Emory University Chemistry Department: A Deep Dive into Research and Education

The Chemistry Department at Emory University is a vibrant hub of scientific discovery and learning, dedicated to advancing the understanding of matter and its interactions. Through cutting-edge research, innovative educational programs, and a commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive environment, Emory's Chemistry Department plays a significant role in shaping the future of chemistry and its applications.

Research Frontiers in Physical Chemistry

Physical chemists at Emory are deeply engaged in unraveling the fundamental principles that govern the behavior of matter. Their work spans a wide range of systems, including solar cells and cell membranes, utilizing precise measurements and advanced calculations to probe the structure, reactivity, dynamics, and energetics of these systems. The insights gained from their research not only contribute to the foundational knowledge of chemistry but also pave the way for the development of next-generation technologies.

Faculty Spotlight:

Katherine M. Davis: Assistant Professor, Emerson E403
Letian Dou: Paul & Phyllis Fireman Professor of Chemistry, Atwood 430
Brian Dyer: Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor, Atwood 443
Francesco Evangelista: Winship Distinguished Professor of Chemistry, Emerson E519
Michael C. Heaven: Samuel Candler Dobbs Professor, Atwood 230
James T. Kindt: Director of Undergraduate Studies, Emerson E521
Fang Liu: Assistant Professor, Emerson E523
Djamaladdin (Jamal) Musaev: Associated Faculty (Emerson Center for Scientific Computation), Emerson Center
**Raphael F.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities

Emory's Chemistry Department provides numerous avenues for undergraduate students to engage in research, allowing them to gain hands-on experience and contribute to ongoing scientific investigations. These opportunities include:

Research for Credit: Students can enroll in chemistry research hours during the academic year or participate in structured university programs like SIRE (for rising sophomores and juniors) or SURE (a full-time summer experience with funding and mentorship).
Paid Research Positions: Students eligible for Federal Work Study can work in a lab, or they can be hired directly by a lab as a paid research assistant.
Volunteering: Volunteering in a lab is an excellent way for students to explore their interests and gain initial research experience.

Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Chemistry Department at Emory University is dedicated to fostering a welcoming and inclusive environment for all members of its community. This commitment is reflected in "The Belonging Project," an initiative focused on implementing evidence-based inclusive meeting practices in chemistry committee meetings. By optimizing meeting practices and improving communication, the department aims to create a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered to contribute their best work. The engagement of student representatives on all committees via the Student Advocacy for Full Engagement (SAFE) and our annual town hall is a key aspect of this work.

The guiding hypothesis of The Belonging Project is that better meetings will act as a catalyst for a larger cultural shift in belonging.

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Chemistry Courses: A Comprehensive Curriculum

Emory's Chemistry Department offers a wide array of courses designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of chemical principles and their applications. These courses cater to diverse interests and skill levels, ranging from introductory courses for non-science majors to advanced courses for aspiring chemists.

General Topics Courses:

These courses cover material of societal interest to the general education community. Topics such as lasers, CD recording, the pill, photocopying, jet engines, cocaine, genetic engineering, perfume, cooking/baking, and pheromones will be discussed. The goal is to impart an appreciation for various scientific and technical features of everyday life.
This Maymester course will first explore how chemicals can be used to deceive and destroy. Next, scientific techniques used by forensic chemists will be employed to evaluate and interpret evidence from a staged crime scene. New evidence will be presented each day as the mystery unfolds.
This course will examine the science of chemistry using themes that delineate chemistry as a human activity. The broader impact that the practice of chemistry has on society will be emphasized using current, historical, and interdisciplinary topics.

Introductory Chemistry Courses:

CHEM 141/142: These courses cover the fundamental laws and theories of chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, chemical bonding, properties of solutions, kinetics, equilibrium, and electrochemistry.
CHEM 150: This course builds a strong foundation in atomic and molecular structure, progressing from atomic structure to ionic compounds and molecular structure, including stereochemistry and conformation. Students will interpret experimental data to explain structure, properties relationships.
CHEM 150L: The first lab for students taking Chemistry at Emory. The lab focuses on experimental practices including experimental design, accuracy and precision, data collection and analysis, and the use of evidence to make conclusions. Experiments will connect structure to properties of matter.
CHEM 157: This course will provide extra class meeting to build and reinforce student skills and conceptual understanding related to Chem 150, while also building a general framework of habits and mindset to promote self-efficacy and success in further chemistry courses and other academic endeavors.
CHEM 190: Special topics freshman seminar. Variable content.

200-Level Chemistry Courses:

CHEM 202: Provides a basic understanding of the kinetics and thermodynamics associated with reactions, how these are related to the structures of reactants and products and the pathways between them, and how reactivity can be controlled through choices of reacting molecules and conditions.
CHEM 202L: Students will learn several methods for separating and identifying small molecule organic reactants and products. They will make qualitative determinations based on quantitative data and equilibria and acid base properties.
CHEM 202Z: Will provide students with a basic understanding of covalent bonding models, the energetics of reactions, and the kinetics and thermodynamics associated with reactions. The course will emphasize how reactivity is related to molecular structure and how reactivity can be controlled.
CHEM 202ZL: students will use molecular modeling to build 3-D chemical structures. They will then prepare an ester derivative, perform a nucleophilic addition, and stusy elimination reactions. Products of these reactions will be analyzed using a variety of instruments (IR, NMR, HPLC, etc.).
CHEM 203: Will focus on the chemistry of organic and organometallic compounds; specifically how the molecular orbital theory can be used to predict structure and properties. This course covers kinetics, mechanisms, and catalysis.
CHEM 203L: Students will be exposed to the practical aspects of working with small molecules, both organic and inorganic. Students will learn to analyze and synthesize compounds and analyze their characteristic properties such as structure, function, size distribution, and purity.
CHEM 203Z: builds on themes of structure and reactivity established in CHEM 202Z. The course will blend biomolecular, inorganic, and organic elements of reactivity, using molecular orbital theory to predict structure and properties, and introducing modern examples of catalysis and catalytic cycles.
CHEM 203zL: Introduces more sophisticated methods for studying the reactivity of compounds. The preparation and structure elucidation of organic and organometallic compounds will be studied in the context of a research lab type setting.
CHEM 204: The relationship between sequence, structure, and function of macromolecules. The course will progress from exploring these themes in the context of synthesis, characterization, and utility of simple organic polymers to understanding the properties of complex,chemically diverse biomolecules.
CHEM 204L: The relationship between sequence, structure, and function of macromolecules focusing on the practical aspects of macromolecular synthesis, structural and functional characterization, and degradation.
CHEM 205: Will address the origins of electronic orbitals and the quantized energy states associated with molecular motions. How light causes transitions between energy levels will be central to our discussion, illuminating topics from spectroscopy to the Earth's climate and solar energy conversion.
CHEM 205L: Will connect your understanding of the interaction of light & matter to the determination of molecular structure through spectroscopic methods. Students will assign atomic/molecular spectra & analyze results to determine critical properties of the compound using rigorous math on real molecules.
CHEM 221: Classes of organic compounds. Functional groups, bonding, stereochemistry, structure and reactivity, carbonyl chemistry, carboxylic acids.
CHEM 221L: This lab covers techniques for isolation, purification, preparation, and identification of organic compounds. Investigative experiments uncover relationships between molecular structure and function. Important skills are collecting and interpreting data, keeping a lab notebook, and working safely.
CHEM 222: Nucleophilic substitution, elimination reactions, electrophilic additions, electrophilic substitution, carbohydrates, amino acids and proteins.
CHEM 222L: This course introduces more sophisticated methods for the preparation and structure elucidation of organic compounds in the context of a research lab. Emphasis is placed on experimental design, evaluation of data, structure determination using NMR, and keeping a research-style lab notebook.
CHEM 270: This course covers fundamental mathematical methods useful in chemistry. Each chapter of this course treats a specific technique drawn from a semester-long course like differential equations, linear algebra, or multi-variable calculus, with an example to illustrate its application.

300-Level Chemistry Courses:

CHEM 300W: This is a project-design based lab course. It will bring together materials from previous lab courses, as well as covering new techniques/methods.
CHEM 303: Chemistry of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, nucleic acids, vitamins and enzymes; emphasis on structure and reactions of compounds.
CHEM 310: A course that furthers a deeper understanding of organic chemistry, building on the foundational principles from earlier chemistry courses: molecular orbital theory, organic reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and the relationship between structure and reactivity.
CHEM 327: Introduction to transition metal Organometallic chemistry. Structure of metal complexes, their reactivity, reaction mechanisms, catalysis and application in synthesis.
CHEM 327L: The laboratory focuses on the preparation and applications of transition metal organometallic complexes. The course involves an independent research project envisioned by the student.
CHEM 328: This course will provide knowledge in atmospheric chemistry, focusing on the physical and chemical processes. Students will be able to: 1) explain important atmospheric phenomena from the local to global scale; and 2) critically assess public discussions and media coverage on air pollution.
CHEM 331: This course offers a rigorous treatment of the fundamental principles of thermodynamics and kinetics to show how they underlie complex biological processes: protein folding, membrane selfassembly, neuronal function, and enzyme catalysis. Examples are drawn from biomolecular research and medicine.
CHEM 341: This is an introductory course in quantum mechanics designed for chemistry students. Students will learn basic quantum principles and the mathematical skills to apply them to the electronic structure of atoms and molecules and to rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectroscopies.
CHEM 345: Introduction to the foundational and practical aspects of modeling chemical reactions with modern computational chemistry techniques. Students will learn how to run quantum chemistry computations to predict thermodynamic properties, simulate spectra, and model the mechanisms of simple reactions.
CHEM 345L: Introduction to the foundational and practical aspects of modeling chemical reactions with modern computational chemistry techniques. Students will learn how to run quantum chemistry computations to predict thermodynamic properties, simulate spectra, and model the mechanisms of simple reactions.
CHEM 360: This course focuses on the chemical principles underlying the processes that allow living systems to function: metabolism, bioenergetics, regulation, signaling and transport. Building on concepts from Chem 204, it emphasizes how chemical insights lead to the development of new drugs and diagnostics.

The Buchwald Lab: Innovating Organic Synthesis

The Buchwald Lab, which moved to Emory University in Fall 2022, is dedicated to innovation in both the strategy and methodology of organic synthesis. Their goal is to use these innovations to solve problems of biological and medical importance and ultimately impact human health. The lab is located in the Atwood Chemistry Building. They are always looking for outstanding and fearless Undergraduate Students, Graduate Students, and Postdoctoral Fellows to join their adventure.

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