Mar 29, 2024  
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2019-20 
    
OHIO University Graduate Catalog 2019-20 [Archived Catalog]

Chemistry - PHD


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study by Academic Unit

Degree Title and Name:  Ph. D. in Chemistry

Program Name and Number:  Chemistry – PH3311

Department/Unit:  Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall (typically), Spring (in rare circumstances)

Program Overview:  The department’s mission is to provide a quality education to graduate students while they pursue state-of-the-art research in chemistry. The objective of the graduate program is to educate and train students to become highly effective scientists by providing them with the interdisciplinary tools, research skills and ethical and service sensibilities needed to succeed in their future career. This includes offering a variety of rigorous graduate level courses, maintaining cutting-edge research programs within individual laboratories and compliance with the Code for Professional Ethical Conduct espoused by the American Chemical Society.

Candidates for a Ph. D. degree in Chemistry must demonstrate the ability to plan, execute, evaluate, and communicate original chemical research. The graduate program spans all five traditional disciplines of chemistry (Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic and Physical). Within these five areas the department boasts particular research strengths in chemometrics, forensic chemistry, mass spectrometry, medicinal chemistry, supramolecular chemistry, materials chemistry, nanoscience and nanomedicine, nucleic acid research, protein and glycoprotein engineering, and spectroscopy.

This is a full-time program. Normative time to completion is five academic years, in line with national average as reported by the American Chemical Society.

Program Learning Outcomes:

  1. Demonstrate a broad understanding of chemical concepts and an in-depth understanding of a selected topic in chemistry.
  2. Develop specialized research skills to carry out work effectively in the laboratory of a chosen faculty research advisor. 
  3. Demonstrate competence in identifying a significant scientific problem and solving that problem through creative scientific experimentation, data analysis, and evaluation.
  4. Effectively communicate, both verbally and in writing, scientific concepts and outcomes.

Opportunities for Graduates:  Graduates with a Ph.D. in chemistry typically pursue academic careers (typically following post-doctoral appointments) and R & D positions in chemical and pharmaceutical companies.

Link to Program:  www.ohio.edu/chemistry/

Link to Program Handbook: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/chemistry/grad/requirements/index.cfm

Graduation Requirements:  The following minimum requirements must be satisfied to graduate.

  1. Complete 90 semester hours in Chemistry and approved electives.
  2. Demonstrate breadth of knowledge competency by passing at a level of B or higher one 5000-level course in three of these five areas of chemistry: Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical and Biochemistry. One of the three courses must be in the student’s major area, and the other two must be in the other areas. Breadth of knowledge competency must be met during the first year of graduate studies.
  3. Demonstrate depth of knowledge competency by passing two classes at the 7000-level in the student’s major area of research. A grade of B or better must be obtained in each course attempted.
  4. Attend each semester the weekly departmental colloquium series.
  5. Take the graduate seminar course each semester (CHEM 8960, 8970, 8980 or 8990 depending on the student’s research area).
  6. Participate in the Advanced Seminar in Research Development and Leadership course each semester (CHEM 8900 or equivalent).
  7. Register to the Doctoral Research and Dissertation course (CHEM 8950) any semester during which research facilities and/or resources are being used. There is no limit on the number of dissertation hours that can be counted toward the 90-hour requirement.
  8. Take the Chemistry Teaching Assistant Training class (CHEM 5100) during the first semester of graduate studies.
  9. Take the Graduate Chemistry Research Training class (CHEM 5710) during the first semester of graduate studies.
  10. Submit and orally defend a dissertation research proposal to a dissertation committee no later than during the fifth semester of study, excluding summers.
  11. Submit and orally defend a written dissertation to a dissertation committee. The defense is open to the public.
  12. The student’s graduate advisor and dissertation committee determine the specific requirements for each student within the above framework.

Culminating Experience: All students will write a dissertation that presents the student’s research.

Admission Requirements:  Applicants whose qualifications satisfy all criteria listed below are reviewed for admission to the Chemistry Ph. D. program:

  1. 4-year bachelor’s degree in chemistry or equivalent.
  2. GPA (or equivalent) of 3.0 or higher
  3. TOEFL of 80 (IBT) or IELTS of 6.5 across all bands for international students, in accordance with Ohio University policy.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs of Study by Academic Unit