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The Chemistry Department has three types of courses available for students starting out toward careers in any of the sciences, engineering, or medicine. Students are placed into these courses according to the results of the tests in chemistry and mathematics that they take during orientation.
For students interested in the sciences, engineering or medicine, either Chem. 130 or Chem. 210/211 can be their starting point. Students who have had a strong course in high school (which may include AP credit in chemistry) are advised to start in Chem. 210 and 211, the laboratory course that accompanies it. Chem. 130 is recommended for all other students. Section 400 of Chem. 130 is reserved for students who would benefit from a smaller lecture section and more frequent contact with both senior faculty and teaching assistants.
Students who have had little or no laboratory work in high school should plan to elect Chem. 125 with Chem. 130. Other students electing Chem. 130 may postpone laboratory to a subsequent term.
Check into labs on the first day they are scheduled. You must take a print-out of your class schedule to Lab Check-in. If you fail to appear, your space may be given to a waitlisted student 2 hours after the lab begins. You are at risk of having to waitlist for another lab.
Prior to the first day of class, check for openings at CRISP first. Fill out Waitlist Form in 1500 Chemistry. Go to Room 1706 Chemistry to get into labs 2 hours after desired lab begins. Sections will be assigned there; student will take override to Chem Lab to check in immediately. You will be registered automatically into the section(s) shown on the override.
105/AOSS 105. Our Changing Atmosphere.
(3). (NS). (BS).
This course considers the science needed to understand human-induced threats
to the atmospheric environment, with special emphasis on the global changes
that are taking place, or are anticipated. We will discuss the greenhouse
effect (and its impact on climate), ozone depletion, the polar ozone holes,
and urban air pollution. Some basic meteorology will be presented, including
how climate changes might affect the frequency and severity of hurricanes
and tornadoes. Students will have access to real-time weather information
via computer. This lecture course is intended for non-science concentrators,
and there are no prerequisites. Grades will be based on three one-hour exams
(no final exam) and homework. Cost:1
WL:1
(Samson/Wu)
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130. General Chemistry: Macroscopic
Investigations and Reaction Principles. Three years of high
school math or Math. 105; one year of high school chemistry recommended.
Placement by testing, or permission of Chemistry department. Intended for
students without AP credit in chemistry. (3). (NS). (BS). (QR/2).
This General Chemistry course is intended to satisfy the one-term chemistry
requirement for students interested in science, or as a natural science
elective for non-science concentrators. This course may also be used as
the first term in a four or more term chemistry sequence (probably 130,
210/211, 215/216, 260/241/242, etc.) for science concentrators
and pre-professional students.
Chemistry 130 provides an introduction to the major concepts of chemistry, including the microscopic picture of atomic and molecular structure, periodic trends in the chemical reactivity, the energetics of chemical reactions, and the nature of chemical equilibria. Students will be introduced to the fundamental principles of modern chemistry, the descriptive chemistry of the elements, and to the underlying theories that account for observed macroscopic behavior. In Chem 130, students will learn to think critically, examine experimental data, and form generalizations about data as chemists do. Chem 130 will meet three times each week in lecture sections with senior faculty (the intensive section will have four lectures a week), and once a week in small group discussion classes led by graduate student instructors. Lecturers and graduate student instructors will have scheduled office hours for after-class help, and computerized study aids will be available to all students. Course grades will be determined from discussion class evaluation, three one-hour examinations (Tuesday nights), and a final examination. See Time Schedule for examination times and dates.
The intensive lecture section (Section 400) is intended for those students
who would benefit from a smaller lecture section (maximum 100 students)
and more lectures so that the pace is slower and there is more feedback.
Placement by LS&A testing or permission of the Chemistry Department
(1500 Chemistry) is needed for enrollment in this section. Cost:4
WL:2
(Section 100: Kopelman;
Sections 200, 500: Lohr;
Section 300, 400: Weathers;
Section 600: Staff)
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211. Investigations in Chemistry.
To be taken with Chem. 210. (1). (NS). (BS). Laboratory fee
($67.50) required.
Chemistry 211 is a laboratory introduction to methods of investigation in
inorganic and organic chemistry. Students solve individual problems using
microscale equipment and a variety of techniques such as thin layer chromatography,
titrations, and spectroscopy. The course consists of a four-hour laboratory
period with a graduate student instructor under the supervision of the professor.
Students keep laboratory notebooks, which also serve as laboratory reports.
Grades are based on performance in the laboratory and the laboratory notebooks.
NOTE: This course is linked to Chemistry 210. The recitation sections
for Chemistry 210 and the corresponding laboratory sections for Chemistry
211 are listed together in the Time Schedule under Chemistry 210.
Students must elect both Chemistry 210 (for 4 credits) and Chemistry 211
(for 1 credit). Cost:1
WL:2
(Wiseman)
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216. Synthesis and Characterization
of Organic Compounds. Chem. 210/211. Must be taken with Chem.
215. (2). (NS). (BS). Laboratory fee ($62.50) required.
Chemistry 216 builds on the experimental approach started in Chemistry 211.
Students participate in planning exactly what they are going to do in the
laboratory by being given general goals and directions that have to be adapted
to fit the specific project they will be working on. They use microscale
equipment, which requires them to develop manual dexterity and care in working
in the laboratory. They also evaluate the results of their experiments by
checking for identity and purity using various chromatographic and spectroscopic
methods. Students will be expected to keep a laboratory notebook that will
serve as the basis for their laboratory reports.
NOTE: This course is linked to Chemistry 215. The laboratory sections
for Chemistry 216 are listed in the Time Schedule under Chemistry
215. Students must elect both Chemistry 215 (for 3 credits) and Chemistry
216 (for 2 credits). Cost:2
WL:2
(Koreeda)
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230. Physical Chemical Principles
and Applications. Chem. 215/216. No credit granted to those
who have completed or are enrolled in Chem. 260. No credit granted to those
who have completed Chem 340. (3). (NS). (BS).
This Chemistry course is intended as a fourth term in chemistry for science
concentrators and pre-professional students, completing the two-year chemistry
sequence required by, for example, the medical, dental, and engineering
programs. Students who plan to continue beyond a fourth term in chemistry
would typically enroll in Chemistry 260/241/242 instead of Chemistry 230;
credit will not be given for both of these courses. In Chemistry 230, students
will be introduced to the physical principles underlying some of the major
topics of inorganic and analytical chemistry. We will study the liquid and
solid states of matter, phase transitions, solutions, electrochemistry,
coordination complexes, spectroscopy, and the principles of thermodynamics
that explain observed chemical behavior. These topics will be treated from
the viewpiont of the experimental scientist, with an emphasis on the application
of physical chemical principles to chemical behavior in a broad spectrum
of settings. Chemistry 230 will meet three times each week in lecture sections
with senior faculty and once a week in small group discussion classes led
by graduate student instructors. Lecturers and GSIs will have scheduled
office hours for after class help, and computerized study aids will be available
to all students. Course grades will be determined from three one-hour examinations.
See Time Schedule for examination times and dates. Cost:2
WL:2
(Sharp)
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241. Introduction to Chemical Analysis.
Prior or concurrent enrollment in Chem. 260. No credit granted
to those who have completed Chem. 340. (2). (NS). (BS).
Chemistry 241 is a continuation of Chemistry 130, 210/211, and 215/216,
and is designed primarily for students in the biological and chemical sciences.
The course introduces students to the chemical basis of both classical wet
analysis methods and modern instrumental analysis methods. The emphasis
is on statistical methods and the analytical applications of equilibria,
electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and radioactivity. Analytical applications
are further developed through the laboratory (Chemistry 242). Grading is
based on hour exams, problem sets, and a final examination. (Gordus)
Note: This course is linked to Chemistry 242. Students must elect both
Chemistry 241 (for 2 credits) and Chemistry 242 (for 2 credits).
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242. Introduction to Chemical Analysis
Laboratory. Prior or concurrent enrollment in Chem. 260. No
credit granted to those who have completed Chem. 340. (2). (NS). (BS). Laboratory
fee ($50) required.
Chemistry 242 is the laboratory component of the Chemistry 241/242 course
sequence. Experiments include studies of equilibria (titration, potentiometry),
separations (gas and liquid chromatography), electrochemistry, and spectroscopy
(atomic and molecular absorption and emission). Grading is based on laboratory
reports and a final examination.
Note: This course is linked to Chemistry 241. Students must elect both
Chemistry 241 (for 2 credits) and Chemistry 242 (for 2 credits). (Gordus)
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260. Chemical Principles. Chem.
215/216, Math. 115, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Phys. 140. No
credit granted to those who have completed Chem. 340. (3). (NS). (BS).
Chemistry 260 is a continuation of Chemistry 130, 210/211, 215/216, and
is designed primarily for students in the biological and chemical sciences.
The course introduces students to the quantal nature of matter (the Schrödinger
equation and the mathematical machinery of quantum mechanics), the basic
principles of chemical thermodynamics (1st and 2nd laws of thermodynamics)
and kinetics (empirical rate laws). In addition, this course introduces
students to the fundamental principles necessary to understand spectroscopy
(electronic, vibrational, and rotational) and electrochemistry (free energy,
Nernst and Faraday's laws). Grading is based on hour exams, problem sets,
and a final examination. Section 100: Cordes;
Section 200: Sension)
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261. Introduction to Quantum Chemistry.
Chem. 215/216, Math. 115, and prior or concurrent enrollment
in Phys. 140. Chem. 261 is intended primarily for Chemical Engineering students.
No credit granted for students that have completed or are enrolled in Chem.
260. No credit granted to students who have completed Chem. 340. (1). (Excl).
(BS).
Chemistry 261 is an introduction to the quantal nature of matter (the Schrödinger
equation and the mathematical machinery of quantum mechanics) and the fundamental
principles necessary to understand spectroscopy (electronic, vibrational,
and rotational). Chemistry 261 is intended for Chemical Engineering students.
This course, together with Chem Engin 330, provides the prerequisites necessary
for enrollment in Chemistry 302. Grading is based on problem sets and one
hour exam. Chemistry 261 meets only for the first third of the term. (Cordes, Sension)
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302. Inorganic Chemistry: Principles
of Structure, Reactivity, and Function. Chem. 260 (or Chem.
261 and ChemE 330; or Chem. 340). (3). (NS). (BS).
This course in Inorganic Chemistry is intended to introduce students to
the properties of the elements and the compounds that they form. The course
should be elected by students concentrating in chemistry, chemical engineering,
or cellular and molecular biology. Section 100 will have a biological flavor
and Section 200 will have a materials flavor.
This course will provide an introduction to the structure and properties
of those elements other than carbon. Topics that will be included are the
electronic structure of atoms, molecules and extended solids, bonding, periodicity,
main group and transition element chemistry, catalysis and bioinorganic
chemistry. Several lectures in the materials-oriented section will be devoted
to novel and emergent concepts and phenomena, such as, for example, ceramic
superconductors, fundamental and applied chemistry of organometallics, inorganic
polymers, and materials chemistry. The biological section will include examples
of metals in proteins and nucleic acids and how these metals are involved
in biological catalysis. Chemistry 302 will meet for one hour, three times
each week with a senior faculty member and once a week with a graduate student
instructor in groups of approximately 25. Lecturers and GSIs will have scheduled
office hours. Course grades will be determined from weekly problem sets,
three one-hour in class exams, and a final examination. See Time Schedule
for examination times and dates. Cost:3
WL:2
(Section 100: Pecoraro;
Section 200: B. Evans)
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312. Synthesis and Characterization.
Chem. 215/216. Prior or concurrent enrollment in Chem. 302.
(2). (Excl). (BS). Laboratory fee ($70) required.
Chemistry 312 introduces students to advanced techniques used in the synthesis,
purification, and characterization of inorganic and organic compounds. The
course emphasizes methods for handling air-sensitive material such as organo-metallic
compounds, and includes syringe techniques, working under vacuum or inert
gas atmospheres, vacuum distillations as well as various chromatographic
and spectroscopic techniques. The course meets in two 4-hour laboratory
periods. Some of that time may be used for discussion of techniques and
principles. Grades are based on laboratory performance, written reports,
and examinations. Cost:2
WL:2
(Coucouvamis)
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402. Intermediate Inorganic Chemistry.
Chem. 302, and 461/462 (or 469). (3). (Excl). (BS).
Chemistry 402 is a second-term course in inorganic chemistry at the undergraduate
level. It has as a prerequisite Chem 302. The goals of the course are two-fold.
On the one hand, it will build upon the concepts presented in the earlier
course. Topics included here will emphasize the interrelations of ideas
presented earlier in the curriculum. For example, discussion can include
the relation between oxidation and reduction and acidity, periodic trends
in acids and bases, the relation of hard and soft ideas to molecular orbital
theory, periodic trends in standard reduction potentials, the relation of
molecular structure to conductivity and magnetism. The key topics to be
covered in this portion of the course include acid-base chemistry, theories
of bonding, periodic properties and d- metal complexes. The course goes
on to cover additional topics selected from issues in catalysis, bioinorganic
chemistry, structure-property relations, solid state chemistry, organometallic
chemistry, kinetics of organometallic reactions, f- block compounds, electron
deficient clusters, and quantum models of structure and bonding. The course
has three lectures per week. There will be 1-3 exams and a final. Weekly
homework problems will be assigned. (Rasmussen)
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447. Physical Methods of Analysis.
Chem. 260 and 241/242 (or 340). (3). (Excl). (BS).
This course introduces the student to the principles and techniques of modern
analytical chemistry. Atomic and molecular spectroscopy, mass spectrometry,
and chromatographic separation techniques are stressed. Some discussion
of contemporary electrochemistry is included. The principles of data collection
and the processing and representation of analytical signals are introduced.
The course format is lectures three times per week. A textbook is required.
Readings from the review literature of analytical chemistry compensate for
the inevitable shortcomings of any text. Cost:3
WL:2
(Morris)
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451/Biol. Chem. 451. Introduction
to Biochemistry I. Chem. 215, Biol. 152 or 195, and Math. 115.
No credit granted to those who have completed or are enrolled in Biol. 311
or Biol. Chem. 415. (4). (Excl). (BS).
This course is the first in a two-term sequence designed for students who
are concentrators in biochemistry. Emphasis is on developing the capacity
of the students to think about complex biological processes in terms of
the underlying chemistry. An introductory section on proteins is followed
by sections on enzymes and coenzymes. The discussion of biochemical energetics
includes sections on glycolysis, the tricarboxylic acid cycle, electron
transport, photosynthesis, and carbohydrate metabolism. The course has three
lectures and one discussion per week. There are three hour exams and a final
exam. (Yocum,
Coward)
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461. Physical Chemistry I. Chem.
260 (or 340), Phys. 240, and Math. 215. No credit granted to those who have
completed Chem. 397 or 469. (3). (Excl). (BS).
Section 100. This is the second of the three-term physical chemistry
sequence Chemistry 260/461/463. Chemistry 461 builds on the introduction
to quantum mechanics that was given in Chemistry 260. Students will use
the Schrödinger Equation in 1, 2, and 3-dimensions to solve exactly
a series of important chemical problems including the harmonic oscillator,
the rigid rotor, and the hydrogen atom. Group theory is introduced as an
aid for understanding spectroscopic selection rules. Advanced spectroscopy,
including transition probabilities, normal vibrational modes, and photoelectron
spectroscopies are introduced and then used to deduce molecular structure.
The valence-bond and molecular orbital theories of chemical bonding are
discussed, and methods for performing quantum chemical calculations, including
variational and perturbation methods, are introduced. The quantum mechanics
of spin and angular momentum are discussed and used to interpret magnetic
resonance spectra. (Griffin)
Section 200. (Honors). This section is designed to introduce students to a more thorough, research-oriented view of Physical Chemistry. (Lubman)
NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to elect the Computational Chemistry
Laboratory (Chemistry 462, 1 credit) in the same term that Chemistry 461
is taken.
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462. Computational Chemistry Laboratory.
Math. 215, and prior or concurrent enrollment in Chem. 461.
(1). (Excl). (BS).
This course introduces modern computational tools for symbolic mathematics
and for graphical display (Mathematica and Maple). Examples
are given of the use of these tools for solving problems in quantum mechanics
and quantum chemistry, including exploration of the functional forms of
wave functions, solutions of simple differential equations, and diagonalization
of Hamiltonians. Molecular modeling software (HyperChem and CAChe)
is introduced and used to perform both ab initio and semi-empirical
quantum chemical calculations. The examples used are taken largely from
the topics discussed in Chemistry 461. (Griffin)
NOTE: Students are strongly encouraged to elect the second term of Physical
Chemistry (Chemistry 461, 3 credits) in the same term that Chemistry 462
is taken.
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463. Physical Chemistry II. Chem.
461/462. No credit granted to those who have completed Chem. 396 or 468.
(3). (Excl). (BS).
This is the third of the three-term physical chemistry sequence Chemistry
260/461/463 and builds on material presented in both previous courses. The
rigorous mathematical theory of classical thermodynamics will be developed,
including applications to entropy, heat engines, solution properties, and
phase and chemical equilibria. Modern statistical thermodynamics will be
introduced. Modern theories of fundamental reaction rates will be used built
on the phenomenological kinetics introduced in Chemistry 260. Methods for
determining and understanding solid state structures will be discussed,
building on group theory introduced in Chemistry 461. (Kopelman)
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467/AOSS 467/Geol. 465. Biogeochemical
Cycles. Math. 116, Chem. 210, and Phys. 240. (3). (Excl). (BS).
Biogeochemical cycles describe how carbon, nitrogen, sulfur, and other elements
cycle through not only the atmosphere, the oceans, and the landmasses of
the earth. This course is useful to students in many fields including engineering,
atmospheric science, chemistry, biology, geology, natural resources, and
public health. The biogeochemical cycles of water, carbon, nitrogen, and
sulfur; the atmosphere and oceans as reservoirs and reaction media; the
fate of natural and human-made sources of carbon, nitrogen, and sulfur compounds;
the interactions among major biogeochemical cycles and resultant global
change: greenhouse gases, acid rain, and ozone depletion. (Carroll)
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480. Physical and Instrumental
Chemistry. Chem. 447 and 461/462; and concurrent enrollment
in Chem. 463. (3). (Excl). (BS). Laboratory fee ($50) required.
This course explores methods for the measurement of the physical and spectroscopic
properties of substances and the application of these methods in instrumental
analysis. The course is focused on essential laboratory principles and operations
as they relate to the physicochemical properties of organic, inorganic,
and macromolecular chemical species. Experiments study the areas of equilibria,
chemical structure, chemical change, and computer simulation and calculation.
Emphasis is placed on the effective design of experiments together with
synergistic coupling of modern instrumentation and computers. The course
includes literature searches for physical data. Laboratory reports constitute
an important component of the course. Ten to twelve hours a week in the
laboratory. Grading is based on laboratory performance, laboratory records,
and reports. WL:2
(Beck)
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485. Projects Laboratory. Chem.
480. (2). (Excl). (BS). Laboratory fee ($50) required.
A project-oriented laboratory in which students work on one or two projects
in depth during the term. The projects are suggested by the faculty of the
department and require library as well as laboratory work. The projects
may be in any area of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, or polymer
chemistry. Students interested in projects in inorganic or organic chemistry
should elect Section 100, 200, or 300. Students interested in analytical
or physical chemistry should elect Section 400 or 500. Eight hours a week
in the laboratory. Grading is based on laboratory performance and a written
report for each project undertaken. Cost:1
WL:2
(Coucouvanis,
Staff)
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507. Inorganic Chemistry. Chem.
461 (or 469 or 397). (3). (Excl). (BS).
Structural concepts relating to inorganic and organometallic compounds,
inorganic stereochemistry, crystal chemistry, coordination theory, ligand
field theory, catalysis, and generalizations about the periodic table. (Banaszak Holl)
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520(Biophysics 610)/Biophysics
520. Biophysical Chemistry I. Chem. 463, Biol. Chem. 415, or
Chem 420; permission of course director. (3). (Excl). (BS).
This course is the first or a two-term Biophysical Chemistry series 520/521,
but it can be taken as stand-alone course as well. The course offers an
overview of protein, nucleic acid, lip and carbohydrate structures. Intra-
and inter-molecular forces, helix-coil transitions and protein folding will
be treated in a thermodynamical context. Thermodynamics of solutions, configurational
statistics, ligand interactions, multi-site interactions and cooperativity
are treated in depth. Kinetics of protein-ligand binding, including electron
transfer and ligand diffusion are discussed. Chemistry 520 will introduce
and explain the physico-chemical properties of biological macromolecules
and their complexes, mostly in solution. Currently, biophysical, biochemical
and pharmaco-chemical research literature is full with papers interpreting
the properties of biological macromolecules on the the basis of their three-dimensional
structure. This course will expand on that concept by offering a rigorous
background in energetics, folding, interactions, and dynamics. As such the
course is important to any student who has to deal with the concepts of
biomolecular function and structure such as biochemists, biophysicists,
mathematical biologists, and molecular pharmacologists. This course will
also serve as a basis for the graduate student who will be specializing
in any of these topics for thesis research. Molecular dynamics will be introduced.
Instructional material: Cantor and Shimmel, Biophysical Chemistry, Part
I and III and Creighton, Proteins, Structures and Molecular Properties.
Evaluation: homework (50%), midterm exam (20%) and final exam (30%). (Zuiderweg)
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538/Macromolecular Science 538.
Organic Chemistry of Macromolecules. Chem. 215/216 and Chem.
230 (or 340). (3). (Excl). (BS).
Chemistry of monomer and polymer synthesis; Mechanistristic analysis of
reactions. Stereochemistry of polymer structures both natural and synthetic.
Scope of subject matter: free radical and ionic polymerization, condensation
polymerization, ring opening and nonclassical polymerization. Special topics
from the recent literature.
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567/AOSS 567. Chemical Kinetics.
Chem. 461 (or 469) or AOSS 479. (3). (Excl). (BS).
Chemical Kinetics is the study of the rates and mechanisms of systems undergoing
chemical change. The extraction of rate data from reacting systems and the
utilization of such data in other reacting systems is central to chemistry
in the laboratory and in the practical worlds of combustion science, atmospheric
science, and chemical synthesis. This course introduces the treatment of
complex chemical systems and fundamental ideas about chemical reaction rates
in gases and in solutions. Computer software will be utilized to treat complex
reaction systems. COURSE OUTLINE. BASIC CONCEPTS: Definitions, Elementary
Reaction Rate Laws, Phenomenology. "MACROSCOPIC" KINETICS: Complex
Reaction Mechanisms, Kinetic Measurements, Data Analysis, Numerical Solutions.
"MICROSCOPIC" KINETICS: Collision Dynamics, Measurements, Statistical
Theories, Dynamics in Solution. IMPORTANT APPLICATIONS: Atmospheric Chemistry,
Combustion Chemistry.
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