Chemistry

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OFFICE: Geology/Mathematics/Computer Science 209
TELEPHONE: 619-594-5595 / FAX: 619-594-4634
E-MAIL: cheminfo@sdsu.edu
WEBSITE: https://chemistry.sdsu.edu/

Certified by the American Chemical Society.

Faculty:

Chair: Cooksy, Andrew L., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.A., Harvard University; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Undergraduate Adviser: van der Geer, Peter, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Ph.D., University of Amsterdam, Netherlands)

Graduate Admissions and Adviser (Doctoral): Purse, Byron W., Associate  Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., University of Regina, Canada; Ph.D., Scripps Research Institute)

Graduate Adviser (Masters): Cole, Thomas E., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Purdue University; Ph.D., University of Texas at Austin)

Tenured and Tenure-Track Faculty:

Gustafson, Jeffrey L., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., San Diego State University; Ph.D., Yale University)

Holland, Gregory P., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., State University of New York at Buffalo; Ph.D., University of Wyoming)

Huxford, Tom, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Brigham Young University; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Tong, William G., Albert W. Johnson Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry and Vice Provost (B.S., Mandalay University, Myanmar; Ph.D., Iowa State University)

Bergdahl, B. Mikael, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., M.S., Ph.D., Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden)

Gu, Jing, Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Wuhan University, China; Ph.D., Tulane University)

Harrison, Christopher R., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Concordia University, Canada; Ph.D., University of Alberta, Canada)

Love, John J., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., State University of New York; Ph.D., University of California, San Diego)

Pullman, David P., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (A.B., Princeton University; M.A., Ph.D., Harvard University)

Sohl, Christal D., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., University of Oklahoma; Ph.D., Vanderbilt University)

Swairjo, Manal A., Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Kuwait University; Ph.D., Boston University)

Yan, Yong, Associate Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Wuhan University, China; Ph.D., Tulane University)

Garmann, Rees, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S. University of California, Berkeley; Ph.D., University of California, Los Angeles)

Komperda, Regis, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., M.S., University of Illinois; Ph.D., Catholic University of America)

Lee, Youngkwang, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., M.S., Kookmin University, South Korea; Ph.D., Seoul National University, South Korea)

Mao, Yuezhi, Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry (B.S., Peking University; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Additional Faculty: 

Grotjahn, Douglas B., Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Emeritus (B.A., Reed College; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley)

Lecturers:

Carlson, Theresa A., B.S., Chemistry

Peterson, Karen I., Ph.D., Chemistry

Emeritus Faculty:

Chatfield, Dale A., Ph.D., 1978-2012, Chair of Department; Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Dahms, Stephen A., Ph.D., 1978-2006, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Grubbs, Edward J., Ph.D., 1961-1997, Professor of Chemistry

Jones, Walter D., Ph.D., 1962-1991, Professor of Chemistry

Landis, Vincent J., Ph.D., 1954-1997, Professor of Chemistry

Lebherz, Herbert G., Ph.D., 1976-1996, Professor of Chemistry

Mathewson, James H., Ph.D., 1964-1992, Professor of Chemistry

Metzger, Robert P., Ph.D., 1968-2009, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Richardson, William H., Ph.D., 1963-1994, Professor of Chemistry [Senate Distinguished Professor]

Ring, Morey A., Ph.D., 1962-1995, Professor of Chemistry

Roeder, Stephen B. W., Ph.D., 1968-2010, Dean of College of Sciences; Chair of Department; Chair of Physics; Professor of Chemistry;  2004-2010, Dean, SDSU Imperial Valley

Stumph, William E., Ph.D., 1983-2012, Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Woodson, John H., Ph.D., 1961-1998, Professor of Chemistry

Undergraduate Information

The Major

Through the study of chemistry, students can better understand their environment and develop new materials that provide for a higher quality of life. Chemists are involved in a wide range of careers in research, development and the production of new goods. Basic chemical research provides society with discoveries of new substances and the means to predict their chemical and physical properties. In developmental chemistry, professionals find ways to put them to use. There are careers in methods of production to provide these materials to society in a cost-effective way. In each of these areas, there are subspecialties in analytical, biochemical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. Chemical education is also a research focus in our department, striving to understand how our students learn and how we may improve our teaching methods.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers five degree programs leading to the Bachelor of Arts degree, the Bachelor of Science degree, the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Science degree, and the Doctor of Philosophy degree (with the University of California, San Diego).

There are several options available in the undergraduate program for those wishing either a major or a minor in chemistry. A chemistry major with the Bachelor of Science degree and certificate of the American Chemical Society is designed to qualify students for many types of positions as chemists and for admission to graduate study.

The chemistry major with the Bachelor of Arts degree and certificate of the American Chemical Society is specifically designed to prepare students for careers and graduate work requiring a strong chemistry background. With an appropriate choice of electives, graduates can meet the requirements for admission to medical, dental and pharmaceutical schools. A minor in biology is recommended for those pursuing careers in the health professions.

The use of chemistry electives allows a student to focus on a particular area in chemistry such as analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical education, chemical physics, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, or physical chemistry.

Impacted Program

The chemistry major is an impacted program. To be admitted to the chemistry major, students must meet the following criteria:

1. Complete preparation for the major;
2. Complete a minimum of 60 transferable semester units;
3. Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.
4. For the chemistry major with an emphasis in integrated teacher education program (ITEP-SS), students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.67.

To complete the major, students must fulfill the degree requirements for the major described in the catalog in effect at the time they are accepted into the premajor at SDSU (assuming continuous enrollment).

Major Academic Plans (MAPs)

Visit https://www.sdsu.edu/mymap for the recommended courses needed to fulfill your major requirements. The MAPs website was created to help students navigate the course requirements for their majors and to identify which General Education course will also fulfill a major preparation course requirement.

Graduate Information

Associateships

Graduate teaching associateships and graduate non-teaching associateships in chemistry and biochemistry are available to a limited number of qualified students. Graduate teaching associateships can be valuable for applicable degree programs, preparing students for a teaching career. Application forms and additional information may be secured from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry websites at https://chemistry.sdsu.edu/forms and https://chemistry.sdsu.edu/graduate/degrees.php#GradAdmission.

General Information

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers graduate study leading to the Master of Arts, the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees in chemistry. The Ph.D. degree is offered jointly with the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at the University of California, San Diego. Thesis research in all graduate programs is offered in the following areas of chemistry: analytical chemistry, biochemistry, chemical education, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at SDSU provides a substantial inventory of modern chemical instrumentation in support of teaching and research. Included are systems for the performance of nearly all major types of chemical separations; four GC-, a GC-MS, MAIDI, two HPLC-mass spectrometric systems, high accuracy LC-MS, six HPLC and preparatory LC; two 400, 500, and 600 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrometers with probes for solid-state as well as liquid samples; three FT infrared spectrometers; Raman spectrometer, ultraviolet-visible spectrometric instruments for both atomic and molecular emission and absorption studies; electrochemical instrumentation for potentiometric, voltammetric and coulometric measurements; radiochemical instrumentation; laser systems for spectroscopy, covering UV to mid-IR wavelengths, and x-ray diffractometers for both small and macromolecules. Several groups have inert-atmosphere gloveboxes for conducting research on air- and moisture-sensitive compounds. The departmental computer lab has 25 personal computers for general use, and numerous research-grade computers are housed in individual laboratories. Access is also available to accounts on the College of Sciences Molecular Sciences Cluster and at the San Diego Supercomputer Center. In-house support staff includes NMR, analytical instrument technicians.

Admission to Graduate Study

Students applying for admission should electronically submit the university application available at https://www.calstate.edu/apply along with the application fee.

In addition, admissions materials must be submitted electronically. Three letters of reference are required from people who can comment on the applicant’s academic and research abilities. Refer to https://chemistry.sdsu.edu/graduate/degrees.php#GradAdmission for requirements for direct and indirect admission to the doctoral program and admission to Master of Science and Master of Arts programs.

The following materials should be submitted as a complete package directly to:

Graduate Admissions
Enrollment Services
San Diego State University
San Diego, CA 92182-7416

1. Official transcripts from all postsecondary institutions attended;
   • Students who attended SDSU need only submit transcripts for work completed since last attendance.
   • Students with international coursework must submit both the official transcript and proof of degree. If documents are in a language other than English, they must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
2. GRE scores (https://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682);
3. English language score, if medium of instruction was in a language other than English (https://www.ets.org SDSU institution code 4682).

For information about the admissions process, visit the school website at https://www.chemistry.sdsu.edu.

Doctoral Program

https://www.chemistry.sdsu.edu.

Faculty

The following faculty members of the cooperating institutions participate in the joint doctoral program, being available for direction of research and as departmental members of joint doctoral committees.

San Diego State University:
Graduate Advisers: Thomas E. Cole (master’s degree programs, Byron W. Purse (doctoral program)
Graduate Admissions: Thomas E. Cole,  Byron W. Purse
Committee Members: Bergdahl, Cole, Cooksy, Forsberg, Garmann, Grotjahn, Gu, Gustafson, Harrison, Holland, Huxford, Komperda, Lee, Love,Mao, Pullman, Purse, Sohl, Swairjo, Tong, van der Geer, Yan

University of California, San Diego:
Vice Chair of Graduate Education: Judy Kim
Committee Members: Amaro, Baker, Bertram, Burkart, Cohen, Continetti, Crowell, Dennis, Devaraj, Donoghue, Dorrestein, Figueroa, Fox, Galperin, G. Ghosh, P. Ghosh, Gianneschi, Guerrero, Hermann, Hoffmann, Jennings, Joseph, Kim, Komives, Kubiak, Kummel, Lindenberg, Magde, McCammon, Molina, Molinski, Muller, Nakagawa, Nicolaou, O’Connor, Opella, Paesani, Perrin, Prather, Rheingold, Sailor, Sawrey, Sinha, Tauber, Taylor, Tezcan, Theodorakis, Thiemens, Toor, Tor, Trogler, Tukey, Viadiu, Wang, Weare, Whitesell, Yang

Programs

• Chemistry Minor
• Chemistry, B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Chemistry, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Chemistry, B.A. in Liberal Arts and Sciences and Certificate of the American Chemical Society
• Chemistry, B.S. in Applied Arts and Sciences and Certificate of the American Chemical Society
• Chemistry, Emphasis in Biochemistry, B.S. in Applied Arts and Sciences and Certificate of the American Chemical Society
• Chemistry, Emphasis in Integrated Teacher Education Program (ITEP-SS), B.A. in Applied Arts and Sciences
• Chemistry, M.A.
• Chemistry, M.S.
• Chemistry, Ph.D.

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