CHEM 510 Principles of Physical Chemistry
This course consists of the principles in quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, and thermodynamics and the intrinsic connection among these three foundations in physical chemistry. The interest will be mainly focused on chemical problems, both equilibrium and non-equilibrium, thermodynamics will be presented, within the frameworks of classical and quantum theories. The theory of the interactions, matter states, phase transitions, chemical chaos, and chemical kinetics mechanisms will be the main topics presented during the lectures. The subjects will be presented within a rigorous mathematical formalism and by mean of a modern, advanced theoretical physico-chemical/chemico-physical approach.
CHEM 511 Theoretical Chemistry
This is a graduate-level course that will highlight the computational theory and algorithms used to implement the theoretical methods. It will cover but not limited to molecular dynamics, molecular mechanics, ab initio, and density functional theories. The student will also learn the advantages and disadvantages of these methods and how to use them to solve problems of interest in chemistry and molecular sciences. The course will be project-based and the students will be encouraged to pursue projects related to their own research interest, if possible.
CHEM 515 Applied Colloid and Surfactant Science
The definition and classification of surfactant types will be discussed. The formation of micelles, measurement of the critical micelle concentrations and the Krafft temperature as well as the thermodynamics of micellization and the different types of lyotropic liquid crystalline phases will be covered. The principles of colloidal science, types of colloids, thin liquid films, various types of surface forces, their origin and measurement techniques, wetting and spreading phenomena, contact angle and spreading coefficient, hydrophobic and hydrophilic surfaces will be discussed. Dispersion and condensation techniques for preparation of colloids, characterization of the particle surface charge and size distribution, electrokinetic mobility and zeta-potential will be covered. Suspensions, emulsions and foams, Brownian motion, sedimentation velocity, dispersion destabilization mechanisms, Ostwald ripening, coalescence, flocculation and creaming, Bancroft rule for preferred type of emulsions and HLB will also be discussed. Applications of foams, emulsions and suspensions in consumer products will be discussed.
CHEM 518 Applied Polymer Science
Polymers are indispensable in our everyday life and surround us in a form of materials that we interact with on a regular basis without even fully realizing it: food, clothes, personal care, tableware, packaging, even our bodies themselves. Therefore, no education in Chemistry or any Life Science degree will be complete without studying general properties, synthesis, characteristics, functions, potential application and future of polymers. The first half of the course will be focusing on fundamental aspects of polymer chemistry, covering the definition and classification of polymers, their properties, functions, as well as the principles and steps of polymerization, their mechanisms and thermodynamic characteristics. Whilst the second half of this course will be providing closer insights on polymers for pharmaceutical and biomedical applications, introducing various polymeric structures (nano- and microparticles, hydrogels) as drug delivery vehicles and bioimaging agents and effectively discussing advances in mucoadhesive and stimuli-sensitive polymeric systems.
CHEM 520 Applied Analytical Chemistry
This course will be a survey of the major up to date analytical methods including spectroscopic methods such as molecular absorption, atomic absorption and emission, fluorescence spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, methods of electroanalytical chemistry and surface analysis. Various analytical aspects of non-optical spectroscopy and microscopy, including atomic force and electron microscopy as well as gas and liquid chromatography will be covered. An introduction to relevant instrumentation and examples of typical applications of those methods will be discussed. Outline of major topics: - error analysis, statistics, quality assurance, sampling and calibration methods; - electrochemical methods; - molecular and optical spectroscopy; - kinetic methods of analysis; - analytical separations and electrophoresis; - molecular mass spectrometry, XPS, SEM, scanning prob microscopy; optical surface analysis techniques.
CHEM 522 Analytical Environmental Chemistry
The course focuses on applications of instrumental chemical analysis techniques for natural samples and sampling of different types of sample materials (including water, sediments, soil and air). Relevant ISO / standard routines for sampling and analysis are examined. Storage of samples, sample pretreatment and quality assurance is discussed. The course is based on basic knowledge within analytical chemistry, and provides further in-depth study of the theory and applications of state-of-the-art instruments and analytical techniques in general for environmental monitoring. Techniques involve ion chromatography, spectrophotometry (UV/ Vis and IR), mass spectrometry using ICP-MS, potentiometry with various ion selective electrodes and other electroanalytical methods, together with relevant sensor technology. Further, the course covers sources of errors and limitations for the different techniques.
CHEM 530 Inorganic Structures and Reaction Mechanisms
This course covers the structures and reactivity of main-group element and transition metal compounds and in-depth analysis of bonding theories in inorganic chemistry and the mechanisms of inorganic reactions. Students will be introduced to coordination compounds as well as applications of inorganic compounds in heterogeneous and homogeneous catalysis; advantages and disadvantages of these types of catalysts will be discussed with examples of particular applications.
CHEM 531 Nanochemistry and Functional Nanomaterials
Nanochemistry and Functional Nanomaterials course provide a survey on the fundamental working principles of nanomaterials and their important role in modern science and technology. The course will discuss interesting interdisciplinary scientific approaches discussing the role of functional nanomaterials in catalytic reactions and sensing mechanisms. By the end of the course, students will be able to describe the working mechanism and design various nanomaterials-based sensors. This will provide a deeper understanding both of materials chemistry and analytical chemistry.
CHEM 531 Nanochemistry and Functional Nanomaterials
Nanochemistry and Functional Nanomaterials course provide a survey on the fundamental working principles of nanomaterials and their important role in modern science and technology. The course will discuss interesting interdisciplinary scientific approaches discussing the role of functional nanomaterials in catalytic reactions and sensing mechanisms. By the end of the course, students will be able to describe the working mechanism and design various nanomaterials-based sensors. This will provide a deeper understanding both of materials chemistry and analytical chemistry.
CHEM 532 Organometallic Chemistry
This course is concurrent with CHEM 451 – Applied Homogeneous Catalysis and CHEM 753 – Organometallic Catalysis and aims to teach students the concepts if modern organometallic chemistry with an emphasis on applications of organometallic compounds in synthetic chemistry and catalytic transformations, including applications in chemical industry. The course covers synthesis and bonding in organometallic complexes, fundamental reactions and their mechanisms, thermodynamic and kinetic considerations of complex formation, stability, reactivity of complexes and selectivity pf reactions, and applications of organometallic compounds in chemical synthesis. Applications of organometallic compounds in catalysis include in-depth analysis of mechanisms of catalytic reactions, methods for catalyst activation and separation and challenges in applying organometallic catalysts in industry.
CHEM 540 Organic Reactions and Mechanisms
The course will focus on both fundamental and advanced concepts in reactions and its corresponding mechanisms in organic chemistry. It will introduce students to a plethora of named reactions, organometallic catalysis and modern reagents for organic synthesis. The material is introduced in the context of its application in multi-step syntheses, as well as in total synthesis of natural products. This will provide a deeper understanding in both organic synthesis and physical-organic chemistry.
CHEM 541 Medicinal Chemistry and Drug Design
The course covers the different aspects of pharmaceutical science spanning from the discovery of an active substance ("lead" molecule) to the production of a commercial drug. The course will integrate concepts of physical chemistry, organic chemistry, spectroscopy and biochemistry into a multidisciplinary context of drug research and development.
CHEM 543 Structural Identification of Organic Compounds
This course covers modern methods of structural identification of organic compounds. Topics include Mass Spectrometry, Infrared Spectroscopy, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) Spectroscopy. Special emphasis will be on NMR spectroscopy; 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, and 2D-NMR. The application of these methods to structure elucidation of organic compounds is discussed with examples from synthesis problems. Also, X-Ray crystallography, Cambridge Structural Database and Crystal Structure Visualization program (Mercury) will be introduced.
CHEM 550 Selected Topics in Chemistry
This targeted course aims to introduce the students to the modern scientific literature. Each student will choose a contemporary topic in pure or applied chemistry related to his/her research field, with examples including synthetic methodology, catalysis, materials chemistry, environmental and green chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, advanced analytical techniques, etc.. The student will review both recent, seminal and most crucial contributions to the chosen field, prepare a templated literature review report and do a PowerPoint presentation. Each student will discuss the contents of his/her assignments with the course coordinator and an MSs thesis supervisor. Overall, it will provide a useful basis for drafting the thesis proposal and conducting independent research work.
CHEM 560 Directed Research in Chemistry
This course is designed to direct and evaluate the student’s research activity that is initiated after the completion of the CHEM550 Selected Topics in Chemistry course. During the course, students are expected to work independently on their MSc research projects and obtain, process, and analyze the experimental data. Specifically, students will conduct project feasibility studies, practice required experimental methodologies and collect samples and data. The course is designed for students to be consciously involved in their MSc thesis research projects and to monitor their research progress. Students are expected to provide a detailed review of a similar/related work in the literature (one research paper), describe their research project methodology and prepare a thesis research progress presentation. All this provides a basis for drafting final thesis proposal during the Fall Semester of the second year and for successful completion of MSc thesis project.
CHEM 591 Scientific Methods in Chemistry
This course introduces the students to specialized modern topics in physical, materials, organic and inorganic chemistry which are at the forefront of this discipline. The course will not only give students a comprehensive overview of many modern areas in chemistry and materials science, but also to present them with some current challenges and perspectives in these fields. The course will be delivered by 7 cycles of multidisciplinary lectures from 7 Chemistry faculty members, specific to their research interests, and covering broad topics from: (i) Applied nanotechnologies, (ii) Theoretical and computational approaches to design of functional and photoactive materials, (iii) Modern aspects of applied catalysis, (iv) Molecular spectroscopy and characterization of nanomaterials, (v) Advanced methods of surface analysis, (vi) Materials for sensing, environmental and biomedical applications, (vii) Multicomponent reactions for synthesis of functional bioactive materials and natural products.
CHEM 592 Chemistry Seminar
Chemistry Seminar extends the scope of CHEM 591 Hot Research Topics in Chemistry course by providing graduate students with a broader view of the latest interdisciplinary research in the field of Chemical Science and related disciplines such as Materials Science, Chemical Technology, Chemical Physics and Chemical Biology. Students are required to attend at least five invited talks of visiting or local academics, participate in the discussion sessions led by the speakers, and prepare three reports based on the attended seminars. Each report shall summarize in not more than three A4 pages (1.5 spacing) the work, key findings and conclusions presented. In addition, every student is expected to present a scientific paper as a PowerPoint presentation and to do a poster presentation on a topic set by the course instructor.
CHEM 691 Thesis Proposal
The Thesis Proposal is designed to monitor the progress and develop understandings and skills to plan and conduct independent research at the Master of Science level. Following the supervisor’s recommendations, the student will develop a thesis proposal that will state a research problem or hypothesis, its background, and then outline a research strategy including the experimental approach, methods of data collection and interpretation to validate it. The Thesis Proposal constitutes a partial fulfillment of the Master of Science degree requirements, and it will be partially or fully incorporated into the final MS Thesis.
CHEM 692 MSc Thesis in Chemistry
This course is the last in the series of research courses for master students that leads to successful writing, completion, and defense of the MSc thesis. The course is designed to support the students in writing their thesis and to assure a regular monitoring of their progress. It allows facilitation of the communication between course directors, supervisors and students and provides a framework for presenting and disseminating the data and knowledge linked to the experimental and/or theoretical work performed during the thesis. This is mostly done in form of two short presentations with discussion in the presence of supervisors, program directors, thesis defense committee and department staff. The content of these presentations represents the basis for the final presentation that will be used by the student during the thesis defense.