Undergraduate Academics
Chemistry
Chemistry seeks to understand our physical world on an atomic level. This microscopic picture uses the elements of the periodic table as building blocks for a vast array of molecules, ranging from water to DNA. But some of the most fascinating aspects of chemistry involve chemical reactions, where molecules combine and transform, sometimes dramatically, to generate new molecules.
Chemistry explores many areas of our physical world, ranging from our bodies and the air that we breathe to the many products of the human endeavor and including art and a plethora of consumer products. Students at Sarah Lawrence College may investigate these diverse areas of chemistry through a variety of courses that provide a foundation in the theories central to this discipline.
Just as experimentation played a fundamental role in the formulation of the theories of chemistry, experimentation plays an integral part in learning them. Therefore, laboratory experiments complement many of the seminar courses.
Chemistry 2026-2027 Courses
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First-Year Studies—Fall | 5 credits
CHEM 1020
Note: Students are expected to enroll in First-Year Studies: Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 1021) in the spring as a continuation of their First-Year Studies experience. Also offered as CHEM 2020.
Organic chemistry is the study of chemical compounds whose molecules are based on a framework of carbon atoms, typically in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Despite this rather limited set of elements, there are more organic compounds known than there are compounds that do not contain carbon. Adding to the importance of organic chemistry is the fact that very many of the chemical compounds that make modern life possible—such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, plastics, pigments, and dyes—can be classed as organic. Organic chemistry, therefore, impacts many other scientific subjects; and knowledge of organic chemistry is essential for a detailed understanding of materials science, environmental science, molecular biology, and medicine. This course will give an overview of the structures, physical properties, and reactivity of organic compounds. We will see that organic compounds can be classified into families of similar compounds, based upon certain groups of atoms that always behave in a similar manner no matter what molecule they are in. These functional groups will enable us to rationalize the vast number of reactions that organic reagents undergo. Topics covered in this course will include: the types of bonding within organic molecules; fundamental concepts of organic reaction mechanisms (nucleophilic substitution, elimination, and electrophilic addition); the conformations and configurations of organic molecules; and the physical and chemical properties of alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols. In the laboratory section of the course, we will develop the techniques and skills required to synthesize, separate, purify, and identify organic compounds. In addition, guided inquiry exercises conducted in class will sharpen your analytical skills, and teach you how to think like a scientist. In fall and spring, students will meet biweekly with the instructor for individual conference.
Faculty
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First-Year Studies—Spring | 5 credits
CHEM 1021
Note: Students who enrolled in First-Year Studies: Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 1020) in the fall are expected to enroll in this course in the spring as a continuation of their First-Year Studies experience. Also offered as CHEM 2021.
We will explore the physical and chemical properties of additional families of organic molecules. The reactivity of aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives (acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, esters, and amides), enols and enolates, and amines will all be discussed. We will also investigate the methods by which large, complicated molecules can be synthesized from simple starting materials. Modern methods of organic structural determination—such as mass spectrometry, proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy—will also be introduced. In the laboratory section of this course, we will continue to develop the techniques and skills required to synthesize, separate, purify, and identify organic compounds. In fall and spring, students will meet biweekly with the instructor for individual conference.
Faculty
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Open, Small Lecture—Fall | 5 credits
CHEM 2020
Note: This course is a key requirement for pre-med students and strongly encouraged for others who are interested in the biological and physical sciences. No prior knowledge of chemistry is required. Following this course, students may take Organic Chemistry II (CHEM 2021) in the spring, then General Chemistry I (CHEM 2010), General Chemistry II (CHEM 2011), or more advanced chemistry courses in subsequent years. Also offered as First-Year Studies CHEM 1020.
Organic chemistry is the study of chemical compounds whose molecules are based on a framework of carbon atoms, typically in combination with hydrogen, oxygen, and nitrogen. Despite this rather limited set of elements, there are more organic compounds known than there are compounds that do not contain carbon. Adding to the importance of organic chemistry is the fact that very many of the chemical compounds that make modern life possible—such as pharmaceuticals, pesticides, herbicides, plastics, pigments, and dyes—can be classed as organic. Organic chemistry, therefore, impacts many other scientific subjects; and knowledge of organic chemistry is essential for a detailed understanding of materials science, environmental science, molecular biology, and medicine. This course will give an overview of the structures, physical properties, and reactivity of organic compounds. We will see that organic compounds can be classified into families of similar compounds, based upon certain groups of atoms that always behave in a similar manner no matter what molecule they are in. These functional groups will enable us to rationalize the vast number of reactions that organic reagents undergo. Topics covered in this course will include: the types of bonding within organic molecules; fundamental concepts of organic reaction mechanisms (nucleophilic substitution, elimination, and electrophilic addition); the conformations and configurations of organic molecules; and the physical and chemical properties of alkanes, halogenoalkanes, alkenes, alkynes, and alcohols. In the laboratory section of the course, we will develop the techniques and skills required to synthesize, separate, purify, and identify organic compounds. In addition, guided inquiry exercises conducted in class will sharpen your analytical skills, and teach you how to think like a scientist.
Faculty
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Open, Seminar—Fall | 5 credits
CHEM 3539
In this course, we will attempt to answer the question, “What is matter made of?” This seemingly simple question starts a search that will take us through the centuries and across the universe. We will begin with the inquiries and speculations of the Ancient Greek natural philosophers and then follow a path of discoveries that led to the modern understanding of the physical universe. As we progress, we will learn more and more about the different chemical elements and how they combine to create the diversity of substances around us. By considering the nature of light and electricity, we will learn about the structure of atoms, the tiny building blocks of chemical substances. But our journey won’t stop there as atoms are made up of much smaller particles: protons, neutrons, and electrons. Then the protons and neutrons are made up of quarks. The study of these subatomic particles has led to the discovery of even stranger pieces of matter whose behavior will challenge our perceptions of space and time.
Faculty
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Open, Small Lecture—Fall | 5 credits
CHEM 2010
Chemistry is the study of the properties, composition, and transformation of matter. It is central to the production of the materials required for modern life. For instance, the synthesis of pharmaceuticals to treat disease, the manufacture of fertilizers and pesticides required to feed an ever growing population, and the development of efficient and environmentally benign energy sources. This course will provide an introduction to the fundamental concepts of modern chemistry. We will begin by examining the structure and properties of atoms, which are the building blocks of the elements, the simplest substances in the material world around us. We will then explore how atoms of different elements can bond with each other to form an infinite variety of more complex substances called compounds. This will lead us to an investigation of several classes of chemical reactions: the processes in which substances are transformed into new materials with different physical properties. Along the way, we will learn how and why the three states of matter (solids, liquids, and gases) differ from one another and how energy may be either produced or consumed by chemical reactions. In weekly laboratory sessions, we will perform experiments to illustrate and test the theories presented in the lecture part of the course. These experiments will also serve to develop practical skills in both synthetic and analytic chemical techniques.
Faculty
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Open, Seminar—Fall | 5 credits
CHEM 3102
This course will examine the chemistry of our everyday life—the way things work. The emphasis of this course is on understanding everyday use of chemistry. We will introduce chemistry concepts with everyday examples, such as household chemicals and gasoline, that show how we already use chemistry and reveal why chemistry is important to us. We will concentrate on topics of current interest such as environmental pollution and the substances that we use in our daily lives that affect our environment and us.
Faculty
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Open, Lecture—Spring | 5 credits
CHEM 2508
If you were to ask a person to name a famous detective, chances are that they would immediately think of Sherlock Holmes, the fictional investigator invented by Arthur Conan Doyle. Since first appearing in 1887, Sherlock Holmes has featured in four novels and 56 short stories authored by Conan Doyle; followed by numerous stage, radio, television, and film adaptations. In all of his cases, Holmes exhibits his trademark powers of observation, logical deduction as well as an encyclopedic knowledge of chemistry and forensic science. In this course, we will be heading off to 221B Baker Street, London to accompany Sherlock Holmes and his companion Dr. Watson as they investigate and solve some of their most famous and cryptic cases. Along the way, we will see how Sherlock uses his scientific knowledge to discover clues and interpret evidence. Coursework will involve reading novels and short stories, watching film and television adaptations, and analyzing the real-life science that made Sherlock Holmes one of the most formidable minds in detective fiction.
Faculty
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Intermediate, Small Lecture—Spring | 5 credits
CHEM 2021
Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 2020)
Note: This course is a key requirement for pre-med students and strongly encouraged for others who are interested in the biological and physical sciences. Also offered as First-Year Studies CHEM 1021.
This course is a continuation of Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 2020). We will explore the physical and chemical properties of additional families of organic molecules. The reactivity of aldehydes and ketones, carboxylic acids and their derivatives (acid chlorides, acid anhydrides, esters, and amides), enols and enolates, and amines will all be discussed. We will also investigate the methods by which large, complicated molecules can be synthesized from simple starting materials. Modern methods of organic structural determination—such as mass spectrometry, proton and carbon-13 nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and infrared spectroscopy—will also be introduced. In the laboratory section of this course, we will continue to develop the techniques and skills required to synthesize, separate, purify, and identify organic compounds.
Faculty
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Intermediate, Small Lecture—Spring | 5 credits
CHEM 2011
Prerequisite: General Chemistry I (CHEM 2010)
This course is a continuation of General Chemistry I (CHEN 2010). We will begin with a detailed study of both the physical and chemical properties of solutions. This will enable us to consider the factors that affect both the rates and direction of chemical reactions. We will then investigate the properties of acids and bases and the role that electricity plays in chemistry. The course will conclude with introductions to nuclear chemistry and organic chemistry. Weekly laboratory sessions will allow us to demonstrate and test the theories described in the lecture segment of the course.
Faculty
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Advanced, Seminar—Spring | 5 credits
CHEM 4064
Prerequisite: Organic Chemistry I (CHEM 3650) and General Biology: Genes, Cells, and Evolution (BIOL 2014)
Biochemistry is the chemistry of biological systems. This course will introduce students to the basic principles and concepts of biochemistry. Topics will include the structure and function of biomolecules such as amino acids, proteins, enzymes, nucleic acids, RNA, DNA, and bioenergetics. This knowledge will then be used to study the pathways of metabolism.
Faculty
The Center for the Urban River at Beczak (CURB), located on the shores of the Hudson River in downtown Yonkers, is Sarah Lawrence’s first academic research facility beyond the main campus.