MSc Research and Thesis
Theoretical and/or experimental research. An external examiner will participate in the evaluation of the student's performance in this course.
Quantum Chemistry: Theory
(also offered as PHYS 5P00)
Self-consistent-field (SCF) method; configuration interaction; basis functions; electron correlation; physical properties of atoms, diatomic and polyatomic molecules.
Quantum Chemistry: Applications
Application of ab initio molecular orbital theories to problems in atomic and molecular structure, to intermolecular forces and to chemical reactivity.
Chemistry in Cyberspace
The use of the personal computer and workstation as a tool for organic and inorganic chemistry. Topics include the use of the internet as a source of basic information, interactive computation, and software; the use of molecular mechanics/modeling packages; and a comparison of the use of semi-empirical and ab initio computational chemistry packages designed for the experimental chemist to supplement, interpret or predict lab data. The ease of use and accuracy of results of various programs will be explored.
Molecular Spectroscopy: Theory
Selected topics in advanced molecular spectroscopy, such as rotational-vibrational Hamiltonian, Coriolis coupling, Herzberg- Teller, Renner, Jahn-Teller effects, inversion dynamics, overtone spectra, infrared and Raman intensities, molecular structure and conformation.
Molecular Spectroscopy: Applications
Design of grating instruments; calibration and operation of Raman, infrared and ultraviolet spectrophotometers; analysis of spectra.
Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
Topics may include aspects of chemical dynamics, molecular spectroscopy, statistical mechanics and quantum theory.
Biophysical Photochemistry
(also offered as BTEC 5P13)
The principles of light-induced processes such as electron, energy, and signal transfer and their role in biological systems. Marcus theory, Dexter and Foerster mechanisms of energy transfer. The optical and magnetic resonance spectroscopy of excited states.
Computational Chemistry: Applications in Biotechnology
(also offered as BTEC 5P14)
Structure-based drug design; molecular modelling; conformational search techniques; secondary and tertiary protein structure prediction; quantitative structure-activity relationships; bioinformatics.
Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
Applications of high-resolution NMR spectroscopy to chemical systems. Theory of chemical shifts, coupling constants and relaxation times; instrumentation, including an introduction to pulse and Fourier Transform techniques and two-dimensional NMR; structure determination by NMR; chemical exchange effects.
Mass Spectroscopy
The theory and practice of modern mass spectroscopy applied to organic, inorganic and organometallic systems; systematic interpretation of organic mass spectra; high resolution mass spectra GC/MS; metastable ions; computerized mass spectrometry.
Special Topics in Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy
Selected topics in advanced NMR spectroscopy, emphasizing recent applications in areas such as two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy and high-resolution NMR of solids. A continuation of CHEM 5P15.
Prerequisite: CHEM 5P15.
Special Topics in Mass Spectroscopy
Selected topics in advanced mass spectrometry emphasizing instrumentation development, ionization techniques and applications. A continuation of CHEM 5P16.
Prerequisite: CHEM 5P16.
Organic Reaction Mechanisms
The critical study of papers of mechanistic and/or synthetic interest in the recent literature drawing attention to the ways in which mechanisms are established and applied as well as to the mechanisms themselves.
Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
Topics may include organic photochemistry, biotransformation, free radical chemistry, symmetry and stereochemistry and a further study of mechanistic or synthetic organic chemistry.
Advanced Organic Synthesis
Strategies in the design of organic syntheses; examples from the current literature will be used to illustrate new trends in synthetic methodology and approaches to the synthesis of complex or organic molecules and natural products; new reagents in organic synthesis including an examination of organometallics and enzymes.
Special Topics in Chemical Biology
(also offered as BTEC 5P22)
Focuses on the chemical-biology of select biologically active compounds of current interest in the literature. The occurrence, biosynthesis and biological activity, including structure-activity correlations, will be studied. Strategies toward the chemical synthesis of these important compounds will also be investigated.
Stereoselective Syntheses
A survey of the methodology and reagents currently used in stereoselective synthetic organic chemistry. Details concerning methods for achieving absolute and relative stereo-control are discussed, including chiral catalysis and asymmetric induction via substrate- and reagent-based strategies. Applications of the methods to the synthesis of chosen molecules in the literature are provided to illustrate aspects of selectivity.
Natural Products Chemistry
A study of the structural features, synthesis and biosynthesis of natural products selected from the acetogenin, alkaloid, steroid and terpene and other areas.
Medicinal Chemistry
Structure and activity of biologically active organic compounds.Introduction to pharmacology, pharmacodynamics, and receptor theory as a background for a more detailed study of chemistry of drugs such as enzyme inhibitors and receptor antagonists. Rational drug design, combinatorial libraries, screening, and general routes of metabolism.
Prerequisite: CHEM 3P20 and 3P21 or permission of the instructor.
Advanced Enzyme and Co-enzyme Mechanisms
(also offered as BTEC 5P27)
Hydrolytic and other processes catalyzed by enzymes lacking non-protein prosthetic groups; transferase reactions involving biotin, pyridoxal phosphate, thiamine pyrophosphate, folic acid and cobalamin; oxidation mechanisms involving pyridine nucleotides, flavoenzymes, hydroperoxidases and oxygenases.
Prerequisite: CHEM 4P27 or permission of the instructor.
Special topics in Inorganic Chemistry
A directed reading course in advanced inorganic chemistry based on a critical approach to the original literature. Topics are to be arranged between the student and instructor.
Chemistry of Organometallic and Co-ordination Compounds
A study of main group and transition metal organometallic and co-ordination compounds with emphasis on synthesis, reactivity, structure and biological properties.
Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry
The course will include topics such as pesticide and residue analysis, advanced chromatographic techniques, chemical analysis applied to environmental and agricultural problems, preconcentration techniques and new analytical techniques.
Directed Readings in Chemistry
An investigation of a specific area or group of related topics in contemporary chemistry. Candidates for graduate degrees may present one such special topic course. Approval of the departmental graduate studies committee is required prior to registration.
Atomic Spectrometry
Arcs, sparks, ICP, DCP, AA, will be investigated. Evaluation of advantages and disadvantages of excitation sources and sample introduction techniques. Particular concentration in this course will be the sample and how it is analyzed and some discussion will centre on sample preparation, matrix elimination or minimization. Solid sampling methods such as laser ablation and glow discharge will be reviewed.
Biophysical Techniques
(also offered as BIOL 5P67 and BTEC 5P67)
An advanced seminar/lecture course on experimental techniques in biochemistry. The focus is on understanding the theory, applications and limitations of a variety of techniques students will encounter during their graduate studies. Techniques will range from advanced spectroscopy (absorption, fluorescence, NMR, X-ray diffraction) to molecular biochemistry (DNA and protein sequencing, gel electrophoresis, radioisotope labelling).