26 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 121Chemical Fundamentals1
This course is designed to provide the fundamentals of chemistry in the context of an instructor-specific theme; it is appropriate for students with limited previous exposure to chemistry. Students may take this course so as to be exposed to chemistry and the topic chosen, to meet the QA requirement, and/or to continue from this course into CHEM 125 Chemical Principles . Chemical topics covered include units; uncertainty; significant figures; dimensional analysis; estimation; atomic theory and symbols; the periodic table; chemical nomenclature; stoichiometry; solution chemistry including an introduction to acids and bases, solubility and precipitation, and oxidation-reduction chemistry; gases; and thermochemistry. These topics are presented in the context of the instructor-specific theme. There is no lab associated with this course. Students who have previously taken AP or IB chemistry and done well (AP scores of 4 or 5, IB scores of 5-7) should enroll in CHEM 125. All other students interested in taking CHEM 121 or CHEM 125 are required to take an online placement exam, which will help determine the appropriate class for enrollment. The placement exam should be completed prior to the registration period. The placement exam is available here . Theme: Life on earth depends on water and its unique chemical properties. For students interested in understanding water supply and pollution; the behavior of oceans, lakes, rivers, rain, and/or groundwater; or the water in the body of every organism on earth, an understanding of chemical fundamentals is necessary. This course allows students to more fully understand these issues using the chemical principles listed above. Alison Keimowitz. Three 50-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
0 or 1 unit(s) This course is designed to cover the important aspects of general chemistry in one semester, and is appropriate for students who have previously studied chemistry. The material covered includes chemical reactions, stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, and general chemical physics, emphasizing the fundamental aspects of and connections between equilibria, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, and kinetics. Students who have previously taken AP or IB chemistry and done well (AP scores of 4 or 5, IB scores of 5-7) should enroll in CHEM 125. All other students interested in taking CHEM 121 or CHEM 125 are required to take an online placement exam, which will help determine the appropriate class for enrollment. The placement exam should be completed prior to the registration period. The placement exam is available here . The Department. Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
1 or unit(s) This course provides an introduction to modern research instrumentation and techniques in chemistry and/or biochemistry through multiple-week laboratory projects. Topics may include: structural characterization with X-ray crystallography; biochemical characterization of proteins; materials analysis with scanning probe microscopies; polymer synthesis and characterization; synthesis and characterization of nanomaterials; computational chemistry to perform theoretical ab initio calculations and computer modeling of biomolecules. These topics are presented in the context of the instructor-specific theme. Topic for 2025/26b: A multiple-week biochemical laboratory project. Students visualize how cells respond to thermal stress in environment and complete the biochemical isolation and characterization of proteins involved in adapting to the stress. Students have the opportunity to use advanced instrumentation and interpret and analyze the experimental results. Students also gain experience with a variety of forms of scientific communication. Eric Eberhardt.
CHEM 125 and permission of the instructor. One 75-minute period plus one 4-hour laboratory. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
CHEM 198First-Year Independent Research0.5
In this intensive course students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The Department. Open only to first-year students. One 3-hour period and additional lab time required. Course Format: INT
CHEM 244Organic Chemistry: Structure and Properties
0 or 1 unit(s) An introduction to the structure of organic molecules and to their nomenclature. Among the properties of organic compounds, shape, charge distribution, and spectroscopic properties are emphasized. Laboratory work includes isolation, physical transformations and identification of organic compounds including the application of gas chromatography and infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. The Department.
CHEM 125 . Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
CHEM 245Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Mechanisms
0 or 1 unit(s) A study of the reactions of organic compounds from a mechanistic point of view. Laboratory work includes synthesis, qualitative analysis, and quantitative investigation of reaction rates and equilibria which emphasize mechanistic considerations. The Department.
CHEM 244 . Three 50-minute periods; one 4-hour laboratory. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
CHEM 254Environmental Science in the Field1
(Same as ENST 254 and ESCI 254 ) The environment consists of complex and often elegant interactions between various constituents so that an interdisciplinary approach is required to understand how human interactions may affect it. In this course, we study a variety of aspects of a specific environment by considering how biological, chemical, geological, and human factors interact. We observe these interactions first hand during a weeklong field trip. Some of the questions we may consider are: How does a coral polyp create an environment that not only suits its particular species, but also helps regulate the global climate? How has human development and associated water demands in the desert Southwest changed the landscape, fire ecology, and even estuary and fisheries’ health as far away as the Gulf of California? How have a variety of species (humans included) managed to survive on an island with the harsh environment of the exposed mid-ocean ridge of Iceland? The course is offered every other year, and topics vary with expertise of the faculty teaching the course. Lynn Christenson, Alison Keimowitz.
Join with fellow science students for a chemistry journal club. We select, read, and discuss contemporary and classic chemistry literature. The class also invites scientists to give seminars to the class and the department as a whole. This course allows students to develop and hone their ability to read the primary scientific literature on topics that are of particular interest to you. Students may take this intensive more than once. Alison Keimowitz.
Subject
CHEM
Credits (min)
0.5
Credits (max)
0.5
Credit unit
unit(s)
Type
course
Repeatable
May be repeated for credit as the topic never repeats.
CHEM 244 . May be repeated for credit as the topic never repeats. One 75-minute period. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: INT
CHEM 295Protein Crystallography1
(Same as BIOC 295 ) Protein function is closely tied to its three-dimensional structure, often obtained from the experimental technique x-ray crystallography. Students conduct extensive laboratory work in protein crystallography and related biochemical methods to characterize a protein as part of an original research project. Krystle McLaughlin.
0.5 to 1 unit(s) Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member for Intensive credit. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The Department.
The chemistry department strongly believes in the value of the undergraduate research experience, and therefore a senior thesis based upon a student’s independent research project is required of all chemistry majors. The senior thesis involves the design and execution of a substantial independent original research project under the supervision of a member of the faculty. Students are expected to complete research work throughout their senior year. The project follows a set of defined deadlines for completion of the work. The project culminates in a substantial manuscript-style thesis submitted to the research mentor and a second reader from the Faculty, and an oral presentation of the thesis research in a fashion designated by the Faculty. Consult the department for senior thesis guidelines. The Department.
CHEM 324The Molecular Biochemistry and Biophysics of Translation1
(Same as BIOL 324 ) This course explores our current mechanistic understanding of mRNA translation by the ribosome as illuminated by recent and ongoing research leveraging biochemical, biophysical, and whole-genome approaches. Students read cutting-edge primary literature articles and lead or participate in journal club discussion of these. In parallel, students identify novel questions within the translation field and craft and present a research proposal to address these questions. Throughout the semester, we focus on developing each student’s ability to approach, interpret, criticize, and communicate advanced scientific topics, with an emphasis on confronting and working through confusion and difficulty.
One unit of any 200-level Biology or Neuroscience course and BIOC / CHEM 272 Biochemistry . In some instances, BIOL 238 Molecular Genetics can satisfy the requirement for BIOL/CHEM 272 Biochemistry, but only upon consultation with the instructor. Students can take only one of BIOL 324 or BIOC 356 . Two 2-hour periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
An introduction to the structure of inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, including the following topics: atomic and molecular structure, chemical applications of group theory, and theories of bonding, including molecular orbital theory, ligand field theory and chemical bonding classification. Myles Drance.
CHEM 244 . First six-week course. Three 50-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
CHEM 328Inorganic Chemistry: Reactivity and Properties0.5
An introduction to the reactivity and properties of inorganic, coordination, and organometallic compounds, including the following topics: coordination chemistry, magnetism, spectroscopy, inorganic reaction mechanisms and organometallic chemistry. Myles Drance.
CHEM 244 . Second six-week course. Three 50-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
CHEM 342Advanced Organic Chemistry1
Selected topics in organic chemistry such as stereochemistry, conformational analysis, carbanions, carbocations, radicals, kinetic and thermodynamic control of reactions, mechanisms, synthesis. Christopher Smart.
CHEM 245 , CHEM 350 , or permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
CHEM 350Thermodynamics and Chemical Kinetics1
This course presents the fundamental concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics. Topics include equations of state for gases; statistical mechanics; the laws of thermodynamics; solutions and phase equilibria; chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics. Zachary Donhauser.
CHEM 125 . It is strongly recommended that students have a foundational understanding of single variable calculus and introductory physics. Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
CHEM 352Physical Chemistry: Molecular Structure1
This course presents an introduction to quantum mechanics and its application to atomic structure and chemical bonding. Topics include foundations of quantum theory, wave mechanics, applications to simple systems, atomic structure, chemical bonding, spectroscopy, and computational chemistry. Leah Bendavid.
CHEM 125 . It is strongly recommended that students have a foundational understanding of single variable calculus, classical mechanics, and electromagnetism. Basic knowledge of linear algebra and multivariable calculus is also recommended. Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
CHEM 362Instrumental Analysis1
An introduction to chemical analysis, this course covers the theoretical and practical aspects of spectroscopic, electrochemical, and chromatographic -methods, including topics in instrumentation, statistics, and chemometrics. Taylor Teitsworth.
CHEM 245 or permission of the instructor. Three 50-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Spring
CHEM 370Advanced Laboratory
0.5 or 1 unit(s) Advanced laboratory work may be elected in the field of organic, analytical, physical, inorganic, biochemistry, or environmental chemistry. The Department.
CHEM 272 or a 300-level course in the pertinent field and permission of the instructor. One 4-hour period. Course Format: INT
Offered
Fall or Spring
CHEM 372Integrated Chemistry Laboratory I1
This course provides a comprehensive laboratory experience in chemistry. Selected experiments teach advanced chemistry techniques and reinforce principles introduced in 300-level chemistry courses. The course exposes students to chemistry as an integrated subject, tying together the sub-disciplines that are traditionally offered as independent courses. This includes: instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Zachary Donhauser, Joseph Tanski.
This course provides a comprehensive laboratory experience in chemistry. Selected experiments teach advanced chemistry techniques and reinforce principles introduced in 300 level chemistry courses. The course exposes students to chemistry as an integrated subject, tying together the sub-disciplines that are traditionally offered as independent courses. This includes: instrumental analysis, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry, biochemistry, environmental chemistry, organic chemistry and inorganic chemistry. Myles Drance, Sarjit Kaur.
(Same as ENST 375 ) This course is a qualitative and quantitative treatment of chemical processes in aqueous environments. Geochemical cycles of major and trace elements are explored including the magnitude of anthropogenic perturbations. General topics include thermodynamics and kinetics, acid-base chemistry, oxidation reduction reactions, the chemistry of continental waters, and marine chemistry. Alison Keimowitz.
CHEM 244 and permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods. Not offered in 2026/27. Course Format: CLS
CHEM 382Special Topics in Cell and Molecular Biology1
(Same as BIOL 382 ) An intensive study of selected topics at the molecular, biochemical, and cellular level. Emphasis is placed on critical thinking and research with course material being drawn from primary and secondary literature. The Department.
Permission of the instructor. Two 75-minute periods. Course Format: CLS
Offered
Fall
CHEM 399Senior Independent Research
0.5 to 1 unit(s) Students perform independent chemistry research under the direction of a faculty member for Intensive credit. Attendance at regularly scheduled department seminars/events is required to satisfactorily complete the course. The Department.
