| Undergraduate Placement
Exams
Each student must demonstrate undergraduate-level proficiency
in each of four areas (analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical)
by the end of his/her second year in residence to continue in the graduate
program. The GOC reviews all incoming student transcripts, taking notice
of the following:
- Lack of coursework in core chemistry areas (defined below)
- A grade of B- or below in any core chemistry class (in the absence
of significant mitigating circumstances)
The core chemistry classes are:
- Analytical: one semester each of quantitative and instrumental analysis
- Inorganic: one semester of inorganic with physical chemistry prerequisite
- Organic: two semesters of organic
- Physical: one semester each of quantum and kinetics/ thermodynamics
If the transcript(s) show no flags (i.e. all core courses taken, As
and Bs achieved), the student will be considered to be proficient in
all four areas. If the transcript(s) show flag(s), students will take
the appropriate placement exam, and the results will be used to place
students in appropriate level coursework. Alternatively, students may
choose to forgo the exam and simply take the undergraduate course.
Cumulative Exams
Cumulative examinations are administered on the first Saturday
of every month from September through June (except for January). These
examinations consist of graduate-level questions in analytical, inorganic,
organic, and physical chemistry. The questions are designed to emphasize
the application of fundamental principles and knowledge of the current
literature to research problems. Each month one exam will be designated
as a Materials cume for students specializing in the Materials Chemistry
program of study.
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All students must begin taking cumes at the start of their second semester
in residence,
and continue to take them every month they are offered.
A Ph.D. student
who does not succeed in passing 5 cumulative exams may change
to the M.S. degree program. M.S. students must pass 2 of 12 exams
overall. The Oral Preliminary
Examination
Ph.D. students must take an oral examination, administered by
the thesis committee, between two and six months after the last cumulative
exam is passed (except that no student can take an exam before starting
the fourth semester). The examination involves presentation and defense
of the student's research
project.
Course Requirements
All graduate students are required to take a minimum of six credits
outside the major area of interest in two different divisions. Students
may be exempt from taking one or more of these courses if they have taken
and passed with a satisfactory grade (A or B) a similar graduate course
or courses at a comparable institution. Individual divisions within the
Department also have requirements for their students.
Other Requirements
All Ph.D. candidates
must submit an original written research proposal that is reviewed by
one or more faculty members.
M.S. candidates must submit a satisfactory thesis, and Ph.D. candidates
must submit a satisfactory dissertation of the research the candidate
has performed. The final examination for either degree is a defense of
the thesis or dissertation submitted. There is no foreign language requirement
for either degree in chemistry.
More details
Additional detail about specific degree requirements can be found in
the graduate student handbook (PDF) |
