Chemistry — Course Prerequisites

Please consult UMass Boston’s undergraduate catalog for complete information about the undergraduate courses listed here as prerequisites for individual graduate-level courses.

Courses

CHEM 601
Chemical Dynamics I

Discussions and outside readings in the areas of chemical and physical equilibria and rate processes. Emphasis on thermodynamics from classical and statistical points of view and on chemical reaction mechanisms.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 602
Chemical Dynamics II

Selected topics of interest to students and staff involved. Typical subjects: molecular transport processes and kinetic theory, photochemistry and excitation transfer processes, surface and electrode rate processes, particle collision dynamics and reactivity, irreversible thermodynamics, interaction of radiation and matter, and molecular state transitions.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 611
Chemical Structure I

Structure determination and theory. Molecules of interest are chosen. Based on these molecules, discussions and readings attempt to show how a chemist determines each structure and how the structure is understood in terms of modern chemical theory.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 612
Chemical Structure II

Study of the determination of chemical structures by various methods such as UV-Vis, infrared and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 621
Chemical Synthesis I

The tactics, strategy, and methods of accomplishing the synthesis of chemical substances.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 622
Chemical Synthesis II

Approaches to the synthesis of a number of representative organic compounds.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 653
Polymer Chemistry

An introductory survey of polymer chemistry including polymer structure and stereochemistry, characterization of polymers, categories of polymers, synthesis of monomers, and polymerization reactions and their mechanisms. Why and how polymers are tailor-made is exemplified. Emphasis is given to polymer chemistry as an interdisciplinary field and as a unique area of chemical science.
Prerequisite: CHEM 254 or equivalent, or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 3 Credits

CHEM 658
Medicinal Chemistry

This graduate and upper-level professional course presents the principles of medicinal chemistry. Organized along pharmacological lines, the course considers the development and design of drugs, those a) acting on the central and peripheral nervous system; b) acting on the cardiovascular, hematopoietic and renal systems; and c) acting as chemotherapeutic agents, vitamins, and hormones. Special emphasis is given to drugs used in emergencies and to drugs described in the United States Pharmacopoeia and the National Formulary. Syntheses of important compounds in the various categories are presented.
Prerequisite: CHEM 254 or equivalent.
Hrs by arrangement, 3 Credits

CHEM 666
Electrochemistry

This course provides an advanced study in the field of electrochemistry. Electro-chemistry will include an overview of the theories of ionics, electrodiscs, and charge transfer. These theories will then be applied to the understanding of a variety of electroanalytical techniques and electrochemical applications such as contemporary batteries and fuel cells. Electroanalytical techniques to be discussed include static and dynamic methods for application of controlled voltage (potentiometric) and controlled current (coulometric) as well as ion detection, electro-separation, and conductometric methods. Specific topics emphasized will include electrochemical instrumentation, reference electrodes, cyclic voltametry, microelectrochemistry, and contemporary ion selective electrode analysis.
Prerequisite: Matriculation in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 credits

CHEM 671
Introduction to Green Chemistry

The goal of this course is to provide a global perspective on Green Chemistry. The first of three sections will identify an environmental problem such as global warming, ozone depletion, or water pollution. The second section will look at real-world implications of Green Chemistry—for example, from a manufacturing, toxicological, or economic perspective. The third section will present an array of representative topics: renewable energy, atmospheric chemistry, chemical reactions in water and soil, or benign chemical syntheses, for example. Combined, the three sections provide an understanding of chemistry designed to benefit society and provide pathways to minimize environmental impact.
Prerequisite: Matriculation in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 4 Credits

CHEM 687
Topics in Chemistry

Graduate-level readings in various areas of chemistry under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 1-10 Credits

CHEM 688
Topics in Physical Chemistry

Topical discussions, each based on elementary principles of physical chemistry and progressing toward recent developments in the field. Open to graduates and advanced undergraduates.
Prerequisites: CHEM 312 and 369, or equivalents.
Hrs by arrangement, 3 Credits

CHEM 689
Topics in Organic Chemistry

Discussions of selected topics of current interest in organic chemistry. Open to graduates and advanced undergraduates.
Prerequisite: CHEM 254 or equivalent.
Hrs by arrangement, 3 Credits

CHEM 690
Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Discussions of selected topics of current interest in inorganic chemistry. Open to graduates and advanced undergraduates.
Prerequisite: CHEM 370 or equivalent.
Hrs by arrangement, 3 Credits

CHEM 691
Seminar I

Students take CHEM 691 or 692 during every semester they are enrolled in the program.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in a graduate chemistry program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 1 Credit

CHEM 692
Seminar II

Students take CHEM 691 or 692 during every semester they are enrolled in the program.
Prerequisite: Enrollment in the Graduate Chemistry Program or permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 1 Credit

CHEM 696
Independent Study

Study of a particular area of chemistry under the supervision of a faculty member.
Prerequisite: Permission of instructor.
Hrs by arrangement, 1-10 Credits

CHEM 699
Master’s Thesis

Open to degree candidates.
Hrs by arrangement, 1-10 Credits

CHEM 899 (Subject to final University approval)
Dissertation Research

Research, conducted under faculty supervision, which leads to the presentation of a doctoral dissertation.
Hrs by arrangement, 1-10 Credits