CHEM 362

CHEM 362: Astrochemistry

Credit Hours: (3) Three hours lecture.  

Prerequisites: Prerequisites: CHEM 112, CHEM 115, or CHEM 120.

CHEM 362 is an upper level chemistry course with a focus on the chemistry that happens in outer space, and in particular, the interstellar medium (ISM).

Note(s):  Quantitative Reasoning designated course. 

 

Detailed Description of Content of the Course

The following topics will be covered:

1. Measuring the universe
   1. Spectra of the sun and stars
   2. Doppler shift
   3. The Hubble constant    
2. The Big Bang and the generation of the first atoms
3. The formations of stars and of the higher elements
4. The interstellar medium (ISM) and the formation of molecules 
5. The theory of laboratory based astrochemistry
   1. Modeling of giant molecular clouds
   2. Diffuse interstellar bands (DIB)
   3. Theoretical computational astrochemistry
   4. Collision theory
   5. Potential energy surfaces
6. Experimental Astrochemistry
   1. Spectroscopic data
   2. Gas-phase kinetic and dynamical data
   3. Dust grain chemistry
7. Formation of our solar system and the evolution of Earth and its chemistry
8. Current research in astrochemistry

 

Detailed Description of Conduct of Course

Exams, quizzes, and homework, including computational modeling, will be given throughout the semester to evaluate the student's mastery of the lecture material. Each student will be assigned a project that will consist of writing a scholarly review paper on the state of the art in a particular area of astrochemistry research and presenting that material to the class in a formal presentation.

 

Student Learning Outcomes

Goals and Objectives of the course:

After successful completion of CHEM 362 Astrochemistry, the student will be able to:

1. Have a working understanding of the topics listed above.
2. Communicate astrochemistry concepts clearly and accurately in both written and oral form.
3. Design, conduct and interpret the results of experiments in computational chemical theory.
4. Critically review current research in the area of astrochemistry and evaluate its quality of its data, methods, inferences, and conclusions.

 

Assessment Measures

Graded tasks may include tests, quizzes, homework exercises, papers, and presentations.

 

Additional Course Information

None

 

Review and Approval

November, 2023