Chemistry Undergraduate Blog

The best of both worlds! Our tight-knit department lends a small-school feel with all the advantages that a large research university can offer. A diverse student body brings together people from many cultural and academic backgrounds providing an innovative environment. Over $10 million per year in research funding is added to this mix to explore the field of materials science.

The MSE department at Ohio State offers courses and conducts a wide range of theoretical, computational, and experimental studies in the fields of metallurgy, ceramics, composites, and electronic materials. These include:

• Nanotechnology;
  
• Biomaterials;
  
• Fuel cells and alternative energy development;
  
• Emergent materials;
  
• Modeling and computational materials science;
  
• Friction stir welding;
  
• Corrosion, oxidation, tribology, and other environmental effects;
  
• Characterization by X-ray, electron-optical, and other advanced techniques;
  
• Electronic materials, sensors, and membranes;
  
• Mechanical, electrical, magnetic, and optical properties of materials;
  
• Dissimilar materials joining;
  
• Solidification / casting materials science;
  
• Polymers joining;
  
• Non-destructive evaluation;
  
• Chemical, mechanical, and thermal processing of materials such as forming, powder processing, micromachining, and thin film processing.
  

Materials Science and Engineering

At the foundation of engineering is the "stuff" that's engineered; what is the best material to create a needed product or best address a pressing problem?

The discipline of MSE explores the relationships between the structure of a material--from atomic bonding to macroscopic composition--and its properties--such as strength, conductivity, ductility, corrosion resistance, etc. Based upon these structure/property relationships, new design and processing techniques are developed to meet demanding performance needs.

Examples include biomaterials to repair the body, fuel cells for clean renewable power, nano-technology & exotic composites for high-tech applications, and advanced alloys for the automotive and aerospace industries. Due to this near-universal significance, materials engineers readily find high-paying jobs upon graduation.

Welding Engineering

Closely allied to materials study is the understanding of how materials are joined. Welding is a critical manufacturing process that has been estimated to affect over 50% of the products manufactured in the U.S. Almost every segment of our economy depends, to some degree, on welding and materials joining.

Beyond its pragmatic image, welding engineering explores the complex intersection of materials science, design, processing, and real-world application. It is a unique program for unique individuals who enjoy the hands on, problem solving, get-it-done aspects of engineering.

Have a background other than MSE or WE?

Students with training outside MSE or WE are uniquely qualified to bring their knowledge to the study of these fields. MSE & WE draws upon many areas in both the scientific and engineering realms.

Physics, chemistry, mathematics, and computer science each play a part in explaining the origin of unique properties found in a substance. The engineering knowledge and experience of ceramists, metallurgists, electrical, mechanical, and chemical engineers are brought to bear in the application of these properties for a required use.

A number of our students--and faculty--have come from fields outside of MSE / WE and have gone on to make significant contributions in their discipline.

It's this combination of scientific exploration and practical, hands-on engineering that makes the field so fascinating for our students.

For more, visit mse.osu.edu/ms_phd/explore.

I would be glad to answer any questions you might have regarding the admissions process. Please feel free to contact me at your convenience. For more about our faculty, the field of materials, and how to apply, simply visit mse.osu.edu/ms_phd/explore.

Sincerely,

Mr. Mark Cooper
Graduate Studies Coordinator
Department of Materials Science & Engineering
and Welding Engineering
The Ohio State University

477 Watts Hall
2041 College Rd.
Columbus, OH 43210-1179

Telephone: (614) 292-7280
Fax: (614) 292-1537
E-mail: mse@osu.edu
Internet: mse.osu.edu

ACS Summer Schools in Nuclear and Radiochemistry

We are seeking curious and highly motivated students with strong science backgrounds. If selected, students receive an all-expense paid opportunity to complete a 6 week summer course in Nuclear and Radiochemistry in either CA or NY. They also earn hours (tuition paid) of undergraduate chemistry credit through either San Jose State University or SUNY-Stony Brook. Selected students can also receive a stipend of $4,000.

The announcement for the Nuclear and Radiochemistry Summer Schools is available here.

It describes the application procedure and the background we hope applicants will have when applying. This information, and downloadable application and personal reference forms, can also be found on the web at http://www.cofc.edu/~nuclear/nukess.html

The deadline for applications is February 1, 2011. Please distribute this announcement to your undergraduate students and encourage them to consider this unique opportunity! If you or your students have any questions about the ACS sponsored program, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely yours,

Paul Mantica
National Director,
ACS Summer Schools in Nuclear and Radiochemistry

Department of Chemistry
Michigan State University
East Lansing, MI 48824
(o) 517-908-7456
(f) 517-353-5967
(e) mantica@msu.edu

NRC Graduate, Postdoctoral and Senior Research Awards

As you may know, the National Research Council of the National Academies sponsors a number of awards for graduate, postdoctoral and senior researchers at federal laboratories and affiliated institutions. These awards include generous stipends ranging from $42,000 - $75,000 per year for recent Ph.D. recipients, and higher for additional experience and graduate entry level stipends beginning at $30,000 and higher for additional experience. The awards provide the opportunity for recipients to do independent research in some of the best-equipped and staffed laboratories in the U.S. Research opportunities are open to U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and for some of the laboratories, foreign nationals.

Detailed program information, including instructions on how to apply online and a list of participating laboratories, is available on the NRC Research Associateship Programs Web site at:
www.national-academies.org/rap

Questions should be directed to the NRC at 202-334-2760 (phone) or rap@nas.edu.

There are four review cycles annually. Deadlines for 2011 are:

February 1
May 1
August 1
November 1

Applicants should contact prospective Advisor(s) at the lab(s) prior to the application deadline to discuss their research interests and funding opportunities.

NASA/NSF summer and funding opportunities

For Undergraduates:

Paid Summer 2011 Undergrad Research Placements:

Over 400 programs - REU and Other Summer Research Opportunities for Undergrads
http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Summerresearch.asp

For Financial Support in Graduate School Opportunities:

Bridges, GK-12, IGERT and NSF Grad Research Fellowship programs provide generous stipend and tuition support for students through the National Science Foundation:
http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Grad.asp

For Postdoc opportunities:
http://www.pathwaystoscience.org/Postdocs_portal.asp

For NASA-supported internships, fellowships and scholarships:
http://intern.nasa.gov/

If you need to add a program to one of the program portals on the Pathways to Science website or if you find errors in the listings for any of your programs already included in one of the portals, please contact Susie Valatis at the Institute for Broadening Participation.

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Full-Time Product Development Chemist

A full time position is available for a Product Development Chemist I at Oakwood Laboratories, reporting to the Vice President of Product Development. The primary responsibilities include:

• Performs pre-formulation laboratory experiments and studies
• Performs process scale-up from laboratory to pilot laboratory
• Performs process scale-up from pilot laboratory to manufacturing facility
• Contributes to the successful operation of the Product Development group

There is frequent (70% - 89%) exposure to laboratory and manufacturing conditions; occasional office or similar environment. Occasionally, extended hours of work are required to meet product development deadlines as well as to support manufacturing activities related to product development projects. The position requires regular (50% - 69%) exertion including standing/walking for extended periods of time, lifting/carrying more than 15 and up to 25 pounds, works with chemicals and wears basic personal protective equipment (PPE) (glasses, gloves, ear protection), and restrictive PPE (tyvek suits, respirators), operates machinery and high pressure equipment, works in clean room environment with special protective garments; sometimes requires low physical effort including sitting, and operating computers or other small equipment.

Desired Majors: Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering

Excellent opportunity for January or May, 2011 graduates and/or alumni.

People should apply through CWRUlink, which is part of MyCareer at http://studentaffairs.case.edu/My/Career/. Once they’ve logged into CWRUlink they can search for position 13645.