General
Information for
Graduate Students
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas at El Paso
500 University Avenue
El Paso, TX 79968-0513
(915) 747-5701
FAX: (915) 747-5748
March 10, 2016
4
GENERAL INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas at El Paso
I.
General
A.
Graduate students should try and finish in a timely manner - normally
two years.
B.
Teaching assistantships last only two years (four long terms and two
summer terms).
II.
Registration
A.
All students must be advised by the Graduate Advisor or his
representative.
B.
Registration should be by phone to avoid the late fee.
C.
Research assistants must register for a minimum of nine hours in a long
term and three hours in a summer.
III.
Seminar Course
A.
The Monday seminar is to be taken only once: thereafter, the Friday
seminar is repeated each semester.
IV.
Thesis Courses
A.
A student enrolls only once in Chem 5398 when beginning to write the
thesis.
B.
Afterward, Chem 5399 is repeated until the thesis is completed.
V.
The Optimum Sequence of Events
A.
First semester
1.
Get acquainted with faculty and their research areas.
2.
Find a faculty member who will direct your research.
3.
Prepare a Preliminary Program of Study (courses taken, to be
taken and thesis committee), signed by the Graduate Advisor
and your research director.
B.
Second semester
1.
Find an appropriate research topic and submit a preliminary
proposal abstract signed by you and your research director to the
Graduate Advisor.
C.
Third semester
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1.
D.
Research should be well under way and work on thesis begun;
enroll in Chem 5398.
Fourth semester
1.
Enroll in Chem 5399.
2.
Find out the schedule of Graduate School deadlines.
3.
File final Program of Study with Graduate School.
4.
Schedule oral exam with committee.
5.
File request for thesis exam with Graduate School.
6.
Submit thesis to committee members well in advance of exam.
7.
Bring thesis signature sheets to exam.
8.
Bring sheet certifying that you passed the exam to the exam.
9.
After the exam, finish and bind thesis and get original copy to
the Graduate School by the deadline.
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Check List
Send to:
Graduate
School
(Original)
Chem Dept
(Copy)
1. Graduate Application

2. Transcript


3. GRE/TOEFL Scores


4. Two recommendation
letters

(originals)
5. Application for TA
(Financial Aid)

(original)
6. Other Forms for
Graduate School

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An MS in chemistry requires a minimum of thirty hours of courses including research and
seminar. Seminar, CHEM 5195, can be counted only once, although it must be taken each
semester. In addition to these thirty hours, the student must take six hours of thesis, CHEM
5398 and CHEM 5399.
Eighteen of the thirty hours must be organized courses in the major field (chemistry) and six
hours must be in the minor (which may be chemistry). If the minor is chemistry, then these six
hours must be in addition to the eighteen for the major so that the student will finish with a
minimum of twenty four semester hours of organized courses in chemistry.
In general, all of the thirty must be at the graduate level with the exception that as many as nine
hours of approved (listed in the graduate catalog) upper level undergraduate hours may be
counted. Of these nine, no more than six hours can be applied to either the major or the minor.
Therefore, the student could use six undergraduate hours in the major and three in the minor, or
vice versa.
Six hours of organized courses can be transferred from other schools if approved by the
graduate advisor.
It is now required that each graduate student file a course of study with a supervising professor
and committee in the first semester.
See WEB page http://www.utep.edu/chem
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Course Requirements for M.S. in Chemistry
The course requirements for an MS degree in chemistry are spelled out in the
1998-2000 Graduate catalog.
I.
II.
Graduate School requirements
A.
At least 30 semester hours of graduate and upper division
undergraduate courses.
B.
A maximum of nine undergraduate hours may be included in the 30.
No more than six undergraduate hours in either the major or the minor.
C.
At least 18 semester hours of instruction in chemistry. (This can
include 6 s.h. of undergraduate courses and 6 s.h. of transfer courses).
Departmental requirements
A.
A minimum of 21 of the required 30 s.h. of credits must be in courses
at the 0500 level. (This is really the same as IB., above.)
B.
Credits must include at least one graduate level course in three of the
five areas: organic, physical, inorganic, analytical or biochemistry.
C.
Although seminar must be taken each semester of residence, only one
s.h. of this course can count toward the total of 30.
D.
A minor consisting of 6 s.h. of approved supporting work, which could
be chemistry, is included in the total of 30.
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Typical Course of Study
Master of Science in Chemistry
(An Example Only)
Major:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
CHEM 5321 Advanced Organic Chemistry I
CHEM 5322 Advanced Organic Chemistry II
CHEM 5351 Advanced Physical Chemistry I
CHEM 5352 Advanced Physical Chemistry II
CHEM 5361 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 4332 Biochemistry (undergraduate)
Subtotal: 18 semester hours
18 hrs
Minor:
1.
2.
MATH 3323 Matrix Algebra (undergraduate)
MATH 4326 Linear Algebra (undergraduate)
Subtotal: 6 semester hours
24 hrs
Nonorganized courses:
1.
2.
3.
CHEM 5195 Graduate Seminar
CHEM 5296 Graduate Research in Chemistry
CHEM 5396 Graduate Research in Chemistry
Subtotal: 6 semester hours
30 hrs
Thesis:
1.
2.
CHEM 5398 Thesis
CHEM 5399 Thesis
Subtotal: 6 semester hours
36 hrs
Total: 36 semester hours
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The following is reprinted form the University of Texas at El Paso Academic
Catalog.
Department of Chemistry
201A Physical Science Building
(915) 747-5701
CHAIRPERSON: Dr. Russell R. Chianelli
PROFESSORS EMERITI: James W. Whalen, Winston Lloyd and William C.
Herndon.
GRADUATE FACULTY: Becvar, Chianelli, Davis, Dirk, Ellzey, Gardea-Torresdey,
Pannell, Salvador and Martinez
The Department of Chemistry offers studies leading to the degree of Master of
Science in Chemistry with experimental and/or theoretical research in the following
fields of specialization: analytical, biochemistry, environmental, inorganic, organic,
organometallic, physical, chemical physics, and materials science. Through a
cooperative program with the Department of Geological Sciences, an M.S. degree in
with a concentration in geochemistry is offered. In collaboration with the Department
of Geological Sciences, a program that can lead to the doctoral degree can be offered
(for details concerning the doctoral program, see the listing for the Department of
Geological Sciences).
General Departmental Requirements
The normal prerequisite to graduate studies in the Department of Chemistry is
the bachelor’s degree in Chemistry with a B average in chemistry courses taken at
the junior and senior level. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required with an
average of 500 on the verbal and quantative parts. International students must make
a 550 on the TOEFL for admission. Teaching Assistants are required to make a
TOEFL score of 600.
Ph.D. in Materials Sciences and Engineering (Chemistry Option)
The Department of Chemistry is a participant in a multi-disciplinary program
leading to the Ph.D. degree in Materials Sciences and Engineering. Information
regarding admission and degree requirements can be obtained from the Chairperson,
Department of Chemistry, and from the Program Administrator, Materials Research
Institute.
Master of Science in Chemistry
In addition to the institutional requirements for a Master of Science degree, which
includes a thesis, the candidate must also meet the following stipulations: A minimum
of 21 of the required 30 hours of credits must be in courses at the 0500 level. Credits
must include at least one graduate level course in three of the five areas of organic
11
chemistry, physical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, analytical chemistry, or
biochemistry. The candidate must also enroll in Chemistry 1595 during each
semester of residence. Not more than one hour of Chemistry 1595 may be counted
toward the 30 credit hour requirement. The normal program for the M.S. degree in
Chemistry may include 6 hours of supporting work from approved fields. A program
of specialization in chemical physics may be elected with the permission of the
graduate advisor. Such a program may include, within the required 30 hours or
credits, up to 12 hours in the related fields (e.g., Physics, Mathematics). Courses of
study are designed for each student in consultation with the advisor. Each student
must confer wit the graduate advisor prior to each registration. The thesis presented
for this degree must describe original work related to a research problem of some
importance. The thesis must be defended orally.
Five-Year B.S.-M.S. Program
The curriculum for the B.S. degree in Chemistry can be completed in three and
one-half years. After admission to the Graduate School of the University, it is
possible to obtain the M.S. degree at the end of the fifth year of study in Chemistry.
Qualified students should consult their academic advisor about the course of study,
and about the various forms of financial assistance obtainable through this program..
Master of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies (M.S.I.S.)
The requirements for this degree are described under “Master of Science in
Interdisciplinary Studies” in the UTEP academic catalog. The program is designed for
individuals possessing a bachelor’s degree and wishing to work in areas outside of
their previous training. The program is interdisciplinary and involves 36 hours of
approved course work in at least three different departments. A maximum of 6 hours
of research problem work are included in the 36 hours; however, no thesis is required
in this program.
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For Undergraduate and Graduate Students
3321-3322
3221-3222
3310
3110
3351-3352
3151-3152
3326
3126
4328
4330
4332
4211
4212
4362
4365
4165
2147-4376
4380
Organic Chemistry
Laboratory for Chemistry 3321-3322
Analytical Chemistry
Laboratory for Chemistry 3310
Physical Chemistry
Laboratory for Chemistry 3351-3352
Physical Chemistry (not for Chemistry majors)
Laboratory for Chemistry 3326
Advanced Topics in Chemistry
Biochemistry I
Biochemistry II
Instrumental Methods of Analytical Chemistry
Laboratory for Chemistry 4211
Structure of Matter
Inorganic Chemistry
Laboratory Course in Inorganic Chemistry
Introduction to Research
Polymer Chemistry
For Graduate Students Only
5301-5302 Modern General Chemistry (3-0; 3-0)
An intensive course intended for school teachers, which presents a thorough
grounding in the basic principles of chemistry. May not be counted toward the
M.D. Degree in Chemistry. Prerequisite: 18 semester hours of undergraduate
Chemistry.
5101 Advanced Experimental Chemistry (0-3)
For school teachers. Laboratory techniques demonstrating the principles of
chemistry. Topics chosen from analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and
biological chemistry. May not be counted toward the M.S. Degree in Chemistry.
Prerequisite: 18 semester hours of undergraduate Chemistry. Laboratory Fee: $8.
5318 Advanced Analytical Chemistry (3-0)
Chemical equilibrium and its applications to separation and analysis.
5319 Contemporary Topics in Analytical Chemistry* (3-0)
Selected topics of current interest in modern analytical chemistry.
5321 Advanced Organic Chemistry I (3-0)
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A survey of the more important types of reactions in organic chemistry; reaction
mechanisms, stereochemistry of intermediates and products; current structural
theory. Prerequisite: CHEM 3322
5322 Advanced Organic Chemistry II (3-0)
A continuation of Chemistry 5321. Prerequisites: CHEM 5321.
5329 Contemporary Topics in Organic Chemistry* (3-0)
Selected topics of current interest in descriptive and theoretical organic chemistry.
5331 Advanced Biological Chemistry (3-0)
A survey of metabolism, enzyme catalysis, membrane function, and molecular
biochemistry.
5339 Contemporary Topics in Biochemistry* (3-0)
Selected topics of current interest in organic or physical aspects of biological
chemistry.
5351 Advanced Physical Chemistry I (3-0)
Schrodinger wave mechanics; atomic and molecular quantum states; applications
to the treatment of wave functions for atoms and molecules.
5352 Advanced Physical Chemistry II (3-0)
Classical and statistical thermodynamics; applications to physical and chemical
systems.
5359 Contemporary Topics in Physical Chemistry* (3-0)
Selected topics of current interest in experimental and theoretical fields of physical
chemistry.
5361 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3-0)
Ionic, metallic and covalent bonding; valence bond, molecular orbital and ligand
field theories; structure and properties of coordination compounds, metal
carbonyls and complexes.
5369 Contemporary Topics in Inorganic Chemistry* (3-0)
Selected topics in inorganic chemistry.
5195 Graduate Seminar (1-0)
5196-5396 Graduate Research in Chemistry (3-0)
Prerequisite: Graduate standing and staff consent.
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5398 Thesis
5399 Thesis
* May be repeated for credit when topics vary.
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The following is reprinted from the Chemical Sciences Graduate School Finder 1998
.
The University of Texas - El Paso
Department of Chemistry
El Paso, Texas
State-related, Urban
Full-time graduate & undergraduate students as the institution: 14,677
Full-time graduate students at the institution: 2,132
Full-time graduate students in the department: 8
Postdoctoral personnel in the department: 5
Department Information
Department of Chemistry
The University of Texas-El Paso
El Paso, TX 79968-0513
Telephone: (915) 747-5701
Fax: (915) 747-5748
Department chair/head: Dr. Russell R. Chianelli
Degrees offered: Master’s, Ph.D.
Programs of Study
Organic
Physical
Inorganic
Degrees Granted
M.S.
Ph.D.
2
NA
2
NA
1
NA
Comments: Students can obtain the Ph.D. in Materials Science with an emphasis on chemistry.
The interdisciplinary materials science program is coordinated by the Materials Research
Institute.
Admissions
Admissions contact: Dr. M.L. Ellzey, Jr., Graduate Advisor, (915) 747-5701 E-mail
lellzey@utep.edu
Admissions deadline: 7/1
Application fees: $65
Degree(s) required: B.A. or B.S. equivalent in chemistry
Minimum GPA: 3.0
GRE required: Yes
Advanced GRE required: No
Letters of recommendation: Yes
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Required courses: General chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, physical
chemistry, calculus, physics
Recommended courses: Inorganic chemistry, biochemistry
Additional admission requirement: Applicants from non-English speaking countries must score at
least 550 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Estimated no. of applicants 1994-1995: 50
No. of graduate students 1994-1995 class: 23
1993-1994 class: 60% male 40% female
Pre-admission travel funds available: No
Degree Requirements
Master’s
Semester/quarter/trimester hrs: 30 sem. hrs.
Minimum GPA: 3.0
Residency: None
Foreign language: No
Computer language: No
Exams: Comprehensive: No, Placement: - Cumulative: Thesis: Yes
Ph.D.
Semester/quarter/trimester hrs: NA
Minimum GPA: NA
Residency: NA
Foreign language: NA
Computer language: NA
Exams: Comprehensive: NA, Placement: NA Cumulative: NA
Dissertation: NA
Financial Information
Annual Costs
Tuition (in-state): $1,413
Tuition(out-of-state): $5,553 - Waived for TA’s and RA’s
Mandatory fees: $457
Estimated living expenses: $5,879
Assistance (based on 12 months)
No.
Program
$ Range
10
teaching assistantships
$9,350
0
research fellowships
NA
0
supplemental fellowships
NA
$ Avg
$9,350
NA
NA
Graduate housing available: Yes
Housing contact: Housing Business Office, Kelley Hall #105, (915) 747-5352
Health insurance costs: $411
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Research Facilities
Avg. annual research budget (external funds): $700,000
Research in all major areas of chemistry can be supported by the facilities in this
department. Additional equipment specifically for research in materials science is also available.
Graduate students can expect hands-on training on much of the equipment.
Analytical and spectroscopic facilities include a Bruker 200 MHZ NMR spectrometer, and a
Varian electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometer with a 12 inch magnet and upgraded
console. There is also a Varian EM360 NMR. Other spectrometers include IBM Model 30 and
Perkin-Elmer 1600 Fourier transform and non-transform infrared infra-red machines. PerkinElmer Lambda 4c ultraviolet-visible absorption and 1s-5 fluorescence spectrometers; Varian
atomic absorption, American Instrument emission and Hewlett-Packard diode-array
spectrometers are also available in the department.
Chromatographic equipment includes 12 gas chromatographs, a Hewlett-Packard 5880A gc
and a Waters Associates high performance liquid chromatograph. A Parr solution calorimeter, a
Tronac solution calorimeter, an in-house stop-flow system and a Perkin-Elmer DSC7 differential
scanning calorimeter can be employed for calorimetric studies. The department also has
standard support equipment, including polarimeter, densitometers and centrifuges.
The X-ray Crystallography Center is based on a Siemens-Nicolet single crystal x-ray system
with modern computer control and processing. Quality color terminals are available for graphics
display. Computational facilities include personal computers and terminals which connect to the
campus computer center, the library and the University of Texas System Center for High
Performance Computing in Austin. The supercomputer at the Texas System CHPC is a Cray.
The campus library is easily accessible from the chemistry building and exchange of materials
with neighboring libraries is facilitated.
Faculty and Research Areas
9 Full-Time professor(s) - (4) Emeritus
1 Adjunct professor(s)
Becvar, James Edgar, Associate Professor, Ph.D., University of Michigan, 1973. Biochemistry.
Enzymology of bacterial bioluminescence. Chemical and spectroscopic properties of
luciferase intermediates and associated enzymes. Microbiology of luminous bacteria.
Application of luminescence methods to localization of enzyme activities resolved by
electrophoresis.
Chianelli, Russell R., Chairman and Professor, Ph.D., Polytechnic
Institute of Brooklyn,
1974. Materials and Environmental
Sciences.
Catalytic and energy storage materials,
materials in
art/archeology, glasses, bioremedial, and air quality chemistry.
Davis, Michael Ian, Professor, Ph.D., University of London, 1962. Physical Chemistry.
Aqueous binary liquid mixtures. Thermodynamics.
Dirk, Carl, Professor, Ph.D., Northwestern University, 1983. Physical Organic
Chemistry/Materials Science. Organic nonlinear optical materials, optical and electronic
properties of organic molecules, dye chemistry, basic theory of optical processes in organic
molecules, plastic optical fibers.
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Ellzey, Jr., Marion Lawrence, Professor, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 1966.
Physical Chemistry. Group theory and linear algebra applied to quantum mechanics.
Effective Hamiltonian methods for correlating molecular structure with spectra and magnetic
properties. E-mail address: lellzey@utep.edu
Gardea-Torresdey, Jorge L., Ph.D., New Mexico State University, 1988. Analytical Chemistry.
Environmental Chemistry. Characterization and investigation of metal binding to
biomaterials for remediation of contaminated water supplies; environmental analysis GC,
GS/MS, AAS, ICP, ICP/MS and electroanalytical techniques; Environmental pollution in the
U.S. - Mexican border.
Herndon, William Cecil, Professor Emeritus, Ph.D., Rice University, 1959. Organic Chemistry.
Donor-acceptor complexes. Kinetics, regioselectivity, and thermochemistry of
cycloadditions. Structure-resonance theory and graph theory applied to organic and metalorganic compounds. Thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies of chiral forces.
Thermodynamic and spectroscopic studies of hydrogen bonding.
Pannell, Keith Howard, Professor, Ph.D., University of Toronto, 1966. Inorganic
Chemistry/Organometallic Chemistry. Interactions of transition metal complexes with
heterocyclic and organosilicon materials. Use of crown ethers to effect transport of metals.
Use of metal-doped smectite clays to activate organic molecules.
Salvador, James, Associated Professor, Ph.D., New Mexico State University, 1990. Organic
Chemistry. Synthetic methodology, reaction mechanisms, stereo chemistry, asymmetric
synthesis.
Martínez, Luis E. Assistant Professor, Ph.D., Harvard University, 1997.
Organic Chemistry.
Discovery, development, and application of unique,
transition metal-mediated, solid-phase synthetic
methods for the solidphase synthesis of pharmacologically active small molecules. Application
of synthetic libraries of biologically active natural and non-natural products
to probe and study of
biological receptor and enzyme function. Development and application of new asymmetric catalysts.
Synthesis, development, and applications of chiral polymers.
Elizabeth A. Gardner – assistant professor of inorganic chemistry
Post Doctoral Associate at Argonne National Laboratory; Ph. D. Chemistry, Michigan State University;
B. S. Chemistry, Pennsylvania State University
Research interests include heterogeneous catalysis, catalyts for synthesis of biodegradable polymers using
CO2, and alkenes, development of column packings for protein seperations.
Geoffrey B. Saupe, Assistant Professor, Ph.D., The University of Texas at Austin, 1998,
Analytical Chemistry. Photocatalysis and light to chemical energy conversion. Surfacechemical dynamics of catalytic systems and of DNA self-assembled monolayer films using
Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy. Chemical sensing via ultrathin oxide films.
Assembly of tailored film composites with nanometer-level structure. Solution based
synthesis of porous metal-oxide solids and gels. Laser-flash photolysis for characterizing
19
electron transfer kinetics.
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