Dr I-Hsun NI, Senior Lecturer
DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY
Chemistry explores the structure and properties of substances at a molecular level, and the reactions which both characten& the properties of these substances, and cause them to be converted into othersubstances. Classicaltv. chemistw is subdivided into four mainstream areas: analytical, inorganic, organic a i d physical chemistw. As most chemical research and technology now embrace more than one of the above disciplines, teaching and research are structured in-a modem, interdisciplinary fashion.
Each of the departmental laboratories has a fully networked computing system, and general facilities required for the execution of carefully planned and integrated experiments. The laboratory course in organic chemistj~includes instruction in microscale techniques. Students are trained to use instruments in a 'hands-on" mode wherever possible
Departmental facilities include FTlR and UV-VIS spectrometers, a high resolu- tion GCIMS/MS/DS Kratos model MSBORFAQ mass spectrometer, a triple quadropole GCIMSIMSIDS Finnigan model TSQ 7000, a 300 MHz Bruker ARX NMR Spectrometer, an excimer laser, capiHary electrophoresis equipment, a Nd:YAG laser, an argon-ion laser, a krypton-ion-laser, pico-&nd/femto-knd Ti:Sapphire lasers, a-mode- locked Nd:YLF laser and various spectrometers for Ramanlresonance Raman. hvoer- Raman, and micro-Raman spectro&opies. The University's Materials ~haracteri&tion and Preparation Centre contains state-of-the-art instrumentation such as a high resolution NMR (400MHz), 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 microanalvtical svstem (AESIXPSNPSESCAI. and other surface/film characterisation instruknts. i h e Mii~oelectronics ~abrication Centre provides excel- lent facilities for collaborative research and technology transfer related to chemical microliihwra~hv and the develooment of biomedical instrumentation. Cornouter
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capabilities include molecular graphics and modelling, quantum mechanical computa- tion at ab initio and semi-eGiri&l levels, and complex normal-mode calculations.
Supporting facilities include machine, electronic and glass-blowing shops, and a central stockroom for chemicals.
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 Readers:
Richard K. HAYNES, BS, PhD Western Australia
Reinhard RENNEBERG, BS Univ Moscow & Donetsk; PhD Centr lnst Molec Biol Berlin
Lecturers/Assistant Professors:
Paul R. CARLIER, BA Hamilton Coll; PhD Massachusetts lnst of Tech Chun-Tao CHE, BS, MPhil Chinese Univ of Hong Kong; PhD Univ of Illinois,
Chicago
Wei-Min DAI, BS Hangzhou; MS Shanghailnst of Organic Chemistry; PhD Kyoto
Department of Chemistry
Guocheng JIA, BS Wuhan; PhD Ohio State Wa-Hung LEUNG, BS, PhD Hong Kong Xiao-Yuan LI, BS Beijing; MA, PhD Princeton
Zhenyang LIN, BS Wuhan Geological; MSc Academia Sinica; PhD Oxford Ben-Zhong TANG, BS South China; PhD Kyoto
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 Yijing YAN, BS Fudan; MS, PhD, Rochester Shihe YANG, BS Zhongshan; PhD Rice
Lam-Lung YEUNG, BS, MPhil Chinese Univ of Hong Kong; PhD Imperial Coll Assistant Project Manager :
Yu-Fong YEN, BS Soochow; MS Tsing Hua; PhD Yale
Undergraduate Programme
The Bachelor of Science degree programme in Chemistry provides an excellent general training in analytical thinking and problem solving and prepares students for employment in the areas of chemical science, education and technology or further study in graduate research. The curriculum has been designed to allow students flexibility in determining the extent of their specialisation. The graduation requirement is 100 credits of which a minimum of 48 must be in Chemistry itself. In keeping with the philosophy of education at HKUST a broad range of subjects are also covered: Engineering (6 credits), Business and Management (6 credits), Humanities and Social Science (12 credits), Non-chemistry Science (1 1 credits) and Language (3 credits). This leaves a total of 14 more 'Free elective' credits which may be taken in Chemistry itself or any of the above areas to develop a student's special interests. Within Chemistry 40 credits are devoted to the basic training in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry and developing modern laboratory techniques and skills. Advanced Chemistry electives are available in a wide range of topics including polymer, environmental and computa- tional chemistw and underaraduate research, allowina students to aain hands-on knowledge and-access to opportunities in both today's &d tomorrow'sfob markets.
Admission Requirement 1996-97
In addition to the general entrance requirements of the University, acceptable grades are required in t w o ~ ~ s u b j e c t s plus O ~ ~ A U A S subject. one of the subjects must be AL Chemistw. and the other two must be chosen from AUAS A ~ ~ l i e d Mathematics.
Biology,
a at he ma tics
and Statistics, Physics or Pure ~athematics:Curriculum for BSc i n Chemistry Core courses
CHEM 11 1 Organic Chemistry I CHEM 126 Physical Chemistry l CHEM 131
inorganic
~hemisiry I CHEM 151 Synthetic Laboratory ICHEM 152 Molecular Characterisation Laboratory I
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Elective WDes Minimum Minimum
no. of courses total credits
(3) CHEM Chemistry elective 3 8
ENGG Engineering elective 2 6
FREE Free elective 3 9
(4) H&SS Humanities and Social Science elective 4 12 SB&M Business and Management elective 2 6
SClE Non-Chemistry Science elective 1 3
Additional requirement
(5) LANG 001 Language Skills Enhancement l [0-3-1:0]
Notes:
(1) Students may seek departmental approval to replace these two courses with CHEM 399 Undergraduate Research plus a Chemistry elective totalling at least eight credits.
(2) Students who passed in MATH 101 will take a 4-credit Non-Chemistry Science elective in place of MATH 002.
(3) Excluding 100-level Chemistry courses. CHEM 398 and CHEM 399 are two possible electives.
(4) Of these courses, at least one course in Humanities and one in Social Science are required.
(5) students admitted without grade C or above in AS Use of English will be required to take and pass this course during the first semester of attendance.
A minimum of 100 credits is required for the BSc programme in Chemistry.
Students must take addiiional course(s) and/or elective(s) of higher-than-required credit value to meet this minimum total of 100 credits.
Recommended pattern of study for the curriculum 1st year Fall C CHEM 11 1, CHEM 131, CHEM 151;
R MATH 001/101;
0 LANG 001
C = core course; R = required course; E = elective course; 0 = other course
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 photo- chemistw: (ii) innovative methods in organic and inorganic synthesis of biologically active compounds and advanced materials; (iii) novel techniques for surface chemistry and chemical analvsis: (iv) natural ~roducts ,
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, 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.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 several Master of Science (MSc) programmes -- Biotechnology, Environmental Science and Engineering, and Materials Science and Engineering.
Qualified students with a bachelor's degree in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, mathematics, physics, chemical engineering or related disciplines may apply for admission to the postgraduate degree programmes in the Department of Chemistry.
Transcripts from the applicant's undergraduate institution and letters of recommenda- tion from former instructors are required. GRE or TOEFL scores, if available, should be submitted as su~~lementarv information. Students lacking a sufficient background in chemistry may be acceptedinto a programme, but will be required to take undergradu- ate chemistry courses during the first year of their postgraduate studies.
Master of Science (MSc) Programme in Biotechnology
This multi-disciplinary programme is jointly offered by the Departments of Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, and Civil and Structural Engineering. For details, please refer to page 112.
(Total: 16 credits)
School of Science DeDartment o f Chemistry
Master of Science (MSc) Programmes in Environmental Science and Engineering
These are multidisciplinary programmes jointly offered by the Departments of Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Civil and Structural Engineer- ing and Mechanical Engineering. For details, please refer to page 181.
Master of Science (MSc) Programme in Materials Science and Engineering This multi-disciplinary programme is jointly offered by the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering, Electrical and Electronic Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. For details, please refer to page 11 5.
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Programme in Chemistry
The programme is designed with flexibility in order that students may tailor course selections according to their needs and interests. Requirements consist of approved course work and an original research thesis at the master's level. The duration of the programme normally ranges from 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 that of 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 theses to the Department and, subsequently, i o present and defend them. Any student who has performed unsatisfactorilv will be asked to re-submit the thesis. The result of the second attempt of the thesis defence will be either Pass or Fail.
Speclic programme requirements are:
a total of 12 credits of approved course work at the postgraduate level;
one credit in CHEM 600 Chemistw 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) Programme 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 afirst 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 araded course is C and the overall average must be B or above. Students are also requGed to pass a comprehensive/qualifyin~examination set by the Depart- ment. In the final stage of the programme, students are required to submit theses to the
Department and, subsequently, to present and defend them. Any student who has performed unsatisfactorily will be asked to re-submit the thesis. The result of the second attempt of the thesis defence will be either Pass or Fail.
Specific programme requirements are:
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 comprehensive1qualifying examination;
two seminar presentations: one based on literature unrelated to the student's doctoral research and the second on the completed thesis;
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defence of an original research proposal before a departmental committee;an original research thesis: CHEM 799 PhD Thesis Research; and
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defence of the thesis before a University committee.Faculty 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 Ramanlhyper-Raman and near-IR excited FT-Raman and time-resolved Raman scattering. Biological applications include studies of metalloporphyrinsl hemoproteins, eye lenses, vitamin B,, and model complexes. A near-infrared-Raman fiberopticsensor for laser angioplasty and cardiovascular surgery is being developed.
Professor Hiroyuki HIRAOKA
The major research focus is the photochemistry and radiation chemistry of electronic materials of oraanic nature. with the obiective of understandinq the basic sciences involved when &ese 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.
Dr Richard K. HAYNES, Reader
Research interests lie in the development of new reagents and methods for the synthesis of natural and unnatural biologically active and clinically important com- pounds, in particular candidates for anti-HIV, antitumour and antimalaria drugs. In collaboration with others, a systematic evaluation of the constituents of Chinese plants used in Chinese herbal remedies is also underway.
Dr Reinhard RENNEBERG, Reader
Research interests are in the following areas: (a) biosensors and bioelectronics (enzyme sensors, immuno sensors, microbial sensors, micro-biosensors, sensors based on RNA and DNA); application of biosensors for waste water and pollution monitorina. for detection of alleraens, measurement of fitness, heart infarction detec- - . tion, med6al diagnostics; (b) enzyme catalysis; (c) immobilisation of biomolecules and living cells, biomodification of sensor surfaces; (d) all questions concerning environ-
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mental chemistry. Co-Editor of the international journal 'Biosensors & Bioelectronics"
(Elsevier, U.K.), now building up the Pacific Office of this journal at HKUST.
Dr Paul R. CARLIER, Assistant Professor
Research involves development of new and stereoselective reactions for organic synthesis using main groupand transition metal reagents. Current research is focused on diastereo- and enantioselective nitrile aldol reactions, and multinuclear NMR of organolithiums.
Dr Chun-Tao CHE, Assistant Professor
Research focuses on biologically active compounds from medicinal plants and other natural sources, with special emphasis on the isolation and structural determination of secondary metabolites, and the development/application of separation methods and s~ectroscooic techniaues. as well as a database for documentation of chemical1
Dr Wei-Min DAI, Assistant Professor
Research interests are in the area of synthetic organic and bioorganic chemistry, including the development of novel synthetic methodology, synthesis of naturally occurring substances and biomedically interesting molecules, chemical simulation of mechanism of drug action, and prodrug design and synthesis.
Dr Guochen JIA, Assistant Professor
Research involves the design and synthesis of inorganic and organometallic materials - either small molecules or macromolecules - with useful properties, particularly electrical conducting, non-linear optical, and liquid crystalline properties, and also the desian and svnthesis of novel metal complexes that can be used for catalysis, or have biomedical abplications.
Dr Wa-Huna LEUNG. Assistant Professor
Research focuses ons-ynthetic inorganic and organometallic chemistry, particularly on the preparation of metal complexes containing multiply bonded ligands and molecular precursors for chemical vapour deposition.
Dr Xiao-Yuan LI, Assistant Professor
Research is in the area of biophysical and bioinorganic chemistry, currently on the structure-dvnamics-function relationships of biologically important transition metal complexes-and organic chromophores. Research goals are being approached from three directions: (a) synthesis of chemical analogues, (b) spectroscopic characterisa- tion, and (c) quantum mechanical computation.
Dr Zhen-Yang LIN, Assistant Professor
Research focuses on theoretical studies of reaction mechanisms, structure and bonding in inorganic, organometallic and solid state systems, with special emphasis on the development and application of theory in the design of catalysts and other useful materials.
Dr Ben-Zhong TANG, Assistant Professor
Research interests lie in synthesis of optically active polymers containing heteroatom (es~eciallv transition metal) chiral centres, exploration of novel organometallic polym- eriktion &talysts, and development of sol-gel glasses with non-linear optical proper- ties. chiral stationaw ohasesfor HPLC analysis, liquidcrystalline polymers, stereospeclic polymer catalysts: environmentally benign biddegradable permselective polymer membranes, and polymeric drug delivery systems.
Department of Chemistry
Dr Terence See-Ming WAN, Assistant Professor
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 Ian D. WILLIAMS, Assistant Professor
Research interests lie in structure-property relationships in advanced materials, espe- cially with interesting optical and electrical properties, e.g. chiral compounds for nonlinear optics, organic semiconductors such as melanins and skin pigments, and molecular ferroelectrics, as well as chemical synthesis, molecular characterisation including single crystal X-ray diffraction, property measurements and theoretical mod- elling.
Dr Yun-Dong WU, Assistant Professor
Research involves computational studies of mechanisms and stereoselectivities of organic reactions, design of organometallic catalysts for stereoselective organic reac- tions, conformational features and metal binding of macrocyclic compounds, mecha- nisms of anti-cancer drug actions and drug design; methods include quantum mechan- ics, molecular mechanics, and molecular dynamics.
Dr Yi-Jing YAN, Lecturer
The overall research area embraces theoretical physical chemistry and chemical physics. The main focus is the dynamic properties of complex systems, such as chemical reactions and nonlinear molecular spectroscopies in solutions, nonlinear optical material, and the elementary dynamic events in biological molecules. Involved also the optimal control of chemical dynamics by light.
Dr Shi-He YANG, Assistant Professor
Interests lie at the physical-inorganic interface, including: structure, dynamics and photochemistry of isolated clusters; novel nanomaterials and thin films with opto- electronic applications; fullerene-metal derivatives, fullerence formation mechanisms and endohedral chemistry. Modern state-of-the-art laser-based spectroscopic and mass spectroscopic methods are employed.
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