Organic Chemistry I: Structure and Reactivity In this course we will provide students with an introduction to the structure and reactivity of organic molecules sufficient to continue directly to the study of biochemistry (CHEM 0322). Topics covered will include models of chemical bonding, acid-base relationships, three-dimensional molecular structure (conformations and stereochemistry), reaction mechanisms and energy diagrams, substitution and elimination reactions, carbonyl reactions (additions, reductions, interconversions, and alpha-reactivity), and the fundamentals of biological molecules (carbohydrates, DNA, and RNA). Laboratory experiments will relate to purification techniques (recrystallization, distillation, extraction, and chromatography), as well as microscale organic reactions that complement the lecture material.

Advanced Organic Chemistry        This course covers advanced topics in organic chemistry, with the goal of bringing students to the point where they have the knowledge necessary to become lifelong learners of organic chemistry through primary literature, rather than reliance on textbooks.  With this goal in mind, the course will cover qualitative molecular orbital theory and reactive intermediates beyond the anion and cation chemistry which form the main body of the introductory organic chemistry sequence.  More advanced techniques in NMR spectroscopy, stereochemistry, and conformational analysis will also be covered, and the course will culminate in literature examples of total synthesis of natural products, and a final project involving authoring a Wikipedia page on a topic of interest relating to organic chemistry.

Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Spectroscopy In this course students will explore how organic molecules are made and their structures are identified. The study of organic reactions will continue from CHEM 0205 with radical reactions, alkene and alkyne additions, aromatic reactions, oxidations, reductions, and additional carbonyl reactions. Emphasis will be placed on using reactions in sequences to synthesize larger and more complex molecules. The theory and practice of mass spectrometry and UV-Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy will be studied as a means to elucidate the exact structures of organic molecules. Laboratory experiments will focus on synthetic techniques that complement the lecture material and the identification of complex unknowns via spectrometry and spectroscopic techniques.

Organic Chemistry II: Synthesis and Spectroscopy In this course we will explore how organic molecules are made and their structures are identified. The study of organic reactions will continue from CHEM 0203 with radical reactions, alkene and alkyne additions, aromatic reactions, oxidations and reductions, and additional carbonyl reactions. Emphasis in this course will be placed on using reactions in sequences to synthesize larger and more complex molecules. The theory and practice of mass spectrometry and UV-Vis, IR, and NMR spectroscopy will be studied as a means to elucidate the exact structures of organic molecules. Laboratory experiments will focus on synthetic techniques that complement the lecture material and the identification of complex unknowns via  GC-MS, IR, and NMR.

Thomas Anderson

Reviews and ratings for Thomas Anderson at Middlebury College.Thomas Anderson teaches Organic I: Struct & Reactivity, Advanced Organic Chemistry, Organic II: Synthesis & Spect. and more.  Explore top rated instructors and find the best for you.Is Thomas Anderson good ? Find out on MiddCourses.

Orgo was a super fun course. Prof Anderson's teaching style was definitely a little difficult to follow because he would just write on the board and move super super quickly. I had to study a lot for exams but it was very clear what you were supposed to study which I appreciated.

I like this class overall. We have a tutorial due every Wednesday that is for completion if you do the entire thing and a problem set every Sunday. The exams are relatively straightforward, but he tries to give partial credit. He gives lots of practice problems, but he does often make mistakes with his answer keys that can be confusing. I would take again.

This course was extremely fast-paced. Professor Anderson lectures from the start to the end of class. He is very enthusiastic about the material but sometimes that causes him to go into more depth that it becomes confusing. It was tricky to come back up to the understanding that we needed for exams. Organic chemistry is hard to begin with so that is a consideration too. 