Students who are advanced to candidacy choose a ResearchDirector, within Departmental guidelines. The Student and Directorchoose two Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty members, and anadditional Ph.D. research-active scientist from outside theDepartment, to form the Dissertation Committee. The DissertationCommittee determines any remaining course requirements for eachindividual student as appropriate. Fundamental courses are based on more traditionalformats to equip students with the theoretical background needed intheir areas of research. By the end of the third semester, eachstudent must present a written thesis outline and present it in 30minute seminar format for approval by the Dissertation Committee.
Students actively engage in dissertation research as their primaryresponsibility.
Students will usuallytake further coursework, either Fundamental courses or Special Topicscourses. Students are generally prepared for a finaldefense of the written dissertation in the 8th semester or summer ofthe 4th year. Research Rotation I in the Spring and Research Rotation IIduring the Summer semester, thus beginning the second year of studieson track with Fall students. Deadline for choosing Research RotationII Director is March 15. Same as for the Ph.D. program.