STATEMENT OF GOALS AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE DOCTORAL PROGRAM

MISSION STATEMENT:

The Ph.D. program in Photochemical Sciences at Bowling Green State University offers a unique, interdisciplinary research experience that emphasizes studies of the interaction of light with physical, chemical, and biological systems, and on the quest for practical applications of that basic knowledge. The program is designed for students with a background in physics, biological sciences, chemistry or materials science, and features small to medium sized research groups (3 to 6 graduate students per group) having strong interaction between research directors.

The department is well equipped with specialized facilities necessary to support cutting edge research in the photochemical sciences. The Center houses the Ohio Laboratory for Kinetic Spectrometry having major installations for UV-Vis, NIR, IR transient absorption, and visible fluorescence measurements on the femtosecond to millisecond timescales. Other major instrumentation includes 300 and 400 MHz NMR spectrometers the latter equipped for both solution-phase and solid-state studies, a MALDI mass spectrometer, gas chromatography/mass spectrometers, spectrofluorimeters, an automated peptide synthesizer, and several stereolithography systems.

Active areas of research include the study of photo-initiated polymerization, photo-induced electron-transfer reactions, photodynamic damage and therapy in biological systems, artificial light harvesting/processing systems, photosynthesis, circadian rhythms in cells and tissues, vibrationally resolved electronic spectroscopy, and structure and dynamics of RNA.

Coursework for the Ph.D. in Photochemical Sciences prepares students in the area of photochemistry and photophysics, and examines applications in fundamental areas of chemistry, materials science, biological sciences, physics, spectroscopy and photopolymer science. Ranked at the highest level by the Ohio Board of Regents in a study of all doctoral programs in Ohio, this program is a model for focused, interdisciplinary graduate education. The goal of the program is to prepare future photochemical scientists for leadership roles in industry, academe, and national laboratories.

ADMISSION STANDARDS:

Admission requirements are a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related major from an accredited college or university with a GPA of at least 3.0 on a 4-point scale. Students with GPA's between 2.8 and 3.0 may also be admitted provided there are other indicators of likely success in the program, such as high grades in upper-level chemistry courses and experience in academic or industrial research. The University requires that all graduate students take the Graduate Record Exam.

ADDRESSING THE NEEDS OF THE STATE/REGION:

The Ph.D. program serves the needs of Ohio by providing a trained workforce for the State’s technical industries and participates in developing the regional economy by forming cooperative research initiatives and industrial partnerships.

PLACEMENT OBJECTIVES FOR GRADUATES:

The Ph.D. program seeks to place its graduates as research scientists in both photoscience-related industries and academic positions. The program also seeks to place graduates who desire additional scientific training as post-doctoral researchers at the best laboratories across the world.

PROGRAM REVIEW:

The Ph.D program in Photochemical Sciences is regularly reviewed through the University's Program Review process. In addition, it was recognized as being one of the state’s most successful programs in the last Regent’s Review of Chemistry Ph.D. programs.

Contact Information:

Douglas Neckers, Executive Director
Phil Castellano, Graduate Coordinator
Phone: 419-372-2033

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