This is the first time that I write a Statement of purpsoe and I would be glad to receive your kind comments. I appreciate your time and attention!
I intend to apply for the Ph.D. Program in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the University of xxx, for the fall 2013. I believe that my research experience in catalysis field, passion for scientific research and academic career as well as analytical thinking and hard working skills makes me an appropriate candidate for the program which is highly promising for my professional and academic objectives as well as personal development in such an eligible school.
Ever since I attended my first class in the XXX Department of Chemical Engineering as a freshman undergraduate student, I felt that it will be a lifelong adventure without an end to study and learn in a tremendous manner. Moreover, I sensed that its challenges and surprises will never cease too. Therefore, as a new step in my chemical engineer academic career which I have enriched in xxx so far, seeking the PhD. degree seems as the most natural era to pursue with great delight on the grounds that I would like to study in an environment in which I will be given freedom in exploring new ideas, conduct experiments, develop projects, research striking topics and have the opportunity of making critical decisions. xxx definitely offers this unique combination. To my belief, with a doctoral study at xxx, I will be able to use and improve my creativity, analytical thinking, research, leadership and decision making skills and will become an highly qualified independent researcher. To help you understand my current goals better, I would like to explain my educational experience up to this point.
Being born to a family of academic career pursuers, from a very young age, my parents taught me the importance of knowledge means of getting it. Gradually, I grew to be highly interested in reading, learning and questioning the world around me with an endless stream of questions. Consequently, I became attracted by science and its devastating load of information. In the high school, I deliberately applied to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to gain more insight in science subjects and performed the required experiments with a great amazement. As both chemistry subjects and experiments were of great interest to me and problem solving nature of engineering topics had fascinating me, I was admitted to the xxx Department of Chemical Engineering, which is the most prestigious engineering school in my country and requires a real hard work with strong determination, patience, analytical intelligence and critical thinking to obtain the degree successfully. Overall, as those requirements were highly compatible with my personal skills and expectations, after four years of volunteered hard-work, I received my Bachelor's Degree in the first rank among my colleagues in the department with a CGPA of 3.74/4.00 and immediately accepted for Master of Science Program of the department and obtained the position of Research and Teaching Assistant. However, even more important and significant than those, during the undergraduate study, I definitely realized my desire and determination to pursue an academic career in this field.
Throughout the undergraduate education; coursework, research projects, experiments and work experiences have afforded me a broad training in the current techniques and perspectives in Chemical Engineering as well as a reinforcement to pursue my career in the science. Especially in the senior year, the two project based courses taught me how to perform a scientific research in a real and striking sense. As the final year design project, in a team of four, we designed a hydrogen production plant, using natural gas as source material to provide necessary hydrogen gas input for a 10kW fuel cell. The project was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. xy, providing me plenty of experience about conducting a research project in compliance with deadlines, effective team working, and applying the conceptual knowledge gained in previous courses to a real case. Significantly, during the project I was enriched about literature survey and delighted to see how a specific finding was flourished step by step. Also I realized the importance of energy problem for the future and necessity to replenish fossil fuel resources, or at least decrease their harm to the environment. Another benefit of the project was to show me how to interprete the computation results and present them in a coherent manner. With the delight I felt during all this period, I became fully intended to go on. In the last semester, I have taken course called as "Topics in Chemical Engineering" under the supervision of yz. The main aim of this course is to encourage an individual student on new and developing areas of Chemical Engineering. Within the course content, I chose to study formation of carbon nanotubes with quantum mechanical methods applied to the computation chemistry. Seeing that all the raw materials of industrial processes are rapidly depleting, I was fascinated by the idea of being able to accurately model materials and catalytic reactions without losing any material in unfruitful experiments, I was deeply attached to the utilization of Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods to predict and model energetics of various reaction schemes for carbon nanotube production. This project was very important to me since it made me realize how much I enjoy individually conducting scientific research in an academic environment. In the light of those highly beneficial experiences, my particular success in course and laboratory work for four years and my long lasting desire for science and research, I decided to pursue M.Sc program in Chemical Reaction Engineering. As the research concentration, I selected the intervention of fossil fuel utilization by catalytic process and abatement with air pollution from a point of view that does not undermine the depletion of raw materials.
Consequently, the goal of my master study is to develop Three Way Catalysts (TWC) for gasoline using vehicles which are more effective in converting CO and NO into harmless gases with respect to the currently used ones. They are also aimed to contain lower amount of noble metals than conventional TWCs. Strikingly, in my study I combine experimental techniques and DFT methods to design the desired catalyst. In this sense, it will be among the very few number of studies that precisely combine theoretical and experimental work. Furthermore, this topic is also accepted for a 2 year research project funded by The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBÄ°TAK). Apart from the master study, I also participated in a NSF-TUBÄ°TAK collaboration project, in which I performed some DFT computations under the title "Aqueous Oxidation of Methanol by V-Containing Biocatalysts: Density Functional Theory (DFT) Computations", as part of an experimental study about vanadium containing enzyme kinetics of Professor xxx from xxx University, one of the most well-known researchers in the area of vanadium and its catalysis. Within the scope of those two studies, I participated a number of international and national meetings for poster presentations, in which I had chance to communicate with foreign researchers and students. Being in those events with the excitement of sharing new findings and interactions also strengthened my opinions about pursuing the academic career.
In addition to those research experiences I have gained so far, my appointment as teaching assistant also gave me valuable enhancement. With the courses I assist, I have occasion to review and improve my understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals as well as interacting with students. Simultaneously, I tried to observe my professor as much as I can, to be of best use to the students. As I always enjoy all aspects of teaching duties and never turn back on claiming more responsibility, I decided that pursuing a simultaneous career of research and academic teaching would be the best path for me.
Being a well-organized and hard working person, I am always eager to learn more and improve myself further. Also I can successfully perform multiple tasks at a time both individually or in group work. With the experience I gained through undergraduate and graduate studies together with teaching assistant appointment, I believe I can comfortably have a seat in the research groups in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department at xxx. Particularly, two of the faculty has drawn my attention with their research concentrations. First one is xxx, concentrated in new material design for catalysis, capturing my interest as conventional utilization of raw materials is coming to an end and I would like to participate in the search for producing new ones. Another appealing research option is that of xxx, which particularly evoked my attention for his advances in modeling and simulations. It will be an immense reward for me to be able to pursue my PhD degree in one of those research groups as well as the other ones
My academic background reflected on my resume and in this paper demonstrates my level of motivation, with my research and teaching experiences. I hope that you will give me the privilege of obtaining my graduate degree at xxx. This study will be an excellent step for me to reach my ultimate academic goals. I would like to thank you very much for your time and kind interest in the evaluation of my graduate work goals.
Sincerely yours,
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE - Chemical Study
I intend to apply for the Ph.D. Program in the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering in the University of xxx, for the fall 2013. I believe that my research experience in catalysis field, passion for scientific research and academic career as well as analytical thinking and hard working skills makes me an appropriate candidate for the program which is highly promising for my professional and academic objectives as well as personal development in such an eligible school.
Ever since I attended my first class in the XXX Department of Chemical Engineering as a freshman undergraduate student, I felt that it will be a lifelong adventure without an end to study and learn in a tremendous manner. Moreover, I sensed that its challenges and surprises will never cease too. Therefore, as a new step in my chemical engineer academic career which I have enriched in xxx so far, seeking the PhD. degree seems as the most natural era to pursue with great delight on the grounds that I would like to study in an environment in which I will be given freedom in exploring new ideas, conduct experiments, develop projects, research striking topics and have the opportunity of making critical decisions. xxx definitely offers this unique combination. To my belief, with a doctoral study at xxx, I will be able to use and improve my creativity, analytical thinking, research, leadership and decision making skills and will become an highly qualified independent researcher. To help you understand my current goals better, I would like to explain my educational experience up to this point.
Being born to a family of academic career pursuers, from a very young age, my parents taught me the importance of knowledge means of getting it. Gradually, I grew to be highly interested in reading, learning and questioning the world around me with an endless stream of questions. Consequently, I became attracted by science and its devastating load of information. In the high school, I deliberately applied to the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program to gain more insight in science subjects and performed the required experiments with a great amazement. As both chemistry subjects and experiments were of great interest to me and problem solving nature of engineering topics had fascinating me, I was admitted to the xxx Department of Chemical Engineering, which is the most prestigious engineering school in my country and requires a real hard work with strong determination, patience, analytical intelligence and critical thinking to obtain the degree successfully. Overall, as those requirements were highly compatible with my personal skills and expectations, after four years of volunteered hard-work, I received my Bachelor's Degree in the first rank among my colleagues in the department with a CGPA of 3.74/4.00 and immediately accepted for Master of Science Program of the department and obtained the position of Research and Teaching Assistant. However, even more important and significant than those, during the undergraduate study, I definitely realized my desire and determination to pursue an academic career in this field.
Throughout the undergraduate education; coursework, research projects, experiments and work experiences have afforded me a broad training in the current techniques and perspectives in Chemical Engineering as well as a reinforcement to pursue my career in the science. Especially in the senior year, the two project based courses taught me how to perform a scientific research in a real and striking sense. As the final year design project, in a team of four, we designed a hydrogen production plant, using natural gas as source material to provide necessary hydrogen gas input for a 10kW fuel cell. The project was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. xy, providing me plenty of experience about conducting a research project in compliance with deadlines, effective team working, and applying the conceptual knowledge gained in previous courses to a real case. Significantly, during the project I was enriched about literature survey and delighted to see how a specific finding was flourished step by step. Also I realized the importance of energy problem for the future and necessity to replenish fossil fuel resources, or at least decrease their harm to the environment. Another benefit of the project was to show me how to interprete the computation results and present them in a coherent manner. With the delight I felt during all this period, I became fully intended to go on. In the last semester, I have taken course called as "Topics in Chemical Engineering" under the supervision of yz. The main aim of this course is to encourage an individual student on new and developing areas of Chemical Engineering. Within the course content, I chose to study formation of carbon nanotubes with quantum mechanical methods applied to the computation chemistry. Seeing that all the raw materials of industrial processes are rapidly depleting, I was fascinated by the idea of being able to accurately model materials and catalytic reactions without losing any material in unfruitful experiments, I was deeply attached to the utilization of Density Functional Theory (DFT) methods to predict and model energetics of various reaction schemes for carbon nanotube production. This project was very important to me since it made me realize how much I enjoy individually conducting scientific research in an academic environment. In the light of those highly beneficial experiences, my particular success in course and laboratory work for four years and my long lasting desire for science and research, I decided to pursue M.Sc program in Chemical Reaction Engineering. As the research concentration, I selected the intervention of fossil fuel utilization by catalytic process and abatement with air pollution from a point of view that does not undermine the depletion of raw materials.
Consequently, the goal of my master study is to develop Three Way Catalysts (TWC) for gasoline using vehicles which are more effective in converting CO and NO into harmless gases with respect to the currently used ones. They are also aimed to contain lower amount of noble metals than conventional TWCs. Strikingly, in my study I combine experimental techniques and DFT methods to design the desired catalyst. In this sense, it will be among the very few number of studies that precisely combine theoretical and experimental work. Furthermore, this topic is also accepted for a 2 year research project funded by The Scientific & Technological Research Council of Turkey (TUBÄ°TAK). Apart from the master study, I also participated in a NSF-TUBÄ°TAK collaboration project, in which I performed some DFT computations under the title "Aqueous Oxidation of Methanol by V-Containing Biocatalysts: Density Functional Theory (DFT) Computations", as part of an experimental study about vanadium containing enzyme kinetics of Professor xxx from xxx University, one of the most well-known researchers in the area of vanadium and its catalysis. Within the scope of those two studies, I participated a number of international and national meetings for poster presentations, in which I had chance to communicate with foreign researchers and students. Being in those events with the excitement of sharing new findings and interactions also strengthened my opinions about pursuing the academic career.
In addition to those research experiences I have gained so far, my appointment as teaching assistant also gave me valuable enhancement. With the courses I assist, I have occasion to review and improve my understanding of chemical engineering fundamentals as well as interacting with students. Simultaneously, I tried to observe my professor as much as I can, to be of best use to the students. As I always enjoy all aspects of teaching duties and never turn back on claiming more responsibility, I decided that pursuing a simultaneous career of research and academic teaching would be the best path for me.
Being a well-organized and hard working person, I am always eager to learn more and improve myself further. Also I can successfully perform multiple tasks at a time both individually or in group work. With the experience I gained through undergraduate and graduate studies together with teaching assistant appointment, I believe I can comfortably have a seat in the research groups in Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering Department at xxx. Particularly, two of the faculty has drawn my attention with their research concentrations. First one is xxx, concentrated in new material design for catalysis, capturing my interest as conventional utilization of raw materials is coming to an end and I would like to participate in the search for producing new ones. Another appealing research option is that of xxx, which particularly evoked my attention for his advances in modeling and simulations. It will be an immense reward for me to be able to pursue my PhD degree in one of those research groups as well as the other ones
My academic background reflected on my resume and in this paper demonstrates my level of motivation, with my research and teaching experiences. I hope that you will give me the privilege of obtaining my graduate degree at xxx. This study will be an excellent step for me to reach my ultimate academic goals. I would like to thank you very much for your time and kind interest in the evaluation of my graduate work goals.
Sincerely yours,
