Department of Chemistry | University at Albany

Faculty

Distinguished Professor Emeritus
Eric Block, Ph.D., Harvard University (Carla Rizzo Delray ’42 Professorship)

Distinguished Teaching Professor of Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences and Chemistry Emeritus
John W. Delano, Ph.D., SUNY at Stony Brook

Professors Emeriti
Robert E. Frost, Ph.D., Harvard University
Frank M. Hauser, Ph.D., University of North Carolina
Eugene Mclaren, Ph.D., Washington University (Collins Fellow)
Yash P. Myer, Ph.D., University of Oregon
Ramaswamy H. Sarma, Ph.D., Brown University
Charles P. Scholes, Ph.D., Yale University

Distinguished Professor
Igor Lednev, Ph.D., Moscow Institute of Physics & Technology

Professors
Evgeny Dikarev, Ph.D., Moscow State University
Rabi A. Musah, Ph.D., University of Arkansas
Li Niu, Ph.D., University of Wisconsin
Marina Petrukhina, Ph.D., Moscow State University
Alexander Shekhtman, Ph.D., University at Albany
John T. Welch, Ph.D., Case Western Reserve University

Associate Professors
Alan Chen, Ph.D., Washington University
Jayanti Pande, Ph.D., University at Albany
Maksim Royzen, Ph.D., New York University
Jia Sheng, Ph.D., Georgia State University
Paul J. Toscano, Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University (Undergraduate Director)
Mehmet Yigit, Ph.D., University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Assistant Professors
Jeremy Feldblyum, Ph.D., University of Michigan
Ting Wang, Ph.D., The Ohio State University
Michael T. Yeung, Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles
Qiang Zhang, Ph.D., Boston University

Instructor
Halimah S. Sayahi, Ph.D., University at Albany

Teaching Assistants (estimated): 21

The objective of the department is to provide students with a broad, fundamental knowledge of modern theoretical and experimental chemistry enabling graduates to embark immediately on professional careers in chemistry or to continue study at an advanced level toward higher degrees. The general program in chemistry is approved by the Committee on Professional Training of the American Chemical Society.

Careers

Chemistry gives students the tools to think analytically, to solve problems, and to create new materials with unusual properties. A strong foundation in chemistry, coupled with a background in other disciplines such as biology, physics, and even art or business, can lead to the confidence and flexibility to take on challenging jobs after graduation. Career choices may include classic positions in industrial or governmental laboratories as a production, control, or analytical chemist. However, with a background in chemistry, career options are diverse and broad, including the potential to enter graduate and professional schools. Our graduates have secured employment in pharmaceuticals, medicine, petrochemicals, materials science, as well as the cosmetics and aerospace fields. Furthermore, a graduate may choose a career path as a research assistant, technical sales and service representative, secondary school teacher, science writer or editor, forensic or environmental scientist, patent attorney, art restorer, information scientist, toxicologist, or even investment counselor or public relations specialist.

Degree Requirements Chemistry B.A.:

Combined major and minor sequence consisting of 56 credits of which a minimum of 24 credits are at the 300 level and above.

Required Chemistry Core:

Select one of the following:

ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Lab (4)
ACHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) & ACHM 124 General Chemistry I Lab (1)
TCHM 130 Honors General Chemistry I (3) & TCHM124 Honors General Chemistry I Lab (1)
TCHM 135 Advanced Chemistry I and Lab (4)

Select one of the following:

ACHM 116 General Chemistry II and Lab (4)
ACHM 121 General Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry II Lab (1)
TCHM 131 Honors General Chemistry II (3) and TCHM 124 Honors Chemistry II Lab (1)
TCHM 136 Advanced General Chemistry II and Lab

ACHM 220 Organic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 221 Organic Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 222 Organic Chemistry Lab I (1)
ACHM 223 Organic Chemistry Lab II (1)
ACHM 326 Quantitative Analysis for Industry (3)
ACHM 327 Quantitative Analysis for Industry Lab (1)
ACHM 352Z Physical Chemistry Lab (3)
ACHM 417 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3)
ACHM 420 Inorganic Chemistry A (3)
ACHM 429 Instrumental Analysis (3)
ACHM 431 Instrumental Analysis Lab (1)
ACHM 444 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)3 credits in advanced chemistry (300+ Chemistry)

Required Math and Science Courses:

Select one of the following:

AMAT 111 Algebra and Calculus II (4)
AMAT 112 Calculus I (4)
AMAT 118 Honors Calculus I (4)
TMAT 118 Honors Calculus I Honors College (4)

Select one of the following:

AMAT 113 Calculus II (4)
AMAT 119 Honors Calculus II (4)
TMAT 119 Honors Calculus II Honors College (4)

Select one of the following:

APHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3)
APHY 142 Advanced Physics I: Mechanics (3)
TPHY 141 Honors Physics I: Mechanics (3)
APHY 145 Physics I Lab (1)

Select one of the following:

APHY 150 Physics II: Electromagnetism (3)
APHY 152 Advanced Physics II: Electromagnetism (3)
TPHY 151 Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism (3)
APHY 155 Physics II Lab (1)

Requirements for Chemistry B.S.:

Within this program, a student has a choice of four tracks: Chemistry Emphasis (70 or 71 credits); Chemical Biology Emphasis (75 credits); Chemistry/Forensic Chemistry Emphasis (75 credits); Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Emphasis (68 credits). The specific requirements for individual tracks are outlined below after the core requirements.

Chemistry Core Credits for all Chemistry BS Tracks (36 Credits):

Complete one of the following General Chemistry I options (4 credit):

ACHM 120 General Chemistry I (3) & ACHM 124 General Chemistry Lab I (1)
TCHM 130 Honors Advanced General Chemistry I & ACHM 124 General Chemistry Lab (1)
ACHM 115 General Chemistry I and Laboratory I (4)

Complete one of the following General Chemistry II options (4 Credits):

ACHM 121 General Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
TCHM 131 Honors Advanced General Chemistry II (3) and ACHM 125 General Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
ACHM 116 General Chemistry I and Laboratory II (4)

Organic Chemistry Required Courses (12 Credits):

ACHM 220 Organic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 221 Organic Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 222 Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (1)
ACHM 223 Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (1)
ACHM 226 Qualitative Analysis (3)
ACHM 227 Qualitative Analysis Laboratory (1)

Complete One of the Following Calculus Options (4 Credits):

AMAT 111 Algebra & Calculus II (4)
AMAT 112 Calculus I (4)
AMAT 118 Honors Calculus (4)

Complete One of the Following Calculus II Options (4 Credits):

AMAT 113 Calculus II (4)
AMAT 119 Honors Calculus II (4)

Complete one of the Following Physics I Options (4 Credits):

APHY 140 Physics I: Mechanics (3) and APHY 145 Physics Laboratory I (1)
APHY 141 Honors Physics I: Mechanics (3) and APHY 145 Physics Laboratory I (1)

Complete one of the Following Physics II Options (4 Credits):

APHY 150 Physics II Electromagnetism (3) and APHY 155 Physics Laboratory II (1)
APHY 151 Honors Physics II: Electromagnetism (3) and APHY 155 Physics Laboratory II (1)

Chemistry Track Requirements:

Students choose one of the following emphases: Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemistry/Forensic Chemistry, or Biopharmaceutical Chemistry. Students’ complete requirements in one emphasis.

Chemistry Emphasis (70-71 Credits):

AMAT 214 Calculus of Several Variables (4) or AMAT 218 Honors Calculus of Several Variables (4)
ACHM 342 Introduction to Biochemistry (3) or ACHM 442 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (3)
ACHM 350 Physical Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 351 Physical Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 352Z Physical Chemistry Lab (3)
ACHM 408 Polymer Chemistry (3)
ACHM 417 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3)
ACHM 420 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 426 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry (3) or ACHM 429 Instrumental Analysis AND ACHM 431 Instrumental Analysis Lab (1)

6 Credits of Advanced Chemistry from the Following Options:

ACHM 401 Current Topics in Advanced Chemistry (1-3)
ACHM 411 Computational Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 412 Computational Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 421 Inorganic Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 422 Organometallic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 428 Forensic Chemistry Research (3)
ACHM 436 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 437 Organic Synthesis (3)
ACHM 442 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (3)
ACHM 443 Comprehensive Biochemistry II (3)
ACHM 446 Chemical Biology Laboratory (3)
ACHM 447 Advanced Forensic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 448 Advanced Forensic Chemistry Lab I (2)
ACHM 449 Advanced Forensic Chemistry Lab II (2)
ACHM 458 Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacology (3)
ACHM 470 Crystallography (3)
ACHM 471 Theory and Techniques of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry (3)
ACHM 472 Experimental Methods of Organic Structure Determination (3)
ACHM 473 Chemical and Enzymatic Kinetics (3)
ACHM 474 Physical Organic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 475 Physical Organic Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 485 Materials Independent Study (3)
ACHM 497 Independent Study (3)

Chemical Biology Emphasis (75 Credits):

ABIO 130 General Biology: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (3)
ABIO 131 General Biology; Ecology, Evolution, and Physiology (3)
ABIO 201 Introduction to Biological Investigations I (1)
ABIO 202Z Introduction to Biological Investigations II (1)
ABIO 212Y Introductory Genetics (4)
ACHM 350 Physical Chemistry I (3) or ACHM 444 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 351 Physical Chemistry II (3) or ACHM 445 Biophysical Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 352Z Physical Chemistry Lab (3)
ACHM 408 Polymer Chemistry (3)
ACHM 417 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3)
ACHM 420 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 442 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (3)
ACHM 443 Comprehensive Biochemistry II (3)
ACHM 446 Chemical Biology Laboratory (3)

Chemistry/Forensic Chemistry Emphasis (75 Credits):

AMAT 108 Elementary Statistics
ACHM 250 Introduction to Forensic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 251 Introduction to Forensic Chemistry Laboratory (1)
ACHM 342 Introduction to Biochemistry (3) or ACHM 442 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (3)
ACHM 350 Physical Chemistry I (3) or ACHM 444 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 351 Physical Chemistry II (3) or ACHM 445 Biophysical Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 352Z Physical Chemistry Lab (3)
ACHM 408 Polymer Chemistry (3)
ACHM 417 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3)
ACHM 420 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 429 Instrumental Analysis (3)
ACHM 431 Instrumental Analysis Lab (1)
ACHM 447 Advanced Forensic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 448 Advanced Forensic Chemistry Laboratory I (2)
ACHM 449 Advanced Forensic Chemistry Laboratory II (2)

Biopharmaceutical Chemistry Emphasis (68 Credits):

ACHM 329 Careers in Chemistry (1)
ACHM 350 Physical Chemistry I (3) or ACHM 444 Biophysical Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 351 Physical Chemistry II (3) or ACHM 445 Biophysical Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 352Z Physical Chemistry Lab (3)
ACHM 424 Scientific Communication for Chemical Professionals (1)
ACHM 429 Instrumental Analysis (3)
ACHM 431 Instrumental Analysis Lab (1)
ACHM 425 Introduction to Undergraduate Research (2)
ACHM 442 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (3)
ACHM 443 Comprehensive Biochemistry II (3)
ACHM 446 Chemical Biology Laboratory (3)

6 Credits of Advanced Chemistry from the Following Options:

ACHM 401 Current Topics in Advanced Chemistry (1-3)
ACHM 408 Polymer Chemistry (3)
ACHM 411 Computational Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 412 Computational Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 417 Advanced Synthesis Laboratory (3)
ACHM 420 Inorganic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 421 Inorganic Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 422 Organometallic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 426 Undergraduate Research (3)
ACHM 428 Forensic Chemistry Research (3)
ACHM 436 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 437 Organic Synthesis (3)
ACHM 442 Comprehensive Biochemistry I (3)
ACHM 447 Advanced Forensic Chemistry (3)
ACHM 448 Advanced Forensic Chemistry Lab I (2)
ACHM 449 Advanced Forensic Chemistry Lab II (2)
ACHM 458 Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry/Pharmacology (3)
ACHM 470 Crystallography (3)
ACHM 471 Theory and Techniques of Biophysics and Biophysical Chemistry (3)
ACHM 472 Experimental Methods of Organic Structure Determination (3)
ACHM 473 Chemical and Enzymatic Kinetics (3)
ACHM 474 Physical Organic Chemistry I (3)
ACHM 475 Physical Organic Chemistry II (3)
ACHM 485 Materials Independent Study (3)
ACHM 497 Independent Study (3)

Honors Program

The honors program in chemistry is designed for outstanding students enrolled in the general program leading to the B.S. degree, Chemistry Emphasis, or Chemical Biology Emphasis, or Forensic Chemistry Emphasis. Students may apply for admission to the honors program by submitting a letter of request to the department chair no later than April 15^th of the sophomore year (for admissions in the fall) or November 15^th of the junior year (for admission in the spring). Junior transfers may apply at the time of their admission to the University. Primary emphasis will be placed on indications of academic ability and maturity sufficient for applicants to pursue with distinction a program involving independent research.

The minimum requirements for admission include: (1) Completion of ACHM 115 or 120/124 (or TCHM 130/124), ACHM 116 or 121/125 (or TCHM 131/125), 220, 221, 222, 223, 226 and 227 or their equivalents; (2) An overall grade point average of 3.25; (3) A grade point average of 3.50 in chemistry courses required for the major; and (4) Written recommendations from at least three faculty members, one of whom, preferably should be from outside the Department of Chemistry.

Students in the program must maintain both a minimum grade point average of 3.25 overall and of 3.50 in chemistry courses taken to satisfy major requirements during the junior and senior years. The progress of participants in the honors program will be reviewed at the end of junior year by the student’s adviser and the Departmental Undergraduate Committee. Students not meeting academic and independent research standards at that time may be precluded from continuing in the program during their senior year. These students may, of course, continue as majors.

Students may select from the following three emphases or tracks.

Honors B.S. Chemistry, Chemistry Emphasis 74 credits total as follows: in addition to the 20 credits listed above and mathematics and physics requirements listed for the general B.S. Chemistry program, with Chemistry Emphasis, ACHM 342 or 442, 350, 351, 352Z, 408, 417, 420, and 3 credits of advanced chemistry at the 400 level, not including research courses (67 credits); 3 credits of ACHM 426 (Undergraduate Research); and 4 credits of ACHM 427 (Honors Undergraduate Research). Student independent research must include an honors research project, culminating with a written honors thesis and departmental seminar by the end of the student’s last semester.
Honors B.S. Chemistry, Chemical Biology Emphasis: 79 credits total as follows: 75 credits as outlined in the general B.S. Chemistry program, with Chemical Biology Emphasis, with the exception ACHM 417 is replaced with ACHM 426 (Undergraduate Research); and 4 credits of ACHM 427 (Honors Undergraduate Research). The independent study must include an honors research project, culminating with a written honors thesis and departmental seminar by the end of the student’s last semester.
Honors B.S. Chemistry, Forensic Chemistry Emphasis: 82 credits total as follows: 75 credits as outlined in B.S. Chemistry with Forensic Chemistry emphasis; 3 credits of ACHM 428 (Forensic Chemistry Research); and 4 credits of ACHM 427 (Honors Undergraduate Research). The independent study must include an honors research project, culminating with a written honors thesis and departmental seminar by the end of the student's last semester.

After completion of the requirements above, the records of the candidates will be reviewed by the Departmental Undergraduate Committee. After consideration of overall academic record, performance and accomplishments in the research project, the quality of the Honors Seminar and Thesis, and the evaluations of departmental faculty members who have supervised these activities, a recommendation for or against a degree “with honors in chemistry” will be made by the committee to the departmental faulty. The final recommendation will be made by the departmental faculty and transmitted to the departmental chair.

Combined B.S./M.S. Program

The combined B.S./M.S. program in chemistry provides an opportunity for students of recognized academic ability and educational maturity to fulfill integrated requirements of undergraduate and master’s degree programs from the beginning of the junior year. A carefully designed program can permit a student to earn the B.S. and M.S. degrees within nine semesters.

The combined program requires a minimum of 138 credits, of which at least 30 must be graduate credits. In qualifying for the B.S., students must meet all University and college requirements, including the requirements of the undergraduate major described previously, the minimum 60-credit liberal arts and sciences requirement, general education requirements, and residency requirements. In qualifying for the M.S., students must meet all University and college requirements as outlined in the Graduate Bulletin, including completion of a minimum of 30 graduate credits and any other conditions such as a research seminar, thesis, comprehensive examination, professional experience, and residency requirements. Up to 12 graduate credits may be applied simultaneously to both the B.S. and M.S. programs.

The undergraduate requirement of ACHM 420 may be satisfied by ACHM 520A. Likewise, the requirement of 6 credits in advanced chemistry may be satisfied by two 500 level graduate courses.

Students may apply for admission to the combined degree program in chemistry after the successful completion of 56 credits and after the satisfactory completion of ACHM 350 or 444. A cumulative grade point average of 3.20 or higher and three supportive letters of recommendation from faculty are required for consideration.