College of Natural Sciences
Bilger 239
2545 McCarthy Mall
Honolulu, HI 96822
Tel: (808) 956-7480
Fax: (808) 956-5908
Email: chemdept@hawaii.edu
Web: manoa.hawaii.edu/chem

Faculty

*Graduate Faculty

*P. G. Williams, PhD (Chair)—organic and natural products chemistry
*J. T. Jarrett, PhD (Associate Chair)—biochemistry, enzymology, structure and function of metalloenzymes
*M. F. Cain, PhD—organometallic chemistry, catalysis, alternative energy processes, synthesis and ligand design
A. L. Fuller, PhD—chemistry education
*E. Haglund, PhD—biochemistry and biophysics, protein structure, folding, and function
*J. Hyvl, PhD—organic and organometallic chemistry, catalysis, material chemistry
*C. M. Jensen, PhD—inorganic and organometallic chemistry, polyhydride and dihydrogen metal complexes, homogeneous catalysts, hydrogen storage materials
*R. I. Kaiser, PhD—physical chemistry, materials chemistry, reaction dynamics, chemistry in extraterrestrial environments
*K. K. Kumashiro PhD—physical chemistry, solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance of proteins and peptides
* P. Raston, PhD—atmospheric chemistry, astrochemistry, combustion chemistry, and superfluidity
*R. Sun, PhD—computational chemistry, computational biophysics
*M. A. Tius, PhD—organic chemistry, synthesis of natural products, synthetic methods, medicinal chemistry
*Z. Zhang, PhD—organic chemistry, synthesis methodology development, medicinal chemistry

Cooperating Graduate Faculty

M. Dubarry, PhD—inorganic chemistry, solid-state electrochemistry, energy storage materials
N. Gaillard, PhD—solid-state chemistry, semiconducting thin films and nanostructures, renewable hydrogen production, solar fuels, photovoltaics
C. J. Simmons, PhD—inorganic chemistry, metal-dioxygen and
Jahn-Teller copper complexes, structure determination by X-ray crystallography

Degrees Offered: BA (including minor) in chemistry, BA in biochemistry, BS in chemistry, BS in biochemistry, MS in chemistry, PhD in chemistry

The Academic Program

Chemistry (CHEM) stands at the crossroads between physics and biology. As biological processes are examined in ever finer detail, chemistry is increasingly called upon to provide the insights, techniques, and materials needed to understand the workings of living organisms, including ourselves. Chemistry is thus a popular major for those interested in biomedical careers. In another direction, chemistry is also essential to the search for solutions to the ecological problems created by the ever-expanding range of human activities. Chemists create new substances with new properties that find application throughout our civilization.

As a major, chemistry provides a solid foundation of scientific knowledge and experimental skills that enables one to specialize in many directions toward careers in research, teaching, business, or professional practice. Also, because virtually all constructed things we see and use in our daily lives involve chemistry, there is a huge pool of jobs for chemists in the manufacturing industries.

Undergraduate Study

BA in Chemistry

Requirements

  • 27 credit hours in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 351, 352/352L, and either 425/425L or 445/445L
  • MATH 243 (Calculus III) or 253A
  • PHYS 170/170L, and 272/272L
  • Recommended languages: German, French, Russian, or Japanese

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/.

BS in Chemistry

Requirements

  • 41 credit hours in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 351, 352/352L, 372 or BIOL/MBBE/PEPS 402 or BIOC 441, CHEM 425/425L, 427, and 445/445L
  • A minimum of three credits from CHEM 399/399L, 435, 601, 602, 622, 641, 642, 643, 651, 652, 653, or 657. 399/399L may be combined to provide 3 total credits.
  • MATH 243 (Calculus III) or 253A
  • PHYS 170/170L and 272/272L
  • Recommended non-major electives: MATH 244 and PHYS 274
  • Recommended languages: German or French

To view a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets.

BA in Biochemistry

Requirements

  • 20 credit hours or more in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 461 or (351 and 352), and 372
  • BIOL 171/171L, 172/172L, 275/275L, and 402
  • MATH 215 or 241 or 251A and 242 or 252A
  • PHYS 170/170L and 272/272L
  • 11 credit hours or more, which must include one laboratory course, from the following:
    • CHEM 352L, 399/399L, 425/425L, 427, 445/445L, 462/462L; BIOL 375/375L, 401, 407, 408, 483; MBBE 412; MICR 351/351L, 431/431L, 461/461L, 463/463L, 475/475L, 490/490L; PHYL 301/301L, 302/302L; ZOOL 430, 442 (and any cross-listed version of these courses).* (Students may combine 2-3 credits of CHEM 399L that will be counted as a laboratory course and/ or 1-3 credits of CHEM 399 that will be counted as a lecture course)

*Upon approval of a Department of Chemistry advisor and the chair, the elective requirements may be modified to accommodate a special emphasis or interdisciplinary program that is appropriate for a major in Biochemistry.

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/.

BS in Biochemistry

Requirements

  • 25 credit hours or more in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, 461 or (351 and 352), 372, 462/462L
  • BIOL 171/171L, 172/172L, 275/275L, and 402
  • MATH 215 or 241 or 251A and 242 or 252A
  • PHYS 170/170L and 272/272L
  • 16 credit hours or more, which must include two laboratory courses, from the following:
    • At least one course from CHEM 352L, 399/399L, 425/425L, 427, 445/445L (Students may combine 2-3 credits of CHEM 399L that will be counted as a laboratory course and/or 1-3 credits of CHEM 399 that will be counted as a lecture course. No more than 3 total credits of 399 and/or 399L may be counted towards major requirements.)
    • At least two courses from BIOL 375/375L, 401, 407, 408, 483; MBBE 412; MICR 351/351L, 431/431L, 461/461L, 463/463L, 475/475L, 490/490L; PHYL 301/301L, 302/302L; ZOOL 430, 442.*

*Upon approval of a Department of Chemistry advisor and the chair, the elective requirements may be modified to accommodate a special emphasis or interdisciplinary program that is appropriate for a major in Biochemistry

For information on a Bachelor Degree Program Sheet, go to programsheets/.

Minor in Chemistry

Requirements

  • 18 credit hours in CHEM courses numbered 200 and above, including CHEM 272/272L, 273/273L, 274/274L, and 351.

Graduate Study

The department offers MS and PhD research and study opportunities in biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry, with specialized research opportunities in geochemistry and marine-related chemistry.

Intended candidates for the MS or PhD must present the minimum undergraduate preparation in general, organic, analytical, and physical chemistry courses. Foreign applicants for the MS and the PhD must take the GRE General Test.

Graduate study in chemistry consists of course work, independent study, teaching, and research. A thesis or dissertation based on original research is the most important part of the master’s or doctoral degree respectively. Candidates for advanced degrees are required to serve as teaching assistants for a portion of their program.

Additional details concerning MS and PhD degree requirements, as well as assistantships available to prospective students, are outlined in brochures available upon request from the department.

Master’s Degree

Requirements

The candidate for the MS in chemistry (Plan A only) must complete at least 6 credit hours of CHEM 699 while completing required course work and at least 6 credit hours of CHEM 700 during the production of an acceptable thesis. The remaining 18 credit hours must be selected from acceptable graduate courses in chemistry (a minimum of 9 credit hours), mathematics, and the natural sciences, in consultation with the thesis advisor and graduate chair, and must include 1 credit hour of CHEM 691 or 692.

Doctoral Degree

Requirements

Doctoral candidates must complete a minimum of six semesters of graduate study of which at least three semesters must be in residence at UH Mānoa. Courses are selected from acceptable graduate courses in chemistry listed in this Catalog and from graduate offerings in related disciplines as directed by the faculty. Candidates must demonstrate mastery of core material in graduate courses in their chosen areas. Each candidate must pass a comprehensive oral examination consisting of the defense of an original research proposal written by the candidate and a résumé of the candidate’s dissertation research and its current status.

The most important requirement for the PhD degree is the research project that culminates in the dissertation. Prior to beginning the second semester of study, each candidate selects one member of the chemistry graduate faculty to serve as his or her research director. The research director works with the candidate throughout his or her program and chairs the candidate’s dissertation committee.

More information about the chemistry department and its programs can be found on its website.