Chemistry (CHEM)
Graduate Studies
570-577-3258
www.bucknell.edu/Chemistry
Professors: Charles H. Clapp (chair), Ph.D. Harvard. Margaret E. Kastner, Ph.D. Notre Dame. George C. Shields, Ph.D. Georgia Institute of Technology. Timothy G. Strein, Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University.
Associate Professors: Dee A. Casteel, Ph.D. Illinois. Karen J. Castle, Ph.D. Oregon State University. Molly McGuire, Ph.D. Wisconsin-Madison. David Rovnyak, Ph.D. M.I.T. Thomas T. Shawe, Ph.D. Emory. Robert A. Stockland, Ph.D. Missouri-St. Louis. James S. Swan, Ph.D. Pennsylvania State University. Eric S. Tillman, Ph.D. University of Southern California, Brian W. Williams, Ph.D. Cornell.
Assistant Professors: Thomas L. Selby, Ph.D. Emory University. William D. Kerber, Ph.D. University of North Carolina.
Bucknell offers a Master of Science as well as a Master of Arts in chemistry.
Master of Science in Chemistry
The degree of master of science in chemistry is designed to ensure students a thorough foundation in their field and to prepare them to continue their graduate education elsewhere or to obtain attractive employment in industry, government, or education. Graduate-level courses are offered in analytical, biochemical, environmental, inorganicc, organic, and physical chemistry.
Courses and Requirements
The program normally requires two full years.
Graduate students must complete at least seven courses for graduate credit, including research and thesis and a graduate seminar, in which they are expected to participate each semester.
There is no uniform set of course requirements; the courses recommended to students depend on their backgrounds and interests.
Candidates for the master of science degree must satisfactorily pass a written examination in their area of specialization and must either pass a comprehensive examination or obtain a satisfactory passing grade in an approved graduate credit course in each of three additional areas. In all, the candidate must in some way show competence in at least three of the four traditional areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. Students must present and orally defend a master’s thesis summarizing the results of their research.
Financial Aid
Graduate teaching assistantships are awarded to nearly all chemistry M.S. candidates to support graduate study. In addition, summer research stipends are normally available for focused laboratory research during the summer months.
Research
Research in the well-equipped laboratories of the Rooke Chemistry Building is conducted in analytical, inorganic, organic, environmental, physical, and biochemistry.
Faculty Research Interests
Dee Ann Casteel, Ph.D., University of Illinois-Urbana. Associate Professor, Organic Chemistry. Organic synthesis, synthesis of peroxides, anti-malarial, anti-viral, anti-tumor agents, medicinal chemistry.
Karen J. Castle, Ph.D., Oregon State University. Associate Professor, Physical Chemistry. Laser spectroscopic studies of atmospheric cooling and heating processes.
Charles H. Clapp, Ph.D., Harvard University. Professor, Biochemistry. Enzyme mechanisms and enzyme inhibitors.
Margaret E. Kastner, Ph.D., University of Notre Dame. Professor, Inorganic Chemistry. X-ray crystallography; chemical education.
William D. Kerber, Ph.D., University of North Carolina. Assistant Professor, Inorganic Chemistry. Redox chemistry of iron in natural waters; speciation of Fe(III) complexes; photochemical oxidation of carboxylates and phenols by iron(III).
Molly M. McGuire, Ph.D., Wisconsin-Madison, Associate Professor. Environmental Chemistry. Environmentally important redox reactions at clay mineral surfaces.
David Rovnyak, Ph.D., M.I.T., Associate Professor. Biophysical Chemistry. Application of magnetic resonance techniques to the study of biological macromolecules.
Thomas L. Selby, Ph.D., The Ohio State University, Assistant Professor, Biochemistry. Structure-Function Studies of Signaling Proteins; X-ray crystallography, biophysical characterization, enzymology, computational methods, and combinatorial protein libraries.
Thomas T. Shawe, Ph.D., Emory University. Associate Professor, Organic Chemistry. Organic synthetic methodology: stereoselective reactions and alkaloid synthesis.
George C. Shields, Ph.D., Georgia Institute of Technology. Professor, Computational Chemistry. Computational chemistry and structural biochemistry.
Robert A. Stockland, Jr., Ph.D., University of Missouri. Associate Professor, Inorganic and Polymer Chemistry. Design and synthesis of transition metal complexes with useful catalytic properties. Use of transition metal complexes to control polymerization and to modify polymers.
Timothy G. Strein, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, Professor, Analytical Chemistry. Capillary electrophoresis of biological fluids, charge transfer reactions at ultrasmall electrodes, GC/MS of environmental samples.
James S. Swan, Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University. Associate Professor, Analytical Biochemistry. Affinity chromatography; conformational changes in proteins.
Eric S. Tillman, Ph.D., University of Southern California, Associate Professor, Organic Chemistry. Synthesis of functionalized polymers, development of new initiating systems, synthesis of polymers for electronic and photochemical applications.
Brian W. Williams, Ph.D., Cornell University. Associate Professor, Physical Chemistry. Synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of solvatochromic molecules; fluores
Master of Arts in Chemistry
The M.A. degree program in chemistry is for high school teachers of chemistry. It is designed to allow high school teachers to experience chemistry as it is actually practiced. A goal of the department is to help the teachers see themselves as chemists as well as teachers.
Courses and Requirements
The program normally consists of three summers of work; a fourth summer might be needed depending on the background of the individual teacher. Candidates must complete seven graduate credits, including research and thesis. A graduate class open only to M.A. candidates is offered each summer. Course work for graduate credit at Bucknell during the regular academic year can be counted toward the seven credits needed. Transfer of credit from other institutions may be accepted at the discretion of the department.
In addition to course work, each student will choose a research adviser before starting the first summer of work. The student will normally conduct research with that adviser for the duration of the program; the research will culminate in a written thesis. Students will present and orally defend a master’s thesis summarizing the results of their research.
Admission Requirements
Students must be full-time high school teachers. A letter of recommendation and support from the principal of the school is required. An undergraduate degree in chemistry is not required; if the degree is not in chemistry, a significant number of chemistry courses must have been completed.
Financial Aid
Bucknell will provide free housing during the summer for all M.A. candidates. In addition, by applying to the Office of Finance, M.A. students who are teachers in service may obtain a substantial discount in tuition. Forms are available at the Graduate Studies Office. Research assistantships are awarded to M.A. students on the basis of availability of funds and on seniority in the program.
Graduate courses in Chemistry
613. Synthetic Organic Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0)
Modern synthetic organic chemistry, with examples involving natural products and compounds of theoretical interest, and also demonstrating the applicability of organic chemical theory.
614. Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (I; 4, 0)
Discussions of the reaction mechanisms of substitution, elimination, cycloaddition, and acylation reactions are presented. Class topics include the influence of solvent on mechanism, and steric, stereochemical, and kinetic aspects of reactions. Weekly problem sessions are held. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
617. Special Topics in Organic Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0)
622. Inorganic Chemistry II (II; 3, 0)
Descriptive chemistry of inorganic compounds and topics in coordination chemistry. Laboratory: synthetic techniques and physical measurements.
627. Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0)
Applications of group theory to spectroscopic properties of compounds. Theory and interpretation of electronic, vibrational, and magnetic resonance spectra.
632. Analytical Chemistry II (I; 3, 0)
Theory and practice of techniques of instrumental analysis including spectrophotometry, fluorescence, mass spectrometry, atomic absorption and emission, chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, cyclic voltammetry, and specific ion electrodes.
637. Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (I or II; R; 3, 0)
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
640. Biological Physical Chemistry (II; 4, 3)
Introduction to physical chemistry structured for life science and premedical students. Not open to chemistry majors.
641. Physical Chemistry (I; 3, 0)
Introductory physical chemistry with emphasis on thermodynamics and kinetics.
642. Physical Chemistry (II; 3, 0)
Introductory physical chemistry with emphasis on quantum and statistical mechanics, molecular structure and spectroscopy.
643. Advanced Physical Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0)
Selected topics in quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, kinetics, photochemistry, and structure. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
647. Special Topics in Physical Chemistry (I or II; 4, 0)
651. Biochemistry I (I; 4, 0)
Introduction to modern biological chemistry, including synthesis, degradation and characterization of proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, and the mechanism of enzyme action. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
652. Biochemistry II (II; 4, 0)
A continuation of Biochemistry I (CH 330) with the emphasis on metabolism, nucleic acids, genetic engineering, lipids, carbohydrates and selected aspects of biotechnology. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
657. Special Topics in Biochemistry
Prerequisite: permission of the instructor.
658. Biochemical Methods (II; 2, 6)
A course in laboratory techniques including cell fractionation, protein, and nucleic acid analysis. Spectrophotometry, chromatography, centrifugation, and electrophoresis are emphasized. Prerequisite: permission of the instructor. Crosslisted as BIOL 640.
660. Advanced Environmental Chemistry (II; 4, 0)
Chemistry in the environment, including water chemistry, soil, and atmospherics. Elementary toxicology, hazardous waste production, control and disposal will be addressed.
675 and 676. Research (I and II; R; 0; 6-12) One-half to two course credits
685 and 686. Seminar (I and II; 3, 0) Half course
699. Thesis (I or II or S; 6) Half or full course
Courses for the M.A. Summer Chemistry Program for High School Teachers
610. Advanced Organic Chemistry for High School Teachers
620. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry for High School Teachers
630. Advanced Analytical Chemistry for High School Teachers
645. Advanced Physical Chemistry for High School Teachers
650. Advanced Biochemistry for High School Teachers
665. Advanced Environmental Chemistry for High School Teachers
677. Research Methods for High School Teachers
