Course Descriptions

BIO 310 - Human Physiology

BIO 311 - Comparative Anatomy

BIO 317 - Entomology

Biology of insects and related arthropods, structured around application and investigation of issues such as medical entomology, evolutionary history, biodiversity and systematics of insects, forensic entomology, conservation, and ecology.  Major emphasis in the laboratory involves an independent research project, field trips, and the making of a collection of local insects.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, ENV 201, or permission of instructor is required.  One laboratory meeting per week.  Satisfies Group B.

BIO 321 - Ecology

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, or ENV 201, or permission of the instructor is required.  One laboratory meeting per week.  Satisfies Group B.

BIO 331 - Behavioral Neuroscience (= PSY 303)

(Cross-listed as PSY 303)  Role of the nervous system; sensory and motor mechanism; physiological bases of motivation and emotion; sleep and arousal; and physiological bases of learning, memory, and language.  Extensive laboratory training.  Work with animals is required.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of PSY 101 or BIO 111/113 and 112/114 as well as permission of the instructor are required. 

BIO 332 - Functional Neuroanatomy (= PSY 324)

BIO 333 - Cellular & Molecular Neuroscience

An advanced examination of neurons at the cellular and molecular levels. Topics include the structure of neurons and glia, neurogenesis, synapse formation, and the molecular basis of neuronal signaling and communication. Special attention is paid to nervous system development, degeneration, and the molecular basis of common neurological disorders. Laboratory projects will utilize the nematode C. elegans to investigate molecular and cellular neurobiology questions using genetic methods.

Prerequisites & Notes
BIO 111/113 and one of the following: BIO 201 (strongly recommended), 208/238, 306/336, 309, or 331 are required.  Not open to first-year students.  Satisfies Group A.

BIO 336 - Animal Development

Investigates cellular and molecular mechanisms that regulate animal development from fertilization to organogenesis, emphasizing classical and modern experiments.  No laboratory

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required with BIO 201 and/or 208/238 recommended.  Students with credit for BIO 306 may not enroll in BIO 336.

BIO 337 - Principles of Immunology

Introduction to the immune system with an emphasis on mammalian models.  The course focuses on the cellular and molecular levels of the immune system in health and disease.  Topics include recognition of antigens, development of lymphocyte repertoires, and adaptive immune responses. No laboratory.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and one of the following:  BIO 201, 202, or BIO 208/238 are required.  Students with credit for BIO 307 may not enroll in BIO 337. 

BIO 342 - Evolutionary Biology

BIO 343 - Laboratory Methods in Genomics

In this lab-only course, students participate in a real genome sequencing project (sequencing performed off-site).  Students analyze sequences and annotate genes in the genome.  This original research is computer intensive and contributes to the growing body of knowledge in genomics.  Students participate in collaborative research projects and generate reports of their findings.  May be taken simultaneously with BIO 309.

Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114, plus one of the following:  BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 209, 303, 306/336, 307/337, 309, or 333 are required.  Satisfies group A only in combination with BIO 309.

BIO 352 - Genetics of Mitochondrial Shaping

This group investigation course addresses unanswered questions concerning genes associated with mitochondrial dynamics in developing sperm of the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster using molecular biology, classical genetics, and microscopy.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and permission of the instructor are required.  BIO 201 is strongly recommended.

BIO 355 - Genome Editing

Very recently revolutionary new techniques made it possible to edit the genomes of living organisms directly.  Scientists can now, theoretically, engineer any living cell in very specific manners.  This group investigation course explores the technical literature on genome editing and current uses of the methods in research and in the repair of genetic diseases.  In parallel, students design experiments to edit the genome of C. elegans animals and engineer worms for research purposes. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 is required.

BIO 356 - Diversity & Extinction Analysis (= ENV 356)

This group investigation course focuses on the analysis of patterns of biodiversity and biodiversity loss. Students conduct literature reviews to compile data on biodiversity and/or extinction events to identify patterns of biodiversity, biodiversity function, and extinctions, with the goal of understanding the causes and consequences of biodiversity variation and loss. An emphasis is placed on the analysis of biodiversity data and the development of novel analyses to address issues such as sampling effects, extinction bias, random extinction, and emergent properties of biodiversity. The course culminates with a group project that addresses student-driven questions via the application of analyses developed during the semester.

Counts as an elective in the Data Science interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114 and BIO 227 or 321 is required.  Completion of BIO 240 is recommended.

BIO 357 - Biotoxicity of Hookah Tobacco Smoke

Pairs of students will investigate whether altering hookah configurations changes the resulting smoke’s affect on cultured lung cells, as measured by biochemical analysis of cellular viability metrics. The group investigation will include significant experimental design and bench research as well as oral presentations to different audiences, preparing and presenting a scientific poster, and writing a research article. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of CHE 115, BIO 111/113, and at least one BIO 200+ course are required.

Instructor permission is required to register for the course.

Restricted to juniors and seniors

BIO 360 - Biology of HIV/AIDS

In this upper-level seminar course, students read and discuss primary journal articles related to HIV/AIDS in a chronological fashion, beginning with the first scientific reports of HIV/AIDS from 1981 and progressing through the most recent articles.  Through this in-depth analysis of the scientific literature, students see how current advances in the field are predicated on earlier knowledge and begin to learn how technological advancements have led to new scientific knowledge. Throughout the semester, students also examine popular press accounts of major scientific advancements and investigate the role of reportage in this pandemic.
 

Satisfies the Justice, Equality, and Community requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201, 202, or 208/238 and permission of the instructor are required.

BIO 362 - Issues in Reproductive Medicine

Advances in medical science give us an ever-increasing mastery of our “natural” reproductive processes.  Technologies for controlling our fertility, diagnosing and treating the fetus, and allowing premature neonates to complete their development ex-utero challenge our traditional ideas of parenthood, family, and even personal identity.  This seminar course addresses a myriad of economic, sociocultural, ethical, and legal questions by the new reproductive technologies.  The course is discussion-based, includes a semester-long project, and involves technology applications.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 or permission of instructor are required.

BIO 363 - Human Genetics

This upper-level seminar focuses on different human genetic disorders with primary research papers as the main resource.  Students explore 1) the methods by which the genes associated with each disorder were identified; 2) the biology of the disorder at the organism, tissue, cell, and molecular level; and 3) strategies to treat each condition with gene therapy and other methods.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201 and permission of the instructor are required.

BIO 364 - Immune System Dysfunction

This seminar course builds upon the knowledge from Immunology (BIO 307/337) in which basic immunology vocabulary and concepts are first introduced.  Students use case studies of immunological disorders to synthesize and apply knowledge to actual cases, become familiar with the techniques used to investigate immune system dysfunction in clinical research and in animal models of human disease, and learn to evaluate experimental design critically by presenting and evaluating scientific arguments from the primary literature.  Students integrate these newly acquired skills by writing a short proposal for a clinical or research study.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, or 307/337 is required.  Restricted to juniors and seniors.

BIO 365 - Biology of Cancer

Investigates the molecular basis of cancer through a study of the hallmarks of cancer, signal transduction pathways, cancer critical genes, and current therapeutic approaches.  Seminal experiments in the field of cancer biology are discussed throughout.

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 plus one of the following: BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, 307/337, 309 + 343, or 333.

BIO 366 - Renewable Natural Resources: Science & Policy (= ANT 382, ENV 366)

This interdisciplinary seminar course focuses on developing a scientific understanding of renewable natural resources such as fisheries and forests and how resources are then used, overused, managed, and conserved by humans.  The course primarily consider smodern methods of resource management, including adaptive and ecosystem-based management.  The course builds upon knowledge gained in the foundation courses of Anthropology, Biology, or Environmental Studies.  It addresses natural resource and environmental issues from ecosystem and policy perspectives.  Through case studies, readings, class discussions, and knowledge construction, students gain deep knowledge of ecosystem ecology and management policies and approaches.  Students then apply their knowledge to identify management principles that are consistent with a more holistic ecosystem approach and develop a case study of one natural resource and how it is managed.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural or Social Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor or the breadth requirement of the Humanities track.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 112/114, ANT 101, ENV 201, or ENV 202 is required.

BIO 367 - Ecotoxicology (= ENV 367)

Ecotoxicology is the science that examines the fate and effects of toxicants in and on ecological systems.  Although toxicology examines effects at molecular, cell, and organism levels, effects at higher levels are not always predictable based on findings at lower levels.  Ecotoxicology integrates effects at multiple levels of biological organization.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science Track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/14 or ENV 201 is required as well as permission of the instructor.  CHE 115 is recommended.

BIO 368 - Health Care Issues in Zambia

An interdisciplinary examination of the impact of disease on the people in sub Saharan Africa.  The course includes a one-month cultural and medical experience in Mwandi, Zambia during the summer, preceded by preparatory meetings during the spring semester and culminating in a seminar in the fall semester following the trip.  Students submit applications and are interviewed for the course during the fall semester preceding the next summer’s trip.

Satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Permission of the instructor is required.  Fee.

BIO 370 - Directed Reading in Biology

BIO 371 - Research in Biology I

Successful completion of at least one course above BIO 200.

BIO 372 - Research in Biology II

BIO 373 - Research in Biology III

BIO 374 - Research in Biology IV

BIO 379 - Thesis in Biology

BIO 381 - Environmental Field Studies

BIO 382 - Environmental Field Studies

BIO 383 - Environmental Field Studies

BIO 385 - Techniques in Environmental Field Research

BIO 391 - RNA Worlds

Non-protein-coding ribonucleic acids (RNAs) serve as genomes, catalysts, adaptors, regulators, structural components, and evolutionary substrates to control a diverse range of biological processes in all three domains of life.  In this seminar course, discussions of primary literature and subsequent writing assignments reveal and explore our current understanding of the evolution and roles of non-coding RNAs.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201 or permission of the instructor is required.

BIO 392 - Medical Biotechnology

This seminar course explores the biological and chemical principles behind the newest biotechnology tools in medicine. Topics such as nanotechnology based drug delivery approaches, 3D organ printing for transplantation, cancer immunotherapy approaches, and molecular diagnostic tools will be selected based on student interest. Students will analyze primary literature, then organize and present findings in oral presentations and term papers.

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 201, 202, 208/238, 303, 306/336, 307/337, or 333 is required.

BIO 393 - Advances in Genome Editing

El Bejjani

Revolutionary new techniques that make direct genome editing in living organisms allow scientists the potential to engineer any living cell in very specific manners.  This seminar course explores the technical literature on genome editing as well as the rapidly expanding uses of genome editing methods in research and the repair of genetic diseases. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO111/113 is required, BIO 201 is recommended.  Not open to students who have credit for BIO 355.

BIO 394 - Molecular Machines

How do ribosomes really synthesize proteins? How do proteins transport cargo-filled vesicles along the cytoskeleton? How do some bacteria manage to swim in solution? The answers to these questions are provided by the study of molecular machines. In this seminar class, students will analyze primary literature to learn how tiny molecular machines power so many essential biological processes

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO111/113 and BIO303 or CHE230; or permission of instructor.

BIO 395 - Biochemistry Seminar (= CHE 430)

BIO 396 - Ecology of Disease

This upper-level seminar examines on how ecological theory can contribute to understanding and preventing the emergence and progression of disease.  Students use literature from ecology, epidemiology, microbiome research, and physiology to explore diseases of vertebrate animals.  Writing intensive.

Satisfies depth or breadth course requirement in Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Successful completion of BIO 111/113 and 112/114 are required.

CIS 150 - Revolutionary Literature & Politics

Globalize your semester with a collaborative, comparative look into the history of two world-changing historical events:  the Russian Revolution (100 years old in October 2017) and Japan’s 19th century Meiji Restoration.  While the material we will study comes from the past, the course will use cutting-edge digital tools borrowed from the information revolution that is reshaping our world today. 

Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

CIS 230 - Seminar in Applied Research Design and Data Analysis

In this course students will work with an external partner on an applied research project and explore how that work can strengthen and deepen their liberal arts education. The projects will vary in nature and involve a combination of the following: helping the partner figure out questions to ask about a product, topic, or market; collecting data for a particular project or question; organizing or cleaning messy data; analyzing data with a range of statistical methods; and presenting the results of analysis through visualization or other methods.

Teams of 3-4 students will work on each partner’s project. This work will use students’ existing skills and knowledge, but also require students to learn new abilities. Indeed, a central course goal is teaching students how to learn on their own and respond nimbly to unexpected needs and challenges - which will definitely arise while working on the external partner’s project. During the semester, students will also improve their ability to collaborate with their team and the external partner. By the end of the semester, each student team will produce a concrete product for the external partner, such as a market analysis with research questions to explore, an original dataset with accompanying summary, or a visualization of sophisticated data analysis.

The course is also intended to help students understand and experience how some of the core attributes of a liberal arts education - critical thinking, creativity, intellectual dexterity, appreciation of competing viewpoints, effective communication - can be applied, strengthened, and deepened in their work beyond campus. The external partner projects will require students to use these attributes in multiple ways. In addition, two assignments will require students to reflect on this interaction between the project work and a liberal arts education. These reflections will deepen the students’ learning, while helping the College understand how these applied research experiences can enhance a liberal arts education.

While no specific courses are required as prerequisites, students enrolling in the seminar should have some prior experience in designing research projects, creating data sets, conducting statistical analysis, or visualizing data.

CIS 230-250 - Special Topics Classes

Topics and course numbers announced in advance of registration.

CIS 292 - Collective Memory (= PSY 292)

Instructor
Multhaup

Remembering is a social as well as cognitive experience.  For example, we reminisce with others, select which details we share and don’t share based on who those others are, and which portions of memories we rehearse and silence affects what we later remember. Students in this course will explore current theory and research regarding collective memory, primarily from a psychological perspective. We will explore questions raised by Boyer and Wertsch’s (2009) influential book (e.g., How do we build shared collective memories? How does memory shape history?  How does memory shape culture?) and related issues (e.g., silencing of memories, borrowing others’ memories, how culture influences memory).  Our study will be grounded in cognitive psychology and draw upon additional subfields (e.g., social psychology, cross-cultural psychology) and intersections with related fields (e.g., sociology, cultural studies, museum studies).

Provides elective credit toward the Psychology major.
​Satisfies the Social-Scientific Thought requirement.

*Interlinked Memory Studies Courses
Five different courses that engage with phenomena of memory will link up once a week for common readings and discussions. Students will meet one day a week with their course instructor to engage in the discipline-specific study of memory. On the other day each week, students and faculty members in all five courses will meet together to compare and share different disciplinary and personal ideas about the study of memory; the creation and effects of memory; the representation of memory; and the social, cultural, and personal creative processes that make memory.  Participating courses are:

AFR 320 / EDU 320 / SOC 320 (Kelly) Growing Up Jim Crow
CIS 292 / PSY 292 (Multhaup) Collective Memory
ENG 204 (Parker) Introduction to Writing Fiction
GER 433 / HIS 433 (Denham) The Holocaust and Representation
​HIS 287 (Mortensen) Memory and Identity in the People’s Republic of China

CIS 330 - Special Topics Seminar (CIS 330-350)

Topics and course numbers announced in advance of registration.

CIS 331 - Applied Values Theory

In this hands-on course, students will examine different notions of “value” and apply them through a final product design project.  Guest speakers, including professors and practitioners across disciplines and industries, will guide the class through critical analyses of economic, cultural, aesthetic, political, social, sentimental, and other forms of value.  Students will debate which value systems have historically and currently taken precedence in various communities.  After a survey of these value systems. students will work in teams to collaboratively design a product of their choosing and will receive mentors from the community to assist in maximizing a project’s value.

CIS 395 - Independent Study

CIS 495 - Thesis/Capstone

Required weekly common meetings for all CIS majors.

Prerequisites & Notes
(Fall)

CIS 496 - Thesis/Capstone

Required weekly common meetings for all CIS majors.

Prerequisites & Notes
(Spring)

CHE 105 - Chemistry and Society

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
One laboratory meeting per week. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 106 - Chemistry of Art and Artifacts

This course is designed for students with an interest in art or archaeology who do not plan to take additional chemistry courses.
Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
One laboratory meeting per week. (Spring)

CHE 108 - Food Chemistry

Chemistry 108 is a non-major’s chemistry course that focuses on what components make up our food, the properties of those components, and what changes occur during processing, handling, and storage.  This course is designed to allow the students to read about, observe, manipulate, and explore model food systems.

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

CHE 115 - Principles of Chemistry

Topics include stoichiometry, chemical thermodynamics, atomic and molecular structure, chemical equilibria, chemical dynamics, and descriptive chemistry of the main group elements.  The laboratory illustrates the lecture topics and emphasizes quantitative measurements.  This course is intended for students who plan to take additional courses in chemistry.

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
A satisfactory score on the departmental diagnostic exam, or completion of the departmental online chemistry tutorial.  One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 220 - Introduction to Analytical Chemistry (=ENV 315)

Topics in chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, chromatography, and nuclear chemistry, with applications in biological, environmental, forensic, archaeological, and consumer chemistry. Laboratory experiments include qualitative and quantitative analyses using volumetric, electrochemical, chromatographic, and spectroscopic methods.

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall)

CHE 230 - Introduction to Biological Chemistry

Introduction to the chemistry of biological systems.  Includes the study of amino acids and proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, carbohydrates, enzymes and enzyme mechanisms, and the chemistry of important metabolic pathways and regulatory mechanisms.

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.
Satisfies a requirement in Group A of the Biology major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Chemistry major.
Satisfies a requirement in the Neuroscience major and interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies a requirement in the Genomics major and interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies a requirement in the Bioinformatics major.

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115 and 250. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 240 - Introduction to Inorganic Chemistry

Foundational course in inorganic chemistry. Topics include nuclear chemistry and atomic structure, simple bonding and molecular orbital theory, molecular symmetry and group theory, acid-base and donor-acceptor chemistry, solid-state and crystal-field theory, coordination chemistry, and modern inorganic chemistry topics in fields such as solar energy conversion, materials science, and nanoparticles.

Satisfies Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115. One laboratory meeting per week. (Spring)

CHE 250 - Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Introduction to organic chemistry including nomenclature, structure and properties of organic and bioorganic molecules, spectroscopic analysis, and reactions of carboxylic acid and carbonyl derivatives. Laboratory introduces students to basic experimental techniques.  

Satisfies Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 260 - Thermodynamics and Kinetics

Satisfies the Natural Science requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 115; Math 111 or 112. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall)

CHE 320 - Experimental Analytical Chemistry

In-depth course in analytical methods including optical spectroscopy, mass spectroscopy, separations, and advanced topics in chemical equilibrium. Emphasis will be placed on the principles behind, and components of, chromatographic and mass spectrometry instrumentation.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 215/220. One laboratory meeting per week. (Spring, offered every two years)

CHE 321 - Topics in Analytical Chemistry

Analytical chemistry topics covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 220. No laboratory. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 325 - The Chemistry of Hookah Smoke

What is smoke, how is smoke formed, what instrumental methods are associated with the characterization of the physical and chemical properties of hookah smoke, and how do they work? In the second half of the course, students will investigate the physical and/or chemical properties of smoke formed as a function of a variable of interest such as type of filtration media or shisha or height of water pipe.

Prerequisites & Notes
Notes and Prerequisites - Chemistry 220. (Fall)

CHE 330 - Experimental Biological Chemistry

Chemistry and mechanisms of gene expression, signal transduction, and advanced metabolism.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 230.  Biology 111 recommended. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall)

CHE 331 - Topics in Biological Chemistry: Protein Chemistry

Advanced topics in protein chemistry including: protein synthesis, isolation, purification, manipulation, and characterization. A strong emphasis will be placed on the biochemical and biophysical methods that lead to protein characterization. This course also will include the study of protein-protein and protein-small molecule interactions as well as structure-function relationships. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 230. No laboratory. (Fall)

CHE 335 - Research Methods in Biological Chemistry

This course is designed to expose students to critical components of the biological chemistry research experience including reading and interpretation of the primary literature, writing literature reviews and proposals, completing an independent project around a guided question, and presenting the results of their work in oral and written forms. 

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s areas of interest and expertise. 

 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 230. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 340 - Experimental Inorganic Chemistry

A survey of experimental methods for the synthesis, isolation and purification, identification, and characterization of inorganic compounds.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 240. One laboratory meeting per week. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 341 - Topics in Inorganic Chemistry: Batteries from a Chemical Perspective

Energy in the form of chemical potential is a powerful and efficient method of energy storage. However, batteries, the most common implementation of this principle, can be complex and still in need of optimization. A historical survey of battery technologies will be undertaken with the express purpose of identifying the aspects that chemistry has and can continue to improve. New and nascent technologies will be identified and explored, identifying how chemistry can make them viable. Course work will involve literature studies on battery technology, analysis of battery components, presentations from experts on related topics, and group work and presentations on cutting-edge research.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 220 or 240.

CHE 345 - Research Methods in Inorganic Chemistry

This course is designed to expose students to critical components of the inorganic chemistry research experience including reading and interpretation of the primary literature, writing literature reviews and proposals, completing an independent project around a guided question, and presenting the results of their work in oral and written forms. 

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 240 (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 350 - Experimental Organic Chemistry

Continuing studies in organic chemistry. Emphasis on carbon-carbon bond forming reactions, oxidations, and reductions.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 250. One laboratory meeting per week. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 351 - Topics in Organic Chemistry

Organic chemistry topics covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

 

Prerequisites & Notes
CHE 250 required and CHE 230 preferred.
No laboratory.

CHE 355 - Group Investigation in Organic Chemistry: Carbohydrates in Materials and Medicine

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

SPRING 2018
Instructor: N. Snyder

Carbohydrates and their corresponding glycoconjugates (e.g., glycoproteins and glycolipids) play critical roles in a number of biological processes from mediating cellular communication to preserving proteins under extreme environmental conditions.  In the first half of this group investigation, you will learn about the roles of glycoconjugates in normal and abnormal physiological processes.  We will specifically focus on innovative scientific developments using carbohydrate-based constructs for topics as diverse as the prevention and treatment of infections (bacterial, viral and parasitic) and cancer, to protecting proteins from extreme desiccation.  Our discussions on these topics will provide a foundation for the second half of this group investigation, which will involve exploring the glycosphere in a laboratory setting.  Each student will have the unique opportunity to contribute to the design and development of carbohydrate-based constructs for targeted applications.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 250. 

CHE 360 - Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy

CHE 361 - Topics in Physical Chemistry

Physical chemistry topics covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 260. No laboratory. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 365 - Research Methods in Physical Chemistry

This course is designed to expose students to critical components of the physical chemistry research experience including reading and interpretation of the primary literature, writing literature reviews and proposals, completing an independent project around a guided question, and presenting the results of their work in oral and written forms. 

Methods covered in this course will be related to the instructor’s area of interest and expertise. 

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 260. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 371 - Energy

Course focuses on energy fundamentals such as the various guises of energy, combustion, inescapable inefficiencies, electric generation, and the planet’s energy balance. Unsustainable energy technologies (coal, oil, gas, nuclear, and hydropower), sustainable energy technologies (solar, photovoltaics, wind, wave and tidal, biomass, geothermal, and fusion), and other fuel technologies such as hydrogen/fuel cells, carbon sequestration, and syngas production will be discussed and, in some cases, demonstrated.

Satisfies depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 260. No laboratory.

CHE 372 - Environmental Chemistry

Satisfies depth and breadth course requirement in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies major or interdisciplinary minor.
Counts as an Applied Environmental Science course in the Natural Science track of the Environmental Studies interdisciplinary major.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 220. No laboratory. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 374 - Medicinal Chemistry

CHE 375 - Immunology and Immunopharmacology

Satisfies a major requirement in Chemistry.
Satisfies requirement in the Biochemistry interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 250 and 230; Chemistry 330, or Biology 208 and 303, strongly recommended. (Spring)

CHE 395 - Literature Investigation

This course is designed for any qualified student who desires to pursue a literature research project in an area of special interest in chemistry under the direction and supervision of a faculty member. The latter reviews and approves the topic of research and evaluates the student’s work. Admission by consent of the faculty member following acceptance of the student’s written research proposal. Consult the department’s guidelines for the preparation of independent research proposals.

Prerequisites & Notes
Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 396 - Laboratory Research I

Experimental chemistry projects conducted with the direction and supervision of a faculty member, who reviews and approves the topic of the research and evaluates the student’s work. Admission by consent of the faculty member following acceptance of the student’s written research proposal. Consult the department’s guidelines for the preparation of independent research proposals. This course is intended for non-senior students.

Prerequisites & Notes
Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 397 - Laboratory Research II

Experimental chemistry projects conducted with the direction and supervision of a faculty member, who reviews and approves the topic of the research and evaluates the student’s work. Admission by consent of the faculty member following acceptance of the student’s written research proposal. Consult the department’s guidelines for the preparation of independent research proposals. This course is intended for non-senior students.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 396. Permission of the instructor. (Fall and Spring)

CHE 410 - Advanced Topics in Chemistry

Selected topics in organic chemistry.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 202 and 351, or permission of the instructor. (Fall)

CHE 420 - Seminar in Analytical Chemistry

CHE 430 - Seminar in Biological Chemistry (= BIO 395)

Advanced topics in biochemistry related to instructor’s areas of interest and expertise. Serves as a capstone course for the Chemistry Major with an Emphasis in Biochemistry and the Biochemistry Interdisciplinary Minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 330, or by permission of the instructor; Biology 111. No laboratory. (Spring)

CHE 440 - Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry

Application of modern theories of chemistry and physics to the study of bonding, structure, synthesis, and reaction pathways of non-metal, organometallic, and transition metal compounds.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 340. No laboratory. (Not offered 2016-17)

CHE 450 - Seminar in Organic Chemistry

Advanced topics in organic chemistry related to instructor’s areas of interest and expertise.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 350. No laboratory. (Spring)

CHE 460 - Seminar in Physical Chemistry

Advanced topics in physical chemistry related to instructor’s areas of interest and expertise.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 352/360. No laboratory. (Fall, offered every two years)

CHE 496 - Senior Research I

CHE 497 - Senior Research II

CHE 498 - Thesis Research

Experimental chemistry project conducted with the direction and supervision of a faculty member, who reviews and approves the topic of the research and evaluates the student’s work. Admission by consent of the faculty member following accepatance of the student’s written research proposal. This course is intended for senior students that are completing a thesis for evaluation by the department and pursuing an honors degree. Consult the department’s guidelines for the preparation of independent research proposals.

Prerequisites & Notes
Chemistry 496 or a summer of research with the instructor after the student’s junior year. (Fall and Spring)

CHI 101 - Elementary Chinese I

CHI 102 - Elementary Chinese II

CHI 120 - Introduction to Chinese Culture

Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.
Satisfies a requirement in the East Asian Studies major and interdisciplinary minor.
 

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English.

CHI 121 - Introduction to Traditional Chinese Culture

Satisfies the Cultural Diversity requirement.
Satisfies the Liberal Studies requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English. (Not offered every year.)

CHI 122 - Introduction to Chinese Visual Culture

This course introduces students to different aspects of Chinese visual culture including traditional ink paintings, popular publications, propaganda posters, performance art, as well as cinema.  We will explore broader themes, such as the representation of the natural world and its relationship to people; women, gender, and ethnicity in visual arts; and the formation of Chinese identity at home an abroad in the diaspora community.

Satisfies a requirement in the Art History major and minor.
Satisfies the Literature, Culture, and Cinema requirement of the Chinese Studies minor.
Satisifes a requirement in the East Asian Studies interdisciplinary minor.
Satisfies the Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

CHI 201 - Intermediate Chinese I

CHI 202 - Intermediate Chinese II

CHI 206 - Introduction to Traditional Chinese Literature

Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.
Students entering before 2012: satisfies Literature requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English. (Not offered every year.)

CHI 207 - Engendering Chinese Cinema

Satisfies a Visual and Performing Arts requirement.
Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English. (Not offered every year.)

CHI 220 - Modern Chinese Fiction and Film (1919 - 1949)

Explores Chinese fiction and film from 1919 to 1949. Addresses historical, political and literary or cinematic background; considers origins of modern Chinese consciousness, influence of foreign literature, images of oppressed peoples, social roles of the modern Chinese writers, family, women and gender, politics, nation and revolution. 

Satisfies a minor requirement in Chinese Studies.
Satisfies an interdisciplinary minor requirement in East Asian Studies.
Students entering 2012 and after: satisfies Literary Studies, Creative Writing, cultural diversity, and Rhetoric requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English.

CHI 224 - Martial Arts and Heroism in Chinese Fiction and Film

Satisfies the Literary Studies, Creative Writing, and Rhetoric requirement.
Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English. (Not offered every year.)

CHI 225 - Crime & Detective Literature (in translation)

Satisfies the cultural diversity requirement.
Satisfies a requirement in the East Asian Studies major and interdisciplinary minor.

Prerequisites & Notes
Taught in English.