SMU is the first university to offer a dedicated direct bachelors-to-Ph.D. degree program in theoretical and computational chemistry based on a four-year (66 credit hour) curriculum.
Theoretical Chemistry comprises several disciplines such as quantum chemistry, reaction dynamics, molecular mechanics and molecular dynamics, molecular modeling, statistical mechanics and quantum statistics, synergetics (nonlinear thermodynamics), etc. Among these disciplines, quantum chemistry is by far the strongest field as is documented by hundreds of investigations and research projects carried out every year.
Although very often the terms theoretical chemistry and computational chemistry are synonymously used, both fields are not identical. In general, a discipline of theoretical chemistry such as synergetics is not necessarily considered a part of computational chemistry, whereas on the other hand, fields such as chemometrics, neural networks or computer-assisted synthesis clearly belong to computational chemistry rather than theoretical chemistry.
Research of the Computational and Theoretical Chemistry Group (CATCO) used to focus on quantum chemistry and Reaction Dynamics. However, in recent years, molecular modeling of larger molecules has become also important. Research at CATCO has moved from the small-molecule world into the large-molecule world, concentrating now more on biomolecules, engaging in drug design, and introducing computational nanotechnology. For additional details on CATCO research, see smu.edu/CATCO.
Admission Requirements
In addition to meeting the general requirements described under Dedman College: Admission in the General Information section of this catalog, applicants are required to take the GRE general graduate school admission test. Applicants who do not speak English as their native language are required to supply scores on the TOEFL English language proficiency test or the IELTS English competency test. Three letters of recommendation are required.
Financial aid is available in the form of teaching/research assistantships, which include the waiver of tuition and fees.
Return to: