FRS 003 — Sec. 015 — (1 unit) — CRN 53623 — M 1:10-2:00 pm — 172 Chemistry
Nature and Photochemistry

Instructor: Ting Guo, Department of Chemistry, College of Letters and Science

Description: I would like to introduce the concept of photochemistry to freshmen. Nature provides the best examples, so 50% of this one-unit seminar will be taught outdoors. We will observe the (changing) colors of plants, reflection of light off different surfaces and air (morning versus sunset time), and how animal use color to function. In classroom, I will describe the origin of color, algorithms of colors, and the invention and applications of lasers, including visits to 3-4 chemistry labs which use laser to conduct research. Goal is to give students a comprehensive although cursory knowledge about the intimate connection between light and chemistry. Normally this part of chemistry is only taught in freshman chemistry and the scope of knowledge is very limited and difficult to digest because of the abstractness of quantum theory. This seminar will help them to relate the knowledge to nature, thus lowering the learning barrier.

Format: We will take trips to different plant fields and locations on campus to study light and chemistry. A series of reading assignments complied by the instructor will be given to students. The seminar will be consisted of lectures given by both the instructor and the students (~30-50%), and a final presentation by each student. Grading: The grades will include self grading (30%) and instructor grading (50%). The score of the final presentation (PowerPoint) will count for 20% of the total grading.

About the Instructor: