Chemistry

Classes

CHM 100D: Developmental Chemistry

Class Program
Credits 3

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.

CHM 103: Introduction to General Chemistry

Class Program
Credits 4

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.

Corequisites

CHM 103L

CHM 104: Introduction to Organic & Biochemistry

Class Program
Credits 4

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.

Prerequisites

CHM 103 or CHM 111 or completion of one year of high school Chemistry with departmental approval

Corequisites

CHM 104L

CHM 111: General Chemistry I

Class Program
Credits 4

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.

Corequisites

CHM 111L , CHM 111R

CHM 112: General Chemistry II

Class Program
Credits 4

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

Prerequisites

CHM 111 or CHM 103

Corequisites

CHM 112L & CHM 112R

CHM 201: Organic Chemistry I

Class Program
Credits 4

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.

Prerequisites

CHM-103 or CHM-111

Corequisites

CHM 201L

CHM 202: Organic Chemistry II

Class Program
Credits 4

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

Prerequisites

CHM 201

Corequisites

CHM 202L

CHM 205: Chemical Analysis

Class Program
Credits 3

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

Advising Note
Students also enroll in CHM-205L.
Prerequisites

CHM-112

CHM 215: Science of Art Conservation & Preservation

Class Program
Credits 3

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).

CHM 220: Biochemistry I

Class Program
Credits 3

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

Prerequisites

CHM 104 or CHM 201

CHM 235: Green Chemistry & Environmental Toxicology

Class Program
Credits 3

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. 

CHM 302: Instrumental Analysis

Class Program
Credits 4

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.

Advising Note
Students also enroll in CHM 302L.
Prerequisites

CHM-205, CHM-202, PHY-102, PHY-108

CHM 303: Biochemistry II

Class Program
Credits 3

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.

Prerequisites

CHM 201

CHM 304: Advanced Topics in Biochemistry & Biotechnology

Class Program
Credits 3

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.

Prerequisites

CHM-303

CHM 304L: Biochemistry & Biotechnology Laboratory

Class Program
Credits 1.5

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.

Prerequisite Courses

CHM 305: Physical Chemistry I

Class Program
Credits 3

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

Prerequisites

CHM-112, MAT-201, PHY-108

Corequisites

CHM 305L

CHM 325: Bioinorganic Chemistry

Class Program
Credits 3

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.

Prerequisite Courses

CHM 340: Forensic Applications of the Sciences

Class Program
Credits 4

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)

Prerequisites

BIO-102, CHM-202, CHM-205, CRJ-105 or CRM-111

Corequisites

CHM-340L

CHM 403: Organic Chemistry III

Class Program
Credits 3

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.

Prerequisites

CHM-202

CHM 404: Inorganic Chemistry

Class Program
Credits 4

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

Corequisites

CHM-306

CHM 405: Advanced Laboratory Methods - Inorganic Chemistry

Class Program
Credits 1

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.

Prerequisites

CHM-202

Corequisites

CHM-404

CHM 406: Advanced Laboratory Methods - Organic Chemistry

Class Program
Credits 1

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.

Prerequisites

CHM-202

CHM 407: Research Project

Class Program
Credits 3

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

Prerequisites

Completion of 87 credits

CHM 408: Research Project

Class Program
Credits 3

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

Prerequisites

Completion of 87 credits