Programs of Study Spring 2005 illinois home
 

Chemical Sciences

(Including Chemical Engineering and Chemistry)

Director of the School: Thomas B. Rauchfuss
106 Noyes Laboratory, 505 South Mathews Avenue, Urbana, IL 61801.

Graduate Degree Programs

The School of Chemical Sciences consists of the service facilities and the Departments of Chemical Engineering and Chemistry. Programs leading to the degrees of master of science and doctor of philosophy are offered in each of the two departments as described in the following sections. The school structure is designed to meet the differing needs of the two departments and yet retain the advantages of a common approach to overlapping research and educational goals. The school provides service facilities, technical shops, and a placement office. Support for graduate training is available in the form of assistantships, traineeships, and fellowships. Prospective students may obtain application forms and information relevant to their interests from the head of the appropriate department.

Biomolecular Chemistry Specialization

The development of molecular and structural biology now enables complex biological molecules to be studied using the methods and techniques of chemistry, to the extent that the interface between chemistry and biology has now become almost seamless. For this reason, an interdisciplinary graduate specialization is available for students enrolled in doctoral degree programs in the participating departments listed above. All students must become proficient in core areas of biomolecular chemistry, including biochemistry, molecular and structural biology, spectroscopy and physical chemistry of macromolecules, and molecular modeling. The specific course and program emphasis will vary by department because of the broad nature of research in biomolecular chemistry.

The biomolecular chemistry program does not independently admit students or confer graduate degrees. Prospective students should address inquiries to the program office of the participating departments. Students are admitted to the program after their acceptance by one of the participating departments and review by the biomolecular chemistry programming committee in the School of Chemical Sciences. Students admitted to the program must have completed minimal coursework sufficient for admission to the department granting admission, preferably with some concentration at the chemistry-biology interface.

All degree applicants must complete the requirements of the biomolecular chemistry program, as well as certain specified requirements of the department in which they are enrolled.