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CHEM 1520 – Principles of Chemistry

CHEM 1520 is the second half of first-year chemistry designed for students with a strong background in chemistry. The Department of Chemistry defines a strong background as at least a B in Chemistry 12 or CHEM 0600; however, the course is available to any student with CHEM 1500 and Chemistry 12 or CHEM 0600. This course, in combination with CHEM 1500, will serve as a prerequisite for second year Chemistry courses at TRU and other BC institutions.

The topics include gas laws, thermochemistry, equilibrium, entropy and free energy, redox reactions, and electrochemistry. Students are expected to become familiar with all these topics during the course. The laboratory stresses basic precision techniques in quantitative analytical chemistry as well as the use of analytical instrumentation and experiments in physical chemistry.

Prerequisites: Chemistry 12 or CHEM 0600 (a grade of B or better is recommended) and CHEM 1500 (C- minimum) or acceptance into the TRU Engineering program.

(Winter) (Latest outline) (Topics and Objectives/Expectations)

CHEM 2160 – Structure, Bonding and Spectroscopy

This course develops fundamental quantum ideas in chemistry and applies them to topics in spectroscopy which help determine the structure of molecules. Fundamental concepts in spectroscopy will be introduced: electronic (ultraviolet and visible), vibrational, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy will be discussed. An introduction to symmetry - elements, operations, and point groups - will assist spectroscopic interpretations. Bonding concepts will revolve around electrostatic models applied to ionic compounds and the Crystal Field model applied to transition metal complexes. Covalent bonding will be approached both from the Valence Bond and Molecular Orbital points of view.

Prerequisites: CHEM 1500 and CHEM 1510 or 1520 (C- minimum).

(Fall) (Latest outline) (Topics and Objectives/Expectations)

CHEM 3060 - Physical Chemistry 1

Assuming prior basic knowledge of thermodynamics and chemical kinetics, this course deals with various topics in the areas of chemical equilibrium, kinetics, solutions of electrolytes, and some aspects of physical organic chemistry, after studying the kinetics of the electrophilic aromatic substitution reaction.

Prerequisites: CHEM 2250 (C- minimum).

(Fall) (Latest outline) (Topics and Objectives/Expectations)

CHEM 3070 - Physical Chemistry 2

The first part of this course introduces students to the theoretical side of studying chemistry, covering basic aspects of computational and quantum chemistry. The second part is an introduction to statistical thermodynamics.

Prerequisites: CHE 2160, CHEM 3060 (C- minimum), MATH 2120 (Linear Algebra) is highly recommended.

(Winter) (Latest outline) (Topics and Objectives/Expectations)

CHEM 3080 - Physical Chemistry Laboratory

This course consists of a selection of computational laboratories illustrating a variety of physical chemical principles most of which are discussed in the third-year physical chemistry courses CHEM 3060 and CHEM 3070.

Prerequisites: CHEM 3060 (C- minimum) and be currently taking CHEM 3070.

(Winter) (Latest outline)