university of chicago chemistry phd

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Department of Chemistry

• Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics
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This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, plesae visit http://catalog.uchicago.edu .

• Viresh Rawal
• Paul Alivisatos
• Aaron Dinner 
• Guangbin Dong
• Gregory Engel
• Laura Gagliardi
• Giulia Galli, Molecular Engineering - Associate Appointment
• Philippe M. Guyot Sionnest
• Michael D. Hopkins
• Yamuna Krishnan
• Ka Yee Christina Lee
• David Mazziotti
• Jiwoong Park
• Joseph Piccirilli, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Benoit Roux, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Stuart Rowan, Molecular Engineering - Associate Appointment
• Norbert F. Scherer
• Elena Shevchenko, Professor Part-Time
• Steven J. Sibener
• Scott Snyder
• Jack Szostak, as of 9/1/2022
• Dmitri Talapin
• Andrei Tokmakoff
• Gregory Voth

Associate Professors

• John Anderson
• Bryan Dickinson
• Raymond Moellering
• Surinarayanan Vaikuntanathan

Assistant Professors

• Weixin Tang
• Anna Wuttig

Senior Instructional Professors

• Vera Dragisich
• Valerie Keller
• Britni Ratliff
• Meishan Zhao

Assistant Instructional Professor

• Shaunna McLeod
• Hannah Lant

Emeritus Faculty

• Laurie Jeanne Butler
• Philip E. Eaton
• Robert Haselkorn, MGCB
• Richard F. Jordan
• Stephen Kent, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Donald H. Levy
• James R. Norris, Jr.
• Takeshi Oka
• Stuart A. Rice
• James Skinner, Molecular Engineering - Associate Appointment
• Hisashi Yamamoto

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemistry offers wide opportunity and unusual flexibility for advanced study and research, and is designed to encourage individuality, independence, and excellence in students. Most students select their research advisor by winter quarter of their first year and are engaged in research by the spring quarter. The department has neither a system of cumulative examinations nor a written major examination. There are relatively few course requirements and great flexibility as to which courses may be taken.

In the Division of the Physical Sciences barriers between departments are low. Students in the Department of Chemistry often take courses in other departments and can even earn the degree in chemistry for research that has been done under the supervision of a member of another department. Students are encouraged to fashion special programs of study under the guidance of the faculty.

Application

A completed application will include undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and the results of the GRE examination (the advanced test in chemistry is recommended). Foreign applicants must also submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS.

Students are normally admitted beginning with the autumn quarter of each year. The sequential nature of some of our courses makes this the best time to begin graduate studies. Although applications may be considered at any time at the discretion of the admissions committee, students are strongly encouraged to complete their applications by December 1st. The department has no admissions quota and in recent years the entering class has numbered between 38 and 55.

A well defined Master of Science (S.M.) program of appropriate rigor is maintained, but the Department of Chemistry does not offer financial support to students whose degree goal is the master’s degree. This degree is neither a prerequisite for, nor a forerunner of, the Ph.D. degree, although it may be acquired along the way if a student so desires.

The Department of Chemistry participates actively in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) administered by the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. MSTP is a structured six year program leading to both the M.D. degree and the Ph.D. in chemistry. Full tuition and a stipend are awarded for the six year period. MSTP is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and is open only to U.S. citizens.

Financial Support

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program are offered financial support. Generally this takes the form of a first year teaching assistantship which provides a complete merit tuition scholarship and pays a competitive monthly stipend. Teaching assistants are usually assigned to one of the undergraduate laboratory courses. Duties involve supervising one class section (13-18 students) for one afternoon per week, holding a discussion session and office hours, and assisting with grading. The total time required is about fifteen hours per week.

By the end of the third quarter students have usually selected their research supervisor. An appointment as a research assistant (stipend plus tuition) normally continues throughout the period of research.

There are several special supplemental fellowships and scholarships offered by the department and the University. All students seeking admission are automatically considered in the competition for these awards. No separate application is required. Students are urged to compete for the many national and other external fellowships available.

Advanced Degrees

The department administers basic examinations in the fields of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry in the autumn, winter, and spring quarters. Graduate students are expected to take these examinations upon entering the department. Deficiencies evidenced by these examinations must be remedied and the examinations passed prior to the end of the third quarter of residence (not counting summer quarter).

In the first year, students must satisfactorily complete nine courses. At least six of these must be 30000 level courses from the offerings of the Department of Chemistry or of related departments in the Divisions of the Physical and the Biological Sciences, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Grades of C or better are expected. The remaining three courses will consist of the Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry, CHEM 5000x series.  Other courses may include Chemistry 35000 and/or 40000 level chemistry research courses; however, one may not register for these courses during the autumn quarter. An advisor assists students in formulating programs of study that will best satisfy personal needs and departmental requirements. Courses taken outside the department to satisfy the first year requirements must be approved by the advisor.

Students who have completed all courses with grades of C or better (P in research courses) may be recommended for the S.M. degree; these students may, at the discretion of a faculty member, be required to submit a paper on their work in CHEM 35000 or a 40000 level research course.

At the end of the spring quarter in the first year, the faculty review the student’s overall record. Course performance is a major part of this review; a B average or better in all 30000 level courses (excluding CHEM 35000 ) is expected. At this time the department will advise students whether they are qualified to continue studies and to prepare for the Ph.D. candidacy examination described below. A student seeking admission to Ph.D. candidacy must take the candidacy examination before the end of his or her fifth quarter in residence (normally October; for this purpose summer quarter is counted as a quarter in residence). This examination is based on the student’s written research prospectus. The student presents the research prospectus to the committee, and must be prepared to discuss the relevant chemical literature, progress to date, plans for future work, and the relationship of the research to other chemical problems.

The faculty review the recommendations of the candidacy examining committee and, after consideration of the student’s academic record, vote on whether or not to recommend that the student be admitted to candidacy. All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to participate in some form of teaching. Normally this involves serving as a teaching assistant for three quarters in the first year.

The Ph.D. degree is granted upon satisfactory completion of scholarly research work, presented in a written thesis, discussed in a public seminar, and defended orally before a faculty committee.

Students should especially note the following:

• It is the responsibility of the individual research sponsor to monitor the progress of a student’s research. Unsatisfactory progress may result in termination of financial support and/or dismissal from the Ph.D. program.
• Satisfied the basic examination requirement
• Satisfied the course requirements
• Demonstrated satisfactory progress in research and teaching
• Passed the candidacy examination
• Students should consider satisfying any or all course requirements by taking proficiency examinations. Application to take a proficiency examination should be made directly to the person who will be teaching the particular course. The examinations will be administered during the first week of the quarter in which the course is offered. No stigma is attached to failing a proficiency examination.

Chemistry Courses

CHEM 30100. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. 100 Units.

Group theory and its applications in inorganic chemistry are developed. These concepts are used in surveying the chemistry of inorganic compounds from the standpoint of quantum chemistry, chemical bonding principles, and the relationship between structure and reactivity.

Instructor(s): W. Lin     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20100 and CHEM 26100

CHEM 30200. Synthesis and Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of important physical methods for the characterization of inorganic molecules. Topics may include NMR, IR, RAMAN, EPR, and electronic and photoelectron spectroscopy; electrochemical methods; and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Instructor(s): W. Lin     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 30100

CHEM 30400. Organometallic Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course covers preparation and properties of organometallic compounds (notably those of the transition elements, their reactions, and the concepts of homogeneous catalysis).

Instructor(s): G. Dong     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20100 and CHEM 26100 Equivalent Course(s): CHEM 20200

CHEM 30600. Chemistry Of The Elements and Materials. 100 Units.

This course surveys the descriptive chemistries of the main-group elements and the transition metals from a synthetic perspective, and reaction chemistry of inorganic molecules is systematically developed.

Instructor(s): J. Anderson     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20100

CHEM 30900. Bioinorganic Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course covers various roles of metals in biology. Topics include coordination chemistry of bioinorganic units, substrate binding and activation, electron-transfer proteins, atom and group transfer chemistry, metal homeostasis, ion channels, metals in medicine, and model systems.

Instructor(s): C. He     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20200 and 22200/23200

CHEM 31358. Simulation, Modeling, and Computation in Biophysics. 100 Units.

This course develops skills for modeling biomolecular systems. Fundamental knowledge covers basic statistical mechanics, free energy, and kinetic concepts. Tools include molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, random walk and diffusion equations, and methods to generate random Gaussian and Poisson distributors. A term project involves writing a small program that simulates a process. Familiarity with a programming language or Mathlab would be valuable.

Instructor(s): B. Roux     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence, BIOS 20200 and BIOS 26210-26211, or consent from instructor Note(s): CB Equivalent Course(s): BCMB 31358, BIOS 21358, CPNS 31358

CHEM 32100. Physical Organic Chemistry I. 100 Units.

This course focuses on the quantitative aspects of structure and reactivity, molecular orbital theory, and the insight it provides into structures and properties of molecules, stereochemistry, thermochemistry, kinetics, substituent and isotope effects, and pericyclic reactions.

Instructor(s): M. Levin     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200 and 26200, or consent of instructor

CHEM 32200. Organic Synthesis and Structure. 100 Units.

This course considers the mechanisms, applicability, and limitations of the major reactions in organic chemistry, as well as of stereochemical control in synthesis.

Instructor(s): V. Rawal     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200 or consent of instructor

CHEM 32300. Strategies and Tactics of Organic Synthesis. 100 Units.

This course discusses the important classes for organic transformation. Topics include carbon-carbon bond formation; oxidation; and reduction using a metal, non-metal, or acid-base catalyst. We also cover design of the reagents and the scope and limitation of the processes.

Instructor(s): S. Snyder     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200 or consent of instructor

CHEM 33200-33300. Chemical Biology I-II.

This course emphasizes the concepts of physical organic chemistry (e.g., mechanism, molecular orbital theory, thermodynamics, kinetics) in a survey of modern research topics in chemical biology. Topics, which are taken from recent literature, include the roles of proteins in signal transduction pathways, the biosynthesis of natural products, strategies to engineer cells with novel functions, the role of spatial and temporal inhomogeneities in cell function, and organic synthesis and protein engineering for the development of molecular tools to characterize cellular activities.

CHEM 33200. Introduction to Chemical Biology. 100 Units.

This course will introduce biomolecules, chemical biology approaches and genomics from chemistry perspectives. The course will be an introduction to genomics and genomics tools in research and medicine, and will provide a well-rounded view of cell structure and function, the main signaling pathways in cells, and modern methods to chemically probe, program and reprogram cells.

Instructor(s): Y. Krishnan.     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in CHEM 22200 or 23200, or consent of instructor Equivalent Course(s): CHEM 23300

CHEM 33300. Chemical Biology II. 100 Units.

This course will further explore the principles of biochemistry and cell biology from a chemical perspective. Molecular structure, reactivity and functional organization in biological systems - ranging from single molecules to whole organisms will be examined. Chemical concepts and tools will be applied to solve problems at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine. This course aims to develop and refine skills on experimental design, data analysis, interpretation and presentation while promoting the critical analysis of recent research in chemical biology. The focus of this course will be on the design, synthesis, validation and application of chemical probes, broadly defined, in modern biological research.

Instructor(s): W. Tang. Y. Krishnan     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 33200, or consent of instructor

CHEM 33800. Current Topics and Methods in Chemical Biology. 100 Units.

The aim of this course is to teach modern chemical biology methods, technologies, and applications as applied to problems and challenges in human health and biotechnology. Both classics in translational chemical biology and emerging technologies will be used to teach general principles in the application of chemistry to therapeutic development and biotechnology. As compared to the Chemical Biology course track (Chem332/Chem333), this course is geared more toward non-experts in chemical biology or those with a less extensive chemistry background.

Instructor(s): B. Dickinson. R. Moellering     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200

CHEM 33900. Discovery and Translation of Molecular Therapeutics. 100 Units.

The aim of this course is to broadly expose students to emerging classes of molecular therapeutics and diagnostics with a focus on the chemistry and molecular engineering underlying their discovery, development and translation into use by society. This material will be presented through the lens of academic, industrial and clinical experts, which will collectively expose students to the diverse disciplines that come together in the creation of new medicines and diagnostics.

Instructor(s): R. Moellering.     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 33200 or CHEM 33800

CHEM 35000. Intro To Research: Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

For course description contact Chemistry.

CHEM 36100. Wave Mechanics and Spectroscopy. 100 Units.

This course presents the introductory concepts, general principles, and applications of wave mechanics to spectroscopy.

Instructor(s): A. Dinner     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26300

CHEM 36200. Quantum Mechanics. 100 Units.

This course builds upon the concepts introduced in CHEM 36100 with greater detail provided for the role of quantum mechanics in chemical physics.

Instructor(s): D. Mazziotti     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 36100

CHEM 36300. Statistical Thermodynamics. 100 Units.

This course covers the thermodynamics and introductory statistical mechanics of systems at equilibrium.

Instructor(s): S. Vaikuntanathan     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26100-26200

CHEM 36400. Advanced Statistical Mechanics. 100 Units.

Topics covered in this course may include statistics of quantum mechanical systems, weakly and strongly interacting classical systems, phase transitions and critical phenomena, systems out of equilibrium, and polymers.

Instructor(s): V. Goth     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 36300 or equivalent

CHEM 36500. Chemical Dynamics. 100 Units.

This course develops a molecular-level description of chemical kinetics, reaction dynamics, and energy transfer in both gases and liquids. Topics include potential energy surfaces, collision dynamics and scattering theory, reaction rate theory, collisional and radiationless energy transfer, molecule-surface interactions, Brownian motion, time correlation functions, and computer simulations.

Instructor(s): G. Voth     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 36100 required; 36300 recommended

CHEM 36800. Quantum Molecular and Materials Modeling. 100 Units.

Quantum mechanical methods, including quantum chemistry, density functional theory (DFT), and many body perturbation theory, for simulating the properties of molecules and materials will be explored in this course. Numerical algorithms and techniques will be introduced that allow for solution of approximate forms of the Schroedinger and Boltzmann Equations that model structural and transport properties of molecules and materials. The coupling of DFT with molecular dynamics will be detailed for determining finite temperature properties. Coupling of DFT with spin Hamiltonians to study dynamical spin correlations in materials will also be described. Examples of the application of quantum mechanical methods to materials for energy conversion and quantum information technologies will be provided.

Instructor(s): Laura Gagliardi,Giulia Galli     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): MENG 21300 or CHEM 26100 or PHYS 23400 or instructor consent Equivalent Course(s): CHEM 26800, MENG 25510, MENG 35510

CHEM 37000. Introduction to Laboratory Research. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): Moellering, R.     Terms Offered: Autumn

CHEM 38700. Biophysical Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course develops a physicochemical description of biological systems. Topics include macromolecules, fluid-phase lipid-bilayer structures in aqueous solution, biomembrane mechanics, control of biomolecular assembly, and computer simulations of biomolecular systems.

Instructor(s): R. Benoit     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): ONE of the following: CHEM 31358 Simulation, Modeling, and Computation in Biophysics; CHEM 36300 Statistical Thermodynamics; CHEM 36400 Advanced Statistical Mechanics. Knowledge of basic calculus, matrix algebra, statistical mechanics, and kinetics are recommended.

CHEM 39000. Solids, Materials, Surfaces. 100 Units.

This course is an introduction to modern materials chemistry. It covers basic chemistry and physics of condensed systems, such as solids, polymers, and nanomaterials. The electronic structure of metals, semiconductors and magnetically ordered phases will be discussed. We will review optical and electronic properties of different classes of materials using examples of hard and soft condensed matter systems and drawing structure-property relationships for conventional solids, polymers, and nanomaterials. Finally, the course will cover the fundamentals of surface science and material synthesis, applying modern understanding of nucleation and growth phenomena.

Instructor(s): D. Talapin     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26100, CHEM 26200, and CHEM 26300, or equivalent Equivalent Course(s): MENG 35200

CHEM 39100. Polymer Synthesis. 100 Units.

This course introduces the most important polymerization reactions, focusing on their reaction mechanisms and kinetic aspects. Topics include free radical and ionic chain polymerization, step-growth polymerization, ring-opening, insertion, controlled living polymerization, crosslinking, copolymerization, and chemical modification of preformed polymers.

Instructor(s): Stuart Rowan     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22000 and CHEM 22100 Equivalent Course(s): MENG 25110, MENG 35110

CHEM 39200. Polymers. 100 Units.

The course covers the following advanced topics in polymer science, by a combination of lectures and student presentations: 1) Electrical-conductivity, mobility, applications in various fields 2) Biological polymers-biocompatibility, degradable drug delivery, (Protein, DNA and RNA delivery), tissue engineering 3) Liquid crystal polymers 4) Polymers for catalytic function 5) Ferroelectric/ferromagnetic polymers 6) Optical polymers (linear, nonlinear optical polymers) 7) Block copolymers for nanostructures 8) Supramolecular polymers-polymers with self-healing properties.

Instructor(s): Luping Yu     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22000-22100-22200 and CHEM 26100

CHEM 39300. Electronic and Quantum Materials for Technology. 100 Units.

This is a one-quarter introductory course on the science and engineering of electronic and quantum materials. The intended audience is upper-level undergraduate students and first-year graduate students in Molecular Engineering and other related fields, including Chemistry and Physics. We will learn the basics of electrical and optical properties of electronic materials, including semiconductors, metals, and insulators starting from a simple band picture, and will discuss how these materials enable modern electronic and optoelectronic devices and circuitry. We will also explore the modern synthesis techniques for these materials and the effects of reduced dimensions and emergent quantum properties. No comprehensive exposure to quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, or advanced mathematical skills will be assumed, even though working knowledge of these topics will be helpful.

Instructor(s): Jiwoong Park     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26200 or PHYS 23500 or instructor consent Equivalent Course(s): MENG 26600, MENG 36600

CHEM 40000. Rsch: Related Depts/Institutes. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Related Depts/Institutes under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Physical Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40200. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Readings and Research for working on their PhD

CHEM 40300. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 40400. Rsch: Org/Phys/Polymer Chem. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Org/Phys/Polymer Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40500. Rsch: Laser/Surface/Phys Chem. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Laser/Surface/Physical Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40600. Research: Bioorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Bioorganic Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40700. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 40800. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40900. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41000. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41200. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41300. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41400. Research: Org/Biological Chem. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41500. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41600. Research: Biophysical Chem. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Biophysical Chemistry under the supervision of professor.

CHEM 41700. Research: Geochemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Geochemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 41800. Rsch: Org/Phys-Org Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Org/Phys-Org Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 41900. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42000. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42200. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42300. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42400. Research: Org/Biological Chem. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42500. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42600. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42700. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42800. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42900. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43000. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43100. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Inorganic Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 43200. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43300. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43400. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43500. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43600. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43800. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43900. Research: Org/Biotheoretical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44000. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44100. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44200. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44300. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44400. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44500. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44600. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44700. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44800. Research: Organic Chemistry. 100-300 Units.

CHEM 44900. Polymer Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Laboratory Research on an original project in Polymer Chemistry for Ph.D. dissertation.

CHEM 45000. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 45100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Laboratory research in physical chemistry.

Instructor(s): Sarah King     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter. Start in 2018 - 2019 and continue every year/quarter after that

CHEM 45200. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Conduct research towards a dissertation research project in Organic Chemistry.

Instructor(s): Prof. Mark Levin     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45300. Research: Organic/Biological Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Conduct research for Ph.D. dissertation in the laboratory of a Chemistry Department faculty member.

Instructor(s): Prof. Weixing Tang     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter. Offered every quarter

CHEM 45400. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Research in computational/theoretical/physical chemistry toward a Ph.D. dissertation project.

Instructor(s): Prof. Laura Gagliardi     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45500. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Ph.D. laboratory research in a faculty research laboratory.

Instructor(s): Anna Wuttig     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45600. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Laboratory research on a Ph.D. dissertation project in Inorganic Chemistry.

Instructor(s): Paul Alivatsos     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45700. RESEARCH: ORGANIC/BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 300.00 Units.

Conduct Ph.D.dissertation research in the laboratory of a faculty member in Chemistry.

Instructor(s): Prof. Jack Szostak     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 49000. Chemistry External Research/ Professional Development. 300.00 Units.

Off site research internship.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter Prerequisite(s): Approval of dissertation advisor

CHEM 50000-50001-50002. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry I-II-III.

This sequence will extend the traditional two-week departmental TA training into a full year, covering both the materials that are critical to becoming an excellent TA and the skills to produce well-rounded PhD candidates. At the end of this sequence, students are expected to develop an enhanced understanding and talent of critical thinking, an enriched knowledge base that is critical in solving real-world problems, an improved ability in the consideration and use of innovative pedagogical tools, the ability to transition into independent research, and effective skills in preparing high-quality written reports and oral presentations, as well as to begin thinking about career development skills.

CHEM 50000. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry I. 100 Units.

All organic chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D01; all general chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D02.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Autumn Note(s): All organic chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D01; all general chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D02.

CHEM 50001. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry II. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Winter

CHEM 50002. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry III. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Spring

CHEM 70000. Advanced Study: Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Advanced Study: Chemistry

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College of Pharmacy - Chicago | Rockford

Phd in pharmaceutical sciences.

We enable students with backgrounds in fundamental sciences to become leaders in pharmaceutical sciences

Located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Chicago, UIC's PhD Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the strongest and largest of its type in the United States. Our college is consistently ranked in the top ten in terms of funds secured annually from the National Institutes of Health and by US News and World Report. We pride ourselves on giving students from all types of backgrounds the tools they need to become independent researchers. Students in the program select one of the program concentrations, described below.

Important dates Heading link Copy link

We are so pleased you are considering graduate studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago! Although Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the best graduate programs of its kind in the country, our real pride is mentoring students into independent researchers who become leaders in our field. The program has some unique strengths, including providing flexibility to carry out internships in your later years. Have a look around our website. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . We look forward to reading your application! Debra Tonetti, PhD  |  Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Program Coursework Heading link Copy link

All students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program take the following courses. Additional concentration coursework is also required and is shown in each of the concentration tabs.

• Drug Discovery, Design, and Development (PSCI 501, 3 credit hours)
• Training in Research Presentation (PSCI 502, 1 credit hour)
• PSCI 503: Biostatistics for Pharmaceutical Scientists (1 credit hour)
• BSTT 400: Biostatistics I (4 credit hours) [Note: BSTT 400 is required for the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration]
• Scientific Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research (GC 501, 1 credit hour)
• Research Rotation (PSCI 592; 3-4 credit hours)
• PSCI PhD Course Requirements
• PSCI Department Course Descriptions

Program Concentrations Heading link Copy link

Five concentrations comprise the PhD program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each of them. To see the faculty mentors for each concentration, visit the Faculty Mentors page .

Chemistry in Drug Discovery

Concentration description.

Faculty in the Chemistry in Drug Discovery concentration use the tools and techniques of chemistry to discover and develop new chemical probes and potential therapeutics. Students in this concentration learn how to design, synthesize, characterize and analyze small molecules, peptides, and proteins.

Concentration Coursework

Students in the Chemistry in Drug Discovery Concentration take the following courses:

• Fundamental of Drug Action I (PHAR 422, 4 credit hours)
• Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (PSCI 530, 5 credit hours)
• Electives (9 credit hours)

Concentration Coordinator

Prof. Terry Moore ([email protected])

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics

The Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics concentration is designed to provide advanced understanding of fundamental causes of diseases, strategies that identify new drug targets, and mechanistic explanations of how drugs work (or fail) from the perspective of the target and systems they impact. Faculty affiliated with MMT integrate a wide variety of molecular, biochemical, genetic, bioinformatic, and bioengineering approaches to study mechanisms of pathogenesis ranging from infectious diseases to cancer. Students will enroll in fundamental molecular and cellular biology courses and select elective courses in areas of their focused research.

Students in the Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics Concentration take the following courses:

• Biochemistry (e.g., GEMS 501 or equivalent graduate-level biochemistry course, 3 credit hours)
• Molecular Biology (e.g., GEMS 502 or equivalent molecular biology course, 3 credit hours)
• Biostatistics I (BSTT 400, 4 credit hours)
• Molecular Genetics (GEMS 511, 3 credit hours)
• Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling (GEMS 515, 3 credit hours)
• Microbial Pathogenesis (MIM 560, 3 credit hours)
• Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (PSCI 540, 3 credit hours)

Prof. Alessandra Eustaquio ( [email protected] )

Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery

Faculty in the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration use the tools and techniques of physical and biologic sciences and engineering to understand and develop delivery systems and formulations for therapeutic molecules and control the biodistribution of therapeutic molecules. Students in this concentration learn how to design, synthesize, characterize and analyze novel materials and drug delivery systems and design and develop technologies related to therapeutic distribution in the body.

Students in the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Concentration take the following courses:

• *This 4 credit hour course will count 1 hour toward the program core statistics requirement and 3 hours toward the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration requirements. Students will not receive credit for two introductory statistics courses.
• Essentials for Animal Research (GC 470, 1 credit hour)
• Experimental Animal Techniques (GC 471, 2 credit hours)
• Principles of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery (PSCI 510, 3 credit hours)

Prof. Richard Gemeinhart ([email protected])

Pharmacognosy

Faculty research programs in the Pharmacognosy concentration aim to develop therapeutics from natural products and to study the mechanisms of pain, cancers, and a wide array of infectious and tropical diseases. Students of this concentration are trained in a combination of bioinformatics, synthetic biology, genetic engineering, chromatography, and spectroscopy to achieve these goals.

Students in the Pharmacognosy Concentration take the following courses:

• Research Techniques in Pharmacognosy (PSCI 520 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)
• Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (PSCI 521 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)
• Advanced Pharmacognosy (PSCI 522 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)

Prof. Brian Murphy ([email protected])

PharmD/PhD Joint Program Heading link Copy link

Pharmaceutical Sciences participates in the joint PharmD/PhD program, which trains students for careers in academic pharmacy and bench science research. Students admitted to this joint program participate in the PharmD curriculum and pursue original doctoral research projects in the laboratories of the university’s graduate faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The joint program offers the potential of reducing the time of earning both degrees in sequence (9 or more years) by approximately two years. The trade-off is that both degrees are awarded at the end of the training period and neither degree can be received before the other is completed.

The PharmD/PhD program is for exceptional, highly motivated and achieving students ready to meet the challenge of increased academic load and independent research project.

Program coordinator: Dr. Lindsey McQuade ( [email protected] )

• Joint PharmD/PhD Course Requirements
• Joint PharmD/PhD Program Page

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$ 35,162 annual graduate stipend for students on teaching assistantship or research assistantship

33 internships completed by department graduate students in the last five years

19 students currently on training grant or fellowship

# 7 nationally ranked College of Pharmacy according to US News

# 7 nationally ranked total research funding among Colleges of Pharmacy according to AACP

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The Pharmaceutical Sciences Program at UIC offers a supportive, inclusive environment and rigorous academic preparation for students who are interested in careers in pharmaceutical sciences. If you have any questions about the program or about your application, please contact [email protected].

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• Outcomes data is based on students who completed a PhD between academic years 2010-11 to 2014-15
• Student enrollments in and degrees conferred by the joint MD/PHD programs with the Pritzker School of Medicine are not included in these reports.
• Data in these charts follow U.S. reporting requirements, which currently allow only “male” and “female” as gender categories.
• International is defined by IPEDS as nonresident alien. View IPEDS'  Definitions for New Race and Ethnicity Categories .

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Each of the graduate programs at the University of Chicago use an online application system, most of them coordinated through the Graduate Admissions office. Applicants to  the Law School and the Pritzker School of Medicine must apply through the LSAC and AMCAS systems, respectively, and the Booth School of Business manages its own admissions platform. Because the actual admissions process takes place within each school, division, and department, if you wish to apply to more than one program, you will need to create a separate application for each one, often in different online systems. Be sure you are creating your account in the right system for the program you want to apply to. We offer some general guidelines about the application process here, but encourage you to follow up directly with the admission staff for your program(s) of interest with questions specific to their application process.  

General Guidelines  

• Find the link to the online application and instructions for each of the schools and divisions on our How to Apply page or on the webpages of the programs that interest you.  
• Sign up for an online application account in the correct application system; each academic unit has a different online application site.  
• Register for and complete any and all standardized tests and keep that information ready when you work on your application. Have official scores submitted electronically by the testing agency to the University of Chicago by your application deadline.  
• Contact individuals you would like to have write letters of recommendation for your application, and give them plenty of time to do so. Detailed instructions will be included with your program’s application. You should enter them on the application as soon as you create your account to give them plenty of time to submit their letter.
• Secure copies of transcripts from all post-secondary schools you have attended, and if they are not already in English, secure translations. The application system requires a transcript to be uploaded for every school attended. We do not require official transcripts for the application process.
• Update your resume or CV.  
• Carefully prepare the specific components of each application, typically written statements or essays.  
• Submit your application well before the posted deadline, and check your email and online account for any updates that might come from the admissions office. We recommend submitting at least a week before the deadline to allow time to resolve any issues you may encounter.
• There are no separate application requirements specifically for international students. All applicants must meet our English proficiency requirement or qualify for a waiver, regardless of citizenship. Our transcript requirement is based on the language of the document, not the country it is located in: if the document is not in English, it must be uploaded with a certified English translation.

Deadlines  

As a general rule, applications should be submitted as early as possible so that you can track the status of your application and the receipt of official test scores and letters of recommendation. You should log into and check the status of your application frequently once you have submitted it. In most cases, you will not be allowed to submit any additional documents after you submit your application.  

For information specific to your program or application (including deadlines), visit the program’s webpage or contact an admissions representative from your particular graduate program.  

General Admissions Details/Required Materials  

Application fees and waivers  .

The applications to our programs require an accompanying fee. This fee will be clearly indicated in the instructions on your application, and you will be prompted to pay the non-refundable application fee once you submit your application. If you plan to request a fee waiver, do not submit the application fee until after your fee waiver request has been reviewed. If necessary, you will be able to return to your online account to pay the application fee. If you pay the fee before your waiver request is reviewed, you will not receive a refund.

Fee waiver requests, if accepted, are either part of the application itself, or will be posted to your application account portal after you submit your application. Once you submit a fee waiver request, the school or division will be in touch with you if they require further information. Please note that with a few exceptions, most programs will only grant waivers based on financial hardship to U.S. citizens and permanent residents.  

Participants in certain programs, including the Leadership Alliance, Institute for the Recruitment of Teachers (IRT), National Name Exchange, and those who will submit a Big Ten Academic Alliance  FreeApp request, should complete the fee waiver forms as part of the application, and submit any requested documentation through those organizations, rather than submitting the application fee. If you experience any difficulty with these program-based fee waivers, please contact us at  [email protected] .  

Prior Education and Transcripts  

All applicants to our graduate and professional programs are expected to be enrolled in or to have completed a bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from an accredited college or university. Applicants from a three-year bachelor’s program will be given due consideration. Because all of our programs feature competitive admission, no particular academic degree or background will guarantee admission to one of our graduate divisions.

As part of the online application, you will need to upload a copy of your transcript for every college or university you have attended for credit, including the page(s) which provides details on the grading criteria and other information. If you are currently enrolled in school, you should upload a current transcript (or something that shows what you are currently enrolled in, if you just began a new program) available at the time the application is ready to be submitted. Once fall term grades are posted to your record, you should upload a revised transcript through your online account status portal.  

Applicants who have attended institutions whose transcripts are not in English must submit those transcripts along with certified English translations. Both the original transcript and the certified translation should be uploaded to your online application.  

Official documents – issued by your institution electronically, or in sealed envelopes – are only required if you are admitted and plan to enroll. At that point, the school or division will tell you exactly what their official document requirements are, and the deadline for submitting them. Generally, you will be asked to submit an official copy of final transcripts showing the degree(s) awarded before you can enroll. Note: any discrepancy between your personal copy and the official, final copies may be grounds for rescinding an offer of admission.  

Standardized Testing  

Please read the requirements for applying to your program, as each one will have different instructions regarding standardized tests. If you are unsure about testing requirements, feel free to reach out to the admissions staff at that particular program for clarification. In most cases, GRE and subject test scores may be submitted simply to the University of Chicago, and your scores will be shared with the program(s) to which you are applying. If you are required to submit any test score, a valid electronic score must be received from the testing agency to meet the requirement.

University of Chicago School and Program Codes  

• ETS School Code (GRE, TOEFL) for all programs except the Booth School of Business and the Harris School of Public Policy:  1832  
• ETS School Code (GRE, TOEFL) for the Booth School of Business:  1832-02  
• ETS School Code (GRE, TOEFL) for the Harris School of Public Policy:  1849 (applicants to Harris may send their scores to either 1832 or 1849 )
• GMAT, University of Chicago-Financial Mathematics:  H9X-WG-39  
• GMAT, Booth School of Business:  H9X-9F-50  
• GMAT, Harris School of Public Policy-Masters in Public Policy:  H9X-9Z-17   
• GMAT, University of Chicago- Masters  Program in Computer Science:  H9X-WG-56  
• IELTS does not use a program code for electronic delivery. Please contact your test center and request that your scores be sent to our IELTS e-download account: University of Chicago – Graduate Enrollment, 970 East 58th Street, Third Floor, Chicago, IL 60637.  

For all programs except Booth, Law, and Medicine, our office will send an automated email confirming receipt of your score(s) within 24 hours of when we receive them. That confirmation email will include further instructions on how to be sure that your scores match to your application. The most common problems are differences between your application record and the information we receive from the testing agency. Be sure that your name and email address match exactly on both your application and the test, and that you have entered your date of birth correctly in your application record.

If you need to contact us about your test score, include your full name, date of birth, which program you are applying to, and the reference number listed on your application, in addition to the specifics of the test name and date, and the date you received your confirmation of receipt email from us. 

Candidate Statement/Statement of Purpose/Personal Statement

A statement of some kind is a required component of nearly every application. The expectations for this differ between fields, so it is critical to read the instructions carefully.  Your statement should usually address your past work, preparation for the intended field of study, relevant background and interests, academic plans, and career goals. It should be used to describe your reasons for applying to the particular department or program, and in some cases you are also expected to list the specific faculty members with whom you are most interested in working, particularly in PhD applications. This statement will assist the admissions committee in evaluating your preparation for graduate study, and help them understand your academic and professional experience, training, and interests beyond what is apparent from your transcripts, as well the specific fit between you and the department. In some cases this will be separate from a statement regarding your research or academic interests, but for doctoral programs especially, it is usually a single document.  

Interviews  

If a video statement or interview is required for your admission, the admissions committee for your program will indicate that in the instructions, and they will provide information about the interview process.  

Admissions Decisions  

Each degree program will release decisions at different times, and some degree programs may release decisions on a more “rolling” basis instead of all at once. The admissions committee will contact you directly about the status of your application.  

Still have questions about the process? Please visit the  Application FAQs  page for answers to frequently–asked questions.  

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We study how biomolecules function and interact to drive the complex, diverse, and adaptive behaviors of living systems. Our focus is on biological mechanism at the atomic level. We are pioneers in all areas of biophysics, structural biology, and protein engineering and design.

We have strong collaborative ties to the IBD , Chemistry ,  GGSB , MGCB , and Neurobiology .  

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our priority is to build and maintain a diverse faculty, student, postdoc, and staff community, and to cultivate a culture that is welcoming and supportive to all. We recognize that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core mission of developing and supporting excellence and innovation in scientific discovery, education, and public policy.

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Our program application is available here . Please indicate that you are applying to the Molecular Biosciences cluster , and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics program.

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2024-2025 graduate & professional catalog.

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Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. For questions regarding the application process, they are advised to contact the graduate coordinator ( [email protected] ). Complete transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate coursework must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Baccalaureate Field Chemistry or biochemistry. Other fields are considered on an individual basis.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 in mathematics and science courses (excluding independent study or research courses) and at least 2.75 for the final 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours if the university follows the quarter system) of undergraduate study.
• Tests Required None.
• TOEFL 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Test); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (Revised Paper-Delivered Test); , OR,
• IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four categories (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), OR ,
• PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three letters are required.
• Personal Statement Required as part of the Application for Graduate Appointment . The form is accessible online (click the down arrow in the top right corner to make it a fillable PDF). Statement should be submitted on a separate sheet. Research background and interests should be emphasized, and a discussion of the applicant's suitability to our graduate program should be provided.
• Nondegree Applicants Nondegree applicants must submit a transcript from their baccalaureate institution and a statement regarding their future plans.

Degree Requirements

After admission, all entering students must take placement examinations. The placement examinations, which are at a level of typical terminal college courses, are offered in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. All graduate students must show proficiency in three areas of their choice. A deficiency in an area must be remedied by taking an advanced undergraduate or a graduate-level course in the area.

Students seeking a PhD degree are encouraged to enter this program immediately after completion of their undergraduate studies. The MS degree is not a prerequisite to the PhD degree in Chemistry.

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 hours beyond the baccalaureate.
• Coursework At least 9 hours must be in lecture courses at the 500 level in the student’s major area and 3 hours must be in a chemistry lecture course at the 500 level (or 6 hours in lecture courses at the 400 level in one field) outside the student’s area of specialization. Students must meet the seminar requirements of their area of specialization within the program. Students found to be deficient in specific areas of chemistry on the basis of placement examinations may have to complete additional courses.
• Preliminary Examination Required. Candidates must fulfill the Assessment for Candidacy requirements and have a  Research Committee Meeting consisting of an oral examination and assessment of research progress by the end of the second year in the program. Advancing to candidacy is dependent on satisfactory completion of these requirements within the time limit set by the department.
• ​ Chemistry Education Research Students complete this  requirement by taking and passing an additional 400/500-level  course in Chemistry or in a field of educational research  approved by the advisor. Students also take and pass CHEM 570   during their second year, in advance of their  second year committee meeting.
• Analytical Chemistry: Students must pass CHEM 520   during their  second year, in advance of their second year committee  meeting, and an additional 400/500-level   course.
• Biochemistry: Students are required to take and pass CHEM 550 four times ( each semester during their first and second years).
• Inorganic Chemistry: Students are required to submit written  research reports at the end of the student’s second  semester.
• Organic Chemistry: Students are required to take and pass  CHEM 530 four times ( each semester during their first and second  years).
• Physical Chemistry: Students will be required to take and  pass CHEM 540 four times ( each semester during their first and second  years).
• Dissertation Required.

MS students who transfer to or enter the PhD program before completion of the MS degree are also required to meet these requirements by the end of their fourth semester 

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Neuroscience

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Graduate Studies

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Master of Science & Doctor of Philosophy degree programs.

Graduate students in the Department work closely with faculty research advisors in order to acquire the skills to become independent researchers and problem solvers. The faculty has been recognized by a number of prestigious awards over the past few years. Please view our research faculty page  for more information.

Graduate Handbook

We ask that you take the time to review the contents of our  Graduate Student Handbook  to familiarize yourself with important topics such as our degree and course requirements, cumulative examination information, safety requirements, departmental seminars, and review other miscellaneous but equally significant information.

A devoted  staff  and excellent support  facilities  aid the research of the faculty and students. The research laboratories of the Department are housed in two buildings constructed in the late 1960’s.

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“Doing my PhD at the Chemistry Department at UIC was a wonderful experience. Working in a small group, like most groups at UIC, gave me the opportunity to have a lot of input and guidance from my advisor, but also enough independence to make the transition towards the next step in my career easy. The department is very diverse and supportive, and I got the opportunities to engage with other faculty members. I also had many opportunities to mentor students and hone my teaching skills. All of those experiences are extremely valuable for building my independent career. The location of the school in the heart of Chicago made it an overall wonderful experience outside of the PhD program too. Having the opportunity to work with cutting-edge techniques while at UIC, and the proximity to Argonne National Laboratory and the chance to work there, helped me greatly transition to my postgraduate work.” Marija Zoric  |  P.h.D in Chemistry

“UIC was a great place for international students (like me) to gain all the resources and experiences during my PhD program. Especially, I have realized our department (Chemistry) is run by very established professors and supportive staff who enthusiastically guide grad students to succeed in their future academic careers. Also, obtaining a PhD from UIC was fantastic since there is a very high level of diversity near the campus as well as in Chicago. Therefore, I was able to reach the beginning of my success with UIC’s strong graduate program. Thanks for your unlimited valuable support!” Jongwoo Son  |  P.h.D in Chemistry

'Living bioelectronics' that can sense and heal skin

May 31, 2024

By Louise Lerner

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For years, UChicago Chemistry Prof. Bozhi Tian’s lab has been learning how to integrate the world of electronics—rigid, metallic, bulky—with the world of the body—soft, flexible, delicate.

In a study published in Science , they have created a prototype for what they call “living bioelectronics”: a combination of living cells, gel, and electronics that can integrate with living tissue.

The patches are made of sensors, bacterial cells, and a gel made from starch and gelatin. Tests in mice found that the devices could continuously monitor and improve psoriasis-like symptoms, without irritating skin.

“The most interesting and rewarding part, for me, is our invention of an integrated mesh-like membrane electrode,” said UChicago Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering PhD candidate Pengju Li , one of the paper’s co-authors. “This device allows the non-invasive measurement of heart electrophysiology directly from the skin's surface providing six-channel information, eliminating the need for the conventional complex wiring and adhesive pads.”

The researchers hope the principles can also be applied to other parts of the body, such as cardiological or neural stimulation.

“This is a bridge from traditional bioelectronics, which incorporates living cells as part of the therapy,” said Jiuyun Shi, the co-first author of the paper and a former PhD student in Tian’s lab (now with Stanford University).

“We’re very excited because it’s been a decade and a half in the making,” said Tian.

A third layer

Pairing electronics with the human body has always been difficult. Though devices like pacemakers have improved countless lives, they have their drawbacks; electronics tend to be bulky and rigid, and can cause irritation.

But Tian’s lab specializes in uncovering the fundamental principles behind how living cells and tissue interact with synthetic materials; their previous work has included a tiny pacemaker that can be controlled with light and strong but flexible materials that could form the basis of bone implants.

In this study, they took a new approach. Typically, bioelectronics consist of the electronics themselves, plus a soft layer to make them less irritating to the body.

But Tian’s group wondered if they could add new capabilities by integrating a third component: living cells themselves. The group was intrigued with the healing properties of certain bacteria such as S. epidermidis, a microbe that naturally lives on human skin and has been shown to reduce inflammation.

They created a device with three components. The framework is a thin, flexible electronic circuit with sensors. It is overlaid with a gel created from tapioca starch and gelatin, which is ultrasoft and mimics the makeup of tissue itself. Lastly, S. epidermidis microbes are tucked into the gel.

When the device is placed on skin, the bacteria secrete compounds that reduce inflammation, and the sensor monitors the skin for signals like skin temperature and humidity.

In tests with mice prone to psoriasis-like skin conditions, there was a significant reduction in symptoms.

Their initial tests ran for a week, but the researchers hope the system—which they term the ABLE platform, for Active Biointegrated Living Electronics—could be used for a half-year or more. To make the treatment more convenient, they said, the device can be freeze-dried for storage and easily rehydrated when needed.

Since the healing effects are provided by microbes, “It’s like a living drug—you don’t have to refill it,” said Saehyun Kim, the other co-first author of the paper and a current PhD student in Tian’s lab.

‘Cyborg tissues’

In addition to treating psoriasis, the scientists can envision applications such as patches to speed wound healing on patients with diabetes.

“This technology facilitates long-term monitoring of tissue electrophysiology and disease diagnosis,” Li said.

They also hope to extend the approach to other tissue types and cell types. “For example, could you create an insulin-producing device, or a device that interfaces with neurons?” said Tian. “There are many potential applications.”

Tian said this is a goal he has harbored since his time as a postdoctoral researcher nearly 15 years ago, when he first began experimenting with “cyborg tissues.”

“Since then, we’ve learned so much about the fundamental questions, such as how cells interface with materials and the chemistry and physics of hydrogels, which allows us to make this leap,” he said. “To see it become reality has been wonderful.”

“My passion has always been to push the boundaries of what is possible in science,” said Shi. “I hope our work could inspire the next generation of electronic designs.”

Other paper authors with the University of Chicago included Chuanwang Yang, Ethan Eig, Lewis Shi, and Jiping Yue, as well as scientists with Rutgers University and Columbia University.

The researchers used the Soft Matter Characterization Facility and the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Chicago. They are also working with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to commercialize the technology.

Citation: “Active biointegrated living electronics for managing inflammation.” Shi and Kim et al, Science , May 30, 2024. DOI: 10.1126/science.adl1102

Funding: U.S. Army Research Office, National Science Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Acceleration Program, University of Chicago startup grant, Rutgers University startup grant.

• A version of this story originally appeared on UChicago News

Robert G. Bergman

• B.A. Carleton College (1963)
• Ph.D. Chemistry, University of Wisconsin (1966)
• NATO Postdoctoral Fellow, Columbia University (1967)
• Faculty of Chemistry, California Institute of Technology (1967-77)
• Sloan Foundation Fellow (1970)
• Dreyfus Foundation Teacher-Scholar Award (1970)
• Professor, University of California, Berkeley, and Faculty Senior Scientist, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (1977-2016)
• Miller Professor, UC Berkeley (1982, 1993, 2003)
• Fairchild Distinguished Scholar, Caltech (1984)
• Member, National Academy of Sciences (1984)
• Fellow, American Academy of Arts and Sciences (1984)
• U. S. Dept. of Energy E.O. Lawrence Award in Chemistry (1994)
• American Chemical Society Awards: Organometallic Chemistry Award (1986)
• Cope Scholar Award (1987)
• Arthur C. Cope Award (1996)
• T.W. Richards Medal, Northeastern Section of the ACS (2008)
• James Flack Norris Award in Physical Organic Chemistry (2003)
• Edward Leete Award, ACS Organic Division (2001)
• Willard Gibbs Award, ACS Chicago Section (2011)
• ACS Fellow (2011)
• ACS George Olah Award in Hydrocarbon Chemistry (2014)
• UC Berkeley Dept. of Chemistry Teaching Award (2002)
• LBNL Award for Excellence in Technology Transfer (2004)
• NAS Award in Chemical Sciences (2007)
• Chancellor’s Award for Public Service, University of California; Berkeley (2008-09; 2011-12)
• Royal Society of Chemistry Sir Edward Frankland Prize Lectureship (2010)
• Distinguished Graduate Student Mentoring Award (2013)
• Honorary Doctorate from Texas A&M Univ. (2013)
• Technion-Israel Institute of Technology Distinguished Schulich Lectureship Award (2014)
• Welch Foundation Award in Chemistry (2014)
• Royal Society of Chemistry Robert Robinson Award (2014)
• Wolf Foundation Prize (2017)

Organic and Inorganic Chemistry: Synthesis and Reaction Mechanisms — New organic, inorganic and organotransition metal compounds are being synthesized. These materials are used to develop and study new chemical reactions and the reactive intermediates involved in these transformations, and to explore applications in homogeneous catalysis, supramolecular chemistry and organic synthesis.

Since transitioning to Emeritus status, Professor Bergman has closed his own laboratory but has continued to teach and to do research in collaboration with other chemistry colleagues. Professor Bergman’s research career has focused on utilizing a range of chemical techniques to discover new chemical reactions, determine how those reactions work, and apply that understanding to their application in catalysis and organic synthesis. Professor Bergman's group generated and studied reactive organometallic intermediates capable of undergoing intermolecular oxidative addition with the normally inert C-H bonds in alkanes and other organic molecules. This process holds potential for converting alkanes into functionalized organic molecules such as alkenes and alcohols. Solution mechanistic studies, as well as flash kinetic experiments carried out in collaboration with the C. B. Moore and C. B. Harris groups, identified alkane-metal complexes as intermediates in many of these reactions. In collaborations with the with the J. A. Ellman group, formerly at Berkeley and subsequently at Yale University, C-H activating reactions were used to develop new catalytic intra- and intermolecular carbon-carbon bond-forming reactions, some of which are enantioselective. Another area of investigation, currently being pursued in collaboration with John Arnold and his group, involves the study of organometallic complexes having metal-oxygen -and metal-nitrogen bonds to obtain information about the mechanisms of metal-mediated oxidation and amination processes. Some of the compounds prepared in these projects have been utilized to develop homogeneous catalysts for new carbon-hydrogen and carbon-heteroatom bond-forming processes. Finally, a collaborative project with the K. N. Raymond and F. D. Toste groups has identified highly selective organic and organometallic transformations that can be carried out in the sterically confined cavities of self-assembled nanovessels, in some cases with levels of rate acceleration that allow the encapsulated reactions to be performed catalytically.

In addition to his research activities, Professor Bergman continues to teach (primarily the first-year graduate course in physical organic chemistry). He is also involved in advising and sponsoring educational and outreach programs, such as the Science Leadership and Management (SLAM) seminar and the Bay Area Scientists in Schools (BASIS) program that arranges for graduate students to make science presentations in local elementary and middle schools in cooperation with the small Berkeley nonprofit Community Resources for Science (CRS).

University of Chicago faculty, City Council members criticize withholding degrees of encampment protesters

At a news conference friday morning, denis hirschfeldt, a math professor at the university, said its disciplinary process had lost “all credibility.”.

Genvieve Lakier, a law professor at the University of Chicago, speaks Friday outside the University of Chicago’s Levi Hall in Hyde Park, where students and faculty gathered to speak out against the university’s decision to withhold degrees of four graduating seniors “due to a university disciplinary process because they ‘may have been involved’ in the Gaza solidarity encampment on the quad,” according to a news release.

Pat Nabong/Sun-Times

University of Chicago faculty and students claimed at a news conference Friday the university is circumventing its own disciplinary process to withhold degrees from pro-Palestinian student protesters.

Fourth-year student Youssef Hasweh said he and three other seniors — Rayna Acha, Kelly Hui and a fourth student who declined to give their name — received an email Friday saying their degrees would be withheld until the resolution of a school disciplinary process related to their involvement in a pro-Palestinian encampment on campus.

Students haven’t been informed of what the alleged misconduct was, other than it was related to complaints made about the encampment. University officials have said the students can still walk at graduation, but their degrees are being held until the process is finished, which has no clear timeline.

“Here at the University of Chicago, the free speech university, talking about Palestine is not free but comes with a hefty price,” Hasweh said at a Friday morning news conference with faculty and students. “I’ve lost my degree and all current employment offers I was interviewing for. I’ve lost a future, for now, as a graduate of UChicago.”

• Pro-Palestinian student says University of Chicago is withholding degrees from 4 protesters

Later, Denis Hirschfeldt, a mathematics professor at the university and president of the school’s chapter of the American Association of University Professors, said the school’s disciplinary process had lost “all credibility.”

Denis Hirschfeldt, a mathematics professor at the University of Chicago, speaks outside the University of Chicago’s Levi Hall in Hyde Park, where students and faculty gathered to speak out against the university’s decision to withhold degrees of four graduating seniors “due to a university disciplinary process because they ‘may have been involved’ in the Gaza solidarity encampment on the quad,” according to a press release, Friday, May 31, 2024.

Hirschfeldt was on the faculty senate that drafted the rules for the disciplinary process in 2017. He claims an ad hoc chair, chemistry professor Bryan Dickinson, was appointed by provost Katherine Baicker without the consultation of the sitting chairs or faculty senate after the complaints had already been made. He called it “clear interference” and a “massive conflict of interest.”

University policy defers actions to the sitting chair, and doesn’t mention any process for appointing an ad hoc chair for certain cases.

The University of Chicago said in a statement it was “routine” for the committee to have multiple chairs assigned based on “availability and involvement in other matters.” It did not address the sudden appointment of the new chair.

“The description of the Disciplinary System for Disruptive Conduct as given by some faculty members contains inaccuracies,” the statement said. “This process is being followed consistently with past practices.”

“[Baicker’s interference] has turned a faculty-led disciplinary process into an administration-led exercise in punishment,” Hirschfeldt said.

The news conference came within hours of 16 City Council members sending a letter to Baicker urging her to reconsider the disciplinary measures.

“We are concerned that these students’ degrees are being withheld without appropriate process or adequate basis in evidence; that the withholding of these degrees constitutes a grave repression of free expression in contradiction to the University’s commitments to free speech and First Amendment rights; and that this repression forms part of a pattern of universities targeting students for making their voices heard,” the City Council members wrote in the letter.

At the encampment, students demanded that the university disclose its investments, divest from those with ties to Israel and arms companies and help to repair the damage done to Gaza’s universities. The protesters also wanted the school to stop development on the South Side and to put money toward repairing the “harm” it had caused to the area through prior investments.

“We are all complicit in every death in Gaza if the bombs being dropped are made with our tuition dollars,” Hasweh said. “We don’t deserve a graduation made from the profits of investing in death.”

The students having their degrees withheld said they plan to walk at graduation Saturday, displaying empty diploma cases as they do.

“There’s no class of 2024 in Gaza,” Acha said. “We will fight to get our degrees so we can continue to fight for Palestine.”

• Students protest Israel-Hamas war during School of the Art Institute of Chicago commencement

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UChicago scientists invent “living bioelectronics” that can sense and heal skin

Flexible, adaptable, storable patch combines bacteria and sensors to interface with body.

For years, Prof. Bozhi Tian’s lab has been learning how to integrate the world of electronics—rigid, metallic, bulky—with the world of the body—soft, flexible, delicate. 

In their latest work, they have created a prototype for what they call “living bioelectronics”: a combination of living cells, gel, and electronics that can integrate with living tissue.

The patches are made of sensors, bacterial cells, and a gel made from starch and gelatin. Tests in mice found that the devices could continuously monitor and improve psoriasis-like symptoms, without irritating skin.

“This is a bridge from traditional bioelectronics, which incorporates living cells as part of the therapy,” said Jiuyun Shi, the co-first author of the paper and a former PhD student in Tian’s lab (now with Stanford University).

“We’re very excited because it’s been a decade and a half in the making,” said Tian.

The researchers hope the principles can also be applied to other parts of the body, such as cardiological or neural stimulation. The study is published May 30 in Science.

A third layer

Pairing electronics with the human body has always been difficult. Though devices like pacemakers have improved countless lives, they have their drawbacks; electronics tend to be bulky and rigid, and can cause irritation.  

But Tian’s lab specializes in uncovering the fundamental principles behind how living cells and tissue interact with synthetic materials; their previous work has included a tiny pacemaker that can be controlled with light and strong but flexible materials that could form the basis of bone implants .

In this study, they took a new approach. Typically, bioelectronics consist of the electronics themselves, plus a soft layer to make them less irritating to the body.

But Tian’s group wondered if they could add new capabilities by integrating a third component: living cells themselves. The group was intrigued with the healing properties of certain bacteria such as S. epidermidis , a microbe that naturally lives on human skin and has been shown to reduce inflammation.

They created a device with three components. The framework is a thin, flexible electronic circuit with sensors. It is overlaid with a gel created from tapioca starch and gelatin, which is ultrasoft and mimics the makeup of tissue itself. Lastly, S. epidermidis microbes are tucked into the gel.

When the device is placed on skin, the bacteria secrete compounds that reduce inflammation, and the sensor monitors the skin for signals like skin temperature and humidity.

In tests with mice prone to psoriasis-like skin conditions, there was a significant reduction in symptoms.

Their initial tests ran for a week, but the researchers hope the system—which they term the ABLE platform, for Active Biointegrated Living Electronics—could be used for a half-year or more. To make the treatment more convenient, they said, the device can be freeze-dried for storage and easily rehydrated when needed. 

Since the healing effects are provided by microbes, “It’s like a living drug—you don’t have to refill it,” said Saehyun Kim, the other co-first author of the paper and a current PhD student in Tian’s lab.

In addition to treating psoriasis, the scientists can envision applications such as patches to speed wound healing on patients with diabetes.

They also hope to extend the approach to other tissue types and cell types. “For example, could you create an insulin-producing device, or a device that interfaces with neurons?” said Tian. “There are many potential applications.”

Tian said this is a goal he has harbored since his time as a postdoctoral researcher nearly 15 years ago, when he first began experimenting with “cyborg tissues.”

“Since then, we’ve learned so much about the fundamental questions, such as how cells interface with materials and the chemistry and physics of hydrogels, which allows us to make this leap,” he said. “To see it become reality has been wonderful.”

“My passion has always been to push the boundaries of what is possible in science,” said Shi. “I hope our work could inspire the next generation of electronic designs.”

Other paper authors with the University of Chicago included Pengju Li, Chuanwang Yang, Ethan Eig, Lewis Shi, and Jiping Yue, as well as scientists with Rutgers University and Columbia University.

The researchers used the Soft Matter Characterization Facility and the Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility at the University of Chicago. They are also working with the Polsky Center for Entrepreneurship and Innovation to commercialize the technology.

Citation: “Active biointegrated living electronics for managing inflammation.” Shi and Kim et al, Science, May 30, 2024.

Funding: U.S. Army Research Office, National Science Foundation, Chan Zuckerberg Biohub Acceleration Program, University of Chicago startup grant, Rutgers University startup grant.

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