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Chemistry and Biochemistry

2013-14 General Catalog

Chemistry and Biochemistry Department
230 Physical Sciences Building
(831) 459-4125
http://chemistry.ucsc.edu

Physical and Biological Sciences Undergraduate Affairs
142 Jack Baskin Engineering Building
(831) 459-4143
http://undergrad/pbsci.ucsc.edu/index.html

Faculty | Course Descriptions

Program Description

Chemistry is central to modern science and, ultimately, most phenomena in biology, medicine, geology, and the environmental sciences can be described in terms of the chemical and physical behavior of atoms and molecules. Because of the wide appeal and utility of chemistry, UCSC offers many lower-division courses, differing in emphasis and style, to meet diverse needs. Students should also note the numerous upper-division course offerings and select those most suitable to their academic interests. The curriculum in chemistry exposes the student to the principal areas of modern chemistry, including organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and biochemistry. The curriculum is designed to meet the needs of students who plan to end their formal education with a bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree, as well as those who wish to go on for an advanced degree. The UCSC chemistry B.A. or B.S. graduate is well prepared to pursue a career in chemistry or an allied field.

Research in chemistry at UCSC is closely interwoven with graduate and undergraduate education. The chemistry and biochemistry research program is active at the graduate level, and faculty also encourage undergraduates to become involved in research. Research is done for academic credit in Chemistry 195A-B-C, Senior Research; or in Chemistry 199, Tutorial. There are also opportunities for interdisciplinary research combining chemistry with a wide range of sciences, for example, physics, geology, oceanography, biology, computer science, microbiology and environmental toxicology. At UCSC, it is not uncommon for students to see their own original work published in research journals.

Chemistry and biochemistry faculty and approximately 90 graduate students and 30 postdoctoral fellows are housed in the Physical Sciences Building near the Science Library. Standard and specialized spectrophotometric equipment, a number of instruments devoted to structural studies, instrumentation for specialized analytical purposes, and computer facilities used in studies of structure and reactivity are all available. The Science Library has an excellent collection of current journals, in print and electronic form, and reference works, as well as earlier volumes of all the major journals. Additional source material can be readily and rapidly obtained on interlibrary loan.

A degree in chemistry opens the door to a wide variety of academic careers. Some UCSC graduates are working as researchers in industry in areas such as electronic materials, biotechnology, medicinal chemistry, or laser technology. Others have entered government service as research chemists in the Food and Drug Administration, the Environmental Protection Agency, or law enforcement crime laboratories. Fields such as patent law, commercial development, and scientific writing are open to graduates. Many chemistry majors go on to university graduate programs across the nation to prepare for careers in research, teaching, or a combination of the two. The degree in chemistry also provides a strong disciplinary background in preparation for a career in the important and much needed area of science teaching in high school. A major in chemistry is also an excellent beginning for one of the many opportunities in the health sciences.

The UCSC Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers both B.S. and B.A. degree programs. The B.S. degree should be the choice if a student is interested in getting a job in industry immediately after receiving his or her college degree. The B.S. program also provides a good background for graduate work in chemistry. The B.A. program has fewer requirements and should be considered by students who wish to take more science courses outside of chemistry to enter an interdisciplinary area. Examples might be chemical oceanography, geochemistry, chemical physics, environmental chemistry, and health sciences. The B.A. might also be a good choice for students who wish to become high school teachers. However, for either degree, the courses stress the fundamentals of chemistry and allow students to pursue independent research.

A minor in chemistry is also offered for those who wish to have a strong complementary program in chemistry while majoring in another course of study.

Declaration of the Major

Chemistry Qualification Policy

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry has a qualification policy that applies to the following majors and minor:

Chemistry BS

Chemistry BS with Biochemistry concentration

Chemistry BS with Environmental Chemistry concentration

Chemistry BA

Chemistry Minor 

To qualify to declare any of the above majors or minor, students must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 or greater in the following courses, or their equivalents:

CHEM 1A, General Chemistry

CHEM 1B, General Chemistry

CHEM 1C, General Chemistry

MATH 22, Introduction to Calculus of Several Variables

And one of the following calculus sequences:

MATH 11A and 11B, Calculus with Applications

MATH 19A and 19B, Calculus for Science, Engineering, and Mathematics

AMS 15A and 15B, Case-study Calculus I and II

When calculating GPA to determine qualification:

  • All courses must be taken for a letter grade.

  • Grades of W and F are not counted in the GPA.

  • For policy courses that have been satisfied with AP credit based on an AP examination score of 5 (for Chemistry 1A), and an AP Calculus BC examination score of 4 or 5 (for Mathematics 11A or 19A), students may substitute a grade of A for each course when calculating their cumulative GPA.

  • The first withdrawal (W) from any of the policy courses will not factor into the cumulative GPA; any subsequent withdrawal(s) in the policy courses will be counted as an F.

  • Students with non-grades (I, IP, DG, Z, AC, NC, etc.) in any of the policy courses will not be eligible to declare until a grade has been assigned.

  • Students with two or more grades of NP, D, or F in the policy courses are not eligible to declare.

Students who are informed that they are not eligible to declare the major may appeal this decision by submitting a letter to the department chair within 15 days from the date the notification was mailed. Within 15 days of receipt of the appeal, the department will notify the students, the college, and the Office of the Registrar of the decision. For more information about the appeal process see the Physical & Biological Sciences Undergraduate Affairs web site at http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/.

Requirements for the Chemistry B.A. Degree

The requirements for the bachelor of arts in chemistry have been kept to a minimum so that students may tailor their program to their own purposes, for example, to pursue a double major, to study areas of the humanities or social sciences, to complete major requirements late in their college career, or to concentrate on a study in a specific branch of chemistry. The minimum requirements (including prerequisites) constitute 54 percent of a student’s total undergraduate program; consequently, there is ample time to explore and discover other interests within the university. To plan wisely, students are advised to refer to each course description for a detailed listing of prerequisites. Students who decide they want a professional career in chemistry are advised to meet with the chemistry undergraduate faculty adviser.

Lower-Division Requirements

General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N

Calculus: Mathematics 11A, 11B, and 22; or Mathematics 19A, 19B, and 22; or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A, 15B, and Mathematics 22

Physics: Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N; or Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N

Upper-Division Requirements

Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 108A/L, 108B/M

Inorganic Chemistry: Chemistry 151A/L

Physical Chemistry: Chemistry 163A, 163B, and 164

One of the following laboratory courses:

Chemistry 110L (must be taken with Chemistry 110)

Chemistry 146A, Advanced Laboratory in Organic Chemistry

Chemistry 146B, Advanced Laboratory in Inorganic Chemistry

Chemistry 146C, Advanced Laboratory in Physical Chemistry

Students currently conducting senior thesis research are required to choose an advanced laboratory in the Chemistry 146-series that is outside their research area.

Elective(s)

At least two from the following :

Chemistry 103, Biochemistry

Chemistry 109, Organic Chemistry

Chemistry 110/L, Advanced Organic Chemistry

Chemistry 143, Organic Chemical Structure and Reactions

Chemistry 151B, Chemistry of Main Element Groups

Chemistry 156C,Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Chemistry 163C, Kinetic Theory and Reaction Kinetics, Statistical Mechanics, Spectroscopic Applications

Chemistry 169, Advanced Bioorganic Chemistry

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A, Biochemistry

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100B, Biochemistry

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100C, Biochemistry

Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 101, Sources and Fates of Pollutants

Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 102, Cellular and Organismal Toxicology

Ocean Sciences 120, Aquatic Chemistry: Principles and Applications

Ocean Sciences 220, Chemical Oceanography

Physics 116A, Mathematical Methods in Physics

Physics 116B, Mathematical Methods in Physics

Physics 180, Biophysics

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement for the bachelor of arts degree in chemistry is satisfied by completing Chemistry 151L, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, and either Chemistry 146A, 146B, or 146C.

Chemistry Major B.A. Planner

http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/programs/chem/chemba-sample.html

Requirements for the Chemistry B.S. Degree

The bachelor of science major program is designed for students who intend to pursue a professional career in chemistry. It is rigorous and broadly based, appropriate for that purpose. The course requirements for the B.S. major are as follows; please refer to each course description for a detailed listing of prerequisites.

Lower-Division Requirements

General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N

Calculus: Mathematics 11A, 11B, and 22; or Mathematics 19A, 19B, and 22; or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A, 15B, and Mathematics 22

Advanced Mathematics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 10, or Mathematics 21, or Mathematics 24

Physics: Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N; or Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N

Upper-Division Requirements

Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 108A/L, 108B/M, and 110/L

Inorganic Chemistry: Chemistry 151A/L

Biochemistry: Chemistry 103

Physical Chemistry: Chemistry 163A, 163B, 163C, and 164

One of the following laboratory courses:

Chemistry 146A, Advanced Laboratory in Organic Chemistry

Chemistry 146B, Advanced Laboratory in Inorganic Chemistry

Chemistry 146C, Advanced Laboratory in Physical Chemistry

Students currently conducting senior thesis research are required to choose an advanced laboratory in the Chemistry 146-series that is outside their research area.

Elective(s)

At least two from the following list:

Chemistry 122, Principles of Instrument Analysis*

Chemistry 143, Organic Chemical Structure and Reactions

Chemistry 151B, Chemistry of the Main Element Groups

Chemistry 156C, Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

Chemistry 169, Advanced Bioorganic Chemistry

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A, Biochemistry

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100B, Biochemistry

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100C, Biochemistry

Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 101, Sources and Fates of Pollutants

Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 102, Cellular and Organismal Toxicology

Ocean Sciences 120, Aquatic Chemistry: Principles and Applications

Ocean Sciences 220, Chemical Oceanography

Physics 116A, Mathematical Methods in Physics

Physics 116B, Mathematical Methods in Physics

Physics 180, Biophysics

*To receive certification from the American Chemical Society, you must complete Chemistry 122; see additional information below.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement for the bachelor of science degree in chemistry is satisfied by completing Chemistry 151L, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, and either Chemistry 146A, 146B, or 146C.

Chemistry Major B.S. Planner

http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/programs/chemistry/chembs-sample.html

Chemistry B.S. Degree with Biochemistry Concentration

The biochemistry concentration is designed for students who intend to pursue a career in biochemistry or in a related field such as biotechnology, and it provides an exceptionally rigorous chemistry emphasis..

Lower-Division Requirements

General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, 1C/N

Calculus: Mathematics 11A, 11B, and 22; or Mathematics 19A, 19B, and 22; or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A, 15B and Mathematics 22

Advanced Mathematics: Applied Mathematics and Statistics 10, or Mathematics 21, or Mathematics 24

Introductory Biology: Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B

Physics: Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N; or Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N

Upper-Division Requirements

Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 108A/L, 108B/M, and 110/L

Inorganic Chemistry: Chemistry 151A/L

Biochemistry: Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 100A-B-C and 110L

Physical Chemistry: Chemistry 163A, 163B, and 163C

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in chemistry with a biochemistry concentration is satisfied by completing Chemistry 151L, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, and Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 110L, Advanced Biochemistry Laboratory.

Chemistry Major B.S. with Biochemistry Concentration Planner

http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/programs/chemistry/chembs-bioc-sample.html

Biochemistry and Molecular Biology B.S.

See the biochemistry and molecular biology program description and major requirements.

Chemistry B.S. Degree with Environmental Chemistry Concentration

A concentration within the biology, chemistry and biochemistry, and Earth sciences disciplines, collectively identified as the environmental sciences program, is offered. Students will develop a core competence suitable for pursuing graduate work in the environmental chemistry area or in graduate environmental sciences programs.

Lower-Division Requirements

General Chemistry: Chemistry 1A, 1B/M, and 1C/N

Introductory Biology:  Molecular, Cell, and Developmental Biology (BIOL) 20A, and Ecology and Evolutionary Biology (BIOE) 20B

Geology: Earth Sciences 20/L, 10/L, or 5/L

Environmental Policy and Economics: Environmental Studies 25

Calculus: Mathematics 11A, 11B and 22; or 19A, 19B and 22; or Applied Mathematics and Statistics 15A, 15B and Mathematics 22

Physics: Physics 5A/L, 5B/M, and 5C/N; or Physics 6A/L, 6B/M, and 6C/N

Upper-Division Requirements

Environmental Toxicology: Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology 101 or 102

Biochemistry: Chemistry 103

Organic Chemistry: Chemistry 108A/L, 108B/M and 110/L

Instrumental Analysis: Chemistry 122

Inorganic Chemistry: Chemistry 151A/L

Physical Chemistry: Chemistry 163A, 163B, and 164

Earth Sciences: Earth Sciences 110B/M

Ocean Sciences: Ocean Sciences 120 or 220

One of the following laboratory courses:

Chemistry 146A, Advanced Laboratory in Organic Chemistry

Chemistry 146B, Advanced Laboratory in Inorganic Chemistry

Chemistry 146C, Advanced Laboratory in Physical Chemistry

Students currently conducting senior thesis research are required to choose an advanced laboratory in the Chemistry 146-series that is outside their research area.

Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement

Students of every major must satisfy that major’s upper-division Disciplinary Communication (DC) Requirement. The DC Requirement in chemistry with an environmental chemistry concentration is satisfied by completing Chemistry 151L, Inorganic Chemistry Laboratory, and either Chemistry 146A, 146B, or 146C.

Chemistry Major B.S. with Environmental Chemistry Planner

http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/programs/chemistry/chembs-envr-sample.html

Requirements for the Minor

The course requirements for the minor, including electives, are the same as for the B.A. degree, with the exclusion of Chemistry 146A, 146B, 146C, 151A/151L, and 164. The minor has no senior comprehensive requirement.

Chemistry Minor Planner

http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/programs/chemistry/chemmin-sample.html

Comprehensive Requirement

The comprehensive requirement is a part of all UCSC degrees. In the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, there are two options for satisfying this requirement:

Senior thesis: A senior research project based on original experimental or theoretical research (Chemistry 195A-B-C). At the conclusion of the project, the student submits a satisfactory formal research paper to the faculty sponsor. Students arrange for a faculty sponsor by consulting with a relevant faculty member within the chemistry and biochemistry or the biochemistry and molecular biology major programs. In some cases, faculty outside these major programs (for example, in biology, ocean sciences, microbiology and environmental toxicology, or Earth sciences) may be an appropriate sponsor. Students who select a sponsor outside the chemistry or the biochemistry and molecular biology major programs should have the title and description of the proposed thesis reviewed by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department undergraduate faculty adviser. Students, usually working in the laboratory of the faculty sponsor, acquire experimental and/or theoretical research experience and skills in the laboratory as well as instruction in the writing of a research paper. Students are expected to make satisfactory academic progress and be in good academic standing while they take Chemistry 195 courses. Students who achieve excellence in both research and thesis may be awarded honors in the thesis upon graduation.

Senior essay: An essay based on literature research (Chemistry 199). After agreeing in advance on an appropriate topic of interest and a format, the student submits a satisfactory essay on the topic. Students arrange for a faculty sponsor by consulting with a relevant faculty member within the chemistry and biochemistry major program. In some cases, faculty outside these major programs (for example, in biology, ocean sciences, microbiology and environmental toxicology, or Earth sciences) may be an appropriate sponsor. Students who select a sponsor outside the chemistry and biochemistry major program should have the title and description of the proposed essay reviewed by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department undergraduate faculty adviser. Students acquire experience and skills in scientific literature research as well as in the writing of a research paper.

Advising

The chemistry and biochemistry adviser provides counsel to undergraduate majors. Students are encouraged to declare their major at an early date so that advising and planning can commence. For assistance with advising, please refer to the Physical and Biological Sciences Undergraduate Affairs web site at http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/.

Prerequisites

Prior to enrollment in the general chemistry sequence, CHEM 1ABC, students are encouraged to take the Chemistry Assessment Exam.  For information about the assessment, visit the Physical and Biological Sciences Undergraduate Affairs web site at http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/.

Materials Fee

Chemistry students should be aware of the materials fee required for some courses. The fee is billed to the student’s account for specific laboratory materials purchased by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department through the university. Fees generally range from $15 to $50 per course. Students may incur additional expense purchasing individual supplies.

High School Preparation

Prospective chemistry majors are encouraged to get a solid foundation in high school mathematics; familiarity with algebra, logarithms, trigonometry, and analytic geometry is particularly recommended. Students who take chemistry at UCSC begin with Chemistry 1A or 1B, both of which require a strong background in high school chemistry. Students without a high school chemistry background may begin with Chemistry 1P, Essentials of Chemistry. Starting with Chemistry 1P does not impede progress in the major. To assess your level of preparation in chemistry, please see the Chemistry Self-Assessment examination on the Undergraduate Affairs web site at http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/.

Transfer Students

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department welcomes applications from community college students who are prepared to enter as junior-level chemistry majors. Students intending to transfer must complete one full year of general chemistry, organic chemistry, and calculus prior to transfer; and would be well served by also completing a year of calculus-based physics. Students preparing to transfer from a California Community College should reference http://assist.org before enrolling in courses at a community college. Prospective transfer students should consult the Physical and Biological Sciences Undergraduate Affairs web site for more information on preparing to transfer into the chemistry major at http://undergrad.pbsci.ucsc.edu/programs/chemistry/transprep-chem.html.  

Program for Students of the Health Sciences

Students intending to enter medical, dental, or another health science professional school can satisfy entrance requirements with a major program in chemistry supplemented with further courses, especially in biology, as specified by the admissions requirements of the school where they intend to apply. Students are urged to contact the Career Center for assistance with the application process.

American Chemical Society Certification

The American Chemical Society (ACS) recognizes certain undergraduate programs, including those of UCSC, to be of such quality as to entitle graduates to become ACS members immediately upon graduation. Graduates must be individually certified to the ACS by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department chair if they have satisfactorily completed an approved program of study. ACS certification standards are rigorous; a graduate who has met them carries a distinction that is well recognized in the profession. Broadly speaking, ACS certification requirements are satisfied by completing a B.S. major in chemistry (not including the biochemistry concentration) at UCSC, including Chemistry 122 as an elective. A year of study in a major modern foreign language (preferably German) is recommended. More information is available from the Chemistry and Biochemistry undergraduate adviser.

Honors in the Major

Honors in the Chemistry major requires a 3.5 or higher GPA in all chemistry courses; highest honors requires a 3.8 or higher GPA in all chemistry courses for the major.  Students may also receive honors for a senior research thesis.  

Graduate Programs

The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department offers three graduate degrees: the doctor of philosophy (Ph.D.), a thesis master of science (M.S.), and a coursework M.S. The Ph.D. and thesis M.S. programs are designed to help students develop into independent scholars while pursuing the excitement of scientific research in a personal, supportive environment. Both the Ph.D. and the research M.S. programs prepare students for careers in academia, industry, government laboratories, and other settings requiring an advanced education in chemistry and related disciplines. The coursework M.S. does not require research and is suited to teachers and others wishing to update or broaden their chemical expertise. Approximately 90 graduate students are currently enrolled in the graduate program.

Within the Ph.D. program students have the flexibility to design a course of study focused on personal research interests, and at the same time are expected to maintain the high intellectual standards associated with the doctoral degree. Research options include biochemistry, physical chemistry, biophysical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, bioinorganic chemistry, materials, organic chemistry, and bio-organic chemistry. Collaborative research efforts are encouraged, both intra- and inter-departmentally. The interdisciplinary Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering emphasizes bioinformatics, nanotechnology, and computational approaches to chemistry. Biochemists join geneticists, computer scientists, and biologists in the Center for the Molecular Biology of RNA. Productive interactions have developed between the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department, the Department of Microbiology and Environmental Toxicology, the Department of Molecular, Cell and Developmental Biology, and the School of Engineering. Several Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty members also participate in the new graduate Program in Biomedical Sciences and Engineering.

Before beginning coursework, Ph.D. students take attainment examinations to confirm their level of preparation in four areas: organic, inorganic, physical, and biochemistry. First-year students take Chemistry 292 and 296, and select a research adviser and research committee in spring quarter. In the first two years, students enroll in core courses and electives related to their specialization. Core courses are Chemistry 200A, B, and C for biochemistry and biophysical chemistry; Chemistry 234 and 256A, B, or C for inorganic and bioinorganic chemistry; the Chemistry 240-series for organic chemistry; and Chemistry 261, 262, and 263 for physical chemistry. Organic studies students must pass four cumulative examinations based on assigned reading in current research journals. The Ph.D. candidate's research committee meets formally with the student to evaluate research progress at least once a year. Students are expected to finish all Ph.D. requirements in five to six years.

M.S. students and Ph.D. students who have not advanced to candidacy attend a weekly seminar (Chemistry 291A, B, C, or D). Speakers from UCSC, other universities, and research labs expose students to advances at the frontiers of chemical research, offering the opportunity for personal contact with leading scientists.

Teaching assistantships provide both financial support and the opportunity to put into practice the required pedagogical training offered in Chemistry 296 (presentation techniques, discussion strategies, laboratory teaching skills, laboratory safety procedures, and time management). Advanced doctoral students can also be supported as graduate-student researchers.

Ph.D. Requirements

  • Pass all four attainment examinations and meet any deficiencies as directed by spring of the first year.

  • Take Chemistry 292 and 296 in the fall of the first year.

  • Take Chemistry 291, Research Seminar, every quarter until advanced to candidacy.

  • Organic studies students must pass four out of 12 "cumulative examinations" based on reading lists of current published organic research.

  • Select an adviser and nominate members of the research committee in the spring of the first year.

  • Present a second-year seminar on a topic of current interest in published research outside the candidate's own research area.

  • Serve as a teaching assistant (TA) during at least three quarters in the first two years, before attempting the Ph.D. oral qualifying examination.

  • Pass five lecture courses (25 credits): at least four at the graduate (200) level, and at least four in chemistry and biochemistry (with departmental approval, up to two courses may be at upper-division undergraduate level).

  • In the fall of the third year, pass the Ph.D. oral qualifying examination before an examining committee consisting of three research committee members plus one outside member approved by the graduate dean. The Ph.D. candidate presents (a) a summary of current research results and possible future direction, and (b) an original research proposal on a chemistry or biochemistry topic either related or unrelated to the candidate's current thesis research.

  • Nominate members of the Dissertation Reading Committee (DRC).

  • Submit a research prospectus (outline of dissertation chapters) in the spring of the fourth year, and meet with the DRC to review research progress.

  • Submit an updated research prospectus (outline of dissertation chapters) to the DRC in the winter of the fifth year.

  • Submit written dissertation based on original research.

  • Present dissertation seminar.

The average time to degree is five and one-quarter years. Ph.D. candidates are expected to complete research and write the dissertation within nine quarters after advancing to candidacy following a successful Ph.D. oral qualifying examination. Financial support is not available after 18 quarters in the graduate program.

For both Ph.D. and M.S. students, the standard course load is three courses per quarter, or a total of 15 credits per quarter.

M.S. Requirements: Research Thesis Path

  • Pass all four attainment examinations in the first year.

  • Take Chemistry 292.

  • Take Chemistry 296 if working as teaching assistant (TA) at any time.

  • Take Chemistry 291 each quarter.

  • Select an adviser and nominate members of the research committee in the first year.

  • Pass at least five Chemistry and Biochemistry lecture courses, of which at least three must be graduate (200) level.

  • Conduct original laboratory research.

  • Capstone requirement: write a thesis based on original research.

M.S. Requirements: Coursework Path

  • Pass all four attainment examinations in the first year.

  • Take Chemistry 296 if enrolled as teaching assistant (TA) at any time.

  • Take Chemistry 291 each quarter.

  • Pass seven chemistry lecture courses (at least four at the graduate (200) level) from three of the four sub-disciplines: organic, inorganic, physical chemistry, and biochemistry.

  • Capstone requirement: present a seminar on a topic of current interest in published research.

Revised: 09/01/13