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The degree of doctor of philosophy is awarded as the result of the
demonstration of originality and scholarly achievement. It demands intensive
specialization in one field as well as broad knowledge of related areas.
Course requirements are intended to achieve two basic goals. 1)
Acquisition of background knowledge. There is a central core of material
that is basic for all well-trained chemists. Therefore, graduate students are
initially expected to develop or demonstrate knowledge of an appropriate
one-semester course in each of the areas of organic chemistry, inorganic
chemistry, biochemistry, physical chemistry, and quantum chemistry. 2)
Continued scholarly growth. Graduate students are expected to take one
course or its equivalent every semester. This may be a regular advanced course
in chemistry or a related discipline, a seminar, or a tutorial designed to meet
the special needs of an individual student.
Progress examinations are given multiple times each academic
year. Based on articles in the current literature, these examinations are
designed to encourage graduate students to keep up with the latest developments
in chemistry. In addition, they are a valuable tool for monitoring the expected
steady growth of a student's ability to read the chemical literature critically
as well as identifying any areas where he or she is deficient.
Proposal
writing, is one of the most important parts of the entire graduate
program in chemistry. Writing scientific proposals teaches evaluation of the
literature, integration of knowledge from several areas, formulation of
scientific questions, design of a research project to answer those questions,
scientific writing and the defense of a project proposal.
Teaching skills and assisting duties are given to each students as a
means of developing communication skills. As these develop, more responsible and
demanding tasks will be assigned whenever possible.
A one-hour seminar talk is expected of each student once a year. For
first-year graduate students, this seminar will be scheduled in the second
semester. At least two of these talks must be literature reviews of areas new to
the student. In addition, there will be a number of shorter, less formal talks
in classes, research group meetings, and special-interest discussion groups, all
of which will contribute to a student's ability to work up, organize, and
present a scientific topic.
Languages are a useful part of the scientist's total knowledge in many
ways. Therefore, a reading knowledge of at least one foreign language is
required, as well as a demonstrated proficiency in modern computer techniques.
The language requirement may be waived at the discretion of the committee.
The thesis research and dissertation – an original contribution worthy
of publication – is the single most important requirement. The candidate will
have the opportunity to present his or her work in a talk at the departmental
colloquium.
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