Graduate Programs
Degree Structure
Chemistry Ph.D. Degree
The Ph.D. program in chemistry chemistry encopasses all areas of modern chemical research, including organic, physical, inorganic, and analytical chemistry. Interdisciplinary research is highly valued, and it is not uncommon in the department to find chemistry researchers investigating biological questions or working closely with physicsts or engineers. The chemistry Ph.D. degree program follows the general outline of study below. Prospective students may apply to the program through our online application.
Coursework
Entering chemistry Ph.D. candidates begin with advanced courses in organic, physical, or inorganic chemistry depending on their discipline of interest. These are usually supplemented with advanced courses in related areas of chemistry, biochemistry, physics, or engineering. Many of these choices will be made in consultation with a faculty advisor based on the goals and interests of the student. The course load is flexible but typically students take six courses over the first two years of the program. Courses can also be audited at any time.
Teaching
Teaching experience is an integral part of the Ph.D. training process. It is particularly valued by those students considering careers in academia, although teaching experience is useful for anyone who will lead others, regardless of discipline. Chemistry Ph.D. students are required to complete a minimum of two semesters as a teaching assistant (TA) during their degree. This requirement is normally met during the first year of the program. Duties as a TA vary (laboratory demonstrations, grading, recitation sections, office hours etc.) but are normally limited to between 8-12 hours per week.
Seminars
Several seminar programs complement coursework. Student-led seminar series provide opportunities for students to gain experience in preparing and presenting talks as well as encouraging active discussion of current research topics. Students also attend regular departmental seminars given by distinguished visiting scientists. Seminars offered by other departments and programs, such as the Notre Dame Radiation Laboratory or the Walther Cancer Research Center are often of special interest to Chemistry Ph.D. students.
Original Research Proposal & Candidacy Examinations
During their second year each student writes and then orally defends an original research proposal on a topic of their choosing. Upon successful completion of this examination students then progress in their third year to take a Ph.D. candidacy examination based on their own research project. This process is designed to give students experience in developing, writing, and defending scientific proposals, as well as allow the faculty to asses the progress and training of the individual student and provide opportunities for feedback.
Advisor Selection
A series of programs are in place to help with the advisor selection process: (i) a research perspectives course where all of the faculty briefly outline their research programs to the new student class, (ii) a laboratory rotation system where incoming students spend time in each of three different research groups, and (iii) individual interviews with faculty. Graduate students normally choose their research advisors late in the first semester and begin active research the following semester. Research is then conducted on a continual basis until a thesis is written and defended.
Thesis Research
After choosing a thesis advisor, all graduate students actively begin their research. Chemistry students perform research in a variety of areas, ranging from computational chemistry to organic synthesis. Underscoring the interdisciplinary nature of modern chemistry and our department in particular, many chemistry students choose to combine their chemistry research with research in fields such as biochemistry, molecular biology, or engineering. A key component of graduate research in chemistry is dissemination of research results through publication in peer-reviewed journals. All chemistry graduate students should expect to publish one or more research papers during their time in graduate school.
The departmental Guide to Graduate Studies can be downloaded for further details regarding the chemistry Ph.D. program.
