Revised: November 11, 2020
Credits needed for graduation: Ph.D.: 60 credits; 30 credits if already holding an M.S. M.S.: 30 credits.
Start term: Fall. If starting in the spring, use the first semester as your starting point.
Important note: This is a guideline. Actual registration should be decided by the advisor and student. To finish in less than four years, this schedule must be accelerated.
Year 1
| Term | Courses | Credits | Term Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: Semester 1 | CHEM 7## CHEM 7## CHEM 7## GRAD 701 |
3 3 3 0 |
9 |
| Spring: Semester 2 | CHEM 7## CHEM 7## |
3 3 |
6 |
| Summer: Summer Semester I | CHEM 898 CHEM 701* |
2 or 3 0 or 1 |
3 |
Cumulative credits after Year 1: 18
Year 1 Requirements
- Join a research group by the end of the first semester.
- Achieve a DGPR of 3.0 by the end of the second semester.
- Qualify in two areas by the end of the second semester.
- Attend required faculty research seminars.
- Submit the Committee Appointment Request form to the Graduate School by the end of May. January-entry students should submit by December.
- CHEM 701 should be taken either Summer I or Semester 3 or 4. When CHEM 701 is listed but not taken, take the higher number of CHEM 898 credits suggested.
*If you gave a seminar in Semester 2, register for CHEM 701 here.
Year 2
| Term | Courses | Credits | Term Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: Semester 3 | CHEM 790 CHEM 898 CHEM 701* |
3 2 or 3 0 or 1 |
6 |
| Spring: Semester 4 | CHEM 791 CHEM 898 CHEM 701* |
3 2 or 3 0 or 1 |
6 |
| Summer: Summer Semester II | CHEM 898 | 3 | 3 |
Cumulative credits after Year 2: 33
Year 2 Requirements
- Semester 3: Successfully defend Research Plan.
- Semester 4 or 5: Successfully defend Research Proposal.
- First seminar, CHEM 701, needs to be completed before the end of Semester 4.
- Doctoral Program of Study should be completed after passing the Plan and Proposal, plus recommendation of advisor on research progress, around the end of Semester 4 or 5.
- M.S. degree requirements are the same through Semester 4, except the Research Proposal is not needed.
- M.S. students take CHEM 898s until done. Terminal M.S. candidates can apply for Z-status when nearing 30 credits. M.S. requires a thesis with two readers.
*Only register for CHEM 701 if you are giving your first seminar here.
Year 3
| Term | Courses | Credits | Term Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: Semester 5 | CHEM 898 CHEM 701* |
5 or 6 0 or 1 |
6 |
| Spring: Semester 6 | CHEM 898 CHEM 701* |
5 or 6 0 or 1 |
6 |
| Summer: Summer Semester III | CHEM 898 | 3 | 3 |
Cumulative credits after Year 3: 48
Year 3 Requirements
- Semester 4 or 5: Successfully defend Research Proposal.
- Doctoral Program of Study should be completed after passing the Plan and Proposal, plus recommendation of advisor on research progress, around the end of Semester 4 or 5.
- Second seminar, CHEM 701, needs to be completed in Semester 5 or 6.
- When CHEM 701 is listed but not taken, take the higher number of CHEM 898 credits suggested.
*Take CHEM 701 here if giving seminar 2 here. If CHEM 701 was taken in Semester 5, do not take it again in Semester 6.
Year 4
| Term | Courses | Credits | Term Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall: Semester 7 | CHEM 899 | 6 | 6 |
| Spring: Semester 8 | CHEM 899 | 5 or 6 | Varies |
| Summer: Summer Semester IV | CHEM 899 | 1 | Varies |
Cumulative credits after Year 4: 60
Year 4 Requirements
- Students need 12 credits of CHEM 899 to graduate with a Ph.D.
- Students should switch to CHEM 899 in Fall of Year 4, Semester 7.
- Z-status can be applied for after 54 credits, at the end of Semester 7.
- Students should be on Z-status from this point until graduation.
- Complete dissertation defense.
Registering Beyond Four Years
If registering beyond four years, continue on Z-status and register for 1 credit of CHEM 899 per semester until done.