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Department of Chemistry (GRAD)

The Department of Chemistry offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of master of arts (non-thesis), master of science (thesis), and doctor of philosophy in the fields of analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical, and polymer and materials chemistry. Reinforcing the broad nature of our graduate program, we have close interactions with various departments, including the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Environmental Science and Engineering, and the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program.

Research Interests

Development of instrumentation for ultra-high pressure capillary liquid chromatography, capillary electrophoresis, and combined two-dimensional separations. Applications include proteomics and measurement of peptide hormones in biological tissues. Mass spectrometry of biological, environmental, organic, and polymeric compounds; tandem MS, ion activation, ion molecule reactions; instrument development. Electrochemistry: new methods for study of biological media, neurotransmitters small spaces, redox solids, chemically modified surfaces, nanoparticle chemistry, and quantum size effects including the analytical chemistry of nanoparticles. Chemical microsystems: microfabricated fluidics technologies (i.e., lab-on-a-chip devices) to address biological measurement problems such as protein expression, cell signaling, and clinical diagnostics. Miniaturized mass spectrometers for environmental monitoring. Nanoscale fluidics devices for single molecule DNA sequencing and chemical sensing. Polymeric membranes to improve the analytical performance of in vivo sensors and enable accurate measurement of analytes in challenging milieu.

Structure-function relationships of complex biochemical processes; the molecular basis of disease; chemical biology; biophysics; mechanism of protein biosynthesis; metabolic regulation; gene organization and regulation of gene expression; biomolecular structure; protein folding; protein and RNA chemistry under physiologically relevant conditions, in-cell NMR; thermodynamics of protein-protein interactions; characterization of protein-protein and protein-DNA complexes by atomic force microscopy and single molecule fluorescence; in vitro and in vivo studies of DNA repair; RNA structure in vivo, RNA and viral genomics, transcriptome structure, assembly of biomedically important RNA-protein complexes; chemical synthesis of peptides and proteins; protein engineering through chemical synthesis and directed evolution; unnatural amino acid mutagenesis; molecular modeling of biomolecules; cell surface biophysics; fluorescence microscopy and spectroscopy; small molecule and protein microarray development; live cell fluorescence microscopy; genomics-driven natural product discovery; natural product biosynthesis and pathway engineering and design; synthetic biology; antibiotic mechanism of action; bioinformatics; metabolomics; small molecules involved in inter- and intra- species signaling.

Physical inorganic chemistry: electronic structure of transition metal complexes; photochemistry and electrochemistry of metal complexes; use of coordination complexes and inorganic materials for solar energy harvesting and conversion; molecular orbital theory, nuclear magnetic resonance and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies; X-ray crystallography; infrared and Raman spectroscopies. Chemistry of transition metal complexes: synthesis of transition metal compounds, organometallic chemistry including metal-catalyzed organic reactions; reactions of coordinated ligands; kinetics and mechanisms of inorganic reactions; metal cluster chemistry; chiral supramolecular chemistry. Materials chemistry: molecular precursors to materials; solid state lattice design; metal-ion containing thin films; metal-polymer complexes; functional coordination polymers and metal-organic frameworks; chiral porous solids. Bioinorganic and medicinal inorganic chemistry: nanomaterials for biomedical imaging and anticancer drug delivery; reactivity of oxidized metal complexes with nucleic acids, photo-induced DNA cleavage, synthesis and characterization of model complexes for metalloenzymes.

Synthesis and biological reactions of natural products; peptide synthesis; protein engineering; structure-function studies on polypeptides and proteins; mechanistic and synthetic studies in organometallic chemistry; catalysis using organometallic complexes; nuclear magnetic resonance; kinetics; organosulfur and organophosphorus chemistry; surface effects in chemical behavior; chemistry of reactive intermediates including carbocations, carbanions, carbenes radical ions and radical pairs; photochemistry; light-driven organic catalysis; fluorescent sensors; enzyme inhibitors; new synthetic methods including asymmetric catalysis; stereochemistry and conformational analysis; design and synthesis of models for metalloenzymes; epr investigations of electronic couplings in high-spin organic molecules; spectroscopic studies of free radicals; synthesis and characterization of well-defined polymeric materials; synthesis of materials for use in microelectronics; homogeneous and heterogeneous polymerizations in supercritical fluids; synthesis of engineering polymers; molecular recognition.

Physical Chemistry

Ultrafast spectroscopy: femtosecond laser techniques to study photochemistry (e.g., energy transfer, proton coupled electron transfer) in systems including carbon nanotubes, light harvesting proteins, and several materials relevant to the production of solar fuels. Nonlinear Optics: lasers pulses with widely tunable bandwidths and frequencies with new nonlinear optical methods. Molecular interactions and dynamics in cells using optical Kerr effect and phase contrast methods. Spatial and temporal resolution of energy and charge transport within individual metal oxide nanoparticles using pump-probe microscopies. Biophysics: movements and interactions of regulatory proteins in cell nuclei using optical microscopies (e.g., FRET, FCS). Coherent quantum effects in photosynthesis using new laser spectroscopies analogous to multidimensional NMR techniques. Theoretical Chemistry: molecular dynamics simulations to study the structures and dynamics of biological membranes in addition to the properties of aqueous solutions next to such membranes. Laser spectroscopy in cooled molecular beams of transient species, ions and molecular complexes, subdoppler infrared spectroscopy, ion photodissociation studies, development of spectroscopic techniques, double resonance spectroscopy, pulsed field gradient NMR and NMR imaging. Application of optical and mass spectroscopies to study atmospheric chemistry. Quantum chemistry, density functional theory, quantum biology of neurotransmitters and pharmacological agents, energy minimization, protein dynamics, cooperativity, molecular graphics, mutagenesis, statistical mechanics of a liquid phase, structure and dynamics of aqueous solutions, kinetics in condensed phases, mechanical properties of polymers, state-to-state chemistry, reactions and energy transfer at solid surfaces. Polymer properties: preparation of and nonlinear optical effects in polymeric systems, self-organized polymers, and liquid crystalline materials.

Polymer and Materials Chemistry

Synthesis, properties, and utilization of novel functional materials for various applications ranging from medicine and microelectronics to oil recovery and climate change. The many-pronged approach includes synthesis and molecular characterization of multifunctional monomers and polymers, computer modeling and intelligent design of molecular architectures that are able to sense, process, and response to impacts from the surrounding environment, and preparation of new engineering thermoplastics and liquid crystalline materials. Recent efforts funded by the National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Health, Advanced Energy Consortium, and Army Research Office are focused on lithographic design of organic nanoparticles for the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases (especially cancer), self-healing, shape-memory, mechanocatalysis, organic solar cells, and imaging contrast agents for oil exploration. A broad variety of expertise includes imaging and probing of submicrometer surface structures by scanning probe microscopy, dynamic mechanical analysis, characterization of polymer dynamics by NMR techniques and light scattering, microfluidics and drug delivery control, measurement of molecular conductivity and energy conversion efficiency, and analytical as well as computational and numerical studies of soft materials, such as polymers, colloids, and liquid crystals.

Facilities and Equipment

Research is carried out in the William Rand Kenan Jr. Laboratories, the W. Lowry and Susan S. Caudill Laboratories, Venable Hall, Murray Hall, Chapman Hall, and the Genome Sciences Building. The undergraduate laboratories are housed in the John Motley Morehead Laboratories. The department is home to several core laboratories managed by Ph.D.-level staff scientists: Electronics Core Laboratory, NMR Core Laboratory, Mass Spectrometry Core Laboratory, X-Ray Core Laboratory, and the Scientific Glass Shop. Hardware and software resources managed by ITS are tailored to meet the needs of a broad range of chemists working on applications in quantum mechanics, molecular dynamics, NMR spectroscopy, X-Ray crystallography, structural biology, and bioinformatics.

Financial Aid and Admission

The department awards a number of industrial fellowships and predoctoral research and teaching appointments. All outstanding prospective graduate students who apply for admission/support are automatically considered for fellowships.

There are more than 200 graduate students in the department. All are supported either as teaching assistants (27 percent), research assistants (65 percent), or as fellows (8 percent) supported by The Graduate School, industry, or the United States government. The duties of the teaching assistants include the preparation for and supervision of laboratory classes in undergraduate courses and the grading of laboratory reports.

Applications for assistantships and fellowships should be made before the end of December, although applicants for assistantships are considered after that date. All international students whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination in addition to the Graduate Record Examination. However, international students who hold a degree from a university in the United States may be exempt. 

Application forms for admission can be completed online at the Graduate School's website . Financial support as well as information about the department can be obtained from the Chemistry Department's graduate website . Questions about our program may be directed to the e-mail address  [email protected] .

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. degree in chemistry is a research degree, and students normally begin research during the first year in graduate school. The Ph.D. degree consists of completion of a suitable program of study, a preliminary doctoral oral examination, a written comprehensive examination (satisfied by a research summary and dissertation prospectus), an original research proposal, an original research project culminating in a dissertation, and a final oral examination.

Master of Arts (Non-Thesis)

The master of arts (non-thesis) degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours. A typical path to degree completion is 18 hours of advanced chemistry courses and 12 hours in seminar courses and thesis registration. (Only six hours of CHEM 992 can count towards the 30-hour requirement.) Students must accrue a total of at least two semesters of “full time” status based on UNC–Chapel Hill course registration (9 hours in one semester is full-time, 6–8 hours is half-time, 3–5 hours is quarter-time).  Students must be registered for 3 hours of CHEM 992 in the semester in which the MA Written Report is completed and the degree will be conferred . The M.A. written examination is a written report on the current state of research in an area that is relevant to a departmental research topic, submitted to and approved/signed by the research advisor. As a substitute for a thesis, the candidate must earn a minimum of three hours of  CHEM 992  (master's non-thesis option) in the semester of planned graduation and submit a written research report to the research director. 

Master of Science

The master of arts degree requires a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit. A typical course load involves 18 hours of advanced chemistry courses and 12 hours in seminar courses and thesis registration. (Only six hours of CHEM 993 can count towards the 30 hour requirement). Students must accrue a total of at least two semesters of “full time” status based on UNC–Chapel Hill course registration (9 hours in one semester is full-time, 6–8 hours is half-time, 3–5 hours is quarter-time).  Students must be registered for three hours of CHEM 993 in the semester in which the M.S. thesis is defended.  Third-, fourth-, and fifth-year students must register for CHEM 993 for three hours until they graduate. The written comprehensive examination is a research summary approved by the dissertation committee. The oral examination comprises the Doctoral Qualifying Examination as approved by the dissertation committee. A master's thesis and final oral examination are also required. 

Following the faculty member's name is a section number that students should use when registering for independent studies, reading, research, and thesis and dissertation courses with that particular professor.

Erik J. Alexanian (077), Organic Chemistry Jeffrey Aubé (082), Organic Chemistry Todd L. Austell (070), Chemistry Education, Academic Advising, Lab Curriculum Development James F. Cahoon (080),  Polymer and Materials Chemistry Jillian L. Dempsey (003),  Inorganic Chemistry Andrey Dobrynin (023), Polymer and Materials Chemistry Dorothy A. Erie (011), Physical and Biological Chemistry Michel R. Gagné (022), Inorganic, Organic and Polymer Chemistry Gary L. Glish (040), Analytical Chemistry Brian P. Hogan (072), Chemistry Education, Academic Advising, Lab Curriculum Development Jeffrey S. Johnson (058), Organic Chemistry Yosuke Kanai (081),  Physical Chemistry David S. Lawrence (076), Organic Chemistry Gerald J. Meyer (054), Inorganic Chemistry Alexander J. Miller (004),  Inorganic Chemistry Andrew M. Moran (006),  Physical Chemistry David A. Nicewicz (078), Organic Chemistry Gary J. Pielak (046), Biological Chemistry J. Michael Ramsey (062), Analytical Chemistry Matthew R. Redinbo (055), Biological Chemistry Mark H. Schoenfisch (057), Analytical and Materials Chemistry Sergei S. Sheiko (059), Polymer and Materials Chemistry Jason D. Surratt (074), Analytical Chemistry Joseph L. Templeton (031), Inorganic Chemistry Domenic Tiani (071),  Chemistry Education, Academic Advising, Lab Curriculum Development Marcey Waters (056), Organic Chemistry Kevin M. Weeks (053), Biological Chemistry Richard V. Wolfenden (065), Biological Chemistry Wei You (042), Polymer and Materials Chemistry

Associate Professors

Erin Baker (012), Analytical Chemistry Nita Eskew (091), Chemistry Education, Academic Advising, Lab Curriculum Development Thomas C. Freeman (087), Chemistry Education, Academic Advising Leslie M. Hicks (035), Analytical Chemistry Frank A. Leibfarth (010),  Organic, Polymer and Materials Chemistry Bo Li (085), Biological Chemistry Matthew R. Lockett (037), Analytical Chemistry Simon J. Meek (079), Organic Chemistry Scott C. Warren (063), Polymer and Materials Chemistry

Assistant Professors

Joanna M. Atkin (086),  Physical Chemistry Joshua E. Beaver (089),  Chemistry Education, Academic Advising Carribeth L. Bliem (083),  Chemistry Education, Academic Advising Elizabeth C. Brunk (050),  Biological Chemistry Anna C. Curtis (073),  Chemistry Education, Academic Advising, Lab Curriculum Development Jade Fostvedt (039), Chemistry Education, Inorganic and Organometallic Chemistry Megan Jackson (104), Inorganic, Physical and Materials Chemistry Abigail Knight (014),  Organic and Biological Chemistry Huong Kratochvil (101), Biological Chemistry Zhiyue Lu (009),  Physical Chemistry Sidney M. Wilkerson-Hill (013),  Organic Chemistry Alex Zhukhovitskiy (008),  Organic, Polymer and Materials Chemistry Danielle Zurcher (090),  Chemistry Education, Academic Advising

Professors Emeriti

Nancy L. Allbritton Tomas Baer Max L. Berkowitz James L. Coke Michael T. Crimmins Joseph Desimone Richard G. Hiskey Eugene A. Irene Richard C. Jarnagin Donald C. Jicha Charles S. Johnson Jr. James W. Jorgenson Thomas J. Meyer John Papanikolas Robert G. Parr Lee G. Pedersen Royce W. Murray Michael Rubinstein Cynthia Schauer Nancy Thompson R. Mark Wightman

Chemistry (CHEM)

Advanced undergraduate and graduate-level courses.

Permission of the instructor. This course explores secondary school chemical education through current chemical education theory and classroom teaching. Students will develop a comprehensive approach to teaching chemistry content through student-centered activities.

Chemical structure and nomenclature of macromolecules, synthesis of polymers, characteristic polymer properties.

Synthesis and reactions of polymers; various polymerization techniques.

Polymerization and characterization of macromolecules in solution.

Polymer dynamics, networks and gels.

Solid-state properties of polymers; polymer melts, glasses and crystals.

The study of cellular processes including catalysts, metabolism, bioenergetics, and biochemical genetics. The structure and function of biological macromolecules involved in these processes is emphasized. Honors version available.

Structure of DNA and methods in biotechnology; DNA replication and repair; RNA structure, synthesis, localization and transcriptional reputation; protein structure/function, biosynthesis, modification, localization, and degradation.

Biological membranes, membrane protein structure, transport phenomena; metabolic pathways, reaction themes, regulatory networks; metabolic transformations with carbohydrates, lipids, amino acids, and nucleotides; regulatory networks, signal transduction.

Spectroscopy, electroanalytical chemistry, chromatography, thermal methods of analysis, signal processing.

Experiments in spectroscopy, electroanalytical chemistry, chromatography, thermal methods of analysis, and signal processing. One four-hour laboratory a week and one one-hour lecture.

This class will focus on analytical techniques capable of probing the physical and chemical properties of surfaces and interfaces. These analyses are extremely challenging, as the sample sizes are small (e.g., 1E14 molecules/cm2 of a material). The course will focus on complementary techniques to assess surface structure and topography, atomic and molecular composition, organization or disorder, and reactivity.

Theory and applications of equilibrium and nonequilibrium separation techniques. Extraction, countercurrent distribution, gas chromatography, column and plane chromatographic techniques, electrophoresis, ultra-centrifugation, and other separation methods.

Basic principles of electrochemical reactions, electroanalytical voltammetry as applied to analysis, the chemistry of heterogeneous electron transfers, and electrochemical instrumentation.

Optical spectroscopic techniques for chemical analysis including conventional and laser-based methods. Absorption, fluorescence, scattering and nonlinear spectroscopies, instrumentation and signal processing.

Principles and applications of biospecific binding as a tool for performing selective chemical analysis.

Fundamental theory of gaseous ion chemistry, instrumentation, combination with separation techniques, spectral interpretation for organic compounds, applications to biological and environmental chemistry.

Introduction to micro and nanofabrication techniques, fluid and molecular transport at the micrometer to nanometer length scales, applications of microtechnology to chemical and biochemical measurements.

Introduction to symmetry and group theory; bonding, electronic spectra, and reaction mechanisms of coordination complexes; organometallic complexes, reactions, and catalysis; bioinorganic chemistry. Honors version available.

Chemical applications of symmetry and group theory, crystal field theory, molecular orbital theory. The first third of the course, corresponding to one credit hour, covers point symmetry, group theoretical foundations and character tables.

A detailed discussion of ligand field theory and the techniques that rely on the theoretical development of ligand field theory, including electronic spectroscopy, electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopy, and magnetism.

Exploring the synthesis, bonding, and reactivity of of organotransition metal complexes. Topics typically include organometallic ligand classification, the elementary steps of organometallic reactions, and applications in catalysis.

Modern topics in organic chemistry. Honors version available.

Bioorganic chemistry integrates topics from synthetic chemistry, biochemistry, and biophysics to study biomacromolecules and develop tools and materials that utilize them.

Kinetics and thermodynamics, free energy relationships, isotope effects, acidity and basicity, kinetics and mechanisms of substitution reactions, one- and two-electron transfer processes, principles and applications of photochemistry, organometallic reaction mechanisms.

A survey of fundamental organic reactions including substitutions, additions, elimination, and rearrangements; static and dynamic stereochemistry; conformational analysis; molecular orbital concepts and orbital symmetry.

Spectroscopic methods of analysis with emphasis on elucidation of the structure of organic molecules: 1H and 13C NMR, infrared, ultraviolet, ORD-CD, mass, and photoelectron spectroscopy.

Modern synthetic methods and their application to the synthesis of complicated molecules.

Structure and reactivity of organometallic complexes and their role in modern catalytic reactions

Crystal geometry, diffusion in solids, mechanical properties of solids, electrical conduction in solids, thermal properties of materials, phase equilibria.

Permission of the instructor. A survey of materials processing and characterization used in fabricating microelectronic devices. Crystal growth, thin film deposition and etching, and microlithography.

The structural and energetic nature of surface states and sites, experimental surface measurements, reactions on surfaces including bonding to surfaces and adsorption, interfaces.

Does not carry credit toward graduate work in chemistry or credit toward any track of the B.S. degree with a major in chemistry. Application of thermodynamics to biochemical processes, enzyme kinetics, properties of biopolymers in solution.

Thermodynamics, kinetic theory, chemical kinetics.

Experiments in physical chemistry. One four-hour laboratory each week.

Introduction to quantum mechanics, atomic and molecular structure, spectroscopy, statistical mechanics.

Experiments in physical chemistry. Solving thermodynamic and quantum mechanical problems using computer simulations. One three-hour laboratory and a single one-hour lecture each week.

Thermodynamics, followed by an introduction to the classical statistical mechanics and non-equilibrium thermodynamics.

Experimental and theoretical aspects of atomic and molecular reaction dynamics.

Introduction to the principles of quantum mechanics. Approximation methods, angular momentum, simple atoms and molecules.

Interaction of radiation with matter; selection rules; rotational, vibrational, and electronic spectra of molecules; laser based spectroscopy and nonlinear optical effects.

Applications of quantum mechanics to chemistry. Molecular structure, time-dependent perturbation theory, interaction of radiation with matter.

Applications of statistical mechanics to chemistry. Ensemble formalism, condensed phases, nonequilibrium processes.

This course is offered to first-year graduate and upper-class undergraduate students in different chemistry disciplines who are interested in gaining skills in molecular modeling using modern methodologies from computational chemistry. No prior experience is required. An overview of quantum mechanics (QM) and molecular dynamics (MD) methodologies will be provided. It will also provide extensive experiences to perform different types of computations with abundant hands-on exercises using Gaussian package for QM and LAMMPS for MD simulations.

Various polymerization techniques and characterization methods. One four-hour laboratory each week.

An introduction to chemical techniques and research procedures of use in the fields of protein and nucleic acid chemistry. Two four-hour laboratories and one one-hour lecture a week.

A laboratory devoted to modern instrumental methods and analytical techniques. One four-hour laboratory and one one-hour lecture each week.

A laboratory devoted to synthesis and characterization of inorganic complexes and materials. A four-hour synthesis laboratory, a characterization laboratory outside of the regular laboratory period, and a one-hour recitation each week.

This is an honors laboratory course designed to lead you from challenging introductory experiments to five weeks of laboratory work on an independent research project. In addition to exposing you to advanced synthetic techniques, this course will allow you to use multiple modern techniques to characterize the inorganic and organometallic complexes you prepare. Students may not receive credit in both CHEM 551L and CHEM 550L .

CHEM 395 must have been in the same laboratory as 692H. Senior majors only. Required of all candidates for honors or highest honors.

Graduate-level Courses

Permission of the instructor for undergraduates. This introductory course in laboratory chemical safety is required for all entering chemistry graduate students. Topics include laboratory emergencies, chemical hazards, laboratory inspections and compliance, working with chemicals, waste handling, case studies of university accidents, laboratory equipment, biosafety, radiation, animals, and microfabrication and nanomaterials.

Graduate standing required.

Application of chemical principles and tools to study and manipulate biological systems; in-depth exploration of examples from the contemporary literature. Topics include new designs for the genetic code, drug design, chemical arrays, single molecule experiments, laboratory-based evolution, chemical sensors, and synthetic biology.

Graduate standing required. Literature survey dealing with topics in protein chemistry and nucleic acid chemistry.

In-depth analysis of the structure-function relationships governing protein-protein and protein-nucleic acid interactions. Topics include replication, DNA repair, transcription, translation, RNA processing, protein complex assembly, and enzyme regulation. Course includes both the current and classic literature that highlight the techniques used to study these processes.

Modern topics in biological chemistry.

Graduate standing required. Colloquium of modern analytical chemistry topics presented by graduate students and select invited speakers.

Introduction to chemical instrumentation including digital and analog electronics, computers, interfacing, and chemometric techniques. Two one-hour lectures a week.

Experiments in digital and analog instrumentation, computers, interfacing and chemometrics, with applications to chemical instrumentation.

Modern topics in analytical chemistry, including advanced electroanalytical chemistry, advanced mass spectrometry, chemical instrumentation, and other subjects of recent significance. Two lecture hours a week.

Students will participate in 12 workshop sessions co-presented by the instructor and TA covering the basics of technical writing. Each workshop is designed to help students prepare successful proposals for external graduate fellowships, but skills practiced are readily extended to the 2nd-year prospectus, manuscript preparation, the thesis, and beyond.

Permission of the instructor. Research-level survey of topics in inorganic chemistry and related areas.

Students will participate in 11 workshop sessions co-presented by the instructor and TA covering the basics of technical writing. They are designed to help students prepare successful proposals for external graduate fellowships, but skills practiced are readily extended to the 2nd-year prospectus, 3rd-year proposal, manuscript preparation, the thesis, and beyond.

The course "Introduction to Chemical Crystallography" is intended for graduate students who wish to acquire a basic understanding of crystallography, the mathematical foundations of diffraction principles, the hands-on experience in the operation of X-ray diffractometers, computer software for crystal structure determination and visualization, as well as crystallographic databases. The goal of the course is to prepare students to independently operate diffractometers and carry out X-ray structure determinations for their Ph.D. or M.S. theses.

Graduate standing required. One afternoon meeting a week and individual consultation with the instructor.

Two lecture hours a week.

This course is intended for 2nd year and higher graduate students who have the appropriate prerequisites or permission from the instructor(s). The topics covered in this course pertain to modern radical chemistry in organic synthesis and the goal is to prepare students for the implementation of radical chemistry in advanced applications.

This course covers the physical fundamentals of material science with an in-depth discussion of structure formation in soft and hard materials and how structure determines material mechanical, electrical, thermal, and optical properties. Topics include amorphous and crystal structures, defects, dislocation theory, thermodynamics and phase diagrams, diffusion, interfaces and microstructures, solidification, and theory of phase transformation. Special emphasis will be on the structure-property relationships of (bio)polymers, (nano)composites, and their structure property relationships.

Graduate standing required. Two hours a week.

Permission of the instructor. Modern topics in physical chemistry, chemical physics, or biophysical chemistry. One to three lecture hours a week.

Selected research-level, cross-disciplinary topics in modern chemistry.

Seminar and directed study on research methods of polymer/materials chemistry. This course provides a foundation for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research.

Seminar and directed study on research methods of biological chemistry. This course provides a foundation for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research.

Seminar and directed study on research methods of analytical chemistry. The course provides a foundation for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research.

Seminar and directed study on research methods of inorganic chemistry. The course provides a foundation for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research.

Seminar and directed study on research methods of organic chemistry. The course provides a foundation for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research.

Seminar and directed study on research methods of physical chemistry. The course provides a foundation for master's thesis or doctoral dissertation research.

Department of Chemistry

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Director of Graduate Studies

Alex Miller

[email protected]

Chemistry Student Services Coordinator

Jill Fallin

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**There are two application paths available for certain doctoral programs. Depending on your objectives, you may apply directly to the Chemistry program or you may apply via the Biological and Biomedical Sciences application umbrella. Please visit program websites to determine the best fit for your objectives.

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PhD Program: Chemistry

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Graduate Admissions

Teaching, research, and service are at the heart of our academic mission. Graduate students at Carolina are emblematic of this in many ways. As a master's or doctoral student at UNC-Chapel Hill, you'll be part of the next generation of leaders who seek to solve some of our world's most pressing challenges. Our faculty and graduate degree programs are top in their class, and through our graduate student body, continue innovation and discovery.

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Graduate Program Introduction

Chemistry graduate programs.

The Department of Chemistry offers graduate programs leading to the degrees of master of arts, master of science, non-thesis, and doctor of philosophy in the research areas of analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical, and polymer and materials chemistry. Reinforcing the broad nature of our graduate program, we have close interactions with various departments, including the Departments of Physics and Astronomy, Biochemistry and Biophysics, Environmental Science and Engineering, and the Biological and Biomedical Sciences Program.

Professor Leslie Hicks and her research group

Doctoral Program

The goals of the program are to provide students with a broad base in advanced topics in chemistry and substantial depth in one or more areas of expertise through an in-depth research experience. Students earning a Ph.D. in chemistry are intellectually functional as independent scientists and sufficiently technically skilled to perform advanced scientific research.

They are able to instruct others in their discipline. They have highly developed communications skills to allow the efficient dissemination of scientific information in both a written and verbal format.

Master’s Program

The master’s program in chemistry provides students with additional exposure to advanced topics in chemistry relative to an undergraduate degree. Significant, independent research experience is a substantial portion of the program so that the successful student can function as a research scientist in a corporate laboratory. Students earning a Master’s degree in chemistry are technically skilled to perform advanced scientific research in the laboratory. They also have strong oral and written communications skills.

The Chemistry Graduate Student Handbook has additional details and information on many aspects of the graduate student experience.

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PhD in Chemistry and Biochemistry

• How to Apply

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a Ph.D. degree program in Chemistry and Biochemistry. Students in the program take coursework and participate in mentored research to develop a fundamental understanding of the chemical and biochemical principles that direct the discovery, design and development of new approaches to address fundamental challenges related to health, education, environment, and energy. Several areas of research emphasis are open to students in the program, including Bioanalytical, Biophysical, Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Synthetic Organic Chemistry, Natural Products, Integrative Medicine and Chemical Education Research. In addition, opportunities to take part in Internships with local companies are available as part of the training.  For more information about the Chemistry and Biochemistry program, please see our Frequently Asked Questions page , or contact individual faculty members about research opportunities.

For general questions about the Chemistry and Biochemistry Ph.D. program, please contact:

Dr. Nicholas Oberlies Director of Graduate Studies [email protected] 336-334-5474

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry The University of North Carolina at Greensboro Patricia A. Sullivan Science Building PO Box 26170 | Greensboro, NC 27402-6170 Phone: 336.334.5714 | Fax: 336.334.5402 Copyright © 2022. The University of North Carolina at Greensboro. All rights reserved

2023-24 University Catalog

Chemistry and biochemistry, ph.d..

The Ph.D. in Chemistry and Biochemistry requires 56 credit hours in advanced chemical and biochemical course work and a dissertation culminating from extensive laboratory research experience carried out under the direction of a faculty advisor. The student gains experience in professional speaking by giving public oral scientific presentations through the departmental seminar program. The successful candidate will be well prepared for industrial or academic research careers in chemistry or biochemistry.

For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/ .

In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit a one-page personal statement by the appropriate deadline to be considered for Fall or Spring admission.

A minimum of a B.S. in Chemistry, Biochemistry, or related field is required.

Degree Program Requirements

Required:  56 credit hours minimum

Students must select additional credits from Research Techniques and/or Electives sufficient to complete the 56 total credit hours required for the program.

A minimum of 12 credits in CHE 799 is required.

In approved (by the Department Graduate Studies Committee and student’s research advisor) elective graduate courses in chemistry, biology, mathematics or physics. Students who plan to pursue employment in industry are encouraged to enroll in CHE 790 Chemistry and Biochemistry Internship .

Required Milestones*

• Residency (Immersion)
• Plan of Study
• Research Competency
• Comprehensive Exam (Written & Oral)
• Dissertation Proposal
• Admission to Candidacy
• Dissertation Defense
• Filing the Final Approved Dissertation

General information about milestones for doctoral programs is available in Section III of the Graduate Policies page in the University Catalog. For information about how milestones are accomplished for a specific program, please refer to the doctoral program's handbook.

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Chemistry (MS)

Program director.

UNC-Chapel Hill graduate programs ranked among best in nation

U.S. News & World Report’s 2024 “Best Graduate Schools” list named multiple Carolina graduate degree programs in the top 10, including UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy at No. 1.

Numerous UNC-Chapel Hill graduate programs received high rankings – 20 were among the top 10 in the nation in their respective categories – as part of U.S. News & World Report’s “Best Graduate Schools” list.

For the third time in a row (2016, 2020 and 2024), UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy is the top pharmacy school in the U.S. The rankings are based on a survey of peers from accredited pharmacy schools across the country and are published every four years.

The Gillings School of Global Public Health was ranked second out of 213 schools and programs of public health in the U.S. for the seventh consecutive rankings period. The Gillings School has also maintained its position as the top public school of public health and has been ranked among the top schools and programs of public health by U.S. News since the magazine first ranked public health schools in 1987. U.S. News & World Report does not rank all graduate programs each year.

“Carolina’s graduate programs are exceptional, and it’s no surprise that our schools are ranked so highly among peer institutions by U.S. News and World Report, as well as other measures,” said UNC-Chapel Hill Interim Chancellor Lee H. Roberts. “Carolina is always proud to be recognized for our dedication to a world-class education. Every one of our graduate programs contributes to making us the leading public research university.”

Altogether, 23 programs increased their rankings, including multiple programs in the Gillings School of Global Public Health, School of Nursing, School of Education, Kenan-Flagler Business School and UNC School of Law.

“These rankings represent the hard work of our faculty, staff and students who are dedicated to moving Carolina forward through their incredible efforts each day,” said UNC-Chapel Hill Provost Chris Clemens. “It is gratifying to see this public recognition of their commitment to the mission of our graduate programs in research, teaching and public service. Even more than in the rankings, the proof of their work is the quality of our students and our passionate alumni who lead in so many fields.”

The School of Social Work moved up three spots in the latest rankings to a tie for fourth overall and is tied for second among public universities.

This year marks the first time since U.S. News & World Report began ranking law schools in 1987 that UNC School of Law has reached No. 20 out of 196 law schools. The UNC School of Law is also the seventh-ranked public law school.

Additional UNC-Chapel Hill rankings for 2024 follow.

Please note: Not all graduate programs are ranked by U.S. News & World Report every year. For a complete list of rankings for UNC-Chapel Hill, visit the U.S. News & World Report website .

UNC Eshelman School of Pharmacy

Gillings school of global public health.

• First public, second overall

Specialty Areas

• Health Behavior, second
• Biostatistics, third
• Epidemiology, third
• Health Policy and Management, fourth
• Environmental Health Science, eighth

School of Social Work

• Tied for fourth

School of Nursing

• Nursing Schools, Master’s Programs, tied for eighth
• Nursing Schools – DNP Programs, tied for 17th
• Nursing Master’s, Administration/Management, fourth
• Nursing Master’s, Nurse Practitioner: Psychiatric/Mental Health, fourth
• Nursing Master’s, Nurse Practitioner: Family, tied for sixth
• Nursing DNP, Psychiatric/Mental Health, third
• Nursing DNP, Family, tied for sixth

UNC Kenan-Flagler Business School

• Tied for 20th
• Real Estate, ninth
• Accounting, tied for 13th
• Executive MBA, 14th
• Management, 16th
• Production Operations, 16th
• Finance, 20th
• Marketing, tied for 25th

UNC School of Education

• Tied for 25th
• Special Education, tied for 13th
• Elementary Teacher Education, tied for 14th
• Educational Psychology, tied for 15th
• Education Policy, tied for 16th
• Secondary Teacher Education, tied for 17th
• Educational Administration, tied for 17th
• Curriculum and Instruction, tied for 22nd

College of Arts and Sciences

Computer science.

• Overall, 27th

Public Affairs

• Overall, 39th (Master of Public Policy)

As part of the public affairs category, U.S. News and World Report ranked Carolina programs and specialty areas based in the School of Government and the College of Arts and Sciences’ department of public policy.

School of Government

• Public Affairs, 23rd (Master of Public Administration)
• Local Government Management, second
• Leadership, 10th
• Public Finance, 18th

UNC School of Law

• Legal Writing, tied for 20th
• Criminal Law, tied for 20th
• Tax Law, tied for 20th
• Business/Corporate Law, tied for 22nd
• Clinical Training, tied for 23rd
• Contracts/Commercial Law, 23rd
• Health Care Law, tied for 28th
• Constitutional Law, tied for 29th
• Environmental Law, tied for 45th
• International Law, tied for 52nd
• Intellectual Property Law, tied for 53rd
• Trial Advocacy, tied for 118th

UNC School of Medicine (additional Rankings will be available at a later date)

• Audiology, tied for third
• Occupational Therapy, fifth
• Physical Therapy, 11th
• Speech Language Pathology, 12th

A UNC School of Social Work delegation saw how their research helped a nonprofit create jobs in rural areas.

A message from the interim chancellor: Celebrating our students

In a campus email, Lee H. Roberts wrote it's a privilege to interact with students and inspiring to learn about the diverse range of interests they're working on.

Career Treks event highlights public professions

School of Education students networked in Raleigh with representatives from 11 state agencies.

Global studies scholar aspires to diplomacy

After earning a master’s degree, Kat Goodpaster became assistant director of Carolina’s Russian Flagship Program.

Public Service Awards go to 7 people, 2 groups

The Carolina Center for Public Service honored work on health disparities, refugee aid and more.

Broadway writer brings new comedy to PlayMakers

Fresh off the debut of her musical adaptation of “The Notebook,” Bekah Brunstetter ’04 will debut “The Game” in Chapel Hill.

EFC steers NC breweries to sustainability

Improving water usage in the craft beer industry is the focus of a UNC Environmental Finance Center project.

Healthcare Sparks inspires interest in STEM

Medical resident Danae Smart created a program to encourage minority students to pursue health careers.

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Program Overview

The Department of Chemistry at UNC Charlotte provides opportunities for graduate research in all traditional chemical disciplines while maintaining strong ties to interdisciplinary programs in nanoscale science, biotechnology and bio-medicine, optical science, and electrical and mechanical engineering. The department maintains an impressive array of chemical instrumentation, most of which are available for hands-on use by any research student that needs it. The department also provides analytical services and technical consulting to local researchers and industrial partners through its extension facility, the Regional Analytical Chemistry Laboratory (RACheL) . A Master of Science in chemistry is an excellent terminal degree in preparation for careers in the chemical, pharmaceutical, textile, food, and power industries. A master’s degree in chemistry may also serve as a useful step toward professions such as medicine, pharmacy, industrial hygiene, and patent law, or toward more advanced study in chemistry, physics, biology, and other scientific and engineering disciplines. Graduates of our master’s program thrive in a variety of career paths and excel in some of the most competitive Ph.D. programs in the country.

Chemistry faculty perform research in all areas of modern chemistry, and many participate in formal or informal interdisciplinary research programs. Faculty research interests include nanoscale science, computational chemistry, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, organometallic chemistry, electrochemistry, structural and mechanistic organic chemistry, materials and interfacial chemistry, catalysis, biochemistry, bioanalytical chemistry, and biophysical chemistry. Many chemistry faculty perform collaborative research with colleagues in Biology, Bioinformatics and Genomics, Physics and Optical Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or with researchers at the Carolinas Medical Center.

Students receive academic credit for their research and benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio. Graduate students are assigned individual projects and work closely with faculty members to make their own original contribution to the scientific literature. Students have full access to and receive excellent training in the use of any departmental instrumentation needed to carry out their research. Results are presented at informal seminars, scientific conferences (for which financial support is available through the Association of Chemistry Graduate Students), and in articles published in high-quality, refereed journals.