Analytical and Atmospheric Chemistry

This track draws on strong departmental expertise in both theoretical and experimental physical chemistry, with specific applications to atmospheric and environmental chemistry. The combined use of analytical and computational techniques, including molecular dynamics simulations and mass spectrometric methods, results in significant collaborative efforts with other tracks within the department and beyond. The newly formed NSF sponsored Chemical Center for Innovation, Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment, provides unparalleled research and teaching opportunities for graduate students.

Course Offerings:

CHEM 230A Quantum Mechanics I (W)
CHEM 231 Chemical Kinetics and Molecular Reaction Dynamics (F)
CHEM 232A Statistical Mechanics I (F)
CHEM 235 Molecular Spectroscopy (S)
CHEM 271 Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (W)
CHEM 273 Atmospheric Chemistry (S)
SIO 217A Atmospheric Thermodynamics (F)

Course Descriptions

CHEM 230A Quantum Mechanics I (W)

Theoretical basis of quantum mechanics; postulates; wave packets; matrix representations; ladder operators; exact solutions for bound states in 1, 2, or 3 dimensions; angular momentum; spin; variational approximations; description of real one and two electron systems. Recommended background: Chem 133 and Math 20D or their equivalents.

CHEM 231 Chemical Kinetics and Molecular Reaction Dynamics (F)

Classical kinetics, transition state theory, unimolecular decomposition, potential energy surfaces; scattering processes and photodissociation processes. (May not be offered ever year.)

CHEM 232A Statistical Mechanics I (F)

Derivation of thermodynamics from atomic descriptions. Ensembles, fluctuations, classical (Boltzmann) and quantum (Fermi-Dirac and Bose-Einstein) statistics, partition functions, phase space, Liouville equation, chemical equilibrium, applications to weakly interacting systems, such as ideal gases, ideal crystals, radiation fields. Recommended background: Chem 132 or its equivalent. Classical and quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, and mathematical methods will be reviewed as needed, but some background will be necessary.

CHEM 235 Molecular Spectroscopy (S)

Time-dependent behavior of systems; interaction of matter with light; selection rules. Radiative and nonradiative processes, coherent phenomena and the density matrices. Instrumentation, measurement, and interpretation. Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor. (May not be offered every year.)

CHEM 271 Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry (W)

Topics of special interest in analytical chemistry. May include, but is not limited to, chemical separation, sample introductions, mass analyzers, ionization schemes, and current state-of-the-art applications in environmental and biological chemistry.

CHEM 273 Atmospheric Chemistry (S)

(Conjoined with Chem 173.) Chemical principles applied to the study of atmospheres. Atmospheric photochemistry, radical reactions, chemical lifetime determinations, acid rain, greenhouse effects, ozone cycle, and evolution are discussed. Chem 273 students will be required to complete additional assignment/exam beyond that expected of students in Chem 173. Recommended: background comparable to Chem 149A and Chem 132. (S)

SIO 217A Atmospheric Thermodynamics (F)

Thermodynamics and statics of dry and moist air, atmospheric composition, Earth radiation budget, vertical structure of the atmosphere, global energy balance, thermodynamic feedbacks in the climate system. Prerequisites: graduate standing or consent of instructor. (S/U grades permitted.) Russell (F)

Amaro, Rommie

Professor and Endowed Chair, Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego
Section Chair, Biochemistry and Physics, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UC San Diego
Director, Visible Molecular Cell Consortium, UC San Diego
Co-Director, Drug Design Data Resource, UC San Diego

Research Topics

Computational Chemistry and Biophysics

Office: Urey Hall 3234
Phone: 858-534-9629
Email: ramaro@ucsd.edu
Web: amarolab.ucsd.edu drugdesigndata.org biochemcore.ucsd.edu vmcc.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Continetti, Robert

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

Dissociation dynamics of transient species, three-body reaction dynamics, novel mass-spectrometric methods

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3020E
Phone: 858-534-5559
Email: rcontinetti@ucsd.edu
Web: checont6.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Grassian, Vicki

Distinguished Professor and Chair
Distinguished Chair of Physical Chemistry
Co-Director, Center for Aerosol Impacts on Climate and the Environment

Research Topics

Chemistry of environmental interfaces: atmospheric aerosols, engineered and geochemical nanomaterials, indoor surfaces

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3030
Phone: 858-534-2499
Email: vhgrassian@ucsd.edu
Web: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/grassiangroup/
Group: View group members

Kim, Judy

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

Biophysical chemistry: Spectroscopic studies of membrane protein folding and dynamics

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3040B
Phone: 858-534-8080
Email: judyk@ucsd.edu
Web: galileo.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Kubiak, Clifford

Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Harold C. Urey Chair in Chemistry

Research Topics

Inorganic, materials, and physical chemistry: electron transfer, catalysis, fixation and utilization of carbon dioxide.

Office: Pacific Hall 4223A
Phone: 858-822-2665
Email: ckubiak@ucsd.edu
Web: kubiak.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Kummel, Andrew

Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

STM/STS of gate oxides on compound semiconductors and adsorbates on organic semiconductor

Office: Pacific Hall B100E
Phone: 858-534-3368
Email: akummel@ucsd.edu
Web: kummelgroup.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Li, Shaowei

Assistant Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

scanning tunneling spectroscopy and microscopy, ultrafast laser spectroscopy and microscopy, surface dynamics and kinetics, low dimensional quantum materials, strongly correlated systems

Office: Tata Hall 1206
Phone:
Email: shaoweili@ucsd.edu
Web: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/small
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Pomeroy, Robert

SLSOE of Chemistry and Biochemistry
1992-1993 United States Naval Academy Asst Prof
1993 -2007 Nova Southeastern University Prof

Research Topics

The application of analytical chemistry to forensic, environmental and industrial chemistry, then bridge these experiences into the classroom. This also includes the role technology and instrumentation play in discovery and problem solving.

Office: Urey Hall 2266
Phone: 858-822-5736
Email: rpomeroy@ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Prather, Kimberly

Distinguished Chair in Atmospheric Chemistry
Dept. of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Distinguished Professor

Research Topics

Environmental, physical/analytical chemistry: gas/particle processes of tropospheric significance; mass spectrometry; laser-based analysis techniques.

Office: MESOM/SIO 361
Phone: 858-822-5312
Email: kprather@ucsd.edu
Web: caice.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Sinha, Amitabha

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

Experimental physical chemistry: photochemistry; laser spectroscopy; reaction dynamics of vibrationally excited molecules

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3020A
Phone: 858-534-5593
Email: asinha@ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Slade, Jonathan

William A. Lee Assistant Professor of Chemistry

Research Topics

Physical and Analytical Atmospheric Chemistry: Multiphase Chemistry and Kinetics of Atmospheric Aerosols and Trace Gases, and their Impacts on Air Quality and Climate

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3050F
Phone: 858-534-8972
Email: jhslade@ucsd.edu
Web: https://sites.google.com/ucsd.edu/slade-lab
Group: View group members

Tauber, Michael

Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

Physical chemistry; Optical and magnetic spectroscopy; Fundamental studies of charge transport and solvation; Applications to energy conversion and energy storage.

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3050-A
Phone: 858-534-7334
Email: mtauber@ucsd.edu
Web: tauber.chem.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Thiemens, Mark

Distinguished Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Chancellors Associates Chair

Research Topics

Atmospheric chemistry: physical chemistry of isotope effects; solar system formation

Office: Urey Hall Addn 3020D
Phone: 858-534-6732
Email: mthiemens@ucsd.edu
Web: chem-faculty.ucsd.edu/thiemens
Group: View group members

Xiong, Wei

Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Research Topics

Strong-coupling Chemistry and Dynamics; Interfacial Charge transfer; Molecular Structure and Dynamics of Self-Assembled Materials

Office: Pacific Hall B100C
Phone: 858-534-0270
Email: w2xiong@ucsd.edu
Web: ultrafast.ucsd.edu
Group: View group members

Young, Mark

Professor

Research Topics

Chemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere

Office: Urey Hall 2246
Phone: 858-534-8890
Email: markyoung@ucsd.edu