Chemistry & Biochemistry

Chair: Wilma A. Saffran

Graduate Advisors: A. David Baker (Chemistry); Wilma A. Saffran (Biochemistry)

Department Office: Remsen 206, 997-4100

Department Website: http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Academics/Degrees/DMNS/Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers programs leading to the degree of Master of Arts with concentrated study in chemistry or biochemistry. These programs include course and standard laboratory work designed to prepare the student for employment in the chemical industry, government, or teaching, or for continuation of study for an advanced degree. The department is an active component of the doctoral programs in chemistry and biochemistry of the CUNY Graduate Center.

In addition to the programs of courses outlined below, each student is strongly encouraged to participate in the extensive research programs of the department, which in recent years have been funded by the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, Research Corporation, Pfeiffer Research Foundation, Howard Hughes Medical Institute, and Department of Defense. Participation in research is one of the best ways for the student to gain an appreciation for the daily activities of a working chemist. A brochure listing the research interests of the faculty may be obtained in the department office, or students can access the department’s webpage at: http://www.qc.cuny.edu/Academics/Degrees/DMNS/Chemistry.

The department is also an active participant in the Graduate Cooperative Education Program, and has an active Preparing Future Faculty program supported by the National Science Foundation and the American Chemical Society. Students should contact the graduate advisor for details and a discussion of the opportunities this program offers.

Faculty

Saffran, Wilma A., Chair, Associate Professor, PhD 1979, Cornell University: biochemistry, molecular biology: DNA damage and repair; mutagenesis; recombination; carcinogenesis.

Baker, A. David, Graduate Advisor (Chemistry), Professor, PhD 1968, University of London: heterocyclic chemistry: synthesis and study of heterocyclic molecules and their metal ion complexes that undergo specific interactions (e.g., enantiospecific) with nucleic acids; synthesis of drugs that inhibit protein kinase C activity.

Axelrad, George, Professor Emeritus, PhD 1960, University of Kansas: organic chemistry.

Bittman, Robert, Distinguished Professor, PhD 1965, University of California at Berkeley: biochemistry and organic chemistry: lipid second messengers, antitumor ether lipids; development of new methods for chemical synthesis of glycerolipids and sphingolipids; photoactivatable lipids. 

Chen, Yu, Assistant Professor, Phd 2005, University of Toronto: organic and organometallic chemistry: asymmetric synthesis and catalysis; late-transition-metal catalysis; heterocyclic chenistry; combinatorial chemistry; microwave systhesis; design and synthesis of homochiral biaryl ligands. 

Disch, Raymond L., Professor Emeritus, PhD 1959, Harvard University: physical chemistry: electric, magnetic, and optical studies of molecular structure; laser polarimetry; electro- and magnetic-optical effects; ORD/CD; ab initio molecular orbital theory.

Engel, Robert R., Professor, PhD 1966, Pennsylvania State University: organic and biochemistry: design and synthesis of metabolic regulators; phosphonic acids as analogues of natural phosphates; phosphonate and phosphinate synthesis; synthesis and investigation of dendrimeric phosphorus species; chemical architecture, polycationic organic salts; ionic liquids.

Evans, Cherice M., Assistant Professor, PhD 2000, Louisiana State University: physical chemistry: applications of synchrotron radiation in chemistry, laser spectroscopy, solvation in supercritical fluids, molecular Rydberg–Rydberg transitions, field effects on molecular Rydberg states, non-linear dynamical systems, oscillatory chemical reactions.

Gafney, Harry D., Professor, PhD 1970, Wayne State University: inorganic chemistry and material science: photochemistry of transition and main group metal complexes, hybrid catalysis, photoinduced electron transfer; excited state acid-base chemistry; photodeposition and characterization of metal and metal oxide clusters in glass; photochemical generation of gradient indices in glass.

Hersh, William H., Professor, PhD 1980, Columbia University: organic and organometallic: synthesis of chiral phosphorus compounds for antisense oligonucleotides; chiral catalysis of Diels-Adler reactions and hydroformylation; synthesis of electron-deficient phosphorus compounds and chiral phosphorus compounds.

Jang, Seogjoo, Assistant Professor, PhD 1999, University of Pennsylvania: theoretical physical chemistry, computational chemistry: energy transfer theory; electron transfer theory; nanoscale conductance; computational modeling of photosynthetic systems, conjugated polymers, and DNA; path integral theory and simulation.

Koeppl, Gerald W., Professor, PhD 1969, Illinois Institute of Technology: physical chemistry: theory of molecular rate processes; classical mechanical trajectory studies of chemical reaction dynamics; formulation of variational versions of the transition state theory of chemical reaction rates.

Kumar, Sanjay, Assistant Professor, PhD 2005, Wesleyan University: bio-organic and medicinal chemistry: enzymology; signal transduction, inhibitor design and synthesis; molecular modeling. 

Liu, Jianbo, Assistant Professor, PhD 1997, Tsinghua University (China): physical and analytical chemistry: application of spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, and ion-molecule reaction techniques to biologically relevant processes; ab initio/statistical calculation and direct dynamics trajectory simulation; nonmaterials.

Locke, David C., Professor Emeritus, PhD 1965, Kansas State University: analytical separations; chemistry of biosolids.

Mirkin, Michael V., Professor, PhD 1987, Kazakh State University: electrochemistry/physical/analytical: reactions at liquid interfaces; bioelectrochemistry; electrochemical kinetics; scanning electrochemical microscopy; electrochemical systems approaching molecular dimensions, mathematical modeling of electrochemical processes.

Rotenberg, Susan A., Professor, PhD 1985, Brown University: biochemistry, enzymology, protein chemistry, enzyme inhibitors, site-directed mutagenesis, signal transduction, anti-neoplastic drug design.

Samuni, Uri, Assistant Professor, PhD 1998, Hebrew University of Jerusalem: physical chemistry, biophysics: resonance Raman and surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS); sol-gel encapsulation of proteins; development of nanogels and their applications in imaging and drug delivery; photonics and nanobiophotonics applications.

Schulman, Jerome M., Professor Emeritus, PhD 1964, Columbia University: physical chemistry.

Strekas, Thomas C., Professor, PhD 1973, Princeton University: inorganic and biochemistry: Raman and resonance Raman studies of transition metal diimine complexes; metal complex interactions with nucleic acids.

Tropp, Burton E., Professor Emeritus, PhD 1966, Harvard University: biochemistry: genetic and pharmacological aspects of phosphoglyceride metabolism.

Master of Arts Program

Requirements for Matriculation

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for admission.

1. Undergraduate credits in chemistry should include one full year each of general, organic, and physical chemistry, and one-half year of quantitative analysis. Mathematics through integral calculus and one year of physics are required. Students planning to concentrate in biochemistry should have completed at least one year of biology and one semester of biochemistry (lecture and laboratory). Deficiencies may be removed by coursework or individual study.

2. Three written recommendations from undergraduate chemistry instructors are required (preferably from instructors who have taught the applicant during the junior or senior year).

3. An interview with a member of the chemistry and biochemistry graduate committee may be requested. The committee decides on deficiencies, conditions, exceptions, and special permissions.

4. Students whose native language is not English must submit Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree

These requirements are in addition to the general requirements for the Master of Arts.

A minimum of 30 graduate course credits, including

a. One of the two following sets of required courses:

For a specialization in chemistry:

CHEM 710 – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 750 – Advanced Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)

CHEM 760 – Introductory Quantum Chemistry (3 cr.)

A second course in physical chemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 780 or 781 – Advanced Seminar (2 cr.)

CHEM 790 – Basic Laboratory Techniques for Research (4 cr.)

CHEM 795 – Research (10 cr. max.)

or, alternatively

For a specialization in biochemistry:

BIOCHEM 710 – Advanced Biochemistry (3 cr.)

BIOCHEM 711.1 & 711.2 – Basic Laboratory Techniques for Research in Biochemistry (8 cr.)

CHEM 750 – Advanced Organic Chemistry I (3 cr.)

CHEM 760 – Introductory Quantum Chemistry (3 cr.)

or

CHEM 770 – Chemical Thermo-dynamics (3 cr.)

or

BIOCHEM 770 – Physical Biochemistry (3 cr.)

CHEM 780 or 781 – Advanced Seminar (2 cr.)

or

BIOCHEM U810A – Seminar in Biochemistry (2 cr.)

CHEM 790 (or BIOCHEM 796) – Basic Laboratory Techniques for Research (4 cr.)

The chemistry and biochemistry graduate committee may waive or modify some of these requirements for students who have had equivalent training. In some cases the student may be required to show competence by formal or informal examination.

b. Remaining credits may be taken, with the prior approval of the graduate committee, in graduate courses in the Division of the Natural Sciences. A maximum of 2 credits in seminars will be credited toward the Master of Arts degree. Students are encouraged to audit additional seminars.

The required courses for the Master of Arts, described above in Part a, are similar to the core courses for the university doctoral programs in chemistry and biochemistry, which are described in the Bulletin of the CUNY Graduate Center.

Program for the Master of Science in Education Degree

Requirements for Matriculation

In general students should have an undergraduate major or minor in chemistry. Students lacking this but showing promise to succeed in master’s-level chemistry courses may be permitted to enter as probationary matriculants and may be required to make up undergraduate course deficiencies. Probationary status will be removed upon completion of 9 credits of approved coursework with a minimum average of B.

Requirements for the Degree

1. Candidates in this program have two advisors, one in the Division of Education and one in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. Both advisors must be consulted before registering in the program, and both must sign the approved program of studies. The education advisor should be consulted first.

2. Course requirements include 15 credits in 700-level courses in chemistry and/or biochemistry. CHEM 504 is also acceptable toward this degree.

Relationship to the CUNY PhD Programs in Chemistry and Biochemistry

1. The doctoral programs in chemistry and biochemistry based at the Graduate Center are described in the Bulletin of the CUNY Graduate Center. Up to 30 credits of 700-level coursework in chemistry or biochemistry taken at Queens College may be transferred to meet the PhD programs’ course requirements.

2. Although the required MA courses listed above are similar to the core courses for the CUNY doctoral programs in chemistry and in biochemistry, students should be aware that if they wish to enter the corresponding CUNY PhD program after earning a Queens College MA degree, they must still pass the doctoral programs’ first-level examinations. This may be accomplished through exemption examinations or by taking or auditing U700-level courses at the Graduate Center.

3. Consequently, students who anticipate proceeding to the PhD should consider applying directly to those programs rather than to the Queens College MA program. Inquiries should be addressed to the Executive Officer of the PhD Program in Chemistry or Biochemistry, CUNY Graduate Center, 365 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10016.

Courses in Chemistry & Biochemistry

CHEM 501, 502. Modern Concepts of General Chemistry. 2 hr.; 2 cr. each. Prereq.: Permission of the department. An introduction or review for the present teacher, with emphasis on background information helpful to the high school chemistry teacher. Not open to candidates for the MA degree in chemistry. Spring

CHEM 503. Selected Topics in Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: Matriculation for the Master of Science Degree in Education and an undergraduate major in biology, geology, or physics. With particular emphasis on the high school chemistry curriculum, the course is designed for matriculants in a science educational program for high school teachers of general science and biology, physics, or geology. Not open to candidates for the MA degree in chemistry.††

CHEM 504. Environmental Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: General and organic chemistry. A general overview of the chemistry of our environment, focusing on pollution of the atmosphere and hydrosphere, hazardous wastes, heavy metals, and pesticides. Topics of current interest such as the greenhouse effect, stratospheric ozone depletion, acid deposition, and indoor air pollution are emphasized. Also the systems used by the City of New York for provision of drinking water, treatment of waste water, and disposal of solid waste are considered.

BIOCHEM 650. Biochemistry. 4 hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: An approved two-semester course in college organic chemistry and a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or biology. Structure, properties, biosynthesis, and metabolism of major groups of compounds of biological importance, such as amino acids, nucleic acids, carbohydrates, lipids, and vitamins. Not to be used for credit toward the master’s degree in chemistry and biochemistry. Fall, Spring

CHEM 710. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: An advanced undergraduate course in inorganic chemistry or CHEM 760. The theoretical and experimental fundamentals of atomic and molecular structure. Emphasis is on physical interpretation. Fall

BIOCHEM 710. Advanced Biochemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: A one-semester course in biochemistry or equivalent, and physical chemistry. Biosynthesis, especially of macromolecules and complex cellular constituents such as membranes. Specialized topics of current interest. Spring

BIOCHEM 711.1, 711.2. Basic Laboratory Techniques for Research in Biochemistry.
8 lab. hr.; 4 cr. each semester. Prereq. or coreq.: BIOCHEM 710 and BIOCHEM 796, and permission of the instructor. Laboratory work dealing with the theories and application of modern approaches to the solution of biochemical problems.

CHEM 715. Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: CHEM 710. Topic can change from semester to semester.††

CHEM 740. Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: Undergraduate quantitative analysis and instrumental analysis. Topics of current interest in important areas of analytical chemistry, such as analytical separations, electroanalytical chemistry, and analytical spectroscopy will be covered.

BIOCHEM 740. Enzyme Function and Applications. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: BIOCHEM 710 (Advanced Biochemistry) or equivalent. A consideration of enzymatic function in the cell and of the several applications of enzymes in analytical and preparatory work.

CHEM 742. Environmental Analytical Chemistry. 2 lec., 4 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Undergraduate course in quantitative analysis. Environmental analytical chemistry is an instrumental methods-of-analysis course oriented specifically toward the needs of those concerned with natural waters, soils, sediments, and related media. Emphasis is placed on sampling, maintenance of sample integrity, and sample preparation for analysis. Modern spectrophotometric, electrochemical, and high-resolution chromatographic methods are used for the determination of organic and inorganic compounds in environmental media.

CHEM 750. Advanced Organic Chemistry I. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Fundamentals of organic chemical principles, reactions, and structures. Fall

CHEM 755. Special Topics in Organic Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: CHEM 750. Topic can change from semester to semester.††

CHEM 760. Introductory Quantum Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Systematic development of the theories of chemistry, including mathematical development and structural effects and the application of these theories to chemical systems. Spring

CHEM 761. Spectroscopy. 3 hr.; 3 cr. A continuation of CHEM 760.††

CHEM 765. Special Topics in Physical Chemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: CHEM 760. Topic can change from semester to semester.††

CHEM 770. Chemical Thermodynamics. 3 hr.; 3 cr. The development of the thermodynamic foundations of chemical processes; both the classical and statistical mechanical approaches will be used.††

BIOCHEM 770. Physical Biochemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the chair or graduate advisor. Structure and conformation of proteins, nucleic acids, and other biopolymers; physical techniques for study of macromolecules; behavior and properties of biopolymers. Among the topics to be discussed are the theories and applications of the following techniques: a) spectroscopic studies (absorption, fluorescence, magnetic resonance, infrared and Raman, circular dichroism, and optical rotary dispersion); b) size, shape, and molecular weight methods (sedimentation, diffusion, viscosity, osmometry, and light scattering); c) kinetics and equilibria; d) diffraction methods (X-ray and neutron). Specific examples of the structures and functions of macromolecules will be examined. Fall

CHEM 780, 781. Advanced Seminar. 2 hr.; 2 cr. each semester. Seminars will consist of reading and discussion of the literature on selected topics from the various branches of chemistry, or the presentation of experimental results. CHEM 780–Fall; CHEM 781–Spring

CHEM 786. Spectroscopic Methods of Structure Determination. 3 lec. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the department. A survey of the main methods for determining the structures of compounds from physical measurements. Interpretation of data from infrared, mass, and nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry. Discussion of other physical methods such as diffraction techniques and ultraviolet spectroscopy.

CHEM 788. Cooperative Study. Prereq.: Permission of the department. Cooperative study is performed by students participating in the Cooperative Education program. It involves employment of the student in one of a variety of chemistry-related jobs with direct supervision of the employer and overview guidance provided by a faculty advisor. Cooperative study is intended to supplement the traditional classroom and laboratory programs of study. The student shall prepare a report for the chemistry and biochemistry graduate committee upon completion of the experience. No more than 6 credits may be taken in cooperative study.

CHEM 788.1. 1 hr.; 1 cr.

CHEM 788.2. 2 hr.; 2 cr.

CHEM 788.3. 3 hr.; 3 cr.

CHEM 788.4. 4 hr.; 4 cr.

CHEM 788.5. 5 hr.; 5 cr.

CHEM 788.6. 6 hr.; 6 cr.

BIOCHEM 789. Special Topics in Biochemistry. 3 hr.; 3 cr. Prereq.: BIOCHEM 650 or equivalent. Will cover topics of current interest in areas of critical importance to biochemistry.

CHEM 790.1. Basic Laboratory Techniques for Research in Analytical and Physical Chemistry. 2 lec., 6 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Prereq.: Permission of the department. Modern instrumental methods of analysis including high-performance liquid chromatography; gas chromatography; gas chromatography/mass spectrometry; capillary electrophoresis; flame and graphite furnace atomic absorption spectrophotometry; and UV-visible, fluorescence, and Fourier transform infrared spectrophotometry applied to various organic and inorganic materials.

CHEM 790.2. Basic Laboratory Techniques for Research in Organic and Inorganic Chemistry. 1 rec., 5 lab. hr.; 3 cr. Prereq. or coreq.: CHEM 786. Modern techniques for the preparation and characterization of organic and inorganic substances, including spectroscopic techniques, chromatographic separations, vacuum distillation, use of inert atmosphere and related syringe techniques.

CHEM 793. Tutorial in Chemistry. Prereq.: Matriculation in the chemistry Master of Arts program and completion of 9 MA credits in chemistry. Tutorial in advanced topics to be performed under the supervision of a department faculty member with the approval of the graduate advisor. May be taken more than once for different topics.

CHEM 793.1. 1 hr.; 1 cr.

CHEM 793.2. 2 hr.; 2 cr.

CHEM 793.3. 3 hr.; 3 cr.

CHEM 795. Research. Prereq.: Permission of the chemistry and biochemistry graduate committee. Research under the guidance of a faculty advisor. Fall, Spring

CHEM 795.1. 1 hr.; 1 cr.

CHEM 795.2. 2 hr.; 2 cr.

CHEM 795.3. 3 hr.; 3 cr.

CHEM 795.4. 4 hr.; 4 cr.

CHEM 795.5. 5 hr.; 5 cr.

CHEM 795.6. 6 hr.; 6 cr.

BIOCHEM 796. Introduction to Laboratory Techniques for Research in Biochemistry. 10 lab. hr.; 4 cr. Laboratory work dealing with the theories of modern experimental techniques and their applications to biochemical research; development of experimental rationale for biochemical research.

Course in Reserve

CHEM 751. Advanced Organic Chemistry II