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Analytical Chemistry

Chemist looking into microscope in lab.

Obtaining, processing and communicating data

Analytical chemistry is the science of obtaining, processing and communicating information about the composition and structure of matter. Our faculty have wide-ranging interests in this field, including:

  • Bioanalytical chemistry
  • Proteomics
  • Design, fabrication and application of microfluidic analytical devices
  • Implementation of molecular recognition elements in bioanalysis
  • Application of analytical and microfluidic techniques to environmental problems
  • Transport and fate of semi-volatile compounds in the atmosphere and water-borne contaminants in the subsurface environment
  • Applications of mass spectrometry to molecular biological problems
  • Development of microscale instrumentation and portable sensors for environmental and other analytical uses
  • Laser-based analytical techniques for environmental applications
  • Global climate

Faculty members interact extensively with Environmental Health Sciences Center, Environmental and Molecular Toxicology Department, Microtechnology-Based Energy, Biology and Chemical Systems Initiative, and The Subsurface Biosphere Initiative.

Our program is recognized for its openness: we collaborate across the boundaries of many disciplines, both within and beyond the fields of chemistry.

Vince Remcho

Professor

We are accepting graduate students!

Our graduate program at OSU is geared to provide the student with a solid foundation in analytical chemistry. 

Research seminars

We maintain an active seminar program with both academic and industrial speakers from across the country and around the world. These seminars are typically given on Thursday afternoons at 4 pm.

Students actively participate in the seminar program through individual meetings with the speakers. In addition, students also have more informal interactions including lunch with the visiting scientists. In fact, many of the lunches have ultimately translated into postdoctoral positions and job opportunities.

Each spring, a leader in the field of organic chemistry is invited to present the James D. White Honorary Lecture. This award was started in 2011 to honor the distinguished Professor Emeritus Jim White. Professor White has made sizable contributions to organic chemistry research for over four decades at Oregon State University and was honored with the Centenary Medal (1999), Cope Scholar Award (2003), and MDF Discovery Award (2004).

Facilities

Gilbert Hall and the Agriculture and Life Sciences Building house chemistry research and administrative offices with separate undergraduate teaching labs located in Gilbert Addition. The following list highlights current instrumentation available in the department:

  • Gradient and isocratic HPLC systems, an HP1100 binary high-pressure gradient HPLC interfaced to an APCI quadrupole MS system
  • MALDI TOF/TOF mass spectrometer (AB 4700) and capillary LC MALDI target spotter
  • Micromass qTOF Ultima Global mass spectrometer
  • Kratos MS50TC RF high resolution mass spectrometer
  • Perkin Elmer Sciex API-III+ LC/MS/MS ionspray mass spectrometry system with an APCI source.
  • Finnigan LCQ ion trap system
  • UV and visible spectroscopic instrumentation as well as flame and furnace atomic absorption spectrometers, infrared spectroscopic instrumentation
  • Custom-built systems for microscale HPLC and capillary electrokinetic separations
  • Waters capillary LC system
  • Electronic resources, including Sci-Finder Scholar, are licensed through the Valley Library
  • Mascot, a proteomics search engine, is licensed through the Environmental Health Sciences Center.
  • Micromass QuatroMicro LC ESI MS/MS mass spectrometry system
  • Finnigan TSQ 700 GC EI/CI MS/MS mass spectrometry system.