chemistry coursework

CHEM101: General Chemistry I

Course introduction.

• Time: 36 hours
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Course Syllabus

First, read the course syllabus. Then, enroll in the course by clicking "Enroll me". Click Unit 1 to read its introduction and learning outcomes. You will then see the learning materials and instructions on how to use them.

Unit 1: Matter and Measurements

Chemistry is the study of matter and how we can change matter chemically and physically. What is matter? Matter is everything around us that has mass and volume. Matter can be any phase - solid, liquid, or gas. In this unit, we explore the properties, phases, and how we measure matter. We review the standard units of measurement and how to report our measurements using significant figures.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 3 hours.

Unit 2: The Atom

The atom is the basic unit of matter and serves as our starting point for the study of chemistry. The atom is composed of the subatomic particles protons, neutrons, and electrons. Scientists have studied atoms for hundreds of years and have developed a number of different models to describe them, as experimental technology has improved and new discoveries have been made. Chemists currently use the quantum mechanical model of the atom.  In this unit, we explore the structure and properties of atoms. We also study some of the basic tenets of quantum mechanics, and how quantum mechanics describes atomic structure. Finally, we learn about the structure and organization of the periodic table of the elements.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 5 hours.

Unit 3: Bonding

Bonds are connections between atoms. A solid grasp of valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory will help you understand how elements that differ by one or two atomic numbers behave.  According to VSEPR theory, the number of electrons an element has corresponds with its chemical properties. For example, sodium differs from neon and potassium by one atomic number, but it resembles potassium, not neon. Sodium and potassium both have one valence electron, which explains their similar properties, while neon is a stable element with eight valence electrons. We use VSEPR to predict the three-dimensional structure, or geometry, of molecules.

Unit 4: Chemical Formulas and Equations

Chemists need to write out formulas and equations to solve chemistry problems. It is important that chemists have a common set of rules for writing formulas and equations so they can communicate with other scientists. In this unit, we begin to name and write formulas for compounds, and learn how to write and balance chemical equations.  Equations enable us to describe chemistry topics in mathematical terms and predict the outcomes of reactions. For example, what volume of steam is created if we turn one kilogram of ice into pure steam, at 200 degrees Celsius and sea-level air pressure? We can calculate the precise answer when we write the reaction out in the form of an equation!

Completing this unit should take you approximately 4 hours.

Unit 5: States of Matter

In this unit, we explore how matter behaves in terms of the three main phases of matter: solids, liquids, and gases. We investigate gases first because their properties are described by well-defined equations. Next, we study phase changes, which we describe in terms of a graph known as a phase diagram. We finish this unit with an exploration of the properties of solids.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 7 hours.

Unit 6: Thermochemistry and Thermodynamics

In this unit, we study thermodynamics and thermochemistry. Thermodynamics is the study of heat transfer. Thermochemistry is specifically the study of heat transfer in chemical reactions. We were introduced to thermodynamics in Unit 5 when we learned about the energy associated with phase changes. Thermodynamics and thermochemistry allow us to predict whether a reaction will produce heat, such as the burning of a candlewick, or if a reaction will require heat to proceed, such as the reaction that occurs inside a disposable cold pack. In this unit we also learn about Gibbs Free Energy, which tells us whether a reaction is spontaneous, meaning the reaction will occur without external "help".

Completing this unit should take you approximately 6 hours.

Unit 7: Acid-Base and Oxidation-Reduction Reactions

In this unit, we study two important types of chemical reactions: acid-base and oxidation-reduction. We will discuss how these types of reactions occur in all aspects of science and in everyday life. We will also review the properties of acids and bases and introduce two acid-base definitions: Arrhenius and Brønsted-Lowry.  We will perform pH calculations and learn how to use the pH scale to identify acidic and alkaline solutions. Then, we will discuss oxidation and reduction, also known as electron transfer reactions. We will also learn how to write and balance equations for oxidation-reduction reactions and introduce some common oxidizing and reducing agents.

Unit 8: Nuclear Chemistry

Finally, we'll examine the processes of nuclear decay, nuclear fusion, and nuclear fission. Unlike all other types of chemical reactions, which involve electrons, nuclear reactions involve the nucleus of the atom. In this unit we discuss different types of nuclear decay, learn how to write equations that describe nuclear reactions, review the concept of half-life in the context of radioactive decay, and learn how we use nuclear fission to generate electric energy.

Completing this unit should take you approximately 2 hours.

Study Guide

This study guide will help you get ready for the final exam. It discusses the key topics in each unit, walks through the learning outcomes, and lists important vocabulary. It is not meant to replace the course materials!

Course Feedback Survey

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Certificate Final Exam

Take this exam if you want to earn a free Course Completion Certificate.

To receive a free Course Completion Certificate, you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on this final exam. Your grade for the exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again as many times as you want, with a 7-day waiting period between each attempt.

Once you pass this final exam, you will be awarded a free Course Completion Certificate .

Saylor Direct Credit

Take this exam if you want to earn college credit for this course . This course is eligible for college credit through Saylor Academy's Saylor Direct Credit Program .

The Saylor Direct Credit Final Exam requires a proctoring fee of $5 . To pass this course and earn a Credly Badge and official transcript , you will need to earn a grade of 70% or higher on the Saylor Direct Credit Final Exam. Your grade for this exam will be calculated as soon as you complete it. If you do not pass the exam on your first try, you can take it again a maximum of 3 times , with a 14-day waiting period between each attempt.

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Saylor Direct Credit Exam

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• This exam consists of 50 multiple-choice questions.

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Browse Course Material

Course info.

• Prof. Catherine Drennan

Departments

As taught in.

• Inorganic Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry

Learning Resource Types

Principles of chemical science, course description.

This course provides an introduction to the chemistry of biological, inorganic, and organic molecules. The emphasis is on basic principles of atomic and molecular electronic structure, thermodynamics, acid-base and redox equilibria, chemical kinetics, and catalysis. One year of high school chemistry is the expected …

This course provides an introduction to the chemistry of biological, inorganic, and organic molecules. The emphasis is on basic principles of atomic and molecular electronic structure, thermodynamics, acid-base and redox equilibria, chemical kinetics, and catalysis. One year of high school chemistry is the expected background for this freshman-level course.

The aims include developing a unified and intuitive view of how electronic structure controls the three-dimensional shape of molecules, the physical and chemical properties of molecules in gases, liquids and solids, and ultimately the assembly of macromolecules as in polymers and DNA. Relationships between chemistry and other fundamental sciences such as biology and physics are emphasized, as are the relationships between the science of chemistry to its applications in environmental science, atmospheric chemistry and electronic devices. 

Acknowledgements

Professor Drennan would like to acknowledge the contributions of MIT Lecturer Dr. Elizabeth Vogel Taylor, Professor Sylvia Ceyer, and Professor Robert Silbey to the development of this course and its materials.

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The Chemical Reaction

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Fundamentals

• Chemistry in action
• Atoms, Molecules, Elements, Compounds
• Dalton's Atomic Model
• Bohr's Model
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• Atomic and Molecular Weights
• Mole Concept
• Concentration Terminology
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Chemical Bonding

• Ionic Compounds
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• Hybridisation
• Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSPER) Theory
• Sigma and Pi Bonds
• Molecular Orbital Theory
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• Polarity of a Molecule
• Van der Waals Force
• Dipole Interactions
• Hydrogen Bonds
• Surface Tension
• Strength of Intermolecular Forces
• Chemistry of Diamonds

Reaction Mechanics

• Chemical Equilibrium
• Basics of Statistical Mechanics
• Le Chatelier's Principle
• Acids and Bases
• Acid/Base Equilibrium
• Thermal Expansion
• Rate of Chemical Reactions
• Order of Chemical Reactions
• Activation Energy
• Chemistry of Fireworks
• Thermometry
• Electrolytic Cells and Electrolysis
• Galvanic Cells

Organic Chemistry

• Structural Representations of Organic Compounds
• IUPAC Nomenclature - Branched Chain Alkanes, Cyclic Compounds Unsaturated Compounds
• Structural Isomerism
• Geometric Isomerism
• Optical Isomerism
• Electrophiles and Nucleophiles
• Inductive Effect, Electromeric Effect, Resonance Effects, and Hyperconjugation
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• Common Types of Organic Reactions
• Grignard Reagent
• Alkanes, Alkenes, Alkynes
• Do objects gain protons to become positive?
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AP®︎/College Chemistry

Welcome to ap®︎/college chemistry, unit 1: atomic structure and properties, unit 2: molecular and ionic compound structure and properties, unit 3: intermolecular forces and properties, unit 4: chemical reactions, unit 5: kinetics, unit 6: thermodynamics, unit 7: equilibrium, unit 8: acids and bases, unit 9: applications of thermodynamics.

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Chemistry Center

The UI Department of Chemistry has established the Chemistry Center to serve all students taking chemistry courses and provide support for the course instructors and teaching assistants. The Chemistry Center is a good place to start if you have any questions about undergraduate chemistry courses, want TA or instructor information, or need help with a specific chemistry course.

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Regression occurs when a student takes a lower-level or prerequisite course after having satisfactorily completed a more advanced course in the same or related subject. Hours earned by regression do not count toward the total number of hours required for graduation. Regression is identified only at the time of final graduation analysis.

Regression occurs when a course course in the left column is taken after any of the courses in the right column of the following table. These are the only cases considered to be regression.

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Coursework Section 5.1

The curriculum of an approved program provides both a broad background in chemical principles and an in-depth study of chemistry or chemistry-related areas that build on this background. Student learning progresses from beginner to expert knowledge and comprises introductory, foundation, and in-depth experiences. Foundation experiences are designed to provide students with an intellectual framework that covers the breadth of modern chemistry. In-depth experiences are designed to provide students with deeper development of critical thinking and problem-solving.

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Critical Requirements

Introductory Courses

Prior to beginning foundation-level coursework, students must have an introductory chemistry experience that addresses basic chemical concepts such as stoichiometry, states of matter, atomic structure, molecular structure and bonding, thermodynamics, equilibria, and kinetics.

Foundation Courses

• Definition: Foundation courses require an introductory chemistry prerequisite and use textbooks or other specialized materials that are beyond the introductory chemistry experience. Course content and exams should reflect coverage at a higher level than general chemistry.
• (Semester) 5 one-semester courses of at least 3 credits each.
• (Quarter) 8 one-quarter courses.
• Coverage: The foundation courses must cover all areas of ABIOP , either as stand-alone courses or with content distributed across courses.

In-depth Courses

• Definition: In-depth courses require a foundation or in-depth course prerequisite.
• Course content and exams include coverage at a higher level than foundation courses, with a focus on critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• (Semester) 4 courses that add to at least 12 credits.
• (Quarter) 6 courses that correspond to at least 18 credits. 
• Undergraduate research (on or off campus) can satisfy one in-depth course for students who wish to have a certified degree.  ( See Section 6 - Undergraduate Research for more details ).
• Courses in other disciplines with a chemical perspective (atomic/molecular-level perspective, rely on the tools of chemical measurement and analysis, and have a prerequisite of a full year of introductory chemistry) could be considered as an in-depth course.
• Seminar classes cannot count towards foundation or in-depth coursework .
• It must represent an advanced laboratory experience that includes the integration of student skills and builds on the foundation laboratory experiences. 
• In these courses, students are typically in the laboratory for at least six hours a week. 
• A lab associated with a lecture course, even if it has a separate course number, is not considered a separate in-depth course.

Course Frequency Foundation Courses

• (Semester) 4 foundation courses each academic year covering 4/5 ABIOP. 
• (Quarters) 6 foundation courses each academic year covering 4/5 ABIOP.
• If one of the foundation courses is taught by faculty outside of chemistry, then the chemistry faculty must teach the other 4 courses.

In-Depth Courses

• (Semester): Three, 3-credit, in-depth courses per academic year, exclusive of research. 
• (Quarters) Five, 3-credit, in-depth courses, exclusive of research. 
• Frequency of in-depth courses must allow students to graduate in 4 years.

MSN Requirement

• Coverage of synthetic polymers, biological macromolecules, supramolecular aggregates, meso- or nanoscale materials (MSN) must be part of the curriculum, by using either a course dedicated to MSN content or within a distributed model across more than one course.  At least two of the four types of systems must be covered.
• In the distributed model, coverage of MSN should constitute a minimum of 15 hours . Coverage of these systems be reasonably balanced. 
• Instruction should encompass the preparation, characterization, and physical properties of the systems. 

Green Chemistry & Sustainability

The curriculum must provide students with a working knowledge of the Twelve Principles of Green Chemistry.

• Must complete the equivalent of 2 semesters of math including calculus I and a second math course, such as calculus II, linear algebra, statistics, or data science. The second math course may not be a prerequisite for calculus I. 
• Must complete the equivalent of 2 semesters of physics with labs.

Normal Expectations

• The curriculum includes the operation and theory of modern instruments and their use to solve chemical problems.
• Five foundation courses are taught each academic year.
• Undergraduate research opportunities are available within the curriculum.
• The curriculum includes two semesters of calculus-based physics with lab.
• Case studies are used to demonstrate to students the interplay of chemical, environmental health, regulatory, and business considerations that dictate chemical processes and product design.

Markers of Excellence

• Curriculum includes integrative experiences that require students to synthesize the knowledge and skills introduced across the curriculum. These integrative experiences could be provided in an existing upper-level, designated capstone course (e.g., senior seminar) or distributed among several courses taught in the chemistry department.
• Students have opportunities to develop expertise at the interface of chemistry to help them solve problems that span scientific disciplines.
• A variety of in-depth courses are offered. Some examples could include catalysis, environmental chemistry, green/sustainable chemistry, materials science, or toxicology.
• Mentored opportunities exist for undergraduate students to integrate their knowledge and skills through peer instruction.

Cognate Courses

• The curriculum includes cognate courses beyond the critical requirement expectation.
• Students are given the opportunity to assess chemical products and processes and design greener alternatives when appropriate.
• Students understand and can evaluate the environmental, social, and health impacts of a chemical product over the life cycle of the product, from synthesis to disposal.

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MS Chemistry

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• Two Year Track

You will need to complete 30 semester hours with a B average (GPA 3.0) to graduate. If you have an assistantship, you will need to maintain a GPA of 3.0 at all times to keep the assistantship. To complete the program in two years, you will need to take 7-8 credits in each semester excluding Summer. You do not need to register for any courses during the Summer Semester, unless you graduate during Summer. The following courses are required:

Four core courses in the major areas of chemistry are required for the Master of Science degree:

• CHE 553  – Advanced Organic Chemistry I
• CHE 632  – Advanced Analytical Chemistry or Bioanalytical Chemistry
• CHE 641  – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II
• CHE 661 –  Advanced Physical Chemistry I

Note that CHE 633 can often replace CHE 632.

In addition, students must select two electives from the courses in chemistry or biochemistry, which may include organometallic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, forensic chemistry, enzyme mechanisms, spectroscopy, computational chemistry, and others.

Students attend the Department’s weekly seminar series and present two seminars during the course of their Master’s degree studies. One seminar is based on a topic from the recent literature. The first is a presentation of the thesis proposal.  The second seminar is a presentation of the thesis research and should generally be given in the semester or summer of graduation.  These seminar experiences provide strong preparation for future professional presentations. The seminars are presented in the context of courses:

• CHE 601  – Graduate Seminar I
• CHE 602  – Graduate Seminar II

Research and Thesis

Each graduate student in the M.S. Chemistry program must carry out a research project and write a Master’s thesis based on the research. Course credit for research is accumulated through two courses, which may be taken for up to 6 credits each:

• CHE 680  – Research Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• CHE 691 – Introduction to Graduate Research
• CHE 699  – Thesis

Students choose a research advisor and begin research under the course number CHE 680. Before registering for CHE 699, students must write a research proposal and present it to his or her thesis committee. The research project and thesis are an important part of the M.S. program, accounting for at least a third of the credit hours earned. Actual effort invested in the research project may be much greater, since students must work toward completion of a project with meaningful results. During the summer, students supported by assistantships should devote full-time effort to making major progress on the research project.

Electives and additional research

(10 or more credits)  You will need to take 10 semester hours of electives and research. Research Problems (CHE 680), which will get you started on research, can be taken for up to 6 hours. You will need to take 4 or more credits of elective courses.

All graduate students, regardless of whether they are registered for a seminar course, are required to attend all seminars related to CHE 602, as well as additional symposia and guest seminars.  This is part of your broad training in chemistry.

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