2011-2012 Bulletin – PDF - SEAS Bulletin - Columbia University

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drop shapes is also available for
the purpose of polymer surface and
interfacial tension measurements as
well as contact angle analysis. An X-ray
reflectometer that can perform X-ray
standing wave–induced fluorescence
measurements is also housed in the
new shared equipment laboratory, along
with instrumentation for characterizing
the friction and wear properties of
polymeric surfaces. The laboratory
also houses an infrared spectrometer
(Nicolet Magna 560, MCT detector)
with a variable angle grazing incidence,
temperature-controlled attenuatedtotal-reflectance,
transmission, and
liquid cell accessories. These facilities
are suitable for mid-IR, spectroscopic
investigations of bulk materials as well
as thin films. The laboratory also has
a UV-Vis spectrometer (a Cary 50), an
SLM Aminco 8000 spectrofluorimeter,
and a high-purity water system
(Millipore Biocel) used for preparation
of biological buffers and solutions.
Facilities are available for cell tissue
culture and for experiments involving
biocompatibilization of materials or
cellular engineering. In addition, gel
electrophoresis apparatus is available for
the molecular weight characterization of
nucleic acids. A total-internal-reflectionfluorescence
(TIRF) instrument with
an automated, temperature-controlled
flow cell has been built for dedicated
investigations of surface processes
involving fluorescently tagged biological
and synthetic molecules. The instrument
can operate at different excitation
wavelengths (typically HeNe laser,
633 nm, using Cy5 labeled nucleic
acids). Fluorescence is collected by
a highly sensitive photomultiplier tube
and logged to a personal computer.
Because fluorescence is only excited
in the evanescent wave region near an
interface, signals from surface-bound
fluorescent species can be determined
with minimal background interference
from fluorophores in bulk solution.
Chemistry Department. Access to
NMR and mass spectrometry facilities is
possible through interactions with faculty
members who also hold appointments
in the Chemistry Department. The NMR
facility consists of a 500 MHz, a 400
MHz, and two 300 MHz instruments that
are operated by students and postdocs
after training. The mass spectrometry
facility is run by students for routine
samples and by a professional mass
spectrometrist for more difficult
samples. The Chemistry Department
also provides access to the services of
a glass blower and machine shop and
to photochemical and spectroscopic
facilities. These facilities consist of (1)
two nanosecond laser flash photolysis
instruments equipped with UV-VIS,
infrared, EPR, and NMR detection;
(2) three EPR spectrometers; (3) two
fluorescence spectrometers; (4) a single
photon counter for analysis of the
lifetimes and polarization of fluorescence
and phosphorescence; and (5) a highperformance
liquid chromatographic
instrument for analysis of polymer
molecular weight and dispersity.
Columbia Genome Center. Because of
its affiliation with the Columbia Genome
Center (CGC), the Department of
Chemical Engineering also has access
to more than 3,000 sq. ft. of space
equipped with a high-throughput DNA
sequencer (Amersham Pharmacia
Biotech Mega-Bace1000), a nucleic
acid synthesizer (PE Biosystems 8909
Expedite Nucleic Acid/Peptide Synthesis
System), an UV/VIS spectrophotometer
(Perkin-Elmer Lambda 40), a
fluorescence spectrophotometer (Jobin
Yvon, Inc. Fluorolog-3), Waters HPLC,
and a sequencing gel electrophoresis
apparatus (Life Technologies Model
S2), as well as the facilities required
for state-of-the-art synthetic chemistry.
The division of DNA sequencing and
chemical biology at the Columbia
Genome Center consists of 6,000 sq.
ft. of laboratory space and equipment
necessary for carrying out the state-ofthe-art
DNA analysis. The laboratory
has one Amersham Pharmacia Biotech
MegaBace1000 sequencer, three ABI
377 sequencers with complete 96 land
upgrades, a Qiagen 9600 Biorobot, a
Hydra 96 microdispenser robot, and
standard molecular biology equipment.
Undergraduate Program
Chemical Engineering
The undergraduate program in chemical
engineering at Columbia has five formal
educational objectives:
1. Prepare students for careers in
industries that require technical
expertise in chemical engineering.
2. Prepare students to assume
leadership positions in industries
that require technical expertise in
chemical engineering.
3. Enable students to pursue
graduate-level studies in chemical
engineering and related technical or
scientific fields (e.g., biomedical or
environmental engineering, materials
science).
4. Provide a strong foundation for
students to pursue alternative career
paths, especially careers in business,
management, finance, law, medicine,
or education.
5. Establish in students a commitment
to life-long learning and service
within their chosen profession and
society.
The expertise of chemical engineers
is essential to production, marketing,
and application in such areas as
pharmaceuticals, high performance
materials as in the automotive and
aerospace industries, semiconductors
in the electronics industry, paints and
plastics, consumer products such as
food and cosmetics, petroleum refining,
industrial chemicals, synthetic fibers,
and just about every bioengineering and
biotechnology area from artificial organs
to biosensors. Increasingly, chemical
engineers are involved in exciting new
technologies employing highly novel
materials, whose unusual response at
the molecular level endows them with
unique properties. Examples include
controlled release drugs, materials
with designed interaction with in vivo
environments, “nanomaterials” for
electronic and optical applications,
agricultural products, and a host of
others. This requires a depth and
breadth of understanding of physical
and chemical aspects of materials and
their production that is without parallel.
The chemical engineering degree
also serves as a passport to exciting
careers in directly related industries as
diverse as biochemical engineering,
environmental management, and
pharmaceuticals. Because the deep
engineering 2011–2012