Chemistry
122 courses · UC Irvine · 2026-2027 Catalog
Classes: Fall 2026
CHEM 1A General Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 5A or MATH 2A or PHYSICS 7C or CHEM 1X or CHEM 1P with a minimum grade of C- or SAT Mathematics with a minimum score of 600 or ACT Mathematics with a minimum score of 27 or SAT Subject Chemistry with a minimum score of 700 or AP Chemistry with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3. Placement via a passing score on the UCI placement exam or a passing score on the ALEKS placement exam is also accepted
General chemistry with applications to life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Atomic structure; general properties of the elements; covalent, ionic, and metallic bonding; mass relationships.
CHEM 1B General Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1A with a minimum grade of C- or ENGR 1A with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2A with a minimum grade of C- or AP Chemistry with a minimum score of 4 or CHEM M2A with a minimum grade of C-
General chemistry with applications to life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Properties of gases, liquids, solids; intermolecular forces; changes of state; properties of solutions; stoichiometry; thermochemistry; and thermodynamics.
CHEM 1C General Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1B with a minimum grade of C-
- Corequisite
- CHEM 1LC
General chemistry with applications to life sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. Equilibria, aqueous acid-base equilibria, solubility equilibria, oxidation reduction reactions, electrochemistry; kinetics; special topics.
CHEM 1LC General Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 1B with a minimum grade of C- or ENGR 1A with a minimum grade of C-
- Corequisite
- CHEM 1C. ENGR 1A
Training and experience in basic laboratory techniques. Chemical practice and principles illustrated through experiments related to lecture topics of CHEM 1A-B-C. Materials Fee
CHEM 1LD General Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1C with a minimum grade of C- and CHEM 1LC with a minimum grade of C-) or CHEM 1LE with a minimum grade of C-
Training and experience in basic laboratory techniques. Chemical practice and principles illustrated through experiments related to lecture topics in CHEM 1A-B-C. Materials Fee
CHEM 1P Preparation for General Chemistry
- Units
- 4
Units of measurement, dimensional analysis, significant figures; elementary concepts of volume, mass, force, pressure, energy, density, temperature, heat, work; fundamentals of atomic and molecular structure; the mole concept, stoichiometry; properties of the states of matter; gas laws; solutions concentrations.
CHEM 1X General Chemistry Plus
- Units
- 2
- Prerequisite
- Students who meet the requirements for taking Chem 1A through their SAT, ACT, or AP test scores are not eligible for enrollment in Chem 1X. Specifically, the students must have ALL of the following advisory prerequisites (the inverse of the Chem 1A prerequisites): S02<600 (score below 600 on the SAT Mathematics Reasoning test) A02<27 (score below 27 on the ACT Mathematics test) Z43<700 (score below 700 on the SAT Chemistry subject exam) AP25<3 (score below 3 on the AP Chemistry exam) AP66<3 (score below 3 on the AP Calculus AB Exam) AP68<3 (score below 3 on the AP Calculus BC Exam) Students who meet Chem 1A eligibility through ALEKS-based training are permitted to enroll in Chem 1X. Chem 1X is open to interested BioEASE students
Units of chemical measurements, dimensional analysis, significant figures; elementary physicochemical concepts; fundamentals of atomic and molecular structure; molar amounts and stoichiometry; properties of the states of matter; solutions concentrations.
CHEM M2A Majors General Chemistry Lecture
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 5A or MATH 2A or PHYSICS 7C or CHEM 1X or CHEM 1P with a minimum grade of C- or SAT Mathematics with a minimum score of 600 or ACT Mathematics with a minimum score of 27 or SAT Subject Chemistry with a minimum score of 700 or AP Chemistry with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus AB with a minimum score of 3 or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 3. Placement via a passing score on the ALEKS placement exam is also accepted
- Corequisite
- MATH 5A or MATH 2A or PHYSICS 7C or CHEM 1X
Covers the same material as CHEM 1A but in greater depth. Additional topics are included as time permits.
CHEM M2B Majors General Chemistry Lecture
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM M2A with a minimum grade of C- and CHEM M2LA with a minimum grade of C-
Covers the same material as CHEM 1B but in greater depth. Additional topics will also be included as time permits.
CHEM M2C Majors General Chemistry Lecture
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM M2B with a minimum grade of C- and CHEM M2LB with a minimum grade of C-
Covers the same material as CHEM 1C but in greater depth. Additional topics are also included as time permits.
CHEM M2LA Majors General Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM M2A (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C-. High school chemistry
Training and experience in basic laboratory techniques through experiments related to lecture topics in CHEM 1A-CHEM 1B-CHEM M3C. Materials Fee
CHEM M2LB Majors General Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1B with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2B with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2B with a minimum grade of C-) and (CHEM M2A with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2A with a minimum grade of C-) and (CHEM M2LA with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2LA with a minimum grade of C-)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 1B or CHEM H2B or CHEM M2B
Training and experience in basic laboratory techniques through experiments related to lecture topics in CHEM 1A-CHEM 1B-CHEM M3C. Materials Fee
CHEM M3LC Majors Quantitative Analytical Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1B with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2B with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2B with a minimum grade of C-) and (CHEM M2LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2LB with a minimum grade of C-)
Foundational principles of analytical chemistry and experimental methods for quantitative analysis of real samples. Materials Fee
CHEM 5 Scientific Mathematical and Computing Skills
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1C (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2C (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M3C (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2C (may be taken concurrently) with a minimum grade of C-) and MATH 2D (may be taken concurrently)
Introduces students to mathematical skills, including complex numbers, linear algebra, differential equations, multivariable calculus, infinite series, Fourier series, and integral transforms; and computing skills, including plotting, data analysis (statistics and curve fitting), linear algebra, symbolic mathematics, and spectral analysis.
CHEM 11 New Chemistry Student Seminar
- Units
- 0
Seminar for students who recently joined the chemistry major. Addresses available tracks in the major, research opportunities in the chemistry department, careers in chemistry, and relevant programs and resources for students.
CHEM 14 Sense and Sensibility in Science
- Units
- 4
Gives an overview of scientific methods and heuristics through group exercises and discussion. Discusses the benefits and limitations of applying rational scientific approaches to real-world examples from philosophy, cognitive and social psychology, game theory, economics, political science, law, and negotiation.
CHEM 51A Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1C with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2C with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2C with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M3C with a minimum grade of C-) and (CHEM 1LD with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2LB with a minimum grade of C-)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 1LD
Fundamental concepts relating to carbon compounds with emphasis on structural theory and the nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoscopic, physical, and chemical properties of the principal classes of carbon compounds.
CHEM 51B Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51A with a minimum grade of C- and (CHEM 1LD with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M52LA with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H52LA with a minimum grade of C-)
Fundamental concepts relating to carbon compounds with emphasis on structural theory and the nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoscopic, physical, and chemical properties of the principal classes of carbon compounds.
CHEM 51C Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51B with a minimum grade of C- and (CHEM 51LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M52LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H52LB with a minimum grade of C-)
Fundamental concepts relating to carbon compounds with emphasis on structural theory and the nature of chemical bonding, stereochemistry, reaction mechanisms, and stereoscopic, physical, and chemical properties of the principal classes of carbon compounds.
CHEM 51LB Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51A with a minimum grade of C- and (CHEM 1LD with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2LB with a minimum grade of C-)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 51B
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-CHEM 51B-CHEM 51C. Materials Fee
CHEM 51LC Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51B with a minimum grade of C- and CHEM 51LB with a minimum grade of C-
- Corequisite
- CHEM 51C
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-B-C. Materials Fee
CHEM 51LD Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51C with a minimum grade of C- and CHEM 51LC with a minimum grade of C-
Modern techniques of organic chemistry using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-CHEM 51B-CHEM 51C. Materials Fee
CHEM M52LA Majors Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1C with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H2C with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2C with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M3C with a minimum grade of C-) and (CHEM H2LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM M2LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM 1LD with a minimum grade of C-)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 51A
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-B-C. Materials Fee
CHEM M52LB Majors Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51A with a minimum grade of C- and CHEM M52LA with a minimum grade of C-
- Corequisite
- CHEM 51B
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-B-C. Materials Fee
CHEM M52LC Majors Organic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51B with a minimum grade of C- and (CHEM M52LB with a minimum grade of C- or CHEM H52LB with a minimum grade of C-)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 51C
Modern techniques of organic chemistry, using selected experiments to illustrate topics introduced in CHEM 51A-B-C. Materials Fee
CHEM H90 The Idiom and Practice of Science
- Units
- 4
A series of fundamental and applied problems in the chemical sciences are addressed. Topics may include the periodic table, electronic structure of atoms, chemical bonding, molecular structure, thermodynamics, and kinetics, with applications to energy and the environment, and/or biochemistry.
CHEM 100 Special Topics in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 51C or CHEM H52C) and (CHEM M3C or CHEM M2C or CHEM 1C or CHEM H2C)
Devoted to current topics in the advanced fields of chemical sciences. Topics addressed vary each quarter.
CHEM 100S Laboratory Safety for Chemists
- Units
- 0
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51C (may be taken concurrently)
Provide students with the fundamentals of safety involved in chemical laboratory work.
CHEM 101W Writing in Chemical Sciences
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Students receive guidance on preparing research papers, proposals, reports, and other forms of scientific writing in chemistry-related fields, on effectively searching for and using chemical information, and on communicating data in poster and platform presentations.
CHEM 107 Inorganic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51C or CHEM H52C
Introduction to modern inorganic chemistry. Principles of structure, bonding, and chemical reactivity with application to compounds of the main group and transition elements, including organometallic chemistry.
CHEM 107L Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 107 and CHEM 100S
- Corequisite
- CHEM 100S
Modern techniques of inorganic and organometallic chemistry, including experience with glove box, Schlenk line, and vacuum line methods. Materials Fee
CHEM 125 Advanced Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51C
Rapid-paced comprehensive treatment of organic chemistry. Focuses on molecular structure, reactivity, stability, scope and mechanisms of organic reactions. Topics include: structure and bonding; theoretical organic chemistry; acidity and basicity; reactive intermediates; pericyclic reactions; stereochemistry; organic synthesis; natural products; organic photochemistry.
CHEM 127 Inorganic Chemistry II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 107
Advanced treatment of selected fundamental topics in inorganic chemistry, building on material presented in Chemistry 107. Molecular symmetry with applications to electronic structure and spectroscopy. Reaction kinetics and mechanisms; inorganic synthesis and catalysis; bioinorganic chemistry.
CHEM 128 Introduction to Chemical Biology
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 51C or CHEM H52C)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 128L
Introduction to the basic principles of chemical biology: structures and reactivity; chemical mechanisms of enzyme catalysis; chemistry of signalling, biosynthesis, and metabolic pathways.
CHEM 128L Introduction to Chemical Biology Laboratory Techniques
- Units
- 3
- Corequisite
- CHEM 128
Introduction to the basic laboratory techniques of chemical biology: electrophoresis, plasmid preparation, PCR, protein expression, isolation, and kinetics. Materials Fee
CHEM 132A Chemical Thermodynamics, Kinetics, and Dynamics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 2D and (PHYSICS 7D or PHYSICS 7E) and (CHEM 5 or (MATH 3A and (EECS 10 or EECS 12 or ENGRMAE 10 or I&C SCI 31)) )
Energy, entropy, and the thermodynamic potentials. Chemical equilibrium. Chemical kinetics.
CHEM 132B Quantum Principles, Spectroscopy, and Bonding
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 132A with a minimum grade of C- or CBE 40C) and (PHYSICS 7D or PHYSICS 7E)
Principles of quantum chemistry with applications to the elements of atomic structure, energy levels, and spectroscopy.
CHEM 132C Molecular Structure and Elementary Statistical Mechanics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 132B
Principles of quantum mechanics with applications to molecular spectroscopy and structure determination, and chemical bonding in simple molecules. Elements of statistical mechanics.
CHEM 133 Nuclear and Radiochemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM M3C or CHEM 1C or CHEM H2C or CHEM M2C) and MATH 2D
Advanced treatment of nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, and radioactive-decay processes. Introduction to nuclear activation analysis, isotope effects, radiation chemistry, hot-atom chemistry, nuclear age-dating methods, nuclear reactors, and nuclear power.
CHEM 133L Nuclear and Radiochemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 133 (may be taken concurrently)
Practical aspects of production, separation, safe handling, detection, and measurement of radioactive isotopes. Experiments use the UCI nuclear reactor and emphasize uses of radioisotopes in chemistry, engineering, biology, and medicine. Materials Fee
CHEM 138 Introduction to Computational Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51C
An introduction to the use of computational chemistry to investigate reaction mechanisms, to calculate structures, and to predict properties of molecules. Students have the opportunity to perform calculations employing computational methods which are widely used in various fields of chemistry. Materials Fee
CHEM 141 Environmental Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 51C or CHEM H52C) and (MATH 2B or AP Calculus BC with a minimum score of 4)
Processes that control the fate of chemicals in the environment. Chemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and soils, especially as it pertains to pollutants.
CHEM 145A Gas-Phase Atmospheric Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 132A and CHEM 132B and CHEM 132C
Sources, chemistry, sinks, and measurements of key atmospheric gaseous species. Chemistry of photochemical oxidant formation, transformation of key inorganic and organic trace gases, and stratospheric ozone cycling. Applications of atmospheric chemistry models to control strategies.
CHEM 145B Multi-Phase Atmospheric Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 145A
Chemical and physical processes leading to the production, aging, and removal of atmospheric particles. Multi-phase processes involving gases, particles, water droplets, and environmental surfaces. Approaches for modeling these processes with applications to control strategies.
CHEM 150 Computational Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- MATH 3A and (CHEM 132A or PHYSICS 113A)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 132A
Basic concepts, methods, and techniques in computational chemistry: density functional and wavefunction theory, molecular property calculations, analysis tools, potential energy surfaces, vibrational effects, molecular dynamics simulations.
CHEM 150L Computational Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 150 and (CHEM 5 or PHYSICS 50 or EECS 12)
Introduction to the practice of modern computational chemistry through a series of advanced computational experiments.
CHEM 152 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
- Units
- 5
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 1C or CHEM M3C or CHEM H2C or CHEM M2C) and (CHEM M3LC or CHEM H2LC)
In-depth treatment of modern instrumental methods for quantitative analysis of real samples and basic principles of instrument design. Laboratory experiments using spectroscopic, chromatographic, mass spectrometric, and other instrumental methods. Materials Fee
CHEM 153 Physical Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Corequisite
- CHEM 132C
Introduction to the modern experimental approaches and software tools used in spectroscopy, kinetics, electrochemistry, and other physical chemistry experiments. Basics of interfacing with instruments using LabView. Materials Fee
CHEM 156 Advanced Laboratory in Chemistry and Synthesis of Materials
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 51C or CHEM H52C) and (CHEM 51LC or CHEM H52LC or CHEM M52LC) and (CHEM 131A or CHEM 132B or PHRMSCI 171)
Modern synthesis and characterization of organic and inorganic materials including polymers, nanomaterials, and biomaterials. State-of-the-art characterization techniques include gel permeation chromatography, dynamic light scattering, thermal analysis, mechanical analysis, electron and scanning probe microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and porosimetry. Materials Fee
CHEM 160 Organic Synthesis Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51C and CHEM 100S and (CHEM 51LC or CHEM H52LC or CHEM M52LC)
- Corequisite
- CHEM 100S
Modern experimental techniques in organic synthesis including experience with thin-layer chromatography, liquid chromatography, and gas chromatography. Modern methods of structure elucidation including FT NMR are employed in the characterization of products. Materials Fee
CHEM 177 Medicinal Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51A and CHEM 51B and CHEM 51C and (BIO SCI 98 or CHEM 128). Recommended: BIO SCI 99
Surveys drug target classes; lead identification and optimization; pharmacokinetics; discovery strategies including natural product chemistry, encoded combinatorial libraries, molecular modeling, and high-throughput screening; case studies in antiviral, antibacterial, and anticancer drug discovery and development.
CHEM 177L Medicinal Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 3
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 51A and CHEM 51B and CHEM 51C and (BIO SCI 98 or CHEM 128)
- Corequisite
- PHRMSCI 177 or CHEM 177
Introduction to high-throughput experimentation for identifying bioactive compounds. Techniques include microplate assay setup, IC50 determination, quantitative assay development, library screening, and structure-activity analysis. Materials Fee
CHEM 180 Undergraduate Research
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 100S (may be taken concurrently)
Research for credit arranged with a faculty member to sponsor and supervise work. Student time commitment of 10 to 15 hours per week is expected, and a written research report is required at the end of each quarter.
CHEM 180W Senior Thesis in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 180 with a minimum grade of A or CHEM 199 with a minimum grade of A or PHYSICS 195 with a minimum grade of A or EARTHSS 199 with a minimum grade of A or CBEMS 199 with a minimum grade of A or ENGRCEE 199 with a minimum grade of A or ENGRMAE 199 with a minimum grade of A or BIO SCI 199 with a minimum grade of A or PUBHLTH 199 with a minimum grade of A. Consent of the instructor is also accepted. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
Students receive guidance on preparing research papers, proposals, reports, and other forms of scientific writing in chemistry-related fields; on effectively searching for and using chemical information; and on communicating data in poster and platform presentations.
CHEM H180A Honors Research in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
Undergraduate honors research in Chemistry. A student time commitment of 10-15 hours per week is required.
CHEM H180B Honors Research in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM H180A
Undergraduate honors research in Chemistry. A student time commitment of 10-15 hours per week is required.
CHEM H180C Honors Research in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM H180B
Undergraduate honors research in Chemistry. A student time committment of 10-15 hours per week is required.
CHEM H181W Honors Seminar in Chemistry
- Units
- 2
- Prerequisite
- CHEM H180A and CHEM H180B. Satisfactory completion of the Lower-Division Writing requirement
- Corequisite
- CHEM H180C
Students will receive guidance in the preparation of oral and written research presentations. A written thesis will be prepared and a formal research seminar will be presented.
CHEM 192 Tutoring in Chemistry
- Units
- 2
Enrollment limited to participants in the Chemistry Peer Tutoring Program.
CHEM 193 Research Methods
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- BIO SCI 14 or PHY SCI 5
Explores tools of inquiry for developing and implementing science research projects. Students undertake independent projects requiring data collection, analysis, and modeling, and the organization and presentation of results. Additional topics include ethical issues and role of scientific literature.
CHEM 197 Professional Internship
- Units
- .5-4
- Prerequisite
- Enrollment requires completion of an application form
Internship program that provides students with opportunity to develop professional skills necessary for competitive placement in their chosen chemical-inspired industry. Students gain new and field-specific skills outside the classroom while participating in a supervised internship.
CHEM 199 Independent Study in Chemistry
- Units
- 1-4
Independent research with Chemistry faculty. Student time commitment of three to four hours per week per unit is expected, and a written report on the independent study is required at the end of each quarter of enrollment.
CHEM 200 Conduct of Research
- Units
- .5-2
Introduces new graduate students to ethical conduct of scientific research, mentoring, and current research in the Department of Chemistry.
CHEM 201 Organic Reaction Mechanisms I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 132A and CHEM 132B and CHEM 132C
Advanced treatment of basic mechanistic principles of modern organic chemistry. Topics include molecular orbital theory, orbital symmetry control of organic reactions, aromaticity, carbonium ion chemistry, free radical chemistry, the chemistry of carbenes and carbanions, photochemistry, electrophilic substitutions, aromatic chemistry.
CHEM 202 Organic Reaction Mechanisms II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 201 with a minimum grade of B-
Topics include more in-depth treatment of mechanistic concepts, kinetics, conformational analysis, computational methods, stereoelectronics, and both solution and enzymatic catalysis.
CHEM 203 Organic Spectroscopy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- (CHEM 51A and CHEM 51B and CHEM 51C) or (CHEM H52A and CHEM H52B and CHEM H52C)
Modern methods used in structure determination of organic molecules. Topics include mass spectrometry; ultraviolet, chiroptical, infrared, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy.
CHEM 204 Organic Synthesis I
- Units
- 4
Fundamentals of modern synthetic organic chemistry is developed. Major emphasis is on carbon-carbon bond forming methodology. Topics include carbonyl annelations, cycloadditions, sigmatropic rearrangements, and organometallic methods.
CHEM 205 Organic Synthesis II
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 204 with a minimum grade of B-
Fundamentals of modern synthetic organic chemistry will be developed. Major emphasis this quarter is on natural product total synthesis and retrosynthetic (antithetic) analysis.
CHEM 206 Advanced Data Acquisition and Analysis
- Units
- 4-6
Introduces students to a variety of practical laboratory techniques, including lock-in, boxcar, coincidence counting, noise filtering, PID control, properties of common transducers, computer interfacing to instruments, vacuum technology, laboratory safety, basic mechanical design, and shop skills. Materials Fee
CHEM 207 Applied Physical Chemistry
- Units
- 4
Introduction to fundamental concepts in molecular structure and reactivity: theory of bonding, valence and molecular orbitals; structure and reactivity in inorganic chemistry; elements in molecular group theory; nomenclature in organic chemistry; and survey of macromolecules.
CHEM 208 Math Methods
- Units
- 4
Applications of mathematics to physical and chemical problems. Calculus of special functions, complex variables and vectors; linear vector spaces and eigenvalue problems. Differential equations.
CHEM 213 Chemical Kinetics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 132A and CHEM 132B and CHEM 132C
Surveys gas phase and organic reaction mechanisms and their relationship to kinetic rate laws; treats the basic theory of elementary reaction rates. A brief presentation of modern cross-sectional kinetics is included.
CHEM 215 Inorganic Chemistry I
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 107 and CHEM 132A and CHEM 132B and CHEM 132C
Principles of modern inorganic chemistry with applications to chemical systems of current interest. Inorganic phenomena are organized into general patterns which rationalize observed structures, stabilities, and physical properties.
CHEM 216 Organometallic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 107 or CHEM 215 with a minimum grade of B-
Synthesis and reactivity of organometallic complexes with an emphasis on mechanisms. Topics include bonding and fluxional properties; metal-carbon single and multiple bonds; metal š-complexes. Applications to homogenous catalysis and organic synthesis are incorporated throughout the course.
CHEM 217 Physical Inorganic Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 215 with a minimum grade of B-
General principles of the spectroscopy and magnetism of inorganic compounds. Characterization of inorganic complexes by infrared, near-infrared, visible, ultraviolet, NMR, EPR, EXAFS, and Mossbauer spectroscopies. Some necessary group theory developed.
CHEM 218 Metallobiochemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 131C (may be taken concurrently) or CHEM 132C (may be taken concurrently)
A review of the biochemistry of metallic elements emphasizing: methods for studying metals in biological systems; the chemical basis for nature's exploitation of specific elements; structures of active sites; mechanisms; solid-state structures and devices; metals in medicine.
CHEM 219 Chemical and Structural Biology
- Units
- 4
A survey of the organic chemistry underlying biological function. Introduction to chemical genetics, receptor-ligand interactions, small molecule agonists and antagonists, combinatorial synthesis, high throughput assays, molecular evolution, protein and small molecule design.
CHEM 220 Advanced Chemical Biology
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 219 with a minimum grade of B-
Modern topics in chemical biology, with an emphasis on application of principles from organic chemistry to biological research and biotechnology. Topics include methods to generate, identify, and manipulate major classes of biomolecules including nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and secondary metabolites.
CHEM 221A Fundamentals of Molecular Biophysics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Undergraduate courses in physical chemistry and biochemistry
An overview of the principles and concepts in molecular biophysics. Topics covered include energy and entropy in biology, non-equilibrium reaction kinetics, random walks and molecular diffusion, molecular forces in biology.
CHEM 223 Biological Macromolecules
- Units
- 4
Introduction to nucleic acid and protein structure, dynamics, and function. Topics include analytical methods, molecular evolution, folding, and catalysis.
CHEM 225 Polymer Chemistry: Synthesis and Characterization of Polymers
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Undergraduate courses in organic and physical chemistry
Structure of synthetic and natural polymers. Survey of modern polymer synthetic methods. Molecular weight and molecular weight distribution. Chain conformation and stereochemistry. Introduction to polymer characterization, chain models, and solution behavior.
CHEM 228 Electromagnetism
- Units
- 4
Maxwell’s equations, electrodynamics, electromagnetic waves and radiation, wave propagation in media, interference and quantum optics, coherent and incoherent radiation, with practical applications in interferometry, lasers, waveguides, and optical instrumentation.
CHEM 229A Mathematical Methods for the Physical Sciences
- Units
- 4
Mathematical and numerical analysis using Mathematica and C programming, as applied to problems in physical science.
CHEM 230 Classical Mechanics and Electromagnetic Theory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 132A and CHEM 132B and CHEM 132C
Fundamentals of classical mechanics and electromagnetic theory are developed with specific application to molecular systems. Newtonian, Lagrangian, and Hamiltonian mechanics are developed. Boundary value problems in electrostatics are investigated. Multipole expansion and macroscopic media are discussed from a molecular viewpoint.
CHEM 231A Fundamentals of Quantum Mechanics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 131A and CHEM 131B and CHEM 131C
The postulates of quantum mechanics are discussed and applied to a variety of model problems.
CHEM 231B Applications of Quantum Mechanics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 231A with a minimum grade of B-
Approximate methods for solving atomic and molecular structure problems are developed, and the application of quantum mechanics to spectroscopy is introduced.
CHEM 231C Molecular Spectroscopy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 231B with a minimum grade of B-
Theory and techniques of spectroscopy as used for the study of molecular and condensed phase properties. Coherent time domain spectroscopies are covered.
CHEM 232A Thermodynamics and Introduction to Statistical Mechanics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 131A and CHEM 131B and CHEM 131C
A detailed discussion from an advanced point of view of the principles of classical thermodynamics. The fundamentals of statistical mechanics. Topics include an introduction to ensemble theory, Boltzmann statistics, classical statistical mechanics, and the statistical mechanics of ideal gas systems.
CHEM 232B Advanced Topics in Statistical Mechanics
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 232A with a minimum grade of B-
Continued discussion of the principles of statistical mechanics. Applications to topics of chemical interest including imperfect gases, liquids, solutions, and crystals. Modern techniques such as the use of autocorrelation function methods.
CHEM 232C Non-Equilibrium Statistical Mechanics
- Units
- 4
Phenomenology of material processes, including: kinetic theories of transport and continuum, linear response theory, critical phenomena of phase transition, self-assembly, and nucleation.
CHEM 233 Nuclear and Radiochemistry
- Units
- 4
Advanced treatment of nuclear structure, nuclear reactions, and radioactive-decay processes. Introduction to nuclear activation analysis, isotope effects, radiation chemistry, hot-atom chemistry, nuclear age-dating methods, nuclear reactors, and nuclear power.
CHEM 237 Mathematical Methods in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
Survey of essential math methods in chemistry. Topics may include series and limits, complex analysis, Fourier and Laplace transforms, linear algebra and operators (theory and algorithms), differential equations, and probability concepts for stochastic processes.
CHEM 238 Special Topics in Density Functional Theory
- Units
- 1-4
- Prerequisite
- One year of graduate quantum mechanics, or the equivalent
Advanced topics in density functional theory.
CHEM 239 Machine Learning in Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- Must be familiar with standard computer operation
Introductory course in machine learning, accessible to any graduate student in chemistry. Covers the basics of theory and practice of machine learning in modern chemistry. No coding or previous experience required.
CHEM 241 Current Issues Related to Air Quality, Climate, and Energy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- ENGRMAE 261 with a minimum grade of B- or CHEM 245 with a minimum grade of B- or EARTHSS 240 with a minimum grade of B-
Current issues related to the atmosphere, climate, and air quality in the context of energy conversion and sustainability. Topics include transportation systems; building design; impacts on humans and ecosystems; modeling and meteorology; economics; and application to public policies.
CHEM 243 Advanced Instrumental Analysis
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 152 with a minimum grade of B and CHEM 132C with a minimum grade of B
Theory and applications of modern advanced instrumental methods of analysis. Includes data acquisition, storage, retrieval, and analysis; Fourier transform methods; vacuum technologies; magnetic sector; quadrupole and ion trap mass spectrometry; surface science spectroscopic methods; lasers and optics.
CHEM 244 Detection and Measurement of Radiation
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 233 with a minimum grade of B- or CBE 276 with a minimum grade of B-
Basic principles of detection and measurement of ionizing radiation; both theory and practical aspects of measurement techniques for alpha, beta, gamma, and neutron radiation, properties of different detector materials, electronics and data treatments, and analysis.
CHEM 245A Gas-Phase Atmospheric Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 132A and CHEM 132B and CHEM 132C
Sources, chemistry, sinks, and measurements of key atmospheric gaseous species. Chemistry of photochemical oxidant formation, transformation of key inorganic and organic trace gases, and stratospheric ozone cycling. Applications of atmospheric chemistry models to control strategies.
CHEM 245B Multi-Phase Atmospheric Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 245A with a minimum grade of B-
Chemical and physical processes leading to the production, aging, and removal of atmospheric particles. Multi-phase processes involving gases, particles, water droplets, and environmental surfaces. Approaches for modeling these processes with applications to control strategies.
CHEM 245C Special Topics in Atmospheric Chemistry
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 245B with a minimum grade of B-
The subjects covered vary from year to year.
CHEM 246 Separations and Chromatography
- Units
- 4
Introduction to modern separation techniques such as gas chromatography, high-performance liquid chromatography, supercritical fluid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and field flow fractionation. Applications of these separation strategies are discussed.
CHEM 248 Electrochemistry
- Units
- 4
Fundamentals of electrochemistry including thermodynamics and the electrochemical potential, charge transfer kinetics, and mass transfer. Methods based on controlled potential and controlled current are described; the effects of slow heterogeneous kinetics and the perturbation caused by homogeneous chemistry are discussed.
CHEM 249 Analytical Spectroscopy
- Units
- 4
Advanced treatment of spectroscopic techniques and instrumentation. Atomic and molecular absorption, emission, and scattering processes and their application to quantitative chemical analysis are outlined. Puts different spectroscopic techniques in perspective and demonstrates most appropriate applications to analytical problems.
CHEM 249A Optics I - Physical Optics and Electromagnetic Theory
- Units
- 4
Treatment of optical phenomena and interactions between electromagnetic radiation and matter using fundamental electromagnetic laws, with applications to modern spectroscopic methods.
CHEM 249B Optics II – Light-Matter Interaction and Advanced Spectroscopy
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 249A with a minimum grade of B-
Advanced treatment of interactions between electromagnetic radiation and matter, with applications to linear spectroscopy, time-resolved nonlinear methods, high-power light-matter interactions, and optical parametric processes.
CHEM 250 Computational Chemistry
- Units
- 4
Basic concepts, methods, and techniques in computational chemistry: density functional and wavefunction theory, molecular property calculations, analysis tools, potential energy surfaces, vibrational effects, molecular dynamics simulations.
CHEM 250L Computational Chemistry Laboratory
- Units
- 4
- Prerequisite
- CHEM 250 with a minimum grade of B-
Introduction to the practice of modern computational chemistry through a series of advanced computational experiments.
CHEM 251 Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
- Units
- 1-4
Advanced topics in organic chemistry.
CHEM 252 Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
- Units
- 1-4
Advanced topics in physical chemistry. Materials Fee
CHEM 254 Special Topics in Computational and Theoretical Chemistry
- Units
- 4
Subjects covered vary from year to year.
CHEM 255 Special Topics in Quantum Science
- Units
- 1
Advanced topics in quantum science.
CHEM 263 Materials Chemistry
- Units
- 4
An introduction to crystalline solids, descriptive crystal chemistry, solid-state synthesis and characterization techniques, x-ray and electron diffraction, phase diagrams, electronic band structure of extended solids, semi conductors, and nanoscale inorganic materials.
CHEM 264 Analytical Methods for Organic Nanomaterials
- Units
- 4
Fundamentals of analytical techniques related to measuring the structure and dynamics of organic nanomaterials. Topics include transmission electron microscopy, cryo-electron microscopy, liquid phase electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, light scattering, small angle X-ray, and neutron scattering.
CHEM 266 Current Topics in Chemical, Applied, and Materials Physics
- Units
- 1
The subjects covered vary from year to year. Connection between fundamental principles and implementations in practice in science, industry, and technology.
CHEM 267 Photochemistry
- Units
- 4
Photochemical and photovoltaic processes in molecules and semiconductors; quantum mechanics; statistical thermodynamics; kinetics; and experimental techniques relevant to photon absorption and emission; photochemical charge separation, recombination, and transport of electrons and ions; and interfacial redox chemistry.
CHEM 273 Technical Communication Skills
- Units
- 2
Development of effective communication skills, oral and written presentations, through examples and practice.
CHEM 280 Research
- Units
- 2-12
Supervised original research toward the preparation of a Ph.D dissertation or M.S. thesis.
CHEM 290 Seminar
- Units
- 1
Weekly seminars and discussions on general and varied topics of current interest in chemistry.
CHEM 291 Research Seminar
- Units
- 4
Detailed discussion of research problems of current interest in the Department. Format, content, and frequency of the course are variable.
CHEM 292 Graduate Symposium
- Units
- 2
Students present public seminars on literature-based research topics in contemporary chemistry. Topics to be chosen by student and approved by instructor.
CHEM 299 Independent Study
- Units
- 1-4
Independent research with Chemistry faculty.
CHEM 399 University Teaching
- Units
- 1-4
Required of and limited to Teaching Assistants.