A four credit hour course designed for chemistry majors who are interested in industrial employment, graduate school and/or professional school (such as medicine). After a discussion of chemical kinetics and reaction mechanisms, we will spend the remainder of the semester examining the microscopic behavior of atoms and molecules using quantum theory. Concepts from quantum theory will then form the basis of a discussion of the spectroscopy of atoms and molecules. Electronic, infrared and magnetic resonance spectroscopies will be emphasized in the course.

Much of our time in lab will be spent using various spectroscopic techniques. The nitrogen-pumped dye laser will be used to access high-energy electronic states of iodine using the laser double resonance technique. We will use our fluorimeter to study the emission of iodine and the uranyl ion. You will model the emission spectrum of the uranyl ion by calculating Franck-Condon factors within Igor Pro using vibrational wavefunctions. A dynamic chemical process will be studied using the high-field NMR. We will also obtain the infrared rotational-vibrational spectrum of hydrogen chloride gas and the components of tobacco smoke. I am sure you will enjoy this lab!

A three credit hour senior level capstone course designed to acquaint students with some of the major scientific discoveries of the past and how they have affected society. This year the course will concentrate on energy. We will discuss how science and technology, along with the use of fossil fuels, have led to the modernization of societies, and the role science and technology will play in the future as nations grapple with increased energy costs, dwindling supplies, and an environmentally conscious public.