DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY AND BIOCHEMISTRY (CHBC) Donald R. Bobbitt Degrees Conferred: M.S., Ph.D. in Chemistry (CHEM) Areas of Concentration: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biophysical, and biochemistry.
Prerequisites to Degree Program: In addition to the application for admission to the Graduate School and the transcripts required for Graduate School admission, applicants for admission to the degree programs of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry must submit an application for assistantship or fellowship and letters of recommendation from three persons familiar with the applicant's previous academic and/or professional performance. The advanced degree programs are based on an undergraduate program developed in accordance with the standards of the American Chemical Society, see below. Basic Program for Advanced Degree Candidates: Appropriate programs of advanced courses, examinations, and research are required of all advanced degree candidates. In addition to the material given below, the student is referred to the general Graduate School requirements mentioned earlier in this catalog, and to the bulletin Information for Graduate Students in Chemistry and Biochemistry available from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. The advanced degree programs are based on an undergraduate program developed in accordance with the standards used by the American Chemical Society as criteria in evaluating undergraduate professional education in chemistry. 1. The introductory part of this undergraduate program, consisting of courses in general chemistry and elementary quantitative analysis, organic chemistry and physical chemistry, must be completed prior to official entrance into an advanced degree program. If a graduate student lacks any part of this introductory program, it must be acceptably completed for undergraduate credit within the first four semesters as a graduate student. If the student has the necessary prerequisites, courses for graduate credit may be taken concurrently. Mastery of physical chemistry must be demonstrated by satisfactory performance on placement examinations or in the appropriate physical chemistry courses. In addition, the equivalent of the advanced lecture courses which are part of the University degree program in chemistry, consisting of advanced courses in inorganic, analytical, and a third semester of organic chemistry are required. Courses satisfactorily completed to remove deficiencies in these areas will generally carry graduate credit. The student's advisory committee will determine whether these courses will count as advanced course requirements. 2. While the Department has no foreign language requirement for either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree, students should recognize that they are responsible for the knowledge of scientific literature in their research area regardless of the language in which it is published. Knowledge of a foreign language is thus desirable and encouraged. In cases where it is deemed essential to a student's research, a student's advisory committee may require appropriate foreign language course work. 3. In addition to meeting the above basic minimum B.S. requirements, each advanced degree candidate must present a suitable program of advanced courses and research. In addition to those courses taken in the major area, a minimum of nine graded graduate hours must be taken in courses offered by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry on the Fayetteville campus of the University of Arkansas. The courses used to complete this requirement must be approved by the student's advisory committee as appropriate for the student's program. For students in the Ph.D. program, the advisory committee may accept up to nine graded graduate hours from an M.S. program toward this requirement. 4. Every student must register for a minimum of one credit hour of CHEM 600V or 700V in each term during which the student is present and doing thesis research. 5. Graduate students shall participate in divisional and departmental seminars at the discretion of, and to the satisfaction of, the graduate faculty. Additional Requirement for Master of Science Degree: A thesis reporting original research will generally be required of all candidates for the Master of Science degree in chemistry. In certain rare cases, with the approval of the graduate faculty of the department, six hours of CHEM 500V may be substituted for the thesis. A detailed written report of the work in CHEM 500V must be prepared and successfully defended before the candidate's M.S. committee. The work will involve an extensive review of the chemical literature of a topic approved by the student's committee. The report will be a comprehensive, interpretive review of the literature similar in quality to that which would appear in a journal published by the American Chemical Society. Additional Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy Degree: No definite course requirements or number of hours apply to all students. A doctoral advisory committee is appointed to evaluate the candidate's preparation and to draw up a suitable program of study and research. This committee consists of the student's major professor and at least three other members of the graduate faculty. Under most circumstances, the major professor serves as the chairperson of that committee. There is no foreign language requirement beyond that of Part "3" of the Basic Program. For chemistry students, the candidacy examination is of the cumulative type. Five cumulative examinations are given each semester in each of the areas of concentration mentioned above. To complete the candidacy examination, seven of these cumulative examinations must be passed within a specified time, usually by the end of the fifth semester of graduate work.
COURSES: CHEMISTRY (CHEM) CHEM4043 Environmental Chemistry (SP, Even years) Application of chemical principles and techniques to specific environmental problems, and the chemical interrelationships among these problems. Topics include the chemistry of fossil fuels, new energy sources, energy storage concepts, air pollution, mineral resources, solid wastes, water and waste water treatment, pesticides, and toxic materials. Does not carry graduate credit for chemistry majors. Prerequisite: CHEM 1123 and CHEM 1121L and CHEM 3613 and CHEM 3611L (or CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3712L) and CHEM 3514 (or CHEM 3453). CHEM4123 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I (FA) Reactions and properties of inorganic compounds from the standpoint of electronic structure and the periodic table. Emphasis on recent developments. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514. CHEM4213 Instrumental Analysis (SP) Provides students, especially those in the agricultural, biological, and physical sciences, with an understanding of modern instrumental techniques of analysis. Lecture 3 hours per week. Prerequisite: CHEM 2262 and CHEM 2272 and CHEM 3613 and CHEM 3611L (or CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3712L) and CHEM 3514 (or CHEM 3453). CHEM4211L Instrumental Analysis Laboratory (SP) Provides laboratory experience in parallel with the lecture material in CHEM 4213. Laboratory 3 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHEM 4213. CHEM4723 Experimental Methods in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry (FA) Introduction to the application of synthetic and spectroscopic methods in organic and inorganic chemistry, including mass spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet-visible, and infrared spectroscopy. Other laboratory techniques applicable to chemical research will be included. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours per week. chemistry students may not receive graduate credit for this course and CHEM 5753 or 5751L. Pre- or Corequisite: CHEM 4720L. Corequisite: CHEM 4720D. Prerequisite: CHEM 3613 and CHEM 3611L (or CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3712L) and CHEM 3504 and CHEM 3514. CHEM4720D Experimental Methods in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Drill (FA) Corequisite: CHEM 4723. CHEM4720L Experimental Methods in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (FA) Corequisite: CHEM 4723. CHEM4853 Biochemical Techniques (SP) Techniques for handling, purifying and analyzing enzymes, structural proteins, and nucleic acids. Lecture 1 hour, laboratory 6 hours per week. Pre- or Corequisite: CHEM 5813 or CHEM 3813. CHEM500V Chemistry Research (1-3) (FA, SP, SU) Research problems. May be repeated. CHEM5101 Introduction to Research (FA, SP, SU) Introduces new graduate students to research opportunities and skills in chemistry and biochemistry. Meets 1 hour per week during which new students receive information from faculty regarding research programs in the department and training in the use of research support facilities available in the department. CHEM5143 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II (IR) Chemistry of metallic and non-metallic elements emphasizing molecular structure, bonding and the classification of reactions. Emphasis on recent developments. Prerequisite: CHEM 4123. CHEM5153 Structural Chemistry (IR) Determination of molecular structure by spectroscopic, diffraction, and other techniques. Illustrative examples will be chosen mainly from inorganic chemistry. Pre- or Corequisite: CHEM 3504 and CHEM 4123. CHEM520V Science Teachers Workshop (1-3) (IR) A course emphasizing hands-on demonstrations and laboratory exercises for K-12th grade science teachers. Selected current topics from the areas of biochemistry, chemistry, and physical science are discussed in a lecture format; grade appropriate exercises and demonstrations illustrating these topics are presented in a laboratory setting. Course cannot be counted toward the requirements for the B.S., B.A. or any graduate degree in chemistry and biochemistry. May be repeated for 6 hours. CHEM5223 Chemical Instrumentation (SP, Odd years) Use and application of operational amplifiers to chemical instrumentation; digital electronic microprocessor interfacing; software development and real-time data acquisition. Prerequisite: CHEM 4213 and PHYS 2073. CHEM5233 Chemical Separations (FA, Even years) Modern separation methods including liquid chromatography (adsorption, liquid-liquid partition, ion exchange, exclusion) and gas chromatography. Theory and instrumentation is discussed with emphasis on practical aspects of separation science. Prerequisite: CHEM 4213. CHEM5243 Electrochemical Methods of Analysis (SP, Even years) Topics will include: diffusion, electron transfer kinetics, reversible and irreversible electrode processes, followed by a discussion of chronoamperometry, chronocoulometry, polarography, voltammetry and chronopotentiometry. Prerequisite: CHEM 4213 and MATH 2574. CHEM5253 Spectrochemical Methods of Analysis (FA, Odd years) Principles and methods of modern spectroscopic analysis. Optics and instrumentation necessary for spectroscopy is also discussed. Topics include atomic and molecular absorption and emission techniques in the ultraviolet, visible, and infrared spectral regions. Prerequisite: CHEM 4213. CHEM5263 Nuclear Chemistry (FA, Odd years) Nuclear structure and properties, natural and artificial radioactivity, radioactive decay processes, nuclear reaction, interactions of radiation with matter. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514. CHEM5273 Cosmochemistry (SP, Odd years) Laws of distribution of the chemical elements in nature, cosmic and terrestrial abundance of elements; origin and age of the earth, solar system, and the universe. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514. CHEM5453 Quantum Chemistry I (SP, Odd years) Fundamental quantum theory: Hamiltonian formalism in classical mechanics, Schrodinger equation, operators, angular momentum, harmonic oscillator, barrier problems, rigid rotator, hydrogen atom, interaction of matter with radiation. Prerequisite: CHEM 3504. (Recommended: MATH 3404). CHEM5463 Quantum Chemistry II (SP, Even years) Continuation of Quantum Chemistry I, Matrix formalism spin, atomic structure, the chemical bond, valence-bond, valence-bond method, molecular-orbital theory, symmetry, diatomic molecules, hybridization, conjugated systems; introduction to molecular spectroscopy, magnetic resonance, ligand-field theory, and theoretical techniques for molecular calculation. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514. CHEM5473 Chemical Kinetics (SP) Theory and applications of the principles of kinetics to reactions between substances, both in the gaseous state and in solution. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514. CHEM5603 Theoretical Organic Chemistry (FA) Introduction to the theoretical interpretation of reactivity, reaction mechanisms, and molecular structure of organic compounds. Application of theories of electronic structure; emphasis on recent developments. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514 and CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3712L. CHEM5633 Organic Reactions (SP) The more important types of organic reactions and their applications to various classes of compounds. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514 and CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3712L. CHEM5753 Physical Methods in Organic Chemistry (FA) Interpretation of physical measurements of organic compounds in terms of molecular structure. Emphasis on spectroscopic methods (infrared, ultraviolet, magnet resonance, and mass spectra). Prerequisite: CHEM 3712L and CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3514. CHEM5813 Biochemistry I (FA) The first of a two-course series covering biochemistry for graduate students in biology, agriculture, and chemistry. Topics covered include protein structure and function, enzyme kinetics, enzyme mechanisms, and carbohydrate metabolism. Prerequisite: CHEM 3712L and CHEM 3713 (or CHEM 3613 and CHEM 3611L) and CHEM 3514 (or CHEM 3453 and CHEM 3451L). CHEM5843 Biochemistry II (SP) A continuation of CHEM 5813 covering topics including biological membranes and bioenergetics, photosynthesis, lipids and lipid metabolism, nucleic acid structure and structure and synthesis, and molecular biology. Prerequisite: CHEM 5813. CHEM600V Master's Thesis (1-6) (FA, SP, SU) Prerequisite: graduate standing. CHEM6011 Chemistry Seminar (FA, SP) Members of the faculty, graduate and advanced students meet weekly for discussion of current chemical research. Weekly seminar sections are offered for the Departmental seminar and for divisional seminars in biochemistry and in analytical, inorganic, nuclear, organic, and physical chemistry. Chemistry graduate students register for the Departmental seminar section and one of the divisional seminar sections each semester they are in residence. Seminar credit does not count toward the minimum hourly requirements for any chemistry graduate degree. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514 and CHEM 3712L and CHEM 3713 and senior or graduate standing. CHEM619V Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (1-3) (IR) Topics which have been covered in the past include: technique and theory of x-ray diffraction, electronic structure of transition metal complexes, inorganic reaction mechanisms, and physical methods in inorganic chemistry. May be repeated. CHEM629V Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (1-3) (IR) Topics that have been presented in the past include: electroanalytical techniques, kinetics of crystal growth, studies of electrode processes, lasers in chemical analysis, nucleosynthesis and isotopic properties of meteorites, thermoluminescence of geological materials, early solar system chemistry, analytical cosmochemistry. May be repeated. CHEM649V Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (1-3) (IR) Topics which have been covered in the past include advanced kinetics, solution chemistry, molecular spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and methods of theoretical chemistry. May be repeated. CHEM6633 Chemistry of Organic Natural Products (IR) Selected topics concerned with structure elucidation and synthesis of such compounds as alkaloids, antibiotics, bacterial metabolites, plant pigments, steroids, terpenoids, etc. Prerequisite: CHEM 5603 and CHEM 5633. CHEM6673 Organic Reaction Mechanisms (FA, Odd years) A detailed description of the fundamental reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 5633. CHEM669V Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (1-3) (IR) Topics which have been presented in the past include heterogeneous catalysis, isotope effect studies of organic reaction mechanisms, organometallic chemistry, stereochemistry, photochemistry, and carbanion chemistry. May be repeated. CHEM6823 Physical Biochemistry (FA, Even years) Physical chemistry of proteins, nucleic acids, and biological membranes. Ultracentrifugation, absorption and fluorescent spectrophotometry, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, x-ray diffraction, and other techniques. Prerequisite: (CHEM 5813 and CHEM 3514) or graduate standing. CHEM6863 Enzymes (FA, Odd years) Isolation, characterization, and general chemical and biochemical properties of enzymes. Kinetics, mechanisms, and control of enzyme reactions. Prerequisite: graduate standing (or CHEM 5843 and CHEM 5813). CHEM6873 Molecular Biochemistry (SP, Odd years) Nucleic acid chemistry in vitro and in vivo, synthesis of DNA and RNA, genetic diseases, cancer biochemistry, genetic engineering. Prerequisite: CHEM 5813 and CHEM 5843. CHEM6883 Bioenergetics and Biomembranes (SP, Even years) Cellular energy metabolism, photosynthesis, membrane transport, properties of membrane proteins, and the application of thermodynamics to biological systems. Prerequisite: CHEM 5813 and CHEM 5843. CHEM700V Doctoral Dissertation (1-6) (FA, SP, SU) Prerequisite: graduate standing. |