Students who are advanced to candidacy choose a Research Director, within Departmental guidelines. The Student and Director choose two Chemistry and Biochemistry faculty members, and an additional Ph.D. research-active scientist from outside the Department, to form the Dissertation Committee. The Dissertation Committee determines any remaining course requirements for each individual student as appropriate. Fundamental courses are based on more traditional formats to equip students with the theoretical background needed in their areas of research. By the end of the third semester, each student must present a written thesis outline and present it in 30 minute seminar format for approval by the Dissertation Committee.
Students actively engage in dissertation research as their primary responsibility.
Students will usually take further coursework, either Fundamental courses or Special Topics courses. Students are generally prepared for a final defense of the written dissertation in the 8th semester or summer of the 4th year. Data Defense Dissertation Defense Students who enter the program in the Spring semester will complete Research Rotation I in the Spring and Research Rotation II during the Summer semester, thus beginning the second year of studies on track with Fall students. Deadline for choosing Research Rotation II Director is March 15. Same as for the Ph.D. program.