| |
Aug 27, 2025
|
|
|
|
|
CHM 211 - Organic Chemistry I: Structure and Function of Carbon-Containing Compounds
Description
Organic chemistry is the study and synthesis of carbon-based compounds. While that might at first sound limited, carbon is the most versatile element in the world around us, central to pharmaceutical drugs, flavors and fragrances, plastics, and life itself (since proteins and DNA are large organic molecules). Building on students’ basic knowledge of structure and reactivity gained in general chemistry, this course takes a qualitative, pattern-driven approach to understanding why organic molecules react in certain ways. Structure is the focus of the first half, understanding how the distribution of electron density leads to reactivity and learning how to visually represent the 3D world of organic molecules in two dimensions. The second half of the course delves into reactions of particular classes of molecules, building towards designing multi-step syntheses-making complex molecules from simple starting materials. Lab work focuses on the fundamentals of purification, spectroscopic analysis and identification of unknown compounds, and performing some of the chemical reactions learned in class, while also initiating the development of independent laboratory decision-making skills. Students will further develop skills in writing lab reports using formal scientific conventions. Offered every Fall.
Prerequisite
CHM 112
Credits: 1
Course Attribute(s):
NATL Gen Ed: Natural Science w/ Lab
Major: BFB:Animal Behavior
Major: BFB:Neuroscience
Add to Portfolio (opens a new window)
|
|
