Chemistry 465/467 Syllabus

Fall 2007
CHEM 465/467
Advanced Spectroscopy


Dr. S.E. Van Bramer
Kirkbride 465
499-4516
svanbram@science.widener.edu
Office Hours
Mon 10:00-10:50
Mon 2:00-2:50
Tue 11:00-11:50
Wed 10:00-10:50
Fri 10:00-10:50

Textbook

  1. Lambert, J.B.; Shurvell, H.F.; Lightner, D.A.; Cooks, R.G. Organic Structural Spectroscopy; Prentice-Hall: Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1998. This book will be used as a resource and a guide for the interpretation of spectroscopic data and understanding different experiments. The more you use it, the better you will do in the course.

  2. Most of the reading materials are from the chemical literature and specialized handouts. These are provided in the notebook for the course.

  3. A CD-ROM containing data files, programs, documentation, and a copy of the course web site is provided. The information is all current at the beginning of the semester. Any changes will be posted on the course web site on the science division server.

  4. Additional references are available in the Library or in my office. They may be checked out overnight. These include:
    • Silverstein, R.M.; Bassler, G.C.; Morrill, T. Spectrometric Identification of Organic Compounds; Wiley: New York, 1991. QD 272.S6S55 (The textbook used in previous years, strong on interpretation)
    • Griffiths, P. Fourier Transform Infrared Spectrometry QD96.I5.G743.1986
    • McLafferty, F.W. Interpretation of Mass Spectra QC454.M3.M39.1993
    • Davis, R. Mass Spectrometry QC96.M3.D38.1987
    • Abraham, R.J. Introduction to NMR Spectroscopy QD96.N8.A27.1988
    • Sanders, J. Modern NMR Spectroscopy; A Guide for Chemists QD96.N8.S24.1993


Course Description

CHEM 465 ADVANCED SPECTROSCOPY This course will focus on advanced spectroscopic techniques. Applications of NMR, mass spectrometry, and Fourier Transform Infrared will be studied. Special emphasis is placed on understanding the theoretical basis of these instruments, operational techniques, the use of specialized methods to solve specific chemical problems, and the interpretation of spectral information. Prerequisite: CHEM 366 and CHEM 386. Corequisite: CHEM 467. 1 lecture hour. 1 semester hour

CHEM 467 ADVANCED SPECTROSCOPY LAB This laboratory provides students an opportunity to use the instrumentation discussed in CHEM 465. This includes using a variety of advanced spectroscopic techniques to obtain structural information from chemical systems. Emphasis is placed upon experiments that help clarify the underlying physical concepts of NMR, Mass Spectrometry, and Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy. Students will gain hands on experience with these powerful techniques. Corequisite: CHEM 465. 3 laboratory hours. 1 semester hour


Course Goals

In this course you will learn how to use several different advanced spectroscopy techniques to obtain chemical information. The techniques used; FT-IR, FT-NMR, and GC/MS are the most powerful tools available for probing chemical systems. You will learn about the fundamental principals and study the experiments used with these techniques. This will include reading journal articles, lectures, computer simulations, and laboratory experiments.

This course will help students meet the following student learning objectives for the department of chemistry.


  • Cheating and Plagiarism:

    Cheating and Plagiarism will not be tolerated and are grounds for FAILURE in the course. The University's policy on cheating and other forms of academic fraud will be strictly enforced. When in doubt about what is acceptable, ask the instructor. You will do some work in small groups and interaction is strongly encouraged in this setting. You, however, are ultimately responsible for the material. Working together on homework problems is acceptable, but you must reference other people's ideas. Exams and Lab reports must be your own work. For additional information read "
    What is Plagiarism"


  • Schedule:

    The class is scheduled for Thursday 10:00 to 2:00. Typically we will have 1 hour of lecture and then 3 hours of laboratory time. On some days this will vary to accommodate experiments or lectures.


  • Attendance:

    You are expected to attend lecture and lab sections. Lecture will supplement the reading and a significant amount of time is spent working problems and answering questions. Laboratory work will be done as a group, so makeup labs are not practical. If you are unable to attend class or lab, we will attempt to reschedule everyone. To accomplish this, advanced notice is required.


  • Grading:


  • Office Hours:

    First and formost, I expect you to have questions in this course. I will be available in my office during scheduled office hours. Any changes in these hours will be posted on my office door and on the Web site. At other times I am happy to help you, if I have time. Feel free to call or e-mail me and make an appointment if you need extra help. You are strongly encouraged to ask questions and seek help early. This course is challenging, when you do not understand something ask.


  • E-Mail:

    Each student is responsible for establishing an e-mail account at the beginning of the semester. I check my account often (including evenings and weekends) and will respond as soon as possible. I will frequently post information to the class via e-mail. You are responsible for checking your e-mail.


  • WWW:

    Supplementary course material and a listing of course topics is posted on the WWW http://science.widener.edu/~svanbram. This may be accessed from any of the student computer labs on campus. In addition, you will be given keys to the Chemistry Computer Lab in KB 405. These computers are specially configured to run all of the software used for this course.
    This page is maintained by
    Scott Van Bramer
    Department of Chemistry
    Widener University
    Chester, PA 19013

    Please send any comments, corrections, or suggestions to svanbram@science.widener.edu.

    This page has been accessed times since 1/5 /96 .
    Last Updated 8/20/2007