Environmental Engineering/Physical Chemistry/Solid State Physics
Industrialization has given rise to an unprecedented improvement in our standard of living. However, it has also caused serious global environmental problems such as global warming, ozone layer depletion, and acid rain. The environmental problems we face today increasingly require scientists to cross disciplinary boundaries and think across scales from local to global, and even to cosmic space. By selecting courses in this cluster, students will learn about the connection between skills and knowledge for observing molecules in cosmic space and the environmental pollution on Earth. They will also learn how research on sustainable materials and agriculture in local settings has implication for the global environment and energy resources. Modules in this cluster include (1)Atmospheric and Astronomical Physical Chemistry/Magnetism and (2)Energy, Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry.
Atmospheric and Astronomical Physical Chemistry/Magnetism
Many puzzles of the universe and many environmental problems can be tackled by understanding the processes of physical chemistry with molecular science. Especially, we use laser spectroscopy and quantum chemistry to study atmospheric molecules and interstellar molecules. Furthermore, magnetic property of materials can be investigated with microwave
spectroscopy, which may play roles in solving the environmental problems.
Sample Course Titles:
- Introduction to Solid State Physics
- Introduction to Thermodynamics
- Modern Physics
- Spectroscopic Methods
- Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Energy, Environmental and Sustainable Chemistry
Energy, environmental and sustainable chemistry focuses on new materials, catalysis, and gas separation to tackle the challenges of renewable energy-generation and recycling, and develop sustainable methods that improve existing processes and make use of renewable resources. The group investigates new materials for energy applications, developing novel processes for the production of sustainable materials, recovery of resources and detoxification of pollutant chemical species in the environment.
Sample Course Titles:
- Mathematics for Physical Chemistry
- Chemistry for Chemical Engineering
- Fundamentals of Chemistry
- Instrumental Analysis
- Introduction to Catalytic Chemistry
