Chemistry

• Department Information
• M.S. in Chemistry
• Other Degree Requirements
• Graduate Courses

Department Information

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry
College of Science
Office: North Science 431
Phone: (510) 885-3452
Website: http://www20.csueastbay.edu/csci/departments/chemistry/index.html

Professors
Michael K. K. Leung, Ph.D. University of Southern California

Associate Professors
Michael Groziak, Ph.D. Northwestern University
Chul-Hyun Kim, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Anne T. Kotchevar, Ph.D. University of Minnesota, Minneapolis
Danika LeDuc, Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley
Ann A. McPartland (Chair), Ph.D. Purdue University

Assistant Professors
Anthony Masiello, Ph.D. Oregon State University
Monika Sommerhalter, Ph.D. Technische Universität Berlin

Graduate Coordinator: Chul-Hyun Kim

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M.S. in Chemistry

Program Description

The Master of Science degree in Chemistry mainly serves students in four categories: those seeking opportunities in the chemical industry requiring training beyond the baccalaureate level, fully employed chemists who wish to enhance their career potential, future teachers of high school or community college chemistry, and individuals contemplating more advanced graduate study.

Students accepted into the program may focus on any area of chemistry, or select an option in biochemistry.

Mission Statement
It is imperative that CSUEB chemistry students possess sufficient theoretical and practical training in chemistry or biochemistry so that they will be able to assume the significant technical responsibilities required by the chemical and biotechnology industries that will employ them. It is important that our students are not only trained in chemistry or biochemistry, but will become respected scientists and research technicians. In addition, it is important that students planning for entrance into Ph.D. programs or professional programs are more than adequately prepared for these programs.

Student Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with an M.S. in Chemistry from Cal State East Bay should:

1. have a solid background in advanced chemistry and a mastery of advanced chemical information;
2. have significant experience in laboratory research methods and be able to present complex chemical information via oral and written reports;
3. have successfully completed a capstone project.

Program Options

Within the Chemistry degree, candidates will choose one of four courses of study:

• M.S. Chemistry, Plan A
• M.S. Chemistry, Plan B
• M.S. Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry, Plan A
• M.S. Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry, Plan B

Both Plan A programs require a University Thesis, whereas both Plan B programs require completion of a literature review paper and passing terminal written and oral exams.

Faculty

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has seven full-time faculty members; each has a Ph.D. degree. Most came to Cal State East Bay with postdoctoral experience either in academia or industry, or both. Added breadth of experience is provided by occasional visiting lecturers in graduate lecture courses.

Facilities

The laboratories are modern and well-equipped. Major instrumentation includes a 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR), capillary gas chromatographs with both flame-ionization and mass-spectral detection (GC/MS), a fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometer (FTIR), an atomic absorption spectrophotometer (AA) with graphite furnace and cold vapor attachments, high performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC), ion chromatograph (IC), x-ray fluorescence spectrometer, and a diode-array visible-ultraviolet spectrophotometer that can be adapted for stopped-flow kinetics studies. A molecular modeling facility is available for instruction and research.

The department is served by an office staff of a department secretary and a part-time clerical assistant, and by a staff of four full-time technicians and one part-time person.

Additional Information

The masters' degree program is under the nominal direction of the graduate coordinator, with the participation of the department's Graduate Studies Committee. All inquiries should be directed to the graduate coordinator or to the department chair.

Admission Requirements

The basic requirements for entry into the program are possession of a baccalaureate degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry, including a year of physical chemistry, and a GPA of at least 2.6 in upper division chemistry and biochemistry courses. Applicants not meeting the GPA requirement may still be accepted subject to receipt of acceptable letters of recommendation. The G.R.E. is not required. Applicants not having an undergraduate major in chemistry or biochemistry may be accepted into the program depending on the amount of undergraduate coursework required to remove deficiencies.

Qualified applicants are accepted in "Conditionally Classified Graduate" status. To become fully "Classified Graduate," students must pass placement tests in organic, physical, and one of analytical, inorganic, or biochemistry; remove any deficiencies in the undergraduate major, complete 12 units applicable to the degree, and satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement (UWSR).

Plan A, Thesis

A university thesis is required both for the M.S. Chemistry, Plan A and the M.S. Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry, Plan A degrees. A thesis topic is decided by mutual agreement between a graduate student and an appropriate faculty member.

Off-Campus Research
Candidates whose employers permit the use of appropriate facilities and approve the release of the applicable findings may arrange to conduct research on their employers' premises in support of their M.S. theses, subject to prior approval by the department.

Plan B, Comprehensive Examination

Plan B entails the completion of additional specified coursework in lieu of a thesis and completion of a significant literature search and report on a selected topic. Applicants must pass a comprehensive examination which consists of an oral portion covering the report of the literature search and a written portion covering all other coursework applied to the degree.

Advancement to Candidacy

In order to progress in the program, a student must pass or obtain a waiver for the placement exams. A waiver is usually obtained by enrolling in an undergraduate course covering appropriate material. The exams must be completed within one year of entry into the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Additionally, students must satisfy the University Writing Skills Requirement and qualify for "Classified Graduate" status within two years of admission.

Advancement to Candidacy requires that the student complete 12 units in 6000-level courses applicable towards the degree with an average grade of 3.0 or better and select a research advisor for the thesis or a supervisor for the Plan B literature search and comprehensive examination.

Curricular Requirements

The M.S. programs in Chemistry provide for the degree to be obtained under Chemistry or Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry. Under either program, Plan A (University Thesis) or Plan B (Comprehensive Exam) must be selected.

M.S. Chemistry, Plan A
In order to be eligible for the degree, the student must satisfy the following departmental requirements:

1. Complete a total of 22 units in required courses in Chemistry comprising the following:
   • CHEM 4521 Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics (4)
   • CHEM 6521 The Chemical Bond (3)
   • CHEM 6820 Seminar (1,1,1)
   • CHEM 6830 Research (6)
   • CHEM 6850 Methods of Graduate Research (3)
   • CHEM 6910 University Thesis (3)
2. Complete a minimum of nine units from the Advanced Topics courses CHEM 6310 and 6510.
3. Complete additional units to total the minimum 45 units required--to be selected, with the approval of the student's advisor, from additional graduate courses in chemistry or biochemistry, or from the list of upper division courses in chemistry acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Plan A degree. No more than four units of 6900 and three units of 6830 may be included. A maximum of six units from applicable courses in related fields may be included (e.g., in physics, geological sciences, or mathematics), and additional units must be taken to replace any courses in (1) or (2) above that were taken as an undergraduate.

   Upper Division Chemistry Courses Acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Plan A Degree:

   • CHEM 4161, 4162 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 each), 4180 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2), 4240 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4), 4311 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4), 4411, 4412, 4413 General Biochemistry (4 each), 4430 General Biochemistry Laboratory (4), 4431 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory (2), 4440 Protein Structure (3), 4450 Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3), 4460 Major Organ Biochemistry (3), 4601, 4602 Environmental Chemistry I, II (4 each), 4700 Survey of Chemical Literature (2), 6430 Protein Chemistry Techniques (4)
4. Submit to the department an acceptable master's degree thesis (University Thesis, CHEM 6910).

M.S. Chemistry, Plan B
In order to be eligible for the degree, the student must satisfy the following departmental requirements:

1. Complete a total of 21 units in required courses in Chemistry comprising the following:
   • CHEM 4240 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4)
   • CHEM 4521 Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics (4)
   • CHEM 4700 Survey of Chemical Literature (2)
   • CHEM 6521 The Chemical Bond (3)
   • CHEM 6820 Seminar (1, 1, 1)
   • CHEM 6850 Methods of Graduate Research (3)
   • CHEM 6901 Comprehensive Review (2)
2. Complete a minimum of 12 units from the Advanced Topics courses CHEM 6310, 6410 and 6510.
3. Complete additional units to total the minimum 45 units required -- to be selected, with the approval of the student's advisor, from additional graduate courses in chemistry or biochemistry or from the list of upper division chemistry courses acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Plan B degree. No more than two units of 6900 and none of 6830 or 6910 may be included. A maximum of 12 units from applicable courses in related fields may be included, and additional units must be taken to replace any courses in (1) or (2) above that were taken as an undergraduate.

   Upper Division Chemistry Courses Acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Plan B Degree:

   • CHEM 3531, 3532 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 each), 4161, 4162 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 each), 4180 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2), 4311 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4), 4411, 4412, 4413 General Biochemistry (4 each), 4430 General Biochemistry Laboratory (4), 4431 Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory (2), 4440 Protein Structure (3), 4450 Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3), 4460 Major Organ Biochemistry (3), 4601, 4602 Environmental Chemistry I, II (4 each), 6430 Protein Chemistry Techniques (4)
4. Complete a literature review paper and pass a comprehensive examination consisting of an oral portion covering the review paper and a written portion covering coursework applied to the degree [CHEM 6901 Comprehensive Review (2)].

M.S. Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry, Plan A
To be eligible for the Option in Biochemistry, M.S. in Chemistry, the student must satisfy the following departmental requirements:

1. Complete a total of 22 units in required courses in Chemistry comprising the following:
   • CHEM 6410 Advanced Topics in Biochemistry (3)
   • CHEM 6430 Protein Chemistry Techniques (4)
   • CHEM 6820 Seminar (1, 1, 1)
   • CHEM 6830 Research (Biochemistry Specialization) (6)
   • CHEM 6850 Methods of Graduate Research (3)
   • CHEM 6910 Thesis (Biochemistry Specialization) (3)
2. Complete a minimum of six units from the following courses:
   • CHEM 4521, 6310, 6410, 6510, 6521, including at least one of CHEM 4521 and 6521.
3. Complete additional units to total the minimum 45 units required -- to be selected, with the approval of the student's advisor, from additional graduate courses in chemistry and biochemistry or from the list of upper division chemistry courses acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Biochemistry Option, Plan A degree. No more than four units of 6900 and three units of 6830 may be included. A maximum of ten units from applicable courses in Biological Sciences may be selected from the following:
   • BIOL 4450 Cell Culture Techniques (4)
   • BIOL 4490 Bioinformatics (4)
   • BIOL 6141 Advanced Molecular Techniques (4)
   • BIOL 6151, 6152 Cell and Molecular Biology I, II (5, 5)

   Additional units must be selected to replace any courses in (1) and (2) above taken as an undergraduate.

   Upper Division Chemistry Courses Acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Biochemistry Option, Plan A Degree:

   • CHEM 3531, 3532 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 each), 4161, 4162 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 each), 4180 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2), 4240 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4), 4311 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4), 4440 Protein Structure (3), 4450 Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3), 4460 Major Organ Biochemistry (3), 4601, 4602 Environmental Chemistry I, II (4 each), 4700 Survey of Chemical Literature (2)
4. Submit to the department an acceptable master's degree thesis (University Thesis, CHEM 6910).

M.S. Chemistry, Option in Biochemistry, Plan B

1. Prerequisite: One year of undergraduate biochemistry.
2. Complete a total of 21 units in the following required chemistry courses:
   • CHEM 4240 Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4)
   • CHEM 6430 Protein Chemistry Techniques (4)
   • CHEM 4700 Survey of Chemical Literature (2)
   • CHEM 6521 The Chemical Bond (3)
     OR CHEM 4521 Elements of Chemical Thermodynamics (4)
   • CHEM 6820 Seminar (1, 1, 1)
   • CHEM 6850 Methods of Graduate Research (3)
   • CHEM 6901 Comprehensive Review (2)
3. Complete a minimum of 12 units from the Advanced Topics courses CHEM 6310, 6410, and 6510.
4. Complete additional units to total the minimum 45 units required--to be selected, with the approval of the student's advisor, from additional graduate courses in chemistry and biochemistry or from the list of upper division chemistry courses acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Biochemistry Option, Plan B degree. No more than two units of 6900 and none of 6830 or 6910 may be included. A maximum of ten units from applicable courses in Biological Sciences may be selected from the following:
   • BIOL 4450 Cell Culture Techniques (4)
   • BIOL 4490 Bioinformatics (4)
   • BIOL 6141 Advanced Molecular Techniques (4)
   • BIOL 6151, 6152 Cell and Molecular Biology I, II (5, 5)

   Additional units must be taken to replace any courses in (1) or (2) above that were taken as an undergraduate.

   Upper Division Chemistry Courses Acceptable for the M.S. Chemistry, Biochemistry Option, Plan B Degree:

   • CHEM 3531, 3532 Physical Chemistry Laboratory (2 each), 4161, 4162 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 each), 4180 Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory (2), 4311 Advanced Organic Chemistry (4), 4440 Protein Structure (3), 4450 Nucleic Acid Chemistry (3), 4460 Major Organ Biochemistry (3), 4601, 4602 Environmental Chemistry I, II (4 each)
5. Complete a literature review paper and pass a comprehensive examination consisting of an oral portion covering the review paper and a written portion covering coursework applied to the degree [CHEM 6901 Comprehensive Review (2)].

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Other Degree Requirements

In addition to departmental requirements, every student must also satisfy the university requirements for graduation which are described in the Graduate Degree Information chapter of this catalog. These include the 32-unit residence requirement, the five year rule on currency of subject matter, the minimum number of units of 6000-level courses, the 3.00 grade point average, and the University Writing Skills Requirement. For information on meeting the University Writing Skills Requirement, see the Testing Office website at www.csueastbay.edu/testing or call 510.885.3661.

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Graduate Courses

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