Chemistry and Biochemistry (CHBC)
Bill Durham
Department Chair
F-19
479-575-4601
E-mail: bdurham@uark.edu
Robert Gawley
Graduate Advisor
F-18
479-575-4601
E-mail: rgawley@uark.edu
Web: www.uark.edu/depts/cheminfo/uarkchem/
• Distinguished Professors Millett, Pulay, Schäfer, Wilkins
• University Professors Hinton, Koeppe, Sears
• Professors Bobbitt, Davis,
• Associate Professors Allison, McIntosh, Paul, Sakon, Stites
• Assistant Professors Tian, Vicic
• Research Assistant Professors Baker, Geren (L.), Greathouse, Kumar
Degrees Conferred:
M.S., Ph.D. in Chemistry (CHEM)
Areas of Concentration: Analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biophysical, and biochemistry.
Primary Areas of Faculty Research: Four specialized centers complement traditional research areas in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. These include the Center for Protein Structure and Function, the Center for Sensing Technology and Research, the
Admission to Graduate 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 three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the applicant’s previous academic and/or professional performance and official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (General Test). Advanced subject GRE tests scores (Chemistry, Biochemistry, etc.) are encouraged but not required.
Basic Program for Advanced Degree Candidates: In addition to the material given below, the student is referred to the general
1. An undergraduate program, consisting of courses in general chemistry, analytical chemistry (two semesters), organic chemistry (three semesters), physical chemistry (two semesters), and inorganic chemistry (one semester) provide an adequate foundation for graduate work in chemistry and biochemistry. If a graduate student lacks any part of this introductory program, it must be completed within the first four semesters as a graduate student. If the student has the necessary prerequisites, courses for graduate credit may be taken concurrently. Proficiency in physical chemistry must be demonstrated by satisfactory performance on placement examinations. Inadequate performance may be remedied by enrollment in one or more recommended courses.
2. The department has no foreign language requirement for either the M.S. or Ph.D. degree.
3. Each advanced degree candidate must present a suitable program of advanced courses and research. The specific courses needed to provide a basis for scholarly work beyond the B.S. level will vary with the student’s undergraduate preparation, area of concentration and the degree sought. Individual course enrollments must be approved initially by the graduate advisor and subsequently by the student’s advisory committee.
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 or dissertation research. Post-candidacy doctoral students are required to be enrolled in at least one hour of dissertation credit (CHEM 700V) every semester (fall, spring, summer), until the degree is conferred.
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: 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.
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.
(CHEM) CHEMISTRY
CHEM4043 Environmental Chemistry (Even years, Sp) 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.
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.
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).
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. Corequisite: Drill component and Lab component. Prerequisite: CHEM 3613 and CHEM 3611L (or CHEM 3713 and CHEM 3712L) and CHEM 3504 and CHEM 3514.
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.
CHEM5043 Chemical Business (Irregular) This course is intended to introduce the topics of Value Creation and Business Strategy Development as applied to industrial chemistry. Topics in career development such as resume writing, company culture, etc. are included. Prerequisite: senior standing.
CHEM5101 Introduction to Research (Sp, Su, Fa) 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 (Irregular) 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 (Irregular) 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 Teach Workshop (1-3) “Science Teachers Workshop” 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.
CHEM5223 Chemical Instrumentation (Odd years, Sp) 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 2074.
CHEM5233 Chemical Separations (Even years, Fa) 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 (Even years, Sp) 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 (Odd years, Fa) 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 (Odd years, Fa) Nuclear structure and properties, natural and artificial radioactivity, radioactive decay processes, nuclear reaction, interactions of radiation with matter. Prerequisite: CHEM 3514.
CHEM5273 Cosmochemistry (Odd years, Sp) 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 (Odd years, Sp) 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 (Even years, Sp) 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.
CHEM5513 Biochemical Evolution (Sp, Even Years) Abiotic synthesis of biomolecules on Earth, the origin of cells, genetic information, origin of life on Earth and elsewhere, evolution and diversity, ecological niches, bacteria, archaea, and eukaryotes, novel metabolic reshaping of the environment, life being reshaped by the environment, molecular data and evolution. Prerequisite: CHEM 5813.
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 (Fa) 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). (Same as CHEM 4813H)
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. (Same as CHEM 4843H)
CHEM600V Master’s Thesis (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.
CHEM6011 Chemistry Seminar (Sp, Fa) 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 (Irregular) (1-3) 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.
CHEM6283 Mass Spectrometry (Sp, Odd Years) This course is devoted to the fundamental principles and applications of analytical mass spectrometry. Interactions of ions with magnetic and electric fields and the implications with respect to mass spectrometer design are considered, as are the various types of mass spectrometer sources. Representative applications of mass spectrometry in chemical analysis are also discussed. Prerequisite: graduate standing.
CHEM629V Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (Irregular) (1-3) 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.
CHEM649V Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (Irregular) (1-3) Topics which have been covered in the past include advanced kinetics, solution chemistry, molecular spectra, nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, and methods of theoretical chemistry.
CHEM6633 Chemistry of Organic Natural Products (Irregular) 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 (Odd years, Fa) A detailed description of the fundamental reactions and mechanisms of organic chemistry. Prerequisite: CHEM 5633.
CHEM669V Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (Irregular) (1-3) 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.
CHEM6823 Physical Biochemistry (Even years, Fa) 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 (Odd years, Fa) 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 (Odd years, Sp) 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 (Even years, Sp) 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 (Sp, Su, Fa) (1-6) Prerequisite: graduate standing.