Program Overview

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Program Overview

The Ph.D. program in Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University provides a strong foundation for dissertation research and beyond. The program requirements include:

• Completing four or more graduate courses in chemistry or related fields, with many students choosing to take six or more courses
• Giving a formal seminar to develop familiarity with the research literature and practice giving presentations to a broad audience
• Delivering a research progress report, including a departmental poster session and an oral exam, to assess research progress and foundation knowledge
• Preparing a thesis-related research proposal to generate ideas for innovative research distinct from the immediate next steps in the student's thesis research and to develop professional skills for formally proposing the methods and importance of the research
• Teaching for one semester as a teaching assistant to build important communication skills useful for both academic and industrial careers, with additional teaching depending on availability of funding, positions, prior TA performance, and student's career goals

Additional Requirements

In addition to the program requirements, students who are not native speakers of English are required to develop sufficient English proficiency to pass the university's Language Certification, which prepares them for excellent communication with colleagues and students.

Dissertation and Public Defense

The culmination of the Ph.D. program is a dissertation and public defense on the student's research. The dissertation is expected to include research worthy of publication, and it is expected that students will publish with their advisors as they progress through the program.

Research Areas

The Department of Chemistry at Carnegie Mellon University has several research areas, including:

• Atmospheric, Green & Environmental Chemistry
• Biological Chemistry
• Catalysis & Energy
• Materials & Nanoscience
• Physical, Analytical & Theoretical

Graduate Program Details

The Graduate Program in Chemistry offers various resources and opportunities, including:

• Financial Support & Fellowships
• Tests for Non-native Speakers of English
• Who Should Apply?
• FAQ about Application Process
• How to Apply
• How to Arrange a Visit
• Courses
• Fellowships, such as:
  • Kwolek Fellowship in Chemistry
  • Edwin N. Lassettre Graduate Travel Award
  • John & Nancy Harrison Legacy Graduate Fellowship in Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Student Life
• Professional Development, including:
  • Resources for Career Paths
  • Selected Early-Stage Professional Development Resources
• Outcomes
• Placement of Ph.D. Recipients
• Incoming Students
• Forms & Policies, including:
  • Handbook

Facilities

The Department of Chemistry has several facilities, including:

• Center for Molecular Analysis
  • Instrumentation, such as:
    • Mass Spectrometers
    • Liquid Chromatography and LC/MS
    • Photon Spectroscopy
  • Rates & Services
  • Reservations
  • Policies
  • Training
  • Sample Drop-off
  • Links
  • Training Videos
• NMR Center
  • Policies
  • Instrumentation
  • Rates & Services
  • Reservations
  • Training
• Shared Department Instrumentation

People

The Department of Chemistry has a diverse group of people, including:

• Faculty
  • Affiliated and Adjunct Faculty
  • Emeritus Faculty
  • In Memoriam
• Staff
• Researchers

News & Events

The Department of Chemistry has a calendar of events and news, including:

• Awards
  • Faculty Awards
  • Graduate Student Awards
• Education & Outreach
  • Outreach
  • The Lending Library of Science Classroom Kits
• Inclusive Excellence
• Alumni
  • Alumni News
  • Alumni Profiles