchen Hofmeister · Kaz Skubi
CHEM 289Climate & Health: From Science to Practice in Ethiopia6
This course is the second part of a two-term course sequence beginning with ENTS 289. This course will start with a multi-week trip to Ethiopia. While there, we will carry out a research program to assess the impact of cooking technologies on air quality in peoples’ homes, investigate the connections between regional and national environmental impacts and individual choices, and meet with national and international organizations working on these issues. We will work in both urban Addis Ababa and a rural area, Wolkite, to explore both types of settings. Back on campus during winter term, we will reflect on our experiences, analyze data, prepare and make public presentations, and propose appropriate follow-up projects. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning or better. Tags: CL: 200 level
Student has completed any of the following course(s): ENTS 289 with a grade of C-
CHEM 294Directed Research in Chemistry1
Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation. Offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 Grading: S/CR/NC – 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration Tags: CL: Faculty Research
A mixed class/lab course with one four-hour laboratory per week and weekly discussion/problem sessions. In class, the principles of kinetics will be developed with a mechanistic focus. In lab, experimental design and extensive independent project work will be emphasized. During registration, students will register for both the lecture and a corresponding lab section, which will appear on the student's academic transcript in a single entry. Offered: Fall 2025 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning WR2 Writing Requirement 2 C- or better or received a score of 224 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam AND CHEM 233 with a grade of C- or better AND MATH 120 with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 or better on the Calculus BC AP exam or received a score of 121 or better on the Carleton Requisite Equivalency exam. Tags: CHEM Core CL: 300 level BIOC Pertinent Faculty: Deborah Gross · Chris Calderone
Student has completed any of the following course(s): CHEM 224 with a grade of
CHEM 302Quantum Spectroscopy Laboratory
This lab course emphasizes spectroscopic studies relevant to quantum chemistry, including experiments utilizing UV-VIS, infrared absorption spectroscopy, and visible emission spectroscopy. Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 2 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning course(s): CHEM 344 with grade of C- or better. Tags: CHEM Elective Lab Faculty: Jun Jiang
CHEM 306Spectrometric Characterization of Chemical Compounds
This combined lecture and lab course teaches students how to use modern spectrometric techniques for the structural characterization of molecules. Lectures will cover topics and problems in the theory and practical applications associated with GC-Mass Spectrometry, ESI-Mass Spectrometry, Infrared, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (1H, 13C, and 2D experiments). Students will apply all of these techniques in the laboratory for the structural characterization of known and unknown molecules Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 2 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
This course covers the basic principles of quantitative instrumental chemical analysis. Course topics include chromatography, electroanalytical chemistry, analytical spectroscopy, and mass spectrometry. The background needed to understand the theory and application of these instrumental techniques will be covered. In addition, students will have the opportunity to explore current research in the field of analytical chemistry through the reading and presentation of articles from the primary literature. Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning C- or better or received a score of 224 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam AND CHEM 233 with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CHEM Quantitative CL: 300 level Faculty: Deborah Gross
This laboratory provides students with experience in using instrumental methods for quantitative chemical analysis. Laboratory work consists of several assigned experiments that use instrumental techniques such as liquid and gas chromatography, UV spectrophotometry and fluorometry, mass spectrometry, and voltammetry. This laboratory concludes with an instrumental analysis project that is researched and designed by student groups. Offered: Winter 2026 Credits: 2 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning Tags: CHEM Elective Lab Faculty: Deborah Gross
The major topic is chemical thermodynamics, including the First and Second Laws, the conditions for spontaneous change, thermochemistry, and chemical equilibrium. To showcase how chemists utilize energy concepts to solve problems, thermodynamics will be regularly applied to a number of real-world examples and scientific problems. Offered: Fall 2025 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning CHEM 128 or received a score of 4 or better on the Chemistry AP exam or received a score of 5 or better on the Chemistry IB exam or received a score of 123 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam AND MATH 120 or Math 211 or greater with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 on the Calculus BC exam or received a score of 121 or better on the Carleton Requisite Equivalency exam AND 6 credits from Physics Courses 131 to 165 with a grade of C- or better or equivalent. Tags: CHEM Core CL: 300 level Faculty: Daniela Kohen
Student has completed any of the following course(s): CHEM 123 or CHEM 124, or
CHEM 344Quantum Chemistry6
This course introduces quantum mechanics with an emphasis on chemical and spectroscopic applications. The focus will be on atomic and molecular quantum behavior involving electrons, rotations, and vibrations. The objective is to develop both a deeper understanding of bonding as well as an appreciation of how spectroscopy provides insight into the microscopic world of molecules. Offered: Winter 2026 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning CHEM 128 or received a score of 4 or better on the Chemistry AP exam or received a score of 5 or better on the Chemistry IB exam or received a score of 123 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam AND MATH 120 or Math 211 or greater with a grade of C- or better or received a score of 4 on the Calculus BC exam or received a score of 121 or better on the Carleton Requisite Equivalency exam AND 6 credits from Physics Courses 131 to 165 with a grade of C- or better or equivalent.
Symmetry, molecular orbital theory and ligand field theory will provide a framework to explore the bonding, magnetism and spectroscopic properties of coordination complexes. Topics in reactivity (hard and soft acids and bases), bioinorganic chemistry, reaction mechanisms, and organometallic chemistry, will also be introduced. Offered: Spring 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning
CHEM 352Laboratory in Advanced Inorganic Chemistry2
Synthesis, purification and spectroscopic characterization of transition-metal complexes with an emphasis on methods for preparing and handling air-sensitive compounds. One laboratory per week. Offered: Spring 2026 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning CHEM 351 with grade of C- or better. Tags: CHEM Elective Lab Faculty: Matt Whited
Student has completed or is in the process of completing the following course(s):
CHEM 353Organic Chemistry III
This course explores the relationship between structure and reactivity in organic molecular systems, with an emphasis on reaction mechanisms. Topics include molecular orbital theory, stereoelectronic effects, linear free energy relationships, and kinetic isotope effects. We will use these theories to revisit and deepen our understanding of reactions from Chemistry 233 (Organic Chemistry & Lab) and 234 (Organic Chemistry II & Lab). We will then analyze additional classes of reactions, such as pericyclic, enantioselective, and organometallic transformations. Students will use the primary literature to further investigate these topics. Offered: Spring 2026 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration QRE, Quantitative Reasoning completed or is in the process of completing any of the following course(s): CHEM 301 or CHEM 343 or CHEM 344 with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CHEM Elective CL: 300 level Faculty: Kaz Skubi
Materials chemistry seeks to understand condensed matter through the study of its structural, electronic, and macroscopic properties with an eye on practical applications. Therefore, the study of matter from a materials perspective requires a multidisciplinary approach involving chemistry, physics, engineering, and technology. Some topics to be covered include crystalline structure, X-ray diffraction, band theory, conductivity, magnetic and optical properties, the effect of size on materials properties, and soft materials. Current research in materials chemistry will be explored through group presentation and discussion of primary literature papers. Offered: Fall 2025 Credits: 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration C- or better or received a score of 224 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam AND CHEM 234 with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CHEM Elective CL: 300 level Faculty: Steven Drew
This discussion-based seminar involves critical examination of research literature authored by prominent investigators in the interdisciplinary field of nanochemistry. Learning will draw upon the multiple disciplines of chemistry (physical, analytical, inorganic, and organic), physics, and biology. Includes a focus on the integrative themes of design, size, shape, surface, self-assembly, and defects. Novel and emerging applications in technology, biology, and medicine will be explored. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration course(s): CHEM 343 or CHEM 344 AND One 300 Level CHEM course with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CHEM Elective CL: 300 level
Student has completed or is in the process of completing any of the following
CHEM 371Chemistry and Society – Impact and Legacy3
Science is a human endeavor. Societal context has thus shaped the questions chemists have asked, who benefits from or is harmed by the technological advancements chemists discover, and who has participated in or been excluded from the chemical enterprise. With the goal of encouraging open minded and self-critical thinking about the discipline and its practice, we will work collaboratively to explore a range of case studies, including the origin of chemical nomenclature, disparate environmental impacts, and the design of pharmaceutical clinical trials, in which chemistry intersects with, and sometimes reinforces, structural racism and other inequalities. Not offered in 2025-26 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration C- or better or received a score of 224 on the Carleton Chemistry Requisite Equivalency exam AND CHEM 233 with a grade of C- or better. Tags: CL: 300 level
Student has completed any of the following course(s): CHEM 224 with a grade of
CHEM 394Directed Research in Chemistry1
Students work on a research project related to a faculty member's research interests, and directed by that faculty member. Student activities vary according to the field and stage of the project. The long-run goal of these projects normally includes dissemination to a scholarly community beyond Carleton. The faculty member will meet regularly with the student and actively direct the work of the student, who will submit an end-of-term product, typically a paper or presentation. Students conducting research that is not directly tied to ongoing faculty research programs should enroll in Chemistry 391/392. Offered: Fall 2025, Winter 2026, Spring 2026 – 6 Liberal Arts Requirements: No Exploration Tags: CL: Faculty Research Faculty: Deborah Gross
Three alternatives exist for the department comprehensive exercise. Most students elect to join a discussion group that studies the research of a distinguished chemist or particular research problem in depth. Other students elect to write a long paper based on research in the primary literature, or write a paper expanding on their own research investigations. Most of the work for Chemistry 400 is expected to be accomplished during winter term. Students should enroll for five credits of Chemistry 400 during the winter, receive a “CI” at the end of that term, and then enroll for one credit during the spring, with the final evaluation and grade being awarded during spring term. Chemistry majors will be required to attend at least 10 seminars between the term in which they declare and the end of winter term of their senior year to ensure breadth in the exposure to the ways chemists approach their work.
