Transcription
Handbookfor theMaster of Science (M.S.)Degree Program in ChemistryatTennessee Technological UniversityFall 2018 Edition
ContentsMission of the Chemistry Graduate M.S. Program. 3Chemistry M.S. Student Learning Expectations . 4Entrance Requirements . 5Components of the MS Program. 6Coursework Requirements:. 6Research and Thesis:. 6Advisement . 7Course Requirements . 8Advanced Course Offerings . 9Graduate Program Guidelines . 11Seminars . 11Teaching Assistantships . 11Conduct of Research . 11Presentations & Publications . 12Remedial Coursework . 12Graduation Requirements and Degree Completion . 12Special Topics Courses . 13Program Timeline . 14TTU Fast-Track M.S. Program in Chemistry (4 1) . 15Chemistry Graduate Course Descriptions . 17Miscellaneous Important Facts . 20Finding and Managing Articles and Other References . 21Chemistry 6900 – Directed Studies in Chemistry (Research Proposal) . 24Pay Schedule for Graduate Assistants . 25Graduate Teaching Assistant Professionalism . 26Student Research Development Grant . 27Graduate Student Travel Fund . 29Appendix 1: Research Advisor Interview Sheet . 30Appendix 2: Course of Study Planning Grid . 31Appendix 3: Literature Seminar Evaluation Sheet . 32Appendix 4: Thesis Defense Rubric . 33pg. 2
Mission of the Chemistry Graduate M.S. ProgramThe primary emphasis of the department is student learning. Faculty mentoring of independentstudent research is seen to play a key role in learning, and both undergraduate and graduatestudents are provided the facilities, opportunity, and inducement to be involved in originalresearch. The department is also involved in community service through visiting local schools,science teacher enrichment workshops, and diverse activities to educate the general public aboutchemical science.The specific mission of the graduate program in chemistry may be summarized as follows: To provide a program of study that prepares graduates to successfully pursue scientific careers in industry or to continue their education in a doctoral program or professionalschool.To provide students with opportunities to reinforce their background and expand theirknowledge in areas not covered by their undergraduate degrees, with course offerings inthe five major branches of chemistry.To provide a stimulating intellectual atmosphere conducive to the learning process of bothstudents and faculty through low student-to-faculty ratios.To provide the facilities and professional mentorship enabling students to propose,conduct, evaluate, and report on original research and thereby add to the knowledge ofhumanity.To provide opportunities for students to refine both oral and written communication skills.The graduate curriculum is designed to acquaint students with the current ideas in the five majorareas of chemistry (organic, inorganic, physical, analytical and biochemical). The thesis projectaffords the student practical experience in the methods used to obtain new knowledge and todevelop the skills necessary to understand and relate this knowledge. Special topics courses allowindividual professors to present specialized material in their area of expertise. The facultymaintains a wide variety of research programs, giving each student an opportunity to conduct,evaluate, and report on original research.pg. 3
Chemistry M.S. Student Learning ExpectationsThe Department of Chemistry has set specific goals for its students in the M.S. program. In fact,our faculty are expected to address these during their mentoring relationships with students.Learning Outcome I:Students should emerge from the M.S. Chemistry graduate program being able to use effectivelythe scientific method to solve chemical problems. Particularly, this includes (but is not limited to):a)b)c)d)Being able to employ critical thinking skills to analyze a chemical problem,Collect background information through the effective use of the scientific literature,Prepare a hypothesis,Design and execute experiments to test the hypothesis, keeping complete experimentalrecords,e) Apply appropriate statistical analysis to the data,f) Apply critical thinking skills to further refine the hypothesis based on experimentalevidence,g) Effectively communicate the results through both oral and written communication skills.Student success will be determined by the graduate student's thesis advisory committee at the timeof oral defense of the written thesis.Learning Outcome II:Students should emerge from the M.S. Chemistry graduate program being able to effectivelycommunicate scientific knowledge and ideas through both oral and written communication skills.Student success will be determined by the graduate student's thesis advisory committee at the timeof oral defense of the written thesis.pg. 4
Entrance RequirementsAny student that meets the following requirements can potentially be admitted to the M.S.program, subject to review by the Chemistry Graduate Committee and the needs of the department: an ACS-certified B.S. degree in Chemistry, or its equivalent;a combined (Verbal Quantitative) score of 295 on the General GRE plus at least a 3.0 onthe analytical writing portion;a grade point average of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale. A student with a GPA of 2.25 may beadmitted to the program with provisional standing.For international applicants, proof of competency in written and spoken English isrequired. This may be demonstrated by scores on any of these standardized tests:TOEFL score of 83 (Internet-based), 220 (computer-based), or 557 (paper based) OR,IELTS score of 6.0 (overall band), OR,Achieve Level 8 in the English Language School.Students with a non-ACS-certified degree or equivalent background can be admitted, subject toreview by the Chemistry Graduate Committee, but may be required to enroll in specific graduatecourses to strengthen their background in particular areas of chemistry. Graduate credit towardthe M.S. degree may be earned by completing many of these courses. The normal backgroundequivalent to ACS certification includes: One year each of general and organic chemistryTwo semesters of physical chemistry – Chem 3500 (one-semester survey) or its equivalentmay count as one of these semesters. The second semester of physical chemistry may betaken as graduate credit by enrolling in Chem 5970 – Special Topics “QuantumChemistry”.One semester each of quantitative analysis, inorganic and instrumental analysisOne semester of calculus (required for physical chemistry)pg. 5
Components of the MS ProgramThe MS program has two main requirements that are designed to help the student complete theLearning Objectives for the program: coursework requirements, and the research thesis.Coursework Requirements:The required courses are designed to give the student in-depth exposure to modern conceptsacross the different areas of chemistry. The student is expected to show skills and understandingin multiple areas. Coursework is also available to help the student master any deficiencies fromtheir undergraduate program.Students work with the academic advisor (program coordinator) to choose appropriate classesand complete the required paperwork in a timely fashion. The staff of the College of GraduateStudies will also help check paperwork and graduation requirements.Coursework hours are typically taken during all four semesters of the typical 2-year degreeprogram. This usually gives the student one or two courses per semester.Research and Thesis:The student will carry out an extended research project, working in collaboration with theirchosen research advisor. The research project offers the student an opportunity to learn valuableskills in the methods of research, in professional and scientific conduct and in scientificcommunication. As part of the overall research project, the student will also write and defend athesis of appropriate length and content.The research advisor is the student’s first point of contact for all questions related to the researchprocess. The student will also choose other faculty to form their research committee (thesiscommittee); typically there are three faculty on the committee, including their research advisor aschair. The research advisor and the committee work together to help the student learn relevantskills, think deeply about their research work, and produce an acceptable thesis. The committeethen serve as the final judges of the student’s research work and the written thesis.Work on the research project and thesis are expected to begin in the student’s first semester. Thestudent begins by selecting a research advisor, then working with the advisor to choose a specifictopic or problem.pg. 6
AdvisementThroughout a graduate student’s career in the Chemistry Department at TTU, he or she worksclosely with the faculty in all areas of instruction and research. Initially, the student works withthe M.S. Graduate Student Advisor to plan the first year of study. Once a Research Advisor and anAdvisory Committee are chosen, they become his/her principal advising body. During the courseof the student’s program of study, the Graduate Student Advisor and his/her Research Advisorwork closely to monitor the student’s progress towards a degree.The student’s Advisory Committee, working with the Graduate Student Advisor, is responsible forapproving the Program of Study and the research problem. A Program of Study in chemistry isdesigned to introduce the student to the major areas of specialization, either at the 6000 level orthe 5000 level. Deficiencies in a student’s background are identified before admission to thegraduate program and additional courses from the undergraduate curriculum may be required.These courses are clearly identified on the admission certificate. The student’s AdvisoryCommittee should be composed of three members; two of which are closely related to the studentschosen area of research and one of which could be any member or approved associate member ofthe graduate faculty.The Master’s degree in chemistry does not require that students take all courses within thedepartment. Instead, students choose elective courses that best fit their chosen program of study.(In these cases they take elective courses in engineering, biology, computer science or chemistry.)A thesis is required of all graduate students in the chemistry program. Each student, working withhis/her Research Advisor and Advisory Committee, must identify a suitable problem and developa plan of solution. Each graduate student has the opportunity to choose from a wide variety ofresearch topics. Working closely with his/her Research Advisor, the student is afforded anopportunity for an in-depth experience in a field of specialization. The nature of laboratoryresearch requires knowledge of statistical methods of data treatment and each student developsthis ability during thesis research. Although no formal course work in computer technology orforeign language is required for the degree, a student is expected to use the computer for a varietyof tasks including data treatment, graphics, and word processing. Non-credit courses freely offeredby the computer center at TTU are strongly recommended for students with little or no experiencein the use of computers.Each graduate student is required to submit a written thesis for the approval by the AdvisoryCommittee and the Graduate School. The defense of this thesis is an oral examination administeredby the Advisory Committee and is open to the public. The University library retains two hardboundcopies of the thesis, and the department and Research Advisor should each be afforded one copy.The Graduate Student Advisor retains copies of the student’s records and transcripts are availablefrom the University.pg. 7
Course RequirementsThe general requirement for the degree with research & thesis is 30 semester hours of credit.This includes 21 hours at the 6000 level, and 9 hours at the 5000 or 6000 level.6000 LevelRequired CoursesChem 6900 – 1 hour - Directed Studies (The Research Plan/Proposal)Chem 6910 – 1 hour – Literature Seminar (any topic in any chemical division)Chem 6911 – 1 hour – Thesis SeminarChem 6990 – 6 hours – Thesis ResearchElectivesChem 6110 – 3 hours – Advanced Inorganic (offered every other Fall)Chem 6410 – 3 hours – Advanced Analytical (offered every other Spring)Chem 6610 – 3 hours – Advanced Biochemistry (offered every other Fall)Chem 6210 – 3 hours – Advanced Organic (offered every other Spring)Chem 6320 – 3 hours – Advanced Physical (offered every other Fall)Chem 6350 – 3 hours – Advanced Molecular Modeling (offered every other Spring)Chem 6970 – 3 hours – Advanced Special Topics (TBA)5000 LevelElectives*Chem 5110 – 3 hours – Inorganic (Spring)Chem 5520 – 4 hours – Instrumental Analysis (Fall)Chem 5210 – 3 hours – Polymers (on demand – usually Fall)Chem 5310 – 3 hours – Nuclear and Radiochemistry (every other Spring)Chem 5320 – 3 hours – Spectroscopy (every other Spring)Chem 5410 – 4 hours – Forensic Chemistry (Spring)Chem 5610 – 3 hours – Biochemistry 1 (Fall)Chem 5620 – 3 hours – Biochemistry 2 (Spring)Chem 5650 – 2 hours – Biochemistry Laboratory (Spring)Chem 5710 – 3 hours – Environmental Chemistry (every other Fall)Chem 5720 – 3 hours – Advanced Environmental Chemistry (every other Spring)Chem 5970 – 3 hours – Special Topics (on demand, Fall or Spring)**Students that have not taken these courses or their equivalent at the undergraduate or graduatelevel will be required to complete these courses. This constitutes 7 of the 9 required hours at the5000 level in the students Program of Study.The Program of Study must be prepared by the student in consultation with their GraduateAdvisory Committee by the mid-point of their second semester.pg. 8
Advanced Course OfferingsFALL 2018SPRING 20195000 – Graduate TA Training (1 s.h.)5110 – Inorganic5210 – Chemistry of Polymers5320 – Organic Spectroscopy5520 – Instrumental Analysis (4 s.h.)5620 – Biochemistry II5610 – Biochemistry I6350 – Adv Molecular Modeling6110 – Advanced Inorganic6410 – Advanced AnalyticalEVS 7900 – Scientific WritingEVSC 6010 – Environmental ChemistryFALL 2019SPRING 20205000 – Graduate TA Training (1)5110 – Inorganic Chemistry5520 – Instrumental Analysis (4)5310 – Radiochem5610 – Biochemistry I5410 – Forensic Chemistry (4)5710 – Environmental I5620 – Biochemistry II6320 – Advanced Physical Chem5720 – Environmental II6610 – Advanced Biochem6210 – Advanced OrganicEVSC 7110 – Water, Soil & Air Part 1EVS 7900 – Scientific WritingEVSC 6010 – Environmental ChemistryAll classes are offered for 3 credit hours, unless otherwise indicated.pg. 9
CourseTitleSHFall 18Spring 19Fall 19Spring 20Fall 20Spring 215110Inorganic Chemistry3XX5150Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory1XX5210Chemistry of Polymers35310Nuclear Chem and Radiochemistry **35320Spec Ident of Organic Compounds **35410Forensic Chemistry **45520Instrumental Analysis **4X5610Biochemistry I3X5620Biochemistry II35650Biochemistry Laboratory25710Environmental Chemistry35720Advanced Environmental Chemistry35970Special Topics5000Graduate Teaching Assistant Training1X6110Advanced Inorganic Chemistry3X6210Advanced Organic Chemistry36320Advanced Physical Chemistry36350Advanced Molecular Modeling3XX6410Advanced Analytical Chemistry3XX6610Advanced Biochemistry36970Advanced Special Topics3XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXTBDXXXXXX
Graduate Program GuidelinesSeminarsAttendance at all chemistry department seminars is required of all graduate students.Students should maintain professional conduct. Pay attention to the speaker, avoiding theuse of electronic devices. Asking questions is a good way to show engagement. Cellphones should be silenced. Treat speakers politely, as colleagues or possible employers.All graduate students will give two seminars as they complete their degree requirements –the Literature Seminar (typically second semester) and the Thesis Seminar (final semester).Students who do not give their Literature Seminar in the semester in which they enroll inthe class, but instead receive an Incomplete, can only receive a grade of B or below whenthey make up their Incomplete.Teaching AssistantshipsTTU policy on Graduate T.A. appointments and responsibilities is described in Policy #274and #276. This section describes more specific expectations from the Chemistrydepartment.Students being supported by a T.A. will be required to be available to assist in theproctoring of evening exams and final exams, at the discretion of the Chemistry Chair.Support on a T.A. is limited to four semesters (not including summers). The only exceptionto this rule should be for dire circumstances (such as medical incapacity). It is theresponsibility of both the student and the research advisor to insure that progress is madetoward timely graduation.Development as a T.A. is an important part of a graduate student’s overall development asa professional scientist. T.A.s are regularly evaluated for performance. Unacceptableperformance may lead to loss of financial support as a T.A.Please see also the later section on “Graduate Teaching Assistant Professionalism”.Conduct of ResearchAll research students must complete appropriate safety training before beginning work ina laboratory, as determined by the TTU Office of Environmental Health & Safety. Theresearch advisor (P.I.) for a particular lab is responsible for providing site-specific trainingand confirming that the student has completed the required online training modules.Students who carry out work in ways that are not compliant with current safety guidancemay be required to immediately cease work and may face additional sanctions.As chemical professionals in training, all M.S. students are expected to read, and work topg. 11
follow, the ethical standards of the American Chemical Society. Relevant material may befound on the website Ethics CORE: . students must maintain a current Laboratory Notebook that needs to be available forreview at any time, but especially during the Chem 6900 proposal presentation and thesisdefense. The notebook is to be given over to the Research Advisor at the conclusion of theprogram. Students should consult their own Research Advisor or committee for adviceregarding what form this notebook should take (electronic, bound, 3-ring loose bound,etc.).Some research advisors or student advisory committees may require additional ProgressReports to be submitted at intervals to be determined at the discretion of the committee.Presentations & PublicationsStudents are required to give at least one research presentation at a professional meeting,such as TTU Student Research Day, TAS meetings, ACS meetings, etc. This could beeither an oral or a poster presentation. Presentation at larger conferences in your field aremore helpful to your professional career, and can lead to important connections for futureemployment, admission to PhD programs or other research opportunities.Students are strongly encouraged to work with their research advisor to publish theirresearch in a scientific journal. Work that isn’t made public is of limited value to the world,and scientific progress relies on the process of peer review for assessing a work’s merit.Publications are especially important for students applying to PhD programs and for thoseinterested in an academic career.Remedial CourseworkDepending on individual students’ needs to remedy background deficiencies, students maybe required to informally audit undergraduate classes. This requirement could be made bythe M.S. Program Advisor, the Research Advisor, or the Advisory Committee. The FacultyLab Coordinator can also require this of graduate T.A.s for the class related to the lab beingtaught.Graduation Requirements and Degree CompletionThe faculty and staff do their best to track deadline dates imposed by the College ofGraduate Studies (available on its website), and to stay up to date on any changes to rules,policy and thesis guidelines. Nevertheless, the primary responsibility for this informationrests with the graduate students. Particularly in your final semester, you are required todownload the Graduate Studies’ manual for thesis preparation, which includes verydetailed notes on how things must be formatted.Following the rules and guidelines for the content and formatting of the thesis is critical tothe final acceptance of the thesis by the committee and the College of Graduate Studies.pg. 12
Special Topics CoursesThe coursework of the MS Chemistry program is designed to support your training withboth breadth and depth. From time to time, a student may need, or a faculty member maydecide to offer, a course beyond the established curriculum published in this handbookand in the Graduate Catalog. These “Special Topics” classes may be taken for 1 to 4hours of credit, although 3 hours credit is most typical. Students will typically takeSpecial Topics classes offered by their own research advisor, although in some cases aSpecial Topics class may have broad appeal to students in other research groups.Special Topics classes are offered as CHEM 5970 and as CHEM 6970 (as “AdvancedSpecial Topics”).CHEM 5970 and CHEM 6970 may be used to fill coursework requirements at either the5000 or the 6000 level, as appropriate. Students may take both CHEM 5970 and CHEM6970 as needed. When taking several Special Topics classes, it should be clear to thestudent, their advisor, their thesis committee, and the University that the classes aresubstantially different.All CHEM 5970 and CHEM 6970 classes require instructor consent, the approval of theMS Program Coordinator, and the department chair.Advanced undergraduates may also enroll in CHEM 5970 by instructor consent.The only recurring 5970 class is “Special Topics in Quantum Chemistry,” designed tosupplement incoming students’ knowledge of physical chemistry.pg. 13
Program TimelineThe following provides a set of milestones expected for a full-time graduate student beingsupported on a teaching assistantship. These have been set up by the ChemistryDepartment to keep the student progressing through the program to successfulmatriculation in a timely fashion. Exceptions to these milestones can be made only byapproval of the Chemistry M.S. Oversight Committee.Failure to make a good-faith effort to fulfill these milestones will result in the loss ofthe teaching assistantship. First Semester – Faculty Interviews – Student must interview a minimum of five facultymembers and turn in the Interview Sheet to the Graduate Student Advisor by the end ofthe 6th week of their first semester. This will include the selection of the top threeranked choices of a Research Advisor. Second Semester – Program of Study. The student, in consultation with their ResearchAdvisor, must complete a Program of Study form signed by their chosen committeeand the Chemistry Department Chair and file it with the Graduate School. This mustbe done within the first 6 weeks of the second semester. A hold is placed on a student’sregistration if this form is not filed after completion of 15 hours of graduate study.Second Semester – Directed Studies (Chem 6900). Students are encouraged tocomplete this course requirement as early as possible, but must do so no later than theend of their second semester.Second Semester – Literature Seminar (Chem 6910). Students must prepare and presenta seminar (in consultation with the Seminar Coordinator and their Research Advisor)on any area of chemistry except that which directly involves their thesis topic. This willbe presented to their peers and their Graduate Advisory Committee in the Thursdayafternoon seminar series. Students who fail to give their Literature Seminar in thesemester in which they enroll in it but instead receive an Incomplete, can only receivea grade of B or below when they make up their Incomplete. Last Semester – Second Graduate Seminar (Chem 6911) – Students must prepare andpresent a Friday afternoon departmental seminar (in consultation with the SeminarCoordinator and their Research Advisor) that adequately covers their thesis research.This is expected to take place in the Third or Fourth Semester, and is usually scheduledin conjunction with the thesis defense.Last Semester – Application for graduation is required (no exceptions) by the end ofthe first week of the semester that the student plans to graduate. Consult the GraduateSchool office for important dates such as 1) last day to complete thesis defense, 2) lastday to submit preliminary copy of thesis and 3) last day to apply for graduation.pg. 14
TTU Fast-Track M.S. Program in Chemistry(4 1)This is a “4 1” program designed for students in the TTU ACS-certified B.S. chemistryconcentration to provide a fast route to an M.S. degree, typically requiring an additionalyear beyond the B.S. degree.Advantages: Once accepted into Fast Track, a Teaching Assistantship is reserved for you foryour graduate year. Research performed with your faculty mentor as an undergraduate carries forwardinto your thesis research. Work on two degrees at once within a normal course load. Fast route to an advanced degree giving you marketable skills. Strengthens academic background for entry into Professional School or PhDprogram. Up to 6 hours of dual credit can be earned your senior year. These hours counttoward both your B.S. and M.S. degrees.For ACS Chemistry Majors:This program is designed for an ACS chemistry major to begin their senior year. A fasttrack senior may take 9 hours of graduate-level coursework (5000- or 6000- level, e.g. takeChem 5110 versus 4110) and have 6 of these hours also count toward their undergraduatedegree.Example schedule: (5000 and 6000 designate elective coursework approved by dept.)Senior YearSummerGraduate YearSummerFallFallSpringSpringChem 5000* Chem 6000Chem 6900 Chem 6910 Chem 6911 Chem 6990Chem 5000*Chem6000Chem 6000Chem6000Chem 5000Chem6990Chem 69903 s.h.6 s.h.1 s.h.10 s.h.9 s.h. 1 s.h. 30 s.h.*Up to 6 hours of credit can be counted toward both the undergraduate and graduatedegree.For Non-ACS majors:pg. 15
Non-ACS majors with coursework that satisfies the admissions requirements may also beadmitted. Students who haven’t previously been working toward the ACS requirementsshould start discussing the FT program with their undergraduate advisor and the graduateadvisor in their sophomore year, or as early as possible in their junior year. This givesmore time for any additional coursework to be taken. This additional coursework willminimize any bumps along the way to the MS and to maximize your research effectiveness.Transfer Students:Transfer students will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis.Admission: Subject to approval by the Chair and the Chemistry Graduate Committee.Overall QPA 2.8 or above, 3.0 or above in upper division chemistry courses.Application is allowed once Junior Standing is earned.Can begin Fast-Track program as a Senior.Final B.S. must include a minimum of:o Two semesters of calculus,o Two semesters each of genera
Chem 6210 - 3 hours - Advanced Organic (offered every other Spring) Chem 6320 - 3 hours - Advanced Physical (offered every other Fall) Chem 6350 - 3 hours - Advanced Molecular Modeling (offered every other Spring) Chem 6970 - 3 hours - Advanced Special Topics (TBA) 5000 Level . Electives * Chem 5110 - 3 hours - Inorganic .
