2007-09 - Graduate School - The University of Alabama

Graduate Catalog: Section 6.5http://graduate.ua.edu/catalog/15500.htmlTHE UNIVERSITY OF ALABAMA GRADUATE CATALOGTable of Contents > College of Arts & Sciences6.5 DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY (CH)Interim Chairperson: Professor David Dixon, Office: 206 Shelby HallThe Department of Chemistry offers programs in the four traditional areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic,organic, and physical) as well as biochemistry leading to the master of science in chemistry (Plan I or Plan II, asoutlined in the "Academic Policies" section of this catalog) and the doctor of philosophy in chemistry. The completionof a master's degree is optional for students enrolled in the Ph.D. program.Admission RequirementsIn addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, entering graduate students should havecompleted, with an average grade of "B" or better, undergraduate coursework equivalent to a major in chemistry.Applicants may qualify for regular or conditional admission. To be considered for regular admission, an applicant musthave a verbal and quantitative score of at least 1000 on the general test of the Graduate Record Examination. Ascore at the 50th percentile on the Miller Analogies Test may be substituted for the GRE score.An applicant whose credentials do not meet the requirements for regular admission may be considered for conditionaladmission if the applicant has a grade point average of 2.5 overall and an acceptable score on the appropriateadmission examination for conditional admission. An applicant may be considered for conditional admission if he orshe meets either the 3.0 GPA requirement for regular admission or the entrance examination requirement for regularadmission. A student admitted conditionally must remove any undergraduate deficiencies during the first year ofgraduate study and must remove the condition by earning an average of "B" or better in the first 12 hours ofgraduate-level work.Diagnostic examinations covering the traditional areas of chemistry are required of all entering graduate students.These examinations are given a few days prior to registration for the first semester so that the results may be usedby the departmental graduate committee in planning the student's coursework for the first year.Degree RequirementsThe requirements for the master of science in chemistry are the same as the Graduate School 's generalrequirements. The Ph.D. degree requirements also follow the general policy outlined for the Graduate School. Thecomprehensive examination usually consists of a number of written cumulative examinations plus the oral defense ofan original research proposal. In addition, acceptable literature and research seminars must be presented to thechemistry faculty and graduate students. The Ph.D. student's research performance is evaluated by his or herresearch advisor with concurrences of the student's dissertation committee. Normally, the student is expected to bean author or coauthor of at least one publication in a refereed scientific journal prior to the awarding of the degree.Financial AssistanceFinancial assistance for graduate students in chemistry is available through fellowships, graduate teachingassistantships, and graduate research assistantships.Course Descriptions: Analytical ChemistryCH 521 Introduction to Graduate Analytical Chemistry. Three hours.Generally, this course is for entering students whose undergraduate training in analytical chemistry is insufficient.CH 524 Advanced Analytical Chemistry I: Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis. Three hours.Prerequisite: CH 521 or equivalent.Incorporates both a theoretical and a practical component. The separations theory will be developed and applied togas chromatography and high pressure liquid chromotography/planar chromotography. Hyphenated techniques areemphasized. Students must master a GC/MS tutorial and carry out a project on analysis of an unknown.CH 525 Advanced Analytical Chemistry II: Chromatography. Three hours.Prerequisite: CH 521 or equivalent.Provides graduate students with knowledge of the fundamental aspects of various modern methods of spectroscopicanalysis. Reference to analytical applications and experimental methods is made, where relevant.CH 526 Chemometrics. Three hours.Prerequisite: CH 521 or equivalent or permission of the instructor.Chemometrics involves the application of statistical and mathematical methods to chemistry. Areas of emphasis willbe data and error analysis, calibration, experimental design, signal processing and transform procedures, and data