Graduate Programs in Chemistry
Graduate Student (GRA& GTA) Positions Available
The Department of Chemistry has openings (Fall 2009) for Ph.D. students in the following areas:
Interested students are strongly encouraged to apply.
The Chemistry Department offers M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs. Both are research-based degrees which give you the opportunity to make new discoveries in chemical science and related disciplines. Check out the research groups below to explore the current activities in the MTU Chemistry Department. Highlighted projects have immediate openings for talented, creative, and motivated research students.
The Chemistry Department is collaborating with the Department of Education to offer a Master's International Peace Corps program in Applied Science Education (program website). This program allows you to combine Peace Corps service with an MS degree.
 Peace Corps Master's in Applied
Science Education
Research Areas in the Department of Chemistry:
Highlighted Research Projects
View as a PDF (pg 2)
- Medicinal Chemistry: development of novel molecular probes for DNA sequencing
analysis and disease gene discovery; development of new imaging and
therapeutic agents towards cancer and cardiovascular disease; design and
synthesis of novel prodrugs of peptides and peptide mimetics aimed at
enhancing their bioavailability and target selectivity. (Dr. L. Bi)
- Vibrational spectroscopic studies (Raman, IR, and inelastic neutron scattering)
of structure in the solid state, including point defect structure, battery
electrodes, and other materials. Requires an interest in structural
characterization. (Dr. B. C. Cornilsen)
- Development of new catalysts for the formation of carbon-carbon and
carbon-hetero atom bonds; design and synthesis of chiral ligands for
enantioselective catalysis; synthesis of conformationally rigid macrocyclic
peptide combinatorial libraries for screening bioactive molecules; design,
synthesis and biological evaluation of antisense oligonucleotides.
Requires persistent enthusiasm in organic synthesis. (Dr. S. Fang)
- Identification of transient radical compounds in tobacco smoke. Requires
careful analytical chemistry and some organic synthesis. (Dr. S. A. Green)
- Polymer synthesis, processing, and testing projects in areas related to
nanoparticles, nanofibers, nano-, wood- and bio-composites. (Dr. P. Heiden)
- Synthesis and testing of ultrasensitive fluorescent probes for cells and
proteins based on conjugated polymers, dendrimers, and nanoparticles.
Requires skills in organic synthesis and analytical chemistry. (Dr. H. Liu)
- Bio-organic chemistry projects including: (i) Recombinant expression of
alkaline phytase. (ii) Signal transduction in plants - investigation of
the metabolism of inositol phosphates by molecular biology and mass
spectrometry. (iii) Monitoring phosphate concentration in cells:
development of a phosphate sensor. Requires a strong chemistry background
and a desire to learn biochemical techniques. (Dr. P. Murthy)
- Theoretical/computational chemistry projects on nanoscale materials and
phase equilibria in complex systems (e.g. membranes). Requires a solid
foundation in physical chemistry. (Dr. C. Taylor)
- Biochemistry projects including: mutational analysis of proteins,
chemical synthesis of inhibitors and fluorescence spectroscopy of protein
interactions with the goal of understanding the molecular recognition
features that permit genes to turn on. (Dr. M. Thompson)
- Development of new quantum chemistry methods and computer programs with a
focus on approaches based on the coupled-cluster theory. Application of
these methods to problems in organic and bioinorganic chemistry.
Requires a strong physical chemistry background and
mathematical skills. (Dr. M. Wloch)
Visit http://www.mtu.edu/grad/
for more information about MTU Graduate School.
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