Chemistry 101: Chemistry Tutorials

Spring 2019

Students | Instructors

What is Ch101? 
Ch101 (Chemistry Tutorials) is a three-unit class in the Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering offered to undergraduate students during the spring term. These tutorial classes on special topics in chemistry are designed and led by graduate student and postdoc instructors with the guidance of experienced faculty members.


What is the format of Ch101? 
Chemistry Tutorials are 10-week, 3-unit classes offered for A-F elective credit in the Spring term. As such, most tutorial courses meet for 1-1.5 hours per week with 1.5-2 hours of homework that focuses on data analysis or critical reading of the literature—both skills that are essential to students interested in doing research while at Caltech.


Who should take Ch101? 
These classes offer a unique opportunity for students to learn about special topics in organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical biology, and chemical engineering. We strongly recommend Ch101 for any students applying to do a SURF in a field related to the tutorial topics, as this will serve as an introduction to that field and its literature. We also recommend Ch101 for any students who would like to earn elective credit while exploring a new field of chemical research and learn data analysis or critical reading skills along the way!


What tutorials are being offered in Spring 2019? 
Three different tutorial courses will be offered in Spring 2019! These three courses run concurrently and independently of each other, so when signing up, just enroll in the section you are most interested in taking. The first class of each tutorial will be an organizational meeting to figure out a time that works best for all enrolled students. The tutorials offered in Spring 2019 are:

• Communicating Chemistry
Olivia Harper Wilkins, Graduate Student, Blake Group
Contact: owilkins@caltech.edu
Ch 101 Faculty Mentor: Prof. Kim See
Communicating science is an important aspect of research and often takes the form of peer-reviewed journal articles and conference proceedings. Communicating through other media is also important to share science with broader audiences, including politicians making evidence-based policy decisions and the “general public,” who often fund scientific research through tax dollars. In this course, we will explore the benefits and challenges in communicating chemistry to a variety of audiences, from social media platforms and public speaking to popular science writing and visual representation.

• The Role of Natural Products in Drug Discovery
Julie Hofstra and Dr. Carolyn Ladd, Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Scholar, Reisman Group
Contact: jhofstra@caltech.edu and cladd@caltech.edu
Ch 101 Faculty Mentor: Prof. Brian Stoltz
This course will focus on the role of natural products in drug discovery. Basic concepts related to medicinal chemistry will be taught. Historical, cultural and social perspectives will be provided with emphasis on diversity and inclusion themes. Case studies regarding key natural products and how these molecules have served as templates for classes of therapeutic agents will be presented. Finally, current and future applications of natural products towards the design of novel pharmacological agents and the role of synthesis in achieving such aims will be highlighted and will serve as points of discussion.

• Chemistry of Renewable Energy Conversion
Paul Kempler, Graduate Student, Lewis Group
Contact: paul.kempler@caltech.edu
Ch 101 Faculty Mentor: Prof. Zhen-Gang Wang
This course will focus on the thermodynamics of energy conversion with an emphasis on future technologies for renewable energy generation and storage. Students will review basic concepts related to free-energy and the first and second laws of thermodynamics and use them to understand the practical limits of energy conversion for various technologies. The goal of the course will be to leave students with a basic understanding of the thermodynamics of heat-engines, water electrolysis, fuel cells, batteries, and photovoltaics and an understanding of how to apply thermodynamic equations when assessing new technologies

If you have any general questions, please contact caltech.ch101@gmail.com.

 

California Institute of Technology
Division of Chemistry & Chemical Engineering
1200 E. California Boulevard
Pasadena, CA  91125