FSU General Bulletin

Florida State University Graduate Bulletin 2007-2009

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

College of Arts and Sciences

Chair: Naresh S. Dalal; Professors: Bruschweiler, Cooper, Cross, Dalal, Dorsey, Dougherty, Fulton, Gilmer, Holton, Krafft, Kroto, Marshall, Safron, Saltiel, Schlenoff; Associate Professors: Alabugin, Fischer, Goldsby, Greenbaum, Hilinski, Li, Logan, Sang, Steinbock, Stiegman, Strouse; Assistant Professors:, Dudley, Latturner, Miller, Nymeyer, Roper,Striegel, Yang, Zakarian, Zhu; University Professor: Kasha; Coordinator of General Chemistry Laboratories: Dillon; Coordinator of Organic Chemistry Laboratories: Kearley; Professors Emeriti: Choppin, Clark, DeTar, Herz, Johnsen, Light, Linder, Mellon, Rhodes, Schwartz, Sheline, Vickers; Professor Emerita: Hoffman

The graduate program in chemistry and biochemistry at Florida State University began in 1949. From this relatively recent beginning, the department developed rapidly to a position of prominence in the Southeast and has gained international recognition for the quality of the graduate education it offers. The department offers programs leading to the master of science and doctor of philosophy degrees in analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, materials, and biochemistry. Interdisciplinary programs leading to advanced degrees in chemical physics and molecular biophysics are offered in cooperation with the departments of Physics and Biological Science. The department also participates in interdisciplinary programs in materials science, supercomputing, and structural biology.

The excellent research laboratory facilities and the presence of up-to-date University facilities, such as the School of Computational Science, The Center for Materials Research and Technology, and the National High Magnetic Field Laboratory, offer the graduate student outstanding opportunities for research. Department research operations are housed in the interconnected Dittmer Laboratory of Chemistry building and Molecular Biophysics building. In addition, construction is currently underway on a new 168,000 square foot Chemistry building, scheduled for completion in 2007. Several adjacent structures serve other department teaching functions. Major research instruments and equipment available to all faculty and graduate students are housed in several specialized laboratories within the department. Professional scientists and engineers who provide assistance and technical guidance in the use of each facility operate these laboratories. The Mass Spectrometry Laboratory has the ability to obtain low-, medium- and high-resolution mass spectra using electron impact, chemical ionization or electrospray ionization. Molecular spectra are acquired on a JEOL JMS-600H double focusing high resolution mass spectrometer or Agilent 6870/5873 GC-MS combination. Stable isotope ratio analyses for C, H, N, O and S can be obtained with a Finnigan Delta S isotope ratio GC/MS. The FSU NMR Facility has seven Fourier Transform NMR spectrometers, along with considerable test equipment. Spectrometers currently housed in this facility include an Inova500 (500 MHz for protons) Varian spectrometer dedicated to high resolution NMR, Inova300 (300 MHz) dedicated to the undergraduate chemistry laboratories, Gemini 2000 (300 MHz), Bruker AC 300 (300 MHz), Varian Inova500 Widebore Spectrometer, a solid state spectrometer with a variety of probes, and a Varian 600 MHz wide-bore spectrometer devoted to biological and materials science applications. The Biochemical Synthesis and Services Laboratory (BASS) staff carries out synthesis of DNA, RNA, and peptides, as well as the sequencing of proteins. The staff trains all students in the use of the equipment in the lab, which includes one DNA and three protein synthesizers, ten liquid chromatographs, UV-VIS, fluorescence and circular dichroism spectrometers, two capillary electrophoresis systems, and two calorimeters. The Laser Laboratory is a multiuser research facility allowing access to a variety of sophisticated lasers, spectrometers, detectors and data acquisition setups to allow research involving lasers. The facility is well equipped to carry out Raman vibrational spectroscopy using continuous wave lasers, laser-induced emission spectroscopy with the use of continuous wave and high energy pulsed lasers, and transient absorption measurements with high energy pulsed lasers. Other major instrumentation available in the department includes a Multi-Angle Laser Light Scattering (MALLS) and X-ray fluorescence spectrometer for multi-element analyses of liquids and solids. State-of-the-art macromolecular X-ray crystallography and computational modeling facilities are located in the Molecular Biophysics building. The department maintains excellently staffed glassworking, machine, electronics, photo, and woodworking shops in support of teaching and research activities.

With an active faculty of nearly 40 members, the department offers a fully developed program, encompassing theoretical and experimental research in all areas of chemistry and many interdisciplinary areas. Faculty members have been widely recognized for their achievements, and count among their ranks a Nobel Laureate, members in the National Academy of Sciences, The Royal Danish Academy of Sciences, the Brazilian Academy of Sciences, and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences. Faculty members have been recipients of the American Chemical Society Award in Chemical Instrumentation, the American Chemical Society Award in Polymer Chemistry, the American Chemical Society Fisher Award in Analytical Chemistry, the American Chemical Society Award in Nuclear Chemistry, the Chemical Manufacturing Association award for excellence in chemical education, Presidential Young Investigator awards, Sloan Fellowships, National Institutes of Health career development awards, and numerous regional and local awards for both research and teaching. For additional information see the departmental Web site at: http://chemweb.chem.fsu.edu.

Requirements

Please review all college-wide degree requirements summarized in the "College of Arts and Sciences" chapter of this Graduate Bulletin.

The department offers doctor of philosophy and thesis- and course-type master of science programs. Each requires a student to identify one of several programs in the department—analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, materials, organic, or physical—as an area of specialization. Requirements for course work and exams differ among the programs. Performance of original research is a primary characteristic of the thesis MS and PhD programs, and programs of study are correspondingly highly individualized. The course MS program is more rigidly structured. A handbook of information for graduate students, including specific departmental and program requirements for each degree program, is available from the student affairs office of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and on the Web site.

All graduate students in the department must participate in teaching activities at some time during their graduate careers. To prepare students to meet this requirement, the department offers a course in chemical education (CHM 5945) which every graduate student is expected to take. Minimum teaching requirements are listed for each of the degree programs below. Inquiries regarding departmental teaching assistantships should be directed to the graduate student adviser in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

The ability to communicate in spoken English is a necessary component of the graduate training in chemistry. Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate this ability during their first year of graduate study. The department may require international students to participate in remedial programs in spoken English and to take a test of spoken English.

Requirements for Thesis-Type Master of Science Degree

The thesis-type program is designed to provide the student with advanced work in chemistry and experience in chemical research. Once students have selected a major professor to direct their research, a supervisory committee chaired by the major professor is formed. A course of study, consistent with University- and college-wide requirements, is formulated for each student by the supervisory committee. The program may consist entirely of courses in chemistry or may include courses from related areas, depending upon the interests and goals of the student. Some program areas require the student to take a written comprehensive examination in the area of concentration after completing the required course work. At least one semester of teaching is required. The student conducts research in consultation with the major professor and prepares a thesis with the professor's guidance. The student presents and defends the thesis before the supervisory committee.

Special Requirements for Course-Type Master of Science Degree in Chemistry

The course-type program is designed to provide the student with a strong technical education, but with less emphasis on research. In this program, at least twenty-one (21) of the University-required thirty-two (32) semester hours of credit must be taken on a letter-grade basis at the 4000 level or above. At least three (3) hours of directed individual study (DIS) must be taken. A supervisory committee must be formed to guide the student.

The student must choose an area of concentration by taking at least twelve (12) hours of formal course work and passing a comprehensive exam in a division.

Some teaching experience is required. The supervisory committee will determine the amount, consistent with the student's experience and goals. A 3.0 grade point average must be maintained in all formal chemistry course work. Students must give at least one seminar in the area of their concentration.

Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The heart of the PhD degree is research. The degree is granted to students who have mastered a definite field of knowledge, who have demonstrated capacity to do original and independent scholarly investigation, and who have shown an ability to integrate their field of specialization with the larger domains of knowledge and understanding.

As early as practical after beginning graduate study, students identify the program area in which they will concentrate and a major professor to direct their research activities. In consultation with the major professor, students select a supervisory committee which will guide them in selecting programs of study and will provide evaluation by conducting the oral portion of the PhD preliminary examination and the defense of dissertation.

The PhD preliminary examination consists of written and oral portions. The written portion tests the student's mastery of the major field at an advanced level. In the analytical, organic, inorganic, materials and physical programs, the written portion of the preliminary examination consists of a series of "cumulative" exams on selected topics, a designated number of which must be passed in a prescribed period. The biochemistry division uses a single "comprehensive" exam offered once or twice a year. The oral portion consists of an examination covering a research proposal. It must be taken within six months after completion of the written portion.

Two semesters of teaching experience are required for PhD candidates. Completion of a significant body of individual research is, of course, the chief requirement for the degree. The research results must be orally presented and defended before the supervisory committee in the defense of dissertation.

Definition of Prefixes

BCH—Biochemistry

CHM—Chemistry

CHS—Chemistry—Specialized

Graduate Courses

Analytical Chemistry

CHM 5086. Environmental Chemistry I (3). The application of geologic and geochemical principles to environmental issues. Topics include: an evaluation of contaminants in surface and ground water; hydrocarbon geochemistry and petroleum contamination; waste management, including solid, toxic and nuclear waste; air quality issues, including radon and asbestos; geologic hazards in upland and coastal areas; environmental methods and instrumentation, quality assurance and quality control in environmental analysis; principles of toxicology; and risk assessment and risk management.

CHM 5087. Environmental Chemistry II (3). Prerequisites: CHM 2210, 2211. Organic geochemistry of natural waters and sediments. An overview of the sources of organic matter in aquatic systems, the important reactions and transport mechanisms which control the biogeochemical cycling of organic carbon in these systems, and the impact of naturally-occurring organic carbon on environmental and ecological processes. Attention also devoted to anthropogenic (xenobiotic) organic molecules. Discussion of how analytical techniques such as 13C NMR, mass spectroscopy and capillary electrophoresis provide useful organic biogeochemical information.

CHM 5138. Mass Spectrometry (3). Prerequisite: graduate standing. Course covers: principles and techniques of ion formation, focusing, collision, fragmentation, and reaction; interpretation of mass spectra; mass analyzers and ion traps; selected chemical, analytical and biological applications.

CHM 5140. Introduction to Chemical Instrumentation (3). Lecture. An examination of the factors that limit the accuracy, precision and speed of measurements with instruments with detailed discussions of the meaning and implications of signal bandwidth, signal orthogonality, impedance relationships, modulation and phase sensitive detection, sampling, the Fourier transform, information theory, analog signal handling with negative feedback and digital signal handling.

CHM 5141. Introduction to Chemometrics (3). Lecture. The application of techniques of linear algebra and statistics to enhance the selectivity of chemical analyses. The Fourier transform and signal processing, orthogonalization, classical least-squares, inverse least-squares, partial least-squares, factor analysis, principal components regression, analysis of variance, response surfaces and models, signal enhancement.

CHM 5151. Optical Methods of Chemical Analysis (3). Lecture. Fundamentals of optics (lens, prism, grating), spectroscopic instrumentation, spectroscopic techniques for chemical analysis, including atomic emission and absorption spectroscopy, molecular absorption and luminescence, infrared and Raman spectroscopy.

CHM 5153. Electrochemistry (3). Lecture. Instrumentation and techniques in electrochemistry, including such topics as electrode processes, potentiometry, voltammertry, and coulometry.

CHM 5154. Chemical Separations (3). Lecture. The primary theme will be chromatography, including gas-solid, gas-liquid, capillary gas, ion-exchange, and high-performance liquid methods. Emphasis will be placed on the fundamental physical processes, modern instrumentation, and response characteristics of detectors relevant to these methods. Ancillary techniques to be discussed include solvent extraction, thin layer techniques, electrophoresis, field-flow fraction, and chromatographic measurements of physiochemical parameters.

CHM 5180r. Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (1–3). Lecture, as appropriate to credit. May be repeated up to a maximum of four times.

CHM 5454. Polymer Characterization (3). Course covers the characterization of synthetic polymers by various analytical techniques, including spectroscopy, molecular weight measurements, structure, surface studies and mechanical properties. Course includes sufficient introductory material in polymer synthesis to relate structure and properties.

CHM 6190r. Analytical Chemistry Seminar (1). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CHM 6191r. Analytical Chemistry Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

Biochemistry

BCH 5405. Molecular Biology (3). Prerequisite: Introductory biochemistry or consent of instructor. Course discusses gene organization and replication; control of gene expression in transcription and translation; application of recombinant DNA techniques.

BCH 5505. Structure and Function of Enzymes (3). Pre- or co-requisite: BCH 4053 or equivalent. Course addresses elements of protein structure and structural motifs, structure determination methods; protein folding and stability; enzyme kinetics and mechanisms; structure-function relationships.

BCH 5745. Chemical and Physical Characterization of Biopolymers (3). Pre- or co-requisite: BCH 4053 or equivalent. Course covers biopolymer types and conformations; solution properties of biopolymers; macromolecular equilibria; hydrodynamic behavior; determination of size and shape; biopolymer separations; introduction to biological spectroscopy.

BCH 5886r–5887r. Special Topics in Biochemistry and Cell Biology (one to three [1–3] hours each). Each course may be repeated to a maximum of twelve (12) semester hours or a total of four times.

BCH 6896r. Biochemistry Seminar (1). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

BCH 6897r. Biochemistry Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CHM 5506. Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules I (3). Prerequisite: Two semesters of physical chemistry or consent of instructor. Course covers conformational statistics of random coil polymer chains; ordered polymer structures and order-disorder transitions; thermodynamics of polymer solutions; structure-property relationships of polymers. Crosslisted under physical chemistry.

CHM 5507. Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules II (3). Prerequisite: Two semesters of physical chemistry or consent of instructor. Course addresses principles and applications of spectroscopic methods to polymers and biological macromolecules including electronic, vibrational electron spin and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; and spectroscopic studies of dynamic systems. Crosslisted under physical chemistry.

Inorganic Chemistry

CHM 5620. Principles of Inorganic Chemistry (3). Lecture. Prerequisite: CHM 4610 or an appropriate upper-level undergraduate inorganic course. Descriptive chemistry, including main group elements and organometallic chemistry.

CHM 5680r. Current Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (1–3). Currently rotates between physical inorganic (emphasis on solid state and materials) and kinetics and mechanisms (emphasis on transition metal chemistry). May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

CHM 5681r. Current Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (1–3). Group theory and physical methods. May be repeated to a maximum of nine (9) semester hours.

CHM 6690r. Inorganic Chemistry Seminar (1). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

CHM 6691r. Inorganic Chemistry Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

Organic Chemistry

CHM 5225. Advanced Organic Chemistry—Structure (3). Lecture. Advanced description of structural stereochemistry, stereochemical aspects of reactions, theoretical aspects of structure.

CHM 5226. Advanced Organic Chemistry—Reactions (3). Lecture. An advanced treatment of reactions of importance in organic syntheses.

CHM 5245. Physical Organic Chemistry (3). Lecture. Linear free energy relationships, inductive effects, treatment of steric effects, prediction of enthalpies and entropies of formation, kinetics and potential energy diagrams, isotope effects, general acid-base catalysis, acidity functions and their use in studies of mechanisms, strategies of investigation of mechanisms.

CHM 5250. Advanced Organic Synthesis (3). Lecture. Prerequisite: CHM 5226. Lecture. Retrosynthetic analysis and synthetic strategy. Applications of the following topics to total synthesis: enolate chemistry; Diels-Alder; Claisen, Cope reactions; fragmentation reactions; photochemical reactions; stereochemistry and conformational analysis; blocking and protecting groups.

CHM 5330. Graduate Survey of Organic Chemistry (3). An intense survey of organic chemistry covering structure, reactions, synthesis, analysis, and spectroscopy of organic compounds. Restricted to beginning graduate students in chemistry.

CHM 5380r. Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (1–3). Lecture, as appropriate to credit. May be repeated to a maximum of four times.

CHM 6390r. Organic Chemistry Seminar (1). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

Physical Chemistry

CHM 5440. Physical and Chemical Kinetics (3). Prerequisites: CHM 5460, 5480. Topics in this course include comprehensive chemical reaction kinetics and dynamics; phenomenological rate laws; reaction mechanisms; diffusion-controlled and activation-controlled reactions; and experimental and numerical techniques for kinetic studies.

CHM 5460. Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics (3). Lecture. Fundamentals of thermodynamics and basic concepts of quantum and classical statistical mechanics; thermodynamic functions from spectroscopic data; gas imperfections.

CHM 5461. Advanced Statistical Mechanics (3). Prerequisites: CHM 5460, 5480. Lecture. Foundation of quantum and classical statistical mechanics; density matrix formulation; correlation functions; dense systems.

CHM 5470. Valence Theory (3). Lecture. Symmetry and group theory, operators and wave-mechanics; atomic orbitals; diatomic molecule electronic structure and spectra; spectral properties of polyatomic molecules.

CHM 5480. Quantum Mechanics (3). Lecture. Basic theoretical concepts and mathematical framework; applications to simple systems.

CHM 5481. Advanced Quantum Mechanics (3). Prerequisite: CHM 5480. Lecture. Mathematical and conceptual foundation; statistical nature of quantum theory; time dependent formulations.

CHM 5507. Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules II (3). Prerequisites: Two semesters of physical chemistry or consent of instructor. Course addresses principles and applications of spectroscopic methods to polymers and biological macromolecules including electronic, vibrational electron spin and nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy; and spectroscopic studies of dynamic systems. Cross-listed under Biochemistry.

CHM 5530. Survey of Physical Chemistry (3). Lecture, three (3) hours; help session, one (1) hour. An intense survey of physical chemistry covering the areas of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, quantum mechanics, and chemical kinetics. The course emphasizes the application of mathematical methods in treating physical quantities. Restricted to beginning graduate students in chemistry.

CHM 5580r–5581r. Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (one to three [1–3] hours each). Lecture as appropriate. Each course may be repeated to a maximum of four times.

CHM 5585. Experimental Methods in Physical Chemistry (3). Prerequisites: CHM 5460, 5480. This course offers a comprehensive survey of modern physical experimental techniques, including fundamental principles underlying the methodology and current applications of the techniques.

CHM 6590r. Physical Chemistry Seminar (1). May be repeated to a maximum of six (6) semester hours.

Multiple Area Courses

CHM 5823r. Supervised Research (1–5). (S/U grade only.) A maximum of three (3) hours may be applied to a master's degree. May be repeated to a maximum of five (5) semester hours.

CHM 5830r–5833r. Directed Individual Study (one to six [1–6] hours each). (S/U grade only.) Each course may be repeated to a maximum of thirty (30) semester hours.

CHM 5910–5912. Chemical Research (three [3] hours each).

CHM 5935r. Chemistry Seminars (0). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of 10 times.

CHM 5940r. Supervised Teaching (1–5). (S/U grade only.) May be repeated to a maximum of five (5) semester hours. A maximum of three (3) hours may be applied to a master's degree.

CHM 5945. Seminar on Chemical Education (1). (S/U grade only.) Prerequisite: Limited to chemistry graduate students new to Florida State University. Preparation for supervised teaching. Topics include safety, how to conduct classes and laboratories, exam construction, ethics of teaching, legal implications, written and oral communication of scientific material.

CHM 5971r. Thesis (1–6). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of six (6) semester hours credit is required.

CHM 6980r. Dissertation (1–12). (S/U grade only.) A minimum of twenty-four (24) semester hours is required.

CHM 8966r. Master's Comprehensive Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

CHM 8969r. Preliminary Doctoral Examination (0). (P/F grade only.)

CHM 8976r. Master's Thesis Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)

CHM 8985r. Dissertation Defense (0). (P/F grade only.)