CHEM601 - Chemical Information

This course examines the structure and organization of the chemical literature and introduces techniques of searching this literature, focusing on the logic and thought processes necessary for effective information retrieval. Each technique is illustrated using information tools available at the University of Pennsylvania, and we take an "under the hood" look at the organization and functionality of each tool introduced. Students should choose a course section based on their preferred area of chemistry research: organic, inorganic, biological, and physical chemistry; all four sections are taught at a level appropriate for graduate students and advanced undergraduates. Topics vary by section, but all students learn the basics of subject, author, structure, and reaction searching, and a unit on ethics in publication and scholarly communication completes the course.