The Chemistry program features a wide variety of class sizes, types, and delivery methods. Most general chemistry courses consist of 3 hours of lecture per week (class sizes of ca. 360) presented by PhD level faculty, in addition to 1 hour of recitation and 3 hours of laboratory (class sizes of ca. 22 students) supervised by a graduate student teaching assistant. Organic chemistry courses in the second year consist of 3 hours of lecture per week (class sizes of ca. 275) presented by PhD level faculty, in addition to 1 hour of recitation and 3 hours of laboratory (class sizes of ca. 16 students) supervised by a graduate student teaching assistant. In the third and fourth year classes are generally restricted to chemistry majors. Lecture classes have enrollments of 100 to 16 and use a variety of delivery methods. Laboratory courses are low enrollment and are taught by Chemistry faculty with graduate student teaching assistants; these are heavily hands-on and with state-of-the-art instrumentation. The Department strongly encourages undergraduate research; this is conducted in the individual research groups of tenured or tenure-track faculty.
Chemistry (CHE)
Chemistry
363 Natural Sciences BuildingNorth Campus
Buffalo, NY 14260-3000
Chair
Director of Undergraduate Studies
Undergraduate Secretary
The Learning Environment
About Our Facilities
The Department of Chemistry is housed in the Natural Sciences Complex (NSC) on the North Campus. The Department occupies about 112,000 square feet of space, including 32,000 square feet for teaching laboratories and 54,000 square feet of research laboratory space. Also included are support services, such as instrumentation labs, electronic shop, stockrooms, and conference rooms.
The Chemistry Department Instrument Center maintains and operates a number of instruments that facilitate a variety of research. These include multiple mass spectrometers for analysis of ions in gas, solution and solid phases, including accurate mass confirmation. Liquid and gas chromatographs are coupled with mass spectrometry to enhance mixture analysis. Ionization techniques include electron impact, electrospray, chemical ionization and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization. Other techniques available include FTIR, thermogravimetric analysis, scanning spectrophotometry, and differential scanning calorimetry. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance spectrometers include a Varian Gemini 300, Varian 400, 500, 600 and 750MHz NMR for structure studies.
About Our Faculty
The staff of the Department of Chemistry includes 30 tenured or tenure-track full-time faculty (all PhD), 2 full-time lecturers, 84 teaching assistants (all graduate students), and 18 support staff. Faculty members deliver lecture courses and supervise teaching assistants who are responsible for oversight of laboratory courses.
Faculty List Directory
Please visit the Chemistry department website for additional information about our faculty.
CHE Courses
- CHE 100LR Introduction to Chemistry Lecture
A one-semester introduction to basic chemistry for high school graduates who are reentering college after a long absence, and for transfer students who are concerned about their readiness for science courses at UB. Also appropriate for students who have had no high school chemistry or who have a weak background in chemistry. Helps prepare students to complete General Chemistry (CHE 101-CHE 102; CHE 105-CHE 106 or CHE 107-CHE 108), emphasizing problem solving. Topics include chemical measurements, properties of atoms and molecules, chemical reactions, chemical calculations, properties of gases, and thermochemistry. Three hours of lecture and two hours of recitation weekly.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- CHE 101LLR General Chemistry Lecture
There is a fee associated with this class. Introduces fundamental concepts of chemistry, and surveys important chemical elements and their compounds. Three hours of lecture plus one four-hour recitation/laboratory period weekly. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or winter; or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.
Credits: 5
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- CHE 102LLR General Chemistry Lecture
There is a fee associated with this class. Introduces fundamental concepts of chemistry, and surveys important chemical elements and their compounds. Three hours of lecture plus one four-hour recitation/laboratory period weekly. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.
Credits: 5
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisites: CHE 101
Other Requisites: CHE 102
- CHE 105LLR Chemistry: Principles and Applications Lecture
There is a fee associated with this course. Introduces the principles of chemistry and their applications. For students who are interested in majoring in a chemistry-related science. Three hours of lecture plus one four-hour recitation/laboratory period weekly.
Credits: 5
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- CHE 106LLR Chemistry: Principles and Applications Lecture
Introduces the principles of chemistry and their applications. For students who are interested in majoring in a chemistry-related science. Three hours of lecture plus one four-hour recitation/laboratory period weekly. There is a fee associated with this class.
- CHE 107LLR General Chemistry for Engineers Lecture
There is a fee associated with this course. Meets the general chemistry requirement for students wishing to receive an engineering degree. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or winter; or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Prerequisites: Intended or Approved Engineering majors only
- CHE 108LLR General Chemistry for Engineers Lecture
Meets the general chemistry requirement for students wishing to receive an engineering degree in four years. Cannot be used for science distribution credit. There is a fee associated with this class. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or winter; or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 107;Intended or Approved Engineering majors only
- CHE 110DIS Problem Solving for General Chemistry 1 Discussion
CHE 110 is a one semester augmentation to General Chemistry 1 (CHE 101 or CHE 107) basic chemistry for students who are concerned about their readiness for science courses at UB. CHE 110 is also recommended for students who did not take high school chemistry, or performed poorly in chemistry in high school. Topics include chemical measurements, properties of atoms and molecules, chemical reactions, stoichiometry and the mole, chemical calculations, properties of gases, and other types of problem-solving in general chemistry.
- CHE 111LR General Chemistry Lecture
Consists of the lecture and recitation components of CHE 101 without laboratory.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
- CHE 112LR General Chemistry Lecture
Consists of the lecture and recitation components of CHE 102 without laboratory.
Credits: 4
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- CHE 113LBR General Chemistry Laboratory
There is a fee associated with this class. Consists of the recitation and lab components of CHE 101 without lecture.
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
- CHE 114LBR General Chemistry
- CHE 115LEC Self-Paced Foundation Concepts for CHE101 Lecture
This digital foundations course is for students who will take CHE 101 in the following academic semester. Registration for CHE 115 provides students access to materials to prepare them for success in CHE 101 as a means to accommodate students in remote locations. Students registered for CHE 115 may not also enroll for CHE 116. Instructor guidance will be provided on a daily basis, and as needed per appointment. The course will be facilitated through UBLearns, to which all registered students will have automatic access. Students will take a pre-assessment in the form of an online test. A review with remediation of skills needed for success in CHE 101, an introduction to selected CHE 101 concepts, and tutorials for application of concepts to problems are provided through a set of online tutorial assignments. Students individual performance will direct them to online tutorial problems to fill concept or skill gaps needed for CHE 101. Students can work the tutorials and measure their own improvement thorough testing as many times as needed for desired proficiency. CHE 101 preview topics include atomic structure, the periodic table, and calculations with chemical equations. Course analytics from this work will inform individualized study needs prior to entering CHE 101.
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Not Pass (PNP)
Typically Offered: Winter
- CHE 116LEC Foundation Concepts for CHE101 Lecture
This foundations course is intended for any student registered for CHE 101 in the Spring semester. Students registered for CHE 116 may not also enroll for CHE 115. Students will be provided a review with remediation of skills needed for success in CHE 101, an introduction to CHE 101 concepts, laboratory skills and application of concepts to problem. Specific preview topics include atomic structure, the periodic table, and calculations with chemical equations. In-class problem solving work sessions will be utilized, both in groups and independently. There will be assigned problem sets, quizzes and tests. Performance on this work will inform individualized student study needs as preparation for CHE 101. Prior to entering CHE 101, individuals will also identify any needed fundamental skills, such as mathematics as it is used in CHE 101. The smaller class size facilitates students working with their instructor to develop an individualized plan for success in CHE 101.
Credits: 1
Grading: Pass/Not Pass (PNP)
Typically Offered: Winter
- CHE 117LEC Key Concepts for CHE102 Lecture
This course is intended for students registered for CHE 102 in the Spring semester, and has two aims: (1) to help make connections between CHE 101 and CHE 102 and (2) introduce key concepts that will be studied in CHE 102. First, students will review critical concepts from CHE 101. The main focus will be a preview of the CHE 102 curriculum with extensive use of key problem-solving skills. Specific preview topics include colligative properties, kinetics, and equilibrium. In-class problem solving work sessions will be utilized frequently, both in groups and independently. Assigned work, quizzes and tests will be given. Course analytics from this work will inform individualized student study needs for success in CHE 102. Prior to entering CHE 102, individuals will identify their most difficult initial concepts and best course learning tools. The smaller class size of the foundations class facilitates students working with their instructor to develop an individualized plan for success in CHE 102.
- CHE 121LEC Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry Lecture
This is a one-semester course that surveys basic principles of chemistry as they apply to careers in the health-related sciences (e.g., nursing). The student will be exposed to basic chemical principles, mathematical reasoning and understanding of numerical data, chemical reactivity and stoichiometry, measurements and matter, and how these are related to living organisms.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- CHE 198SEM UB Seminar Seminar
The one credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps transition to UB through an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 198 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the UB seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
- CHE 199SEM UB Seminar Seminar
The three credit UB Seminar is focused on a big idea or challenging issue to engage students with questions of significance in a field of study and, ultimately, to connect their studies with issues of consequence in the wider world. Essential to the UB Curriculum, the Seminar helps students with common learning outcomes focused on fundamental expectations for critical thinking, ethical reasoning, and oral communication, and learning at a university, all within topic focused subject matter. The Seminars provide students with an early connection to UB faculty and the undergraduate experience at a comprehensive, research university. This course is equivalent to any 199 offered in any subject. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade of F or R may not be able to repeat the course during the fall or spring semester.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring
Other Requisites: Students who have already successfully completed the first year seminar course may not repeat this course. If you have any questions regarding enrollment for this course, please contact your academic advisor.
- CHE 201LLR Organic Chemistry I Lecture
There is a fee associated with this course. Comprehensive survey of major classes of aliphatic and aromatic compounds, emphasizing bonding, reaction mechanisms, stereochemistry, and synthesis. Three hours of lecture and one hour of recitation weekly plus a minimum of three hours of laboratory weekly. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or winter; or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.
Credits: 5
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Summer
Prerequisites: CHE 102 Or CHE 106 Or CHE 108
- CHE 202LLR Organic Chemistry II Lecture
There is a fee associated with this course. Continuation of CHE 201. Three hours of lecture and one hour of recitation weekly plus a minimum of three hours of laboratory weekly. This course is a controlled enrollment (impacted) course. Students who have previously attempted the course and received a grade other than W may repeat the course in the summer or winter; or only in the fall or spring semester with a petition to the College of Arts and Sciences Deans' Office.
- CHE 203LEC Organic Chemistry
- CHE 204LEC Organic Chemistry
- CHE 214LEC Introduction to Analytical Chemistry
- CHE 215LAB Introduction to Analytical Chemistry Laboratory Laboratory
There is a fee associated with this course. Surveys laboratory methods and techniques in analytical chemistry. Introduces instrumental analysis.
- CHE 225LEC Key Concepts for Orgo2 (CHE202 or CHE252) Lecture
This foundations course will provide an introduction and overview of three major topics that will be covered in second semester organic chemistry (i.e., CHE 202, CHE 252). The three topics covered include: (1) Spectroscopy; (2) Conjugation and Aromaticity; (3) Chemistry of Carbonyl Compounds. This comprehensive and focused introduction to the major concepts in CHE 202/252 is meant to help students excel in second semester organic chemistry. This course is a two credit hour class and does not attempt to cover the entire CHE 202/252 curriculum. This course is designed to benefit dedicated students who will immediately take CHE 202/252 in the Spring semester. The small class size makes this class unique as compared to the large lecture hall format: it will allow critical problem-solving skills to be emphasized in this course, the key analytical strategies that are needed to understand organic chemistry.
Credits: 2
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Winter
Prerequisites: CHE 201 or CHE 251 with a grade of C or better
- CHE 251LLR Contemporary Organic Chemistry Lecture
There is a fee associated with this course. For chemistry majors and interested students who are majoring in related sciences. Serves as a small class-setting alternative to CHE 201-CHE 202. Both CHE 251 and CHE 252 provide three hours of lecture and one hour of recitation plus a minimum of three hours of laboratory weekly.
Credits: 5
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: CHE 102 Or CHE 106 Or CHE 108
- CHE 252LLR Contemporary Organic Chemistry Lecture
For chemistry majors and interested students who are majoring in related sciences. Serves as a small class-setting alternative to CHE 201-CHE 202. Both CHE 251 and CHE 252 provide three hours of lecture and one hour of recitation plus a minimum of three hours of laboratory weekly. There is a fee associated with this class.
- CHE 290LAB Undergraduate Research
- CHE 301LLR Intermediate Organic Chemistry Lecture
There is a fee associated with this course. This laboratory-based course is designed to prepare the student for independent laboratory research. The experiments will build on knowledge obtained from sophomore organic chemistry. The curriculum integrates techniques, organic synthesis, purification and spectroscopic analysis. Observational skills and record keeping are also emphasized. The lab curriculum includes experiments with the student's data summarized in a formal lab report. Four experiments will be done, emphasizing the importance of metal-catalyzed reactions in modern organic synthesis.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: CHE 202 or CHE 252 or Permission of Instructorsemester.
- CHE 312LEC Chemistry of Biological Systems Lecture
Develops and integrates chemical principles from sophomore- and junior- level courses into lectures on the structure and function of biological molecules. Emphasizes concepts and methods from the core disciplines of chemistry.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 202 or CHE 252; and CHE 319 or CHE 349; or permission of instructor
- CHE 319LEC Physical Chemistry Lecture
Examines elementary physical chemistry, including chemical thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, and chemical kinetics. Introduces chemical bonding, molecular structure, and spectroscopy.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: CHE 102 or CHE 106 or CHE 108; (PHY 107 or PHY 117) and (PHY 108 or PHY 118); MTH 141 and MTH 142; or permission of instructor
- CHE 320LEC Physical Chemistry Lecture
Examines elementary physical chemistry, including chemical thermodynamics, phase equilibria, chemical equilibria, electrochemistry, and chemical kinetics. Introduces chemical bonding, molecular structure, and spectroscopy.
- CHE 321LEC Inorganic Chemistry I
- CHE 322LLB Inorganic Chemistry II Lecture
Consists of a laboratory in the solution of chemical problems, dealing with inorganic and organometallic compounds, by experimental methods. There is a fee associated with this class.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 321 or Permission of Instructor
- CHE 329LAB Physical Chemistry Laboratory I Laboratory
There is a fee associated with this course. Consists of both laboratory and lecture. Involves techniques of making physical measurements on chemical systems and the statistical treatment of experimental data. Illustrates the theoretical development of physical chemistry given in CHE 319-CHE 320. Alternates one five-hour laboratory or one two-hour lecture/discussion weekly.
Credits: 2
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
Corequisites: CHE 319 or CHE 349 or Permission of Instructor
- CHE 330LAB Physical Chemistry Laboratory II Laboratory
Explores applications of computers in chemistry: numeric and symbolic computation, statistical analysis of experimental data, molecular modeling, quantum chemistry. There is a fee associated with this class.
Credits: 2
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 319 or Permission of Instructor
- CHE 332LAB Physical Chemistry Lab Laboratory
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- CHE 334LEC Physical Chemistry for Chemical Engineers Lecture
Complements CE 304. For chemical engineering majors. Topics include kinetic molecular theory, statistical thermodynamics, reaction rate theory, quantum chemistry, spectroscopy and surface chemistry.
Credits: 2
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: CE 304; MTH 141 and MTH 142; or permission of instructor
Other Requisites: CHE 334
- CHE 349LEC Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences Lecture
A one-semester course in physical chemistry covering the same general topics as CHE 319-CHE 320, but in less depth, focusing on applications to biological systems. Three hours of lecture per week.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
Prerequisites: CHE 202 or CHE 252; MTH 122 or MTH 142; or permission of instructor
- CHE 350LAB Physical Chemistry for Life Sciences Laboratory
- CHE 376LLB Introduction to Chemical Literature Lecture
Explores sources and techniques of chemical literature use. Technical report writing. Three hours weekly of discussion plus assignments.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: Chemistry Major; CHE 202 or CHE 252; CHE 214; CHE 319 or CHE 349; or permission of instructor
- CHE 406 Qualit Organic Anal Tutorial
Credits: 0 - 99
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- CHE 410LEC Special Topics Inorg Chem Lecture
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- CHE 413LEC Instrumental Analysis
- CHE 414LAB Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
- CHE 416LEC Chemical Spectroscopy Lecture
A one-semester introduction to concepts and methods of molecular spectroscopy. Emphasizes the physical principles rather than applications. Subjects include: rotational, vibrational, electronic and nuclear magnetic resonance transitions as measured by microwave, infrared, visible, ultraviolet, Raman (including resonance Raman) and NMR spectroscopies, normal mode analysis; and the principles of Fourier transform methods as applied to NMR and to FTIR (including traditional FTIR based on the Michelson interferometer and to more recently developed time-resolved FTIR for observing very fast chemical processes). Appropriate for upper-level undergraduate chemistry majors and others with a similar chemistry background. Three hours of lecture/recitation weekly.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- CHE 418LEC Elem Crystallography Lecture
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Varies
- CHE 423LEC Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lecture
Consists of advanced topics in inorganic chemistry, usually including chemical applications of group theory. Three hours of lecture weekly. Not offered every year.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 321; and CHE 319 or CHE 349; or Permission of Instructor
- CHE 455LEC Advanced Organic Chemistry
- CHE 457LEC Advanced Physical Chemistry
- CHE 458LEC Physical Chemistry 2 Lecture
One semester course focusing on statistical thermodynamics, quantum mechanics and advanced spectroscopy. Concepts of these areas of Physical Chemistry are emphasized. The course is designed to interactively teach a group of very interested undergraduate students.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 202 or CHE 252; CHE 319; or permission of instructor
- CHE 470LAB Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants Laboratory
Involves techniques of sampling, interpretation of data, and instrumentation dealing primarily with trace contaminants in air, water, and soils. Laboratory project required. May not be offered every year.
Credits: 1
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
- CHE 470LEC Analytical Chemistry of Pollutants Lecture
Involves techniques of sampling, interpretation of data, and instrumentation dealing primarily with trace contaminants in air, water, and soils. Laboratory project required. May not be offered every year.
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Spring
Prerequisites: CHE 202 or CHE 252; CHE 214; CHE 319 or CHE 349; or permission of instructor
- CHE 476LEC Intro to Polymers Lecture
Credits: 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall
- CHE 498TUT Senior Research Tutorial
Supervised research under the direction of a chemistry faculty member. May be taken more than one semester.
Credits: 1 - 3
Grading: Graded (GRD)
Typically Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Prerequisites: Senior or Junior standing in the Department and Permission of Instructor