TEACHING

Spring 2021, Spring 2022, Spring 2023, Spring 2024

Principles of Chemistry (CHM121)

Course Description: Fundamental principles of chemical science for studies in the discipline. This is a course that combines what is traditionally the first two semesters of Intro Chemistry. Topics covered include atomic mass, mole stoichiometry, naming rules, balancing equations, determining limiting reagents, dilutions, the Ideal Gas Law, stoichiometry, partial pressure, Thermochemistry, Free energy, Thermodynamics, chemical equilibrium, acid/base equilibria, chemical kinetics, electrochemistry, quantum theory, and periodic properties.

Fall 2019, Fall 2020, Fall 2023

Principles of Spectroscopic Techniques (CHM 565 and CHM 665)

Course Description: Metals are everywhere – from biology and catalysis, and play critical roles in processes ranging from photosynthesis, respiration, and post-translational modification, to maintaining critical life processes. Studies of metal complexes that are involved in these processes ultimately rely on researchers’ abilities to understand their electronic and magnetic properties by way of both well-established techniques and methods that are currently being developed/advanced. In this course you will learn in detail the concepts behind commonly used spectroscopic methods. There will be a brief review of group theory (Inorganic Chemistry) at the beginning of the course. Building from this base we will then describe several techniques frequently used to measure the electronic and magnetic properties of the metal centers and will identify instances where it would be appropriate to use each technique. Beyond describing the theory behind these techniques, we will also examine how various techniques may be used to provide complementary information critical to the assessment of complex systems. Special emphasis will be given to the first-row transition metals.