Chemistry

This course is an in-depth exploration of the mechanisms underlying inorganic and organometallic reactions, with a particular focus on understanding their fundamentals and applications. Students examine key aspects of organometallic chemistry, including bonding, reactivity, and catalytic cycles, while also delving into spectroscopic and non-spectroscopic techniques used to probe reaction mechanisms. Techniques such as NMR, IR, UV-Vis spectroscopy, and kinetic studies are emphasized to elucidate reaction pathways and intermediate characterization. The course also highlights cutting-edge trends in inorganic and organometallic chemistry, showcasing recent advancements in catalysis and chemical transformations. By the end of the semester, students will develop a strong foundation in mechanistic analysis and contemporary methodologies used in inorganic chemistry research. CH344 is recommended as a prerequisite course. All lectures will be in English.

This course introduces important instrumental techniques used in analytical chemistry, including thermal analysis (TGA, DSC), chemical and elemental analysis (AAS, ICP-AES, AFS, UV-visible absorption, FTIR, ATR-IR), Raman techniques, x-ray techniques (XFS, XPS, XRD), imaging and electron microscopy (SEM, TEM), mass spectrometry and its hyphenated techniques (GC-MS, MALDI). Case studies and real application examples in quality control, environmental analysis, materials characterization, forensic studies, etc. are illustrated. Beginning from the fundamentals and connecting these to real applications, students learn to appreciate the plethora of scientific tools developed to provide analysis solutions for real problems they encounter.

This course provides opportunities to conduct simple experiments and observe chemical phenomena, so students can gain a firsthand understanding of chemistry in their everyday life. Then, the course addresses the similarities and differences between student observations and the theories (principles and mechanisms) described in textbooks and other sources.

This six-week summer course provides individual research training through the experience of belonging to a specific laboratory at Tohoku University. Students are assigned to a laboratory research group with Japanese and international students under the supervision of Tohoku University faculty. They participate in various group activities, including seminars, for the purpose of training in research methods and developing teamwork skills. The specific topic studied depends on the instructor in charge of the laboratory to which each student is assigned. The methods of assessment vary with the student's project and laboratory instructor. Students submit an abstract concerning the results of their individual research each semester and present the results near the end of this program.

This course introduces physical chemistry which is the basis for the analysis and design of chemical and bio-processes. Students learn the state and structure of pure matter, understand the state of mixed and complex matter, and grasp the mechanism by which matter changes. 

This course covers general chemistry for non-chemistry majors. Basic chemical theory and phenomena are considered in the course. This course equips students with the ability to apply fundamental concepts and principles of chemistry to real-world contexts. By exploring the structure of atoms and molecules, which are the building blocks of matter, and the principles governing chemical transformations, students develop skills to analyze and predict chemical changes. 

This course deepens knowledge of organic chemistry and organic synthesis in relation to drug molecules. Medicinal chemistry deals with the discovery, design, identification, and synthesis of drug molecules, and with the study of the relationships between the structure of a drug molecule and its behavior in the body. By looking at five major diseases, the organic synthesis and pharmacology of several drug molecules for treating these diseases are explored. A full year of Organic Chemistry is required for admission.

This course develops fundamental laboratory skills: thin layer chromatography; reflux; distillation; vacuum filtration; determination of melting point; recrystallisation; solvent extraction; rotary evaporation; Soxhlet extraction. Lectures give a core understanding in three main chemical themes: nomenclature, isomerism, and reaction mechanisms. Students participate in workshops focused on lecture content and general academic skills, additionally participating in a collaborative group poster presentation, refining important employability skills.

This course comprises the Semester 1 material, including laboratory and course work, of the Chemistry 2 course. The course consists of the following lecture courses: Carbonyl Chemistry; Transition Metal Organometallic Chemistry 1; Heterocyclic Chemistry; Quantum Theory; Reaction Kinetics; Separation Techniques & Mass Spectrometry. The course includes six weeks of inorganic chemistry and three weeks of physical chemistry laboratory sessions.

This course takes an in-depth view of organic chemistry using structures and reactivities exhibited by important molecules in everyday life. Students learn, refresh and cement key concepts in organic chemistry, particularly reactions involving polar mechanisms, and acquire knowledge and hands-on experience in molecular and structural characterization, while at the same time appreciating the intrinsic relevance of organic chemistry in existence and daily lives. The course requires students to take prerequisites.