Chemistry

Overview

The chemistry program at New College encourages and develops independence, collaboration, and scientific judgment. From the beginning, students work closely with faculty in a non-competitive environment, learning the skills and techniques necessary for scientific work. Tutorials, Independent Study Projects, and the senior thesis provide opportunities for intensive study on specific topics and original laboratory research.

Laboratories are well equipped for organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry projects as well as for analytical, biochemistry and molecular biology. Students enjoy access to research-grade instruments in laboratory courses and research projects.

Research facilities include a 400 MHz NMR spectrometer, FTIR and UV-visible spectrophotometers including a fluorimeter, a high-performance liquid chromatograph, an inert atmosphere glove box, a solvent purification system, electrochemistry equipment, a GC-mass spectrometer, a real-time PCR machine, and a brand new benchtop powder X-ray diffractometer. The latter enables rapid phase identification and crystallographic analysis of solid materials. 

Courses offered in the core program in chemistry include General Chemistry I and II, Organic Chemistry-Structure and Reactivity I and II, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry I and II, and Biochemistry I. General, Organic, Inorganic, and Physical Chemistry are each accompanied by separate laboratory courses. In addition to the core chemistry courses, other courses offered include Analytical Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry II, Biochemistry Laboratory, Structure Elucidation, Polymer Chemistry, Bioinorganic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, and Chemical Research, Communication and Careers. Recent tutorials have been conducted in Green Chemistry, Atmospheric Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Virology, and Enzyme Kinetics. Many opportunities are available for tutorials on these and other topics, as well as for laboratory research tutorials.

The biochemistry component of the program (also see Biochemistry AOC) places particular emphasis on understanding the chemical basis of human health and disease. This foundation equips students with the knowledge to explore how molecular processes contribute to both normal function and disease progression, fostering a deeper understanding of topics relevant to biomedical research and clinical science.

For students with little experience in the natural sciences, Introduction to Environmental Chemistry is offered. This course presents chemistry within the context of society and the environment. Introduction to Environmental Chemistry and General Chemistry I satisfy the CYC Natural Sciences Curriculum requirement, and General Chemistry I satisfies the Natural Sciences General Education requirement.

Faculty in Chemistry

Briana Aguila-Ames, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Steven Austin, Assistant Professor of Chemistry
Lin Jiang, Associate Professor of Bioorganic Chemistry

Devang Khambhati, Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Suzanne Sherman, Associate Professor of Chemistry

Romina Uranga, Assistant Professor of Biochemistry

Requirements for the AOC in Chemistry

A minimum of twenty-one (21) academic units.

*Note: Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory is required. For students interested in graduate school, Calculus III and a second semester of Physics lab are strongly recommended.

Requirements for the Joint AOC in Chemistry

A minimum of sixteen (16) academic units.

Requirements for a Secondary Field in Chemistry

A minimum of eight (8) academic units, at least four (4) of which must be completed at New College. 

Chemistry Facilities

Chemistry laboratories provide excellent research and teaching facilities for chemical synthesis, separation and structure determination, and for a variety of studies of structure, bonding and reactivity. Specialized glassware, a solvent purification system, and a glove box facilitate the handling of sensitive chemicals and enable the exploration of various synthetic methods in controlled environments. Gas chromatography and high-performance liquid chromatography are available for separations, and characterization and structure determination can be carried out by use of nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, infrared and ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometry, mass spectrometry, and powder x-ray diffraction.

Our facilities feature a state-of-the-art Bruker benchtop powder X-ray diffractometer, available for both teaching and research purposes, enabling rapid phase identification and crystallographic analysis of solid materials. A research grade 400 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer is also available for use in laboratory courses and research, enabling identification and study of molecules in solution.  A research-grade electrochemical apparatus allows study of fast electrochemical reactions, and chemical kinetics can be studied using computer-controlled ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometers.

Representative Senior Theses in Chemistry

• Homology Modeling of Glucose-6-phosphate Dehydrogenase from a Halophilic Bacteria
• The Search for MicroRNAs Encoded by the Influenza A Virus
• Exploring the Impact of S. mutans and L. casei on Cellular Disruptions: Insights from C. elegans as a Model for Microbial Dysbiosis
• Partial Synthesis of Fe(III) - Tetraamido Macrocyclic Ligands as Potential Green Oxidation Catalysts
• Bdippza: Synthesis and Metal Complexes of a New Monoanionic [N₂O] Heteroscorpionate Ligand
• Photodegradation of pharmaceutical pollutants in wastewater treatment
• The Effect of Graphene Oxidation and Weight Percentage on the Biodegradability and Conductivity of a Cellulose-Graphene (Oxide) Biocomposite
• Purification and Characterization of C. elegans Mitochondrial Malate Dehydrogenase
• Towards the Synthesis of 1,4-Dibenzyl-1,4,7-Triazacyclononane-7-Monoacetate for a Potential Mimic of Oxalate Degrading Enzymes
• Metabolomics Study on Hard Clams' Response to Red Tide Toxins
• Topical Plant-Based Natural Dyes Combination and Adsorption Optimization for Natural Dye-sensitized Solar Cell