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Ph.D. Degree Requirements

To earn a Ph.D. degree, students must successfully fulfill the following requirements:

Year 1: Coursework – All incoming graduate students are required to complete three core graduate courses during the fall semester. These core courses are designed to provide a broad and solid foundation across the major areas of chemistry. Typical core courses include Mechanistic Organic Chemistry (CHEM5537), Principles of Chemical Biology (CHEM5560), and Physical Chemistry: Principles and Applications (CHEM6676).

In the spring semester, first-year students must enroll in the Scientific Communication in Chemistry course, along with additional advanced electives relevant to their area of specialization. It is recommended that students complete six graduate-level courses by the end of their first year. Each student is expected to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 by the end of their first year and throughout their graduate studies. Failure to meet this standard may result in dismissal from the program.

Year 2: Oral Comprehensive Examination – The oral comprehensive exam assesses a Ph.D. student's depth of understanding and ability to integrate fundamental concepts within their field of study. During the exam, students respond to questions from a faculty committee that evaluate both their conceptual knowledge and critical thinking skills.

Year 3: Departmental Seminar – The departmental seminar provides Ph.D. students an opportunity to present their research progress in a public forum to faculty, peers, and other members of the department. This presentation allows students to demonstrate their scientific development, communicate their findings effectively, and receive constructive feedback on their research project.

Year 4: Original Research Proposal – The Original Research Proposal requires Ph.D. students to design and defend a novel research project that lies outside their main area of study. This requirement evaluates their ability to think critically, synthesize knowledge across disciplines, and propose innovative scientific directions.

Students who do not successfully complete the designated Ph.D. milestones may choose to pursue a Master of Science (M.S.) degree instead. To qualify for the M.S. degree, students must complete a minimum of 18 graduate-level course credits, write a M.S. thesis, and successfully defend the thesis before a faculty committee.

In addition to the coursework and curricular requirements outlined above, students are required to gain teaching experience as part of their graduate training. This requirement is typically met through at least one year of service as a teaching assistant, with assignments tailored to align with each student’s academic and research goals.