Course List

This course provides a general introduction to the nature and vocabulary of chemistry, followed by a survey of current chemical models of bonding, structure and reactivity. The course introduces chemistry in contexts that are important to you as a student, and to our planet. Topics include chemical stoichiometry, the gaseous, liquid and solid states, atomic and molecular structure, molecular stability and reactivity, and the electronic structure of atoms.

This course teaches students to see the connection between chemistry concepts and the way humanity uses chemistry to change the world. The course begins with a discussion of the models that chemists use to describe bonding. This is followed by a study of thermodynamic equilibria, including solubility, and acid and base chemistry. The importance of redox chemistry and thermodynamic energy are explored followed by a discussion of reaction kinetics.

This course examines the flow of matter and energy in our lives, and how that relates to sustainability. The course includes an introduction to the science of climate change and other Earth system processes, to sustainability frameworks such as the Planetary Boundaries framework, and to the key role of chemistry in understanding challenges and working toward solutions.

This course focuses on the fundamental chemistry underlying quantitative analysis. Particular emphasis is given to the response of a chemical system at equilibrium to changes in various parameters and to the proper collection and treatment of analytical data. The focus in the laboratory is on gravimetric and volumetric techniques.

This introduction to quantitative analytical chemistry particularly emphasizes the modern instrumental techniques of spectroscopy and chromatography important to both chemistry and biochemistry. Spectrophotometry, solvent extraction, liquid chromatography, high-pressure liquid chromatography, gas-chromatography, and potentiometry utilizing ion-selective electrodes are among the methods studied. An introduction to questions of precision, accuracy and sampling will also be given.

This course is an introduction to inorganic chemistry. The course starts with a discussion of the origin of the elements and formation of simple molecules. The chemistry of both main group and transition metals are explored by focusing on theories of structure, bonding, and the properties of organometallic complexes and non-molecular solids. The course will pay special attention to the way inorganic chemistry is important for alternative energy and bioinorganic chemistry.

The chemistry of carbon compounds. Structure-reactivity relationships, mechanism, stereochemistry, and spectroscopy are emphasized in the study of the main classes of organic compounds. Particular attention is paid to compounds of importance to biology and the chemical industry.

A continuation of CHEM 350.

This course focuses on developing an understanding of the energetics and rates of reactions. Key topics include macroscopic thermodynamics, statistical thermodynamics, and kinetics.

This course focusses on developing a quantum mechanical understanding of chemistry. Quantum mechanical models are developed and applied to help students understand rotational, vibrational, electronic spectroscopy, and bonding. The connection to quantum chemical calculations is explored. NMR spectroscopy is also discussed from a quantum mechanical perspective.

A weekly seminar through the entire academic year, exploring the contexts for the discipline of chemistry, including historical, methodological, ethical and societal dimensions, as well as current chemical topics of interest in basic research, industrial and environmental settings. Ethical and professional responsibilities for chemists in industrial, research and academic settings will be addressed, as well as other topics that explore the interface between chemistry and society. Students, faculty and visiting speakers will give presentations. This course will meet concurrently with CHEM 495, and from time to time with BIOL 395/495. It is required for third-year chemistry majors. First and second year students are strongly encouraged to attend presentations.

This course, geared toward students with an interest in both chemistry and biology, examines how chemical compounds act as molecular messengers and mediate the interaction between organisms, both within and across species. Key lecture topics will include hormones, pheromones and kairomones; allelopathy; quorum sensing; and defense molecules and antimicrobials. We will explore the biosynthesis of these molecules, the connection between their structure and function, the techniques methods that allows us to study these molecules, and biotechnological applications of these molecules. The course will end with a discussion of genome mining, with a focus on how advances in genomic sequencing has uncovered silent, cryptic or orphanedbiosynthetic pathways, and how this information can help guide the discovery of new antimicrobial compounds. In the seminar component of the course, students will engage with recent and relevant scientific literature and participate in group discussions and presentations.

This course is designed to introduce students to biochemistry. The focus of the lectures is on the structure and function of the chemical constituents of living organisms. The lectures cover such topics as the energetics of biochemical reactions, amino acids and peptides, protein structure and function, enzyme kinetics, bioenergetics, carbohydrates and carbohydrate metabolism.

This course is a continuation of CHEM 400. The topics covered include electron transport and oxidative phosphorylation, lipids and lipid metabolism, amino acid metabolism, nucleic acids and their metabolism, photosynthesis, the chemical structure of genes and chromosomes, protein synthesis, and the structure and function of biological membranes.

This course is an introduction to the chemistry of the environment and chemical toxicology. A study of chemical processes occurring in the atmosphere, natural and wastewaters, and soils. Mechanisms for the introduction of pollutants to the environment and methods for the removal of pollutants are studied. The focus is on anthropogenic sources of pollutants and their speciation, transport, and interaction with natural processes.

This course is an introduction to the chemistry of the environment with an emphasis on water, soil and waste. Natural and contaminated surface and ground water will be covered as well as oceans. Soil chemistry will include a discussion of the chemical and physical properties of soil and will include discussion of the fate of and transport of both inorganic and organic pollutants. Chemical aspects of the generation, fate and disposal of wastes including domestic, industrial and nuclear will also be included.

An introduction to the major industrial chemical processes and chemicals. Emphasis will be given to processes and chemicals important in western Canada such as: heavy inorganic chemicals, petrochemical, forestry, agricultural, metallurgical, electronics and polymer industries. Resource persons from industrial research and development departments will participate extensively in the course and field trips to various facilities will be included.

This course explores the structure, bonding, and reactivity of main group and transition metal compounds based on an understanding of molecular symmetry and molecular orbital theory. It also introduces more detailed descriptions of the reactivity of transition metal complexes and their role in catalysis.

The correlation between structure and reactivity of complex organic molecules is studied through reaction mechanisms. Concepts important to theoretical organic chemistry are introduced and applied. Laboratories focus on synthetic organic chemistry and physical organic techniques. Microscale organic techniques are utilized in the laboratory, as well as computer modelling of organic structures.

An advanced, integrated laboratory course utilizing synthetic methods from organic, inorganic and biochemistry. Students will perform a series of multi-step syntheses, followed by product purification and characterization, using chromatographic and spectroscopic methods extensively. Synthetic techniques will include solid-phase synthesis and work with air-sensitive materials.

In this course students conduct an independent project, designed in consultation with the instructor. This project may be an independent research project in the laboratories at the University, a cooperative project with a public agency, a work-integrated learning project with a public agency or an industrial partner, or a chemical literature research project. Other ventures are possible. Before the work commences, the student is required to submit a detailed proposal. Upon completion of the project, the results must be presented in the form of a paper and a seminar.

A weekly seminar through the entire academic year, exploring the contexts for the discipline of chemistry, including historical, methodological, ethical and societal dimensions, as well as current chemical topics of interest in basic research, industrial and environmental settings. Ethical and professional responsibilities for chemists in industrial, research and academic settings will be addressed, as well as other topics that explore the interface between chemistry and society. Students, faculty and visiting speakers will give presentations. This course will meet concurrently with CHEM 395, and from time to time with BIOL 395/495. It is required for fourth-year chemistry majors. First and second year students are strongly encouraged to attend presentations.

Independent full-year research project, carried out under the mentorship of a faculty member or an industrial partner. This project may be an independent research project in the laboratories at the University or a cooperative project with another laboratory or agency. Upon completion of the project, the results are presented in the form of a senior thesis and a seminar. The CHEM 497 thesis research can also be carried out in a summer of full-time research work at The King's University laboratories or as an intern in a work-integrated learning project with a public agency or an industrial partner.

An opportunity to do advanced study of a special topic of particular interest to a student. Students work with a member of the chemistry faculty. Students must apply in advance to a member of the chemistry faculty.