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Department of Chemistry
Summer Research for Undergrads

University of Pittsburgh
NSF-Research Experience for Undergraduates Research (REU) Program in Computational Chemistry and Molecular Modeling

June 8 - August 14, 1998

Application Deadline: February 20, 1998

Fellowship: $2,700 plus housing and meals and travel allowance.

Eligibility: Chemistry, Biology, Materials Science, and Physics majors who have completed their sophomore or junior years.

During the ten week period of the summer research program, participants will conduct original research under the supervision of faculty members in the Chemistry Department. Students will work on research problems at the frontiers of chemistry using state-of-the-art computer workstations and computational chemistry software. In addition, the program will include seminar series introducing participants to various methods for modeling chemical and biochemical processes and materials properties at a molecular level.

Representative research projects include:

  • Modeling Chemical Reaction Dynamics: From Condensed Phase Electron Transfer to Colloid Crystals
  • Application of Quantum Chemical Methods to Novel Organometallic Compounds
  • Electrostatic Control in Nucleophilic Additions: Theoretical Studies of Quantitative Substitution-Selectivity Ratios
  • Theoretical Studies of Electron Transfer Processes in Biological Systems
  • Theoretical Studies of Organic Reaction Mechanisms: the Influence of Solvation on Mechanisms
  • DNA Binding Site Selection by the Basic Motifs of Leucine Zipper Proteins: Prediction and Design of Specific Protein-DNA Interactions
  • Design Verification for Self-Assembling Molecular Networks
  • Modeling Cooperativity Based on Electrostatic Fields
  • Theoretical Studies of Hydrogen Bonding: Phase Transitions in Small Water Clusters
  • Use of Computer Graphics and Animation in Understanding Chemical Reaction Mechanisms

Click here to see a picture of some of the REU students from summer 1997 on a whitewater rafting trip.

A completed application will include:

  1. A completed application form.
  2. A personal statement indicating both your career objectives and how the program would assist you in meeting these goals. Please indicate your experience with and interest in computational chemistry and molecular modeling.
  3. A copy of your undergraduate transcript(s) (arrange to have it sent; a good photocopy is acceptable).
  4. Recommendations from two faculty.
  5. Addresses, phone numbers, and emails where you can be reached (home and school).

For additional program information contact Professor Ken Jordan or Fran Nagy, Program Secretary.

Send application materials to:

Fran Nagy
Program Secretary
Chemistry REU Program
Department of Chemistry
University of Pittsburgh
234 Chevron Science Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15260

1998 REU Links:

[REU Home] [REU Information] [REU abstracts] [Schedule of Presentations] [Symposium at Duquesne] [Chemical Engineering Seminar] [Physics Seminar and Banquet] [Rafting Trip] [Pirates Game] [Interested?]


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