Degrees Offered
The Department of Chemistry offers the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees, with emphasis on the Ph.D. Specialization is possible in inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. In addition, there are several interdisciplinary research programs in biophysical chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and marine and atmospheric chemistry.
Students entering the graduate program with a Bachelor’s or Master's degree enroll in a minimum of eighteen credits of courses offered in the first year (inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry). They also attend seminars in which the faculty members describe their research interests. On the basis of these seminars and personal interviews, students choose a research director by the end of the first semester. At the end of the first academic year, students are required to take and pass a written comprehensive exam.
To earn the Ph.D. degree students are required to complete the following requirements:
I. Complete 60 credits of lecture, seminar and research courses.
II. Pass a written comprehensive examination in the first year.
III.
Present a departmental seminar in the second year.
IV. Pass an oral qualifying examination in the third year.
V.
Submit and defend an original proposal for research unrelated to the dissertation topic in the third/fourth year.
VI.
Present a final research seminar in the fourth/fifth year.
VII.
Prepare and successfully defend a dissertation based on original and independent research approved by the research advisor.
To earn the M.S. degree students are required to complete the following requirements:
I. Complete 30 credits of lecture, seminar and research courses.
II. Pass a written comprehensive examination in the first year.
III. Present a research seminar.
IV. Prepare and successfully defend a dissertation based on original and independent research approved by the research advisor.
To earn the M.S. degree (non-thesis option) students are required to complete the following requirements:
I. Complete 30 credits of lecture and seminar courses.
II. Pass a written comprehensive examination in the first year.
III. Present a research seminar
Students MUST consult the department Graduate Students Handbook for details.
