Department of Chemistry & Physics

Recognizing the importance of undergraduate research in engaging students in the hands-on learning activities, our department offers the opportunity for students to do research in diverse fields such as Organic Chemistry, Materials Chemistry, Computational Chemistry, Forensic chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Physics and Astronomy. Our faculty mentor students in original scholarship to address real-world challenges with some of today’s most sophisticated scientific equipment. The most successful undergraduate scholarship and research experiences lead to presentation and publication of research efforts that contributes to the broader intellectual community.

Highlights from the student presentations at the American Chemical Society in Orlando on May 31-April 4th 2019 included students and faculty having the opportunity to meet Barry Sharpless (2001 Nobel Prize winner in Chemistry) and Fraser Stoddart (2016 Noble Prize winner in Chemistry). 

Students in the Chemistry and Physics department have graduated onto successful careers in graduate school, medical school and other professional programs. They have also been admitted to leading PhD programs including those at Yale University, University of California, Santa Barbara, Carnegie Mellon University and Boston University.

Some of our Student Success Stories include:

• Manual Sanchez Zayas, ’14, University of California, Santa Barbara, Ph.D.
• Stephen Nestor’15, Boston University, Ph.D.
• Jamie C. Gaiter ’16 Carnegie Mellon University, Ph.D.
• Melissa Reardon ’16 University of Texas, Arlington, Ph.D.
• Gabryelle Cabezas ’16 – American University of Antigua, MD.
• Jessica Yazarians, ‘16 University of Michigan, Ph.D.
• Emily Barth ’17 – Yale University, Chemistry Ph.D.
• Lauren Daley ’17 – Florida Atlantic University, MD
• Nick Lauta ’18 – University of Arizona, Chemistry PhD
• Stephen George ’18 – University of Nevada, Reno, Chemistry Ph.D.
• Ryan Williams ’18 – University of Arizona, Chemistry Ph.D.
• Miranda Pawline ’18 – New York University, Biochemistry MS
• Brittany Klootwyk ’19-University of Pittsburgh, Ph.D.
• Taha Hamissa’19- Florida State University, MD/Ph.D.

Chemistry Club

Forensic Science Student Association

Gamma Sigma Epsilon

Astrophysics Club

INSTRUMENTATION LIST

Spectral Measurements

• Beckman DU530 UV-Vis Spectrometer
• Agilent Cary 100 UV-Vis Spectrometer
• Shimadzu UV-2450 UV-Vis Spectrometer
• Aminco Bowman II Luminescence Spectrometer
• Perkin Elmer LS55 Fluorimeter
• Perkin Elmer RamanStation 400
• InnovSystems X-5000 X-ray Fluorimeter
• Tecan Genios Pro Microplate Spectrometer
• Tecan Infinate M1000 Microplate Spectrometer
• Jasco FT/IR-4200 Spectrometer + Microscope
• Jasco FT/IR-4600 Spectrometer + Microscope

Mass Spectrometers and Chromatography

• Finnigan LTQ LC/MS Linear Ion Trap w/ Autosampler
• Shimadzu GC MS 2010 Plus
• Finnigan Surveyor LC-MS (Quadrupole) w/ Autosampler
• Buck Scientific Model 910 GC-FID
• Chiral HPLC (Custom)
• Buck Scientific Model BLC-20 HPLC-UV/Vis
• Isolera Flash Chromatograph
• ABI 310 Capilary Electrophoresis and Sequencer
• Agilent Technologies 1260 Inifity II LC MS

Materials Characterization

• Joel JNM-ECZ400S 400 MHz NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) w/ Variable Temperature Controller (-170 - +250°C)
• Nanalysis NMReady 60 MHz NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance)
• TA Instruments Auto Q20 DSC (Differential Scanning Calorimeter)
• TA Instruments Auto Q50 TGA (Thermogravimetric Analyzer)
• Johnson Matthey Mark I Magnetic Susceptibility Balance
• Parr Instruments 6765 Microcalorimeter
• Quantachrome Autosorb iQ-MP Automated Gas Sorption Analyzer
• Rigaku Minuflex 600 benchtop x-ray diffraction (XRD instrument)

Miscellaneous Research Equipment and Infrastructure

• Olympus FluoView 1000 Confocal Microscope
• Cytomics FC500 Flow Cytometer
• BSL-2 and BSL-3 Facilities
• Johnson Matthey Magnetic Susceptibility Balance (Mark 1)
• PRA LN1000 Nitrogen Laser
• PTI GL-301 Dye Laser
• Quantum Northwest Flash 300 Standalone Peltier Temperature-Controlled Cuvette Holder
• SRS NL100 Nitrogen Laser
• Multiple -80C Freezers
• Mettler Toledo C20X Karl-Fishcher Titrator
• NIC MA-2 Mercury Analyzer w/ autosampler
• Thermo Flash 4000 Combustion N/Protein Analyzer (CHNS/O Analysis)
• Dynex MRX TC Revelation Microtiter Plate Reader
• E-C Apparatus Corp EC4000P Gel Electrophoresis Apparatus
• FisherBiotech Horizontal Gel Elecrophoresis Apparatus
• Labconco 5220100 Glove Box
• Multiple Rotovaps
• Multiple Vacuum Pumps