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Graduate study in the chemical sciences offers research opportunities of great variety and scope. It offers, too, an unusual receptivity to different kinds of research interests, from the most immediate and practical to the highly theoretical. The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology includes faculty and programs in chemistry as well as in the emerging area of chemical biology. In fact, Stevens pioneered this area with the first undergraduate program in Chemical Biology in the late 1970s. Chemists and biologists share instruments and collaborate on joint educational and research programs. The close proximity of these disciplines encourages cooperation and provides access to equipment and expertise not usually available within a single department. The degrees Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy are offered in chemistry or chemical biology with concentrations in physical chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry, chemical biology and bioinformatics. Admission to the graduate program in chemistry requires an undergraduate education in chemistry. Admission to the chemical biology program requires either an undergraduate degree in chemistry with strong biology background or an undergraduate degree in biology with strong chemistry background. Research EnvironmentPolymer synthesis and characterization, methods of instrumental analysis, medicinal chemistry and structural chemistry (theoretical as well as experimental) are areas of chemistry in which the department has attained international recognition. Research in chemical biology focuses on protein trafficking through membranes, soil microbiology, drug encapsulation and dosing and proteomics. The department is housed in a modern building with well-equipped laboratories for tissue-culture work, protein separation and analysis and small animal studies. State-of-the-art instrumentation is also available, including confocal microscopy, PCR, radio-isotope labeling, fluorometry, double-beam spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared, nuclear magnetic resonance and high performance liquid chromatography, thermal analysis and electron tunneling microscopy. The department is the home for the Center for Mass Spectrometry - one of the best equipped mass spectrometry laboratories anywhere. Included are Electrospray, MALDI, GC/LC MS and other new techniques used in pioneering work in chemistry and biology. Periodically, the department invites a preeminent scientist for a sequence of informal talks and formal lectures. Previous lecturers have included Kenneth Pitzer and Herman Mark and the Nobelists William Lipscomb, Sir Derek Barton, Ilya Prigogine, Arthur Kornberg, Rosalyn Yalow, Sidney Altman and George Palade. Periodically, The Stivala Lectures in Chemistry invites an outstanding scientist for a day of lectures and discussions on timely topics in chemistry. Dr. James Cooper, M.D., established this lecture series in memory of his father Charles Cooper, who was a close friend of Professor Salvatore Stivala, a professor of chemistry and chemical engineering at Stevens. Awareness of recent developments in one's field is an important component of professional development. Therefore, attendance at seminars is required of all graduate students enrolled full-time in degree programs, and all doctoral students. Finally, a measure of the success of a student's education is the ability to carry out original research. Either a thesis or a special research problem should be part of the Master's program, unless evidence is presented that the student is already engaged in research outside of Stevens. Furthermore, students completing a Masters' thesis are required to present their results in a departmental seminar. The Ph.D. dissertation, of course, forms the major part of all doctoral programs. The department believes the vitality of an academic community depends on interaction among its members, and that teaching and learning are essential activities for professors and students alike. Degree ProgramsDegree programs (Master and Ph.D.) have the dual purpose of providing the broad basis for continued intellectual growth as well as specialization. The former is accomplished through a set of required core courses, which all students in the program must take. The latter is accomplished through electives chosen to meet the student's educational objectives. While flexibility is intended in designing a student's program, every program must include: i) any background courses required to correct deficiencies, and ii) the required core courses. All students should be familiar with the Institute's rules governing all graduate programs (see the Graduate Student Handbook). In particular, the following should be noted:
Master of Science DegreeThirty credits are required for the M.S. degree. The Study Plan for the M.S. must include the core courses. Although a thesis is not required, except for students on graduate appointments, students are encouraged to undertake a thesis (Ch 900) for at least five credits, or a Special Research Problem (Ch 800) for 3 credits. The total number of credits earned in pursuing both thesis and special research problem must not exceed 10 credits and is included in the 30 credits required for the degree. The thesis must be written and must conform to the standards of the Stevens Library. An oral defense is not required, but the thesis must be presented in a departmental seminar. A written report is required for the Special Research Problem. All fellows and teaching or research assistants are expected to complete a thesis. Doctor of Philosophy DegreeThe Master's degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program. Admission to the doctoral program is based on 1) GRE score, and 2) reasonable evidence that the student will prove capable of specialization on a broad intellectual foundation. Specifically, students will be admitted to the doctoral program only if the Admissions Committee feels that he/she is reasonably well prepared for the Qualifying Examinations in Chemistry or Chemical Biology, which must be passed within a 10-month period in the PhD program. Applicants with good academic records who lack this level of preparation may be admitted initially to the M.S. program. A student enrolled in the Master's program in Chemistry or Chemical Biology must request admission to the doctoral program through the department's Admissions Committee. Continuation in the doctoral program is contingent on passing the Qualifying Examination, Preliminary Examination, and meeting all other requirements. The purpose of the doctoral program is to educate scientists who are prepared to carry out independent investigations. While courses provide the tools for independent work, a large part of the doctoral work is done through independent study. This includes preparation for the qualifying and preliminary examinations, the preparation of research proposals and seminars and familiarity with the current scientific literature in the area of specialization. Ninety credits of graduate work in an approved program of study are required beyond the bachelor's degree; this may include up to 30 credits obtained in a master's degree program, if the area of the master's degree is relevant to the doctoral program. Those with a master's degree who wish to transfer those credits toward the Ph.D. must be aware that only one master's degree can be used toward the Ph.D. A doctoral dissertation based on the results of original research, carried out under the guidance of a faculty member and defended in a public examination, is a major component of the doctoral program, and is included in the 90-credit requirement. Graduate Certificate ProgramsIn addition to the degree programs, the Department currently offers "mini-graduate" programs leading to the Certificate of Special Study in one of six areas: Analytical Chemistry, Bioinformatics, Biomedical Chemistry, Chemical Biology, Chemical Physiology, and Polymer Chemistry. Students in these certificate programs must meet the same admission and performance standards as regular degree graduate students. Each of the certificate programs requires twelve credits (four courses), all of which are transferable to the appropriate Master's degree program
AdmissionsEducational programs and research span the separate disciplines of chemistry and biology. A combined department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, however, reflects the close overlap and strong interaction of these fields, and provides unique opportunities for students in the graduate programs. Students also have access to equipment and expertise not usually available within the separate disciplines. Admission criteria are different for each program. Students may enroll only for the program to which they have been admitted. A student admitted to Chemical Biology, for example, may not switch to Chemistry without having been admitted to Chemistry, and vice versa. Each program has distinct prerequisites, course requirements, and degree requirements. Admission to the graduate program in Chemistry requires an undergraduate preparation which includes organic chemistry (1 year), physical chemistry, analytical chemistry (including instrumental analysis), and other advanced chemistry courses, as well as adequate preparation in physics and calculus. Applicants whose undergraduate degree is in chemical engineering or biology can be considered for admission provided their record shows the previous requirements. Admission to the graduate program in Chemical Biology requires undergraduate biology courses which include at least cell biology and physiology, and a strong preparation in chemistry, which encompasses organic chemistry, and additional chemistry courses (physical chemistry and analytical chemistry strongly preferred). Applicants who lack any of these subjects on their undergraduate records may be admitted provisionally until these deficiencies have been satisfied. Students in either Chemistry or Chemical Biology are admitted to graduate study in one of several categories: Acceptance as a Special Student does not guarantee admission to Master's or Ph.D. programs; likewise, admission to the Master's program does not guarantee admission to the Ph.D. program. Students who wish to change programs, from Chemistry to Chemical Biology or vice versa, or students in the M.S. program who wish to be admitted to the Ph.D. program, must request the Admissions Committee in writing to evaluate their credentials for admission to the new program. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is required for admission to Ph.D. programs. Master of Science ProgramsApplicants must show evidence that their educational background and undergraduate preparation is adequate to succeed in the core courses, elective courses, and research that are required for the degree. Students with an undergraduate GPA of less than 3.0 will, in general, not be admitted to Master's programs. The TOEFL is required of international students. Doctoral ProgramsThe doctoral program is a community of scholars. Applicants will not be admitted to the doctoral program without evidence that they can pass the required examinations, perform a credible dissertation based on original research, succeed in course work, and live up to the high standards expected of the Ph.D. degree. For admission to the Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, the Graduate Record Examination is required. Although a minimum acceptable score is not specified, a score of less than 600 in the Quantitative Section stands little chance of being admitted. Applicants should also have a GPA of 3.4 or better for admission. The TOEFL is required of international students. The first major examination in the doctoral program is the Qualifying Examination, which must be passed within 10 months after acquiring 30 graduate credits and matriculating in the doctoral program. The matriculation date is the date that the graduate program advisor signs the doctoral study plan. Results of a similar examination taken at another institution or in another program are not transferable to Chemistry or Chemical Biology at Stevens. All parts of the Qualifying Examination must be taken at the same sitting and a single pass or fail grade is issued for the entire examination. The Examination is offered three times a year, on the fourth Monday of September, the fourth Monday of February, and the second Monday of June. Further details about the Qualifying Examination, Preliminary Examination, and graduate study in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology are found in the manual entitled, Departmental Requirements for Graduate Study in Chemistry and Chemical Biology. Graduate Certificate ProgramsStudents may be admitted for study in a Graduate Certificate Program consisting of four courses. The student may not enroll in any other courses besides those that are part of the Certificate Program. Although courses in a Graduate Certificate Program can be credited towards a Masters Degree, there is no implication or promise that the student in a Certificate Program will be admitted to the Masters degree program. The student's record must indicate that he/she has the necessary background to complete the courses satisfactorily. Special StudentA student may be admitted to a non-degree program to take one or more specific courses, depending on the student's needs and qualifications. Necessary qualifications generally include a bachelor's degree with 3.0 GPA minimum. Special Students are limited to four courses in this category. There is no promise or implication that a Special Student will be eventually admitted to a degree program. The student's record must indicate that he/she has the necessary background to complete the courses satisfactorily.
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