DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

The course of study of each student is planned with a departmental advisor in consultation with the Graduate Committee. Each student follows a program of study consisting of courses in chemistry and in related fields consistent with the research program and professional objectives.

Attainment Examinations

All students are required to pass American Chemical Society graduate- level examinations in organic and physical chemistry and either inorganic or biochemistry by the end of the first full year of study. Students may opt to discharge the requirements for subdisciplines in which a failing grade was received on the first trial by enrolling and passing with a grade of B or better the appropriate undergraduate or remedial course(s) under the advisement of the Director of Graduate Studies. Once this latter option is chosen, the student's grade in the course(s) will be the sole determinant of the attainment requirement. Failure to pass the required attainment exams by the end of the first full year of study or to pass the remedial course after one attempt will constitute grounds for academic dismissal.

The Foreign Language or Research Tool Requirement (all students)

Students may fulfill this requirement by either a) Foreign Language Attainment or b) Research Tool Attainment.

Foreign Language Attainment

The approval of the foreign language is based upon the requirement that there is a sufficient body of chemical literature in the chosen language for there to be merit in understanding the language. The language chosen shall not be the student's native language. Prior Graduate Committee approval of the language is required except for German, French, Russian, and Japanese.

Research Tool Attainment

To fulfill this requirement, the student should submit in writing to the Graduate Committee the prospective research tool with a justification for its choice. The Graduate Committee will rule on the acceptability of the research tool and outline the procedure required for demonstrating its competency. Competency in a research tool must be demonstrated to an examiner authorized by the Graduate Committee to evaluate students in each research tool area. Chm 511A or B may be used to satisfy the research tool requirement, with the approval of the Director of Graduate Studies, but may not additionally be counted toward the course requirements.

Program Leading to the Master of Science Degree

General Sequence (30 credits minimum)

1. Chemistry (22 credits, minimum): A minimum of five 3-credit letter- graded graduate courses in chemistry as advised including Chm 520A, Chm 525A, Chm 535A or 535B within the first three semesters; one semester of Chm 524 within the first three semesters for 1 credit; and Chm 699T (leading to a written research thesis) for a minimum of 6 credits and a maximum of 11 credits applicable to the degree. Two of the five graduate courses must be within the student's field of specialization.
2. Supporting courses (0-8 credits): Selected courses in related academic fields as advised.
3. Course requirements, with the exception of Chm 699T, must be completed within the student's first 6 semesters of graduate study.
4. Satisfactory completion of a major field examination in chemistry. A student may only take this examination twice.
5. The foreign language or research tool requirement must be fulfilled. Chm 511A or B may be used to satisfy the research tool requirement, but may not be counted toward the letter-graded chemistry course requirements.

1. Chemistry (27 credits minimum): One semester of Chm 524 to be taken within the first 3 semesters (1 credit); Chm 698T (8 credits; leading to a written critical review of research literature); Chm 699 (3 credits); and a minimum of five 3-credit letter-graded graduate courses in chemistry as advised, including Chm 520A, 525A, and 535A within the first three semesters. Two of the five graduate courses must be within the student's field of specialization.
2. Supporting courses (0-3 credits): Selected courses in related academic fields as advised.
3. Course requirements with the exception of Chm 698T must be completed within the student's first 6 semesters of graduate study.
4. Satisfactory completion of a major field examination in chemistry. A student may only take this examination twice.
5. The foreign language or research tool requirement must be fulfilled. Chm 511A or B may be used to satisfy the research tool requirement, but may not be counted toward the letter-graded chemistry course requirements.

1. Chemistry (20-24 credits, minimum): A minimum of five 3-credit letter- graded graduate courses in chemistry as advised including Chm 520A, Chm 525A, Chm 535A or 535B within the first three semesters. Two of the five graduate courses must be within the student's field of specialization. Two sessions of chemistry seminar, one of which must be at the 680 level; Chm 699 for 3 or 6 credits.
2. Supporting courses (0-4 credits): Courses in other fields as advised.
3. Education (6 credits): E Phl 601 and 3 additional credits as advised.
4. Satisfactory completion of a major field examination in chemistry. A student may only take this examination twice.
5. The foreign language or research tool requirement must be fulfilled. Chm 511A or B may be used to satisfy the research tool requirement, but may not be counted toward the letter-graded chemistry course requirements.

*Prerequisite preparation: Provisional certification in chemistry is required for admission to this program. Completion of this program will meet the academic requirement for permanent certification.

PROGRAM LEADING TO THE MASTER OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN APPLIED CHEMISTRY

The Master of Science in Applied Chemistry provides advanced coursework within the field of chemistry to individuals holding a bachelor's degree who are working in industry or government in those fields and who are seeking further chemistry education for professional development. The organic chemistry and forensic chemistry areas of concentration are oriented toward practical methodology, issues, and applications relevant in government and industry research laboratories today.

Requirements for Admission

The admission criteria is the same as that required for students entering the Master of Science program in Chemistry. Entering students are expected to hold a bachelor's degree in chemistry or a related field regardless of their intended concentration track. All students must take the American Chemical Society of attainment exams in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and inorganic chemistry or biochemistry after admission, but before the start of classes.

Program of Study - M.S. in Applied Chemistry with a Concentration in Organic Chemistry (30 credits)

1. Core Courses (14 credits): AChm 525A, AChm 525B, AChm 526, AChm 536, and AChm 625
2. Elective (3 credits) from any graduate chemistry course
3. Organic Seminar (4 credits): AChm 681 (4 semesters at 1 credit per semester)
4. Organic Internship/Practicum (9 credits): AChm 680 (3 semesters at 3 credits per semester)

Program of Study - M.S. in Applied Chemistry with a Concentration in Forensic Chemistry (34 credits, minimum, of which at least 22 credits are in letter graded courses)

1. Core Courses (21 credits): AChm 517, AChm 526, AChm 540A, AChm 540B, AChm 550A, AChm 550B, HBms 644 and HEht 530
2. Seminar (1 credit): AChm 524
3. Forensic Drug Chemistry Internship/Practicum (8 credits): AChm 580A and AChm 580B
4. Chemical Research AChm 699 and Chemical Research (Thesis) A Chm 699T (6-12 credits)

Combined B.S.-M.S. Program

Qualified undergraduates may apply for admission to the M.S. program and, if accepted, simultaneously work toward completion of the requirements for both undergraduate and graduate degrees. Students who are admitted as B.S./M.S. students are not required to take attainment exams. See Combined Baccalaureate-Master's Degree Programs for details.

Program Leading to the Doctor of Philosophy Degree

The aim of the program leading to the Ph.D. in chemistry is to develop an ability to conceive significant research problems in chemistry, to design experiments for the successful investigation of these problems, and to communicate the results of these efforts to the scientific community. The program is designed to train the student to become an independent researcher capable of pursuing a career in the teaching of chemistry and in academic or industrial research.

The program of study and research requires a minimum of three academic years of full-time study and research beyond the baccalaureate degree and typically involves a four-year commitment.

Course Requirements (60 credits minimum)

A minimum of six 3-credit letter-graded graduate courses in chemistry as advised including Chm 520A, Chm 525A, Chm 535A or 535B within the first three semesters. Two of the six required courses must be within the student's field of specialization. In addition, students are required to take one semester of Chm 524. The letter-graded course requirements must be completed within 6 semesters of the date when the student enters.

Qualifying (Cumulative) Examinations

The student must pass two cumulative examinations within the first two years and a total of six cumulative examinations within the first three years to satisfy this requirement. Examinations are given eight times in an academic year. They will be spaced approximately one month apart throughout the academic year.

Each of the four sectors: biochemistry, organic, inorganic, and physical will give a separate exam. Exams from more than one sector may be taken on any occasion. The subject of specialization of a student is determined by his/her selection of cumulative examinations. A minimum of four examinations must be passed in his/her chosen major sector.

Proposition

A student must complete the proposition requirement before being admitted to candidacy. The student will submit in writing to their doctoral subcommittee a description of the research they intend to conduct for their dissertation. This description should include highlighting the background, significance and planned approach that will be used to conduct this study. This written proposal must be defended in a formal presentation to the Committee before the end of the fifth semester of the student’s graduate study.

Full Time Study in Residence

Each student in a doctoral program must engage in full-time study beyond the master's degree or equivalent at the University in at least two sessions after admission to the advanced program. This requirement is designed to insure for each doctoral student a sustained period of intensive intellectual growth. For this purpose a student will enroll in full-time study (12 credits) taken in each of two sessions, or in a regular session and a summer session, not necessarily consecutive, which must be completed satisfactorily, except as indicated here:

1. Students authorized to register for work on a dissertation may meet this 12 credit per session requirement by satisfactorily completing a minimum of 8 earned course credits and registering for work on the dissertation for load credits that will bring the total to 12 credits for each of two sessions.
2. Graduate assistants holding a full assistantship may meet the residency requirement by completing one academic year in such a position, including the satisfactory completion of a minimum of 15 registered credits during the year plus satisfactory completion of assigned duties.

A student is admitted to candidacy for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy upon the following:

1. Satisfactory record in course and seminar study;
2. Satisfactory completion of the research tool requirement;
3. Completion of University residence requirements;
4. Satisfactory completion of the doctoral qualifying examination.

The final requirement to be met by the student is the completion of research, writing of a dissertation (thesis) on this work, and presentation of a thesis seminar.

The thesis seminar will be scheduled to take place within two weeks after the date of submission of the thesis to the doctoral committee. Following the public presentation the student and the doctoral committee meet to discuss necessary changes, if any, before the final copy is submitted