Matthew J. Côté
Associate Professor of Chemistry and Biochemistry
Associations
Chemistry and Biochemistry
About
Ph. D, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1988 ; B.S., Syracuse University, 1983 ; Postdoctoral Experience: University of California at Berkeley, 1988-1991
Physical Chemistry: Optical spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy are combined to probe the electronic states of semiconductor and metal nanostructures. The intramolecular dynamics of isolated molecules are studied using laser and molecular beam techniques.
Expertise
Current Courses
Winter Semester 2026
Senior Thesis
A laboratory or library research study in an area of interest under the supervision of a member of the biology or chemistry department. Senior biochemistry majors will be asked to deliver presentations on their research. Students register for BCHM 457 in the fall semester and BCHM 458 in the winter …
Chemical Reactivity/Lab
A continuation of CHEM 107. Major topics include thermodynamics, kinetics, equilibrium, acid/base behavior, oxidation/reduction, and electrochemistry. Laboratory: three hours per week. Prerequisite(s): CHEM 107.
Statistical Thermodynamics
Major topics include statistical mechanics and chemical thermodynamics. Prerequisite(s): CHEM 108 and MATH 106. Prerequisite(s), which may be taken concurrently: PHYS 107 or PHYS 109. This course is normally offered every year, alternating with CHEM 310.
Senior Research and Seminar
A laboratory or library research study in an area of interest under the supervision of a member of the department. Each senior major delivers one presentation on the research for each thesis credit. Students register for CHEM 458 in the winter semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for b…
Short Term 2026
Designing, Fabricating, and Testing Mechanical Devices
This course introduces students to mechanical design principles through readily available three-dimensional computer-aided design (CAD) software and newly accessible additive and subtractive manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing and laser cutting. Students will explore basic mechanical eng…
Fall Semester 2026
Quantum Chemistry
Major topics include the fundamentals of quantum mechanics and its application to chemistry, including atomic and molecular structure, and spectroscopy. Prerequisite(s): CHEM 108, MATH 106, and PHYS 107 or PHYS 109. Prerequisite(s), which may be taken concurrently: MATH 205.
Senior Research and Seminar
A laboratory or library research study in an area of interest under the supervision of a member of the department. Each senior major delivers one presentation on the research for each thesis credit. Students register for CHEM 457 in the fall semester. Majors writing an honors thesis register for bot…