Graduate Degree Guidelines

Upon arrival, all new graduate students are given examinations to assess their preparation for graduate study. These examinations are the standardized tests produced by the American Chemical Society. The results are used for advisement to help the student select their first semester courses. Students who do not have sufficient knowledge in a given area of chemistry, as shown by the results of these tests, will be required to strengthen their background through individual study or remedial courses.

An advisement committee assists the student in selecting the appropriate first semester courses. A typical first semester graduate student takes three core graduate level courses. A student can choose a research director and begin research at any time.

The Department views an advanced degree in Chemistry as primarily a research degree, so the choice of research director is an important decision for the first year graduate student. Students are encouraged to speak informally with as many faculty members as possible, and assistance is available to those students having difficulty with this decision. However, it is to the student's advantage to select a research advisor at the earliest possible date.

The Department of Chemistry offers programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry and the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree in Chemistry or Master of Science (M.Sc.) degree in Medicinal Chemistry. The Ph.D. degrees and the M.S. in Medicinal Chemistry require original research and a successfully defended dissertation or thesis. The M. A. degree requires either a topical review of the chemical literature or original research with an accompanying thesis.