Chair   Ronald A. Bailey (Acting)
Associate Chair   Ronald A. Bailey
Undergraduate Advising   Charles W. Gillies
Graduate Admissions   Julie A. Stenken
Department Home Page   http://www.rpi.edu/dept/chem/index.html

The Chemistry Department provides courses and programs of study that reflect the central role of chemistry in the science and technology of tomorrow. In addition to a strong focus in the traditional areas of chemistry, such as synthesis, molecular structure, and chemical reactions, the department offers courses and research programs in the rapidly developing frontiers of modern science. These areas include biochemistry and biophysics, materials and polymer chemistry, and medicinal chemistry. The department offers programs leading to the B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in chemistry, as well as a minor in chemistry.

Chemistry instruction is delivered in the recently renovated Walker Laboratory, which houses state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, and in Cogswell Laboratory, the site of the majority of the department’s research activities. Undergraduate laboratories are equipped with modern computer-controlled instruments and provide students with hands-on experience with equipment similar to that found in industrial and research laboratories. Chemistry research laboratories are found in four buildings: the Cogswell Laboratory, the Materials Research Center, the recently constructed New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis, and the nearby Science Center.

Research Innovations and Initiatives

Analytical Chemistry   Areas of research include the development and application of methods to study in vivo processes, particularly the advancement of microdialysis technology. Membrane devices that facilitate mass transport using cyclodextrins are being developed for in vivo analysis. Methods of monitoring biochemical reactions at the site of the biomaterials are also of interest. Techniques such as high field and solid state NMR, FTIR, GC-MS, LC-MS and MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry are used in developing analytical procedures to detect, quantitatively determine, and structurally characterize materials in a variety of areas.

Biochemistry and Biophysical Chemistry   Pathways on the primitive earth for the origin of RNA are under investigation as part of the activities of the New York Center for Studies on Origins of Life. The goal of this research is to determine if the RNA formed by proposed prebiotic pathways has catalytic activity, a requisite for the first life on earth. Photosynthetic electron transport and biological energy transduction mechanisms are studied by electron spin resonance and time-resolved optical and electroabsorption spectroscopies. Biochemical and biophysical research also focuses on the mechanisms of protein folding and aggregation, protein folding defects related to human diseases, and the molecular structures of proteins. The methodologies used include kinetic and spectroscopic analysis (NMR, fluorescence, circular dichroism, FTIR) of protein conformational changes, molecular modeling, computational graphics, and molecular mechanics calculations on peptides and proteins. New methods for the separation of biopolymers are being developed. A new initiative in protein chemistry is centered on the computer design and organic synthesis of proteins with novel functionalities and nonnatural architectures. The research will provide new capabilities to design purpose-specific proteins such as synthetic enzymes and artificial membrane protein receptors.

Inorganic Chemistry and Solid-State Chemistry   Inorganic chemistry involves the preparation and investigation of substances ranging from coordination complexes and organometallic compounds to inorganic solids with extended network structures. Materials and solid-state chemistry focuses on the application of both inorganic and organic substances as structural, optical, and electronic materials, and include theoretical studies on the defect structures of inorganic solids. Syntheses of organometallic compounds and inorganic polymers provide sources of novel solid-state materials, both as molecular solids and as precursors for the pyrolytic preparation of inorganic solids, such as aluminum nitride and silicon carbide.

Organic Chemistry and Organometallic   Active areas of synthetic organic and medicinal chemistry research include the design and synthesis of novel agents to treat cocaine addiction. Research in the areas of transition organometallic chemistry and homogeneous catalysis focuses on synthetic and mechanistic studies of organometallic complexes applicable to the conversion of carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into organic molecules. The development of molecular modeling programs that evaluate intermolecular electrostatics may result in the deeper understanding of enzyme-substrate interactions.

Photochemistry   Mechanistic and synthetic photochemistry are areas of major emphasis. Investigations involve the photochemical transformations of heterocycles, carbonyl containing compounds, and naturally occurring materials. The atmospheric chemistry of Jupiter and Titan (Saturn’s largest moon), and the role of photochemical reactions in the origins of life also are under investigation. Photosynthesis and rearrangement of heterocyclic purines and photochemical reactions of possible prebiotic gases are being studied to elucidate the role of photochemistry in transformations that led to biological molecules on the primitive earth. Photochemical processes used for the generation of polymer thin films, for the photoimaging of lithographic resists, and for novel polymerization processes are also being developed.

Polymer Chemistry and Materials Chemistry   Synthetic and development efforts are under way in the field of high-performance thermally stable polymers, conductive polymers, liquid crystalline polymers, block copolymers, and photosensitive thermosets and thermoplastics. Novel synthetic and biorenewable monomers and methods for their synthesis are being studied. New approaches to polymer preparation, including photochemical, photo-electroinitiated, transition metal catalyzed, and vapor-deposition polymerization are also under study. Development of biologically compatible polymers that can serve as scaffolding for tissue regeneration is an area of recent interest. Polymers are characterized by means of gel permeation chromatography, viscometry, differential scanning calorimetry, scanning and transmission electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, low-angle light, X-ray, and neutron scattering and mass spectrometry (MALDI TOF and ESI). Surface interactions between immiscible crystallizable polymers are being studied using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, polarized light microscopy, electron microprobe methods, and Raman spectroscopy. Properties of multiphase polymer alloys and solutions are being investigated in shear, electric, and magnetic fields. Polymerization processes are being investigated from the aspect of mechanistic organic chemistry. Polymer gels that may function as artificial muscles are also being investigated. Coordination complexes and organometallic compounds are being considered as inorganic polymers and as precursors for the pyrolytic preparation of inorganic solid-state materials.

Surface Science   Topics of current research interest include the study of surface interfacial tensions of liquids and liquid-liquid systems with and without surface-active solutes present. Molecular structure and orientation of liquid and solid surfaces and surface films are being studied through state-of-the-art laser spectrographic techniques. Structure and composition of films with environmental importance on lake and ocean surfaces are also under investigation by direct and remote sensing methods.

Computational Chemistry and Spectroscopy   Computational chemistry and molecular modeling are being developed and used to understand the relationships between molecular structures and their properties. Specialized electron density reconstruction methods, such as the Transferable Atom Equivalent (TAE) technique, have permitted the construction of predictive models that allow good estimates of the properties of new compounds to be synthesized, as well as predicting the behavior of protein displacers in the biotechnological chromatography of fermentation products. These techniques have been developed as part of the NSF Project DDASSL, together with novel machine learning and drug delivery modeling algorithims. Other theoretical chemistry projects under way emphasize understanding nonlinear optical properties of polymers, as well as predicting the behavior of polymer displacers in the biotechnological chromatography of fermentation products. Spectroscopic research is directed particularly toward structure and properties problems of a wide range of compounds, with emphasis on vibrational (infrared and Raman), linear and nonlinear laser and microwave spectroscopy, NMR spectroscopy, electronic spectroscopy, and X-ray diffraction. Pulsed-beam Fourier-transform microwave spectroscopy is used to study van der Waals complexes and transient chemical species, with an emphasis upon understanding the mechanisms of simple chemical reactions. Solid-state NMR spectroscopy is used extensively in materials and polymer chemistry research, and in the characterization of catalysts.

Research Facilities and Equipment

Department research facilities include Cogswell Laboratory, the New York State Center for Polymer Synthesis, the Science Center, and the Materials Research Center. A variety of modern instruments are available in individual laboratories and in the department’s Major Instrument Facility, which provides state-of-the-art equipment for nuclear magnetic resonance (both solution and solid state) and other techniques. This equipment, serviced and operated by a professional staff, is available to all researchers in the department. The central mass spectroscopy facility includes GC-MS, MALDI- TOF for macromolecular analysis, and LC-ION trap equipment. Other instruments available for research include NIR, visible, UV, fluorescence, atomic absorption and FTIR spectrophotometers, G.C. and HPLC equipment, electrochemical equipment, ESR spectrometers, DSC, DTA, TGA, and TMA instruments for thermal studies, and X-ray fluorescence and diffraction instruments. A molecular modeling laboratory contains computer workstations and a variety of sophisticated computer programs for molecular modeling, conformational analysis, energy calculation, and synthesis design.

Faculty

Departmental faculty listings are accurate as of the date generated for inclusion in this catalog. For the most up-to-date listing of faculty positions, including end-of-year promotions, please refer to the Faculty Roster section of this catalog, which is current as of the May 2002 Board of Trustees meeting.

Professors
Apple, T.M.—Ph.D. (University of Delaware); solid-state NMR spectroscopy.
Bailey, R.A.—Ph.D. (McGill University); coordination chemistry and chemistry of molten salts.
Benicewicz, B.C.—Ph.D. (University of Connecticut); polymer chemistry.
Crivello, J.V.—Ph.D. (University of Notre Dame); polymer chemistry.
Cutler, A.R.—Ph.D. (Brandeis University); organometallic chemistry.
Interrante, L.V.—Ph.D. (University of Illinois); inorganic and solid-state materials synthesis.
Korenowski, G.M.—Ph.D. (Cornell University); laser spectroscopy, surface science.
Krause, S.—Ph.D. (University of California, Berkeley); physical chemistry of macromolecular solutions.
Moore, J.A.—Ph.D. (Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn); synthesis and reactions of polymers.
Wait, S.C., Jr.—Ph.D. (Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute); spectroscopy, vibrational and electronic spectroscopy.
Warden, J.T.—Ph.D. (University of Minnesota); ESR spectroscopy, biophysical chemistry.
Wentland, M.P.—Ph.D. (Rice University); medicinal chemistry.

Research Professors
Ferris, J.P.—Ph.D. (Indiana University); prebiotic chemistry, origins of life.
Wiedemeier, H.A.—D.Sc. (University of Munster); high-temperature and solid-state chemistry.

Associate Professors
Breneman, C.M.—Ph.D. (University of California, Santa Barbara); physical organic chemistry.
Choma, C.T.—Ph.D. (University of Ottawa, Canada); biochemistry, protein design and synthesis.
Gillies, C.W.—Ph.D. (University of Michigan); microwave spectroscopy.

Assistant Professors
Akpalu, Y.—Ph.D. (University of Massachusetts, Amherst); polymer physical chemistry.
Colon, W.—Ph.D. (Texas A&M University); biophysical chemistry.
Ryu, C.Y.—Ph.D. (University of Minnesota); polymer physical and materials chemistry.
Stenken, J.A.—Ph.D. (University of Kansas); bioanalytical chemistry.

Clinical Assistant Professor
Carter, J.H., Jr.— Ph.D. (University of Oregon); physical chemistry, (Edward P. Hamilton Faculty Fellow).

Adjunct Faculty
Bello, S.C.— M.C. (SUNY Downstate Medical Center); general chemistry.
Choe, E.W.—Ph.D. (Illinois Institute of Technology); organic-polymer chemistry.
Dennin, M. —B.S. (Siena College); glassblowing.

Undergraduate Programs

The Chemistry Department offers a variety of opportunities to undergraduate students from four-year and accelerated degree programs to dual majors, minors, and specialization programs. All of these opportunities are explained in detail below.

Baccalaureate Programs

The B.S. in Chemistry curriculum is designed to meet the recommendations of the American Chemical Society Committee on Professional Training. At the same time, it provides ample opportunity for students to select electives that permit them to specialize in particular fields, to explore areas of potential interest, or to take unusual combinations of courses that will suit nontypical career goals. The program emphasizes hands-on laboratory experience in the second and third years, and provides extensive opportunities to participate in research. Besides allowing students to prepare for careers that demand a good background in science and mathematics, the curriculum also offers a sound basis for careers in fields such as law, the health professions, management, and technical communication.

For students transferring from other universities, two-year colleges, or from other curricula at Rensselaer, previous chemistry courses will be evaluated on an individual basis. Normally, these courses will count toward the Rensselaer program. The content of laboratory courses can be adjusted to allow for prior experience. The department makes every attempt to accommodate transfer students whose backgrounds do not permit them to follow the normal course sequence.

Two paths are available leading to the American Chemical Society certified B.S. in Chemistry. One provides a traditional program; the other has an emphasis on biochemistry. Typical curricula, which require 128 credit hours for completion, are shown below.

Traditional Curriculum

1. CHEM-1500 or ENGR-1500 may be substituted for CHEM-1100 and CHEM-1600 or ENGR-1600 may be substituted for CHEM-1200 by students transferring into chemistry.
2. Any combination of courses totaling 24 credits and meeting the H&SS distribution requirements is satisfactory
3. A lecture-laboratory course.
4. CHEM-4310 may be substituted for this course.
5. At least one of the electives in this program must be in a science other than CHEM, PHYS or MATH.

Biochemistry Oriented Curriculum

1. CHEM-1500 or ENGR-1500 may be substituted for CHEM-1100 and CHEM-1600 or ENGR-1600 may be substituted for CHEM-1200 by students transferring into chemistry.
2. Any combination of courses totaling 24 credits and meeting the H&SS distribution requirements is satisfactory.
3. A lecture-laboratory course.
4. CHEM-4760 is an acceptable alternative.
5. May be taken in any semester.

Within the above curricula, students are encouraged to participate in available research opportunities. CHEM-2950 may be taken at any time, and students are urged to take at least three credits of this course. It may be taken more than once.

Students planning to pursue graduate studies in chemistry are urged to take at least 12 credits in chemistry courses beyond those required. CHEM-4990 is particularly valuable.

Students who take CHEM-4620, CHEM-4640, and either an advanced course or research in polymer chemistry satisfy the ACS recommendations for the polymer chemistry option.

Electives   Students should select electives in consultation with their adviser to ensure a balanced program. Combinations of electives that can provide appropriate depth in specific areas such as environmental chemistry, medicinal chemistry, polymer chemistry, chemical engineering, management, pre-law, and others can be provided by the adviser. Students interested in medicine as a career should include the following courses among their elective choices. They are recommended before the senior year as preparation for the qualifying exams required for admission to medical school.

BIOL-1010 Introduction to Biology
BIOL-1020 Introduction to Biology Laboratory
BIOL-2120 Introduction to Cell and Molecular Biology
BIOL-4270 Human Physiology I
BIOL-4280 Human Physiology II
BIOL-4620 Molecular Biology

In addition, two communications courses should be included among Humanities and Social Sciences elective options.

Dual Major Programs

Students interested in both chemistry and another field may use the elective course options in one program to take the required courses from another discipline to qualify for a dual degree. Examples are a B.S. in chemistry and biology, or chemistry and physics, or chemistry and economics. Combinations with any other science or H&SS discipline are usually easy to arrange, but students should seek counsel from their advisers.

Minor Programs

The department offers a number of minor options for both chemistry and nonchemistry majors. In addition to the science minors detailed below, chemistry majors may minor in other disciplines through programs offered within other departments.

Biochemistry Minor for Chemistry Majors   This program is particularly advisable for chemistry students who wish to pursue scientific careers in medicinal research or at the interface of biology and chemistry. Students should take BIOL-2120, BCBP-4770, and two courses from the following:

Biophysics Minor for Chemistry Majors   This program is advisable for chemistry students who wish to pursue scientific careers in medicinal research or at the interface of biology and chemistry. For this minor, students should take BIOL-2120, BCBP-4770, and two courses from the following:

Astrobiology Minor for Chemistry Majors   Obtaining a minor in Astrobiology requires a minimum of 16 credits of course work that must include ASTR-4510 and ISCI-4500 (4 credits each), two semesters of ISCI-4510 (1 credit each) and two courses outside of the major field of study selected from the following:

Chemistry Minor for Non-Chemistry Majors   Students not majoring in chemistry may receive a minor in this discipline by passing four four-credit courses at or above the 2000 level, one of which must include a laboratory. The combination cannot include both CHEM-2150 and CHEM- 4530.

For a double major, the requirement that the two selected courses must be outside the major field of study is reduced to one provided both majors are in the primary relevant areas of study (i.e. biology, chemistry, geology, and physics).

Accelerated Programs

Students may elect to complete their B.S. degree in three years instead of four. To achieve this, they must take courses during the summer semesters and additional electives. Students with advanced placement standing in some courses are especially well situated for such arrangements. It is also possible for those not wishing to remain in Troy over the summer to take equivalent courses elsewhere and receive transfer credit.

An additional option is completion of the requirements in three and a half years. With advanced placement credit and additional courses during some academic semesters, summer work may be minimal.

B.S.-M.S. and B.S.-Ph.D. Programs:
A student who is within 18 credit hours of the B.S. can apply for admission to the graduate program. With advanced placement credit, extra courses, and by starting research while still an undergraduate, the time required for the advanced degree can be reduced by a year or more. Students who enter the Chemistry graduate program through the 18-hour rule may be eligible for graduate teaching or research assitantship support.

Students contemplating an accelerated program must consult with their adviser early their careers.

Graduate Programs

The Chemistry Department offers three graduate degrees—the Master of Science, the Master of Science in Applied Science, and the Doctor of Philosophy. The M.S. and the Ph.D. require research and a thesis.

Graduate students typically begin their studies with graduate courses in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. The courses that are required depend on the student’s background, area of interest, and performance in entering placement exams. Additionally, in consultation with the adviser, students may select a number of specialized advanced-level courses in chemistry, as well as from offerings in other departments that meet their needs. Chemistry graduate students may also select the biochemistry/ biophysics option described earlier. Each student plans a program with his or her adviser to meet individual professional goals.

Modern advances in chemistry require techniques that transcend traditional boundaries. Thus, interdisciplinary programs with other School of Science departments and the School of Engineering allow great flexibility. For example, many chemistry faculty have interests that correlate with those of chemical engineering and materials engineering faculty. Cooperative programs with industry, national laboratories, and other universities are also part of the department’s research activities. Faculty members, visiting scholars, postdoctoral associates, graduate students, and undergraduates all participate in the research efforts of the department.

Supplementing courses and research projects are weekly seminars and colloquia in the various areas of chemistry. Scientists of national and international renown participate in these seminars.

Most first year graduate students receive support as teaching assistants, participating in undergraduate laboratory or workshop- mode chemistry courses under the direction of a faculty member. After they have chosen a research adviser graduate students are eligible for support as research assistants.

Master’s Programs

Master of Science   Students must complete 30 credit hours of research and course work, 15 of which must be at the 6000–9990 level. In addition, these students must submit a research thesis.

Master of Applied Science   This program, which requires 30 credits, is designed for graduates who have traditional discipline-oriented backgrounds but desire an interdisciplinary program to meet their career goals. Admission to this program follows the same procedures as for the M.S. program, but students in the applied program are not eligible for teaching assistant or research assistant support. Transfer between the applied and regular M.S. programs requires permission from the Graduate Admissions Committee.

The two programs currently offered for this degree are outlined below.

Master of Applied Science in Chemistry and Entrepreneurship   This program requires 18 credits of chemistry and related science/engineering courses including:

Two core chemistry courses (selected from the core courses in analytical, inorganic, and physical chemistry)

Electives from chemistry and related areas; up to two courses may be outside of the Chemistry Department (e.g., from chemical engineering or materials science and engineering). A minimum of three and a maximum of six elective credits must be a project such as a research/development proposal, a business plan, or other research. In appropriate cases, the project could replace a management course.

Twelve credits of Management courses including the following:

Master of Applied Science in Polymer Chemistry and Engineering   This program requires 15 chemistry credits including:

Two core chemistry courses (selected from the core courses in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry).

Three required chemistry courses:

Fifteen elective credits in courses from chemistry, materials, or chemical engineering dealing with polymeric materials. A minimum of three and an maximum of six credits of these electives must be a project, which may include research at Rensselaer or an internship in industry or other appropriate activity. Course suggestions include:

Doctoral Programs

To complete the Ph.D., students must meet divisional requirements in areas that their doctoral committee determines and accumulate 90 credit hours (60 beyond the M.S. degree) of research and course work. Satisfactory performance in an oral candidacy examination and a final defense of the doctoral thesis are also requirements. For any Ph.D. degree, the courses required will be specified based on the student’s background and research needs.

Course Descriptions

Courses directly related to all Chemistry curricula are described in the Course Description section of this catalog under the department code CHEM.