CU has two degree options for Physical students: Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics. The main difference between these options is that Chemical Physics requires proficiency in both chemistry and physics, demonstrated by successful graduate level coursework in both departments and exams in both fields. The requirements, Professors' lists of "things to know," and some suggestions from your fellow students for pursuing each of these paths are described below. At the bottom of this page there is an overview of the Optical Science and Engineering Program (OSEP) fellowship and requirements.
Starting Fall 2004, first years in pchem will take a mandatory 2-credit course related to our weekly research seminar. Most first years in pchem take two additional 3-credit-hour courses in their first semester: Introductory Quantum Chemistry (CHEM 5581) and, starting Fall 2004, Statistical Mechanics (CHEM 5531). Two more classes are taken in the second semester, typically Advanced Molecular Spectroscopy (CHEM 5591) and, starting Spring 2005, Chemical Dynamics (CHEM 5541). These four courses are considered the core courses and together cover the fundamental areas of pchem; however you are not required to take them and you may substitute these with other graduate courses in chemistry, physics or math. (Some students have taken Introductory Quantum Mechanics in the Physics Department instead of Introductory Quantum Chemistry, although this is only recommended for students with a strong quantum chemistry background.) Five graduate level courses are required in total for the pchem Ph.D. Physical-Atmospheric students should check with the department (see your division advisor or the graduate secretary) about alternative/additional requirements.
Here is a note from Professor Casey Hynes on
what you should know before taking his Fall 2004 Introductory Quantum Chemistry course:
One of the major difficulties that students sometimes have with quantum chemistry/quantum mechanics is that what is genuinely new
about qc/qm can often be mixed up with other things, i.e. ideas of classical mechanics, classical electricity and magnetism, and
mathematical aspects. A prior knowledge of these latter things makes qc/qm much easier both in detail and in the big picture.Thus, as a
particular example, students often come to the quantum theory of angular momentum without any clear idea of what angular momentum means and how it is described in classical mechanics (thus missing the strong analogy) and without being very familiar with the vector gradient and laplacian (thus getting bogged down in detailed algebra,
and not seeing the forest for the trees).
I strongly strongly recommend that each student taking chem 5581
review the following things from their undergraduate studies
From physics:
I will not necessarily assume that each student is a world-class
expert in all of these things but a good familiarity will be
extremely helpful in the course (as well as in other courses and
research!).
From mathematics:
The chemical physics seminar is mandatory for first years and requires reading background papers by speakers in advance of their visit and meeting with the speaker and CU faculty members for discussion.
There is an additional Methods In Chemistry Seminar (MICS) started by grad students and post-docs in Spring 2004.
See theCumes page for details on when and where cumulative exams are held and some general tips.
P-chem cumes test your understanding of basic concepts in the field. Studying for cumes not only helps you pass them, but gives you an idea of what every p-chemist should know cold. It's good to get a few cumes out of the way in your first year when fails only count as 1/2 a fail. Topics aren't usually announced until one week before the exam, but the professors writing the cumes are scheduled well in advance (see the graduate secretary's postings in the mailroom). Definitely study old cumes by the professor writing it (the graduate secretary has copies of all previous cumes). Check the out-of-division cume topics as there is often a lot of overlap and sometimes they are based on things you might remember from undergrad. Atmospheric students will need to check with the department regarding the rules on atmospheric cumes.
Choosing a research group/advisor is the most important decision you will make as a graduate student. Some p-chem students end up working outside the division, for example, in Physical Organic Chemistry groups (Michl, Ellison), Analytical groups (Rowlen, Jimenez) and Physics groups (Cundiff, Kapteyn/Murname). You should meet with any professor you think you may like to work for (or anyone you haven't ruled out), talk to students in their groups and attend one or more of their group meetings to get a feel for the research and group environment. Professors usually give short presentations of their research to new students in the Fall semester. Physical and atmospheric students are invited to take part in a shadowing program where new students can shadow an older graduate student in lab for 3-4 hours/week for 3 weeks. Older graduate students who are participating in this program will give brief presentations of their research during the first or second week of classes.
The requirements for Chemical Physics are in the process of changing, so check with Hilary, the Graduate Secretary, for the latest info on classes and exams required for the chem phys Ph.D. degree. In the past, many chemical physics students have simultaneously pursued the Physical Chemistry option as a backup, in case the physics requirements prove to be too difficult. Regardless, your first year will probably be very similar to the Physical Chemistry option, so read that section for info and advice on classes and choosing an advisor. Here is a link to the (not very informative) Chemical Physics page.
You can enter the OSEP program from p-chem or chemical physics. OSEP gives you an optics certificate that is independent from your Ph.D. There are several requirements and advantages to participating in this program described below. For more details see the OSEP web page.
Three optics related classes are required for the OSEP program. Molecular Spectroscopy counts as one of the required optics classes. Undergraduate optics classes in the physics and engineering departments may count towards the optics requirements but will not count towards your graduation requirements. The one optics class everyone is required to take is Advanced Optics Lab, offered through electrical engineering. It is legendary in its difficulty and involvement. The OSEP seminar is now a required, for-credit class for OSEP students. See below for more details.
OSEP requires that you do three rotations in different research groups. Rotations are a good introduction to research and help you make an informed decision about which research group to join. Rotations are not necessarily easier or less involved than teaching, but may offer a more flexible work schedule. If you already know who you want to work for, it is a good idea to arrange your last rotation with them to get a head start on your research. Coming early in the summer gives you the opportunity to have started two rotations before you must select an advisor.
The OSEP Seminar is now being offered as a for-credit class and attendance is required for OSEP students. While many seminars are research-based, some focus on the business of science. Previous seminars have been given by owners and directors of local companies and venture capitalists sharing their experiences in business.
This is usually done in the third or fourth year. It could give you an inside track on a job or let you know whether or not a particular job is interesting to you.
You will have to take several mini-courses: electronics shop, machine shop, technical writing, business course, ethics, etc. There is plenty of time to take these and they are free to OSEP students, but not to others.