Course descriptions index


Chemistry

A $45 per semester fee for computer facilities will be assessed for one or more CHEM courses at the 200-level and above. This fee is in addition to any material/lab fees.

CHEM 075  3 Credits
Introduction to Chemical Sciences
Units of measurement, atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, metabolism, radioactivity, oxidation-reduction reactions, solutions, acids and buffers. For the non-science major. (3 + 0) Offered As Demand Warrants


CHEM 100X  4 Credits
Chemistry in Complex Systems (n)
Fundamentals of chemistry with an emphasis on the role of chemistry in environmental and life systems. The role of feedback systems on chemical behavior is illustrated in atmospheric, aquatic, nuclear and nutritional systems. For non-science majors. Materials fee: $60. (3 + 3) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 103X  4 Credits
Basic General Chemistry (n)
Fundamentals of chemistry including historical and descriptive aspects as well as basic mathematical concepts. Fulfills the laboratory part of the natural science requirement and prepares the student for CHEM 105X. Note: This course satisfies elective credit only. Materials fee: $60. (Prerequisite: Placement or concurrent enrollment in DEVM 105 or higher.) (3 + 3) Offered Fall


CHEM 104X  4 Credits
Beginnings in Biochemistry: A Survey of Organic Chemistry and Biochemistry (n)
Fundamentals of chemistry as applied to biological systems. Bridges the gap between a general chemistry course and biochemical concepts of other health-related sciences. Recommended for health-science degree candidates and non-science majors interested in the central role of chemistry in life. May be used to meet the general laboratory science requirement or for preparation for CHEM 105X. Materials fee: $60. (Prerequisite: CHEM 103X or permission of instructor.) (3 + 3) Offered Spring


CHEM 105X  4 Credits
CHEM 106X  4 Credits
General Chemistry (n)
CHEM 105X-106X, together, constitute the standard one-year engineering and science-major general chemistry course with laboratory. CHEM 105X: Measurements, calculations, atomic and molecular structure, chemical reactions and related energy changes. CHEM 106X: Reaction kinetics, equilibrium (including acids and bases), nuclear chemistry, electrochemistry, chemistry of the elements and an introduction to organic chemistry. Materials fee: $60. (Prerequisites: For CHEM 105X: high school algebra, high school chemistry or CHEM 103X, or permission of instructor. For CHEM 106X: C grade or better in CHEM 105X.) (3 + 3) Both Offered Fall and Spring


CHEM 190  2 Credits
Alaska Statewide High School Science Symposium
Students employ the scientific method to approach a problem of personal interest. Student work is molded into a research paper delivered orally in a formal scientific presentation for judges with wide-ranging experience. Course may be repeated up to three times for additional credit. (Prerequisite: High school student grade 9-12. Recommended: Research completion, abstract and paper writing/submission, ASHSSS presentation.) Offered Spring


CHEM 202  3 Credits
Basic Inorganic Chemistry (n)
Lecture includes review of general chemistry, atomic structure, covalent and ionic bonding, anion chemistry, selected topics in bioinorganic chemistry. Lab involves synthesis and complete characterization of new inorganic complexes, use of HyperChem and SciFinder Scholar and oral presentations. Materials fee: $120. (Prerequisite: Chemistry major or permission of instructor.) (2 + 3) Offered Spring


CHEM 212  3 Credits
Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis (n)
Aqueous chemical equilibrium as applied to chemical analysis, separations, spectrophotometry, potentiometry and factors considered in the analytical approach. (Prerequisites: CHEM 106X; MATH 107X or equivalent.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


CHEM 261  4 Credits
Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology (n)
(Cross-listed with BIOL 261)
An introduction to the structure and function of cells. Topics include: the structure and function of cellular components, including proteins, membranes and organelles; understanding how cells communicate and how information is processed in the cell via DNA replication, transcription and translation. Laboratory fee: $50. (Prerequisite: BIOL 105X, 106X, CHEM 105X, CHEM 106X (or concurrent enrollment.)) (3 + 3) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 313  2 Credits
Chemical Analysis of Dynamic Systems
Introduction to modern methods of chemical analysis for the solution of specific environmental or biochemical problems. Focus on planning efficient experiments, assuring reliable results and specific operations done in the lab. Laboratory experiments are multi-week projects requiring bench chemistry and instrumental methods. Collaborative groups are used in the laboratory and in writing laboratory reports. Materials fee: $90. (Co-requisite CHEM 212 or junior standing.) (1 + 4) Offered Fall


CHEM 321  3 Credits
CHEM 322  3 Credits
Organic Chemistry (n)
A systematic study of the more important functional groups of carbon compounds, including their mechanisms of reaction, methods of synthesis and physical and spectroscopic properties. (Prerequisite: CHEM 106X for CHEM 321; CHEM 321 with C grade or better for CHEM 322; or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Both Offered Fall and Spring


CHEM 324W  4 Credits
Organic Laboratory (n)
A laboratory designed to illustrate modern techniques of isolation, purification, analysis and structure determination of covalent, principally organic, compounds. Materials fee: $120. Enrollment limited. Contact department (474-5510 or fychem@uaf.edu) early to get on the wait list. (Prerequisites: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor.Co-requisite: CHEM 322.) (1 + 8 + 4) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 331  3 Credits
CHEM 332  3 Credits
Physical Chemistry (n)
CHEM 331: Principles of thermodynamics with applications to phase equilibria, solutions, chemical equilibrium and electrochemistry. CHEM 332: Kinetic theory of gases, chemical kinetics, atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy. (Prerequisites: CHEM 106X, MATH 202X, PHYS 104X or 212X or permission of instructor; CHEM 331 for CHEM 332.) (3 + 0) 331 Offered Fall, 332 Offered Spring


CHEM 402  3 Credits
Inorganic Chemistry (n)
Acid/base chemistry, solution chemistry, classical coordination chemistry, crystal field theory, introduction to symmetry and group theory, organometallic chemistry, kinetics and mechanisms. (Prerequisite: CHEM 332.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


CHEM 406  3 Credits
Atmospheric Chemistry
(Stacked with CHEM 606 and ATM 606)
Chemistry of the lower atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere) including photochemistry, kinetics, thermodynamics, box modeling, biogeochemical cycles and measurement techniques for atmospheric pollutants; study of important impacts to the atmosphere which result from anthropogenic emissions of pollutants, including acid rain, the "greenhouse" effect, urban smog and stratospheric ozone depletion. (Prerequisites: CHEM 332 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 412  3 Credits
Instrumental Analytical Methods (n)
Theory, capabilities and limitations of instruments used in chemical analysis. Subjects include gas and liquid chromatography, electrophoresis, optical absorption and emission spectrometry. (Prerequisite: CHEM 212; Co-requisite: CHEM 331.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


CHEM 413W  3 Credits
Analytical Instrumental Laboratory (n)
A laboratory course focusing on the acquisition and interpretation of chromatographic and spectroscopic data for quantitative chemical measurements. Students will learn effective experimental planning and execution, critical evaluation of experimental data and written communication in the context of the chemical sciences. Materials fee: $90. (Prerequisites: CHEM 412; ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor.) (1 + 6) Offered Spring


CHEM 418W  4 Credits
Developmental Biology (n)
(Cross-listed with BIOL 418W)
Morphological and molecular aspects of the development of multicellular organisms, with emphasis on the regulation of morphogenesis. Laboratory involves team-based research focusing on fundamental aspects of vertebrate embryo development. (Prerequisites: BIOL 105X, 106X, 310; ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X; or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 420  3 Credits
NMR Spectroscopy of Natural Products
(Stacked with CHEM 620)
Use of Nuclear Magenetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy for the interpretation of the structure of organic molecules. Both one- and two-dimensional techniques will be covered. Theory will be introduced but most of the course will be structural elucidation by NMR. Includes training and use of the Varian Mercury NMR instrument. (Prerequisites: CHEM 321 and CHEM 322 with grade of C or better. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 434W  3 Credits
Instrumental Methods in Physical Chemistry (n)
A modern laboratory course with three major components: 1) experiments related to concepts learned in CHEM 331 and 332 including, but not limited to, spectroscopy, conductance and diffusion; 2) computer use in problem solving, data analysis and word processing; and 3) technical writing with emphasis on preparation of papers for publication. Materials fee: $90. (Prerequisite: ENGL 111X; ENGL 211X or ENGL 213X or permission of instructor. Co-requisite: CHEM 332.) (1 + 6) Offered Fall


CHEM 445  4 Credits
Molecular Evolution
(Stacked with CHEM 645 and BIOL 645, and cross-listed with BIOL 445)
The study of structure, function and evolution of hereditary molecules (nucleic acids). Laboratory fee: $100. (Prerequisite: BIOL 362.) (3 + 3) Offered Spring


CHEM 450  3 Credits
General Biochemistry—Macromolecules
Focuses on the biochemistry of the two principal macromolecules Nucleic Acids and Proteins. Topics include: nucleotides metabolism, DNA structure and topology, DNA Replication, DNA repair and Recombination, Cell Cycle Regulation, RNA transcription and processing, Gene Expression, Translation and Protein Metabolism. Biomedical relevance and contemporary techniques will be addressed if appropriate. (Prerequisites: CHEM 322 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


CHEM 451  3 Credits
General Biochemistry—Metabolism
The biochemistry of metabolism. Topics include: chemistry of amino acids and it's implication, protein structure-function, enzyme catalysis, glucose and glycogen metabolism and regulation, bioenergetics, lipid metabolism and biomembranes, amino acids metabolism and regulation of metabolism. Biomedical relevance and contemporary techniques will be addressed if appropriate. (Prerequisite: CHEM 322; CHEM 331 recommended or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


CHEM 452  3 Credits
Biochemistry Laboratory
Diverse experimental manipulation and observation of enzymes, proteins and nucleic acids, using chromatographic, spectroscopic, electrophoretic and other contemporary biochemical techniques. Course may be repeated once. Materials fee: $120. (Prerequisites: CHEM 324 and 451 or permission of instructor.) (1 + 6) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 453O/2  4 Credits
Molecular Biology
(Stacked with CHEM 653 and BIOL 653 and cross-listed with BIOL 453O/2)
Provides in-depth coverage of eukaryotic and prokaryotic gene function, including the applications of recombinant DNA technology to the biological sciences. (Prerequisite: BIOL 362 or CHEM 321 or BIOL 303; COMM 131X or 141X; or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate Fall


CHEM 461  4 Credits
Cell Biology (n)
(Stacked with BIOL 661 and CHEM 661 and cross-listed with BIOL 461)
Principles of structure and function of eucaryotic cells. Molecular and cellular aspects of internal organization of cells and their integration in a multicellular community including cytoskeleton, energetics, vesicular traffic, signaling, cell division cycle, DNA replication and transcription, protein translation, adhesion, cancer and cell death. Laboratory involves team-based research to address fundamental aspects of cell biology. (Prerequisites: BIOL 362 or concurrent enrollment, CHEM 321 or concurrent enrollment, or permission of instructor.) (3 + 3) Offered Spring


CHEM 481  1 Credit
CHEM 482O  2 Credits
Seminar
Introduction to the techniques and style of technical oral presentation generally accepted by professional chemists. Class will meet two hours per week, the first hour in closed session, the second, open to the public. CHEM 481: Seminar attendance and participation in observing and critiquing presentations by graduate students, chemistry faculty and their peers is required. CHEM 482: Preparation of a 40 minute presentation to be delivered twice, first, to others in the course in the closed session for critiquing and suggestions for improvement and later, in the open seminar for evaluation by all. Note: Oral communication intensive credit is earned upon successful completion of CHEM 482. (Prerequisites: COMM 131X or 141X; for CHEM 482: CHEM 481.) (2 + 0) Both Offered Fall and Spring


CHEM 488  1-6 Credits
Undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Research
Advanced research topics from outside the usual undergraduate laboratory offerings. The student will be required to make presentations and turn in a final report. Research areas range from atmospheric chemistry to molecular biology. A substantial level of chemistry or biochemistry background is assumed. Materials fee: $40 per credit. (0 + 1-6) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 601  3 Credits
Introduction to Atmospheric Science
(Stacked with ATM 401 and cross-listed with ATM 601)
Fundamentals of atmospheric science. Includes energy and mass conservation, internal energy and entropy, atmospheric water vapor, cloud microphysics, equations of motion, hydrostatics, phase oxidation, heterogeneous chemistry, the ozone layer, fundamentals of biogeochemical cycles, solar and terrestrial radiation and radiative-convective equilibrium. Also includes molecular, cloud and aerosol absorption and scattering. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


CHEM 602  3 Credits
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Symmetry and group theory, character tables, molecular orbital theory, infrared and Raman spectra, uv-vis spectroscopy, multinuclear NMR spectroscopy, ESR spectroscopy, introduction to X-ray diffraction. (Prerequisite: CHEM 402, CHEM 332. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 605  3 Credits
Fundamentals of Environmental Chemistry
Focus is on the fundamental principles and mechanisms that underlie environmental chemistry. The course is based around four central themes: simple box model calculations of chemical flux; application of thermodynamics to understand chemical speciation and partitioning; role of chemical form/oxidation state in dictating reactivity mobility; and reaction kinetics. These principles will be discussed in the context of examples from atmospheric, aquatic and soils chemistry. (Prerequisite: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Fall


CHEM 606  3 Credits
Atmospheric Chemistry
(Stacked with CHEM 406 and cross-listed with ATM 606)
Chemistry of the lower atmosphere (troposphere and stratosphere) including photochemistry, kinetics, thermodynamics, box modeling, biogeochemical cycles and measurement techniques for atmospheric pollutants; study of important impacts to the atmosphere which result from anthropogenic emissions of pollutants, including acid rain, the "greenhouse" effect, urban smog and stratospheric ozone depletion. (Prerequisite/co-requisite: ATM 601 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 609  3 Credits
Environmental Geochemistry
(Cross-listed with GEOS 633)
Focus on advanced topics and methods in chemistry of aquatic and soil environments. Detailed treatment of the thermodynamic, kinetic and structural principles involved in the description and modeling of low-temperature aqueous geochemical systems. Particular emphasis will be placed on heterogeneous interactions, including dissolution/precipitation, sorption and microbial processes, involved in the partitioning, transformation and transport of chemical species in the environment. (Prerequisite: ENVE 641 or GEOS 618 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 612  3 Credits
Advanced Analytical Chemistry: Chemometrics
Strategies and methods used by analytical chemists to maximize the chemical information content of data obtained in chemical measurements (i.e. chemometrics). Methods include univariate and multivariate approaches. Topics include the design of experiments, sampling, instrumental calibration and prediction, robust statistical methods, data preprocessing and pattern recognition. Emphasis on examples in optical spectroscopy, field analytical chemistry and iterative investigations. (Prerequisites: CHEM 332, 412 or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 620  3 Credits
NMR Spectroscopy of Natural Products
(Stacked with CHEM 420)
Use of Nuclear Magenetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy for the interpretation of the structure of organic molecules. Both one- and two-dimensional techniques will be covered. Theory will be introduced but most of the course will be structural elucidation by NMR. Includes training and use of the Varian Mercury NMR instrument. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 621  3 Credits
Enzymology and Bio-Organic Chemistry
A lecture course emphasizing applications of the methods and concepts of physical organic chemistry to enzyme-catalyzed reactions. (Prerequisite: CHEM 451. Next offered: 2007-08). (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 622  3 Credits
Biosynthesis of Plant Natural Products
Focus on three major pathways of plant secondary metabolism: terpene, shikimate and acetogenic pathways. Includes discussion of offshoots of these pathways to various classes of alkaloids. Use of stable and radioisotopes in conjunction with modern NMR spectroscopy and kinetic isotope effects will be stressed. (Prerequisite: CHEM 322. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


CHEM 631  3 Credits
Environmental Fate and Transport
(Cross-listed with ATM 631)
Examination of the physical properties that govern the behavior, fate and transport of contaminants released into the environment. Topics include air-water partitioning and exchange, organic solvent-water partitioning, diffusion, sorption, chemical and biological transformation reactions, and modeling concepts. (Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 632  3 Credits
Molecular Spectroscopy
Application of quantum mechanics to molecular bonding and spectroscopy. Topics include: applications of lasers to probe chemical reactivity, photochemistry and the detection of trace compounds in mixtures. Variable content. May be repeated for credit. (Prerequisite: CHEM 332. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 645  4 Credits
Molecular Evolution
(Stacked with CHEM 445 and BIOL 445 and cross-listed with BIOL 645)
Structure, function and evolution of hereditary molecules (nucleic acids). Laboratory fee: $100. (Prerequisite: BIOL 362 or permission of instructor.) (3 + 3) Offered Spring


CHEM 653  4 Credits
Molecular Biology
(Stacked with CHEM 453O/2 and BIOL 453O/2 and cross-listed with BIOL 653)
Provides in-depth coverage of eukaryotic and prokaryotic gene function, including the applications of recombinant DNA technology to the biological sciences. (Prerequisite: BIOL 362 or CHEM 321 or BIOL 303, or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 3) Offered Alternate Fall


CHEM 654  3 Credits
Protein Structure and Function
Contemporary topics in peptide and protein biochemistry. Topics include peptide synthesis, protein modification, comparative aspects of structure, protein engineering, enzyme and receptor function as well as molecular modeling. (Prerequisite: CHEM 451. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


CHEM 655  3 Credits
Environmental Biochemistry and Toxicology
The thrust of the course is toward environmental biochemistry where the environment is broadly defined to include the home, the workplace and lifestyle, as well as the great out-of-doors. A major focus will be on those general properties and principles which determine how poisonous (toxic) various chemicals are. Major natural and synthetic chemicals in the environment of developed and developing countries will be reviewed. (Prerequisite: CHEM 451 or equivalent biology course. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Fall


CHEM 657  3 Credits
Molecular Foundations of Gene Expression
The molecular regulation of gene expression in prokaryotes and eukaryotes in the context of development and disease. Major topics include: protein/DNA interactions, structure-function relations of transcription factors, signal transduction, control of transcription and translation, chromatin structure and DNA replication. (Prerequisites: CHEM 451 and 456, CHEM 461, or equivalent or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2006-07.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 660  3 Credits
Chemical Oceanography
(Cross-listed with MSL 660)
An integrated study of the chemical, biological and physical processes that determine the distribution of chemical variables in the sea. The distribution of stable and radioisotopes are used to follow complex chemical cycles, with particular emphasis on the cycles of nutrient elements. The chemistry of carbon is considered in detail. The implications of the recently explored mid-ocean ridge vent system to ocean chemistry are examined. (Prerequisites: Graduate standing or permission of instructor.) (3 + 0) Offered Spring


CHEM 661  4 Credits
Cell Biology
(Stacked with BIOL 461 and CHEM 461, and cross-listed with BIOL 661)
Principles of structure and function of eucaryotic cells. Molecular and cellular aspects of internal organization of cells and their integration in a multicellular community including cytoskeleton, energetics, vesicular traffic, signaling, cell division cycle, DNA replication and transcription, protein translation, adhesion, cancer and cell death. Laboratory involves team-based research to address fundamental aspects of cell biology. (Prerequisites: BIOL 362 or concurrent enrollment, CHEM 321 or concurrent enrollment, or permission of instructor.) (3 + 3) Offered Spring


CHEM 674  3 Credits
Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics
Basic biophysical and molecular processes associated with membrane-mediated events in the context of cellular physiology. Major topics include: biochemical and biophysical characteristics of membrane lipids; structure-function relation of membrane proteins; protein trafficking/targeting; vesicle transport and membrane fusion/exocytosis; the nature of membrane excitability and the role of membrane in bioenergetics. (Prerequisites: CHEM 451 and 456, CHEM 461 or equivalent or permission of instructor. Next offered: 2007-08.) (3 + 0) Offered Alternate Spring


CHEM 688  0-1 Credit
Biochemical and Molecular Biology Seminar
A seminar on various topics related to biochemistry and molecular biology including discussions of recent literature and research results. (1 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 692  1 Credit
Seminar
(1 + 0) Offered Fall, Spring


CHEM 698  1-8 Credits
Research
Graded Pass/Fail. (0 + 1-8) Offered Fall, Spring