Provides graduate teaching assistants with knowledge of pedagogical approaches and available support systems. Special sections are reserved for international students, with focus on use of language, pedagogy, and cultural aspects of teaching in this country.
Dissertation writing under the direction of the major professor.
Non-Traditional Format: Independent research and preparation of the doctoral dissertation.
Advanced supervised experience in an applied setting. This course may not be used to satisfy a student's approved program of study.
Research while enrolled for a doctoral degree under the direction of faculty members.
Non-Traditional Format: Independent research under the direction of a faculty member.
A selected specialized area of physical chemistry or chemical physics. Typical areas include interstellar chemistry, laser technology, ion chemistry, etc. The focus is on current literature and ongoing research in cutting edge areas.
Optical absorption and emission spectroscopy of diatomic and polyatomic molecules and how the details of spectra can be used to determine molecular structure and intramolecular dynamics. Microwave, infrared, UV-visible, and photoelectron spectroscopy are studied with emphasis on the high resolution measurements possible with laser instruments.
Topics in quantum and computational chemistry including detailed studies of atomic and molecular electronic structure and bonding. Various strategies and methodologies for computations of molecular structure and bonding, including the evaluation of these strategies in the context of experimental data.
Mechanisms and rates of chemical reactions in the gas phase and in solution. Fast time-resolved experimental techniques to measure reaction rates and reaction intermediates. Photochemical and crossed molecular beam studies of elementary reactions. Energy transfer and state-specific disposal of energy in simple reactions. Unimolecular and bimolecular rate theories.
The principles of quantum mechanics and their application to chemical systems. The Schrodinger equation and strategies for solving it. Studies of exactly soluble model systems such as the particle in a box, harmonic oscillator, rigid rotor, and the hydrogen atom.