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The GREAT Program
Although Nanotechnology is the new buzzword in
science and technology, synthetic organic chemists, with the aid
of physical and analytical chemists, have been practicing
angstrom-level technology, "angstrotechnology," for years. Now
that the rest of the world are actively investigating materials
and processes at nanoscale dimensions and the potential
applications of materials at such physical dimensions have been
revealed, and some proven, the importance of pure and applied
chemistry to nanotechnology, and to green-technology in general,
cannot be overemphasized. Using the new tools that
have stemmed out of nanotechnology, it is also wonderful time for
chemists to expand their learning with the new tools provided by
the other sciences, as it is really "angstrotechnology" that feeds
nanotechnology. In what used to be an abstract science, chemists
can now physically see (TEM, AFM, EDAX), feel and move (Nanomanipulator)
synthesized molecules and nanostructures, place them side by side
or monolayer-by-monolayer with nanoscale resolution, interrogate
their optical electronic and spectral characteristics from the UV
to the microwave, unabated, and use applied statistical and
computing methods to reveal pertinent information within data
sets. In other to successfully compete in the 21st century
workplace harnessed with abilities necessary for active
involvement in building nanoscale materials from the bottom up,
the next generation chemist needs to be educated in the use of
these tools, and in the fundamental concepts of other disciplines
that altogether enable nanotechnology. For this to be achieved,
the scope of curriculum of chemistry needs to be broadened to
assimilate pertinent areas of those other disciplines that enhance
the knowledge of chemistry. Our Graduate
Research, Education and Training (GREAT) program
provides college faculty and administrative members with
assistance with the acquisition of grants and contracts for
research, education and training activities; the design and
implementation of such activities; in the formation of
collaborations that enhance such activities; and the support of
efforts to enact such activities. We can provide
cutting edge support in the following areas:
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Student Curriculum Development:
Development of new classroom and laboratory based instruction
modules that reflect the multidisciplinary nature of scientific
enquiry arising from a convergence of the sciences and
engineering into new (integrated) disciplines, and its
application to the modernization of the curriculum in the field
of chemistry.
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Faculty Research Activity Development: (i)
Identifying faculty members with
overlapping/convergent/synergistic research interests, (ii)
combining them into research clusters, (iii) identifying
cluster-emergent areas of research, education and mentoring
strengths, and then (iv) conceptualizing and developing
research/education-based proposals and programs around these
areas.
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Grantsmanship: Conceptualizing and
developing departmental and institutional grants for activities
such as a) new curriculum development, b) instrumentation
acquisition and c) new educational concepts d) summer enrichment
courses and activities.
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Outreach Planning: Identify and forge
faculty/industry/government relationships and collaborations
that will result in the genesis of new opportunities for the
division; one that will benefit both faculty and graduate
students.
See the "GREAT In Chemistry" Program | 
