Dr. Sherwood's Courses

 

   Principles of Chemistry, CHE117

A course emphasizing stoichiometry, chemical equilibria, acids and bases, chemical kinetics, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, nuclear phenomena, and interactions of science and society. In the laboratory program students will investigate chemical systems, analyze observations and data, devise explanations, and communicate results. Prerequisites: High school chemistry and an acceptable score on a placement test or completion of CHE 111 or ES 160 with a grade of C- or better. Offered Fall and Spring semesters.

  

   Order of Topics

      Atomic Theory                                                                                Kinetics                                                                                        Energy, Light & Matter                                                                     Mechanisms & Catalysis
      Orbitals and Spectroscopy                                                               Equilibrium
      Ionic & Covalent Compounds                                                           Le Chatlier's Principle 
      Lewis Structure and Molecular Shepes                                               Free Energy & Equilibrium
      Stoichiometry                                                                                 Acid-Base Equilibrium 
      Net Ionic Equations                                                                         pH of Solutions & Buffers  
      Thermodynamics                                                                            Titrations  
      Enthalpy, Entropy & Free Energy                                                      Oxidation-Reduction                                                                                                                                                                              Voltaic Cells
 

 

   Organic Chemistry I, CHE261

An overview of organic chemistry. Organic molecules are compared by their functional group, focusing on nomenclature, physical properties, and the major chemical reactions used in synthesis and identification. Emphasis is also given to the areas of acidity, basicity, stereochemistry, aromaticity, and spectroscopy. Laboratory activities involve techniques for determination of physical and chemical properties, and methods of purification. Prerequisite: CHE 117 with a grade of C- or better. Offered Fall and Spring semesters.

      

   Order of Topics

      Atoms and Periodicity                                                                    NMR Spectroscopy
      Bonding, Structures and Charge                                                 Alkenes and Alkynes
      Molecular Shapes and Properties                                              Aromaticity, Arenes and DNA
      Acidity and Basicity                                                                         Alcohols, Phenols, Thiols and Ethers 
      Alkanes and Alkyl Halides                                                            Amines and Selected Vitamins
      Cycloalkanes                                                                                  Aldehydes, Ketones and Carbohydrates 
      Stereochemistry                                                                             Carboxylic Acids 
      IR Spectroscopy                                                                             Carboxylic Derivatives, Lipids, & Proteins  
      Mass Spectrometry
 

   Organic Chemistry II, CHE262

A study of organic reactivity. This course details organic molecules by reactivity and emphasizes the differences between organic reactions. Specifically, organic reactions will be surveyed by type of reaction keying on the movement of electrons, molecular orbitals, and energetics. Spectroscopy is employed to monitor structural changes. Laboratory activities also probe the reactivity of molecules and explore the relationship between structure and reactivity. Three hours of lecture per week and three hours of laboratory per week. Prerequisite: CHE 261 with a grade of C- or better. Offered Spring semesters.

                                                              

Order of Topics

      Bonding, Molecular Orbitals & Resonance                                           Nucleophilc Substitutions at Carbonyls
      Understanding Organic Reactions                                                         Nucleophilic Substitutions at Carbonyls with Loss of Oxygen
      Equilibria, Rates & Mechanisms                                                             Nucleophilic Substitutions at sp3 Carbons
      Nucleophilic Addition to Carbonyls                                                         Elimination Reactions
      Organometallic Reagents                                                                        Electrophilic Aromatic Substitutions
      Electrophilic Additions                                                                               Formation and Reactions of Enolates
      Electrophilic Alkenes                                                                                 Alkylation of Enolates
      Delocalization & Conjugation                                                                  Other Reactions of Enolates
      Conjugate Addition