George Richter-Addo, Chair
Ann West, Graduate Liaison
208 Chemistry Building
Norman, OK 73019-3051
Phone: (405) 325-4811
FAX: (405) 325-6111
Internet: http://cheminfo.chem.ou.edu/
Professors: Abraham, Ashby, Blank, P. Cook, Dryhurst, Frech, Glatzhofer, Halterman, Klebba, Nicholas, Richter-Addo, Roe, R. W. Taylor, Wheeler, West, White; Associate Professors: Houser, Morvant, D. Nelson, Soloshonok, Yip, Zgurskaya; Assistant Professors: Cichewicz, Clifford, Mao, Rice, Rybenkov, Schroeder.
Information on both undergraduate and graduate programs is included. However, the general information contained in this section mainly covers undergraduate study. Please refer to the Graduate College section of this catalog for general information on graduate programs.
As part of the University-wide Honors Program, the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers special sections of General Chemistry and Organic Chemistry specifically designed for participants in the Honors College. Smaller class sizes allow students to receive more individualized attention.
Students who show particular ability are strongly encouraged to undertake a research problem as early as possible. Research problems are available in all areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biochemistry, and chemical education). The research is carried out under supervision of the faculty member who agrees to direct the student’s research.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry currently has an exchange program with the Department of Chemistry at the Technical University of Berlin. The program is open to chemistry majors in their junior or senior year. Students must have compiled a 3.25 grade point average and have had the equivalent of two years of college-level German.
Students are encouraged to participate in research in one of the many faculty groups. During the summer months each year, a Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship Program is offered in which superior undergraduates spend 8-12 weeks in one research group. High scholastic aptitude and a commitment to continue on to graduate school in chemistry are requirements for acceptance into this program.
Students majoring in chemistry are eligible to apply for any of the general scholarships awarded by the University Scholarship Committee. Further information and applications for the general scholarships and other financial aid, such as Educational Opportunity Grants, may be obtained from the University of Oklahoma Office of Financial Aid Services.
Students majoring in chemistry receive instruction, including laboratory experience, in all areas of chemistry. This provides necessary background for postgraduate studies or employment in the chemical industry or research laboratories.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers three programs leading to a degree in chemistry and/or biochemistry.
Candidates for these degrees must earn at least a C grade in each chemistry course presented for major credit.
Duplicate credit is not allowed in the following courses: 1415 and 1425; 3013 and 3053; 3012 and 3152; 3421 and 3451; 3423 and 3453. Courses 1315, 1415, 1425, 1614 and 4232 may not be counted as major work.
This program is generally pursued by students interested in biochemistry and/or in medical/life-sciences careers. Thirty-five hours beyond General Chemistry are required.
The required courses for this major are: 1315, 1415 or 1425, 3053, 3152, 3153, 3214, 3421, 3423, 3521, 3523, 3653, 3753, 4753, and 4913 or 4933; BOT/MBIO/ZOO 4843; MATH 1823, 2423; and PHYS 2414, 2424 or 2514, 2524.
This is the program pursued by students desiring the most comprehensive and complete undergraduate background in chemistry. Many such students pursue graduate studies in chemistry following graduation. This degree is fully accredited by the American Chemical Society. Thirty-nine hours beyond General Chemistry are required.
The following courses for this degree are: 1315, 1415 or 1425, 3053, 3152, 3153, 3214, 3421, 3423, 3521, 3523, 3653, 4023, 4033, 4333, 4444, and 4913 or 4923; MATH 1823, 2423; and PHYS 2514, 2524 (recommended) or 2414, 2424.
This program is generally pursued by students interested in studying science from a more interdisciplinary perspective. A minimum of 31 hours beyond General Chemistry are required for this degree.
The required courses for this degree are: 1315, 1415 or 1425, 3053, 3152, 3153, 3214, 3421 and 3423 or 3451 and 3453; one course from 3753, 4033, or 4444; nine hours from 3523, 3521, 3653, 4023, 4333, 4753, CEES 4114, and GEOL 3154 or GEOL 4970; and 4913 or 4923; MATH 1823, 2423; and PHYS 2414, 2424, or 2514, 2524.
Students majoring in other subjects may complete a minor in chemistry by completing 15 major credit hours of upper-division chemistry, of which no more than three credit hours may be independent study.
It is imperative for students considering a major in chemistry to contact the personnel in the Chemistry Advising Office (214 Chemistry Building Annex) so that an adviser can be assigned. Advisers work to ensure that students complete a program that meets their needs and are aware of career and graduate school opportunities. Advisers meet regularly with students.
Students may specialize in one of the following major areas of chemistry: analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical and chemical education (or in any combination).
Students who have satisfied the basic chemistry course requirements for a Bachelor of Science in Chemistry degree at the University of Oklahoma will have met the requirements for full graduate standing. Undergraduate majors from other institutions should meet departmental requirements as follows: the equivalent of courses 3053, 3152, 3153 (organic chemistry); 4023, 4033 (analytical chemistry); 3421, 3423, 3521, 3523 (physical chemistry) plus 4333 (inorganic chemistry). Deficiencies in these requirements may necessitate additional graduate coursework, and may increase the number of course credit hours required for an advanced degree.
Proficiency examinations are given to all incoming graduate students during the University’s enrollment period at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. There are five proficiency examinations, one each in the areas of biochemistry, inorganic, organic, analytical and physical chemistry. These examinations cover well-defined areas as outlined by the undergraduate chemistry courses and textbooks employed at major universities. It is extremely important that students realize the significance of these examinations, since they are used by the departmental Graduate Committee to ensure proper placement of each graduate student.
The general requirements for the master’s degree in the Graduate College must be met. Within these limits the student works under the supervision of the research director, the graduate liaison, and the departmental Graduate Committee.
Students interested in developing research capability in a particular area of chemistry and biochemistry usually select this option. If desired, students may take an interdisciplinary approach in their thesis. Minimum course requirements include completion of 15 credit hours in letter graded lecture courses at the 5000-6000 level in at least two of the five divisions.
This degree is generally selected by those students interested in obtaining an advanced degree in chemistry and biochemistry without research specialization. Minimum course requirements include completion of 21 credit hours in letter-graded lecture courses at the 5000-6000 level in at least three of the five divisions. A comprehensive oral examination is required.
Students who have passed the general examination for the Ph.D. degree may, on recommendation of the department, receive an M.S. degree (non-thesis option).
This degree deals with essential concepts in chemistry and effective methods and techniques for the teaching of these concepts. It is designed for the high school chemistry teacher working for an M.S. degree. The major course requirements include Chemistry 5013, 5023, 5033, 5203 and 5213, plus selected courses from the College of Education.
The Ph.D. degree in chemistry and biochemistry is awarded for excellence in research scholarship. It signifies the attainment of independently acquired and comprehensive learning attesting to general professional competence.
Minimum course requirements for graduate degree candidates include the completion of a minimum of 21 credit hours in letter-graded lecture courses at the 5000 or 6000 level. At least nine credit hours must be taken in courses at the 5000 or 6000 level which are offered in two other divisions or departments outside of the student’s major division. If more than three hours of these general lecture course requirements are to be taken outside the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, approval must be given by both the Advisory Committee and the Graduate Committee. A minimum grade average of 3.00 (on a 4.00 scale) must be achieved for the first 21 credit hours taken which qualify as general lecture courses with no more than two grades below B allowed. Failure to meet these requirements will result in the student being terminated from the graduate program in chemistry and biochemistry. Students must also complete the specific courses required by their particular division.
Emphasis may be in one area or a combination of the areas of analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical or chemical education. The student works under the general direction of the student’s major Professor and advisory committee. General examinations in the department consist of the writing and oral defense of a research proposition. Individual divisions within the department also have various additional requirements. Details on the requirements and general instructions to graduate students may be obtained from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry office, 208 Chemistry Building.