Labo~zlto)?~ for Laser-based Spectl-oscop18 of the Depa)t?lze)zt of
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Chemistry, a central science, explores the structures and properties of sub- stances at a molecular level, and the reactions which both characterise the properties of these substances, and c a k e them to be converted into other substances. Classically, chemistry is subdivided into four mainstream areas: analyhcal, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. As most modem chemical research and chemical technology embraces more than one of the above disciplines, it is departmental policy to present the science in this context where possible. Thus, teaching and research is structured in a modem, interdisciplinary fashion.
The Department's laboratories are located at the top level of the academic complex. Each laboratory has a fully networked computing system, and has all general facilities required for execution of carefully planned and integrated experiments. The laboratory courses in organic chemistry include instruction in microscale techniques.
Students are trained to use instruments on a "hands-on" mode wherever possible.
Departmental facilities include FTlRand UV-VISspectrometers, two Kratos mass spectrometers: a high resolution GCIMSIMSIDS (model MS80RFAQ) and a double- focusing MSIDS (model MS25RF), an NMR spectrometer, an excimer laser, capillary electrophoresis equipment, an Nd:YAG laser, an argon-ion laser, a krypton-ion laser, pico-second/fernto-second Ti:Sao~hire lasers, a mode-locked Nd:YLF laser and various spectrometers for ~amantresbnance
r am an,
hyper-Raman, and micro-Raman spectroscopies. The Materials Characterisation and Preparation Centre, a University facility, contains state-of-the-art instrumentation including NMR (400MHz) and EPR spectrometers (9 ir112.7 kW magnet system), a spectrofluorimeter with an add-on anisotropic polarimeter and an epifluorescence microscope, single-crystavpowder X-ray diffractometers, a scanning tunnelling/atomic force microscope, a secondary ion mass spectrometer, a surface and microanalytical system (AESIXPSIUPSIESCA), and other surface/film characterisation instruments. The Microelectronics Fabrication Centre provides excellent facilitiesfor collaborative research and technology transfer related to chemical microliiography and the development of biomedical instrumentation. Compu- ter capabilities include molecular graphics and modelling, quantum mechanical compu- tation at ab initio and semi-empirical levels, and complex normal-mode calculations.Supporting faalies also include machine, electronic and glass-blowing shops, and a central stockroom for chemicals, including biochemical and organic solvents.
Faculty
Professor and Head of Department :
Nai-Teng YU,
BS
National Taiwan; MS New Mexico Highlands; PhD Massachu-setts
lnst of Tech Professor :Hiroyuki HIRAOKA, BA, MS, PhD Kyoto; MBA Golden Gate Visiting Professor :
Leon H. ZALKOW, AS Amstrong &I/; BChE, PhD Georgia lnst of Tech
School of Science
Readers :
Albert S. C. CHAN, AB International Christian; PhD Chicago Richard HAYNES, BS, PhD Western Australia
Lecturers :
Paul R. CARLIER, BA Hamilton Coll; PhD Massachusetts lnst of Tech Chun-Tao CHE, BSc, MPhil Chinese Univ of Hong Kong; PhD Univ of Illinois,
Chicago
Wei-Min DAI, BS Hangzhou; MS Shanghailnstof OrganicChemistry; PhD Kyoto Guocheng JIA, BS Wuhan; PhD Ohio State
Wa-Hung LEUNG, BSc, PhD Hong Kong Xiao-Yuan LI, BS Beijing; MA, PhD Princeton
Hui OU-YANG, BS Human Normal; MS Beijing; PhD Tulane
Terence See-ming WAN, BS Univ of Wisconsin, Madison; PhD Massachusetts lnst of Tech
Ian D. WILLIAMS, BS, PhD Bristol
Yundong WU, BS Lanzhou; PhD Pittsburgh Shihe YANG, BS Zhongshan; PhD Rice Visiting Lecturers :
Tak-Wah Dominic CHAN, BS, PhD Wanvick Valentin ZHELYASKOV, MS, PhD Sofia
Undergraduate Programme
The three-year programme leading to the Bachelor of Science degree is designed to provide students with a strong theoretical and practical foundation in the mainstream areas of analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry. Students may choose a general programme tailored to their individual interests, orspecialise in one area by taking additional advanced course work and. participating in approved research projects.
Students are also expected to take courses in other subjects outside the Chemistry Department. Though not required for graduation, students are encouraged to complete a research project.
For admission, in addition to the general entrance requirements of the University, acceptable grades are required in two AL subjects (Chemistry, and one of Biology, Physics, Pure Mathematics, or Applied Mathematics) plus one AUAS subject (Biology, Physics, Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, or Mathematics and Statistics).
Candidates are discouraged from using two Mathematics subjects to satisfy the require- ments.
The following semester-by-semester description of the undergraduate pro- grammedefineswhat students must complete tosatisfy programme requirements and the desirable times for taking particular courses. Students should note that all courses selected, including electives, require departmental approval. Explanations of core (C), required (R), and elective (E) courses can be found on page 29.
School of Science
First Year Fall Semester
CHEM 11 1 C Organic Chemistry l [3-0-0:3]
CHEM 131 C Inorganic Chemistry I [3-0-0:3]
ENGG E Engineering Elective [3-0-0:3]
(1) LANG 001 Language Skills Enhancement I [0-3-1 :O]
C Organic Chemistry Laboratory I [O-1-3:2]
R
Inorganic Chemistry II [3-0-0:3]E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
R Intermediate Calculus [3-1-0:4]
15 credits
R Organic Chemistry Laboratory II [0-1-3121
C Physical Chemistry l [3-0-0:3]
R Synthetic Inorganic Chemistry [ I -1-3:3]
E Engineering Elective [3-0-0:3]
E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
E Business and Management Elective 13-0-0:3]
17 credits
R Physical Chemistry ll [3-0-0:3]
C Physical Chemistry Laboratory I [O-0-6121 R Analytical Sepadon and Insburnental AdyA [3-0-3:4]
E Chemistry Elective [3-0-0:3]
E Free Elective [3-0-0131
R Technical Communication [O-3-0:3]
18 credits
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0131 SB&M E Business and Management Elective [3-0-0:3]
17 credits
H&SS E Humanities and Social Science Elective [3-0-0:3]
16 credits
(1) Students exempted from this course by the Language Centre may take a Humanities and Social Science elective earlier than provided for in the pro- gramme.
(2) Students admined with an acceptable grade (D or better) in AL Pure Mathematics will replace this course with MATH 101.
(3) Students will choose acourse offered by any department in the School of Science other than the Department of Chemistry.
(4) Students with an acceptable grade in MATH 101 will take a Non-Chemistry Science elective (4 credits).
(5) Excluding 100-level Chemistry courses.
(6) Students admitted in 1991-1992 will replace this course with CHEM 233.
A minimum of 100 credits is required for the BSc programme in Chemistry. A student's choice of electives may result in this minimum being exceeded.
Postgraduate Programmes and Research
The research interests of the academic staff of the Department of Chemistry can be grouped into five major areas: (i) laser-based molecular spectroscopy and photochem- istry; (ii) innovative methods in organic and inorganic synthesis of biologically active compounds and advanced materials; (iii) novel techniques for surface chemistry and chemical analysis; (iv) natural products related to Chinese herbal medicine and (v) theoretical and computational chemistry. These interdisciplinary, pure and applied research programmes are not only relevant to Hong Kong but also have the highest international recognition and potential.
School o f Science
The Department of Chemistry offers programmes leading to the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). In addition, the Department participates in the Master of Science (MSc) programme in Biotechnology.
Qualified students with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, chemical engineering or related disciplines may apply for admis- sion tothe postgraduate degree programmes in the ~ e ~ a r t m e n t of ~hemist&.iranscri~ts from the applicant's undergraduate institution and letters of recommendation from former instructors are required. GRE or TOEFL scores, if available, should be submitted as supplementary information. Students lacking asufficient background in chemistry may be accepted into a programme, but would be required to take undergraduate chemistry courses during the first year of their postgraduate studies.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) in Chemistry
The programme is designed with flexibility in order that students may tailor their course selection according to their needs and interests. The requirements consist of approved course work and an original research thesis at the master's level. The duration of the programme normally rangesfrom 18 months to three years for full-time studies, and can be extended to five years for part-time studies. Students with a first degree in an area other than their postgraduate programme may be required to take additional courses.
In fulfilling the degree requirements, students are expected to attend and present seminars, undertake course work and conduct thesis research. The passing standard in a graded course is C and the overall average must be B or above. In the final stage of the programme, students are required to submit their theses to the Department and, subsequently, to present and defend them. Any student who has performed unsatisfac- torily will be askedto re-submitthe thesis as recommended by the examination committee.
The result of the second attempt of the thesis defence will be either Pass or Fail.
Specific programme requirements are :
a total of 12 credits of approved course work at the postgraduate level;
one credit in CHEM 600 Chemistry Seminar in each semester;
presentation of one seminar related to the thesis topic during the programme;
CHEM 699 MPhil Thesis Research; and presentation and oral defence of MPhil thesis.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry
The duration of the programme normally ranges from four to eight years from the first degree, with a reduction of 18 months if a relevant master's degree is earned prior to entering the PhD programme. Students with a first degree in an area other than their postgraduate programme may be required to take additional courses.
In fulfilling the degree requirements, students are expected to attend and present seminars, undertake course work and conduct thesis research. The passing standard in
S c h o o l o f S c i e n c e
a graded course is C and the overall average must be B or above. Students must pass a comprehensive/qualifying examination set by the Department. In the final stage of the programme, students are required to submit their theses to the Department and, subsequently, to present and defend them. Any student who has performed unsatisfac- torily will be asked to re-submit the thesis as recommended by the examination committee.
The result of the second attempt of the thesis defence will be either Pass or Fail.
Specific programme requirements are :
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approved course work (If the student has an HKUST MPhil degree in Chemistry, no further course work is required. If the student enters the PhD programme possessing only a bachelor's degree, then the normal MPhil course work requirements must be fulfilled. Excellent students entering with master's degrees from other universities may have part or all of the course work requirements waived.);one credit in CHEM 600 Chemistry Seminar in each semester;
a comprehensive/qualifying examination;
two seminar presentations: one based on literature unrelated to the student's doctoral research and the second on the completed thesis;
defence of an original research proposal before a departmental committee;
an original research thesis: CHEM 799 PhD Thesis Research; and defence of the thesis before a University committee.
Faculty Career Activities and Research Interests Professor Nai-Teng YU, Head of Department
Research focuses on development and applications of linear and nonlinear Raman spectroscopy. Innovative techniques include resonance Raman, resonance hyper-Raman, surface-enhanced Ramanhyper-Raman and near-IR excited FT-Raman and time-resolved Raman scattering. Biological applications include studies of metalloporphyrins/hemoproteins, eye lenses, vitamin B,, and model complexes. A near- infrared-Raman fiberoptic sensor is being developed for laser angioplasty and cardiovas- cular surgery.
Professor Hiroyuki HIRAOKA
The major research focus is the photochemistry and radiation chemistry of electronic materials of organic nature, with the objective of understanding the basic sciences involved when these materials are exposed to UV-light, pulsed laser photons, electron and ion beams under various conditions. On the basis of these findings, new applications of these materials are explored.
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Dr Albert S. C. CHAN, Reader
Main research emphasis is placed on two areas: (1) homogeneous asymmetric catalysis for the production of fine chemicals and pharmaceutical products; and (2) homogeneous catalysis for the production of large volume, basic chemicals.
Dr Richard K. HAYNES, Reader
Research focuses on the development of new reagents and methods, largely based on carbanion chemistry, for the synthesis of natural products and their derivatives selected on the basis of medicinal and clinical importance, and on the development of new antimalarial drugs based on the Chinese herbal antimalarial qinghaosu. In collaboration with others within the Department, asystematic evaluation of the constituents of Chinese plants used in Chinese herbal remedies as part of a drug discovery design and development unit is also underway.
Dr Paul R. CARLIER, Lecturer
Research is concerned primarily with the development of new asymmetric reactions, and currently includes the asymmetric cyclo-addition of metal isocyanates and alkenes to give B-lactams, and new asymmetric ado1 methodology involving nitriles.
Separate research concerns the development of new materials useful for imaging and optoelectronic applications.
Dr Chun-Tao CHE, Lecturer
Research focuses on biologically active compounds from medicinal plants and other natural sources. with soecial emohasis on the isolation and structural determination of secondary metabolites, and the d~velopment/application of separation methods and spectroscopictechniques, as well as adatabase for documentation of chemicaVbiological information.
Dr Wa-Hung LEUNG, Lecturer
Interests are in the field of synthetic inorganic and organometallic chemistry. A major focus is on metal complexes containing multiply-bonded ligands such as alkylidene and imido, and their applications in catalysis and materials synthesis. Efforts are also being made to prepare volatile molecular precursors, e.g. alkoxides, amides, phosphides, for chemical vapour deposition.
Dr Xiao-Yuan LI. Lecturer
Research is in theareaof biophysical and bioinorganicchemistry, currently on the structure-dynamics-function relationships of biologically important transition metal com- plexes and organic chromophores. Research goals are approached from three direc- tions: (1) synthesis of chemical analogues, (2) spectroscopic characterisation, and (3) quantum mechanical computation.
Dr Hui OU-YANG. Lecturer
Research interests are in theoretical studies of scanning tunnelling microscopy and electron transfer processes at electrodes; calculations of the electronicstructures and energies of inorganic and organometallic clusters and polymers; and density-functional theory of atoms, molecules and solids.
Dr Terence See-Ming WAN, Lecturer
Research interests are in the following areas : (a) novel analytical techniques, such as capillary electrophoresis and tandem mass spectrometry, (b) chemical aspects of toxicology, including the characterisation of novel drug metabolites, (c) exploratory and mechanistic studies of cobalamin (vitamin B,,) catalysed rearrangement reactions, and (d) environmental chemistry.
Dr Wei-Min DAI, Lecturer
Dr Ian D. WILLIAMS, Lecturer Synthetic organic and bioorganic chemistry, including particularly the develop-
ment of novel synthetic methodology, synthesis of naturally occurring substances and biomedically in!erested molecules, chemical simulation of mechanism of drug action, and prodrug design and synthesis.
Dr Guochen JIA, Lecturer
Investigation of structure-property relationships in advanced materials, espe- cially with interesting optical and electrical properties, e.g. chiral compoundsfor nonlinear optics, organic semiconductors such as melanins and skin pigments, design of molecular ferroelectrics
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compounds with electrical switching capability; aspects of chemical synthesis, molecular characterisation including single crystal X-ray diffraction, property measurements and theoretical modelling.Research involves the design, synthesis, and characterisation of inorganic and organometallic materials - either small molecules or macromolecules
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with useful properties, particularly materials with electrical conducting, non-linear optical, and liquid crystalline properties, and also the design and synthesis of novel metal complexes that can be used for catalysis or biomedical applications.School o f Science
Dr Yun-Dong WU, Lecturer
Computational studies of mechanisms and stereoselectivities of organic and biochemical reactions, design of organometallic catalysts for stereoselective organic reactions, conformational features and metal binding of macrocydic compounds, mecha- nisms of anticancer drug actions and drug design; methods include quantum mechanics, molecular mechanics, and molecular dynamics.
Dr Shihe YANG, Lecturer
Interests lie at the physical-inorganic interface, including: structure, dynamics and photochemistry of isolated dusters; novel nanomaterials and thin films with opto- electronic applications; fullerene-metal derivatives, fullerence formation mechanisms and their endohedral chemistry. Modem state-of-art laser-based spectroscopic and mass spectroscopic methods are employed.
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