Frontiers Seminars (Chem 695)
Underlying Philosophy / Rules and Regulations / Forms and Samples / Bottom of Page


Underlying Philosophy

The Texas A&M "Frontiers in Chemical Research" Lecture Series brings distinguished, internationally recognized chemists from every field of chemistry to the department. Speakers spend three days (usually Monday through Wednesday) in the department visiting and interacting with the students and faculty. A seminar is presented each afternoon at 5 PM. The speaker is asked to present his/her seminars, to the best of his ability, in a way that will allow students who are not well-versed in that particular field to follow and understand their presentation.

Purpose: It should be clear that this is a tremendous opportunity for graduate students to learn about a field outside their chosen disciplines and interact with leaders in these fields. Due to the explosive growth in the chemical literature, it has become increasingly difficult to keep up with the literature in the student's own field and almost impossible to keep up with literature outside his/her field. The "Frontiers" Lecture Series gives students the opportunity to learn about chemistry outside their field in a "live" format. Students are required to take two semesters of Chem 695, but should be encouraged to attend these lectures throughout their graduate career.

Rules and Regulations


1). The student will receive a Fall or Spring program schedule listing the speaker, the topic or the series, the date of the lectures and the divisional area of interest.

2). Students are required to attend all lectures. Three (3) unexcused absences will be allowed.

3). Students are required to sign the attendance sheet at each lecture.

4). There will be two discussion sessions per lecturer. Each student must attend at least two of the possible eight discussion sessions. Assignments to a discussion session will be based on the student's preferences.

5). It is important that questions be asked by students during the Discussion Groups. To help you formulate meaningful questions, reference materials will be available. You are required to forward at least two questions to the course coordinators office one day prior to the Discussion Group.

6.) One term paper, not less that 5 but not longer than 10 pages, is required per semester. The paper must present a critical summary of the three talks of one chosen lecturer.

For more information, write the Graduate Student Advisor: gradmail@mail.chem.tamu.edu.
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