Degree Requirements
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Guidebook and Regulations for the Non-Thesis M.S., Thesis M.S. and Ph.D. Programs in ChemistryThe Doctor of Philosophy Degree
The doctoral program in chemistry consists of a mix of coursework, seminars and research, and culminates in an oral thesis defense of an original research project described in a written thesis. The additional requirements beyond those of the master’s degree are designed to provide the doctoral candidate with an opportunity to demonstrate superior proficiency in original research and familiarity with current advances in one of the main areas of chemistry.
Course Requirements
Course requirements for the PhD differ for students entering with an approved BS or MS degree.
For students entering with a BS degree, the PhD program consists of 33 semester hours of graduate credit in courses, seminars, and research. Students must complete 18 semester hours of graduate credit in chemistry courses numbered between CHEM 5601 and CHEM 7999. Up to 6 semester hours of graduate credits may be taken outside of the Chemistry and Chemical Biology Department with prior approval of the department. Students must present one seminar during the first two academic years of residence, for which 1 semester hour of credit is assigned, and another seminar in their final year. In addition to the other requirements, all chemistry graduate students are required to take Research Skills and Ethics, Advanced Laboratory Methods and Advanced Problem Solving. Every student must complete 4 semester hours of thesis research for the PhD degree. Students may elect with their advisor’s permission to participate in non-credit bearing doctoral internships in external laboratories. A cumulative average of 3.000 is required for the entire program.
For students entering with an approved MS degree, course requirements for the PhD program consists of 7 semester hours of graduate credit in courses and seminars. Students must complete 6 semester hours of lecture-based course credits in Advanced Problem Solving CHEM 7750 and Research Skills and Ethics CHEM 5600 or if an equivalent has been taken, another 3 semester hour graduate course (CHEM 5601 - CHEM 7999). Students are required to attend the graduate student seminars in each semester of residence. They must also present one seminar each of the first two academic years of residence, for which 6 1 semester hour of credit is assigned, and another in the final year. In addition to the other requirements, all chemistry graduate students are required to take Research Skills and Ethics, CHEM 5600 (3 semester hours), during their first or second year of residence unless an equivalent course was completed for the MS. Students may elect with their advisor’s permission to participate in non-credit bearing doctoral internships in external laboratories. A cumulative average of 3.000 is required for the entire program.
Residence Requirement
The residence requirement is satisfied after one year of full-time graduate work. If a student holds a teaching assistantship that occupies one-half of the student’s time, the residence requirement is discharged at half rate. Other arrangements require faculty approval. If a candidate has a research assistantship that supports the research for the doctoral dissertation, the residence requirement is discharged at full rate. Typically, the equivalent of two to three years of work after the establishment of doctoral candidacy is necessary to complete research.
Degree Candidacy
Degree candidacy is established when a student has completed all coursework equivalent to the MS degree requirements, or already has the MS degree, and has passed the qualifying examinations.
Qualifying Examinations
Qualifying examinations are offered in the fields of analytical, organic, chemical biology and physical/materials chemistry. Five examinations are offered each year in each field. Students are required to pass three of these examinations. A student is eligible to take the qualifying examination if
1. The student has entered with a bachelor’s degree and has achieved a 3.000 grade-point average in at least five courses taken in the first year of residence, as described in the MS Thesis program, and has a 3.000 grade-point average at the time of the examination.
2. The student has been admitted to the doctoral program with an awarded master’s degree.
3. The student is a part-time student who has petitioned the department after having completed at least 15 semester hours of credit in graduate courses, including fulfillment of the distributional requirements listed for the Non-Thesis MS program. A 3.000 GPA is required.
Students in the first category must pass the qualifying examinations by August 31 of their second year of residence. Students in the second category must pass the qualifying examinations by April 30 of their first year of residence. Students in the third category will have the conditions set at
Dissertation
In most cases, arrangements for a dissertation adviser will have been made before the completion of the qualifying examinations. If not, such arrangements must be made as soon as possible after degree candidacy has been established. The dissertation adviser directs the research for the dissertation and serves as chair of the dissertation committee, which must approve the dissertation before the degree may be conferred.
Final Oral Examination
This examination will be held in accordance with Graduate School of Arts and Sciences regulations.
The Master of Science Degree
Thesis Program
The thesis program may be pursued only on a full-time basis while in residence. It consists of a minimum of 32 semester hours of graduate credit in courses, seminars, and research, and a thesis based on this research. Each student is required to take at least 18 semester hours of credit in graduate chemistry courses numbered between CHEM 5601 and CHEM 7999. Up to 6 semester hours of approved graduate courses from outside the Chemistry department may be substituted. A grade-point average of 2.700 in at least five courses must be achieved during the first year to continue in the program. If more than five courses are taken, one course may be dropped for the purpose of computing the grade-point average needed for continuation. (For students who wish to be considered for the PhD degree, a grade-point average of 3.000 in these five courses is required.) A cumulative average of 3.000 is required in all courses that have a CHEM prefix and in the approved graduate courses that are included in the 32 semester hours of credit. In agreement with general Graduate School of Arts and Sciences regulations, a cumulative average of 3.000 is required for the entire program, and two courses or 6 semester hours of credit, whichever is greater, may be repeated.
Students’ programs must include at least three courses from fields other than their major area of concentration.
Ten semester hours of credit must be assigned to research and thesis for the MS degree (note that registration for Thesis is required). Students are required to attend the graduate student seminars in each semester of residence. They must also present one seminar during the first two academic years of residence, for which 1 semester hour of credit is assigned.
In addition to the other requirements, all chemistry graduate students are required to take, Research Skills and Ethics in Chemistry, during their first or second year of residence.
Students in the thesis program are eligible to apply for departmental financial support through the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
Non-Thesis Program
This program may be pursued on a part-time basis. It consists of 30 semester hours of credit in graduate coursework, taken in chemistry graduate courses numbered between CHEM 5600 and CHEM 7999. Up to 6 semester hours of graduate credits from outside the department may be substituted with prior approval. Only those graduate courses that constitute the first 30 semester hours of credit will be considered by the department. In agreement with general Graduate School of Arts and Sciences regulations, two courses or 6 semester hours of credit, whichever is greater, may be repeated, and a cumulative average of 3.000 is required.
Students’ programs must include 12 semester hours of credit from outside a main area of specialization (analytical, chemical biology, organic, physical), distributed over at least two additional areas.
Students in the Non-Thesis program are not eligible for departmental financial support through the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology.
Professional Master of Science in Biopharmaceutical Regulatory Science
Regulatory science covers the scientific and technological basis for production, regulatory approval, and subsequent monitoring of biopharmaceutical substances. The discipline is distinct from regulatory affairs, which is concerned with the development and enforcement of regulations through clearly defined administra¬tive protocols. With its focus on product and process, regulatory science is also different from the research and development that supports initial drug discovery and development.
Students study protein and carbohydrate chemistry, biochemical engineering, immunology and immunogenicity in classroom and laboratory settings. These technical courses are augmented with business courses in regulatory issues, management, communications, and how to succeed in a regulated workplace. All students also complete a 4 – 6 month graduate co-op. As a result, they acquire the core competencies needed for highly valued positions in the biotech and biopharmaceutical industries and in regulatory agencies such as the FDA.
Applicants must have a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, chemical or biochemical engineering, pharmaceutical science, or a related discipline from an accredited college or university. Preference will be given to applicants who have completed at least one course in organic chemistry, molecular biology or biochemistry, genetics or physiology, and college-level calculus.