CHEMISTRY

Chemistry

Chemistry

Reaction Rate

The rate of reaction, r, is defined to be the slope of the concentration-time plot for a species divided by the stoichiometric coefficient of that species. Additionally, if the species is a reactant, the negative value of the slope is used, because the slope is negative and a positive rate is desired. For the example shown above

rate of reaction = r =

-

d [A]d t

=

-

12

d [B]d t

=

13

d [C]d t

Notice that this definition produces the same rate of reaction irrespective of which species in the reaction is used to perform the calculation.

Consentration

The most important motivation for concentration in Chemistry is an intrinsic interest in the subject. Career opportunities in chemistry include the areas of basic research, applied research and development, biotechnology, chemical analysis, manufacturing, and marketing. In addition, a degree in chemistry can be an excellent background for careers in many related fields, including law, medicine, business, environmental science, and other areas of science. Because of the diversity of interests of prospective chemistry concentrators, the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has designed a very flexible program of requirements which allows each student to select an area of emphasis. Courses in organic, physical, and inorganic chemistry and biochemistry are offered. A few of these courses include required laboratory work, and special laboratory courses are available to advanced students in each area. In addition, concentrators may elect to pursue an individual research project with one of the research groups of the department.

Each research group consists of advanced undergraduates, graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and a faculty member. In order to introduce students to chemical research and current topics of faculty interest, the department offers a non-credit sophomore tutorial in the spring term, a series of lectures by faculty members on their current research. This lecture series serves as the prerequisite ...