During the first year of enrollment, each student selects an advisory committee and takes a battery of standardized examinations. The results of these examinations are used to determine course levels at which each student should commence study. Remedial undergraduate courses are sometimes recommended. Students meet with their advisory committees yearly to discuss progress. The time used to complete the requirements for a master's degree is about two and a half years; the Ph.D. program typically requires four and a half years.
For the M.S. degree, students must complete at least 15 credits of graduate course work (generally 5 courses), of which at least six credits must be from their individual core sequence (analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry). Masters students must present at least one departmental seminar during their tenure. Original research culminating in the writing of an M.S. thesis must also be completed (14 credits minimum). Oral defense of the M.S. thesis is required before graduation.
For the Ph.D. degree, students must complete at least 21 credits of graduate course work (generally 7 courses), of which at least 9 credits must be from their core sequence. Extensive original research culminating in the writing of a doctoral dissertation is the largest requirement for a Ph.D. degree (67 credits minimum). Doctoral candidates must also present two departmental seminars and take cumulative examinations, given 8 times per year. Oral defense of an original research proposal is also required, normally during the third year, and oral defense of the Ph.D. dissertation is required prior to graduation.
For more detailed
descriptions of program and degree requirements, students should consult the
Graduate School catalogue "Graduate Academic Information".
Research is the most important, rewarding, and time-intensive component of a graduate student's training. During their first semester, students talk with each faculty member and then select a research director based on mutual interests. To help in this process, brief descriptions of each faculty member's research and program occupy a large part of this booklet. Prospective students wishing to learn more about the research going on within the department are also strongly encourage to call and talk to individual faculty members and to arrange for a visit. Telephone numbers and electronic mail addresses for each of the faculty can be found on the Faculty page.
Academic Catalog | Graduate School | Registrars Office
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