Teaching
Classes Taught
Principles of Chemistry: Structure and Reactivity
In this course, we will be building our understanding of chemical principles from the bottom up. We will begin by thinking about some of the smallest particles (electrons, protons, and neutrons) and how they come together to form atoms. From there, we will explore how these atoms come together to form molecules, the building blocks for all substances in the universe. Finally, we will learn how these molecules interact with each resulting in changes to their physical and chemical properties.
Organic Chemistry I with lab
Organic Chemistry I is the first semester of a two semester class designed for students majoring in the natural sciences. The class explores concepts involving the chemical bonding of carbon containing molecules. Students will first be introduced to structural features of these molecules and how these structures relate to their functions, both biologically and industrially. An investigation of the mechanisms of reactivity will follow concluding with an introduction to techniques for identification of organic compounds.
Organic Chemistry II with lab
Organic Chemistry II is the second semester of a two semester class designed for students majoring in the natural sciences. Since the course is a continuation of Organic Chemistry I, it is expected that students have a thorough understanding of the principles taught in that class. The primary focus will be on the reactions of functional groups with an emphasis on their mechanisms and their uses in synthesis. The course will conclude with an introduction to biologically relevant organic molecules and modern synthetic methods.
Inorganic Chemistry and Biological Systems
Inorganic Chemistry and Biological Systems is an introduction to the structure and reactivity of metal complexes with an emphasis on their interaction with biological systems. Fundamental concepts such as electronic structure, symmetry, and molecular orbital theory will be used to determine the structure of transition metal complexes. These models will then be used to describe reactivity with regard to organometallic catalysis and bioinorganic chemistry.
Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course focuses on advanced concepts in organic chemistry dealing broadly with mechanistic determination and synthetic strategies. Subtle electronic and steric factors that greatly affect the reactivity of molecules will be illustrated using a variety of case studies from current literature. These factors will then be applied to the synthesis of complex organic molecules of biological and industrial importance. Emphasis will be placed on modern methods in asymmetric synthesis and organometallics.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
This course provides an introduction to the chemical principles behind the design, synthesis, and mode of action of pharmaceutical agents. The focus is on drug targets (enzymes, receptors, DNA) and how these agents bind to biological targets to modulate a cellular response. The course draws upon material covered in organic chemistry and biochemistry and utilizes a cross-disciplinary approach to study drug chemistry. The reading from the course will be from the scientific literature.
First Year Seminar - Lessons from the Simpsons: Embiggening Minds through Satire
This seminar will focus on how The Simpsons employs satire as a device to stimulate discussions about more serious issues. Satire is the use of humor, irony, and exaggeration with the intent of drawing attention to societal issues. It can be a powerful tool for understanding various fields and in this class we will use it as a platform for exploring different academic disciplines. From mathematics to philosophy to literature to psychology, this FYS will be truly interdisciplinary and I hope it will serve as an introduction to how scholars in different fields think.
From Adderall to Zoloft: Understanding the Structure of Drugs
This course explores the three-dimensional structure of carbon-based molecules through the lens of pharmaceutical drugs. Students will learn how to interpret the structure of common pharmaceuticals and discern how those structures dictate their interactions with the body. Emphasis will be placed on the cultural, societal, and economic ramifications of the synthesis of these drugs.
Chemistry Capstone
The capstone course is the culminating experience of your chemistry research . The goal of this course is to help you prepare your final capstone paper, oral exam, and oral presentation. In order to help you improve your writing and analytical skills, the paper will be written in sections and feedback will be provided.
In this course, we will be building our understanding of chemical principles from the bottom up. We will begin by thinking about some of the smallest particles (electrons, protons, and neutrons) and how they come together to form atoms. From there, we will explore how these atoms come together to form molecules, the building blocks for all substances in the universe. Finally, we will learn how these molecules interact with each resulting in changes to their physical and chemical properties.
Organic Chemistry I with lab
Organic Chemistry I is the first semester of a two semester class designed for students majoring in the natural sciences. The class explores concepts involving the chemical bonding of carbon containing molecules. Students will first be introduced to structural features of these molecules and how these structures relate to their functions, both biologically and industrially. An investigation of the mechanisms of reactivity will follow concluding with an introduction to techniques for identification of organic compounds.
Organic Chemistry II with lab
Organic Chemistry II is the second semester of a two semester class designed for students majoring in the natural sciences. Since the course is a continuation of Organic Chemistry I, it is expected that students have a thorough understanding of the principles taught in that class. The primary focus will be on the reactions of functional groups with an emphasis on their mechanisms and their uses in synthesis. The course will conclude with an introduction to biologically relevant organic molecules and modern synthetic methods.
Inorganic Chemistry and Biological Systems
Inorganic Chemistry and Biological Systems is an introduction to the structure and reactivity of metal complexes with an emphasis on their interaction with biological systems. Fundamental concepts such as electronic structure, symmetry, and molecular orbital theory will be used to determine the structure of transition metal complexes. These models will then be used to describe reactivity with regard to organometallic catalysis and bioinorganic chemistry.
Advanced Organic Chemistry
This course focuses on advanced concepts in organic chemistry dealing broadly with mechanistic determination and synthetic strategies. Subtle electronic and steric factors that greatly affect the reactivity of molecules will be illustrated using a variety of case studies from current literature. These factors will then be applied to the synthesis of complex organic molecules of biological and industrial importance. Emphasis will be placed on modern methods in asymmetric synthesis and organometallics.
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
This course provides an introduction to the chemical principles behind the design, synthesis, and mode of action of pharmaceutical agents. The focus is on drug targets (enzymes, receptors, DNA) and how these agents bind to biological targets to modulate a cellular response. The course draws upon material covered in organic chemistry and biochemistry and utilizes a cross-disciplinary approach to study drug chemistry. The reading from the course will be from the scientific literature.
First Year Seminar - Lessons from the Simpsons: Embiggening Minds through Satire
This seminar will focus on how The Simpsons employs satire as a device to stimulate discussions about more serious issues. Satire is the use of humor, irony, and exaggeration with the intent of drawing attention to societal issues. It can be a powerful tool for understanding various fields and in this class we will use it as a platform for exploring different academic disciplines. From mathematics to philosophy to literature to psychology, this FYS will be truly interdisciplinary and I hope it will serve as an introduction to how scholars in different fields think.
From Adderall to Zoloft: Understanding the Structure of Drugs
This course explores the three-dimensional structure of carbon-based molecules through the lens of pharmaceutical drugs. Students will learn how to interpret the structure of common pharmaceuticals and discern how those structures dictate their interactions with the body. Emphasis will be placed on the cultural, societal, and economic ramifications of the synthesis of these drugs.
Chemistry Capstone
The capstone course is the culminating experience of your chemistry research . The goal of this course is to help you prepare your final capstone paper, oral exam, and oral presentation. In order to help you improve your writing and analytical skills, the paper will be written in sections and feedback will be provided.