Graduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Courses

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers M.S. and Ph.D. programs in analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. All degree programs include teaching and research experience.

Although an undergraduate degree in chemistry accredited by the American Chemical Society provides the strongest foundation for graduate work, many successful students have held either a B.A. or B.S. in a physical or biological science or in engineering.

Entering students take a standardized examination in the area of chemistry in which they have had appropriate undergraduate work (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, or physical). The results determine the level at which you will begin graduate study. During the first year, you are expected to complete 90 lecture hours of graded coursework in their area of major interest and 90 lecture hours of graded elective coursework. Acceptable performance on the standardized examination can lead to an exemption for one or more of these courses. The program of study is flexible to take advantage of your previous training and to meet particular needs in your area of study.

The M.S. program requires 45 graduate credits in chemistry and approved electives. A seminar course is required each quarter, and you must present one satisfactory seminar each year. An examination is given after one year of study to determine if students are qualified to continue graduate work. A failure of this examination may lead to a decision that the student be terminated from the graduate program. Students must defend their thesis orally at a public meeting of their advisory committee. In lieu of a thesis, a student may submit a paper that has been accepted for publication in an approved journal. There is no foreign language requirement for the M.S. The average period of study is two and one-fourth years. You must defend your thesis orally at a public meeting of your advisory committee. In lieu of a thesis, you may submit a paper that has been accepted for publication in an approved journal in which you are the first author.

The Ph.D. program has no fixed number of required graduate credits but requires a minimum of 90 lecture hours of Ph.D.-level courses in your major area.

The student, the advisor, and the advisory committee will determine coursework that the student should complete. A yearly meeting of the student's committee is required. The student's major advisor will determine the amount of research required for the dissertation. A seminar course is required each quarter and each student must present a satisfactory seminar each year. A qualifier examination is given after approximately one year of study to determine if you should continue in the program. A failure of this examination may lead to a decision that the student be paced into the M.S. degree program or terminated from the graduate program. During the second year of the Ph.D. program, students will begin monthly examinations on subjects announced in advance by faculty in a student's research area. Four of ten cumulative examinations offered must be passed to continue toward a Ph.D degree. Once the cumulative exams are completed, a student must present and defend an original independent research proposal.

A student must defend their dissertatin orally a public meeting of their advisory committee. Before the dissertation is approved, a portion must have been accepted for publication in an approved journal. There is no foreign language requirement for the Ph.D. The average period of study for the Ph.D. is four and one-half years.

You must apply at least six weeks prior to the quarter for which you seek admission. Most students enter the chemistry program in the fall quarter. Entry during the academic year other than fall quarter is possible, but usually encouraged. Although there is no formal deadline for applications for financial aid, early application (by February 15 for fall quarter) is strongly recommended.