Courses

CHEM 141(M): General Chemistry I (Returning Fall 2026!)

An advanced version of General Chemistry I: I am teaching sections designed for students majoring in Chemistry or Biochemistry & Molecular Biology (Chem 141 M). Focuses on nomenclature, electronic structure of atoms, chemical bonds, basic reactions, and thermochemistry. Two lecture periods, one recitation session, and three laboratory hours per week. Note: We will use the 15th edition "Chemistry: The Central Science" by Brown, LeMay, et al. as our textbook. It comes bundled as an e-book with the required Pearson Mastering Chemistry homework system, but you should consider getting a print version (even in an older edition: 8th or later) as well for reference throughout your Chemistry or Biochemistry major and beyond!! 

• Bulletin Listing

CHEM 541: Physical Chemistry: Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics

This 3-credit undergraduate course may be taken before or after CHEM 542. See bulletin for prerequisites. Chem 541L is a corresponding laboratory course that is run independently and can be registered as a 2-credit course. In Chem 541, students learn concepts of thermodynamics and kinetics that are essential preparation for careers in chemistry, biology, medicine, and engineering. If you're taking Chem 541, you might enjoy the handouts at right!

• Bulletin listing

CHEM 542L: Physical Chemistry Laboratory: Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy

A 2-credit lab course in which Chemistry majors develop skills in experimental and computational physical chemistry, data analysis, and analytical writing. Students complete a series of 6 lab projects in small groups, using state of the art equipment in USC’s new Science and Technology Building. Lab projects vary from semester to semester and several have been published in J. Chem. Ed. Students should be taking, or have completed, the Chem 542 classroom course.

CHEM 649/749: Nanoscience: Chemistry and Physics of Low-Dimensional Materials

Nanoscience (making, studying, and using structures with dimensions of a few nanometers) is exciting because many properties of semiconducting, metallic, and electrochemical systems change from bulk behavior in this size regime, even though it is large compared to chemical bond lengths. This is clearly seen in the case of quantum dots, whose synthesis earned the 2023 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. This special topics in physical chemistry course begins by identifying characteristic length scales that determine the electronic and optical properties of materials through discussion of band structure, effective mass, charge carriers, and conductivity in metals and semiconductors. We then explore: Size-dependence of electronic and optical properties of materials, including quantum confinement; the electrochemical double layer and properties of colloidal solutions; and synthetic routes to nanostructures with control of shape and composition. These concepts enable students to understand and innovate in many areas of nanoscience and materials science. The second half of the course typically includes student-led discussions of current literature. Examples of applications in biomedical imaging, solar cells, and energy conversion and storage will be discussed. This course is cross-listed as Chem 649 for undergraduates who have completed Chem 541 and 542. 

Extracurricular 

Which is the anode?

"Anode" and "cathode" are terms invented by Michael Faraday to describe electrodes. It is easy to get them confused, especially when reading literature from fields as diverse as vacuum tube electronics and dye-sensitized solar cells! As a public service, we have created "Which is the anode?", an educational poster to help sort things out. Inspired in part by XKCD. Please let us know of any errors or suggestions! (Please note this poster is currently inaccessible, because the file format is not conducive to digital accessibility compliance).