Chemistry Department

Fundamental principles of chemistry, including the nature of atoms, ions and molecules, and stoichiometry chemistry of aqueous solutions including oxidation-reduction reactions, equilibrium and acid/base chemistry with a focus on buffer solutions; thermochemistry and chemical thermodynamics. The application of chemical principles in areas of interest to students in the life sciences, human nutrition and human kinetics are emphasized. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 101, CHEM 100, CHEM 120, or CHEM 121. Three credits and lab/tutorial.

Chemical kinetics, thermochemistry, and the electronic structure and properties of atoms and ions and bonding models used to determine molecular geometry; periodic properties of the elements; basic concepts of organic chemistry, materials and environmental chemistry. Intended for students in the life sciences, human nutrition and human kinetics. Credit will be given for only one of CHEM 102, CHEM 100, CHEM 120 or CHEM 122. Prerequisite: CHEM 101. Three credits and lab/tutorial.

Fundamental properties of matter and their correlation with modern principles of chemistry. Topics include atoms, molecules, and ions; chemical formulae and equations; reaction types and stoichiometry; the gaseous state; energy changes in chemical systems; electronic structure of atoms; periodic properties of the elements; models of chemical bonding; and change of state. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 121, CHEM 120, CHEM 101, or CHEM 100. Three credits and lab/tutorial.

Topics covered in include a description of the solution state and intermolecular forces in solutions; rates of reaction, reaction mechanisms, equilibrium, acid-base reactions, electrolytes and voltaic cells, nuclear chemistry, and an overview of organic chemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 122, CHEM 100, CHEM 102 or CHEM 120. Prerequisite: CHEM 121. Three credits and lab/tutorial.

Topics include basic concepts of general chemistry; introduction to organic nomenclature and the reactivities of functional groups; coverage of the fundamentals of biological chemistry. May not be used as a prerequisite for any other chemistry course. Open to students in nursing, human kinetics(arts), and arts; may not be taken for credit by other science students. Restricted enrolment. Three credits and lab.

The properties, reactions and synthesis of hydrocarbons, alkyl halides and alcohols; relationships between the structures of organic compounds and their physical and chemical properties; reaction mechanisms, and stereochemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 221, CHEM 220 or CHEM 225. Prerequisites: CHEM 101, 102 or CHEM 121, 122. Three credits and lab.

Continuation of CHEM 221, including the properties, reactions and synthesis of ethers, aromatics and carbonyl compounds; spectroscopy with an emphasis on nuclear magnetic resonance. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 222, CHEM 220 or CHEM 225. Prerequisite: CHEM 221. Three credits and lab.

An introduction to physical chemistry, this course begins with the properties of ideal and real gases; covers the fundamental principles of thermodynamics (the three laws of thermodynamics) and their application to physical and chemical transformations, and chemical reaction equilibrium and concludes with the chemical potential and its application to phase equilibria. Prerequisites: CHEM 102 or 122; MATH 107 or 122 or 127. Three credits and lab.

Building upon the principles developed in CHEM 231, this course describes the thermodynamics of real systems. Students will learn the applications of chemical thermodynamics, including phase equilibria in multi-component systems, ideal and real solutions, and electrochemistry; the principles governing the dynamics of systems, including the kinetic molecular theory of gases, transport properties, and the rates of chemical reactions. Prerequisite: CHEM 231. Three credits and lab.

An introduction to inorganic chemistry. Topics include: the quantum mechanical atom and wavefunctions; bonding models, including molecular orbital theory; Lewis acid-base adducts; solid-state chemistry, including bonding models, lattice energy, semiconductors and band theory; survey of main group elements. Prerequisites: CHEM 102 or 122. Three credits and lab.

Areas of study include the chemistry of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids and some enzymes. Biochemical energetics, metabolism pathways and some commonly used experimental biochemical techniques are also examined. Prerequisite: CHEM 222 completed (recommended) or concurrent or CHEM 225 or 220; or CHEM 221 completed in 2023 or later. Three credits and lab.

An introductory course which includes a survey of aqueous titration methods, the evaluation of analytical data, and an introduction to electrochemistry, UV visible absorption spectroscopy and chromatography. Prerequisites: CHEM 102 or 122. Three credits and lab.

Methods for deducing the structural features of organic compounds will be examined, with emphasis on the use of spectroscopic techniques. While the theory and instrumentation of each technique will be presented, the course will focus on the interpretation of spectral data to provide information on functional groups, bonding, and stereochemistry. Use will be made of spectral data correlation charts, compilations and databases. Prerequisites: CHEM 222 or 220, PHYS 102 or 122. Three credits and tutorial.

Quantum mechanics and its applications to the structure of atoms/molecules. Topics: the postulates of quantum mechanics and their applications to simple physical systems, including particle in a box; the quantum mechanical model for vibration and rotation of molecules; the hydrogen atom and many electron systems; introduction to the Variation Principle and Hückel’s molecular orbital method. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 331 or CHEM 330. Prerequisite: CHEM 232. Three credits and tutorial.

The course deals with the characterization of patterns of molecular quantized energy levels in rotational, vibrational and electronic spectra of both linear and non-linear molecules. Other topics include photoelectron spectroscopy and magnetic resonances; introduction to statistical thermodynamics including partition functions and calculations of various thermodynamics properties, equilibrium constants and rate constants. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 332 or CHEM 330. Prerequisite: CHEM 331. Three credits and tutorial.

An introduction to molecular symmetry and group theory and its applications to vibrational spectroscopy. Also included are basic coordination chemistry of the transition metals, including discussion of some common inorganic techniques, as well as electronic magnetic properties of transition medal compounds. Prerequisite: CHEM 245. Three credits and lab.

Electronic and magnetic properties of transition metal compounds. Introduction to organometallic chemistry, homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis, inorganic reaction kinetics and mechanisms and bio-inorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 341; CHEM 232 recommended. Three credits and lab.

The course focuses on the biosynthesis and metabolism of important biological molecules. Topics include lipids, amino acids, nucleotides, other carbohydrate metabolism pathways, and plant hormones. Prerequisites: CHEM 222 or 220, 255. Three credits and lab.

The course deals with instrumental design and the analytical application of UV/visible, atomic, and infrared absorption spectrometers, Raman spectrometers, and fluorimeters. Topics include sample preparation, data analysis, method optimization and radiochemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 265. Three credits and lab.

This course deals with liquid and gas chromatography, capillary electrophoresis and electrochemistry. Included are sample preparation, data analysis, and method optimization. Prerequisite: CHEM 265; CHEM 361 recommended. Three credits and lab.

Introduction to seminar techniques using topics in modern chemistry, chemical information sources, basic molecular modelling and drawing. Required for, and restricted to, students in degree programs where chemistry is science A. Required in the first term of the junior year. No credit.

A survey of theoretical models and experimental tools to correlated data related to the structure, property, and reactivity of organic compounds. Topics include qualitative models (Lewis structures, resonance, hybridization, VSEPR, qualitative molecular orbital theory) and quantitative computational chemistry methods (Hartree-Fock, semi-empirical and density functional theory methods) using Gaussian09 software. Extensive use is made of theoretical studies in assignments and computational labs. Prerequisites: CHEM 221/222 or 220, 232; PHYS 121, 122 (120). Three credits and tutorial/lab.

This course will examine the role of structure and energetics of intermediates in reaction mechanisms. Several important classes of reactions will be analyzed in detail with respect to stereoelectronic effects, and methodology used for determining organic reaction mechanisms will be discussed. Synergy between experimental and computational results will be discussed. Prerequisite: CHEM 222 or 220; CHEM 421 recommended. Three credits and lab.

An introduction to photochemistry with a focus on current catalytic applications. The course will focus on the fundamental concepts of photochemistry and light-induced chemistry of common organic functional groups. Modern applications of photochemistry in catalysis involving transition metals, semiconductors, supramolecular materials, and nanomaterials will also be discussed. Prerequisite: CHEM 222 or 220 or 225. Three credits. Not offered 2024-2025.

Continuing from CHEM 255, this course focuses on the chemical bases of biological systems. A detailed examination of protein structure and characterization techniques will be provided, followed by an examination of the mechanisms of action of a number of enzymes based on protein structure, active site geometry and amino acid residues therein. The chemical bases of other biomolecules such as nucleic acids, carbohydrates, and lipid membranes will also be discussed. Prerequisites: CHEM 222, 255. Three credits.

Topics include the drug development process, receptors, drug interaction, pharmacodynamics, pharmacokinetics and quantitative structure activity relationships. Chemical properties and mode of action of some of the following classes of drugs will be discussed: antibacterial drugs, drugs that work on the central nervous system, anticancer drugs, antiviral drugs, and analgesics. Case studies of current drugs going through approval processes will be included. Prerequisites: CHEM 222, 255. Three credits and lab/tutorial.

A program of experimental research involving the use of modern chemical techniques to solve a problem in a sub-field of chemistry. An acceptable thesis based on the research must be submitted as part of this course to satisfy the department requirements for the B.Sc. with Honours in chemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 490 and CHEM 493. Restricted to students in the honours program. Six credits and lab.

Presentations by visitors, faculty, staff, senior honours and advanced major students on aspects of chemical science. Attendance mandatory for students in all B.Sc. and M.Sc. degree programs where chemistry is science A. Satisfactory completion of senior essays for students in the major program, senior essays and presentations for students in the advanced major program, and presentations based on their theses for students in the honours program are requirements for the B.Sc. degree. No credit.