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CORE COURSES:

Of the 15 credit hours of required formal, didactic coursework (see the "Credit Hours" tab), certain courses are designated as "core" by the respective chemistry division.

Analytical:

• CHEM 5121 - Practical Laboratory Skills for Analytical Chemistry
• CHEM 5161 - Analytical Atmospheric Spectroscopy

Materials & Nanoscience:

• CHEM 5251 - Materials Chemistry & Properties
• CHEM 5261 - Organic Materials: Structures & Functions

Organic:

• CHEM 5311 - Advanced Synthetic Organic Chemistry
• CHEM 5321 - Advanced Physical Organic Chemistry

Physical:

• CHEM 5501 - Adv. Topics in Physical Chem
• CHEM 5531 - Statistical Mechanics
• CHEM 5581 - Quantum Mechanics
• CHEM 5591 - Advanced Molecular Spectroscopy

COURSE OFFERINGS:

Please note that offered courses can vary from semester to semester (fall vs spring).

COURSE SELECTION:

Students who demonstrate mastery in certain subject areas may, with departmental approval, substitute an alternate course in place of a designated "core" course. ÌýAdditionally, students may take one course (3 credit hours) in a discipline other than chemistry (e.g., physics) with the approval of the Graduate Program. Ìý

Comprehensive Exam - Spring, Year 2

While there are no cumulative or qualifying exams, all students participate in the comprehensive examination process to progress to PhD candidacy. Ìý

The comprehensive exam is comprised of three pieces:

ÌýÌý Thesis research propositionÌý

This five-page document will clearly outline the student's thesis and provide the oral exam committee with an understanding of the student's research area as well as their proposed work and describe promising results (if any). ÌýThe proposition should be both forward-looking (work to be done) as well as a summarization of completed work. ÌýThe proposition may be focused on an initial project that develops into a more complex project representative of the full scope of the PhD. ÌýStudents might be asked at the time of exam to describe and defend alternate experimental approaches to their research goals. Ìý

ÌýÌý Oral examination

This examination will include questioning on 1) the student's research and 2) general topics to assess depth/breadth of knowledge, research readiness, and ability to cogently present and discuss complex ideas. ÌýStudents are expected to demonstrate a clear understanding of their thesis research and fundamental knowledge in chemistry and show the ability to think creatively. Students are strongly advised to spend time reviewing material from chemistry courses they have taken as undergraduates and graduates, since this material is often the subject of questioning during the examination.

ÌýÌý Research proposal

After the oral exam is completed, each student shall submit a research proposal (sometimes referred to as a "secondary proposal" or "out-of-area proposal." ÌýThe research proposal must be different than the research proposition.