Frequently, scientific notation and metric prefixes hide the size of the molecules with which we deal. I recently ran across this flash applet that helps to compare the sizes of various small objects - down to the size of a single carbon atom.
How big is a carbon atom?
And, of course, I couldn't leave out the classic video, Powers of 10, which not only shows the size of atoms, but our planet's size in relation to the cosmos.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Chemistry GRE Preparation
Attention all students planning on taking the Chemistry GRE on November 7th.
Your professors have planned review sessions Nov. 2-5 from 7-9PM in RNS 316.
Monday Nov. 2nd Organic with Dr. Pearson
Tuesday Nov. 3rd Analytical with Dr. Walczak
Wednesday Nov. 4th P-chem with Dr. Nat "entropy" Schaefle
Thursday Nov. 5th with Dr. Miessler
If you have additional questions, please contact a chemistry faculty member
Good Luck!
Your professors have planned review sessions Nov. 2-5 from 7-9PM in RNS 316.
Monday Nov. 2nd Organic with Dr. Pearson
Tuesday Nov. 3rd Analytical with Dr. Walczak
Wednesday Nov. 4th P-chem with Dr. Nat "entropy" Schaefle
Thursday Nov. 5th with Dr. Miessler
If you have additional questions, please contact a chemistry faculty member
Good Luck!
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Chemistry Alumna News
We have just been informed that 1983 chemistry alumna Kristin (Nelson) Wobbe, the John C. Metzger Jr. Professor of Chemistry at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI), has been named Associate Dean for the First Year Experience. Dr. Wobbe has co-developed and co-taught one of the First Year Seminars, a course titled "Feed the World." Dr. Wobbe is a member of the Interdisciplinary Plant Research Group at WPI. Her research explores a number of different ways to augment a plant's production of artemisinin, a potent antimalarial compound. Congratulations!
Monday, October 26, 2009
South Dakota State Chemistry Day
CHEMISTRY DAY PROGRAM
| 9:30 | Refreshments and Registration |
| 10:00 | Welcome |
| 10:15 | Introduction and Department Overview · General Description · Faculty, Staff, Students · Facilities · Instrumentation and Other Resources |
| 10:30 | Graduate Program Overview · Requirements · Application Procedure · Curriculum · Assistantships · Living in Brookings |
| 10:45 | Faculty Research Discussions · Environmental/Analytical · Bio/Organic Chemistry · Chemical Education |
| 12:00 | Lunch |
| 12:45 | Campus Tour · Student Union · Library · HPER/Wellness Center · Art & Ag Museums · Performing · |
| 1:30 | Graduate Student Posters, Department Tour · Research Labs · Instructional Labs · Instrumentation and Other Facilities |
| 2:30 | Refreshments, Q&A, Wrap-up |
| 3:00 | Distinguished Alumni Lecture, Dr. Scott Kohl, Technical Director, ICM, Inc. |
Sessions to be held in Room 260 of the University Student Union.
Campus maps are available at
http://www.sdstate.edu/index/maps/index.cfm
Friday, October 23, 2009
MPR features green chemistry at St. Olaf
A Minnesota Public Radio story focuses on how St. Olaf is using fewer toxic solvents and creating less hazardous waste in its chemistry labs, a move that’s not only environmentally friendly but also saves the college thousands of dollars each year. The story notes that with fewer toxic reactions, less energy is used to ventilate the science complex and fewer resources are needed for hazardous material disposal.
"It almost seemed like a no-brainer," Professor of Chemistry Bob Hanson tells MPR. "The students react to this very favorably and very much like, well 'why would you want to do this any other way? This is so obvious.'"
"It almost seemed like a no-brainer," Professor of Chemistry Bob Hanson tells MPR. "The students react to this very favorably and very much like, well 'why would you want to do this any other way? This is so obvious.'"
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Registry of Undergraduate Researchers
Dear Students:
The Council on Undergraduate Research hosts a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers. The purpose of this registry is to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates who have research experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree, with graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research. The Registry is open to students and graduate schools in the fields of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics/ Astronomy, Mathematics/Computer Science, Economics, Geosciences, Engineering, Psychology, Sociology, Humanities and Anthropology/Archaeology.
Any undergraduate may go to www.cur.org/ugreg/ to fill out a simple curriculum vitae form. There is no charge to the student and records will be made available to bona fide Graduate Schools that contract with CUR for this service. Organizations or companies seeking the students’ information for other marketing purposes will not be granted access. Graduate School representatives may contact students to invite applications or visits to the campus and laboratory, or to share information about their research programs and financial support opportunities.
An institution-wide annual subscription fee for access to the entire database is $1,500 and departments can subscribe for $300 on their own for their discipline, if they choose.
Graduate schools may provide a link to their websites, and may provide a short description of opportunities, such as research fields and fellowships. It will also be possible for institutions to place an ad on the database website if the content is related to the mission of CUR and the Undergraduate Registry.
We hope that students who are currently in their junior or senior year will register now. Juniors will be able to update their listing at the end of the summer and during their senior year, to include any summer research experience or information about Senior Theses and test scores. We also welcome submissions by students who are engaged in Masters' Degree programs now but who plan on going on to a PhD program. Just fill out the information on the form including the date you intend to enter a PhD program and your date of completion of your undergraduate degree. Upload a link to your CV that contains complete information about your MS/MA degree activity (school, subject, thesis topic (if applicable), and advisor).
CUR believes that this service will be a great benefit for both students and graduate schools by narrowing the search for the right match. So if you are interested in graduate school, please take a moment to register now. Be sure to include a statement of your research interests, as this will be important for making the match.
Please feel free to contact me, should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Robin Howard
Senior Director, Membership Services
Council on Undergraduate Research
734 15th St NW
Suite 550
(202) 783-4810x203
(202) 783-4811 fax
robin@cur.org
The Council on Undergraduate Research hosts a Registry of Undergraduate Researchers. The purpose of this registry is to facilitate matchmaking between undergraduates who have research experience and a desire to pursue an advanced degree, with graduate schools seeking high quality students who are well prepared for research. The Registry is open to students and graduate schools in the fields of Chemistry, Biochemistry, Biology, Physics/ Astronomy, Mathematics/Computer Science, Economics, Geosciences, Engineering, Psychology, Sociology, Humanities and Anthropology/Archaeology.
Any undergraduate may go to www.cur.org/ugreg/ to fill out a simple curriculum vitae form. There is no charge to the student and records will be made available to bona fide Graduate Schools that contract with CUR for this service. Organizations or companies seeking the students’ information for other marketing purposes will not be granted access. Graduate School representatives may contact students to invite applications or visits to the campus and laboratory, or to share information about their research programs and financial support opportunities.
An institution-wide annual subscription fee for access to the entire database is $1,500 and departments can subscribe for $300 on their own for their discipline, if they choose.
Graduate schools may provide a link to their websites, and may provide a short description of opportunities, such as research fields and fellowships. It will also be possible for institutions to place an ad on the database website if the content is related to the mission of CUR and the Undergraduate Registry.
We hope that students who are currently in their junior or senior year will register now. Juniors will be able to update their listing at the end of the summer and during their senior year, to include any summer research experience or information about Senior Theses and test scores. We also welcome submissions by students who are engaged in Masters' Degree programs now but who plan on going on to a PhD program. Just fill out the information on the form including the date you intend to enter a PhD program and your date of completion of your undergraduate degree. Upload a link to your CV that contains complete information about your MS/MA degree activity (school, subject, thesis topic (if applicable), and advisor).
CUR believes that this service will be a great benefit for both students and graduate schools by narrowing the search for the right match. So if you are interested in graduate school, please take a moment to register now. Be sure to include a statement of your research interests, as this will be important for making the match.
Please feel free to contact me, should you have any questions.
Sincerely,
Robin Howard
Senior Director, Membership Services
Council on Undergraduate Research
734 15th St NW
Suite 550
(202) 783-4810x203
(202) 783-4811 fax
robin@cur.org
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Summer Internship Opportunity
Announcing a new summer internship program, SCI Scholars, for chemistry and chemical engineering undergraduates.
The program is a joint effort of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) America International Group (AIG), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and was developed to introduce chemistry and chemical engineering students to careers in the chemical industry.
Exceptional sophomores and juniors with a GPA of at least 3.5 and who are majoring in chemistry or chemical engineering are encouraged to apply.
Program details:
* Twenty-one scholars will be chosen for internship positions in the summer of 2010.
* SCI Scholars receive $6,000-$9,000 for a ten-week internship.
* Students will be awarded a certificate and an additional $1000, which can be used for any purpose, such as participation at an ACS or AIChE meeting.
* Scholars nominate a high school chemistry teacher for recognition. Teachers will be awarded a certificate from SCI and $1,000, which can be used for professional development or classroom materials.
* Applications are due January 15, 2010.
* Interested students should visit www.acs.org/sci to fill out an application and get more information.
The program is a joint effort of the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) America International Group (AIG), the American Chemical Society (ACS), and the American Institute of Chemical Engineers (AIChE), and was developed to introduce chemistry and chemical engineering students to careers in the chemical industry.
Exceptional sophomores and juniors with a GPA of at least 3.5 and who are majoring in chemistry or chemical engineering are encouraged to apply.
Program details:
* Twenty-one scholars will be chosen for internship positions in the summer of 2010.
* SCI Scholars receive $6,000-$9,000 for a ten-week internship.
* Students will be awarded a certificate and an additional $1000, which can be used for any purpose, such as participation at an ACS or AIChE meeting.
* Scholars nominate a high school chemistry teacher for recognition. Teachers will be awarded a certificate from SCI and $1,000, which can be used for professional development or classroom materials.
* Applications are due January 15, 2010.
* Interested students should visit www.acs.org/sci to fill out an application and get more information.
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