Doctoral Programs in Chemistry

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry

Specializations:

Options:

Specializations

Analytical, Inorganic, Organic and Physical Chemistry

The doctoral program in chemistry is designed to provide students with a background in advanced course work and chemical laboratory techniques that will prepare them to carry out, under the guidance of experienced scientists, an original, independent investigation that will lead to an acceptable contribution to the body of contemporary knowledge.

Plan of Program
The doctoral degree normally requires four years of study beyond the bachelor's degree or a minimum of two to three years beyond the master's degree. The plan of study pursued by each student is dependent on individual requirements and is developed through a conference with the Advisory Committee (or with his or her temporary advisor). The initial part of the student's program, normally completed at the end of two years of study, is devoted to formal course work. The first year is usually given to subjects in the major branches of chemistry in preparation for area (candidacy) examinations. The second year is devoted primarily to advanced subjects in a special field of concentration. The second and final part of the program is devoted principally to research leading to the doctoral thesis. However, the student is encouraged to begin research as early as possible in the program of study.

Research Tools Requirements
These research tools may be a second foreign language, a computer language, a statistics course or another skill acceptable to both the Graduate Coordinator and the research advisor of the student. The language(s) selected may not include the native language of a student's country of origin. Students in all Ph.D. programs may fulfill this requirement by 1) two foreign language courses; 2) one foreign language and a research skill course or 3) two research skill courses. The Language Requirement may be met by completion of a two-semester undergraduate course sequence in French, German, Japanese or Russian with an average grade of B or better. The Research skill requirement may be met by taking courses in programming and/or Statistics.

Credit Requirements
Of the 45 minimum credit requirements, a minimum of 27 credits in course work, exclusive of thesis and seminar, is required with at least 18 to be taken in chemistry. The remaining course credits (9 or more, with a student's Advisory Committee having the authority to add 6 additional credits to the minimum in special situations) may be taken in chemistry or in a related field such as biology, physics, mathematics or engineering. Credit is not normally allowed for undergraduate subjects in chemistry except for those so designated in the catalog. Research credits would then make up the remainder of the 45 credit requirements. Planning the program of courses with the student is the responsibility of a student's Advisory Committee.

Course Requirements
Each student in any of the Ph.D. programs in Chemistry shall take both an advanced course in Physical Chemistry and Organic Chemistry and two courses from Advanced Inorganic, Advanced Analytical, Biochemistry, or Polymer Chemistry unless such requirements have been met previously. Since each division (Analytical, Biochemistry, Organic and Physical) has its own specific course requirements, a student intending to specialize in one of these areas is encouraged to meet with the coordinator of that program.

A. Course Requirements (Ph.D.): Analytical Chemistry Specialization

27 Credits in course work are required. They are:

Note: With the exception of CHEM.5140, Advanced Analytical Chemistry, one of the following courses may be substituted but only with the permission of the student's faculty advisor and the analytical coordinator. Of the remaining 15 credits at least 6 must be in chemistry. The approval of the advisor and analytical coordinator are required for non-chemistry courses. Such courses must be justified as being relevant to the student's course of study.

B. Course Requirement (Ph.D.): Organic Chemistry Specialization

Required Courses:

The remaining course requirements may be fulfilled by selecting courses from the following list or from graduate courses offered by other departments.

Additionally, at least three courses shall be selected from subject areas such as Materials Chemistry, Polymer Sciences, Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, unless such requirements have been met previously.

The remaining course requirements may be fulfilled by selecting courses from the list above or from graduate courses offered by other departments at UML.

C. Course Requirements (Ph.D.): Physical Chemistry Specialization

Required courses:

Written Area Examinations
Upon admission to the Ph.D. program the student must pass exams in his/her major area of specialization. The method of conducting these area exams is designated by the staff in each field of specialization, as follows:

Analytical Chemistry
The area examinations for analytical chemistry will consist of a series of six (6) examinations. The first will be a qualifying examination used to test the student’s general knowledge of Analytical Chemistry. The student will have two opportunities to pass the qualifying examination with a score of 5.0 out of 10.0 points This qualifying exam will be administered at the beginning and end of the area exams. The area examinations will be offered annually, commencing in October and administered at monthly intervals. A minimum of 6.0 out of a possible 10.0 points is required for each individual examination and a total of at least 30.0 out of a possible 50.0 points is required for the successful completion of the Written Area Examination. Failure to perform adequately may resulting the student being required to complete a master's degree. Continuation towards the Ph.D. degree will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Organic Chemistry
Organic students take comprehensive examination consisting of consist of a written and an oral component, taken at the beginning of the second academic year of study (third semester). The exam will focus on the student's own research. The written document should include the following sections: abstract, comprehensive literature review, experimental design and methods, results to date, future plans, and references, following the style and format of ACS publications. The  oral exam will consist of a presentation by the student, followed by examination by the committee members. The questions raised by the committee members can be related to the student's research, and can also be general chemistry and organic chemistry knowledge that are expected from the student. the oral exam is closed to the public. The student must pass both the written and the oral parts of the cumulative examinations in order to advance to the Ph.D candidacy. 

Physical Chemistry
By the third year of graduate study, a Ph.D. student in physical chemistry must take a comprehensive examination. This is an all day written examination with questions designed to test the student's physical chemistry background, and ability to set up models and solve them mathematically. The student has two chances to pass the comprehensive examination.

 Research Proposal As part of the area examination(s) a Ph.D. candidate must present an oral defense of an original research proposal within 3 months of completing the written area examinations although a specific program may require the proposal to be presented at an earlier date. With the aid and advice of the Advisory Committee the student selects a suitable subject for investigation, completes a literature survey, outlines the method of approach, and suggests possible results and conclusions. The oral defense of this proposal is conducted by the student's Advisory Committee with other faculty members in attendance. The proposal is defended by the end of the semester following completion of area exams. The topic of the proposal cannot be closely related to or contained within the thesis project.

 Chemistry Seminar
During each year of residence the student is required to attend and participate in CHEM.6010,6020, Chemistry Seminar, and CHEM.6030,6040, Chemistry Colloquium. Each doctoral student is required to present two seminars.

 Candidacy for the Doctorate in Chemistry
To be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate, a student must:

  1. Satisfy the 27 course credit requirement, with a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.000.
  2. Pass the area examinations, which includes completion of a research proposal.
  3. Fulfill the research tools requirements.
  4. Inform the graduate coordinator in writing that the above requirements have been completed.

Ph.D. Option in Biochemistry

This program provides chemistry graduate students with both in-breadth class work in BioChemistry and in-depth thesis research. Emphasis is on the application of modern techniques and concepts of physical and chemical science to the solution of problems of current interest in biology and medicine.

 Admission Requirements and Removal of Undergraduate Deficiencies
Admission to the program requires demonstration of an acceptable B.S., B.A., or M.S. degree in chemistry, biology, biochemistry or other related science. Students will be expected to have completed two semesters each of general, organic and physical chemistry as well as introductory biology. Deficiencies must be removed by enrolling in the corresponding undergraduate course during the first year in the program.

 Academic Standards for Retention in the Biochemistry Program
The graduate student is expected to maintain an average of 3.000 or better in all his/her graduate-level courses. All other department requirements must also be met.

 Research Tools Requirement
These requirements have been described above.

 Degree Requirements
There are 45 credits required for the Ph.D. in Chemistry, Biochemistry Option. A total of 27 of these must be in formal courses while the remaining 18 will be accrued in Doctoral Dissertation. Of the 27 required hours of graduate course work, the Biochemistry Program requires that 15 hours are in the specific courses delineated below:

12 credits of approved (5000-7000 level courses that support the student's research focus from approved graduate courses in the Biological Sciences, Chemistry, Biomedical and Nutritional Sciences, or Chemical Engineering Departments. Course selection should b made in consultation with the student's research advisor. Below is a list of possible course elective courses. 

During each semester in residence all full-time students must participate in a seminar course and attend one seminar each week, as required by the Chemistry Department. The student is required to present two one-hour presentations during his/her residence.

 Research

A. Initiation of Research and Research Advisor Selection Procedure
The dissertation research of each graduate student may be initiated at any time but not later than the end of the second semester in the program. The student is advised to make serious efforts, prior to the summer following his/her first entrance to the program, to initiate faculty research interviews and attempt to identify the area of his/her research interest and particular research group which may be suitable for pursuing his/her research goals.

B. Examination Committee
The examination committee will be composed of four faculty members chosen after consultation by the student with his/her research advisor at least two of these members must be from the Department of Chemistry faculty.

 Examinations
A. Comprehensive Exam
Students are required to successfully complete a Comprehensive Exam based on the 5 core courses by the end of their second year in the program. This exam consists of two parts and students are expected to have satisfactory performance on both sections. Section I consists of a series of questions derived from their course material. Section II is based on current literature and is focused on a particular series of papers that are provided to the students a month before the exam. 

B. Oral Research Proposal must be presented during their 5th semester. This proposal based on their dissertation work and is to follow the format outlined in the proposal guidelines. A written copy of the proposal must be submitted to their dissertation committee one week prior to their public examination. Examination committees for the ORP consist of four full-time faculty or professionals. Two members of the committee must be members of the Chemistry department and the other two members of the committee must have a Ph.D. in Biochemistry or the equivalent. Successful completion of the Original Research Proposal defense will advance students to candidacy in the Biochemistry Ph.D. Program. Students will have two opportunities to complete this exam. IF the the combination of the written and oral presentation is not at the level of a Ph.D. candidate, as judged by the committee, a student will be provided a second opportunity to satisfactorily complete the exam. At the committee's discretion, a student may be asked to only repeat the written or oral portion of the exam. This must be done by the student's sixth semester or they will not be advanced to Ph.D. candidacy. 

 Admission to Candidacy for the Doctorate
To be admitted to candidacy for the doctorate, a student must:

  1. Complete all required courses with necessary grade point average. There is an absolute minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) requirement of 3.000 for all graduate work. At the end of the first semester, if a student is found to be below the minimum GPA, a written warning will be issued. If the cumulative GPA is not raised to 3.000 or higher by the end of the second semester in residence, the student will automatically be dropped from the Ph.D. program but allowed to continue toward a master's degree in Biochemistry with the approval of the graduate committee. While completing the M.S., a candidate must have a minimum GPA of 3.000 and maintain that GPA throughout the remainder of his or her career. Upon successful completion of the Master of Science degree, the student may reapply for admission to the doctoral program. Each case will be reviewed on an individual basis. Students reentering the Ph.D. program will then satisfy all the requirements for the degree including passing the comprehensive examination, presentation of their research proposal, and completion of their research and dissertation defense. Seminar presentations and course work accomplished to complete the master's degree will, of course, be cumulative.
  2. Pass the Cumulative Exam.
  3. Fulfill the research tools requirement.
  4. Successfully present and defend the Oral Research Proposal by the end of the fourth semester of full time study.
  5. Present two seminars.
  6. Secure written approval of his/her research advisor and the chemistry graduate coordinator. When these requirements have been fulfilled, the Biochemistry Graduate Committee will recommend that the graduate coordinator of the Department of Chemistry notify the Registrar's Office to place the student on the list of candidates for the Ph.D. degree. Admission to candidacy in no way guarantees the granting of the degree.

Ph.D. Option in Environmental Studies

This graduate program is designed as an optional course of study to the traditional Ph.D. in Chemistry for students with backgrounds in engineering (civil, environmental and chemical engineering) and other sciences (physics, biology, etc.) as well as chemistry. Candidates will be exposed to advanced course work in chemistry and environmental engineering and will be able to choose an area of specialization that best suits their interests and previous experience. A combination of faculty from Chemistry, Work Environment and Civil Engineering with a variety of research expertise gives this program unique characteristics and affords the student the opportunity to perform practical interdisciplinary research. It is expected that most students will require at least four years beyond the Bachelor's degree and two years past the Master's degree.

 Entrance Requirements
In addition to the requirements for admission listed in this catalog, applicant will have an earned bachelor's degree in one of the following fields: chemistry, chemical or civil engineering, biology, environmental sciences, geology or physics. Students will be expected to have satisfactorily completed undergraduate courses in analytical, organic, and physical chemistry, physics and calculus. However, applicants who have not completed courses in these areas may remedy their deficiencies while in the program and, therefore, are encouraged to apply. The GRE is no longer required. Admissions will be determined by a committee consisting of faculty active in the program.

 Program Outline
A total of 48 credits are required for the Ph.D. program. Of these, at least 30 credits must be in course work exclusive of seminar and the rest is usually in thesis research. Courses shown below are divided into three categories:

  • core course requirements (9 credits),
  • areas of specialization (12 credits), and
  • elective courses (9 credits).

Additional elective courses from other departments may be substituted with the approval of the student's Advisory Committee.

In addition, full-time students must register for CHEM.601/CHEM.602 or ENVE.502 Environmental/Analytical seminar every semester.

Each student will be required to give two seminars on current research topics during their graduate career. Students in the Environmental program must select a thesis advisor by the end of the second semester. At this time, an Advisory Committee is appointed and a plan of study is established. The Advisory Committee must consist of at least four members, including the thesis advisor. A minimum of two Chemistry Department faculty are required to be on the committee with two other members from any participating department. An additional member from another department may also be added if agreed upon by the student and thesis advisor. Students must maintain a 3.000 cumulative average in order to continue in the program.

 Required Courses (21 credits):

I. Core Courses (9 credits)

II. Areas of Specialization (12 credits)

a. Analytical /Environment

  • CIVE.5670 Environmental Chemistry I (Aquatic Chemistry)
  • CIVE.5680 Environmental Chemistry II (Fate and Transport)
  • CHEM.5190 Environmental Chemistry III (Marine Chemistry)
  • CHEM.5260 Chromatography

b. Water Environment

  • CIVE.5670 Environmental Chemistry I (Aquatic Chemistry)
  • CIVE.5680 Environmental Chemistry II (Fate and Transport)
  • CHEM.5190 Environmental Chemistry III (Marine Chemistry)
  • CIVE.5620 Groundwater Hydrology

c. Air Environment

  • ENVE.5710 Air Pollution Phenomenology
  • ENVE.5230 Air Resources Management & Control
  • ENVE.5730 Air Pollution Laboratory (Monitoring and analysis)
  • CIVE.5680 Environmental Chemistry II (Fate and Transport)

III. Elective Courses (9 credits)

 Written Area Examinations (Cumulative Examinations)
Beginning in the second year of study, the student must pass examinations in their major area of specialization. The faculty associated with the program administer examinations that are based on course work either completed or in progress as well as seminars, scientific literature and accepted theory in the field of study. Environmental studies students take six cumulative examinations each of which focuses on a different area of environmental science and analytical chemistry. Students must take the examinations consecutively in a given academic year. The topic, date, time and faculty member in charge of a particular exam in the cumulative examination series will be given to the student prior to the first cumulative exam. Students taking cumulative exams are urged to meet with the individual faculty member preparing an exam for more specific information. If a student misses a cumulative exam a grade of zero will be assigned. There are no makeup cumulative exams.

 Research Proposal
A Ph.D. candidate must submit an original research proposal and successfully pass an oral defense of that proposal in their second or third year of study. After consulting with their Advisory Committee, the student selects a suitable subject for investigation, completes a literature survey, outlines the method of approach, and suggests possible results and conclusions. The oral defense of this proposal is conducted by the student's Advisory Committee with other faculty in attendance. The proposal must be defended within three months following completion of the cumulative examinations.


Ph.D. in Chemistry, Sustainability Option

Required Courses:

Physical Chemistry Course (choose 1):

CHEM.5600 Advanced Physical Biochemistry OR 

CHEM.5221 Solid-State Materials Chemistry

Organic Chemistry Course (choose 1)

CHEM.5230 Organic Reaction Mechanisms OR 

CHEM.5240 Organic Synthesis OR 

CHEM.5680 Structural Analysis OR 

POLY.5030 Polymer Science I 

Analytical Chemistry Course  (choose 1)

CHEM.5130 Spectroscopy OR 

CHEM.5260 Chromatography OR

CHEM.5140 Advanced Analytical Chemistry 

Total Core Credits Required = 9 (3 courses)

Required Sustainability Course (1 course)

CHEM.5190 Sustainable Chemistry (formerly Environmental Chemistry)

Total Sustainability Credits Required = 3

Specialized Electives (Select 3 courses)

Students must consult their advisors before selecting specialized elective courses.

CHEM.5130 Spectroscopy 

CHEM.5221 Solid-State Materials Chemistry 

CHEM.5230 Organic Reaction Mechanisms 

CHEM.5240 Organic Synthesis 

CHEM.5260 Chromatography 

CHEM.5360 Advanced Materials Chemistry I 

CHEM.5430 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHEM.5500 Biochemistry

CHEM.5600 Advanced Physical Biochemistry 

CHEM.5660 Nanomaterials and Nanostructures 

CHEM.5680 Structural Analysis 

CHEM.5750 Machine Learning and AI in Energy Applications 
CHEM.5850 Modern Organic Chemistry 
CHEM.5950 Supramolecular Chemistry 
CHEM.6720 Surface and Colloid Chemistry 
POLY.5030 Polymer Science I 
POLY.5040 Polymer Science II 
POLY.5110 Biopolymers 
POLY.5050 Polymer Preparation and Characterization 
Total Specialized Elective Credits Required = 9 
Interdisciplinary Elective Courses (Choose 2)
PHYS.5030 Physical Optics 
PHYS.5390 Electro-Optics 
PHYS.5720 Solid State Physics 
PHYS.5770 Solid State Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices 
CHEN.5250 Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering 
CHEN.5290 Recent Advances in Green Chemistry and Nanotechnology 
CHEN.5290 Nanomaterial Characterization I 
CHEN.5410 Nanomaterials Characterization II 
CHEN.5460 Biomaterials Science and Engineering 
CHEN.5080 Advanced Material Science and Engineering 
CHEN.5700 Nanodevices and Electronic Materials 
ATMO.5080 The Climate System 
ATMO.5230 Air Pollution and Control 
ENVI.5160 Climate Change: Science, Communication, and Solutions 
ENVI.5720 Energy and Environment 
MECH.5210 Solar Fundamentals 
MECH.5220 Wind Energy Fundamentals 
MECH.5255 Hydropower 
MECH.5270 Solar Energy Engineering 
MECH.5290 Fuel Cell Fundamentals 
MECH.5350 Fundamentals of Sustainable Energy 
MECH.5330 Nanomaterials for Energy 
MECH.5340 Green Combustion and Biofuels 
PLAS.5330 Green Coatings Science and Technology 
PLAS.5450 Additives to Polymer Materials 
PLAS.5470 Materials for Renewable Energy and Sustainability 
PLAS.5960 Plastics, Elastomers, and Additives from Renewable Resources 
PLAS.5970 Plastics & Environment 
Subtotal of Elective Credits required = 6
Other approved electives: Thesis (total 12 credits)
CHEM.XXXX Ph.D. Thesis Chemistry (Variable Credit, 0-9 credits)
Subtotal of Elective Credits Required = 18
Curriculum Summary for Ph.D in Chemistry, Sustainability Option:
Total number of courses required for degree (not including thesis credits) = 9
Total number of thesis credits = 18
Total credit hours required for degree = 45

updated 7/11/24

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