Chemistry 104A is the first of two classes in the canonical inorganic chemistry series that is offered at the undergraduate level. Students will build upon concepts mentioned in Chem 4A, although that class is not absolutely necessary (some sort of general chemistry knowledge is fine). Chemistry 104A is focused more towards atomic structure and bonding (without using any quantum mechanics), while Chemistry 104B is organometallic chemistry. Chemistry 104B directly builds off of the group theory concepts learned in Chemistry 104A.
The course looks at a broad spectrum of organic compounds, and typically 2-5 lecture days are spent on each topic (see below). The course also includes a weekly 5-hour lab that closely supplements the material learned in lecture. The lab requires the usage and interpretation of spectra from commonly utilized instrumentation such as mass spectrometry, HPLC, and NMR. Programs such as MestReNova and ChemDraw will also be utilized to interpret data. An analysis of your sample-derived NMR will typically be required every week.
CHEM 1B, 4B, or 3A (Required) with grade of C- or higher
Course is only offered in the fall
3 hours of lecture per week, 5 hours per problem set.
The class is predominantly juniors and seniors, with a noticeable chunk of sophomores. This class is not time-intensive, so feel free to take during a harder semester.
Quantum mechanics is not a prerequisite. Having previously taken quantum will not give you any sort of advantage here. Bonding concepts in this course are taught from a qualitative symmetry perspective, not a mathematical one.
You will likely have to do some readings to keep up with the course material, but the textbook (Miessler and Tarr) is very good. This class is not time-intensive.
The “topics covered” section above, lists some topics which you may have encountered in general chemistry (i.e. Chem 4A or others) before. However, Chem 104A delves into those topics in greater depth than before.
The last third of the class (solid state chemistry) is a repeat of concepts learned in MSE 45. Everything then will thus be a review for you, if you’ve previously taken MSE 45. But this class (Chem 104A) assumes you haven’t taken MSE 45, and teaches you from the basics.
This class may get dry at some points, but is necessary to learn before Chem 104B. This class is more on theory, whereas Chem 104B, its counterpart, is more on applications in understanding organometallic chemistry from a synthetic chemist’s perspective.
Written by: Alex Oanta
Last edited: Spring 2018