Program Overview

Chemistry PhD

Overview

The Chemistry PhD program at the University of Missouri–St. Louis is designed for individuals with a strong background in the natural sciences. The program aims to provide students with advanced knowledge and research skills in chemistry, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or government.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to the Chemistry PhD program, applicants must have at least the equivalent of a B.A. degree in the natural sciences. The department admissions committee considers applicants' grade point averages, letters of recommendation, and academic programs. Applicants with bachelor's degrees in fields other than chemistry may be admitted, but they must make up background deficiencies by taking undergraduate course work at UMSL.

Financial Support

Teaching assistantships are available to qualified applicants. Research assistantships and fellowships are also available for advanced students. Departmental support is not normally available beyond the fifth year in the program.

Preliminary Advisement

Entering students are required to demonstrate proficiency at the undergraduate level in four areas of chemistry: biochemistry, organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical. Proficiency may be demonstrated through outstanding performance in recent undergraduate course work, satisfactory performance in standardized placement examinations, or successful completion of assigned course work.

Doctoral Degree Requirements

To earn the Chemistry PhD, students must complete a minimum of 60 credit hours, including research hours. Within one year of initial enrollment, incoming doctoral students must demonstrate proficiency in four of the five areas of chemistry.

Comprehensive Exam Committee

Before the end of the second regular semester of study, the doctoral student and their research advisor will select a comprehensive exam committee. The committee will meet with the student at the end of each spring semester to review progress in coursework and research.

Comprehensive Examinations

Each student seeking the PhD degree must successfully complete a comprehensive examination prior to advancement to candidacy. The comprehensive exam consists of writing an original research proposal and an oral defense, which will be evaluated by the student's committee.

Dissertation Proposal

Doctoral students must prepare and defend a dissertation proposal before the student has completed the equivalent of 6 regular semesters of full-time study. The proposal includes both a written and oral component, which will be evaluated by the student's comprehensive examination committee.

Advancement to Candidacy

To advance to candidacy, students must complete 18 hours of non-dissertation work, successfully pass a comprehensive examination, and present and defend a dissertation proposal. At least 9 of the 18 credits of non-dissertation coursework must be at the 5000 level.

Seminar Requirement

Students must enroll in CHEM 6897, Chemistry Colloquium, each semester they are in residence. In their final semester in the program, each student will present an "exit seminar" to the department describing the results of their dissertation research.

Dissertation

One copy of the dissertation must be submitted upon completion of the graduate research problem.

Probation and Dismissal

Students are dismissed from the PhD program if they fail to pass their comprehensive examination or otherwise fail to meet the academic and professional standards set forth by the Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.