Events and Classes

Classes

Though all of the courses in the Chemistry department are interesting, we use this space to highlight upcoming classes that might spark interest in Chemistry majors and in students that are not traditionally taking courses in Chemistry.

Electronics and Instrumentation Lecture and Lab, coming again Spring 2026

This course should provide people with a foundation in electronics to help them continue exploring and creating.

Analog and digital electronics are the lifeblood of analytical instrumentation so knowing how it works helps people understand some of the limitations of our measurements and sets them up to do some troubleshooting when things go wrong. This class is all about getting a hands-on understanding of the circuits that are commonly used in instruments. The lecture helps support and supplement the understanding that students obtain by building and characterizing the responses of a reasonably large number of circuits.

The lab portion of the course involved choosing a personal project to work on.

Who is the course for?

You must have some admission status to PSU (senior auditors are welcome too!). There are no prerequisites.
Folks interested in STEM: Whether you identify as an engineer, chemist, physicist, instrument technician, or something else, the skills and knowledge base you will be introduced to in this course can support your future.
Folks interested in making music: an amplifier is an amplifier, the principles of many electronic components remain the same whether it is part of a synthesizer or a scientific instrument.
Folks interested in exploring new things: with no required prerequisites, come learn about electronics as they relate to each other as parts of larger systems.

Lecture: CH 424/524
Lab: CH 425/525
Instructor: Dean Atkinson, atkinsdb@pdx.edu

Register Here

Scientific Glassblowing, Fall 2025

Learn, practice, and develop glassblowing skills through a series of hands on experiences in a small group setting. The course only meets for 1 hour a week on Fridays. Student then have access to the lab during open hours (M-F, 8am-5pm + some evenings) to practice and hone skills as they work towards creating a final project. Two sections are available. Though the course is called Scientific Glassblowing, the skills introduced are introductory level and can be applied to many areas outside of strict science; the course is perfect for art students and hobbyists looking to try glassblowing. Glass artists that work with Pyrex will join the course this year for demonstrations. Course is taught by local glass artist Lea Littleleaf.

This course uses Pyrex (hard/borosilicate/scientific) glass, which is very different process than soft glass work; those experienced with soft glass may enjoy this alternative glasswork process. After completing the course you become eligible to continue using the glassblowing lab space at PSU

Who is the course for?

Folks interested in scientific glassblowing, working in scientific labs, design and modeling
Science majors looking for a course that complements other skills they are developing
Artists of any type looking to work in a new media
People that want to take a class that allows for extensive hands on practice time taught by a local artist and professional scientific glassblower
Note: You must have some admission status to PSU (senior auditors are welcome too!). There are no prerequisites.

9/29-12/13/2025
1 credit
Option 1: CH 410/510 F 11am-12pm
Option 2: CH 410/510 F 1:30-2:30pm
Instructor: Lea Littleleaf
@indigenousglass