Program Overview

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Introduction to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences: Health and Environmental Chemistry

The College of Arts and Sciences at Oakland University offers a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences with a specialization in health and environmental chemistry. This program is centered in the Department of Chemistry and requires a strong academic background in the natural sciences.

Program Description

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences: Health and Environmental Chemistry is designed to provide graduates with the theoretical background and practical skills necessary for successful contribution to the solution of environmental and health-related chemical problems. The program focuses on the application of state-of-the-art methods to the determination, quantification, and management of a wide variety of naturally occurring and synthetic chemical substances and the related chemical processes.

Admission Terms and Application Deadlines

Students are admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences program typically in the fall semester only. The application deadlines are:

• February 15 (early)
• April 15 (regular)
• July 15 (late) for fall semester
• International applicants: May 1 for fall semester

Application Requirements

To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all graduate application requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines. These include:

• Graduate Application Requirements
• Additional department application requirements, such as:
  • Additional Recommendation for Graduate Admission form
  • A third recommendation form required by the program
  • Bachelors degree in a natural science, mathematics, or other discipline relevant to health and environmental chemistry
  • Proficiency at the undergraduate level in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and two additional areas (inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, cell biology, or physiology)
  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0
  • Although not required, the general or subject Graduate Record Exam (GRE) may enhance the applicants likelihood for acceptance into the program

Admission Review and Assessment

Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. Each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses, and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.

Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program Committee

The program committee, appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, consists of one faculty member from each biomedical sciences specialization area (Health and Environmental Chemistry and Medical Physics) as well as the coordinator of graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, who serves as chair of the program committee. The program committee advises the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on admission of students, selection of student committees, proposals for changes in degree requirements, and approval of doctoral dissertations.

Degree Requirements

The Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences: Health and Environmental Chemistry degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 80 credits in an approved program of study. The degree requirements include:

• Core requirements (16 credits)
  • Analytical chemistry course (3 credits)
  • Biochemistry and Toxicology courses (6 credits)
  • Environmental science course (3 credits)
  • Doctoral seminar (2 credits)
  • Ethics (2 credits)
• Advanced coursework related to dissertation area (9 credits)
• Exit (20 credits)
  • Graduate Research
  • Doctoral Research in Chemistry

Satisfactory Academic Progress

Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a students successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress for all financial aid recipients each semester.

Good Academic Standing

All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the academic program. The student must also maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.

Related Program Information

Plan of Study

All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned faculty program adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree program requirements.

Dissertation Committee

A dissertation committee consisting of at least three members, one of whom serves as dissertation adviser, will be chosen by the specialization committee and the student in question.

Research and Dissertation

An integral and major component of the program is the successful completion of original research using state-of-the-art experimental or theoretical methods to study a problem of current interest.

Residence

All students are required to fulfill a residency requirement for this program. Although students may complete some of the program on a part-time basis, continuous full-time enrollment is highly preferred.

Continuous Enrollment

The continuous enrollment policy for doctoral students requires continuous registration of graduate students for at least 1 credit each semester in the academic year to maintain an active graduate student status.

Time Limits

The maximum time limit for completing a Ph.D. degree is no more than 10 years from the term of the first course enrollment in the doctoral program. The Time Limit for Completing a Ph.D. Degree policy requires a student to achieve candidacy within six years from the first course enrollment in the doctoral program. After being advanced to candidacy, a student is expected to complete the remaining degree requirements within four years (including the dissertation defense).