1102 Natural Sciences 2
University of California, Irvine,
California, 92697-2025 ::
phone (949) 824-4097 ::
fax (949) 824-8571
Organic
Chemistry
Major Requirements:
1. Three “Core” classes
2. Four additional courses during the first year
3. Four quarters as a teaching assistant
4. Second year written examination
5. Advancement to candidacy examination (“orals”)
6. Satisfactory completion of a doctoral thesis
To remain in good standing in graduate program:
1. Earn “B” or better in “core” courses.
2. Earn “B” or better in other courses (a “B–” is a failing grade in the Graduate School).
3. Keep your GPA above 3.1 to qualify for TA positions.
Other responsibilities of graduate students:
1. Attend every organic seminar (Wednesdays at 4 PM, Rowland Hall 104).
2. Attend Organic Chemistry Graduate Student Symposium (one Friday per month)
3. Attend Departmental Colloquia, Special Lectureships, and Symposia.
Units:
***Sign up for 12-16 units every quarter***
- 4 units for each class
- 1 unit of Chemistry 290 = Organic Departmental Seminar #41200 (Section “A” with Prof. Weiss)
- 1 unit of Chemistry 292 = Graduate Symposium #41350 (Section “A” with Prof. Van Vranken)
- 1-4 units of Chemistry 399 (#41500 = University Teaching with Dr. Arasasingham) when serving as TA.
After you have joined a research group, add the following to make 16 units:
- 2-12 units of Chemistry 280 (Research)
- 4 units of Chemistry 291 (Research Seminar)
- Continue to take 1 unit of Chemistry 290
Each student must complete a core sequence:
Organic Chemistry Core:
1. Chemistry 201– Organic Reaction Mechanisms 1
Fall 2004 with Professor Woerpel
2. Chemistry 204– Organic Synthesis 1
Winter 2005 with Professor Overman
3. Chemistry 203– Organic Spectroscopy
Winter 2005 with Professor Nowick
or
Chemistry 220– Bioorganic Chemistry
Fall 2004 with Professor Van Vranken
Elective Courses and Quarters Offered: An appropriate course listed above not used to fulfill the “core” requirement
Each student must complete four of the electives listed below.
Chemistry 202 Organic Reaction Mechanisms II (S) Professor Woerpel
Chemistry 203 Organic Spectroscopy (W) Professor Nowick
Chemistry 205 Organic Synthesis II (S) Professor Rychnovsky
*Chemistry 215 Inorganic Chemistry (F) Professor Heyduk
*Chemistry 216 Organometallic Chemistry (W) Professor Evans
*Chemistry 217 Physical Inorganic Chemistry (W) Professor Farmer
Chemistry 218 Metallobiochemistry (F) Professor Farmer
Chemistry 220 Bioorganic Chemistry (F) Professor Van Vranken
Chemistry 225 Ploymer Chemistry (S) Professor Guan
For the biologically minded, the following courses may be of interest:
Molec. Biol. Biochem. 203 Structure and Biosynthesis of Nucleic Acids
Molec. Biol. Biochem. 204 Structure and Biosynthesis of Proteins
Molec. Biol. Biochem. 207 Advanced Molecular Genetics
Biological Chemistry 210A Biochemistry and Cell Biology
Biological Chemistry 212 Signal Transduction and Growth Control
Physiology and Biophys. 204 Concepts of Biophysics
Physiology and Biophys. 242 Protein Engineering (this course is offered irregularly)
* = comprises the inorganic chemistry core sequence
Timeline:
1st Year:
Fall Quarter:
1. Coursework (2-3 courses)
2. Teaching: 12-18 hours/week
3. Find research advisor between approximately November 15-22, 2004 (the exact day will be decided later)
Finals end December 10, 2004
After Finals: You have a week or so in the lab before the Holidays. Do background photocopying/reading related to your project, set up your lab bench, etc. Learn about the other research going on in your group.
Winter Quarter:
1. Coursework (2-3 courses)
2. Teaching
3. Research: Train on instruments and in techniques needed for your project, make starting materials, get started.
Spring Quarter:
1. Coursework (1-2 courses)
2. Teaching
3. Research: Your goal is to have your project and background sufficiently well defined so that you can accomplish lots when summer rolls around and you are done with your classes and TA’ing.
2nd Year:
***Add at least one quarter of teaching in later years***
Fall Quarter:
1. Research
2. 2nd year reports due mid-November: Written exam focused on research progress and plans. Inorganic/organometallic students present a short oral presentation of their work.
Winter Quarter:
1. Research
Spring Quarter:
1. Research
2. Advancement to Candidacy Examination: Oral exam focused equally on Research and Original Proposal (typically in May). Includes written proposal and written research report due prior to oral exam (dates to be announced).
3rd-4th Year:
1. Research
2. Plan for either interviewing for jobs or postdoctoral position
5th Year:
1. Research
2. Interview for Jobs, if applicable
3. Sometime this year: Defend Thesis
