Program specific thread - Computational and theoretical chemistry.

[mterabithia]

Hi,

 

Though of starting this thread to create a discussion among those who are interested in theoretical chemistry. And I really like to get your thoughts in selecting a good program for computational and theoretical chemistry.

 

Regards 

[gpantel]

Hi mterabithia,

 

First question: Are your interests more in QM or Molecular Dynamics?

 

Coming from my familiarity with schools that feature strong research using Molecular Dynamics, particularly for investigating topics in Biochemistry, here are just a few off the top of my head:

University of California San Francisco

Stanford University

University of Chicago

Stony Brook University

University of Pittsburgh

Temple University

Boston University

University of California San Diego

[epinephrine]

To add to that list ^ of schools with good research in MD,

 

U C Berkeley

Cornell

U W Madison

U C Irvine

I'm not too familiar with QM, but I know U Minnesota Twin Cities and U Georgia are supposed to be good.

Edited March 6, 2015 by epinephrine

[aberrant]

Instead of going after a particular institution, I would recommend you to go after a specific PI.

 

For example, if you want to work in MD, apply to any of the schools where they have the developers of CHARMM, you can do no wrong with this list:

 

http://www.charmm.org/info/developers.html

 

Obviously, there are million other ways to find who do you want to work with. From there on, look into the school and see if there are other PI that you wanna work with, in case the first choice/option is unavailable.

[mterabithia]

Hi,

Indeed even I believe rather that sticking to a university it is good to go after PI. Anyway  believe as a university Gtech, Florida and Boston got good several groups. 

 

I am more focused on Quantum and bio-physical chemistry. Not a fan of pure classical modeling. I believe in QM/CM hybridized methods will be more suitable for analysis purposes. 

 

Anyhow, in order to select a university or a PI what kind of analysis can I do? I have several choices right now and I am kinda bit confused on making a decision. 

Specially between CATCO group in southern methodist university and quantum theory project in University of florida.

 

Any help on those two unis will be a real help. 

Thanks.

[aberrant]

You will have to ask yourself which PI/group/lab does research that interest you the most, first and foremost. You may have other follow up questions that help you to determine which one is better. Is the particular PI can prepare your for your career development (e.g. skill sets, network, etc.), is the program rigorous enough to prepare you well, is the location of the school matters, what about the culture of the school -- do people focus on academics and work hard, or they pay more attention on sports and party, etc.

 

Only you can answer many of those questions, but communicate with current students in those labs/groups/work with those PIs will certainly be beneficial.

[velli]

You will have to ask yourself which PI/group/lab does research that interest you the most, first and foremost. You may have other follow up questions that help you to determine which one is better. Is the particular PI can prepare your for your career development (e.g. skill sets, network, etc.), is the program rigorous enough to prepare you well, is the location of the school matters, what about the culture of the school -- do people focus on academics and work hard, or they pay more attention on sports and party, etc.

 

Only you can answer many of those questions, but communicate with current students in those labs/groups/work with those PIs will certainly be beneficial.

 

On this topic, it's important not to pick a program specifically for ONE PI. You need some level of flexibility in case your PI is a bad mentor, a shitty person, or leaves the institution for some reason or another. Also, your interests may evolve between undergrad and your rotations during grad school, so flexibility is good, even if you won't need it. 

 

Edit: My mistake -- you're actually choosing between programs! Congrats!

Edited March 10, 2015 by velli

[mterabithia]

Hi,

 

Thanks for all the replies. I am looking forward for Boston University and Gtech!! Those two offers one hell of a diversified theoretical research. If got any acceptance from one of those unis I  will definitely accept them. For the time being I am interested on learning more about this Quatum Theory Project in Florida University. Any of you know anything about this project? Prof. Eric Duemen said he is retiring. But no idea about other lecturers in the university and no way to contact them as well. I did mailed them regarding my interest and all. But yet no reply. So abything from you all will be awesome.

 

Thanks.