Program Overview

Program Overview

The University of Kansas offers a Chemistry Graduate PhD program, which is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in the field of chemistry. The program is tailored to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a career in research and academia.

PhD Degree Requirements

To complete the PhD program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Distribution Requirement: Each student must complete a distribution requirement consisting of two courses selected from the following list of introductory courses in the 5 major areas of study:
  • CHEM 720: Fundamentals and Methods of Analytical Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHEM 730: Coordination and Organometallic Chemistry (3 credits)
  • CHEM 740: Principles of Organic Reactions (3 credits)
  • CHEM 750: Introduction to Quantum Mechanics (3 credits)
  • CHEM 760: Introduction to Chemistry in Biology (3 credits)
• Advanced Courses: Students must complete 4 courses at the 700 level or above in chemistry or a related area, with a B or higher. The list of courses must be agreed upon by the student and their research advisor and approved by the Graduate Affairs Committee before the beginning of the student's second semester in the program.
• Lab Safety & Responsible Scholarship: Students must complete CHEM 700 (Responsible Scholarship in the Chemical Sciences) and CHEM 701 (Laboratory Safety in the Chemical Sciences) with a B or higher.
• Oral Comprehensive Examination: A comprehensive oral examination must be completed, which includes a written, original research proposal and a defense of the proposal.
• Dissertation & Final Defense: A dissertation based on original work of high quality in one of the principal fields of chemistry must be completed, along with a final oral examination and defense of the dissertation.

Research Areas

The University of Kansas offers research opportunities in various areas, including:

• Bioanalytical Chemistry
• Biological & Biophysical Chemistry
• Catalysis
• Energy & the Environment
• Inorganic Chemistry
• Materials
• Nanoscience
• Organic Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Spectroscopy
• Synthesis
• Theory & Computation

Additional Information

The University of Kansas is committed to providing a comprehensive education and research experience for its students. The Chemistry Graduate PhD program is designed to meet the needs of students who wish to pursue a career in research and academia. The program offers a range of research opportunities and a supportive environment for students to achieve their academic and professional goals.