Graduate

An introduction to the theory, principles, and practical application of biophysical methods to the study of biomolecules, especially proteins and nucleic acids. Emphasis on spectroscopic techniques. Topics include magnetic resonance, optical spectroscopy, fast reaction techniques, crystallography, and mass spectrometry.

A detailed discussion of nucleic acid and protein chemistry, ranging from the structure, thermodynamics, and folding to the relationship between structure and function, and encompassing the methods used to determine such information.

A study of enzyme kinetics, mechanisms, and factors involved in enzymic catalysis. Lecture: 3-1/2 hours.

Provides skills for the transition from academia into industrial research careers, addressing presentation skills, project prioritization, teamwork, salary-benefit expectations, intellectual property, performance reviews, Myers-Briggs profiles, and career planning. Participant teams will analyze the commercialization of a technical innovation.

Introduces the fundamentals of grant writing in biomedical research, including best practices for presentation of data and communication of research findings. Students write and peer-edit most components of the NIH Ruth L. Kirschstein F31 predoctoral fellowship. Course is designed for students in their second year or later of graduate study.

The role played by transition metals in biological systems is discussed through application of the principles of coordination chemistry and inorganic spectroscopy. Topics include metalloproteins involved in oxygen binding, iron storage, biological redox reactions, and nitrogen fixation, as well as metal complexes of nucleic acids. Lecture: 4 hours.

A discussion of the application of selected topics in biophysical chemistry to contemporary problems in biochemistry and molecular biology. Lecture: 3-1/2 hours.

Covers molecular structure and bonding, strain, and non-covalent binding forces. Other topics include acid-base chemistry, kinetics, thermodynamics, catalysis, organic reactions and mechanism, and quantum mechanical approaches to the analysis of organic molecules.

Presents concepts in bond formation, conformation, selectivity, and stereocontrol in modern organic synthesis. Focuses on understanding reaction mechanisms. Culminates with strategy in designing multi-step synthesis of complex targets.

Presents strategies in organic structure elucidation, including nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) and mass spectrometry. Provides theory and practical elements of structure elucidation and modern analytical methods for organic molecules.

Explores organic free radicals. Fundamental principles in physical chemistry provide an understanding of free-radical transformations in organic synthesis, polymerization, and some examples of free radicals in biology. For students who have a firm grounding in organic chemistry.

This course is fully hands-on, highly interactive, and project-based. Students receive extensive training on the DFT program Gaussian and are then offered the opportunity to deepen their knowledge, tailored to their specific research projects. Students have the option to bring in their own molecules of interest from their research laboratories.

Advanced topics in inorganic chemistry are presented. Topics covered vary from year to year, and are announced in advance. Possible topics include A) organometallic chemistry; B) structural methods in inorganic chemistry; C) solid-state chemistry.

Advanced topics in inorganic chemistry are presented. Topics covered vary from year to year, and are announced in advance. Possible topics include A) organometallic chemistry; B) structural methods in inorganic chemistry; C) solid-state chemistry.

Advanced topics in inorganic chemistry are presented. Topics covered vary from year to year, and are announced in advance. Possible topics include A) organometallic chemistry; B) structural methods in inorganic chemistry; C) solid-state chemistry.

Course in chemical crystallography focuses on the needs of small-molecule, single-crystal diffraction studies. Includes diffraction theory, space-group analysis, data collection, structure solution, and refinement. Practical component: use of diffraction equipment and solution/refinement software.

The basic theory of time-dependent processes is covered at an advanced level. The interaction of electromagnetic radiation and matter is described using both semiclassical and quantum field formulations. A variety of modern spectroscopic techniques are discussed both in terms of the basic processes and their use in the elucidation of chemical structure and dynamics.

Theory and concepts of statistical mechanics with applications to ideal gases, condensed systems, phase transition, and non-equilibrium thermodynamics. Lecture: 3-1/2 hours.

A rigorous introductory course: the Schrödinger equation, operator formalism, matrix mechanics, angular momentum, and spin. Perturbation and other approximate methods. Applications to atomic and molecular problems. Lecture: 3-1/2 hours.

Introduction of quantum mechanical simulations of materials at the atomistic level. This includes introduction of solid-state electronic structure formulated with density functional theory and plane-wave basis, calculations of spectroscopic and transport properties for solids and condensed phases from first-principles. Basic calculations of electronic structure, lattice dynamics with phonon dispersion and dielectric properties, treatment of electron correlation for open-shell systems with linear and non-linear magnetism. Advanced topics include calculations of excited-state spectroscopy with many-body interaction, ab-initio molecular dynamics, Wannier function and topological properties, and electron-phonon coupling for superconductivity and carrier transport. 

A detailed introduction of the use of computer simulation methods in physical and biophysical chemistry. Includes review of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics, molecular mechanics, molecular dynamics, and Monte-Carlo methods. Applications to liquid structure, reaction dynamics, and protein dynamics.

Topics include synthesis of solid-state materials and their characterization using experimental techniques: XRD, TEM spectroscopy, NMR, and their applications in technologies. Emphasis on new materials, e.g., polymer, biopolymers, nanomaterials, organic/inorganic composites, ceramics, superconductors, electronic, magnetic, and opto-electronic materials.

Designed to introduce basic principles and applications of electrochemistry to students at upper undergraduate and lower graduate levels in various fields including analytical, physical, and materials chemistry.

Methods and techniques for the field of chemical biology. Brings together methods in chemistry, biochemistry, and genetics to study the interaction of small molecules with biological systems. Students cannot receive credit for this course and CHEM 171.

Lecture and lab course introducing graduate students to mass spectrometry. Begins with the basic framework and concepts in mass spectrometry to break down modern instrumentation to build toward utilizing modern biomedical applications of the technology. Course focuses on biological molecules (amino acids to proteins). Interpretation of organic mass spectra is only be briefly covered. Provides students with the necessary framework to design and execute their own research-based mass spectrometry experiments. Two weeks are dedicated to hands-on experiments using modern mass spectrometers and preparing short technical notes based on the Journal of the American Society for Mass Spectrometry (JASMS) to report findings from laboratory base experiments.

Weekly meetings devoted to study of synthetic organic chemistry and controlled polymer design for applications in nanotechnology. Topics drawn from current literature and research interests of participants.

Weekly meetings devoted to biological inorganic chemistry and biochemistry. Topics are drawn from current literature. Papers and reviews are discussed, and participants give short seminars on their research interests.

Weekly meetings devoted to materials and inorganic research. Topics are drawn from current literature. Papers and reviews are discussed. Participants also give short seminars on topics of their research interests.

Weekly meetings devoted to the study of asymmetric and/or enantio-selective synthesis of optically active organic compounds of biological and medicinal significance. Topics drawn from the current literature and the research interests of the participants.

Weekly meetings devoted to the study of synthetic organic chemistry. Topics drawn from the current literature and the research interests of the participants.

A detailed study of molecular mechanisms of light energy conversion and light-signal transduction processes in biological systems. Student participation in critical discussion of current literature examples are emphasized. Two-hour lecture and two-hour seminar weekly.

Weekly meetings devoted to the study of natural products. Topics drawn from the current literature and research interests of the participants.

Weekly meetings devoted to inorganic and bioinorganic research. Topics are drawn from current literature. Papers and reviews are discussed. Participants also give short seminars on topics of their research interests.

A weekly chemistry and biochemistry seminar series covering recent developments and current research, led by experts from other institutions, as well as local speakers. Open to chemistry and biochemistry graduate students.

University-level pedagogy in chemistry; examines the role of preparation, assessment, and feedback in teaching chemistry discussion and laboratory sections. Effective classroom techniques and organizational strategies discussed; oral presentations analyzed critically. Required of entering chemistry graduate students.

A topic will be studied with faculty tutorial assistance to satisfy a need for the student when a regular course is not available. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

A topic will be studied with faculty tutorial assistance to satisfy a need for the student when a regular course is not available. Students submit petition to sponsoring agency.

Thesis Research

Thesis Research

Thesis Research