Course selection, made in consultation with a faculty research supervisor, can include courses offered by other graduate departments. Ph.D. Qualifying Examination. Chemistry graduate students must complete their Ph.D. qualifying examination before the end of their third year of graduate study. Beginning with the second year, students meet semiannually with a faculty committee to monitor their progress in research. Completion of the Ph.D. dissertation is accomplished by the passing of informal and public defenses of research results.
Students typically complete their Ph.D. degree within four to five years of study.
Interdisciplinary research in chemistry is available with particular emphasis on biological chemistry, environmental chemistry, and materials chemistry. Two graduate faculty in other departments have joint appointments in chemistry, and several interdisciplinary research programs or special facilities are available at Vanderbilt. M.S. Degree Students are normally admitted only to the Ph.D. Program. Those placed into the M.S. program are required to complete at least 24 hours of graduate coursework. Transfer credit from other accredited institutions is accepted with some limitations.