Skip to main content

Chemistry, Ph.D.

  1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate advanced-level knowledge in both
    1. synthesis and materials chemistry and
    2. analytical and physical chemistry methods, with a higher level of knowledge expected in the student’s area of research.
  2. Graduates will be able to use standard search tools and retrieval methods to obtain information about a topic, substance, technique or issue relating to chemistry and assess relevant studies from the chemical literature.
  3. Graduates will be able to communicate scientific findings from literature and original findings from the student's own independent research in written publications and oral presentations.
  4. Graduates will be able to acquire the basic tools, including chemical practices and theories, needed to conduct advanced chemical research. Students will become proficient in their specialized area of chemistry and complete an advanced, independent research project resulting in peer-reviewed publications.
  5. Graduates will be able to adhere to accepted ethical and professional standards in chemistry.
Graduate Chemistry Courses12
Select four of the following:
CHEM 5200
Analytical Chemistry II
CHEM 5410
Organic Chemistry 3
CHEM 5930
Special Topics
CHEM 5230
Mass Spectrometry
CHEM 5260
Analytical Separations
CHEM 5270
Electroanalytical Chemistry
CHEM 5300
Mathematical Techniques in Chemistry
CHEM 5370
Computational Chemistry
CHEM 5390
Special Topics: Physical Chemistry
CHEM 5400
Organic Spectroscopy
CHEM 5440
Bioorganic Chemistry
CHEM 5450
Advanced Organic Chemistry
CHEM 5460
Synthetic Organic Chemistry
CHEM 5470
Medicinal Chemistry
CHEM 5500
Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 5550
Organometallic Chemistry
CHEM 5560
Solid State Chemistry
CHEM 5570
Group Theory & Spectroscopy
CHEM 5610
Biochemistry 1
CHEM 5615
Biochemistry 2
CHEM 5620
Biophysical Chemistry
CHEM 5630
Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology
CHEM 5800
Fundamentals and Design of Nanomaterials
Required Research Courses
CHEM 5000Introduction to Chemical Research1
CHEM 6900Introduction to Proposal Writing and Oral Presentations1
CHEM 6990Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters, 12hrs total)0-6
Research Elective 3
Select one of the following:
CHEM 5299
Introduction to Analytical Research
CHEM 5399
Introduction to Physical Research
CHEM 5499
Introduction to Organic Research
CHEM 5599
Introduction to Inorganic Research
Chemistry Electives6
Select two additional graduate chemistry courses from those listed above OR electives can also be fulfilled by taking 5000-level courses in other disciplines such as biology, math, computer science, engineering, and pharmacology with approval by Graduate Program Coordinator and student’s committee.
Total Credits35

Non-Course Requirements

  • Completion of research progress exam
  • Completion of written comprehensive exam
  • Completion of oral defense of research proposal
  • A public oral presentation and a private oral examination

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.  Grades of C and below are not considered passing and require repeating or replacement with another grad level course, achieving a grade of B- or better.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Graduate Chemistry course 3
Graduate Chemistry course 3
 Credits6
Spring
Graduate Chemistry course 3
Graduate Chemistry course 3
CHEM 5299
or CHEM 5399
or CHEM 5499
or CHEM 5599
Introduction to Analytical Research
or Introduction to Physical Research
or Introduction to Organic Research
or Introduction to Inorganic Research
3
 Credits9
Year Two
Fall
CHEM 5000 Introduction to Chemical Research 1
Chemistry elective 3
 Credits4
Spring
Completion of Research Progress Exam  
Chemistry elective 3
 Credits3
Summer
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Three
Fall
Completion of Written Comprehensive Exam  
CHEM 6900 Introduction to Proposal Writing and Oral Presentations 1
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits2
Spring
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Summer
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Year Four
Fall
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Spring
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Summer
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Year Five
Fall
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Spring
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
 Total Credits35

Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of dissertation research. The number of credits can vary each semester, but a student cannot register for zero credits of research until the 12 credits have been completed.

For more information about any School of Science and Engineering graduate program, email ssegrad-admissions@slu.edu.