chemistry phd graduate student

PhD Program

Professor Wender discusses chemistry with his graduate students.

Doctoral study in chemistry at Stanford University prepares students for research and teaching careers with diverse emphases in basic, life, medical, physical, energy, materials, and environmental sciences.

The Department of Chemistry offers opportunities for graduate study spanning contemporary subfields, including theoretical, organic, inorganic, physical, biophysical and biomedical chemistry and more. Much of the research defies easy classification along traditional divisions; cross-disciplinary collaborations with Stanford's many vibrant research departments and institutes is among factors distinguishing this world-class graduate program.

The Department of Chemistry is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development.  This advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement with mutual respect by both the adviser and advisee.

• The adviser is expected to meet at least monthly with the graduate student to discuss on-going research.
• There should be a yearly independent development plan (IDP) meeting between the graduate student and adviser. Topics include research progress, expectations for completion of PhD, areas for both the student and adviser to improve in their joint research effort.
• A research adviser should provide timely feedback on manuscripts and thesis chapters.
• Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship, proactively seeking academic and professional guidance and taking responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for their graduate program.
• If there is a significant issue concerning the graduate student’s progress in research, the adviser must communicate this to the student and to the Graduate Studies Committee in writing.  This feedback should include the issues, what needs to be done to overcome these issues and by when.

Academic advising by Stanford faculty is a critical component of all graduate students' education and additional resources can be found in the  Policies and Best Practices for Advising Relationships at Stanford  and the  Guidelines for Faculty-Student Advising at Stanford .

Learn more about the program through the links below, and by exploring the research interests of the  Chemistry Faculty  and  Courtesy Faculty .

About the Chemistry Ph.D. Program

Ph.d. in chemistry faq's.

The Chemistry PhD program is designed towards developing within each student the ability to do creative scientific research. Accordingly, the single most important facet of the curriculum for an individual is their own research project. In keeping with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of scholarly, independent study, formal course requirements are minimal and vary among disciplines; advisor's tailor course requirements to best prepare the student for the chosen research field.

The Doctoral program includes the following concentrations, each of which has specific degree requirements:

• Physical Chemistry : In general, the Physical Chemistry Graduate Program encompasses analytical, nuclear, biophysical, and theoretical chemistry.
• Synthetic Chemistry : The Synthetic Chemistry Graduate Program includes emphases in either organic or inorganic chemistry
• Chemical Biology : The Chemical Biology Graduate Program covers a range of research areas at the interface of Chemistry and Biology.

Research. A graduate student spends a good deal of time during the first week of the first semester at Berkeley talking to various faculty members about possible research projects, studying pertinent literature references, and choosing an individual project. New graduate students meet shortly after their arrival with a faculty adviser. From the faculty adviser the student obtains a list of faculty members whose research may interest the student. After visiting these and additional faculty, if necessary, the student chooses a research director, with the consent of the faculty member and the graduate adviser. By the end of the first semester most students have made a choice and are full-fledged members of research group. Students in the Chemical Biology Graduate Program will select their thesis advisor after completion of three-ten week rotations. Thereafter, all students become involved in library research on their projects and many begin actual experimental or theoretical work.

Independent Study. A student who chooses to specialize in physical chemistry is normally expected to take two courses per semester during the first year and one or two additional semesters of coursework sometimes during the second year. These may include topics such Quantum Mechanics, Statistical Mechanics, Group Theory, Interactions of Radiation with Matter, and many more. At the other extreme, a student specializing in inorganic chemistry will concentrate more heavily on special topics seminars and take fewer courses. The course offerings in the University are varied so that individual students have the opportunity to take other courses which serve their own needs. Such as, a student working on nuclear chemistry will probably elect additional graduate physics courses, while a student working on biophysical or bio-organic problems may take courses offered by the Biochemistry Department. Students in the Chemical Biology program will take courses from both Chemistry and Molecular and Cell Biology departments.

Seminars. Because of the size and diversity of the Berkeley faculty, there are many seminars on a variety of topics which students may choose to attend. There are regular weekly seminars in several major areas, including biophysical, physical, nuclear, organic, theoretical, solid state, and inorganic chemistry. These seminars are presented by members of the Berkeley faculty, as well as distinguished visitors to the campus. These seminars allow the students to become aware of the most important current research going on in the field. In addition to these regular seminars, there are several regular department seminars devoted to presentations by graduate students. One of the doctoral program requirements is that each student delivers a departmental seminar known as a graduate research conference during the second year. Individual research groups also hold regular research seminars. The format of these small, informal seminars varies. In some cases, graduate students discuss their own current research before the other members of the research group. On other occasions, the group seminars may be devoted to group discussions of recent papers which are of interest to the particular research group. In any event, small group seminars are one of the most important ways in which students learn by organizing and interpreting their own results before their peers.

Qualifying Exam. Sometime during the second year of graduate work at Berkeley, each student takes a qualifying examination. The examining board, a committee of four faculty members, is appointed to examine the student for general competence in the area of interest. The qualifying examination is centered around the defense of the individual research project. Upon satisfactory completion of the oral qualifying examination, the student is advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. After advancement, the student completes an original, scholarly contribution to science and writes a dissertation on the subject. Most students complete their work and received their degree within five years.

Teaching. An integral part of the graduate education at Berkeley is teaching. The department requires that each doctoral candidate assist in the instructional program of the department as a teaching assistant for two semesters during their graduate careers. The faculty regard the teaching experience as highly valuable for all graduate students, especially those who plan to teach as a career.

Financial Aid. All students admitted to our graduate program receive a stipend for the duration of study in the form of teaching and research assistantships as long as they are in residence and demonstrate good progress toward the degree. Students also receive full tution, health, dental and vision insurance. Most funds for this support derive from research contracts and grants.

For more information see the Berkeley Bulletin

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Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry

By Joel Shulman

How does your chemistry Ph.D. program compare to others in terms of department size and student demographics? Requirements for the degree? Graduate student progression and support? Developing skills that go beyond knowledge of chemistry? Answers to these questions and many others can be gleaned from the Survey of Ph.D. Programs in Chemistry recently reported by the ACS Committee on Professional Training (CPT) . Highlights of the survey are given here.

View the full report

The primary objective of the CPT is to facilitate the maintenance and improvement of the quality of chemical education at the postsecondary level. Not only does the Committee develop and administer the guidelines that define high-quality undergraduate education, but it also produces resources such as the ACS Directory of Graduate Education and publishes data on undergraduate and graduate education. Approximately every ten years, CPT fields a survey of Ph.D. programs. The latest survey solicited data from all 196 Ph.D. programs in chemistry and received usable information (base year, 2007) from 139 of these programs.

Figure 1. Size Distribution of Ph.D. Programs

Program size and demographics of students

The 139 reporting Ph.D. programs are divided for purposes of comparison into three groups of approximately equal size according to the total number of graduate students in the program: 44 small (defined as 0 to 40 total graduate students), 46 medium (41 to 105 graduate students), and 49 large programs (106+ graduate students). The number of students in Ph.D. programs ranges from 0 to 394 (see Figure 1) with a total of 13,280 students. Eighteen departments have more than 200 students, accounting for more than one-third (4,460) of the total graduate students in chemistry. The 30 largest programs account for almost 50% of graduate students. The average program size is 96 students (and 23 faculty), while the median program size is 67 students.

Of the doctoral students in responding programs, 27.4% are women, 5.2% are underrepresented minorities, and 42.3% are international students (Table 1). Small programs tend to have a higher percentage of underrepresented minority students (averaging 7.8%), while large programs have a higher percentage of women (28.5%) and a lower percentage of international students (37.3%).

Table 1. Demographics of Graduate Students by Program Size

Requirements for degree (table 2).

Of course, a doctoral dissertation is required by all Ph.D. programs. Most (71%) graduate programs require entering graduate students to take placement exams, although this requirement tends to be less prevalent as program size increases. The average program requires a minimum of 20 credits (semester hours, corrected for programs on the quarter system) of coursework, a number that does not vary significantly by program size. In addition to course work and dissertation, 96% of programs require at least one of the following: cumulative examinations (58%), an oral preliminary exam (54%), a comprehensive oral exam (50%), and/or a comprehensive written exam (31%). All four of these exams are required by 7% of programs; 17% of programs require three; 43% of programs require two; and 28% require only one. Large programs require cumulative exams less often and oral exams more often than small or medium programs. Only four programs (3%) require students to pass a language exam for the Ph.D.

Table 2. Requirement in Ph.D. Program

Graduate student progression and support (table 3).

The mean time to the Ph.D. is 5.1 years, a number that varies neither by program size nor by public vs. private institution (data not shown). Most programs place a limit on the amount of time allowed to achieve a Ph.D. (average of 7.8 years) as well as on the number of years of departmental support allowed a student (average of 5.9 years). More than 80% of students choose a research advisor within six months of entering graduate school. A significant number of programs either require or permit laboratory rotations before a final advisor is selected.

Monetary support for Ph.D. students comes from teaching assistantships more often than from research assistantships at small and medium programs, while the reverse is true in large programs. There is wide variation in TA stipends, depending on both program size and geographic location. Most programs have a range of stipends, which on average run from $18,000 to about $20,000 per year. Teaching assistants at larger programs are more likely to teach discussion (recitation) sections than those in small or medium programs.

Table 3. Student Progression and Support in Ph.D. Programs

Developing student skills.

In addition to chemistry knowledge and laboratory skills, it is important that all Ph.D. chemists develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and teamwork. Toward this end, 74% of all programs require students to create and defend an original research proposal (Table 2). All but six programs require students to make presentations (exclusive of the thesis defense) to audiences other than their research group; the average number of required presentations is 2.4, with little variation by program size. When asked whether any graduate students receive student-skills training outside of formal course work, 67% responded that at least some students receive specific training in communications; 59% in ethics/scientific integrity; 43% in grant writing; 37% in mentoring; 37% in intellectual property/patents; and 18% in business/economics. Students in large programs are more likely to receive some training in these skill areas than are students in other programs.

The data from this CPT survey provide a snapshot of graduate student demographics, requirements for the degree, and progression and support in chemistry Ph.D. programs. Survey results highlight similarities and differences among small, medium, and large programs across the country.

Dr. Joel I. Shulman retired as The Procter & Gamble Company's Manager of Doctoral Recruiting and University Relations in 2001 and is now an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He serves the ACS as a consultant for the Office of Graduate Education and the Department of Career Management and Development and as a member of the Committee on Professional Training.

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Johns Hopkins University was the first American institution to emphasize graduate education and to establish a PhD program in chemistry. Founding Chair Ira Remsen initiated a tradition of excellence in research and education that has continued until this day. The Hopkins graduate program is designed for students who desire a PhD in chemistry while advancing scientific knowledge for humankind.

The graduate program provides students with the background and technical expertise required to be leaders in their field and to pursue independent research.

Graduate students’ advancement is marked by entrance exams, coursework, teaching, seminars, oral examinations, and an individual research project that culminates in a thesis dissertation. The thesis research project represents an opportunity for graduate students to make a mark on the world. Working in conjunction with a faculty member or team, individually tailored thesis projects enable students to think independently about cutting-edge research areas that are of critical importance. Thesis research is the most important step toward becoming a PhD scientist, and our program provides an outstanding base with a proven track record of success.

Graduate students make up the heart of the Chemistry Department, and the department strives to support students’ individual needs. Each student is carefully advised and classes are traditionally quite small. Multidisciplinary research and course offerings that increase scientific breadth and innovation are hallmarks of the program.  In addition to academic and technical development, our department also offers several outlets for professional and social development.

For more information, contact the Director of Graduate Studies. Dr. Art Bragg Office: Remsen 221 410-516-5616 [email protected]

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Chemistry PhD Program

The University of Pennsylvania is an internationally renowned research institution that attracts the best students from the United States and around the globe. The Graduate Program is designed for students who wish to earn a Ph.D. in Chemistry while undertaking cutting edge research. The program provides students with the necessary theoretical background and hands-on training to become independent and highly successful scientists.  Graduate students achieve mastery of advanced chemistry topics through courses in different subdisciplines. Broad exposure to current research also occurs via four weekly departmental seminar programs and many interdisciplinary, university-wide lecture series.

Currently, faculty, students, and postdoctoral associates in Chemistry work in the fields of bioinorganic chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, chemical biology, biophysical chemistry, bioinformatics, materials science, laser chemistry, health related chemistry, structural and dynamical studies of biological systems, X-ray scattering/diffraction, NMR spectroscopy, applications of computing and computer graphics, as well as investigations of chemical communication and hormone-receptor interactions. Many research groups combine different techniques to explore frontier areas, such as nanomaterials applied to biology, photoactive biomolecules, and single-molecule imaging. Novel synthetic procedures are under constant development for targets ranging from super-emissive nanoparticles to highly specialized drug molecules and giant dendrimers, which are being explored, for example, as drug-delivery systems. The Research Facilities in the Department of Chemistry provide a strong technology base to enable the highest level of innovation. Graduate students are a driving, integral force at Penn Chemistry.

This PhD program in Chemistry is designed for students who have earned a bachelor’s or a master’s degree in chemistry or a related field who wish to develop as independent researchers by engaging in cutting-edge research while working closely with faculty who are renowned in their fields.

The program of study includes some course work, but the primary emphasis is on the completion of an original research project, its articulation in a well-written thesis, and its subsequent defense before the thesis (oral examination) committee. The PhD program is a full-time degree program that typically takes five years to complete. Financial support (teaching assistantships or research assistantships) is normally provided for students throughout their period of study if they are found to be making satisfactory progress toward their degree in accordance with departmental and university guidelines.

• Boston location ideally positioned in the heart of the Biotechnology Supercluster and Medical Hub
• Students eligible for financial support in the form of Teaching Assistantships (TAs) or Research Assistantships (RAs)
• Use-inspired research projects in materials, energy, and drug discovery are closely linked with industry via partnerships and collaboration
• Departmental research funding is greater than $16 million, across multiple disciplinary foci
• Home to the Barnett Institute of Biological and Chemical Analysis, a premier analytical chemistry institute, and the Northeastern University Center for Renewable Energy Technology
• Bachelor’s and Advanced-degree entry are possible

Our graduates pursue careers within academia and beyond.

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• Empiroko Inc.
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• Corden Pharmaceuticals
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Deadline for completed applications: December 1

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Zanvyl krieger school of arts and sciences.

Johns Hopkins University was the first American institution to emphasize graduate education and to establish a PhD program in chemistry. Founding Chair Ira Remsen initiated a tradition of excellence in research and education that has continued until this day. The Hopkins graduate program is designed for students who desire a PhD in chemistry while advancing scientific knowledge for humankind.

The graduate program provides students with the background and technical expertise required to be leaders in their field and to pursue independent research.

Graduate students’ advancement is marked by entrance exams, coursework, teaching, seminars, oral examinations, and an individual research project that culminates in a thesis dissertation. The thesis research project represents an opportunity for graduate students to make a mark on the world. Working in conjunction with a faculty member or team, individually tailored thesis projects enable students to think independently about cutting-edge research areas that are of critical importance. Thesis research is the most important step toward becoming a PhD scientist, and our program provides an outstanding base with a proven track record of success.

Graduate students make up the heart of the Chemistry Department, and the department strives to support students’ individual needs. Each student is carefully advised and classes are traditionally quite small. Multidisciplinary research and course offerings that increase scientific breadth and innovation are hallmarks of the program.  In addition to academic and technical development, our department also offers several outlets for professional and social development.

Admission Requirements

Application materials include:

• Academic transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Statement of Purpose
• The GRE General Test is required.  However, this requirement can be waived for individuals for whom personal circumstances make it difficult or impossible to access the GRE General Test at this present time.  If so, please let the Academic Affairs Administrator (information below) be aware of these circumstances, and the application will be given full consideration.
• The GRE Chemistry Subject is Test is recommended, but not required.
• The application fee is $75. However, fee waivers may be requested for applicants that have documentation showing they are a part of SACNAS, MARCC, oSTEM and many other organizations. To access the full list to see if you qualify, go to the  Krieger Graduate Admission and Enrollment  page.

Assistance with the application process is available. Candidates with questions about the application process, or requests for a GRE General Test waiver (or on other matters related to the application) should contact the Admissions Committee’s Academic Affairs Administrator ( [email protected] ).

There are no fixed requirements for admission. Undergraduate majors in chemistry, biology, earth sciences, mathematics, or physics may apply as well as all well-qualified individuals who will have received a BA degree before matriculation. A select number of applicants will be invited to visit campus to tour our facilities and interact with our faculty members and their lab members over a weekend in March.

For further information about graduate study in chemistry visit the Chemistry Department website . 

Program Requirements

Normally, the minimum course requirement for both the M.A. and the Ph.D. degrees is six one-semester graduate courses in chemistry and related sciences. Exceptionally well-prepared students may ask for a reduction of these requirements.

Requirements for the Ph.D. degree include a research dissertation worthy of publication, and a knowledge of chemistry and related material as demonstrated in an oral examination. Each student must teach for at least one year.

Below is a list of the core Chemistry courses for graduate level students.

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The Department of Chemistry offers a program of study leading to the degree of Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.). There are approximately 165 graduate students and 120 postdoctoral researchers, visiting faculty and senior scholars representing diverse backgrounds and experiences pursuing research in all major areas of chemistry. There is considerable interdisciplinary and collaborative research pursued both within the Department and with other departments and programs around campus.

Erik Sorensen Director of Graduate Studies [email protected] Frick Laboratory, 132 609-258-8135

Patti Wallack Manager of Educational Programs, Outreach, and Events [email protected] Frick Laboratory, A21 609-258-4116

Sarah Mullins Graduate Program Manager [email protected] Frick Laboratory, 222 609-258-3651

The Graduate Program in Chemistry welcomes students pursuing doctoral research in a broad range of areas:

• Catalysis and Organic Synthesis
• Physical Experimental Chemistry
• Theoretical and Computational Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry

The Graduate Catalog provides an overview of the chemistry academic and interdisciplinary programs available to students. Click to visit the chemistry section of the Graduate Catalog.

Chemistry PhD

The Chemistry PhD program is designed towards developing the ability to do creative scientific research. Accordingly, the single most important facet of the curriculum for an individual is his or her own research project. In keeping with the goal of fostering an atmosphere of scholarly, independent study, formal course requirements are minimal and vary among disciplines. Advisers tailor course requirements to best prepare the student for the chosen research field.

The doctoral program includes the following concentrations, each of which has specific degree requirements:

• Physical Chemistry: In general, the Physical Chemistry Graduate Program encompasses experimental physical, analytical, nuclear, biophysical, and theoretical chemistry.
• Synthetic Chemistry: The Synthetic Chemistry Graduate Program includes emphases in preparation of organic or inorganic compounds, development of methods for their synthesis, and their characterization and use.
• Chemical Biology: The Chemical Biology Graduate Program covers research areas at the interface of chemistry and biology, ranging from the synthesis of bioactive materials to the characterization of living systems.

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The aim of the graduate program in chemistry is to provide an environment for individuals to develop the skills to become leaders in scientific research and education, capable of making original contributions to the advancement of chemistry and related disciplines. 

Programs leading to the M.S. and Ph.D. degrees are offered in  analytical chemistry ,  biochemistry ,  inorganic chemistry ,  materials chemistry ,  organic chemistry  and  physical chemistry . Research in the department is conducted in such interdisciplinary areas as bioanalytical, bioorganic, bioinorganic chemistry, chemical biology , physical organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, chemical physics, and quantum science.

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Top-ranking graduate program in analytical chemistry

Few formal courses are required for the Ph.D. degree. The purpose of advanced course work is to build on the foundation gained in undergraduate study to give additional depth in specialty areas of interest to individual students. Students select courses that will equip them for research of high quality, broaden their general background, and aid them in preparing for doctoral exams.

The Graduate Program in Chemistry currently has over 300 graduate students enrolled of which 90 percent are pursuing the Ph.D. degree.

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UCI Department of Chemistry

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The UCI Department of Chemistry offers a traditional Chemistry foundation blended with research experience in emerging fields.  Areas of specialization include:

• Analytical Chemistry
• Atmospheric Chemistry
• Chemical Biology
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials Chemistry
• Nuclear Materials Chemistry
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Theoretical Chemistry

Students primarily enroll into the Ph.D. program and are awarded a M.S. degree when they have completed the necessary requirements. The Ph.D. is granted in recognition of breadth and depth of knowledge of the facts and theories of modern chemistry and an ability to carry out independent chemical research. Chemistry Ph.D. students are competitive for top-level academic and industrial research positions, as well as many other career pathways.

Chemical and Materials Physics (ChaMP) is an interdisciplinary program between condensed matter physics and physical chemistry, which is designed to eliminate the barrier between these two disciplines. The goal of the concentration in is to provide students with a broad interdisciplinary education in the applied physical sciences that emphasizes modern laboratory and computational skills.

What Sets Us Apart?

The UCI Department of Chemistry is ranked 15th nationwide by Academic Analytics, which is based on the overall quality of the research program and faculty productivity. Our rich department history includes Nobel Laureate F. Sherwood Rowland, and amongst our current faculty are three National Academy of Science members, eight Beckman Young Investigator awardees, twenty-three Sloan Foundation Fellows, thirteen Dreyfus Teacher-Scholars, and eighteen NSF CAREER awardees.

UCI Chemistry Faculty members receive about $10M in new extramural research funding each year, with total funding on the order of $20M at any given time. The UCI Department of Chemistry is also home to one of nine NSF Centers for Chemical Innovation (CCI) programs: Chemistry at the Space-Time Limit (CaSTL). Steady resources have enabled the Chemistry Department to maintain and expand state-of-the-art instrumentation user facilities, including a laser spectroscopy facility, a mass spectroscopy facility, an X-ray crystallography facility, an NMR facility, a molecular modeling facility, and a nuclear reactor, all of which are staffed by Ph.D. specialists. These facilities are accessible to graduate researchers, some on a 24/7 open access basis.  

Home to more than 250 chemistry graduate students, the UCI Department of Chemistry offers a rich and dynamic research environment with an abundance of opportunity for collaboration. Students enjoy the benefits that a large, vibrant research community brings, while still receiving plenty of specialized and individual attention.  Faculty mentors and area advisors meet with students regularly to discuss research, plan coursework, and make sure students are making progress towards their degrees. In the past five years, over thirty chemistry graduate students at UCI have been awarded the prestigious NSF GRFP, another indicator of the quality of student research and individual faculty mentoring.

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PhD in Chemistry

The PhD in chemistry is primarily a research degree. It is awarded to students who have displayed competence in planning and conducting original research in the field of chemistry, demonstrated a broad familiarity with the science of chemistry, understanding in the application of the scientific method, and gained a thorough knowledge of their field of specialization.

Students build a solid foundation in all four core areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical), and a thorough knowledge of their chosen field of specialization. In the first part of the PhD program, students take at least one formal classroom course in each the core areas of chemistry as outlined in the course requirements below. The courses must be completed successfully (B- or better) by the end of the third semester.

Since original research is the primary requirement for the PhD degree, a student selects a research supervisor and begins research before the end the first year. The student and research supervisor then select two faculty members to serve as the student's Doctoral Research Committee. The Committee, in conjunction with the student's research adviser, take over the advisory function from the graduate committee and guides the student's work to promote development as an independent investigator.

Thus, in addition to research each student must complete the following requirements:

• Service as a teaching assistant
• Regular progress updates with a faculty Research Committee
• A departmental seminar
• Defense of an original research proposal.
• Completion of a dissertation reporting significant work of publishable quality

Course Requirements

At least one of the following analytical chemistry courses:

• Chem 141: Instrumental Analysis
• Chem 142: Advanced Analytical Methods
• Chem 144: Spectroscopic Methods of Analysis
• Chem 145: Separation Science
• Chem 146: Electroanalytical Chemistry

At least one of the following inorganic chemistry courses: 

• Chem 161: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
• Chem 162: Chemistry of Transition Elements
• Chem 164: Bioinorganic Chemistry
• Chem 165: Physical Methods In Inorganic Chemistry

At least one of the following organic chemistry courses:

• Chem 150: Intermediate Organic Chemistry
• Chem 151: Physical Organic Chemistry
• Chem 152: Advanced Organic Synthesis

At least one of the following physical chemistry courses: 

• Chem 131: Statistical Thermodynamics
• Chem 132: Chemical Kinetics and Dynamics
• Chem 133: Quantum Mechanics
• Chem 134: Biophysical Chemistry
• Chem 136: Spectroscopy and Molecular Structure
• Chem 138: Atomic Scale Structure and Properties of Surfaces  
• Two additional classroom courses, exclusive of research, must be completed satisfactorily by the end of the fourth semester

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The University of Michigan PhD program offers cutting edge research in a collaborative environment.

• Top 15 Ranked Department
• Among top-10 funded chemistry departments in the U.S.
• Outstanding Benefits -- competitive stipend with low cost of living;  healthcare coverage for you and your dependents
• Open access to instrumentation
• Research rotations in any of 50 groups
• Community of 250 graduate students

Look at these other pages to learn more:

• Pathway to a PhD  lays out a typical program
• Financial Support  explains in more detail your options for support. Our PhD students are fully-funded during their tenure here.
• How to Apply explains what we want to see in your application and how to submit it.
• Recruitment Weekends are an opportunity for admitted students to visit the department. 

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The Department of Chemistry offers a rigorous education with many opportunities for engaging, hands-on research. Applications for fall admission are due January 15 and are free to domestic students.

Foundation for the Future

We offer an outstanding Ph.D. program with several opportunities to defray the cost of your education. Graduate students learn from award-winning faculty in the classroom and work alongside them in the lab, playing an integral role in cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research to solve the big problems facing society.

Graduate applications are submitted electronically and consist of transcripts, three (3) letters of recommendation, and a statement of purpose. GRE scores are not required. The statement of purpose (personal statement) should focus on research accomplishments and aspirations, as well as specific faculty research programs of interest, and may include figures and chemical structures.

The Chemistry Department pays the application fee for domestic applicants only . Domestic applications will be finished when the payment screen is reached, so supply no payment information.

Please visit our Apply Now page and click on the “Apply Now” button to start your application.

While they complete their education, our students enjoy a rich  student experience , publishing papers, traveling to conferences, teaching courses and getting involved in campus life. Students finish their degrees faster than the national average, allowing them to start their futures sooner.

And these futures are bright. Our graduates go on to diverse and successful careers in industry, working for top employers like BASF, Eastman Chemical, Cree, LORD and Novozymes. They teach and research at large universities, small colleges and everywhere between. And they are leaders in influential fields like law, research and government. Through our labs and the  Chemistry Graduate Student Association , we offer valuable networking, travel and professional development opportunities to help students find the career path that is right for them.

Our Programs

Learn more about requirements and coursework for our Ph.D. program and our chemistry minor.

Ready to join our graduate research community? Visit the NC State Graduate School website to apply.

Chemistry Interest Form

Sign up to receiving more information about the Chemistry Ph.D. program.

Program Brochure

Download our graduate program brochure to learn more.

The Chemistry of Life Program (CLP)

The Chemistry of Life Program is a program within the Comparative Medicine Institute at NC State that aims to propel training and research at the interface of Chemistry and the Life Sciences.

Current students can find all the resources they need to succeed in this comprehensive guide to the graduate experience in our department.

graduate program news

March 15, 2024

ChemEd Summit Envisions Interdisciplinary Future for Chemistry Students

Transforming undergraduate chemical sciences education for the next-generation workforce took a step forward at NC State during the recent ChemEd Summit. The one-day event brought together members from the industrial, academic and state and federal chemical sciences communities.

March 06, 2024

Yao, 2024 Matthew Boudreau Award Recipient

Angela Yao has been awarded the Matthew W. Boudreau Undergraduate Summer Research Award for 2024.

Lindsey at the 2024 International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry Congress

Dr. Jon Lindsey has been invited to deliver a plenary talk at the 29th Congress of the International Society of Heterocyclic Chemistry (ISHC 2024).

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Pitt's Department of Chemistry is internationally recognized for its excellence in chemical research and education. The department provides its graduate students with an integrated program of creative, independent research, course work, and teaching.

As part of our committment, all chemistry graduate students in good standing are guaranteed financial support, including tuition, stipend, and health insurance.

See some of the outstanding work being done by our graduate students.

Diverse Research Areas

Pitt's Department of Chemistry is internationally recognized for its excellence in chemical research and education. The department provides its graduate students with an integrated program of creative, independent research, course work, and teaching. Our students pursue research in diverse areas including:

• Analytical Chemistry
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• Inorganic and Materials Chemistry
• Organic Synthesis
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• Physical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy

Pitt's outstanding research and placement resources, coupled with its commitment to being one of the finest and most productive universities in the world, uniquely positions our department to help you meet your objectives on your graduate-studies path.

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PHD, Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry has as its main goal the education and training of professional chemists for entry into industry, government, or the academic world.

Degree Type: Doctoral

Degree Program Code: PHD_CHEM

Degree Program Summary:

The Department of Chemistry has as its main goal the education and training of professional chemists for entry into industry, government, or the academic world. Graduate students pursue research-oriented programs of study leading to the Ph.D. or M.S. degrees. Most graduate students directly pursue a Ph.D. without getting the M.S. degree, and they can specialize in analytical, inorganic (or bioinorganic), organic, or physical chemistry. Additionally, numerous areas of interdisciplinary research may be pursued by students, regardless of their major area in courses.

The overall mission of the chemistry graduate degree program is to train and mentor students as responsible scientists and scientifically literate professionals, involving them in all aspects of chemistry and the global chemical enterprise. The department offers Master of Science (MS) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degrees. The major portion of the graduate degree involves dissertation research, typically specializing in one of many different areas of chemistry and related sciences. More details about the scope of this research can be found at our website: Dissertation and Final Defense.

Graduate students complete a program of study consisting of formal courses designed to give a broad background of knowledge, while allowing specialization in one area. The student typically chooses a research advisor by the end of the first semester in residence and at least two additional faculty members as an advisory committee by the end of the second semester in residence. During the third semester in residence, students on the PhD track in consultation with their research advisors complete a prospectus, which consists of a written and oral presentation of the proposed dissertation research project. The prospectus is not required for MS students.

Students become candidates for the PhD degree after passing preliminary examinations, which are normally taken at the end of the second year in residence. There are two parts to these examinations: a report on the student’s research progress to date and an original research proposal on a topic outside the student’s research area. The research proposal is reviewed during an oral examination of the student before the advisory committee. PhD candidates are also required to give two graded departmental seminars: one about their research project, and another on a selected literature topic. MS students are not required to take preliminary examinations and are required to give only one graded departmental seminar.

Successful candidates for the MS and PhD degrees then typically concentrate on their research projects, and, after completing their research, they write a dissertation and defend it at a final oral examination.

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Athens (Main Campus)

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Franklin College of Arts & Sciences

346 Brooks Hall Athens, GA 30602

706-542-8776

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Visit the online course catalog for more specific degree requirements

Ph.D. Requirements

Credit Hours A minimum total 30 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours in chemistry courses. An overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.

Courses Students must pass at least 6 graduate lecture courses from at least 3 of 6 divisions with a minimum grade of 'C' in any one course during the first 4 semesters (excluding summers). Up to 2 courses may be waived for students entering with a M.S. degree in chemistry (or a closely related field with consent of the Chemistry Director of Graduate Studies).

Mentor The research mentor should be selected during the first semester. Students are required to interview a minimum of 5 chemistry faculty, including members of at least 2 divisions.

Committee The student will select his/her Dissertation Committee in consultation with the research mentor during the first 4 semesters of study. The committee consists of the mentor, a chemistry faculty in the same division, a chemistry faculty in a different division, an additional chemistry faculty, and a faculty member from a different department.

Cumulative Exams Students must complete a series of written cumulative examinations designed to show in-depth knowledge in the chosen area of concentration. Cumulative exams begin in the second semester and are given the third Saturday of January, March, May, September, and November.

Literature Seminar Students must enroll in seminar (Chem 695) each of their first 4 semesters (excluding summers) and attend departmental seminars. Students must make a presentation based on a topic under active discussion in the recent literature during their second or third semester. The remaining seminar attendance requirement may be waived after all other Master's candidacy requirements have been achieved.

Research Proposal Students must develop, explain, and defend a research proposal prior to the beginning of the 7th semester (excluding summers). The proposal may include preliminary results from the student's research and describe possible future directions.

Publications It is expected that prior to the Research Seminar, at least one manuscript based on the student's research would have been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Before completion of the Ph.D. program, at least one published article and at least one additional manuscript submitted to peer-reviewed journals is expected.

Research Seminar A one-hour seminar on the student's dissertation research project is to be given before the end of the 8th semester (excluding summers). This seminar must be completed at least 9 months prior to graduation. The MS degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the research seminar.

Dissertation A written dissertation describing the research program is submitted a minimum of 14 days before the defense. The defense consists of a one-hour seminar followed by an oral examination with the Faculty Reading committee.

Ph.D. Milestones

First Year Coursework Attend Seminars Select a Mentor Begin Research Begin Cumulative Exams (2nd semester) Literature Seminar (early)

Second Year Continue/Finish Coursework Continue/Finish Cumulative Exams Literature Seminar (deadline 3rd semester) Attend Seminars Research Organize Dissertation Committee

Third Year Research Finish Cumulative Exams Research Proposal

Fourth Year Research Research Seminar* *M.S. degree awarded

Fifth Year Finish Research Write and defend Dissertation* *Ph.D. awarded

Attention! 2018 Nobel Laureate Dr. George P. Smith to speak at UofL May 4th and 5th. Apr 26, 2023

2023-2024 Dorothy Gibson Memorial Fellowship and Arno Spatola Endowment Fellowship Nominations are now being accepted Feb 17, 2023

2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham to speak at UofL Mar 16, 2022

Dr. Frederick Luzzio receives College of Arts and Sciences 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity - Career Achievement Mar 01, 2022

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Chemistry Department

About the graduate program.

The degree leading to a Ph.D. in Chemistry is awarded as the result of the demonstration of originality and scholarly achievement.  It demands intensive specialization in one field as well as broad knowledge of related areas.

Course requirements are intended to achieve two basic goals. 1) Acquisition of background knowledge. There is a central core of material that is basic for all well-trained chemists. Therefore, graduate students are initially expected to develop or demonstrate knowledge of an appropriate one-semester course in each of the areas of organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and quantum chemistry. 2) Continued scholarly growth. Graduate students are expected to take one course or its equivalent every semester. This may be a regular advanced course in chemistry or a related discipline, a seminar, or a tutorial designed to meet the special needs of an individual student.

Progress examinations are given multiple times each academic year. Based on articles in the current literature, these examinations are designed to encourage graduate students to keep up with the latest developments in chemistry. In addition, they are a valuable tool for monitoring the expected steady growth of a student's ability to read the chemical literature critically as well as identifying any areas where he or she is deficient.

Proposal writing is one of the most important parts of the entire graduate program in chemistry. Writing scientific proposals teaches evaluation of the literature, integration of knowledge from several areas, formulation of scientific questions, design of a research project to answer those questions, scientific writing and the defense of a project proposal.

Teaching skills and assisting duties are given to each students as a means of developing communication skills. As these develop, more responsible and demanding tasks will be assigned whenever possible.  Students are expected to assist in courses for at least one year.

A one-hour seminar talk  is expected of each student at least once a year beginning in their second year.

The thesis research and dissertation is an original contribution worthy of publication and is the single most important requirement. Finally, the candidate defends the thesis before his/her committee and then presents a final seminar to the department.

Further details about the graduate program structure and requirements are available here: Graduate Handbook

To learn more about applying to the graduate program, refer to this  overview of the application process .  *There is no application fee*

PROGRAM DETAILS

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Chemistry MS Admissions

Thank you for your interest in the UC San Diego Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program. We have over 300 bright and talented graduate students with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. We offer programs for the Doctoral, Masters, and Joint Doctoral degrees. Below you will find information on the needed application materials and criteria.

Application Deadlines

• MS Coursework and Thesis Admissions Deadline for Fall 2023 is January 10, 2024
• Deadline for Winter 2024 is October 25, 2023
• Deadline for Spring 2024 is January 10, 2024

General Application Information

To begin your online application or to check the status on your application, please visit  connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply . Information you enter may be saved at any time.

The Admissions & Recruitment Committee recommends submitting your application as soon as you complete it, even if we have not yet received all your letters of recommendation. We also highly recommend that you answer some/all of our additional questions about your educational experiences.

We review PhD files continuously beginning in late November and try to get the good news out to those we are recruiting to our program as soon as possible. If you have yet to hear from us, your file is still pending a final decision.

Please note that submitting your application requires an associated application fee although under many circumstances you may request that this fee be waived. Please read the application fee link above and inquire with  [email protected]  if you have any questions or would like more information on the waiver options.

Transcripts

Statement of purpose.

We recommend that you structure your Statement of Purpose to address the following four prompts:

• Describe your personal and professional motivations for pursuing research in the field of chemistry and/or biochemistry.
• the overall context and importance of the work,
• the specific goal of the work you were doing, (c) the methods by which you worked to achieve those goals
• what you learned and what your new understanding means for the future of the project. Include a short discussion of how your research experience has shaped your decision to apply to our graduate program.
• Specify one or more faculty members in our department whose current research aligns with your interests. Provide some insight into why you made the choice(s) you did.
• Describe any obstacles that you have overcome to achieve your academic and personal achievements as well as any contributions to equity, diversity, and inclusion you have made.

If you are applying for the MS Coursework program, the research questions above might not apply.

We do not have a word limit, but we do recommend that you keep your statment of purpose clear and concise.

Letters of Recommendation

We  require three letters of recommendation. Letter writers that are able to provide context and clarity with respect to your ability and potential to excel in a graduate program are the most helpful in evaluating your application (e.g. a research advisor or a professors from a course that knows you well).

If your letter writer needs a new link to submit their letter, please follow the instructions below:

• Log into  online application
• Click “Update Application”
• Go to “Letters of Recommendation” page
• Click “Resend” next to the name of your letter writer

Additional Educational Experiences

Fee waiver programs.

There are a couple of fee waiver programs offered by the Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs (GEPA) and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Please visit the GEPA website ( https://grad.ucsd.edu/admissions/requirements/application-fee-and-fee-waiver/index.html ) to see if you are eligible for a fee waiver with them. Follow their steps to request for one of their fee waivers. If you are not eligible for an application fee waiver through GEPA, then please follow the steps below to be considered for one of our limited number of fee waivers by our department.

• Please fill out the application as much as you can ( https://connect.grad.ucsd.edu/apply/ )
• Do not submit the application nor enter any payment information
• Take note of your application's reference number (you'll need that for the next step)
• Fill out our Fee Waiver Request Form to be considered ( https://forms.office.com/r/iWmHZXEE7B )
• The deadline to be considered for one of the department's application fee waivers is November 30, 2022.
• If selected for an application fee waiver, we will contact you with further instructions by December 5, 2022.

English Proficiency Exams (International Applicants Only)

Applicants that have recently studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country in which English is a dominant language, are exempt from language testing requirements.

Demonstrated proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) is required for all other international applicants whose native language is not English. Requirements for demonstrating proficiency are listed below.

International applicants must include an official report of their TOEFL iBT or TSE scores from  ETS . The university-wide minimum TOEFL score for graduate admission is  550 for the paper based test (PBT), and 85 for the internet based test (iBT) . The minimum for the   IELTS Academic Training exam is a score of 7   and a score of   65 for the PTE Academic.

At minimum, international applicants must also have a   TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 23 , an   IELTS Speaking subscore of 7 , or a   PTE Speaking subscores of 65 .

MS Thesis Agreement (MS Thesis Applicants Only)

Commitment to diversity.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry welcomes all applicants. The university and department have a long-standing commitment to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion within STEM fields from. Our commitment to diversifying the scientific workforce also includes people who self-identify as members of the LGBTQ+ community, people of socio-economic disadvantaged backgrounds, and individuals with disabilities.

Outreach Conferences

National organization for the professional advancement of black chemists and engineers (nobcche).

September 26 - 29 | Orlando, FL

American Chemistry Society National Meeting

August 21-25 | Chicago, IL

American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES)

October 6-8, Palm Springs, CA

California Diversity Forum

November 5 | Long Beach, CA

Society for Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS)

October 27 - 29 | San Juan, PR

Annual Biomedical Research Conference for Minority Students (ABRCMS)

November 9 - 12 | Anaheim, CA

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Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Concentration for Chemistry Graduate Students

Phd program.

The Department of Chemistry offers a  concentration in Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) under its PhD degree program. To be eligible for the CSE concentration in Chemistry, a student must fulfill the following requirements:

• Satisfy all the regular PhD requirements for one of the six specialization areas within chemistry (analytical, chemical biology, inorganic, organic, materials, physical)
• Take two core CSE courses (listed below) or their equivalent
• Take two CSE courses offered in chemistry or other departments
• The PhD thesis must be related to computational science as well as to chemistry, as judged by the thesis committee
• Include on the thesis committee at least one faculty member affiliated with the CSE program

The student must satisfy the 20 hours coursework requirement for one of the six specialization areas within chemistry. The core CSE courses and the CSE courses in chemistry may count toward this total where appropriate.

CSE Core Courses

• CSE 401 Numerical Analysis (CS 450)
• CSE 402 Parallel Programming: Science & Engineering (CS 420)
• CSE 510 Numerical Methods for PDEs (CS 555)
• CSE 527 Scientific Visualization (CS 519)

CSE Courses in Chemistry

• CHEM 576 Computational Chemical Biology
• CHEM 550 Advanced Quantum Dynamics
• CHEM 548 Molecular Electronic Structure

The following courses do not count as CSE courses in chemistry but do have a significant computational component:

• CHEM 442 Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
• CHEM 540 Quantum Mechanics
• CHEM 544/546 Statistical Mechanics

University of Illinois course information  (course catalog, timetable, etc.)

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