Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Faculty and Fields of Interest

Donald W Boerth physical organic chemistry, theoretical chemistry, theoretical studies of acidity and isotope exchange in nucleic acid components, computer graphics in chemistry

Shuowei Cai bioanalytical and biophysical chemistry, protein chemistry, drug formulation, pharmaceutical biotechnology

William L Dills, Jr metabolism of xylitol chemistry and biochemistry of carbohydrate analogs, carbohydrate metabolism in the coastal cranberry, hands-on science exercises for K-12 classrooms, science courses for non-science majors

David Z Goodson theoretical chemical physics, quantum chemistry methods development, physical chemistry of the environment, mathematical and computational methods of chemical data analysis

Maolin Guo biochemistry and molecular biology, protein engineering, structural biology, bioinorganic chemistry, metals in biology and medicine

Harvey J M Hou analytical and bioanalytical chemistry, photosynthesis, alternative energy technologies, photoacoustic spectroscopy, structure and function relationships of membrane proteins, agricultural chemistry

Charlene W Mello antimicrobial peptides, protein chemistry, biomolecular recognition, naturally derived structural materials, interfacing of biological materials with inorganic materials, biochemical sensors

Catherine C Neto phytochemicals with anti-cancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, and neuroprotective activity from cranberries and other plant sources; bioactivity, purification, and structure elucidation of natural products; effects of plant physiology and plant nutrition on production of secondary metabolites including functional food factors; chemical education in the organic laboratory

Emmanuel C A Ojadi (Chairperson) photochemistry, photobiology, and photophysics of porphyrin compounds and their applications to energy transformation processes involving oxidation reduction reactions; photorefractivity of porphyrin polymers, photoelectrochemistry on porphyrin coated electrodes and thin films

Sivappa Rasapalli synthesis of natural products, heterocyclic chemistry, green chemistry, development of novel synthetic methodologies, catalysis (enzymatic, organo and organometallic), development of novel biomaterials for bioengineering and for drug delivery

Bal-Ram Singh physical biochemistry, structure-function relationships of biological macromolecules, spectroscopy of proteins and membranes, protein-membrane interactions, mode of action of botulinum and tetanus neurotoxins, enzymatic activity in non-aqueous solvents, light signal reception and signal transduction by a biosensor, phytochrome, bioremediation, cranberry research, marine biochemistry

Timothy C K Su physical chemistry, gas phase ion-molecule interactions, mass spectrometry, chemistry of the atmosphere

Yuegang Zuo analytical environmental chemistry, toxicology, environmental monitoring, marine chemistry, atmospheric photochemistry, photobiology, natural products chemistry

Undergraduate chemistry at UMass Dartmouth provides the student with the theoretical and practical expertise necessary for success in a wide variety of careers consistent with the nature of chemistry as the central science. Chemists pursue a broad spectrum of rewarding professional careers ranging from production supervisors in the chemical or petroleum industries to physicians and patent attorneys. The Department is professionally accredited by the American Chemical Society and provides individualized attention and instruction usually encountered only in a small-college setting. Class sizes, especially at the junior and senior levels, are usually small, affording the student ample opportunities for interaction with the faculty.

Teaching and research facilities of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry are equipped with modern instrumentation from an atomic absorption spectrophotometer to a voltametric analyzer and an impressive range of biosensors, calorimeters, chromatographs, electrophoresis systems, a DNA sequencer, scintillation counter, specialized spectrometers, spectrofluorometers and ultracentrifuges.

The Department, consistent with university policies, emphasizes computer use and maintains a variety of computers and accessories, including IBM and Macintosh microcomputers, terminals, plotters and printers. Students have access to the full range of campus computing services.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry at UMass Dartmouth also offers a graduate program leading to the degree of Master of Science in Chemistry and, in conjunction with UMass Lowell or UMass Amherst, a Ph.D. in Chemistry. The Department actively participates in the Ph.D. program in Biomedical Engineering and Biotechnology with departmental faculty serving as research advisors for students in that program.

The need for K-12 teachers in the areas of science is great in the region. Chemistry is a preferred major for future teachers. The Chemistry Department participates in UMass Dartmouth’s programs to prepare teachers who are highly qualified, helping provide opportunities for students to receive professional licensure. Specifically, the department supports students who seek professional licensure as a Teacher of Chemistry (8-12) through the MAT program. In order to plan to take appropriate prerequisite and enrichment courses, students should indicate their interest both to their biology major advisor and to an advisor in UMass Dartmouth’s Department of Teaching and Learning.

Premedical

Both options satisfy the mathematics, physics, and chemistry requirements for admission to medical, osteopathic, optometric, podiatric, dental or veterinary school. To satisfy biology requirements students will typically need 11 credits of biology courses including BIO 234 (Biology of Cells), Biology 244 (Biology of Cells Lab), Bio 333 (General genetics) and one appropriate advanced BIO elective, which should be chosen in consultation with the departmental faculty advisor. All premedical students need to have their degree programs approved by the Premedical Faculty Advisor to make sure that they will satisfy the perquisites of the professional schools to which they plan to apply.

For students in the Chemistry degree option, these Biology courses can replace CHM 319, CHM 431/433, CHM 491, and one of the advanced science electives. Also, Bio 430 (Introduction to Biological Statistics) can be substituted for CHM 424. Although CM 319, CHM 431/433, and CHM 491 are not required, they can be taken as electives in order to qualify for American Chemical Society certification. In the Biochemistry option the premedical biology courses can be used to satisfy existing degree requirements.

Environmental Chemistry

For students interested in marine chemistry, geochemistry, toxicology, environmental monitoring and analysis, environmental law, or other areas of environmental science, the department allows for a more interdisciplinary course of study with electives chosen from other departments such as biology, physics, environmental engineering, economics or political science.

The Chemistry option is modified as follows: CHM 552 (Instrumental Methods of Analysis) is substituted for CHM 318 and 319. CHM 431, CHM 433, and either CHM 416 or 424 can be waived. In place of the two advanced science electives, at least five courses chosen from an approved list of environmental electives are required. (One of these can count toward the university social science requirement.) Contact the department’s environmental chemistry advisor for full details.