2009-2010 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

CHEN E6620y Physical chemistry of
macromolecules
Lect: 3. 3 pts. Professors Durning and Koberstein.
Modern studies of static and dynamic behavior in
macromolecular systems. Topics include singlechain
behavior adsorption, solution thermodynamics,
the glass transition, diffusion, and viscoelastic
behavior. The molecular understanding of experimentally
observed phenomena is stressed.
CHEN E6920y Physics of soft matter
Lect: 2. 3 pts. Not given in 2008–2009.
Prerequisite: The instructor’s permission. Physics
of polymers, biopolymers (especially DNA),
membranes, gels, and other types of soft matter.
Statistical mechanics, scaling theory, self-consistent
field theory; experimental surveys. Dilute,
semidilute, and concentrated polymer solutions.
Mesophases and self-assembly in soft matter.
Polymers at interfaces, polymer-membrane
interactions. Fluctuating double helix models of
DNA, DNA melting, pattern recognition in DNA.
Polyelectrolytes, charged biopolymers, DNA
charge-induced condensation.
CHEN E8100y Topics in biology
Lect: 3. 3 pts. Professor O’Shaughnessy.
This research seminar introduces topics at the
forefront of biological research in a format and
language accessible to quantitative scientists and
engineers lacking biological training. Conceptual
and technical frameworks from both biological
and physical science disciplines are utilized. The
objective is to reveal to graduate students where
potential lies to apply techniques from their own
disciplines to address pertinent biological questions
in their research. Classes entail reading,
criticism, and group discussion of research
papers and textbook materials providing
overviews to various biological areas including
evolution, immune system, development and cell
specialization, the cytoskeleton and cell motility,
DNA transcription in gene circuits, protein networks,
recombinant DNA technology, aging, and
gene therapy.
CHEN E9000x and y Chemical engineering
colloquium
Col: 1. 0 pts. The staff.
All graduate students are required to attend the
department colloquium as long as they are in
residence. No degree credit is granted.
CHEN E9400x and y Master’s research
1 to 6 pts. The staff.
Prescribed for M.S. and Ch.E. candidates; elective
for others with the approval of the department.
Degree candidates are required to conduct
an investigation of some problem in chemical
engineering or applied chemistry and to submit
a thesis describing the results of their work. No
more than 6 points in this course may be counted
for graduate credit, and this credit is contingent
upon the submission of an acceptable thesis.
The concentration in pharmaceutical engineering
requires a 2-point thesis internship.
CHEN E9500x and y, and s Doctoral research
1 to 15 pts. The staff.
Prerequisite: The qualifying examinations for the
doctorate. Open only to certified candidates for
the Ph.D. and Eng.Sc.D. degrees. Doctoral candidates
in chemical engineering are required to
make an original investigation of a problem in
chemical engineering or applied chemistry, the
results of which are presented in their dissertations.
No more than 15 points of credit toward the
degree may be granted when the dissertation is
accepted by the department.
CHEN E9600x and y Advanced research
problems
2 to 10 pts. The staff.
Prerequisites: Recommendation of the professor
concerned and approval of the master’s research
department. For postdoctoral students and other
qualified special students who wish to pursue
research under the guidance of members of the
department. Not open to undergraduates or to
candidates for the degrees of Ch.E., M.S., Ph.D.,
or Eng.Sc.D.
CHEN E9800x and y, and s Doctoral research
instruction
3, 6, 9, or 12 pts. The staff.
A candidate for the Eng.Sc.D. degree in chemical
engineering must register for 12 points of doctoral
research instruction. Registration in CHEN E9800
may not be used to satisfy the minimum residence
requirement for the degree.
CHEN E9900x and y, and s Doctoral
dissertation
0 pts. The staff.
Open only to certified doctoral candidates. A candidate
for the doctorate in chemical engineering
may be required to register for this course in
every term after the student’s course work has
been completed, and until the dissertation has
been accepted.
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SEAS 2009–2010