CHEMISTRY
Professors D. Ramaker, M. King (Chair), A. Montaser, J.H. Miller, A. Vertes
Associate Professors M.J. Wagner, C.L. Cahill, H.H. Teng
Assistant Professors M.G. Zysmilich, L.P. Eisen, V. Sadtchenko
Master of Science in the field of chemistry—Prerequisite: a bachelor's degree with a major in chemistry from this University, or an equivalent degree.
Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Course work must include a minimum of five 200-level courses; at least four of the courses must be core courses as defined in the department's Guide to Graduate Studies; at least three must be offered by the Chemistry Department. At least two 200-level courses must be taken outside the subdiscipline of the student and in at least two other subdisciplines/disciplines. Proficiency in computer programming must be demonstrated. Candidates are required to pass a Master's Comprehensive Examination.
Thesis option—30 credit hours of approved courses are required, including Chem 299– 300, Thesis Research, which may be in analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry.
Nonthesis option—36 credit hours of approved courses are required, including Chem 298. Up to 9 credit hours in other departments related to the student's area of interest (e.g., Forensic Sciences) may be included in the program, subject to the approval of the Department of Chemistry. Students who are or will be employed in organizations dealing with science and technology policy programs may select from specified courses offered by Information Systems and Technology Management, Political Science, Public Policy and Public Administration, and the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Doctor of Philosophy in the field of chemistry—Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Students develop their program of studies in consultation with their doctoral committee, subject to the approval of the department's Graduate Affairs Committee. The program of studies must include course work in a minimum of five 200-level courses; at least four of the courses must be core courses as defined in the department's Guide to Graduate Studies; at least three must be offered by the Chemistry Department. These course requirements cannot be fulfilled by achievement on placement exams. At least two 200-level courses must be taken outside the subdiscipline of the student and in at least two other subdisciplines/disciplines. Equivalent courses offered by another university may be substituted at the discretion of the Graduate Affairs Committee. Proficiency in computer programming must be demonstrated. Students must pass a cumulative examination system and an oral defense of the doctoral research plan.
Research fields: analytical spectroscopy and separation; aqueous phase dynamics/chemistry; battery chemistry; biomedical analysis; chemical instrumentation; electrochemistry; elemental and isotopic analysis; heterocyclic chemistry; inorganic, organic, and solid state materials; laser-material interactions; mass spectrometry; membrane studies; mineral surface geochemistry; modeling and simulation; molecular spectroscopy; nanoscale and nanostructured materials; organic synthesis/natural products; proteomics; small-molecule crystallography; solid state chemistry; structure and reactivity studies; surface chemistry; theoretical chemistry; trace analysis.
Ph.D. students in chemistry may substitute up to 12 hours of Dissertation Research in the form of course work jointly approved by the Chemistry Department and the Forensic Sciences Department or the International Science and Technology Policy program. The 12 hours may be selected from specified courses offered by Forensic Sciences, Information Systems and Technology Management, Political Science, Public Policy and Public Administration, and the Elliott School of International Affairs.
Note: All entering students in graduate chemistry programs are required to take the American Chemical Society Graduate Level Placement Examinations, given by the Department of Chemistry, prior to matriculation. The four placement examinations (in the disciplines of analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry) are designed to cover the subject matter in the disciplines generally taught in undergraduate programs preparatory for graduate work in chemistry, and the results are used by the department to advise the individual student in planning a program of courses appropriate to the student's background. All graduate students are required to participate in the seminar and colloquium programs. Upon consultation with course instructors, specific course prerequisites may be waived.
With permission, a limited number of 100-level courses in the department may be taken for graduate credit; additional course work is required. See the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.
| 207 |
Chemical Bonding (3) |
Ramaker |
| |
Quantum mechanics, approximate methods, electron spin, Pauli principle, atomic and molecular structure. Prerequisite: Chem 112. (Fall) |
| 211–12 |
Physical Chemistry (1 to 3 each) |
Ramaker, Wagner, Miller |
| |
Same as Chem 111–12. Admission only by departmental permission. Credit assigned upon satisfactory completion of Chem 213. (Academic year) |
| 213 |
Chemical Thermodynamics (3) |
Miller, Sadtchenko |
| |
Application of thermodynamics to chemical problems. Emphasis on statistical calculation of thermodynamic properties. Prerequisite: Chem 112 or 212. (Spring) |
| 218 |
Molecular Spectroscopy (3) |
Miller and Staff |
| |
Applications of quantum mechanics and group theory to the interpretation of electronic, vibrational, rotational, and magnetic resonance spectroscopy. Prerequisite: Chem 207. (Spring, odd years) |
| 220 |
Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
Advanced topics offered in a modular format to allow an in-depth examination of a self-selected field of analytical chemistry. One to three topics may be chosen for a given semester. May be repeated for credit. |
| 221 |
Spectrochemical Analysis (3) |
Montaser |
| |
Theory and application of recent spectrometric methods of analysis, including advances in optimization techniques, optical instrumentation, atomic spectrometry, laser-based analytical techniques, X-ray methods, and surface analysis techniques. Prerequisite: Chem 122. (Fall) |
| 222 |
Ions: Wet and Dry (3) |
Vertes |
| |
Principles, instrumentation, methods, and applications of mass spectrometry and electrochemistry; selected state-of-the-art methods demonstrate basic principles to show how new methods of analysis are developed; typical applications highlight solutions of industrial, environmental, biomedical, and forensic problems. Prerequisite: Chem 122. |
| 230 |
Selected Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
Advanced topics offered in a modular format to allow an in-depth examination of a self-selected field of inorganic chemistry. One to three topics may be chosen for a given semester. May be repeated for credit. |
| 235–36 |
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3–3) |
Cahill |
| |
Application of modern chemical theories to inorganic substances and reactions; detailed study, developed from the periodic table, of the chemistry of the more common elements; electronic spectra and reaction mechanisms of complexes; organometallic chemistry; homogeneous and heterogeneous catalysis; bioinorganic chemistry. Prerequisite: Chem 112, 152. |
| 238 |
Inorganic Materials Chemistry (3) |
Wagner |
| |
Synthesis, structure, and properties of materials such as ceramics, superconductors, ionic conductors, nanomaterials, and magnetic, optical, and electronic materials. Emphasis on traditional and low-temperature routes. Prerequisite: Chem 111–12. (Fall, even years) |
| 240 |
Selected Topics in Physical Chemistry (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
Advanced topics offered in a modular format to allow an in-depth examination of a self-selected field of physical chemistry. One to three topics may be chosen for a given semester. May be repeated for credit. |
| 250 |
Selected Topics in Organic Chemistry (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
Advanced topics offered in a modular format to allow an in-depth examination of a self-selected field in organic chemistry. One to three topics may be chosen for a given semester. May be repeated for credit. |
| 251–52 |
Advanced Organic Chemistry (3–3) |
Staff |
| |
Synthesis, reactions, and properties of organic compounds; fundamental theories of organic chemistry, emphasis on reaction mechanisms. Prerequisite to Chem 251: Chem 112, 152. Prerequisite to Chem 252: Chem 251. (Academic year) |
| 257 |
Physical–Organic Chemistry (3) |
Staff |
| |
The transition state theory of chemical kinetics, applications to reaction mechanisms; kinetic isotope effects, linear-free energy relationships, concentrated and “super” acids, Woodward–Hoffman rules, free radical reactions. Prerequisite: Chem 251 or permission of instructor. (Spring, odd years) |
| 258 |
Synthesis and Structure Determination in Organic Chemistry (3) |
Staff |
| |
The design of syntheses for complex organic molecules; survey of modern synthetic methods, including asymmetric induction; spectroscopic methods of structure determination. Prerequisite: Chem 251 or permission of instructor. (Fall, even years) |
| 259 |
Polymer Chemistry (3) |
Staff |
| |
A study of the preparation, properties, and structure of macromolecules. Prerequisite: Chem 152 and 110 or 111 or permission of instructor. (Fall, odd years) |
| 260 |
Selected Topics (1 to 3) |
Staff |
| |
Advanced topics offered in a modular format to allow an in-depth examination of a self-selected field in chemistry. One to three topics may be chosen for a given semester. May be repeated for credit. |
| 295 |
Research (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Research on problems approved by the staff. Open to qualified students with advanced training. May be repeated for credit. (Fall and spring) |
| 298 |
Independent Study (3) |
Staff |
| |
Limited to master's degree candidates. A survey of a topic approved by departmental staff and resulting in a written report, and the presentation of a seminar. |
| 299–300 |
Thesis Research (3–3) |
Staff |
| 395 |
Independent Research (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Dissertation research for students in Unit I of the Doctor of Philosophy Program. May be repeated for credit. |
| 398 |
Advanced Reading and Research (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Limited to students preparing for the Doctor of Philosophy cumulative examinations. May be repeated for credit. |
| 399 |
Dissertation Research (arr.) |
Staff |
| |
Limited to Doctor of Philosophy candidates. May be repeated for credit. |
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