Chemistry (CHEM) Courses
Analytical Mass Spectrometry
The principles of ion sources and mass spectrometers and their applications to problems in chemistry and biochemistry. Introduction to the chemistry of gaseous ions. Ion optics. Special emphasis on interpreting mass spectra.
Multinuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Principles of Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR). NMR parameters studied: chemical shift, spin-spin coupling, electric quadrupole coupling, spin-spin, spin-lattice relaxation rates. NMR and the periodic table. Dynamic NMR. Applications in chemistry and biochemistry. The Fourier Transform technique. Pulse sequences. Basic principles/applications of two-dimensional NMR.
Solid State NMR Spectroscopy
Brief introduction to solid state NMR spectroscopy. Topics include dipolar coupling interactions, chemical shielding anisotropy, the quadrupolar interaction and averaging techniques such as magic angle spinning.
NMR Spectroscopy
Advanced NMR techniques for both proton and carbon spectra, various decoupling and related experiments. Interpretation of NOSY, COSY and related data.
Physical Organic Chemistry
Hammet functions, transition state energies, stereochemistry of organic compounds, and mechanisms of organic reactions and their determination.
Introduction to Photochemistry
Basic principles of photochemistry including selection rules, energy transfer processes and the properties of excited state reactions. Lasers and their applications to measurements of the dynamics of elementary reactions.
Bio-Organic Chemistry
Chemical and biosynthetic methods applied to the major classes of biomolecules and their derivatives, including: carbohydrates, amino acids, peptides, proteins, nucleic acids, lipids, terpenes, heterocycles and natural products. Reactions and mechanisms that contribute to their biological activities.
Supercritical Fluids
Fundamental and practical aspects of the uses of supercritical fluids in the chemistry laboratory. Thermodynamic treatment of high pressure multicomponent phase equilibria, transport properties, solubilities, supercritical fluid extraction and chromatography for analytical purposes, reactions in supercritical fluids, equipment considerations, new developments.
Surface Chemistry and Nanostructures
Surface structure, thermodynamics and kinetics, specifically regarding adsorption/desorption and high vacuum models. Nanoscale structures and their formation, reactivity and characterization. Thin films, carbon nanotubes, self-assembled monolayers and supramolecular aggregates.
Advanced Applications in Mass Spectrometry
Detailed breakdown of the physical, electrical and chemical operation of mass spectrometers. Applications in MS ranging from the analysis of small molecules to large biological macromolecules. Descriptions of the use of mass spectrometry in industry as well as commercial opportunities in the field.
Chemistry Education and Chemistry Education Research
Chemistry education including theories of learning, aligning intended outcomes with course activities and assessment, and troublesome areas of learning and teaching in chemistry. Key educational research areas are addressed, including types evidence, research methods, and central publications.
Advanced Topics in Biomolecular Sciences
Topics of current interest in biomolecular sciences and biological chemistry. Variable content from year to year.
Advanced Topics in Materials Chemistry
Topics of current interest in materials chemistry. Variable content from year to year.
Stereoselective Synthesis
Fundamentals of stereoselective synthesis and catalysis, including conformational analysis, substrate and catalyst control. Includes the use of allylic, chiral auxiliaries, directed reactions and chiral catalysts.
Introduction to Molecular Simulation and Statistical Mechanics (Part A)
Modern molecular simulation techniques including classical molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations with the necessary statistical mechanics required to understand and interpret the results. Introduction to modern scientific computing environments via the Linux operating system.
Introduction to Molecular Simulation and Statistical Mechanics (Part B)
Modern molecular simulation techniques including classical molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations with the necessary statistical mechanics required to understand and interpret the results. Introduction to modern scientific computing environments via the Linux operating system.
Characterization Methods and Applications of Advanced Materials
Physico-chemical techniques including thermal analysis, optical spectroscopy, electrochemistry, X-ray and electron diffraction, electron microscopy, electron spectroscopies, magnetic resonance, and general instrumental methods. Applications may include: field affect transistors, photovoltaics, light emitting devices, batteries and fuel cells.
Chemical Biology (Part A)
Chemical Biology of modern molecular science with applications to understanding biological mechanisms. Chemical and genetically encoded probes for genomics, proteomics, metabolomics as well as biorthogonal chemistry, chemical genetics and expanded genetic codes and alphabets in the context of understanding and engineering living systems.
Chemical Biology (Part B)
Chemical Biology of modern molecular science with applications to understanding biological mechanisms. Chemical and genetically encoded probes for genomics, proteomics, metabolomics as well as biorthogonal chemistry, chemical genetics and expanded genetic codes and alphabets in the context of understanding and engineering living systems.
Molecular Magnetism I
Introduction to the principals (Molecular Magnetism I) and advanced characterization of paramagnetic molecules (Molecular Magnetism II). Emphasis will be made on structure-property relationship. This course will contain variable content from year to year by discussing recent progress on molecular magnetism.
Heterocyclic Chemistry
Properties of heterocycles. Synthesis and reactivity of heterocyclic systems, with examples relevant to the synthesis of pharmaceuticals and natural products. Includes metal-catalyzed reactions.
Molecular Magnetism II
Introduction to the principals (Molecular Magnetism I) and advanced characterization of paramagnetic molecules (Molecular Magnetism II). Emphasis will be made on structure-property relationship. This course will contain variable content from year to year by discussing recent progress on molecular magnetism.
Chemistry of the Main Group Elements
Fundamental and applied aspects of main group element chemistry. Topics may include non-metal chemistry, main group organometallic chemistry, application of main group element compounds to solid state synthesis (e.g. CVD and/or sol gel processes), uses of main group element compounds in synthesis.
Physical Methods of Nanotechnology
An overview of methods used in nanotechnology. Principles of scanning probe techniques ranging from surface physics to biology. State of the art methods to create nanostructures for future applications in areas such as nanolithography, nanoelectronics, nano-optics, data storage and bio-analytical nanosystems.
Macromolecular Nanotechnology
Fundamentals of synthetic macromolecules related to nanoscale phenomena. Challenges and opportunities associated with polymers on the nanoscale. Topics include molecular recognition, self-assembled nanostructures, functional nanomaterials, amphiphilic architectures, nanocomposites, and nanomachines. Applications to sensing, drug delivery, and polymer based devices.
Bio Macromolecular Nanotechnology
Fundamentals of biological macromolecules related to nanoscale phenomena. Challenges and opportunities associated with natural polymers on the nanoscale. Topics include molecular recognition, self-assembled nanostructures, scaffolds and templates, functional nanomaterials, amphiphilic architectures, nanocomposites, and nanomachines. Applications to sensing, biomaterials, drug delivery, and devices.
Physical Chemistry of Biological Macromolecules
How the application of physical techniques, normally applied to small molecules, can be used to study macromolecular structure and function of DNA and proteins. Examples of applications to include kinetics, electrochemistry, equilibria phenomena (thermodynamics).
Free Radicals in Chemistry and Biology
Oxidative stress induced by free radicals plays a significant role in fatal and chronic diseases. The chemistry of bio-radicals will be described and related to pathobiological processes such as lipid peroxidation and atherosclerosis, protein nitration and cross linking, and DNA scission.
Unimolecular Reaction Dynamics: Experiment and Theory
Theoretical models that have been developed for the understanding of unimolecular reactions; statistical theories such as RRKM theory. Experimental techniques for exploring the kinetics and mechanism of unimolecular reactions, including mass spectrometry, coincidence spectroscopy and ZEKE spectroscopy.
Organic Polymer Chemistry
Basic principles of industrial and synthetic polymers. Polymerization and polymer characterization. Topics to cover some important polymers with emphasis on synthesis, commodity plastics, engineering thermoplastics and specialty polymers.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as CHEM 4204, for which additional credit is precluded.
Spectroscopy for Organic Chemists
Use of NMR spectroscopy in the elucidation of organic structures, interpretation of 1H, 13C and 19F NMR. Use of NMR in determining relative and absolute stereochemistry. Two-dimensional NMR.
Analytical Instrumentation
Principles of modern electronics, devices and instruments. Measurement of photonic and electrochemical signals. Conditioning of signals for feedback control and microcomputer interfacing. Computational data analysis techniques such as simplex optimization. Applications in chemical analysis include amperometric detector for capillary electrophoresis, and surface plasmon resonance immunosensor.
Analytical Approach to Chemical Problems
Case study of analytical approach to various chemical problems in agricultural, biochemical, environmental, food processing, industrial, pharmaceutical and material sciences. Analytical methods include capillary electrophoresis, chemiluminescence, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, inductively coupled plasma emission spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, biochemical sensors, and fibre optics for remote sensing.
Quantum Mechanical Methods - Theory
A course dealing with the theory behind quantum mechanical methods (HF, MP2, CI, DFT).
Environmental Chemistry and Toxicology
Overview of environmental chemistry and toxicology principles including chemical sources, fate, and effects in the environment. Examining organic reactions occurring in abiotic environments and biological systems, study aspects of toxicant disposition and biotransformation. Emphasis on contemporary problems in human health and the environment.
Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry I
Analytical chemistry of trace and ultratrace elements/compounds. Special requirements for quantitative determination by various instrumental methods. Control of contamination and blanks. Analytical method development to improve selectivity, sensitivity and detection limit. Strength and limitations of each instrument in regard to optimization of all operating parameters.
Ecotoxicology
Selected topics and advances in ecotoxicology with emphasis on the biological effects of contaminants. The potential for biotic perturbance resulting from chronic and acute exposure of ecosystems to selected toxicants will be covered along with methods of pesticide, herbicide and pollutant residue analysis.
Principles of Toxicology
Basic theorems of toxicology with examples of current research problems. Toxic risk is defined as the product of intensive hazard and research problems. Each factor is assessed in scientific and social contexts and illustrated with many types of experimental material.
Chemical Toxicology
Introduction to modeling chemical hazards and exposures at the cellular level. The properties of toxic substances are compared to the responses of enzymatic systems. These interactions are defined as Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationships and used to interpret hazardous materials under regulations such as WHMIS.
Seminar in Biochemistry I
A graduate seminar on current topics in the field of Biochemistry. This course introduces the seminar format and involves student, faculty and invited seminar speakers. The student will present a seminar and submit a report on a current topic in Biochemistry.
Seminar II
Students are required to present a seminar on their Ph.D. research topic in their research program. In addition, students are required to attend the seminars of their fellow classmates and actively participate in the discussion following the seminar.
Modern Scientific Communication
Communication and other skills useful for chemistry graduates. Effective manuscript writing, creating graphics, CV development, networking, science communication, use of social media, outreach, EDI considerations.
Precludes additional credit for CHEM 5801 (no longer offered), FOOD 5801 (no longer offered).
Seminar in Toxicology
This course introduces the seminar format and involves student, faculty and invited seminar speakers. The student will present a seminar and submit a report on a current topic in toxicology.
Advances in Applied Biochemistry
A practical hands-on course in the field of Biochemistry. This course is run in a laboratory and will train students in highly specialized technique(s)in Biochemistry. The students will run experiments, gather data, assess and analyze the results and present the findings as a seminar.
Seminar I
Principles and practice of oral scientific communication for scientific and non-scientific audiences. Students are required to present short seminars geared towards a general audience (in the style of Three-minute thesis (3MT) and/or TedTalk) as well as a research seminar geared towards a scientific audience.
Precludes additional credit for CHEM 5801 (no longer offered), FOOD 5801 (no longer offered).
Directed Special Studies
Under the direction of an approved member of Faculty, the student will undertake advanced study of a field of chemistry unrelated to their thesis topic. Approval of the Associate Chair, Graduate and Postdoctoral Affairs Chemistry is required and will only be granted under unusual conditions.
Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
Topics of current interest in organic chemistry. The content of this course may vary from year to year.
Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
Topics of current interest inorganic chemistry. The content of this course may vary from year to year.
Advanced Topics in Physical/Theoretical Chemistry
Topics of current interest in physical/theoretical chemistry. The content of this course may vary from year to year.
Scientific Data Processing and Evaluation
Optimization of scientific measurements, calibration, uni-variate and multi-variate analysis of scientific data, “intelligent” spreadsheets for scientific data processing and presentation, noise reduction using spreadsheets, correction for signal drifts; examples from chemistry, spectroscopy and other scientific disciplines.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as CHEM 4303, for which additional credit is precluded.
Radiochemistry
A study of nuclear stability and decay; chemical studies of nuclear phenomena. Applications of radioactivity.
Also offered at the undergraduate level, with different requirements, as CHEM 4502, for which additional credit is precluded.
M.Sc. Thesis
Seminar in Biochemistry II
A graduate seminar on current topics in the field of Biochemistry. This course introduces the seminar format and involves student, faculty and invited seminar speakers. The student will present a seminar and submit a report on a current topic in Biochemistry.
Ph.D. Thesis
Note: Not all courses listed are offered in a given year. For an up-to-date statement of course offerings for the current session and to determine the term of offering, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca.
Summer session: some of the courses listed in this Calendar are offered during the summer. Hours and scheduling for summer session courses will differ significantly from those reported in the fall/winter Calendar. To determine the scheduling and hours for summer session classes, consult the class schedule at central.carleton.ca