Chemistry of Renewable Energy invites nonscience majors to engage in a topic that profoundly impacts our society. In this course, renewable (and non-renewable) energy sources are investigated from a scientific and critical point of view. We will study the fundamental scientific principles behind energy sources such as biofuels, solar, hydrogen, nuclear, and fossil fuels. Within this context, we shall explore the power and the limitations of the scientific method as well as the implications of our findings in political, social, economic, international, and ethical contexts. Students will have opportunities to reflect on their own attitudes towards energy usage and will engage in the local community.
Designed for students with little or no background in college-level science, this course examines the basic molecular-level structures and transformations associated with what we eat and how we cook. Occasional demonstrations and tastings will highlight how chemistry informs both cooking technique as well as the sensory experience of eating. In addition, guest speakers drawn from the local food and agricultural communities will share their knowledge and expertise. Instructor Consent required for students who have completed CHEM 116.
A comprehensive, one-semester introduction to the field of chemistry, stressing concepts and a semiquantitative understanding rather than detailed theory. Discussions include: chemical reactions, equations, and stoichiometry; atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, and molecular polarity; reactions in solutions, especially acid/base, redox, and precipitation; chemical energy including heat and enthalpy, entropy, free energy, and chemical equilibrium; electrochemical cells; the gas laws, liquids, intermolecular forces, and phase changes. Laboratory required.
Required laboratory for CHEM 115, General Chemistry I.
An in-depth look at the chemical phenomena that are at work in the world around us. Case studies are used to explore in further detail concepts first introduced in General Chemistry I. Discussions include: light, energy, and energy levels; electron configuration and the periodic table; bonding and bond energies; kinetics and reaction mechanisms; solubility and colligative properties; acid/base equilibria; and redox reactions. These chemical principles will be discussed in relation to environmental issues such as smog, acid rain, the greenhouse effect, the ozone hole; technologies such as lasers and semiconductors; and physiological phenomena such as pH regulation. Laboratory required.
This laboratory-only course (identical to CHEM 116Y) is for students who have not yet taken an in-person chemistry laboratory experience and need to enroll in Organic Chemistry 1 (CHEM 225) in a subsequent semester or otherwise satisfy an in-person laboratory requirement. Students will gain appropriate technical skills and laboratory experience required to safely complete the Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory (CHEM 225Y) associated with CHEM 225.
A semester-long study of topics in Chemistry. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
This course introduces foundational principles governing the structure and reactivity of carbon-based compounds. Structural topics include valence bond and molecular orbital theories; resonance and delocalization; conformational analysis; and stereochemistry. Topics in reaction chemistry focus on proton-transfer reactions and substitutions at tetrahedral and trigonal planar carbons, with a strong emphasis on a mechanistic understanding of these transformations. Laboratory required.
Required laboratory for CHEM 225, Organic Chemistry I.
This course builds on the foundation established in Organic Chemistry 1 with a strong focus on reaction chemistry: addition, elimination, pericyclic, and organometallic reactions are covered extensively. There is a continued emphasis on a mechanistic understanding of these transformations. A significant amount of time is spent covering the theory and applications of NMR spectroscopy and foundational ideas in synthetic design. Laboratory required.
We will examine the fate of contaminants in a variety of environments and explore the implications for human and ecosystem health. Quantitative approaches are emphasized, including structure-activity relationships, methods of estimating chemical activity, and mass balance calculations. We will use these tools to predict how organic chemicals partition between air, water, soils/sediments, and biomass, and estimate environmental concentrations given basic information about chemical structures, transformation processes, and environmental characteristics. We will explore these topics in the context of applied problems, case studies, and a comprehensive site analysis project.
An introductory survey course in biochemistry that includes biomolecular structure and function (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates), enzyme kinetics, metabolic pathways, signaling and gene expression and regulation. This course focuses on explaining cellular and organismal processes through molecular interactions and is intended to provide the necessary foundation in biochemistry for students interested in biological and health sciences.
Individual laboratory and library research projects selected in consultation with chemistry faculty. Written reports and seminar presentations are required. Occasional field trips to nearby research facilities may be made.
Students explore current research topics in chemistry and the skills required of professional chemists. Weekly meetings include seminars and discussions of topics such as laboratory safety, hazardous waste management, career pathways, ethics, plagiarism, recordkeeping, and science communication.
An exploration of current research topics in chemistry. Students learn to effectively search, read, and critically analyze the chemical literature. The communication of chemistry to scientific and broader audiences is emphasized. Weekly meetings include seminars and discussions of research articles.
A semester-long study of topics in Chemistry. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
This course presents a theoretical basis for the equilibrium behavior of bulk chemical systems. Topics include: mathematical tools; equations of state; Laws of Thermodynamics; derivation and application of thermodynamic functions; physical behavior of single- and multi-component systems; colligative properties; phase diagrams; chemical reactions and equilibrium; and thermodynamics of electrolyte solutions. Laboratory required.
Required laboratory for CHEM 321, Physical Chemistry I.
Quantum mechanics, a theoretical description of the microscopic world, is developed and connected to the equilibrium behavior of macroscopic systems through statistical mechanics. Topics include: mathematical tools; the failure of classical mechanics; the postulates of quantum mechanics; prototype microscopic systems; hydrogen-like atoms; multi-electron atoms; molecular orbitals; rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectroscopy; the Boltzmann distribution; introductory statistical mechanics; and chemical equilibrium.
Instrumental methods for qualitative and quantitative chemical analysis. Topics include experimental design, calibration approaches, analytical figures of merit, molecular spectroscopy (UV-visible, IR, NMR, fluorescence), atomic spectroscopy, chromatographic separations (GC, LC), ionization methods, mass spectrometry, and special topics.
Theory and practice of chemical analysis in the laboratory. Statistics of small data sets. Introduction to formal scientific writing. Laboratory required.
Students design and carry out qualitative and quantitative analyses on chemical systems using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Real world samples are analyzed when possible.
Theory and practice of chemical analysis in the laboratory. Students design and carry on qualitative and quantitative analysis on chemical systems using spectroscopic and chromatographic techniques. Analysis of real world sample when possible. Statistics of small data sets. Introduction to formal scientific writing. Laboratory required.
Theory and practice of chemical analysis in the laboratory. Students design and carry out qualitative and quantitative analysis on chemical systems using electrochemical and spectroscopic techniques. Analysis of real world sample when possible. Emphasis on formal scientific writing.
Theory and practice of chemical and biochemical analysis in the laboratory. Students design and carry out qualitative and quantitative analyses using electrochemical, chromatographic, and spectroscopic techniques. Biochemical systems explored include tastant and odorant molecules, protein structure and ligand binding, enzyme catalysis, biosensor fabrication and analysis, and phospholipid membrane structure/dynamics. Both thermodynamic and kinetic analyses are carried out. Statistics of small data sets. Introduction into formal scientific writing. Laboratory required.
Theory and practice of chemical and biochemical analysis in the laboratory. Students design and carry out qualitative and quantitative analyses using electrophoretic and spectroscopic techniques, as well as the polymerase chain reaction, and protein purification. Biochemical phenomena explored include gene expression, protein function, and tRNA structure, dynamics, and ligand binding. Emphasis on formal scientific writing.
A comprehensive introduction to the chemistry of the major classes of biological molecules (nucleic acids, proteins, lipids and carbohydrates) including their structure, function, properties and reactivity. This includes examining how enzymes catalyze reactions, how biomolecules interact and react, and the thermodynamics that govern cellular processes. The underlying chemistry (thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, and mechanisms) involved in these processes will be closely examined.
This course presents a comprehensive investigation of transition metal complexes. Topics include: atomic structure, periodicity, and bonding theories of d-block metals; spectra and magnetism as they relate to electronic structure; and reactions, kinetics, and mechanisms of coordination compounds. Examples from organometallic, solid state, and bioinorganic chemistry are used. Additional topics include nuclear chemistry and photovoltaic semiconductors. Students engage in scientific communication via projects such as formal writing or a podcast that serves as outreach to general audiences.
A semester-long study of topics in Chemistry. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
A semester-long study of topics in Chemistry. Topics and emphases will vary according to the instructor. This course may be repeated for credit with different topics. See the New and Topics Courses page on the Registrar's webpage for descriptions and applicability to graduation requirements.
An in-depth study of topics selected for their interest and relevance to modern Chemistry. Topics may be chosen from the areas of analytical, physical, inorganic, organic, biological, polymer chemistry, computational chemistry, or history and philosophy of chemistry. Taught in a seminar format.
An in-depth study of selected topics in modern biochemistry. Taught in a seminar format. This course may be taken multiple times for credit.
Individual laboratory and library research projects selected in consultation with chemistry faculty. Written reports and seminar presentations are required. Occasional field trips to nearby research facilities may be made.
Capstone course in independent chemical research for senior Bachelor of Science Chemistry majors. Students read and evaluate primary scientific literature and develop project objectives for a thesis. Weekly meetings include seminars and discussions of research activities, including laboratory safety, experimental design, recordkeeping, and data analysis. Laboratory required.
Continuation of the capstone course in independent chemical research for senior Bachelor of Science Chemistry majors. Students carry out experimental work to meet the project objectives of their thesis. Weekly meetings include seminars, progress reports, and writing workshops. The course culminates with a written senior thesis and a formal oral presentation. Laboratory Required.
Willamette University