CHEM 305 - Chemistry of Spices

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-5; Sustainability
Chem 305 explores “farm to table” global spice industry processes through Chemistry. Topics include spice and flavor chemistry, sustainable spice cultivation and processing, chemical techniques for isolating essential and aromatic chemicals in spices as well as everyday uses of spices.

Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-5 - Upper Division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning, Overlay - Sustainability
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas 1A, 1B, 1C and GE-2 with grade C- (CR) or better (GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division GE Area 5 (Areas B1-B3 for students on the 2024-25 or earlier catalogs).
Possible Instructional Methods: On-ground, or Hybrid, or Online-Asynchronous, or Online-Synchronous.
Grading: A-F grading only.
Course Typically Offered: Fall & Spring

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1. Understand and apply chemical properties of spices for cooking, flavor chemistry, food preservation, as well as medical and health applications.

2. Compare, interpret, and contrast chemical techniques and data analyses used in isolating, characterizing, and purifying spices and their essential components.

3. Analyze and evaluate global sustainable spice agricultural practices including spice cultivation, harvesting, processing, and management.

4. Understand the integration of “farm-to-table” sustainable agricultural processes through relevant chemical concepts and applications.

GE-UD-5. Upper-division Science or Mathematical Concepts/Quantitative Reasoning Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate advanced and/or focused science or quantitative content knowledge in a specific scientific field, using appropriate vocabulary and referencing appropriate concepts (such as models, uncertainties, hypotheses, theories, and
Apply advanced quantitative skills (such as statistics, algebraic solutions, interpretation of graphical data) to scientific problems and evaluate scientific claims.
Demonstrate understanding of the nature of science and scientific inquiry and the experimental and empirical methodologies used in science to investigate a scientific question or issue.
Apply science content knowledge to contemporary scientific issues (e.g., global warming) and technologies (e.g., cloning), where appropriate.

Sustainability Overlay Learning Outcomes

Discuss multiple dimensions of sustainability, including the scientific, social, cultural, and/or economic.
Analyze interactions between human activities and natural systems.
Describe strategies taken by individuals, communities, organizations, or governments for mitigating and/or adapting to key threats to environmental sustainability.