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Faculty

Chair

Brian M. Cullum

Professor

Brian M. Cullum
B.A., Frostburg State University, 1994; Ph.D., University of South Carolina, 1998

Chris Geddes
B.Sc., Lancaster University (U.K.), 1992; Ph.D., University of Wales, 1996

William R. LaCourse
B.S., Charter Oak College, 1982; Ph.D., Northeastern University, 1987

Joel F. Liebman
B.S., Brooklyn College, 1967; M.A., Princeton University, 1968; Ph.D., 1970

Zeev Rosenzweig
B.Sc., The Hebrew University of Jerusalem (Israel), 1986; Ph.D., 1992

Katherine L. Seley-Radtke
A.S., St. Petersburg Junior College, 1983; B.A., University of South Florida, 1992; Ph.D., Auburn University, 1996

Michael F. Summers
B.S., University of West Florida, 1980; Ph.D., Emory University, 1984

Associate Professor

Songon An
B.S., Yonsei University (South Korea), 1997; Ph.D., University of Minnesota Twin Cities, 2005

Bradley R. Arnold
B.S., Dalhousie University, 1983; Ph.D., University of Utah, 1991

Marie-Christine Daniel-Onuta
B.S., University of Rennes (France), 1998; M.S., 2000; Ph.D., University of Bordeaux (France), 2003

Lisa A. Kelly
B.S., State University of New York at Geneseo, 1988; M.S., University of Rochester, 1989; Ph.D., Bowling Green State University, 1993

Minjoung Kyoung
B.S., Ewha Womans University (South Korea), 1998; M.S., 2000; Ph.D., Pennsylvania State University, 2008

Marcin Ptaszek
Ph.D., Jagiellonian University (Poland), 2002

Aaron Smith
B.A., Boston University, 2007; M.Sc., Ph.D., University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2012

Paul J. Smith
B.S., State University of New York Brockport, 1988; Ph.D., University of Pittsburgh, 1993

Assistant Professor

Joseph Bennett
B.S., Drexel University, 2003; Ph.D., University of Pennsylvania, 2009

Chengpeng Chen
B.S., Ocean University of China, 2011; Ph.D., Michigan State University, 2015

Deepak Koirala
B.Sc., Tribhuvan University (Nepal), 2002; Ph.D., Kent State University, 2014

Herana Kamal Seneviratne
B.S., University of Peradeniya (Sri Lanka), 2011; Ph.D., Washington State University, 2017

Principal Lecturer

Tara Carpenter
B.A., Thiel College, 1999; Ph.D., Duquesne University, 2005

Tiffany Gierasch
B.S., Trinity University, 1997; Ph.D., Harvard University, 2002

H. Mark Perks
B.S., Bucknell University, 1970; Ph.D., The Johns Hopkins University, 1980

Senior Lecturer

Allison Tracy
B.S., University of Delaware, 2001; Ph.D., Johns Hopkins University, 2005

Lecturer

Sarah Bass
B.A., Notre Dame of Maryland University, 2006; Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 2017

Diana Hamilton
B.S., University of Virginia, 1986; Ph.D., University of Maryland, Baltimore County, 1993

Marie van Staveren
B.S., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 2007; M.S., Ph.D., University of California, Irvine, 2012

Adjunct Faculty

Wuyuan Lu
B.S., Nanjing University (China), 1984; M.S., 1989; Ph.D., Purdue University, 1994

Maja Ponkivar-Svet
Ph.D., University of Ljubljana (Slovenia), 2002

Affiliate Faculty

Matthew Pelton
B.A.Sc., University of Toronto (Canada), 1996; Ph.D., Stanford University, 2002

Professor Emeritus

C. Allen Bush
B.A., Cornell University, 1961; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1965

Arthur S. Hyman
B.S., City College of New York, 1955; Ph.D., Rutgers University, 1964

Richard L. Karpel
B.A., Queens College, 1965; Ph.D., Brandeis University, 1970

Ralph Pollack
Sc.B. Brown University, 1965; Ph.D. University of California, Berkeley, 1968

Dale L. Whalen
B.S., Loras College, 1961; Ph.D., University of California, Berkeley, 1965

Associate Professor Emeritus

James S. Vincent
B.S., University of the Redlands, 1957; Ph.D., Harvard University, 1963

Instructor Emeritus

Suzanne Rottman
 

The undergraduate programs in chemistry and biochemistry offer students the opportunity to study in a program tailored to meet their career objectives in a department that is large enough to provide excellent training and research facilities and small enough to encourage a close working relationship with professors. The experienced, dynamic faculty of the department present outstanding credentials, with advanced degrees and post-doctoral training from some of the most prestigious schools in the world. They are devoted to both teaching and research. Their scientific and scholarly achievements attract close to $4 million in funding per year, resulting in many opportunities for students to participate in undergraduate research in faculty labs and to gain exposure to cutting-edge science in their classrooms.

The department offers three major programs: the Chemistry, B.S. , a rigorous program certified by the American Chemical Society; a Chemistry, B.A. , which provides the option of an increased number of electives so the student may combine a solid background in chemistry with other areas of interest, such as law, education, business management or environmental sciences; and a Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.  (jointly with Biological Sciences ). A combined chemistry B.S./M.S. is available to qualified students. The department also offers a Chemistry Minor . In conjunction with Education , a program leading to a Chemistry Education, B.A.  with an emphasis in either biochemistry or physical chemistry may be pursued.

Outside of the major and minor programs, the chemistry curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students with diverse goals. Biological sciences majors, as well as students preparing for entrance into schools of dentistry, medicine, pharmacy, veterinary medicine, or programs in medical technology should complete CHEM 101 , CHEM 102 , CHEM 102L , CHEM 351 , CHEM 351L , CHEM 352  and CHEM 352L . Students preparing for programs in dental hygiene, nursing and physical therapy should complete CHEM 123 , CHEM 124  and CHEM 124L .

The programs of the chemistry and biochemistry department periodically are reviewed by the American Chemical Society (ACS), the professional organization that sets the standards for chemical education, and UMBC chemistry students consistently place at, or above, the norm in their standardized examinations. The Chemistry, B.S.  is accredited by the ACS and has received continued approval since first attaining this status in 1970. In a recent report, the ACS commended the UMBC Chemistry Discovery Center, noting its innovative approach to team learning in a chemistry lab setting.

Career and Academic Paths

More than 60 percent of the department’s graduates pursue further education (graduate programs in chemistry and biochemistry) or professional training (medical, dental, pharmacy, nutrition, veterinary medicine, and environmental science) at such distinguished schools as Harvard; MIT; Oxford; The Johns Hopkins University; Stanford; University of Virginia and University of Maryland, Baltimore. Many students choose to continue post-baccalaureate studies at UMBC, enrolling in the M.S. or Ph.D. programs in chemistry, the M.S. or Ph.D. programs in biochemistry (joint with UMB) or molecular and cell biology, or the M.S. program in applied molecular biology (joint with Biological Sciences ).

Academic Advising

The department assigns students to faculty advisors based upon the student’s declared major of either chemistry or biochemistry. After filing a Declaration of Major form, students should contact the department office.

Honors Program

The department does not offer an honors track, however specific honors sections of chemistry courses are offered. CHEM 101H - Principles of Chemistry I - Honors (4)  and CHEM 102H - Principles of Chemistry - Honors (4) , are offered in the fall and spring, respectively. In addition, upper-level honors courses are offered in selected topics. Departmental honors are awarded to graduates in chemistry or biochemistry who achieve scholastic excellence, which is defined as a GPA of 3.5 or better in all chemistry and biochemistry courses, combined with an overall GPA of at least 3.5. At least 18 credit hours in the Chemistry or Biochemistry major must be completed at UMBC and no course may be repeated in the major for a better grade.

Special Opportunities

Research

Undergraduate research performed under faculty mentors within the department is encouraged. Participating students may receive credit toward graduation for this research through two upper-level courses. CHEM 399 , provides an introduction to research and may be taken for one to three credits. CHEM 499  is an approved elective for the American Chemical Society-certified Chemistry, B.S. and requires preparation of a formal paper based on the student’s original research. A maximum of six credits of CHEM 499  or a maximum of eight credits from the combination of BIOL 398 , BIOL 399 , BIOL 499 , CHEM 399  and CHEM 499  may be taken. The department also offers industrial internships with various partners for additional hands-on experience. The Vitullo Award is presented each year to a junior or senior student working in a faculty member’s laboratory excelling in undergraduate research in the department.

Teaching

The department offers CHEM 396 - Undergraduate Learning Assistantship (1-3)  for undergraduate learning assistants in non-laboratory chemistry courses.

Honors and Awards

A number of awards are conveyed to deserving students each spring. Among them are the Vitullo Award, Mittino award, Creighton award and Satterfield award.

Chemistry Tutorial Center

The Chemistry Tutorial Center is staffed by a full-time chemistry instructor and 25 advanced undergraduates who provide free tutoring for students in introductory and intermediate chemistry courses. Small group tutoring and computer-assisted, special topics lessons are available.

Student Organizations

American Chemical Society Student Affiliate (ACSSA) Chapter Chemistry/Biochemistry Council of Majors. An American Chemical Society (ACS) student affiliate chapter supports an active lecture and tour program to acquaint UMBC students with various career options. The ACSSA outreach program into local elementary schools involves mentoring young students, as well as providing a program of science demonstrations to assist instructors in teaching chemical principles. The ACS affiliate chapter also sponsors the presentation of several undergraduate research projects at the student session of the national ACS meeting each year.

Programs

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, B.S.
• Chemistry Education, B.A.
• Chemistry, B.A.
• Chemistry, B.S.

• Chemistry Minor

Courses

• CHEM 100 - The Chemical World (3)
• CHEM 101 - Principles of Chemistry I (4)
• CHEM 101H - Principles of Chemistry I - Honors (4)
• CHEM 102 - Principles of Chemistry II (4)
• CHEM 102H - Principles of Chemistry - Honors (4)
• CHEM 102L - Introductory Chemistry Lab I (2)
• CHEM 110L - Scientific Glass Blowing Lab (1)
• CHEM 120 - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry (4)
• CHEM 123 - Introduction to General Organic and Biochemistry I (4)
• CHEM 124 - Introduction to General Organic and Biochemistry II (3)
• CHEM 124L - General Organic and Biochemistry Lab (2)
• CHEM 299 - Training in Experimental Chemistry (Cooperative Education) (1-3)
• CHEM 300 - Analytical Chemistry (4)
• CHEM 301 - Physical Chemistry I (4)
• CHEM 302 - Physical Chemistry II (3)
• CHEM 303 - Physical Chemistry for the Biochemical Sciences (3)
• CHEM 311L - Advanced Laboratory I (3)
• CHEM 312L - Advanced Laboratory II (3)
• CHEM 351 - Organic Chemistry I (3)
• CHEM 351L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory I (2)
• CHEM 352 - Organic Chemistry II (3)
• CHEM 352L - Organic Chemistry Laboratory II (2)
• CHEM 396 - Undergraduate Learning Assistantship (1-3)
• CHEM 397 - Ethics and Integrity in Scientific Research (1)
• CHEM 398 - Seminar in Chemistry (2)
• CHEM 399 - Tutorial Projects in Chemistry (1-3)
• CHEM 401 - Chemical and Statistical Thermodynamics (3)
• CHEM 405 - Inorganic Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 405L - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry Lab (3)
• CHEM 406 - Bioinorganic Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 410 - Quantum Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 415 - Statistical Mechanics and Theory of Rate Processes (3)
• CHEM 420 - Computer Applications in Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 431 - Chemistry of Proteins (3)
• CHEM 432 - Advanced Biochemistry (3)
• CHEM 433 - Biochemistry of Nucleic Acids (3)
• CHEM 435 - Biochemistry of Complex Carbohydrates (3)
• CHEM 437 - Comprehensive Biochemistry I (4)
• CHEM 437L - Biochemistry Laboratory (4)
• CHEM 438 - Comprehensive Biochemistry II (4)
• CHEM 441 - Physical Chemistry of Macromolecules (3)
• CHEM 442 - Physical Biochemistry (3)
• CHEM 443 - Molecular Spectroscopy and Biomacromolecules (3)
• CHEM 444 - Molecular Modeling in Biochemistry (3)
• CHEM 450 - Chemistry of Heterocyclic Compounds (3)
• CHEM 451 - Mechanisms of Organic Reactions (3)
• CHEM 452 - Physical Organic Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 453 - Organic Chemistry of Nucleic Acids (3)
• CHEM 455 - Introduction to Biomedicinal Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 456 - The Chemistry and Biochemistry of Brewing I (3)
• CHEM 457 - Total Synthesis of Natural Products (3)
• CHEM 458 - The Chemistry and Biochemistry of Brewing II (3)
• CHEM 461 - Advanced Instrumental Methods of Analysis (4)
• CHEM 465 - Mass Spectrometry at the Chemistry-Biology Interface (3)
• CHEM 467 - Advanced Analytical Methods (3)
• CHEM 470 - Toxicological Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 472 - Enzyme Reaction Mechanisms (3)
• CHEM 490 - Special Topics in Chemistry (3)
• CHEM 499 - Undergraduate Research (1-3)

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