List of FacultyChemical Physics Program
Introduction | The
University of Virginia | Living
in Charlottesville | The
Chemistry Department
The Chemical Physics Program | The
Faculty | Admissions | Financial
Aid | Housing
Chemistry Department | Chemical Engineering Department | Physics Department
Science and Engineering of Laser Interactions with Matter
Graduate education in the sciences is currently under reexamination because the classical programs do not always address the needs of people working in new areas of fundamental and commercial interest. Chemical physics involves activities at the interface between the classical disciplines of physics and physical chemistry and may encompass such areas as atomic and molecular spectroscopy, intra and intermolecular interactions, solid state and surface physics and chemistry, and properties of complex materials. The Departments of Chemistry and Physics at the University of Virginia offer a program in Chemical Physics that involves faculty and resources from both departments and provides students with a comprehensive preparation for work at this increasingly crucial interface of disciplines.>
The University of Virginia was conceived by Thomas Jefferson, and its design largely occupied the last decade of his life. The original academical village remains one of the major architectural landmarks in the United States that is truly an experience to be a part of. His concept was to create a structure in which faculty and students would live together around an open grassy area (The Lawn) with the living units connected by a roofed walkway supported by a collonade. At the end of The Lawn stands the Rotunda, modeled after the Roman Pantheon which has served a variety of functions including lecture hall, library, and central meeting place
The University, originally 8 faculty and 68 students, now has approximately 18,000 students and 2,000 faculty. The University operates on the Honor System which is administered by students. Examinations are not proctored, and honor code violations are handled by a student Honor Committee. Conviction of an honor code violation requires dismissal from the University.
The University of Virginia is a state supported institution that has very strong graduate programs in both the sciences and humanities. The endowment and trusts are substantial which provide opportunities for new ventures. The admissions standards for the University are stringent and the student population is national, i.e., 40% of the student body is from outside Virginia. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest component of the University which also includes schools of law, medicine, commerce, business, engineering, architecture, nursing, and education. The curriculum includes 50 different bachelors degrees, 90 masters degrees, 6 educational specialist degrees and 55 doctoral programs. These programs are housed on one central facility on the grounds of the original University in Charlottesville, Virginia.
The University of Virginia is located in the City of Charlottesville, a metropolitan area (including the surrounding Albemarle county) with a population of about 130,000. The city is in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains approximately 110 miles southwest of Washington, D.C., and 70 miles west of richmond. Twenty-one miles to the west are the Skyline drive and the Shenandoah National Park. Charlottesville was the home of the two past United States Presidents, Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe. Their residences, Monticello and Ash Lawn, respectively, are nearby and open to the public. The home of a third President, James Madison's Montpelier, is located in nearby Orange County and has also recently been reopened to the public. The beautiful surroundings and historic sites in and about the city have attracted a vigorous tourist industry which brings over 100 million/year to the local economy.
While the surrounding county is largely rural and contains numerous estates in its rolling hills, Charlottesville itself supports a variety of businesses and services, as well as light industrial and research and development plants, including divisions of the General Electric Company and Sperry Corporation. A wide range of activities are available in the city, including numerous nightclubs, restaurants, and theaters which cater to a wide range of tastes. Charlottesville benefits from its convenient location in attracting nationally recognized musical talent in all the genres (rock, jazz, and classical). The city is also the home of the annual Virginia Festival of American Film which includes screening of numerous films, many in their debut, and activities involving highly regarded film makers and actors and actresses. Not surprisingly, the University is a significant contributor to the local culture. The Virginia Players at the University produce at least eight major plays during the year, plus many workshop performances. The University of Virginia Glee Club, the University Singers, and the Charlottesville and University of Virginia Symphony perform regularly, and there are chamber music concerts under the sponsorship of the Department of Music. The Tuesday Evening Concert Series sponsors programs of visiting chamber ensembles, vocalists, and solo instrumentalists. The proximity of the University to Washington allows frequent talks by persons prominent in public affairs under the auspices of the School of Law, the Woodrow Wilson department of Government and Foreign Affairs, and the Corcoran Department of History. In addition, the Student Legal forum sponsors addresses by outstanding individuals including senators, governors, Supreme Court justices and other distinguished speakers.
The University of Virginia participates in the prestigious Atlantic Coast Conference in men's and women's intercollegiate athletics. Many of these programs, including football, basketball, lacrosse, and soccer, have risen to national prominence in recent years. Squash, handball, swimming and gymnasium facilities are available for use by the individual. There are numerous tennis courts on the University Grounds and both indoor and outdoor tennis facilities are also available in Charlottesville. The University supports a large and active intramural/activities program which provides for diverse interest.
The Department of Chemistry faculty, which numbers in the mid twenties and the graduate student body over 110 supplemented with approximately 40 postdoctoral fellows provides a stimulating intellectual atmosphere. The faculty interest span a wide range including organic and biological chemistry, inorganic and organometallic chemistry, and physical and biophysical chemistry.
The Chemistry Department is housed in a building constructed in 1970 with a substantial addition completed in 1995. The research laboratories and facilities include state-of-the-art spectroscopic instrumentation for magnetic resonance, mass spectroscopy, and optical spectroscopy, as well as a Departmental x-ray structure laboratory. The Barksdale Chemistry Library is housed in the building with over 19,000 volumes on chemistry and related areas. The Biology library is housed in Gilmer Hall, immediately next to the Chemistry Building, and the Physics Library is housed in the physical building directly across the street. In addition the Alderman library has in excess of 1.6 million volumes and extensive collections of manuscripts, maps, prints, and microfilms.
Students may apply to the program with undergraduate degrees in chemistry, physics, engineering, and specialized interdisciplinary programs. Students are advised to take the Graduate Record Examinations as early as possible and include an advanced examination in either chemistry or physics. Students will be notified of admissions decisions well before 15 April for programs beginning the following fall.
Students are admitted to the Chemical Physics program who seek a Ph.D. degree. New students are assigned an advising committee to help them assemble a course program that ensures that they have a sufficient background in the fundamentals of both chemistry and physics. Core courses are required in quantum mechanics, chemical thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, organic and inorganic chemistry, and biological chemistry. Additional courses may include electricity and magnetism, spectroscopy, molecular and atomic physics, mechanics, optics, reaction mechanisms, or biophysics.
Near the end of the first year in residence, students will select a research advisor and invest the first summer in residence completely in the research laboratory. In the spring of the second year in residence, students will take the preliminary written and oral examination, successful completion of which advances them to Ph.D. candidacy.
Although every student will have a number of courses in common with other chemical physics students, each course program is unique. Beyond the core requirements, students will select courses in consultation with their advisory committee and their research advisor which will prepare them for a professional research career. Although every student is different, we anticipate that the mean time to the degree will be between 5 and 6 years.
Forms for admission to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, which also serve as applications for fellowships and teaching assistantships, are available on request from Graduate Admissions, Chemistry Department, McCormick Road, P. O. Box 400319, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22904 or from Graduate Admissions, Physics Department, McCormick Road, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA 22901.
Financial aid to entering students include a teaching assistantship or fellowship, or in some cases, both. In addition to the stipend for the 9 month academic year, students in good standing may receive financial support during the summer. Duties for teaching assistants generally involve less than 12 hours per week of laboratory instruction, and less than 20 hours per week total. Teaching assistant responsibilities include laboratory instruction, laboratory supervision, problem sessions with students, and grading. Although teaching assistantships may be available to students beyond their first year, most students are ultimately supported on research grants or fellowships and may devote full time to research efforts.
The University provides housing for both single and married graduate students. for example, single students may live in the Stadium Road complex at a cost of 2320 for the 9 month academic year but must find alternative living arrangements for the summer months. There are many furnished and unfurnished apartments available in close proximity to the University. Housing information may be obtained from Office of Housing, University of Virginia, Emmet House-Station #1, Charlottesville, VA 22904.