Courses

Please go to course enrollment for enrollment inquiries.

Undergraduate Courses

* Please note that 600-level graduate courses may be open to advanced undergraduate students.

Graduate Courses 

Introductory Chemistry

Students who need two or more semesters of chemistry usually choose to take Chem 103-104. If you plan to major in chemistry, biochemistry or a related science, premed, or chemical engineering and have had two years of high school chemistry and place into Math 221 or higher, you should consider Chem 109. Students who need only one semester of chemistry and who are using chemistry solely as a science requirement may choose to take Chem 108. Chem 108 is a terminal course and does not serve as a prerequisite for addtitional chemistry. Chem 115-116 is for students with especially strong math skills and at least one year of high school chemistry; enrollment is by invitation only.  Consult the Undergraduate Chemistry Office (Room 1328) if you need help making the best selection.

Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry
At UW-Madison, a student may receive three credits for one semester of Introductory Chemistry (Chem 103) when they successfully pass the AP Chemistry Exam. Please note that only 4-5 credits from Chem 103, 108, 109, or 115 will be accepted for degree credit.

Course Descriptions

From the College of Letters & Science Bulletin: I - Fall Semester, II - Spring Semester, SS - Summer (8-week) Semester; Breadth Code: P - Physical Science; Level Code: E -Elementary; I - Intermediate; A - Advanced; D - either I or A.

103 General Chemistry. I, II, SS; 4 cr (P-E). Introduction. Stoichiometry and the mole concept, the behavior of gases, liquids and solids, thermochemistry, electronic structure of atoms and chemical bonding, descriptive chemistry of selected elements and compounds, chemical equilibrium. For students taking one year or more of college chemistry; serves as a prereq for Chem 104; lecture, lab and discussion. P: Placement above Math 112 or completion of Math 112 or equiv & 1 yr HS chem recommended. Open to Fr. From Chem 103, 108, & 109 only 4-5 cr for degree credit.
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 104 General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis. I, II, SS; 5 cr (P-E). Principles and application of chemical equilibrium, coordination chemistry, oxidation-reduction and electrochemistry, kinetics, nuclear chemistry, introduction to organic chemistry. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 103 & placement above Math 112 or completion of Math 112 or equiv. Open to Fr. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 109 or 115.
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 108 General Chemistry. I; 5 cr (P-E). Introduction to chemistry. A one-semester survey of inorganic and organic chemistry. Emphasis is on relevance to biological and social issues. Not intended for students who expect to take additional chemistry courses. P: Open only to those taking only 1 sem of chem, no HS chem req, 1 yr HS chem is permitted. Open to Fr. Only 4-5 crs from Chem 103, 108, & 109 will be accepted for degree credit.
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 109 General and Analytical Chemistry I. I; 5 cr (r-P-E). A modern introduction to chemical principles that draws on current research themes. For students with good chemistry and math background preparation who desire a one-semester coverage of general chemistry. Recommended for students intending majors in chemistry or allied fields. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: 1 yr HS chem, 3 yr HS math; suitable math placement score. Open to Fr. Only 4-5 credits from Chem 103, 108, & 109 will be accepted for degree credit.
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 115 Chemical Principles I. I; 5 cr (r-P-E). For specially well qualified students majoring in chemistry or chemical engineering. Lecture, lab, and quiz. P: Adv placement or adv HS chem, cr or con reg in Math 221 or cons inst. Open to Fr.

 116 Chemical Principles II. II; 5 cr (P-I). Continuation of Chemistry 115. Chemistry 115 and 116 satisfy the requirements for general chemistry and introductory analytical chemistry; lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 115 or cons inst. Open to Fr.

260 Entering Research I I, II; 1 cr (I). Seminar course designed primarily for sophomores or transfer students to begin independent research in chemistry. Taken concurrently with 1-3 research credits with faculty member. Supports independent research experience. P: None

261 Entering Research II I, II; 1 cr (I). Seminar course designed primarily for sophomores or transfer students to begin independent research in chemistry. Taken concurrently with 1-3 research credits with faculty member. Supports independent research experience. P: Must have taken Chem 260, or completed at least one semester of research with a faculty member.

 299 Directed Study. I, II, SS; 1-4 cr (I). P: Cons inst.

 311 Chemistry Across the Periodic Table. I, II; 4 cr (P-I). This course explores the descriptive chemistry of the elements in the context of state-of-the-art research and technology development. The weekly three hour laboratory introduces students to the synthesis and characterization of inorganic compounds. P: Chem 109 or 104. Open to Fr.

 327 Analytical Chemistry. I, II, SS; 4 cr (P-I). Fundamentals of chemical measurement in chemistry, biology, engineering, geology, and the medical sciences. Topics include equilibria of complex systems, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, separations, and quantitative laboratory technique. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 104, or 109 or cons inst.

 329 Analytical Chemistry. I, II; 4 cr (P-I). Fundamentals of chemical measurement in chemistry, biology, engineering, geology, and the medical sciences. Topics include equilibria of complex systems, spectroscopy, electrochemistry, separations, and quantitative laboratory technique. For chemistry majors, chemical engineering majors, and related majors. Lecture, lab, and discussion. P: Chem 104, 109 or cons inst.

 341 Introductory Organic Chemistry. I; 3 cr (P-I). P: For those stdts who expect to take only 1 sem organic chem; Chem 104 or 109. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 343.

 342 Organic Chemistry Laboratory. I; 1 cr (P-I). For students who expect to take only one semester of organic chemistry. Concurrent registration in Chemistry 341 is recommended. P: Chem 341 or con reg.

 343 Introductory Organic Chemistry. I, II, SS; 3 cr (P-I). P: For stdts expecting to take 2 sems organic chem; Chem 104 or 109. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 341.
Visit Prof. Gellman's Introductory Organic Chemistry 343 course website (other sections available via Learn@UW)

 344 Introductory Organic Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 2 cr (P-I). Basic analytical techniques for organic chemistry. Commonly used synthetic methods. Purification and characterization of reaction products. P: Credit or con reg in Chem 345.
Visit Dr. Hill and Dr. Esselman's Organic Chemistry 344 course website

 345 Intermediate Organic Chemistry. I, II, SS; 3 cr (P-I). P: Chem 343 with grade of C or better.

 346 Intermediate Organic Chemistry Laboratory. I; 2 cr (P-A). Multi-step synthetic processes. Advanced experimental techniques such as high-vacuum distillation. Independent research projects. P: Chem 344 & 345 or cons inst.

 425 Undergraduate Rheology Seminar. (Crosslisted with CBE, EMA, ME) I, II; 0-1 cr (A). Rheology seminar course encouraged for all interested in professions related to polymers, suspensions or rheology; will not count toward credit requirement of the major. P: Cons inst or Jr st.

 511 Inorganic Chemistry. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Theoretical principles and descriptive chemistry of the elements. P: Jr st or cons inst.

 524 Chemical Instrumentation.  II; 3 cr (P-A). Instrumental methods of measurements, as applied to modern chemical analysis; lecture and lab. P: Chem 343; Chem 329 or Chem 327; Physics 208 or Physics 202; or cons inst.

 547 Advanced Organic Chemistry. II; 3 cr (P-A). A third semester of descriptive organic chemistry. P: Chem 345.

 561 Physical Chemistry. I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Macroscopic theory: equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and transport properties. P: Chem 327 or 329; Math 222; Physics 201 or 207. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 565.

 562 Physical Chemistry . I, II; 3 cr (P-A). Molecular theory: quantum chemistry, molecular structure and spectra, statistical mechanics, selected topics in the molecular theory of matter in bulk. P: Chem 561 or 565 or ChE 211; Physics 202 or 208.
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 563 Physical Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 1-2 cr (P-A). Principles of experimental physical chemistry applied to the acquisition of thermodynamic and kinetic data; use of basic physical laboratory equipment; related computations, analysis of errors, interpretation of results. P: Chem 561 or 565 or ChE 211.

 564 Physical Chemistry Laboratory. I, II, SS; 1 cr (P-A). Principles of experimental physical chemistry applied to the acquisition and interpretation of basic data on molecular structure and dynamics, and properties of macromolecules; principles and use of spectroscopic and other electronic instrumentation. P: Chem 562 and 563. Not for cr for those who have taken 567.

 565 Physical Chemistry. I, II; 4 cr (P-A). Equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, and transport properties, with emphasis on solution behavior and applications to biological macromolecules in solution. For students interested primarily in the biological applications of physical chemistry. P: Chem 327 or 329; Math 222; Physics 201 or 207; Biocore 303, or Biochem 501 or con reg, or cons inst. Not for credit for those who have taken Chem 561.

605 Spectrochemical Measurements. I; 3 cr (P-A). Mass spectrometry and applied nuclear magnetic resonance. Two lecture sessions, or lectures, and one problem session per week. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

 606 Physical Methods for Structure Determination. II; 1-3 cr (P-A). A survey of spectroscopic methods for inorganic structure determination. This course will introduce the major non-crystallographic techniques with an emphasis on the application to structural analysis. The basic theory and methodology of each form of spectroscopy will be presented. Topics covered include: ligand field theory, electronic absorption, IR/Raman, Mossbauer and EPR stectroscopies, and magnetic susceptibility. P: Chem 511 & 562 or cons inst. Chem 608 or equiv recommended.

 607 Laboratory Safety. II; 1 cr (A). Aspects of laboratory safety relating to chemical, electrical, optical, mechanical, cryogenic and radiological hazards will be discussed. Safety equipment, techniques (including first aid), and facilities will be introduced. P: Chem 346 or cons inst.

 608 Symmetry, Bonding, and Molecular Shapes. I; 1-3 cr. This course provides a solid background in elementary bonding theory and its application to understanding molecular geometry and reactivity. The course emphasizes qualitative methods applied to the bonding of elements from throughout the periodic table. P: Grad st or cons inst.

 613 Chemical Crystallography. II; 3 cr (P-A). Theory of structural chemistry, experimental methods involved, applications to problems of chemical interest; use of diffractometric equipment and computer data analysis for an actual structure determination. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

 619 Microscopy of Life. (Crosslisted with Physics, Anatomy, BME, Med Phys, Phmcol-M, Radiol) II; 3 cr (I). Survey of state of the art microscopic, cellular and molecular imaging techniques, beginning with subcellular microscopy and finishing with whole animal imaging. P: 2nd semester intro physics including light & optics (e.g. 104, 202, 208) or cons inst.

 621 Instrumental Analysis. I; 3-4 cr (P-A). Chemical instrumentation, spectrochemical, electrochemical and other methods of instrumental analysis; lecture and lab. P: Cr or con reg in Chem 561 or cons inst.

 622 Organic Analysis. Alt yrs.; II; 2 cr (P-A). Methods and underlying theory of functional group analysis. P: Chem 345 & 524 or cons inst.

 623 Experimental Spectroscopy. Alt yrs.; I; 2-3 cr (P-A). The theory behind current spectroscopic methods employed in chemical analysis with applications in atomic and molecular absorption spectroscopy, infrared and Raman vibrational spectroscopy, fluorescence and light scattering; lecture and laboratory projects. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

 624 Electrochemistry. Alt yrs.; I; 2-3 cr (P-A). Theory of interfacial electron transfer and mass transport processes in electrochemistry, with applications to electroanalysis, electrodeposition and electrochemical separations; lecture and laboratory projects. P: Grad st or cons inst.

 625 Separations in Chemical Analysis. Irr.; 2-3 cr (P-A). Fundamentals of transport processes and the origins of chemical potential differences giving rise to separation. Principles of chromatography, electrophoresis and field flow fractionation. Lecture and laboratory projects. P: 1 sem organic & 1 sem phys chem, or cons inst.

 628 Chemical Instrumentation: Design and Control Applications. II; 3 cr (P-A). The design and application of chemical instrumentation; basic principles for monitoring and controlling chemical experiments; optical, electrical and mechanical sensors and transducers of importance to analytical chemical instrumentation; lecture and lab. P: Chem 524, 621 or cons inst.

 630 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry. I, II; 1-3 cr (P-A). Lectures of a specialized nature in advanced analytical chemistry. P: Chem 524, 621 or cons inst.

 636 Topics in Chemical Instrumentation: Introduction to NMR. I, II; 2 cr (A). This course will instruct students on the theory and practice of NMR spectroscopy. It is a full semester course, consisting of 15 hours of lecture and 30 hours laboratory instruction. P: Cons inst. Enrollment will be limited based on avail instrumentation for lab exercises.

 637 Topics in Chemical Instrumentation: Advanced Methods in NMR. SS; 1 cr (A). This course will instruct students on advanced methods of NMR spectroscopy. It is offered as a seven week module, consisting of 7 hours of lecture, 14 hours of laboratory instruction, 1 hour final exam. P: Cons inst. Enrollment will be limited based on avail instrumentation for lab exercises.

 638 Topics in Chemical Instrumentation: Introduction to Mass Spectrometry. I, II; 1 cr (A). This course will introduce students to the theory and practice of mass spectrometry. It is offered as a 7 week module, consisting of 15 hours of lecture and laboratory instruction. P: Cons inst. Enrollment will be limited based on avail instrumentation for lab exercises.

 641 Advanced Organic Chemistry. I; 3 cr (P-A). Topics in physical organic chemistry. P: Chem 345 or cons inst.

 647 Electron Pushing Mechanisms in Organic Chemistry. II; 1 cr (P-A). Application of the electron pushing formalism for manipulating Lewis structure representations of organic structures. Emphasis is placed on mechanistic rationalization of complex organic transformations. P: Chem 345.

 654 Materials Chemistry of Polymers. II; 2-3 cr (A). Polymer classification, synthesis, and molecular architecture; solid state structure and characterization; glassy state and glass transition; polymer rheology in solids and gels; transport, dielectric and optical properties. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

 661 Intermediate Chemical Thermodynamics. I; 3 cr (P-A). Basic chemical thermodynamics with applications to chemical and phase equilibria and the study of solutions; introduction to statistical mechanics and calculation of thermodynamic quantities from molecular models; stability and fluctuations. P: Chem 561 or 565, & Chem 562; or cons inst.

 664 Introduction to Macromolecular Chemistry. I, II; 2-3 cr (P-A). Structure, thermodynamics, and dynamics of polymers in solution and in the bulk; theoretical models and experimental methods; polymer characterization. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

 665 Biophysical Chemistry. (Crosslisted with Biochem) I; 4 cr (A). Equilibrium thermodynamics, chemical kinetics and transport properties, with emphasis on solution behavior and application to noncovalent interactions of biological macromolecules in solution. For graduate students interested in the biological applications of physical chemistry. P: Grad st or cons inst. Stdts must meet prereqs for Chem 565 & have some prev background in phys chem.

 675 Introductory Quantum Chemistry. I; 3 cr. Basic principles of quantum chemistry, exactly solvable problems, angular momentum, approximation methods, applications to electronic structure. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

 681 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). An independent and original study done under the direction of a member of the staff, recommended for seniors majoring in chemistry. P: Honors candidacy.

 682 Senior Honors Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). Continuation of 681. P: Honors candidacy.

 691 Senior Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). An independent and original study done under the direction of a member of the staff, recommended for seniors majoring in chemistry. P: Cons inst.

 692 Senior Thesis. I, II; 2-6 cr (P-A). Continuation of 691. P: Cons inst.

 699 Directed Study. I, II; 1-6 cr (P-A) Graded on letter basis. Prerequisite: Junior or Senior standing and consent of instructor.

712 Transitional Element Chemistry. 2-3 cr. P: Chem 603 or 711 or cons inst.

713 Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry of the Main Group Elements. 1-3 cr. A modular course consisting of 1), inorganic and 2), organometallic chemistry of main-group elements and 3), organosilicon chemistry. P: Chem 511 or equiv.

714 Organometallic Chemistry of the Transition Elements. 2-3 cr. P: Chem 511 or cons inst.

725 Structural Theories of Fluid Dynamics. (Crosslisted with ChE, EMA) 3 cr. Interconnection between fluid structure and bulk flow properties, kinetic theory of polymer solutions, polymer melts, suspensions and emulsions, deduction of rheological constitutive equations, Brownian motion. Configuration-space and phase-space kinetic theory.
P: ChE 320 or EMA 622 or cons inst.

762 Molecular Reaction Dynamics. 2-3 cr. Microscopic approach to chemical dynamics. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

763 Introduction to Molecular Spectroscopy. 2-3 cr. Quantum mechanics of molecular rotation and vibration; principles of group theory; electronic, vibrational, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy in gas and condensed phases. P: Chem 675 or cons inst.

775 Electronic Structure of Molecules. 2-3 cr. Applications of quantum mechanics to the electronic structure and properties of molecules. P: Chem 675 or cons inst.

777 Physical Chemistry of Surfaces. 2-3 cr. Structure, thermodynamics, kinetics, and reactivity of molecules at the interfaces between gases, liquids and solids, with applications to catalysis, atmospheric chemistry, monolayers, and thin films. P: Chem 562 or cons inst.

801 Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry. 1-3 cr. P: cons inst.

841 Advanced Organic Chemistry. 3 cr. Synthesis of simple and complex organic compounds. P: Chem 641.

842 Advanced Organic Chemistry. 1-3 cr. Selected topics. P: cons inst.

843 Advanced Organic Chemistry. 1-3 cr. P: cons inst.

845 Bioorganic Chemistry. 2-3 cr. Chemical structure and reactivity of biological molecules. P: Chem 641, Biochem 602, or cons inst.

860 Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry. 1-3 cr. P: Grad st.

864 Statistical Mechanics. 2-3 cr. Fundamentals of statistical mechanics; applications to equilibrium and non-equilibrium properties of gases and condensed phases; selected advanced topics. P: Chem 661 & 675 or cons inst.

872 Selected Topics in Macromolecular and Biophysical Chemistry. (Crosslisted with Biochem)
1-3 cr. P: Grad st.

875 Advanced Topics in Quantum Chemistry. 2-3 cr. Advanced methods and special topics in quantum chemistry. P: Chem 675 or cons inst.