Chemistry, PhD
Chemistry contributes to solving a broad range of scientific problems in fields like energy, disease diagnosis and treatment, and materials design and production. In this degree program, you'll generate molecular solutions to problems of all scales, create new scientific knowledge and develop skills to tackle complex challenges.
Program Description
Degree Awarded: Chemistry, PhD
The PhD program in chemistry in the School of Molecular Sciences provides students with the training they need to solve molecular scale problems and to be successful independent scientists who can contribute to current challenging societal issues.
Students earning a doctorate in chemistry from the School of Molecular Sciences are trained in the foundation disciplines of analytical, organic, physical, inorganic, environmental or geological chemistry, and most also choose to join transdisciplinary research teams that work on larger, mission-based contemporary problems in areas such as:
- energy and sustainability
- frontiers of chemical measurement
- fundamental molecular science
- geologic and biospheric science
- materials and nanoscience
- medicine and health
- structure function and dynamics
Students should visit the department prospective student webpage to learn more about this doctoral program and the graduate research webpage to learn about the cutting-edge, transdisciplinary research being conducted in the school.
The doctoral program in chemistry prepares students for professional careers in industry, government and academia.
How to apply
Applications are accepted for fall semesters only. Applications are due by January 1 of each year.
There is a two-part application, consisting of the general application through Graduate Admissions and the supplemental application through the School of Molecular Sciences (SMS). All applications are submitted online and no documents should be mailed to the School of Molecular Sciences.
The School of Molecular Sciences will review unofficial documents submitted through the supplemental application and notify selected students of intent to admit, but in order to receive an official offer of admission, official documents and test scores must be sent to Graduate Admissions directly.
Curriculum
The Chemistry PhD program is a research-focused degree program and affords students the opportunity to complete complimentary coursework that is supportive and enhances the skills and knowledge needed to be successful in the chosen area of research. The PhD in Chemistry requires 84 credit hours, a written and oral comprehensive exam, prospectus and a dissertation.
| Requirements | Hours |
| Coursework | 12-18 |
| Seminars | 8 |
| Research | 46-52 |
| Dissertation | 12 |
| Total Semester Hours Required | 84 |
Qualifying exams consisting of a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and a prospectus are required to advance to candidacy. Students must successfully defend their dissertation during a public final oral defense. Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") or better.
Courses and electives
The Chemistry PhD degree does not require students to take specific courses. Instead, students work in collaboration with the research advisor to select coursework and seminars to build a unique plan of study to provide maximum flexibility and benefit to the student's individual needs as they pertain to the specific area(s) of research.
At a Glance: program details
- Location: Tempe campus
- Second Language Requirement: No
Degree Requirements
six graduate-level courses (12-18)
enrollment in a BCH 501 or CHM 501 seminar (8)
CHM 792 Research (46-52)
CHM 799 Dissertation (12)
Additional Curriculum Information
The program consists of coursework and seminars selected by the student in consultation with the student's supervisory committee and based on the student's area of research.
Qualifying exams consisting of a written comprehensive exam, an oral comprehensive exam and a prospectus are required to advance to candidacy. Students must successfully defend their dissertation during a public final oral defense.
Students must also maintain a minimum GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") or better.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate College and The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a closely related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program.
All applicants must submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- personal statement
- three letters of recommendation
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of their current residency.
In addition to the admission application, applicants must complete an online supplemental application to the School of Molecular Sciences. The supplemental application is available 24 to 48 hours after submission of the admission application. The personal statement and contact information for the letters of recommendation are submitted as part of the supplemental application. Information about the supplemental application can be found on the School of Molecular Sciences website. Applications lacking a supplemental application are not reviewed.
Career Opportunities
Professionals with training achieved in pursuit of a graduate degree in chemistry or biochemistry have opportunities in five general areas: industry (R&D, quality control), academia (high school and higher education), government (research, policy), nonprofits (policy, public education) and entrepreneurship (consulting, start-ups). In addition to specialized technical skills, graduates possess high-demand skills like critical thinking, teamwork and collaboration, time management and many other vital skills.
Some career examples include:
- chemistry lecturer
- environmental science specialist
- government scientist
- materials scientist
- military scientist
- research and development scientist
- research group leader
- science consultant
- university professor
The American Chemical Society also provides helpful resources and a more exhaustive list of possible careers at https://www.acs.org/content/acs/en/careers/chemical-sciences.html.
Coursework
Students are required to complete six courses (2-hr or above). Some of the available courses are listed below.
| Course | Title | Credits |
| CHM 520 | Chemical Biology | 3 |
| CHM 553 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHM 541 | Advanced Thermodynamics | 3 |
| CHM 598 | Advanced Electrochemistry | 3 |
| CHM 546 | Molecular Spectroscopy and Group Theory | 3 |
| CHM 598 | Supramolecular Chemistry and Self-assembly | 3 |
| CHM 598 | Solar Energy Conversion | 3 |
| CHM 571 | Structure, Bond, Symmetry in Materials | 3 |
| CHM 598 | Thermodynamics of Natural Systems | 3 |
A full listing of courses can be found in the catalog under the CHM and BCH course prefixes.
In addition, students may take up to two courses in related areas from other units with the approval of the research advisor and Graduate Programs Committee.
Seminars
Students will take eight (8) seminars, one per semester, and can choose from any topic. Students are encouraged to take seminars outside of their research area to broaden their knowledge in other areas of chemistry/biochemistry.
| Course | Title | Credits |
| BCH 501 | Current Topics in Biochemistry | 1 |
| CHM 501 | Topic: Inorganic Chemistry | 1 |
| CHM 501 | Topic: Physical Chemistry | 1 |
| CHM 501 | Topic: Organic Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| CHM 501 | Topic: Geo/Environmental Seminar | 1 |
| CHM 501 | Topic: Analytical Chemistry Seminar | 1 |
| CHM 501 | Topic: Science Policy for Scientists and Engineers | 1 |
Research
Students should be engaged in research and register for Research credit, CHM 792, each semester. The number of credits will vary dependent upon the other coursework being taken. Twelve (12) credits should be taken each semester.
Dissertation
The basic requirement for the PhD degree is for the candidate to demonstrate his/her competence to conduct independent, original research. The major research effort of the candidate will be embodied in the dissertation presented for the PhD degree. In order for the dissertation to be acceptable, it must contain new and unique contributions to scientific knowledge, publishable in primary research journals. Each student is required to present the results of his/her dissertation during a final oral defense.
Twelve (12) credits of Dissertation, CHM 799, must be taken to satisfy the degree requirements. These are taken toward the end of the degree program as the student nears degree completion and has satisfied all of the other requirements.
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