Graduate School Path

August: Arrive on Campus

August: Attend Research Symposium

This symposium offers students an introduction to the Department and helps them select their preferred research immersions. Research groups present their current projects and future research goals.

September-November: Do Two Laboratory Immersions

Ph.D. students complete 4–5-week immersions in at least two labs to help3 choose a research advisor. Matches are based on shared interests and coordinated by the Graduate Student and Postdoctoral Associate Committee (GSPAC).

August-December: Serve as a TA for Fall Semester

Graduate students gain valuable teaching experience during a minimum requirement of two semesters. Most complete this by the end of their first year, with many teaching three to four semesters depending on funding. Teaching is a core part of professional development and a highly valued skill.

January: Join a Research Laboratory

Students may officially join a research group once fall semester grades are finalized. Selecting a research mentor is a collaborative decision made between the student and advisor.

January-May: Serve as a TA for Spring Semester

Typically, students will complete their required teaching in the spring semester of their first year.

August-May: Complete Required Classwork

Graduate students must complete 24 units with an overall GPA of at least 3.00 to be in good standing. Some of these units may be fulfilled by graduate courses taken prior to entering the program.

November: Begin Formation of Screening and Qualification Committee

Students will submit a list of desired committee members from within the chemistry department to the Chemistry Graduate Student Advisor. This list should contain 5 faculty from the student/advisor’s section of the department, as well as 2 faculty from a different section. The research advisor must approve this list and sign off.

January: Department Assigns Committee

Students will receive their committee assignments from the department. The student and their research advisor are then responsible for confirming an external member from outside of the chemistry department.

January-May: Screening Exam

Ph.D. students are required to complete their screening exam before the end of the 4th semester. This exam involves a “chalk talk” discussion of two committee-selected topics based on the student/advisor departmental section. A list of potential topics for each section can be found here: ChemBio-Screening-Topics-2026.pdf, Inorganic-Screening-Topics-2026.pdf,  Organic-Screening-Topics-2026.pdf,  Physical-theoretical-Screening-Topics-2026.pdf

August-December: Qualifying Exam

Before the end of the 5th semester, Ph.D. students are required to attempt their qualifying exam. This exam has both a written and oral component. The written component involves the preparation of an original NSF research proposal centered around the student’s thesis project. The oral portion of the exam involves the defense of the written documents to their committee.

More details concerning the format of the written proposal can be found in the Student Handbook here: Grad School Chemistry PhD-Handbook. Students should contact the Chemistry Graduate Student Advisor to obtain a Report on Qualifying Exam Form at least a week before their scheduled qualifying exam date.

Download Qualifying Exam Committee Form

After passing their qualifying exam, Ph.D. students should make sure they are enrolled in the CHEM 794 series every semester until they graduate.

Continue Research and Publishing

Download Dissertation Committee Form

Contact the Chemistry Graduate Student Advisor for detailed deadlines and instructions.