Chemistry

BS in Biology core: complete one CHM or PHY elective course (4 credits).

An introduction to basic principles of inorganic chemistry. Emphasis will be placed on conceptual aspects of chemistry as well as routine mathematical approaches to quantitative problem solving.  Prerequisite: High School algebra. High School chemistry is helpful, but not required. This course has no laboratory. This course counts for elective credit in chemistry only: it cannot be counted toward requirements in chemistry for any undergraduate major at Russell Sage College. Students who successfully complete this course should register as soon as possible for CHM-103/103L or CHM-111/111L as appropriate for their intended major.

Intended for students majoring in nursing, nutrition, or other health sciences, this course focuses on chemical calculations, states of matter, atomic and molecular structure. It does this from the perspective of applying real world/pragmatic solutions to existing problems such as drug side effects, environmental pollution, day-to-day chemicals, and climate change among others. This course also introduces other topics including electrochemistry, toxicology, nuclear chemistry, environmental issues and descriptive inorganic chemistry. High school level algebra is required. High school chemistry is recommended. No credit awarded if student has received credit for CHM 111. Students also enroll in lab section.

An introduction to the major classes of organic compounds, followed by an introduction to bio-chemistry including proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, vitamins, metabolism, nucleic acids, and other topics of biochemical significance. No credit awarded if student has received credit in CHM 114 or CHM 201.

The basic principles of chemistry are covered as they relate to stoichiometry, atomic structure, bonding, states of matter, and solutions. Required of science majors. High school level algebra required. High school level chemistry recommended. No credit will be awarded if student has received credit for CHM 103.

This laboratory course accompanies the CHM 111 lecture.

Structured problem practice.  Student also registers for lecture and lab, all on the same campus.  Co-requisite: CHM 111, CHM 111L

This course is a continuation of General Chemistry I, treating rates of reaction, thermodynamics, oxidation-reduction, coordination compounds, nuclear chemistry, and other selected topics.

This laboratory course accompanies the CHM 112 lecture.

Structured problem practice.  Student also registers for lecture and lab, all on the same campus.  Co-requisite: CHM 112, CHM 112L

Organic chemistry I focuses on the fundamental types of organic reaction mechanisms, the different classes of organic molecules, and how the shapes and internal movement of organic molecules affect their physical and chemical properties. Basic concepts of biochemistry are introduced, including basic classes of biomolecules and how many biochemical processes are driven by fundamental organic reaction mechanisms. The corequisite lab, offered separately as CHM 201L, focuses on experimental techniques and fundamental reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry.

A continuation of the study of organic compounds with the laboratory emphasis on synthesis and structure determination using instrumental techniques.

An introduction to the fundamental principles and procedures of quantitative analytical chemistry. Laboratory includes titrimetic and instrumental methods.

This course will focus on the multidisciplinary aspects of art conservation and preservation. We will examine how works of art can be altered by exposure to environmental conditions and organisms. We
will examine how conservationists research an artwork to develop a strategy to restore the work to as close to its original state as possible. This course will fulfill the Natural Sciences-General Education requirement. Note: prior knowledge of art and chemistry would be beneficial. (Also SCI 215).

The metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, lipids, and nucleic acids will be discussed. The interrelationship of these pathways and control mechanisms will be emphasized.

This course introduces the concept of Green Chemistry, which involves the design of chemical products using safer materials and processes. A critical part of this concept is Environmental Toxicology, which determines the toxicity and impact of substances released into the environment. 

The theory and application of modern instrumental methods of analysis are discussed. Laboratory work includes optical, chromatographic, and ion exchange techniques. Physics is highly recommended.

This is an upper-level course that provides students with a complete overview of biochemistry. CHM 304, Advanced Topics in Biochemistry & Biotechnology, is a sequel to this course and goes into biochemistry and biotechnology in more depth. The topics covered in CHM 303 include nucleic acid structure and function, protein structure, enzyme kinetics and inhibition, carbohydrate structure and metabolism, lipid structure and metabolism, protein metabolism, and biochemical signaling.

This course is a sequel to CHM 303 and goes into biochemistry and biotechnology in more depth and with more of an emphasis on laboratory techniques. The topics covered in CHM 304 include DNA sequencing and cloning; protein sequencing; various methods for separating and purifying proteins; membrane transport; proteomics; DNA replication, repair & recombination; transcription & RNA processing; protein synthesis; regulation of gene expression; and photosynthesis.  This course also includes an introduction to the discipline of chemical biology. Prerequisite(s): CHM-303. Students also enroll in lab section for 1.5 credits.

This laboratory course is an introduction to modern experimental methods for studying the chemical and physical properties of biological molecules.  Students will learn the techniques and experimental procedures that are used today in conducting biochemical research and in the biotechnology industry. Experiments that students will perform in the lab include:  protein quantification, gel-filtration chromatography, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) of proteins, peptide mapping, restriction nuclease mapping, DNA electrophoresis, enzyme kinetic studies, enzyme activity assays, molecular cloning, Western Blotting analysis, enzyme-linked immunoabsorbent assay (ELISA), and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) experiments.

The study of the laws and principles of thermodynamics is undertaken with applications directed toward chemical systems.

This is a study of chemical kinetics and an introduction to quantum mechanics.

This course may be taken up to two times for a maximum of six total credits.

This course will examine the role of essential inorganic metals in biological processes. This branch of chemistry explains the physiological and biochemical processes of the metals and trace elements. The course is open to chemistry, biology, and bio-chemistry students, this course will be designed to help students learn how relevant basic concepts in one/more of these three physical science courses can be used in a real world scenario. Efforts will be made - as much as possible - to ensure that at least two of the physical science courses are covered at a given instance. The focus will be to enhance students' problem solving and critical thinking skills while exploring the human body, nature and the general environment around us. Students will gain a better understanding of basic principles, and how they can be used to solve real world problems.

Students in this course are given hands-on instruction with modern forensics techniques building on their prior coursework in biology, chemistry and physics. Topics include techniques used for the identification and analysis of body fluids, hair, fibers, latent fingerprints, DNA, firearms, documents, and photographs. The course includes instruction in the proper handling of crime-scene evidence (preservation, sequence of analysis, chain of custody), a seminar component in which students do research on assigned topics and prepare a term paper and a presentation, and practice with court-room testimony. Laboratory experiments emphasize DNA analysis, chemical techniques, microscopy, and photography.  (Formerly called Introduction to Forensic Science)

A study of factors influencing the physical and chemical properties of organic compounds emphasizes molecular orbital theory, methods of determining reaction mechanisms, and the study of reactive intermediates.

This course covers energetics of inorganic reactions, chemical bonding, acid-base theories, and coordination chemistry.

This course employs a variety of advanced methods in the synthesis and characterization of inorganic systems and the investigation of inorganic reactions. These methods include spectroscopic and electrochemical measurements as well as manipulations under vacuum and with controlled atmospheres.

This course will employ a variety of advanced methods in the synthesis and characterization of organic systems and investigation of organic reactions. These methods will include thermal and photochemical reaction techniques, spectroscopic and chromatographic measurements, and manipulations under vacuum and with controlled atmospheres.

This unifying experience in chemistry includes a literature search, laboratory project, written report, and oral seminar presentation of results.

This unifying experience in chemistry includes a literature search, laboratory project, written report, and oral presentation of results.