GRADUATE PROGRAM IN CHEMISTRY
THE CHEMISTRY GRADUATE PROGRAM at Texas Christian University brings together faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and visiting scientists for the purpose of exploring chemistry through research. The International Character of this group provides diversity and dynamic interactions which stimulate the development of chemistry and the individual.
The department invites inquiries from prospective students. We will be pleased to discuss your individual interests and needs. Financial aid is available for all qualified students.
For further information call collect (817)-257-7195 and ask for the graduate advisor or any of the faculty listed in this brochure.
THE DEPARTMENT
TCU's Department of Chemistry offers programs leading to the Ph.D. in organic, inorganic, physical and biochemistry. However, since modern chemical research cannot be so easily categorized, there is no sharp distinction and research cutting across disciplinary boundaries is encouraged.
The Department has eleven faculty, and the facilities are designed to accommodate approximately sixty graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, technicians and visiting scientists. There are about forty undergraduate majors and many of them participate in research projects.
Research Equipment. The department is well equipped for modern chemical research. The department contains three NMR spectrometers (Varian XL-300, JEOL FX-60 FTNMR and a Varian EM-390), two Nicolet R3M/u X-ray diffractometer with computer, a Finnigan quadrapole mass spectrometer, a Varian EPR spectrometer, a SPEX Fluorolog emission spectrometer and a variety of UV, Visible, and IR spectrometers, gas chromatographs, HPLC, and other instruments. A new single crystal X-ray diffractometer, a 500 MHz NMR, a mass spectrometer and expanded molecular modeling equipment will be added in the near future.
Physical Plant. The Chemistry Department is located in the Sid W. Richardson Physical Science Building, part of the TCU Science Research Center. The center includes the departments of Biology, Computer Science, Geology, Mathematics, Physics and Psychology and the TCU Computer Center. The Computer Center not only provides access to IBM and VAX mainframes but maintains PCs at various sites around the University and provides a PC repair facility.
The department maintains a library of primary journals; however, the University Library, adjacent to the science complex, provides access to over 200 periodicals of chemical interest. The library maintains the latest in the computer searching of holdings and of the literature through on-line connection with a variety of data bases.
Services. The Science Complex contains service facilities which assists the department to maintain a competitive position in chemical research. A well-equipped glass shop with an experienced scientific glass blower designs, fabricates and repairs the glassware needed for modern chemical research. An extensive machine shop develops and fabricates equipment not available commercially. An electronics repair facility maintains most departmental instrumentation insuring a minimumof down time for major instruments.
DEGREE REQUIREMENTS
Curriculum. Students seeking either the Ph.D. degree or the M.A. or M.S. degree are admitted into the graduate program. After interviews with each faculty member, the student selects the area of research interest and the professor to direct the studies.
Four core courses selected from Biochemistry, Advanced Inorganic Chemistry, Advanced Physical Chemistry or Organic Chemistry (Advanced or Physical) are required for all graduate degrees. The selection of the three areas will depend upon the area of research emphasis. The core course require-ment may be satisfied by placement examination or by a grade of at least B in the designated course. The placement examinations are at the level expected for an ACS-accredited B.S. degree.Ph.D. Program.
Lecture courses to provide the student with an extensive depth and breadth of knowledge in the major areas of chemistry. (No specified number is required.)
The cumulative examination system is used to monitor the student's knowledge of his/her major field. Eight examinations based upon the literature or advanced course work are given each academic year. Normally, the student begins taking the examinations during the second semester of residence; however, students may not take the examinations until they have satisfied the core requirement in their field. Two examinations must be passed during the first three semesters they are taken. A total of six must be passed within five semesters after starting.
Each student will present three seminars during their graduate career. The final seminar will cover the dissertation research.
Each student will present and defend a dissertation based upon the successful completion of an original research project.
M.A. Program.
A total of 36 hours of approved courses including at least 24 in chemistry are required.
M.S. Program.
A total of at least 30 approved hours including at least 15 in chemistry and 6 in thesis are required.
The teaching experience is considered to be an important part of graduate student education. Each student is required to participate in a maximum of four semesters of teaching.SEMINARS
The department maintains an active seminar program where students and faculty can interact with visiting scientists from university, industry and government laboratories around the world. The student is exposed to the latest ideas from international leaders in the various research disciplines. Both formal and informal interactions provide the opportunity for an exchange of ideas and the develop-ment of new approaches or interpretations. These contacts provide opportunities for future postdoctoral appointments and for employment. In addition to the seminars held on campus, there are cooperative arrangements with local industry which provide further opportunities in specialized areas.
FINANCIAL AID
Financial support for graduate students is supplied by competitive University or Research Fellowships. Stipends usually are for twelve months and allow the student to pursue full time research activities during the summer months. Graduate students in good academic standing receive tuition remission scholarships for up to nine hours per semester. The student must pay a small fee which covers athletic events and use of facilities. The current stipends are described on the enclosed sheet. Please contact the department for further details or questions.
HOUSING
No official University housing exists for graduate students; however, housing is readily available within walking distance or a short drive from campus. The rental properties include apartments, houses and private rooms.
THE FACULTY
- John G. Albright, Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1962. Physical chemistry, thermodynamics, transport phenomena in multicomponent systems.
- Joseph A. Babitch, Professor; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles, 1971. Biochemistry, mechanism of neurotransmitter release in the central nervous system.
- Jeffery L. Coffer, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, 1987. Physical Inorganic Chemistry; structure, reactivity and electronic properties of semiconductor and metal surfaces.
- C. David Gutsche, Robert A. Welch Professor; Ph.D., University of Wisconsin, 1947. Organic Chemistry; synthesis and characterization of enzyme mimics; calixarenes; micelle chemistry.
- Tracy Hanna, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1990. Inorganic and Organometallic chemistry.
- Dale A. Huckaby, Professor; Ph.D., Rice University, 1969. Physical Chemistry; statistical mechanical models for phase behavior in molecular systems.
- Robert H. Neilson, Professor; Ph.D., Duke University, 1973. Synthetic Inorganic and Polymer Chemistry; new synthetic methods in main group chemistry; polymers containing phosphorus, nitrogen and silicon.
- David E. Minter, Associate Professor; Ph.D., University of Texas, 1974. Organic Chemistry; synthetic methods; synthesis of natural products; alkaloids.
- Manfred G. Reinecke, Professor; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1960. Organic and Natural Products Chemistry; novel heterocyclic compounds and reaction intermediates; isolation and structure of natural products from plants used as herbal medicines.
- Jean-Luc Montchamp, Associate Professor; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 1990. Organic and bioorganic chemistry.
- William H. Watson, Professor; Ph.D., Rice University, 1958. Structural Chemistry; application of molecular structure elucidation techniques to chemical problems; organic superconductors; natural products; highly-strained organic systems.
- Henry C. Kelly, Emeritus Professor (retired); Ph.D., Brown University, 1962. Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry; kinetics and mechanisms of reactions; heme - oxyheme system intermediates.
- William B. Smith, Emeritus Professor (retired); Ph.D., Brown University, 1954. Organic Chemistry, Biomimetric catalysts; NMR.
THE STUDENTS
Graduate students come from all areas of the United States and from a number of foreign countries presenting a diversity of educations, cultures and philosophies. This provides each student with the opportunity to become conversant with global problems in economics, politics and culture, as well as, making valuable contacts for future professional activities. The current foreign student population comes from Italy, Philipines, India, Mexico and People's Republic of China.
POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWS
Postdoctoral fellows greatly enhance the educational opportunities in the department. These skilled scientists work in the laboratories with the graduate students providing practical laboratory guidance as well as advanced chemical knowledge. Many of them are visiting faculty on leave from their respective universities which again provide valuable contacts for future professional collaboration or employment. In addition to postdoctoral fellows from universities in the United States, the current postdoctoral group includes visiting scientists from China, India, Romania, Nigeria, Bulgaria and Japan.
THE UNIVERSITY
TCU was established in 1873 as a limited enrollment private co-educational institution. Since its founding the University has grown into a major institution with a campus covering 237 acres in the southwestern residential district of Fort worth. There are abut 6,500 students with around 1,000 enrolled in graduate-level programs. Degrees are offered through the Schools and Colleges of Arts and Sciences, Business, Education, Fine Arts and Communications, Nursing, and Divinity.
THE COMMUNITY
The Fort Worth-Dallas metropolitan area, with a population of almost three million, offers numerous opportunities for professional advancement, intellectual stimulation, and entertainment that contribute to an enjoyable life. Both cities have professional symphony orchestras, chamber groups, opera companies, theatre productions, ballet groups and exceptional art museums. There are numerous concerts which feature major entertainers from rock to country music. Professional football, basketball, baseball and soccer teams are located in the area. Numerous lakes in the area are suitable for fishing, water skiing, and sailing; public golf courses and city and state parks are nearby. Bike and hiking trails along the Trinity River, the zoo, and the botanical garden are close to the university.
Twenty institutions of higher learning are in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. Many "High Tech" firms continue to move into the area, and employment for spouses and for our graduates is available.