UBC Okanagan

Course Descriptions

Chemistry, Faculty of Science

CHEM: Chemistry

CHEM 111 (3) Principles of Chemistry I

Stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, chemical periodicity, gases, liquids, solids, and solutions. Not open to students with Chemistry 12. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 111 or CHEM 121. [3-3-1]
Prerequisite: Chemistry 11. Principles of Mathematics 12 or Pre-Calculus 12 is strongly recommended.

CHEM 113 (3) Principles of Chemistry II

General and ionic equilibrium, solubility, thermodynamics. Introductory organic chemistry: stereochemistry; substitution, elimination, and oxidation-reduction reactions. Not open to students with CHEM 121. This course or CHEM 123 is prerequisite to all subsequent courses in Chemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 113 or CHEM 123. [3-3-1]
Prerequisite: CHEM 111.

CHEM 121 (3) Atomic and Molecular Chemistry

Stoichiometry, atomic and molecular structure, chemical periodicity, gases, liquids, solids, and solutions. Required course for all students needing a first-year Chemistry course who have Chemistry 12. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 121 or CHEM 111. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 12 and one of MATH 12, PREC 12. Chemistry 12 and one of Principles of Mathematics 12, Pre-Calculus 12.

CHEM 123 (3) Physical and Organic Chemistry

Principles of equilibrium and chemical thermodynamics. Introductory organic chemistry: stereochemistry; substitution, elimination, and oxidation-reduction reactions. This course or CHEM 113 is prerequisite to all subsequent courses in Chemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 123 or CHEM 113. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 121.

CHEM 201 (3) Introduction to Physical Chemistry

Principles of chemical kinetics, reaction mechanisms, and chemical thermodynamics. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 201 or 210. [3-3-1*]
Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103 and one of PHYS 102, PHYS 121, PHYS 122 and one of CHEM 113, CHEM 123. A minimum grade of 65% in CHEM 113 is strongly recommended. MATH 200 is also strongly recommended.

CHEM 203 (3) Introduction to Organic Chemistry

Structure, bonding, and physical properties of aliphatic and aromatic compounds; conformational analysis, stereochemistry, and NMR spectroscopy; substitution and elimination reactions of alkyl halides; ethers, epoxides, aldehydes, ketones. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 203 or CHEM 213. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 113, CHEM 123. A minimum grade of 65% in CHEM 113 is strongly recommended. For Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Chemistry majors. Other students should enrol in CHEM 213.

CHEM 204 (3) Organic Chemistry

Mechanistic analysis of chemical reactivity of common functional groups, with focus on carbonyl chemistry; aromaticity and aromatic substitution; functional group transformations in organic synthesis; carbohydrates, amino acids, proteins, heterocycles. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 204 or CHEM 214. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 203. For Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Environmental Chemistry majors. Other students should enrol in CHEM 214.

CHEM 210 (3) Physical Chemistry for Earth, Environmental, and Life Sciences

Intended for students in earth, environmental, and life sciences. Thermodynamics and kinetics as they apply to natural systems. This course cannot be used for credit by Chemistry Majors. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 201 or 210. [3-3-1*]
Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103 and one of PHYS 102, PHYS 121, PHYS 122 and one of CHEM 113, CHEM 123. A minimum grade of 65% in CHEM 113 is strongly recommended.

CHEM 211 (3) Analytical Chemistry

Statistical analysis and errors of measurement, method development and validation, solution equilibria as applied to analysis, analysis of acids and bases, analytical electrochemistry, chemical separation, introduction to gas and liquid chromatography. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 113, CHEM 123 and one of PHYS 102, PHYS 121, PHYS 122.

CHEM 213 (3) Organic Chemistry for Biological Sciences I

Structure, bonding, and physical properties of organic compounds; conformational analysis, stereochemistry, and chirality; reactions of alkenes, alkyl halides, and alcohols. Emphasis will be placed on biological applications. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 203 or CHEM 213. [3-3*-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 113, CHEM 123. Not for Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Environmental Chemistry majors. Such students should enrol in CHEM 203.

CHEM 214 (3) Organic Chemistry for Biological Sciences II

Mechanistic description of aromatic substitution, reactions of carbonyl compounds and amines, oxidation/reduction reactions. Chemistry of carbohydrates, amino acids, vitamins, lipids, nucleotides. Chemical principles of biological catalysis and metabolism. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 204 or CHEM 214. [3-3*-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 203, CHEM 213. Not for Chemistry, Biochemistry, or Environmental Chemistry majors. Such students should enrol in CHEM 204.

CHEM 220 (3) Atomic Structure and Molecular Bonding

Examination of various theories of atomic structure and molecular bonding, and their use to explain chemical and physical properties of atoms and molecules. Atomic wave mechanics, Lewis theory, valence bond theory, crystal field theory, symmetry and group theory, and molecular orbital theory of diatomic and polyatomic molecules and extended solids. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 113, CHEM 123. A minimum grade of 65% in CHEM 113 is strongly recommended.

CHEM 301 (3) Aqueous Environmental Chemistry

Properties of natural waters, including gas and solid equilibria, pH, redox, complexation analysis, corrosion treatment, ion exchange, colloids, and microbial transformations. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103 and one of CHEM 201, CHEM 210.

CHEM 302 (3) Atmospheric Environmental Chemistry

Introduction to structure, composition, and chemical processes occurring in Earth's atmosphere including interactions with solar radiation, stratospheric ozone layer, photochemical smog, and acid rain. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103 and one of CHEM 113, CHEM 123 and one of PHYS 102, PHYS 121, PHYS 122. One of CHEM 210, 211 is recommended.

CHEM 304 (3) Advanced Physical Chemistry

Review of thermodynamics concepts; solution thermodynamics; electrochemistry; chemical equilibria, phase equilibria, colloid science. Emphasis on applications of thermodynamics to both chemical and biochemical systems. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 201. MATH 200 is recommended.

CHEM 305 (3) Biophysical Chemistry

Diffusion and transport phenomena of biomolecules. Interaction of radiation and matter in biochemical systems. Methods to determine molar mass, size, and shape of biomolecules in solution. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 201, CHEM 210. Third-year standing. MATH 200 is strongly recommended.

CHEM 311 (3) Instrumental Analytical Chemistry

Overview of instrumental methods of chemical analysis, including spectroscopic methods, mass spectrometry, electrophoresis and chromatography. [3-3-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 211. One of BIOL 202, STAT 230 is strongly recommended.

CHEM 312 (3) Introduction to Quantum Mechanics and Spectroscopy

Principles of quantum mechanics, atomic wavefunctions, angular momentum, spin, atomic term symbols. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 201.
Corequisite: MATH 200 is strongly recommended.

CHEM 317 (3) Environmental Physical Organic Chemistry

Basic physiochemical processes governing the fate, transport, distribution, properties, and reactions of anthropogenic organic compounds in the environment including pesticides and herbicides. Includes aspects of the photochemistry, structure-activity relationships, detection, toxicology, remediation, and social impact of such compounds. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of MATH 101, MATH 103 and one of CHEM 204, CHEM 214 and one of PHYS 102, PHYS 121, PHYS 122.

CHEM 319 (3) Topics in Computerized Instrumentation

Computerized data acquisition and analysis in chemistry instrumentation, development of new instruments to collect and analyze experimental data: Digital acquisition systems, optical systems, electrical circuits, and coding. [3-4*-2*]
Prerequisite: All of CHEM 201, MATH 200.

CHEM 322 (3) Methods in Forensic Chemical Analysis

Concepts in the forensic chemical analysis of materials. Sampling protocols, sample preparation and clean up, instrumental techniques, chemical tracers, chemical fingerprinting, drug and toxin analysis, complex statistical analysis. Specific case studies with emphasis on environmental forensic issues will be presented. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 211, CHEM 123 and one of BIOL 202, PSYO 271, STAT 230.

CHEM 330 (3) Advanced Organic Chemistry

Application of carbonyl group chemistry, cyclisation reactions, conformational analysis, and rearrangement reactions in organic synthesis. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 204, CHEM 214.

CHEM 333 (3) Spectroscopic Techniques in Organic Chemistry

Application of mass spectrometry, NMR, and IR spectroscopies to organic chemical problems. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 204, CHEM 214.

CHEM 334 (3) Green Organic Chemistry

More sustainable and less hazardous methods in synthetic chemistry. Topics include feedstocks for chemical synthesis, alternative solvents, polymers, atom and step economy, design of safer chemicals. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 204.

CHEM 335 (3) Bioinorganic Chemistry

Examination of the involvement of inorganic chemistry in biological systems; structure and chemistry of metalloproteins and metalloenzymes. Nature of proteins, biomolecules, and simple bonding models of d-block compounds; iron and copper proteins involved with electron and oxygen transport and oxygen and nitrogen activation, various proteins of zinc and nickel. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of CHEM 204, CHEM 214 and one of CHEM 201, CHEM 210.

CHEM 336 (3) Green Inorganic Chemistry

Use of inorganic and organometallic catalysts for sustainable synthesis. Renewable feedstock conversion, selective carbon-hydrogen bond functionalization, biodegradable polymer synthesis, photoredox catalysis, solar fuels. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 220 and one of CHEM 204, CHEM 214.

CHEM 337 (3) Coordination Chemistry

Analysis of the coordination chemistry of d- and f-block metals including structure, bonding descriptions, spectroscopic and magnetic properties, and kinetics and mechanism of substitution and redox reactions. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 220 and one of CHEM 204, CHEM 214.

CHEM 338 (3) Organometallic Chemistry

Examination of the structure, bonding, reactivity, and catalysis of organometallic compounds of the d-block metals. A survey of ligands unique to organometallic chemistry is followed by an examination of the mechanisms of common reactions and important catalytic cycles. [3-4*-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 220 and one of CHEM 204, CHEM 214.

CHEM 403 (3) Enzymology

Enzyme kinetics: steady-state kinetic analyses, fast-reaction methods, kinetic isotope effects. Catalytic mechanisms: coenzymology, radical-mediated reactions, catalytic rate enhancements. Special topics: enzyme evolution, multifunctional enzymes, biocatalysis, protein engineering. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 403, BIOC 403, CHEM 413 or CHEM 569. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: One of BIOC 304, BIOL 311.
Equivalency: BIOC 403.

CHEM 412 (3) Methods in Metabolomics

Chemical analysis of the metabolites in biological samples: study design, sample extractions, method development and validation, targeted and untargeted experiments, data processing, isotope tracer studies, chemoinformatics, compound identification, metabolic pathway and network mapping, data interpretation and presentation. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 412, BIOC 412 or CHEM 533. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 211 and fourth-year standing in Chemistry or Environmental Chemistry.

CHEM 422 (3/12) d Special Topics in Chemistry

An advanced or specialized topic in chemistry, generally with an emphasis on recent literature. Topics will usually vary with each course offering. With different topics, the course can be taken more than once for credit. Each offering will normally be 3 credits. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: To be determined by special topic; third-year standing in Science; and permission of the department head.

CHEM 424 (3) Organometallic Catalysts

An advanced course describing selected recent developments in catalytic applications of organo-transition metal chemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 424 or CHEM 524. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 338.

CHEM 426 (3) Advanced Inorganic Synthesis

New synthetic techniques and strategies in transition-metal chemistry and frontiers of stoichiometric activation reactions, as illustrated with recent literature examples. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 426 or CHEM 525. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 338.

CHEM 429 (3) Main Group Chemistry

Principles, patterns, and trends of the characteristic structures, bonding, and reactivity of compounds of the s- and p-block elements, including aspects relevant to polymer chemistry, materials chemistry, industrial chemistry, and advanced main group synthesis. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 220 and one of CHEM 204, CHEM 214.

CHEM 434 (3) Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Gas, liquid, and supercritical fluid chromatography. Mass spectrometry: ionization processes, mass analyses, ion molecule reactions, fragmentation processes. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 434 or CHEM 411. [3-0-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 311.

CHEM 447 (3) Directed Studies in Chemistry Literature and Data Analysis

Comprehensive survey, analysis, and critical evaluation of a topic selected in consultation with a faculty member. May involve comprehensive review of a literature topic or hypothesis-driven data analysis. Sources may include published research literature and information databases relevant to chemistry. Includes both a written manuscript and either an oral or poster presentation summarizing the survey findings. It is recommended that CHEM 447 not be taken until a student's final year of study.
Prerequisite: Fourth year standing in the Chemistry or Environmental Chemistry Major with a minimum overall grade average of 72%, and approval of both the Chemistry Curriculum Committee and a faculty supervisor.

CHEM 448 (3/6) d Directed Studies in Chemistry

Original research under the direction of a faculty member for either one (3 credits) or two (6 credits) semesters. Includes a written thesis and poster presentation. It is recommended that CHEM 448 not be taken until a student's final year of study.
Prerequisite: Fourth year standing in the Chemistry or Environmental Chemistry Major with a minimum overall grade average of 72%, and approval of both the Chemistry Curriculum Committee and a faculty supervisor.

CHEM 449 (6) Honours Thesis

Original research work under the direction of a faculty member. A written thesis, public poster presentation, and public thesis defence is required. It is recommended that CHEM 449 not be taken until a student's final year of study.
Prerequisite: Fourth-year standing in the Chemistry or Environmental Chemistry Major with a minimum overall grade average of 76% (in all courses taken applicable to the Chemistry Major) and approval of the Chemistry Curriculum Committee.

CHEM 461 (3) Advanced Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

Integrated laboratory course designed to illustrate principles of modern analytical chemistry. [0-6-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 311.

CHEM 462 (3) Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory

Integrated laboratory course designed to illustrate principles of modern inorganic chemistry. [0-6-0]
Prerequisite: Two of CHEM 335, CHEM 336, CHEM 337, CHEM 338.

CHEM 463 (3) Advanced Organic Chemistry Laboratory

Integrated laboratory course designed to illustrate principles of modern organic chemistry. [0-6-0]
Prerequisite: CHEM 330 and one of CHEM 317, CHEM 333, CHEM 413.

CHEM 464 (3) Advanced Physical and Biophysical Chemistry Laboratory

Integrated laboratory course designed to illustrate principles of modern physical and biophysical chemistry. [0-6-0]
Prerequisite: Two of CHEM 304, CHEM 305, CHEM 312.

CHEM 465 (3) Advanced Chemistry Laboratory in Special Topics

Integrated laboratory course designed to illustrate principles of a selected aspect of modern chemistry. The exact topic of investigation will be determined with each course offering. [0-6-0]
Prerequisite: To be determined based on the topic offered.

CHEM 507 (3) Topics in Physical Chemistry

Seminar presentation required based on current literature in the field. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 507 or CHEM 422 when the subject matter is of the same nature. [3-0-0]

CHEM 521 (3) Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Seminar presentation required based on current literature in the field. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 521 or CHEM 422 when the subject matter is of the same nature. [3-0-0]

CHEM 524 (3) Organometallic Catalysts

An advanced course describing selected recent developments in catalytic applications of organo-transition metal chemistry. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 524 or CHEM 424. [3-0-0]

CHEM 525 (3) Advanced Inorganic Synthesis

New synthetic techniques and strategies in transition-metal chemistry and frontiers of stoichiometric activation reactions, as illustrated with recent literature examples. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 525 or CHEM 426. [3-0-0]

CHEM 533 (3) Metabolomics

Chemical analysis of the metabolites in biological samples. Targeted and untargeted metabolomics, chemometrics, metabolite identification, pathway and network mapping, data interpretation and presentation. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 533, CHEM 412 or BIOC 412. [3-0-0]

CHEM 534 (3) Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry

Gas, liquid, and supercritical fluid chromatography. Mass spectrometry: ionization processes, mass analyses, ion molecule reactions, fragmentation processes. [3-0-0]

CHEM 535 (3) Topics in Analytical Chemistry

Seminar presentation required based on current literature in the field. [3-0-0]

CHEM 540 (1) Graduate Seminar in Chemistry

Students present a one-hour lecture on a topic agreed upon jointly with the instructor, but unrelated to their previous or current research projects. Students will be assessed on their seminar and a related written paper. [2-0-0]

CHEM 549 (23) M.Sc. Thesis

Pass/Fail.

CHEM 568 (3) Topics in Organic Chemistry

Seminar presentation required based on current literature in the field. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 568 or CHEM 422 when the subject matter is of the same nature. [3-0-0]

CHEM 569 (3) Advanced Mechanistic Enzymology

The chemistry of enzyme active sites, cofactors, and inhibitors. Enzyme kinetics, thermodynamics, kinetic isotope effects, and other physical methods. Credit will be granted for only one of CHEM 569, CHEM 403, CHEM 413 or BIOC 403. [3-0-0]

CHEM 649 (0) Ph.D. Thesis