Chemistry

The Individual Research Training Senior (IRT Senior) Course is an advanced course of the Individual Research Training A (IRT A) course in the Tohoku University Junior Year Program in English (JYPE) in the fall semester. Though short-term international exchange students are not degree candidates at Tohoku University, a similar experience is offered by special arrangement. Students are required to submit: an abstract concerning the results of their IRT Senior project, a paper (A4, 20-30 pages) on their research at the end of the exchange term, and an oral presentation on the results of their IRT Senior project near the end of the term.

The objectives of this course are to: 

• Understand perfect gas law, kinetic theory and the first law of thermodynamics.

• Understand the 2nd and 3rd law of thermodynamics and phase transition.

• Understand simple mixtures and chemical reactions based on thermodynamics. 

The objective of this course is to provide students with an overview of the role of chemistry in nanosciences. The course introduces some basic knowledge related to this field, and surveys the unique properties of nanoparticles and their applications, which includes bioconjugation methods, solution-based probes/sensors, in vitro and in vivo imaging, and nanoparticle therapeutics.  

Students should be able to 1) understand the general methods for fabricating nanomaterials; 2) understand the physical properties of nanomaterials; 3) apply the unique properties of some nanomaterials to create specific probes. Typical topics include supramolecular chemistry, basic photophysics, syntheses of nanoparticles, luminescent quantum dots, gold and silver nanoparticles, other inorganic nanoparticles, organic nanoparticles, bioconjugate chemistry, bioimaging, drug delivery and toxicity of nanoparticles. 

Due to the constantly increasing computational power and the rise of density functional theory (DFT) and artificial intelligence (AI), computational approaches to chemistry are booming. We are now able to simulate almost every chemical process at multiple times and size scales and discuss macroscopic thermodynamic and kinetic trends from a quantum chemical perspective. This course enters this exciting field by first introducing computational chemistry, then learning about DFT and how to use it to calculate reaction energies, MO diagrams, kinetic barriers, etc., run molecular dynamics simulations, and basic machine learning. 

Recommended Prerequisite: The lecture requires basic physical chemistry and mathematics lecture background. Quantum chemistry background will make things easier to understand, but it is not a prerequisite. The course teaches programming and revisits quantum chemistry. 

The course covers in depth the chemistry of three major classes of biologically important molecules; carbohydrates, peptides and proteins, and nucleic acids. In addition, the course provides an introduction to molecular imaging and covers methods for labelling of biomolecules with fluorescent dyes and radionuclides.

This course covers the care and maintenance of clothing. Topics include the principle of adhesion of contaminants and textile fibers; critical factors in removing contaminants (surfactants, mechanical removal, solvent, chemical degradation, etc.); care and maintenance of protective textiles; and environmental impact during the clothing maintenance process. 

This course covers the chemistry of major food components such as water, lipid, carbohydrate, and protein including food enzymes. The basic functions of these components are also be introduced. Some chemical reactions involving these molecules with relation to food processing and storage are discussed. In addition, methods of chemical modification to change the chemical and physical properties of the food components are also presented. Basic laboratory techniques used in food chemistry laboratory will also be introduced.

This course exploits the development of biobased materials involving the biology of biological feedstock, the chemistry of biobased building blocks and polymers, the technical processes, principles of circularity, and environmental and societal implications. This course creates a critical and creative attitude towards biobased materials and technologies. Pre-req: Organic Chemistry. Assessment includes assignments, presentations, written exams, and attendance.