Graduate Program

Current Student Resources

Information for Graduate Students in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry has prepared the following general information pertaining to the program leading to an advanced degree. Regulations of the Department and Graduate School have been combined in convenient outline form. Any member of the staff or a graduate advisor will be glad to discuss with a student any aspect and concern about the graduate program of study. Also includes is general information about the operating procedures of the Department.

Student Profile

More than 100 graduate students currently are enrolled in the Chemistry Department, and the Department usually has about 30 post-doctoral students. Many other students pursue graduate degrees in related areas of medicinal chemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biochemistry, and geochemistry, making a community of more than 200 chemistry-oriented research students.

General Information

A. Enrollment
B. Grading and Academic Performance
C. Graduate Teaching Assistants
D. Renewal of Assistantships or Fellowships
E. Departmental Summer Fellowships
F. Advising
G. Desk Assignments First-Year Students
H. Procedures for Selection of Research Director
I. Seminars, Lectures and Colloquia
J. Safety
K. Holidays and Vacations
L. Departmental Rules and Regulations
M. Duties, Responsibilities and Performance of Teaching Assistants
N. Academic Misconduct, Definition and University Guidelines
O. Departmental Grievance Procedure
P. Departmental Supplies and Services

The Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The awarding of a graduate degree is based not solely upon the completion of a definite number of credit hours, but rather upon the accomplishment of the student in research, in course work, and in individual examinations. Certain definite requirements concerning courses and examinations have been established by this Department or by the Graduate School, and are presented below for the information of the student.

A student admitted to the Graduate School to study for the Ph.D. shall be known as an aspirant for the degree until he or she passes the Comprehensive Oral Examination. After passing the Comprehensive Oral Examination he or she shall be known as a candidate for the degree.

A. Timing and Residence Requirements - Consult the current Graduate School Catalog
B. Course Requirements
C. Comprehensive Examination for the Doctorate
D. Guidelines for Preparation of the Oral Comprehensive Exam Proposal
E. Research Advisory Committee
F. The Dissertation and Oral Final Examination

The Master's Degree

In addition to the Ph.D. degree, the Department of Chemistry offers the Master of Science (M.S.) degree for students who want a less extensive graduate program in chemistry. This degree program, usually completed in two years, omits the intensive course concentration required for the Ph.D. degree and requires a more modest research project and thesis. The M.S. is particularly attractive for students who do not plan a career in basic chemical research but who want to work in a closely related field.

Degree Requirements

Last updated February, 2011

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