(0-40 students)
Of course, a doctoral dissertation is required by all Ph.D. programs. Most (71%) graduate programs require entering graduate students to take placement exams, although this requirement tends to be less prevalent as program size increases. The average program requires a minimum of 20 credits (semester hours, corrected for programs on the quarter system) of coursework, a number that does not vary significantly by program size. In addition to course work and dissertation, 96% of programs require at least one of the following: cumulative examinations (58%), an oral preliminary exam (54%), a comprehensive oral exam (50%), and/or a comprehensive written exam (31%). All four of these exams are required by 7% of programs; 17% of programs require three; 43% of programs require two; and 28% require only one. Large programs require cumulative exams less often and oral exams more often than small or medium programs. Only four programs (3%) require students to pass a language exam for the Ph.D.
All Programs | Small Programs (0-40 students) | Medium Programs (41-105 students) | Large Programs (106+ students) | |
Entering graduate students take placement exams | 71% | 79% | 70% | 65% |
Minimum number of credits of formal course work | 20 cr | 22 cr | 20 cr | 19 cr |
Require cumulative examination | 58% | 58% | 73% | 45% |
Require an oral preliminary examination | 54% | 37% | 53% | 69% |
Require a comprehensive written examination | 50% | 44% | 47% | 59% |
Require a comprehensive written examination | 31% | 37% | 27% | 31% |
Require a foreign language examination | 3% | 2% | 4% | 2% |
Require creation and defense of original proposal | 74% | 72% | 70% | 80% |
The mean time to the Ph.D. is 5.1 years, a number that varies neither by program size nor by public vs. private institution (data not shown). Most programs place a limit on the amount of time allowed to achieve a Ph.D. (average of 7.8 years) as well as on the number of years of departmental support allowed a student (average of 5.9 years). More than 80% of students choose a research advisor within six months of entering graduate school. A significant number of programs either require or permit laboratory rotations before a final advisor is selected.
Monetary support for Ph.D. students comes from teaching assistantships more often than from research assistantships at small and medium programs, while the reverse is true in large programs. There is wide variation in TA stipends, depending on both program size and geographic location. Most programs have a range of stipends, which on average run from $18,000 to about $20,000 per year. Teaching assistants at larger programs are more likely to teach discussion (recitation) sections than those in small or medium programs.
All Programs | Small Programs (0-40 students) | Medium Programs (41-105 students) | Large Programs (106+ students) | |
Mean time to Ph.D. degree | 5.1 years | 5.0 years | 5.2 years | 5.1 years |
Limit time allowed to achieve Ph.D. (if so, how long?) | 73% (7.8 years) | 78% (7.8 years) | 69% (8.1 years) | 73% (7.4 years) |
Limit number of years of support? (If so, how long?) | 60% (5.9 years) | 70% (5.5 years) | 56%(6.1 years) | 55% (6.2 years) |
What percentage of students select a research advisor within: Two months? Six months? Twelve months? | 20% 81% 98% | 23% 76% 97% | 17% 80% 100% | 21% 87% 100% |
Lab rotations are either allowed or required before selecting a final research advisor | 46% | 43% | 40% | 53% |
Percentage of students supported by: Teaching assistantships Research assistantships | 54% 40% | 62% 28% | 55% 40% | 45% 51% |
TA stipend Ave low Ave high | $18,000 $19,900 | $16,000 $18,500 | $18,200 $20,400 | $19,500 $20,700 |
Percentage of TAs teaching discussion sections | 45% | 32% | 41% | 60% |
In addition to chemistry knowledge and laboratory skills, it is important that all Ph.D. chemists develop skills in areas such as critical thinking, oral and written communication, and teamwork. Toward this end, 74% of all programs require students to create and defend an original research proposal (Table 2). All but six programs require students to make presentations (exclusive of the thesis defense) to audiences other than their research group; the average number of required presentations is 2.4, with little variation by program size. When asked whether any graduate students receive student-skills training outside of formal course work, 67% responded that at least some students receive specific training in communications; 59% in ethics/scientific integrity; 43% in grant writing; 37% in mentoring; 37% in intellectual property/patents; and 18% in business/economics. Students in large programs are more likely to receive some training in these skill areas than are students in other programs.
The data from this CPT survey provide a snapshot of graduate student demographics, requirements for the degree, and progression and support in chemistry Ph.D. programs. Survey results highlight similarities and differences among small, medium, and large programs across the country.
Dr. Joel I. Shulman retired as The Procter & Gamble Company's Manager of Doctoral Recruiting and University Relations in 2001 and is now an adjunct professor of chemistry at the University of Cincinnati. He serves the ACS as a consultant for the Office of Graduate Education and the Department of Career Management and Development and as a member of the Committee on Professional Training.
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A PhD program in Chemistry can equip you with a range of professional skills and advanced knowledge in the field. With a doctorate in chemistry on your resume, you’ll be able to find prestigious jobs in research labs, industry, academia, or government.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of chemists and material scientists is $79,760 , and jobs are estimated to grow by 6% over the next decade, in line with growth prospects for all professions.
Which of the best PhD programs in Chemistry is right for you?
Read on to learn about the best programs, including essential information like tuition, acceptance rates, and whether you can get a degree online or not.
Table of Contents
1. massachusetts institute of technology.
PhD in Chemistry
Massachusetts Institute of Technology has been ranked first in the nation for Chemistry, so it’s no surprise that this is one of the best PhD in Chemistry programs. The program is flexible because students can choose courses based on their long-term research goals.
Stanford University is one of the world’s leading research institutions with innovative and flexible programs. This chemistry PhD program is world-class with a cross-disciplinary approach, collaborating with various other departments and institutes.
Caltech’s Division of Chemistry and Chemical Engineering is renowned for its large number of faculty members conducting leading research in chemistry, biochemistry, and chemical engineering. This chemistry doctoral program aims to develop students’ creative and original research abilities.
PhD in Chemistry and Chemical Biology
Harvard University’s faculty in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology division includes several Nobel and Welch Award laureates conducting research in various areas of interest in chemistry. In this PhD program for chemistry, students can pursue interdisciplinary research in various institutes and research centers in the Boston area.
Northwestern University’s Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences emphasizes interdisciplinary thinking that is adaptive, flexible, and practical in the context of the modern world. This chemistry PhD program aims to provide students with a strong foundation in chemistry and valuable exposure to research projects important to wider society.
Yale is one of the most acclaimed universities in the world, with a diverse student population, including 22% international students from a total of 115 different nations . This flexible PhD chemistry program allows students to choose their areas of study based on their research subjects rather than maintaining a rigid course list.
The chemistry department was one of the University of Chicago’s first departments to be inaugurated and currently has a strong faculty in organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry, as well as interdisciplinary studies. This is also one of the most flexible Chemistry PhD programs in the country, allowing you to study from different departments as well as giving you the freedom to choose your areas of study.
Princeton University’s prestigious Frick Chemistry Laboratory encourages faculty and students to conduct collaborative and interdisciplinary research in the field. This doctorate degree in chemistry encourages students to pursue individualized studies and conduct original research in specific areas of chemistry.
The University of California was founded with a vision for a better future and is well-known as a pioneer in various areas, including diversity and free speech. This graduate program offers three concentrations: physical chemistry, synthetic chemistry, and chemical biology.
Cornell’s Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology has a history of discovery and innovation and boasts Nobel laureates as well as National Academy Members among its faculty. The TATP (Teaching Assistant Training Program) is an integral part of this PhD program, and a satisfactory performance in this program is a mandatory part of the doctorate.
To be admitted as a PhD candidate , you’ll generally need a master’s in chemistry or a related field. As part of the application process, you’ll typically need to submit academic transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE scores, and a personal statement or research proposal.
Other documentation may be required depending on the program you want to apply for, so check the requirements with the admissions office.
Most PhD in chemistry programs involve a mix of coursework, which may cover chemistry courses and related sciences, and a research thesis or dissertation.
To earn your doctorate in chemistry, you typically also need to participate in seminars, pass oral and written exams, and complete a teaching assistantship.
A PhD in chemistry is a technical, relatively-difficult advanced degree, so it’s important to prepare well to get the best results. Ahead of commencing, or even applying for the program, familiarize yourself with the latest developments and research in the field.
It can be a good idea to join professional associations, take advantage of other networking opportunities, and seek out extra-curricular activities in the field. Practical experience can also be very valuable, so try to work in a lab if possible.
There are a range of chemistry doctorate programs offered by different institutions and covering several different concentrations. Before choosing the right program for you, it’s important to carefully consider your interests, passions, and career goals in order to decide on your preferred area of study.
From there, look for strong programs in this discipline with renowned faculty specializing in your area of interest.
Other key factors to consider include the following:
A PhD in chemistry is one of the most in-demand and highest-paying PhDs . Graduates with a PhD chemistry are highly employable, with most finding roles in private industry. According to Duke University , from their 242 candidates, 118 were employed in business/industry, and Boston University also tells us that most PhD Chemistry holders are employed in the private sector.
The benefits of studying for a doctorate in chemistry include:
Jobs you can land with a PhD in Chemistry include:
The tuition for a PhD in chemistry can range from $10,000 to $70,000 based on various factors, with public schools being much more affordable than private schools. On top of tuition, you also need to consider other expenses, such as fees, study materials, and living expenses. However, many chemistry doctorates offer scholarships, grants, and even full funding.
For most programs, you’ll take around five years to complete a chemistry PhD when studying full-time. However, it can take up to seven years or even longer in some cases.
You’ll build a range of advanced skills as part of a PhD in Chemistry program, most notably:
How long does a phd in chemistry take.
A PhD in Chemistry takes five years to complete on average, though the duration can typically be anywhere between three and seven years.
There is no single field that is best for a PhD in Chemistry. The best option for you will depend on your preferences, interests, and career ambitions. Common specializations include organic, inorganic, physical, analytical, and computational chemistry.
A PhD in chemistry is typically considered the most advanced degree in this scientific field and opens up a range of positions in academia, research, and the private sector. Positions for graduates with PhD doctorates include lecturers, professors, research leaders, environmental scientists, and materials scientists.
Given that chemistry is a highly technical field and a PhD is an advanced degree, it’s not surprising that a PhD in chemistry is an in-depth, involved, and relatively-challenging degree. There’s no denying that you’ll need a background in the field and a certain degree of dedication to earn your doctorate in chemistry, but it’s certainly not impossible with some hard work and a little passion!
A PhD in chemistry is a valuable, advanced degree that opens up a wide range of career prospects, including senior-level positions in research, industry, and academia. There are a number of high-quality PhD programs in chemistry offered by renowned institutions across the country, covering a range of disciplines and including both on-campus and online programs .
Be clear on your areas of interest and career objectives, do your research to choose the best program for you, and you can’t go wrong!
For more options, look at our guide to the best online PhD programs , or if you’re ready to start preparing your application, check out our ultimate grad school test guide .
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$3 million five-year award will encourage multidisciplinary approaches to converting and storing sustainable energy.
Intense flooding in Connecticut (left) and wildfires in Colorado (right) are recent examples of extreme weather events that researchers will use to explore solutions to climate change. Photos via AP/Daniel Brown/Sipa USA and via AP/Arnold Gold/Hearst Connecticut Media
If recent weather patterns and disasters, like extreme heat and droughts, catastrophic flooding, and devastating wildfires, have proven anything, it’s that better solutions for sustainable energy are needed to help combat the lasting effects of climate change.
Culminating an up-and-down two-year journey, Malika Jeffries-EL, a Boston University College of Arts & Sciences professor of chemistry, along with a team of BU researchers, has been awarded a five-year, $3 million Research Traineeship grant (NRT) from the National Science Foundation to help PhD students collaborate across disciplines to develop new ideas to convert and store sustainable energy sources. The award will create a new training program that unifies resources in engineering, chemistry, computer science, and data sciences to provide participating students with a broad exposure to energy-related issues.
“I was just really proud,” says Jeffries-EL, who is also the associate dean of the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences. “I was proud of myself and my team for doing their part and working so hard to get things through at the last minute. My point of pride is that I fought for this proposal. This was a two-year struggle to get this approved. It’s a very large grant and I’m so excited about the work ahead.”
Along with Jeffries-EL, the project’s co–principal investigators are Emily Ryan , a College of Engineering associate professor of mechanical engineering and of materials science and engineering, James Chapman , an ENG assistant professor of mechanical engineering, David Coker , a CAS professor of chemistry and of computing and data sciences, and Brian Kulis, an ENG associate professor of electrical and computer engineering.
The NRT Research Traineeship grant is a collaborative award between BU’s Institute for Global Sustainability and the Rafik B. Hariri Center for Computing and Computational Science & Engineering . (NRT grants are intended to assist graduate students in developing the skills, knowledge, and competencies needed to pursue a range of STEM careers.)
“Computation and data science are playing key roles in designing and discovering new materials to address society’s clean renewable energy needs,” says Coker, director of the Hariri Institute’s Center for Computational Science. “This NRT grant will fund the development of new graduate training programs that synergistically bring together data and computational scientists and materials fabrication, synthesis, and characterization experts to guide and educate a new generation of researchers capable of working at the intersections of these fields and pushing forward this critical frontier research.”
Jeffries-EL, who joined the CAS faculty in 2016, says that most scientists, herself included, begin their careers so focused on their own disciplines that they struggle to think and look outside their research silos. Climate change, she says, is simply too big, too broad, too daunting to continue approaching it in isolation. It is expected that over the NRT program’s five years, 100 to 125 BU PhD students will participate in the training.
“We are at a point where we need to be intentional with problems we are tackling,” Jeffries-EL says. “It’s all interconnected. These are complicated problems, and it requires an interdisciplinary approach and interdisciplinary science.”
And getting PhD students involved in the work is critical.
The grant, she says, is so important because it will allow PhD students, just starting out in their research, to immediately learn to think outside of their field. “We are going to catch them at the beginning. This is an intricate part of their training. If they make it all the way through graduate school [without doing interdisciplinary research], they won’t think they need to think this way. We will breed them to think about interdisciplinary research from the start.”
If chemists and data scientists and engineers and biologists all start approaching the problem of climate change and sustainable energy by thinking together, rather than as individuals, Jeffries-EL says, the possibilities are endless.
“We are teaching students to think bigger to take on bigger challenges,” she says. “We have to encourage students to be bold and think big, and that you might fail, but that’s OK, because you will learn as you go.”
We are teaching students to think bigger, to take on bigger challenges. We have to encourage students to be bold, and think big, and that you might fail, but that’s OK, because you will learn as you go. Malika Jeffries-EL
Ryan, an associate director of the Institute for Global Sustainability (IGS), says society needs cleaner energy storage and generation technologies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and overcome the challenges brought about by climate change.
“The next generation of scientists and engineers will require a multidisciplinary background and perspective to develop the energy systems of tomorrow,” Ryan says. “We will partner with BU’s Institute for Global Sustainability to provide students a broader education in energy and climate change that includes not only the technical aspects, but also incorporates health, justice, policy, and more to positively impact society. The cutting-edge technology research at BU along with the diverse expertise of IGS will provide students a unique education that would not be possible elsewhere.”
As an example of how an interdisciplinary approach could work, she points to BU’s new Faculty for Computing & Data Sciences.
“Everybody is benefiting from data science,” Jeffries-EL says. “Some are more attentive to what it might do for them. If we can think about how we can leverage data science in many different fields, that will help people have the right mindset around this. It’s all about getting people to think differently from the start.”
The reason sustainable energy research is so important, Jeffries-EL says, is that with so much attention focused on creating and growing new energy sources, from wind to solar, there needs to be an equal amount of time spent on finding ways to harness those new sources of renewable energies.
“We need to be more mindful about how we use energy, and how we store energy. I was fortunate to find like-minded people with the same interest. We can create all the energy in the world, but if we can’t store it in batteries or in some other way, it’s useless. How do you harness the energy, and store and transport it?”
One lesson learned from the work of the BU Institute for Global Sustainability, Jeffries-EL says, “is that we can come up with the coolest technology in the world, but if no one trusts it, it will sit on the shelf.”
The new grant is the second time in two years that BU researchers have been awarded an NSF Research Traineeship grant. In 2023, a $3 million grant went to “A Convergent Training Program on Biological Control,” codirected by Elise Morgan , ENG dean ad interim, and Mary Dunlop , an ENG associate professor. Their work is aimed at training a diverse group of PhD students for the workforce in biotech, synthetic biology, manufacturing, robotics, sustainability, and other sectors.
Doug Most is a lifelong journalist and author whose career has spanned newspapers and magazines up and down the East Coast, with stops in Washington, D.C., South Carolina, New Jersey, and Boston. He was named Journalist of the Year while at The Record in Bergen County, N.J., for his coverage of a tragic story about two teens charged with killing their newborn. After a stint at Boston Magazine , he worked for more than a decade at the Boston Globe in various roles, including magazine editor and deputy managing editor/special projects. His 2014 nonfiction book, The Race Underground , tells the story of the birth of subways in America and was made into a PBS/American Experience documentary. He has a BA in political communication from George Washington University. Profile
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Biostatistics, university of waterloo masters at uwaterloo in statistics with 91.71% average. phd admissions for current uwaterloo masters students depend heavily on finding a supervisor, meaning that if you found someone who'll take you in, you'll pretty much get in. also, you can apply late, as in june-july (and you have to if you did your undergrad elsewhere). i got an e-mail from someone in the department about two weeks before i got an official letter about admission..
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M2 de mathématiques fondamentales, paris-cité the scholarship is from fsmp. i was accepted for the m2, i.e., just the second year of masters. i had an undergrad in physics from a very good university in my country (colombia), and now i am finishing the postgraduate math diploma of the international centre for theoretical physics (ictp), which is equivalent to an m1 in mathematics., michaelmot, colby college.
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Chemistry - phd, admission requirements.
Terms and Deadlines
Degree and GPA Requirements
Additional standards for non-native english speakers, additional standards for international applicants.
For the 2024-2025 academic year
See 2023-2024 requirements instead
Note: This program is not admitting students for the 2025-2026 academic year at this time
Priority deadline 1: December 15, 2023
Priority deadline 2: January 15, 2024
Final submission deadline: August 1, 2024
International submission deadline: June 4, 2024
Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.
Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.
Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.
University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:
A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.
A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.
An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.
A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.
Program GPA requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
Applicants must earn and submit proof of earning the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related field from a regionally accredited institution prior to beginning graduate coursework at DU.
Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.
The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:
Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80
Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5
Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176
Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115
Additional Information:
Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.
Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.
Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.
Transcripts, letters of recommendation.
Required Essays and Statements
We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.
Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.
Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.
Three (3) letters of recommendation are required. It is recommended that these letters be submitted by individuals capable of assessing your ability to succeed in courses and research in graduate school, for example former chemistry professors and/or research advisors. Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.
Personal statement instructions.
A personal statement of at least 300 words is required. The statement should include information concerning your life, education, practical experience, special interests and specific purpose for applying to the University of Denver. Describe your goals for attending graduate school. What areas of chemistry or biochemistry are you most interested in? What do you hope to do after you complete your graduate studies? Why do you enjoy chemistry or biochemistry? Describe any research or teaching experience you have had. Have you been involved in an undergraduate research project during the academic year or in the summer? Have you had a summer job or internship in a commercial lab? Have you had experience in teaching as a grader, a lab teaching assistant or a lab preparatory assistant? Specifically mention research groups at DU that you would be most interested in joining, and why. Share anything in your personal statement that you believe will help evaluate your application.
The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.
Applicants may be contacted to schedule an admissions interview.
Online Application
Start your application.
Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.
Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.
Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee
International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.
Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.
The Chemistry Department welcomes and invites applications for admission to the Ph.D. program from all qualified candidates. We admit students who will begin their studies in the Fall term.
$90 Application Fee
We are no longer accepting applications for Fall 2024 entry. Our PhD application is open from October 1st to December 1st. A complete application is one that includes all required materials, application review begins as early as December 2nd.
In addition to the completed online application, all applicants must submit the following:
• GRE scores are not required, but they are strongly recommended if you are applying to the physical chemistry division (and *especially* the theory division). If you have GRE scores, you are welcome to send them to us, the school code for all exams is: 2926. You will not be penalized if you apply without a GRE score . Please contact the Graduate Coordinator at [email protected] if you have questions regarding this matter.
• Uploaded UNOFFICIAL transcripts from all Universities and Colleges attended. Please note that you must upload your transcripts with your online application. Do not send any paper transcripts.
• 3-5 letters of recommendation. Please have your recommenders submit these letters online.
• A writing sample IS NOT REQUIRED however you may use this portion of the application to upload any optional written materials.
• A CV/resume.
• Applicants whose native language is not English must submit the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Proficiency in spoken English is a requirement of our program and is used as an admissions criterion. Admitted students in this category also have to attend a two-month English Language Program and Teaching Assistantship Workshop (sponsored by the department) beginning the first week in July and to pass a University-administered spoken English test in order to qualify for a Teaching Fellowship. The institution code for all exams is 2926, no department code is necessary.
• Personal Statement (3 parts- 1 document) PLEASE FOLLOW THIS FORMAT and label each part. Parts 1, 2, and 3 combined no more than 3 pages double-spaced. The application system only lists 2 parts in the prompt, please use the prompt below with 3 parts.
For more information please contact the Graduate Coordinator at [email protected] .
Graduate program.
Yale is recognized as having one of the best chemistry programs in the U.S. We are proud of our history, faculty, laboratories, instrumentation, libraries, and relations with industry. Most of all, we are proud of our students and their research. Graduates of the department occupy leading positions in academia and industry, due in no small part to their cutting-edge research experiences.
The department’s relatively small size facilitates meaningful interactions between students and internationally known faculty, and collegial interactions between the hardworking and lively graduate students contribute to the Ph.D. experience.
Students interested in graduate study at Yale should look through the department facilities, instrumentation , faculty and associated faculty , staff , and seminar schedule. Applications for graduate admission are done through the Yale Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (not through individual professors) and are due, along with standardized test scores, by December 1. Accepted students are notified in late winter. In the spring, we host two visiting days to show prospective graduate students all the beauty, fun, and pleasantry of Yale and New Haven .
Graduate study is an exciting departure from your experience in undergraduate education. The Ph.D. degree is a research degree, and research is the primary educational activity. The main goal is to prepare you for a career in scientific research, and the program aims to give you the tools you will need: detailed knowledge, ability to apply that knowledge, independent thought, communication skills, teamwork, teaching, and safety. The first two years of the program lead to a M.Sc. degree, and include coursework and other formal requirements in addition to research with one or more faculty members. For those that continue to the Ph.D., this culminates in a “qualifying examination” in which you demonstrate your ability to explain your research plans for the Ph.D. dissertation to a panel of faculty members, in both written and oral form. Prior to the end of your fourth year, you hone your skills in coming up with independent research ideas through an outside proposal, completely from your own interests and separate from your Ph.D. project. Finally, generally after five years total, your research is summed up in a written dissertation.
Some students come to Yale the summer before matriculation to sample a research group, but the final pairing of students with research groups occurs during the first year. The graduate program begins in late August with a 2-week orientation to Yale, teaching, and the chemistry areas within the department. Students take classes and teach and also prepare independent proposals to exercise their creativity and scientific rigor. However, the focus of the degree is a Ph.D. dissertation on research as part of a faculty-led research group.
This subreddit is for anyone who is going through the process of getting into graduate school, and for those who've been there and have advice to give.
Hi everyone,
I’m currently an undergrad at a top 25 state school, and I’m seeking some advice about applying to PhD programs in chemistry. I had a meeting with the research professor I work with today, and I wanted to get some outside opinions on my situation.
Here’s a bit about my background:
I have one year left in my bachelor’s degree.
My current GPA is 3.60. I’m hoping to raise it, but I haven’t done the math, so I’m unsure what’s realistically achievable.
I have one publication as a co-author on X-ray scintillators.
I work in a materials chemistry lab, and have been here for the last 2 years. My professor mentioned that I will likely have two more papers by the time I graduate, bringing my total to three publications as a co-author (likely as the third or fourth author, same as the first paper).
My research focus recently shifted from X-ray scintillators to LEDs due to the PhD student I was working under graduating.
My professor, who did his post-doc at Berkeley and still has connections there, has offered to write me a strong letter of recommendation. He suggested that if I could get my GPA up to 3.8, I would be a good candidate for Ivy League admissions. Although 3.8 seems a bit unrealistic, he still encouraged me to apply to top programs like Berkeley.
He also mentioned that being a native-born citizen gives me a significant advantage in the admissions process. My professor is originally from China, and out of his nine PhD students, eight are international students. He emphasized that non-international American students often have certain advantages when it comes to PhD admissions.
Given this information, I’m wondering:
How realistic is it for me to get into a top-tier chemistry PhD program with a GPA of around 3.65, three publications as a co-author, and a strong letter of recommendation from my PI if I apply to all top-tier schools, with second-tier schools as backups?
Does the advantage of being a native-born citizen apply only to our state school, or does it also extend to top-tier and second-tier schools?
Any additional tips or advice for strengthening my application?
Thanks in advance for your help!
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Department of chemistry and chemical biology.
Science in the 21st century is rich with opportunity and challenge. Our pillars for success in this complex world are all tied to interactions—between people and between disciplines. By building both strong interpersonal connections between our students and faculty, and effective bridges between disciplines, entering graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology can thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences.
Our graduate programs prioritize research and exploration. With many opportunities to interact with departments, research centers, and institutions across the Boston area, our students benefit from an interdisciplinary environment that encourages curiosity and innovation. Students can choose from one of our following two graduate degree programs:
Our program in Chemistry offers research and training opportunities in many subdisciplines of chemistry, including chemical biology, inorganic, organic, physical, and theoretical.
Our interdepartmental Chemical Physics program is designed for students who wish to prepare themselves for the study of chemical problems by the methods and theories of modern physics.
Current graduate students, news about our graduate students.
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I just read an incredibly disheartening post on reddit about Grad School admissions in the Biological sciences. The post basically makes it sound like I have no chance of getting into a good PhD program.
I graduated from UC Berkeley with a Degree in Biochemistry in 2012. While in school I worked as an undergraduate researcher for 3.5 years. Post graduation I've been working in Biotech Research for close to 3 years now.
I graduated Berkeley with somewhere in the range of a 3.2-3.3 GPA. The average GPA for my major at Cal is a 2.8 . Does the rigor of my undergraduate institution matter? Berkeley's grade deflation is pretty notorious but will that matter?
From what I read in the post it sounds like most schools won't even look at my application. I'm starting to wonder if its worth it for me to apply at all.
I've attached a link to the thread on reddit. Your honest opinions would be much appreciated.
https://www.reddit.com/r/GradSchool/comments/25gj24/a_somewhat_notgentle_guide_to_getting_into_grad/
It depends. Different schools, programs, and faculty have different ways of looking at applicants. Based on my limited experience, a 3.30 GPA from an R1 will likely count for more than a 3.30 from a less reputable institution. However, if you are applying to top-tier programs, you may be competing with students who have higher GPAs, also from R1s.
The reddit link that you posted is from one single professor at one institution. Without knowing the specific institution, program, and/or faculty member you are applying to, it is impossible to say what will be weighed, as there are not standardized admission formulas.
Some faculty are looking for students who match their research agenda and have research experience (i.e., they are proficient enough at research so they won't suck the faculty member's time). Others may prioritize GPA, and some might place more emphasis on quantitative GRE scores.
The link that you posted and the link from @henning both have good advice for tailoring applications to fit the department, institution, or faculty member.
If you are uncertain about applying, it might not hurt to contact a faculty member you are interested in working with to ask if they would consider your application. Even better, you could find a common contact/reference (maybe your undergrad advisor/professor/? knows someone in the Ph.D. department you want to apply to?) who can introduce you.
You might also want to check out college/graduate school/institution GPA policies to see what the minimum GPA for doctoral study is at your prospective institutions. If you have to maintain a 3.0 as a doc student, some faculty may question your ability to succeed at a more rigorous level.
To summarize: Ask the faculty member you are interested in working with what they consider when selecting doctoral applicants.
Prospective students, application process, application faqs, for admitted students, current students, phd program requirements, thesis preparation, for first year students, student organizations, chemistry student seminars, quality of life.
Interdisciplinary programs.
With site visits to Matthews Arena, Loftman Hall, Fenway Center and more, Maureen McGrail has become well acquainted with Northeastern’s Boston campus after interning in the Planning Real Estate and Facilities department this summer.
The 16-year-old Thayer Academy student has aspirations to go into the real estate business, so she appreciated the nitty-gritty details — learning how building plans are developed and the steps involved with renovating various structures around campus.
“I learned a lot about networking and institutional real estate, which are all very interesting,” she said, noting the experience helped solidify what she wanted to do after she graduates.
It also helped that she didn’t have to worry about getting a job on the side, since she was paid during the internship.
McGrail was one of more than 170 Boston teens to take part in Northeastern’s Summer Youth Employment Program this year, a collaborative effort between Northeastern University’s Community to Community Impact Engine and the city of Boston.
The program has two components to help students get ahead during the summer months.
Students can either take part in internships offered at more than 30 departments on campus or participate in the university’s long-running Bridge to Calculus: a Bridge to Science program, a seven-week intensive summer program aimed to help Boston high school students get a better handle on their math skills before heading back to class in the fall; this year’s program was expanded to include physics, chemistry and biology.
“This program not only pays you in the summer, which is awesome, but it also means young people graduate from high school on time, which means they are more likely to go to college and be employed one to four years after participating in the program,” said Alicia Modestino, an associate professor of economics in Northeastern’s School of Policy and Urban Affairs and the executive director of C2C, at a closing ceremony capping off the Bridge to Calculus Program last week.
“Your curiosity, your persistence and your hard work has prepared you for what’s going to come in the fall and the rest of your academic career in high school,” said Modestino to the more than 120 students who graduated from the program.
Rashad Cope, deputy chief for worker empowerment for the city of Boston, said the skills students developed during the program are all vital “in navigating our very complex world.
“Understanding how to manage finances, the world of robotics or just tackling challenges of game programming, these are all decisions that will empower you to make informed decisions.”
At a closing celebration highlighting the end of the internship program, Lynn Sanders, global director for the C2C Impact Accelerator, took note of the students’ accomplishments.
“There are more fun things you could have done this summer, but I’m glad you took the time to invest in yourself over the past seven weeks,” she said.
Interns worked in Business Services, Off-Campus Engagement and Support, City and Community Engagement, College of Professional Studies and the Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI), an urban research hub that partners with Northeastern University.
As an intern at BARI, 17-year-old Brave Arimah, a rising senior at the Boston Latin School, helped the research group develop frameworks the federal government could take advantage of when regulating the use of AI.
“I was able to learn through the job,” he said. “A lot of the job was learning about data analysis, building surveys, really trying to reach out to the community and when they started talking to us, figuring out what they were saying.”
For her internship at the Office of City and Community Engagement, Madison Swan, a 16-year-old student at Needham High School, produced a 10-minute long video on the history of Roxbury.
She said the experience helped her want to pursue a career where she “can give back to her community.”
Students also received encouraging words from some of their supervisors, including Chimel Idiokitas, assistant vice president for community relations for the City and Community Engagement, who highlighted the importance of networking.
“I encourage you all to stay in contact with your supervisors, build your network,” he said. “Make sure you are sharing your emails with your supervisor because you may need them in the future.”
Department of Chemistry
Visit the online course catalog for more specific degree requirements
Credit Hours A minimum total 30 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours in chemistry courses. An overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained.
Courses Students must pass at least 6 graduate lecture courses from at least 3 of 6 divisions with a minimum grade of 'C' in any one course during the first 4 semesters (excluding summers). Up to 2 courses may be waived for students entering with a M.S. degree in chemistry (or a closely related field with consent of the Chemistry Director of Graduate Studies).
Mentor The research mentor should be selected during the first semester. Students are required to interview a minimum of 5 chemistry faculty, including members of at least 2 divisions.
Committee The student will select his/her Dissertation Committee in consultation with the research mentor during the first 4 semesters of study. The committee consists of the mentor, a chemistry faculty in the same division, a chemistry faculty in a different division, an additional chemistry faculty, and a faculty member from a different department.
Cumulative Exams Students must complete a series of written cumulative examinations designed to show in-depth knowledge in the chosen area of concentration. Cumulative exams begin in the second semester and are given the third Saturday of January, March, May, September, and November.
Literature Seminar Students must enroll in seminar (Chem 695) each of their first 4 semesters (excluding summers) and attend departmental seminars. Students must make a presentation based on a topic under active discussion in the recent literature during their second or third semester. The remaining seminar attendance requirement may be waived after all other Master's candidacy requirements have been achieved.
Research Proposal Students must develop, explain, and defend a research proposal prior to the beginning of the 7th semester (excluding summers). The proposal may include preliminary results from the student's research and describe possible future directions.
Publications It is expected that prior to the Research Seminar, at least one manuscript based on the student's research would have been submitted to a peer-reviewed journal. Before completion of the Ph.D. program, at least one published article and at least one additional manuscript submitted to peer-reviewed journals is expected.
Research Seminar A one-hour seminar on the student's dissertation research project is to be given before the end of the 8th semester (excluding summers). This seminar must be completed at least 9 months prior to graduation. The MS degree will be awarded upon successful completion of the research seminar.
Dissertation A written dissertation describing the research program is submitted a minimum of 14 days before the defense. The defense consists of a one-hour seminar followed by an oral examination with the Faculty Reading committee.
First Year Coursework Attend Seminars Select a Mentor Begin Research Begin Cumulative Exams (2nd semester) Literature Seminar (early)
Second Year Continue/Finish Coursework Continue/Finish Cumulative Exams Literature Seminar (deadline 3rd semester) Attend Seminars Research Organize Dissertation Committee
Third Year Research Finish Cumulative Exams Research Proposal
Fourth Year Research Research Seminar* *M.S. degree awarded
Fifth Year Finish Research Write and defend Dissertation* *Ph.D. awarded
Attention! 2018 Nobel Laureate Dr. George P. Smith to speak at UofL May 4th and 5th. Apr 26, 2023
2023-2024 Dorothy Gibson Memorial Fellowship and Arno Spatola Endowment Fellowship Nominations are now being accepted Feb 17, 2023
2019 Nobel Laureate Dr. M. Stanley Whittingham to speak at UofL Mar 16, 2022
Dr. Frederick Luzzio receives College of Arts and Sciences 2022 Distinguished Faculty Award for Outstanding Scholarship, Research, and Creative Activity - Career Achievement Mar 01, 2022
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This subreddit is for anyone who is going through the process of getting into graduate school, and for those who've been there and have advice to give. 2023-24 Chemistry PhD Decisions Thread. Hi everyone! I haven't seen an acceptance thread in this subreddit yet for chemistry, so wanted to make one right now. It has been pretty anxious to wait ...
This subreddit is for all graduate school admission results and related discussion. Students may state their stats etc. which got them admitted/rejected. The aim is to produce a better version of gradcafe and help reduce students' anxiety by limiting spam posts in the form of fake admits. Chemistry PhD Acceptances / Rejections Thread - Fall 2022.
AvailableAd797. •. -Purdue -recommended for admission -applied week of Nov 13 -major: 3.76, overall: 3.68 -summer 2021 and 3 semesters (by graduation May 2023) -R&D Chemist Internship summer 2022 -no publications -not international *feel free to message me for more info about my research/experiences, good luck everyone!
Graduate Admissions Timeline September, 2023. The application process for the Graduate Program in Chemistry for Fall 2024 is currently CLOSED. December 1, 2023. Chemistry and Graduate School application deadline for applicants who wish to enter the Graduate Program of Chemistry in Fall 2024. All materials must be received by this date.
Apply online for admission to the Chemistry Ph.D. program. Upload all of the required materials via the application website as early as possible and prior to the application deadline. These materials should include all of the items listed below under Required Documentation. The non-refundable $85 application fee must be paid by credit card when ...
Chemistry PhD. Admissions. Thank you for your interest in the UC San Diego Chemistry & Biochemistry Graduate Program. We have over 300 bright and talented graduate students with diverse backgrounds from all over the world. We offer programs for the Doctoral, Masters, and Joint Doctoral degrees. Below you will find information on the needed ...
PhD Program. Professor Wender discusses chemistry with his graduate students. Doctoral study in chemistry at Stanford University prepares students for research and teaching careers with diverse emphases in basic, life, medical, physical, energy, materials, and environmental sciences. The Department of Chemistry offers opportunities for graduate ...
What are the exams required for admissions? Applicants may take the general GRE exams in the autumn prior to applying, or earlier. However, all GREs are optional. There is also a TOEFL requirement for foreign applicants who have not studied in an English speaking country for at least two years leading to a BS or MS degree.
The PhD in chemistry is primarily a research degree. It is awarded to students who have displayed competence in planning and conducting original research in the field of chemistry, demonstrated a broad familiarity with the science of chemistry, understanding in the application of the scientific method, and gained a thorough knowledge of their field of specialization.
Your most recent unofficial transcripts should be uploaded as part of your application. Official transcripts are not needed during the application process. Program Supplement Designate your desired area of specialization: Biological Chemistry (biochemical, biophysical, or bioinorganic chemistry; structural biology)
The number of students in Ph.D. programs ranges from 0 to 394 (see Figure 1) with a total of 13,280 students. Eighteen departments have more than 200 students, accounting for more than one-third (4,460) of the total graduate students in chemistry. The 30 largest programs account for almost 50% of graduate students.
University of Illinois--Urbana-Champaign. Urbana, IL. #9 in Chemistry (tie) Save. 4.5. With a graduate degree in chemistry, scientists may find jobs in laboratories, government agencies, research ...
The waiver request must be submitted at least five business days before the December 1st application deadline. The Department of Chemistry can only waive the $80 application fee for international applicants if they have already applied and paid an application fee for another PhD program at MIT in the same admission cycle.
This is also one of the most flexible Chemistry PhD programs in the country, allowing you to study from different departments as well as giving you the freedom to choose your areas of study. Courses include: Complex chemical systems, chemical biology, and chemical dynamics. Duration: 5 years. Tuition: $63,936.
I think I want to do a phD in organic chemistry. I would *like* to go to a good school- ideally in one of the top 40 chemistry graduate programs (in the U.S) (applying for Fall 2024). Now, while this issue has been on my mind for months, I must admit that my impetus for posting this is the terrible exam grade I just got back from Organic 2 course.
Culminating an up-and-down two-year journey, Malika Jeffries-EL, a Boston University College of Arts & Sciences professor of chemistry, along with a team of BU researchers, has been awarded a five-year, $3 million Research Traineeship grant (NRT) from the National Science Foundation to help PhD students collaborate across disciplines to develop ...
Protein S-sulfhydration involves the regulation of various protein functions, and resolving the S-sulfhydrated proteome (persulfidome) allows for a deeper exploration of various redox regulations. Therefore, we designed a reducible covalent capture method for isolating S-sulfhydrated proteins, which can analyze the persulfidome in biological samples and monitor specific S-sulfhydrated proteins ...
Computer Science, Carnegie Mellon University. Added on August 20, 2024. Accepted on 20 Aug Fall 2024 International GRE 154 GRE V 155 GRE AW 3.00 GPA 3.81 Masters. Biostatistics, University Of Waterloo Masters at UWaterloo in Statistics with 91.71% average. PhD admissions for current UWaterloo Masters students depend heavily on finding a ...
Program GPA requirement: The minimum undergraduate GPA for admission consideration for this program is a cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale Prerequisites Applicants must earn and submit proof of earning the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related field from a regionally accredited institution prior to beginning ...
The Chemistry Department welcomes and invites applications for admission to the Ph.D. program from all qualified candidates. We admit students who will begin their studies in the Fall term. ... Our PhD application is open from October 1st to December 1st. A complete application is one that includes all required materials, application review ...
The graduate program begins in late August with a 2-week orientation to Yale, teaching, and the chemistry areas within the department. Students take classes and teach and also prepare independent proposals to exercise their creativity and scientific rigor. However, the focus of the degree is a Ph.D. dissertation on research as part of a faculty ...
Seeking Advice on Chemistry PhD Applications with Publications and LOR from PI. Hi everyone, I'm currently an undergrad at a top 25 state school, and I'm seeking some advice about applying to PhD programs in chemistry. I had a meeting with the research professor I work with today, and I wanted to get some outside opinions on my situation.
By building both strong interpersonal connections between our students and faculty, and effective bridges between disciplines, entering graduate students in the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology can thrive at the frontiers of research in the chemical and life sciences. Our graduate programs prioritize research and exploration. With ...
I just read an incredibly disheartening post on reddit about Grad School admissions in the Biological sciences. The post basically makes it sound like I have no chance of getting into a good PhD program. I graduated from UC Berkeley with a Degree in Biochemistry in 2012. While in school I worked as an undergraduate researcher for 3.5 years.
Most high school students spend their summers hanging out with friends, catching up on TV and working part-time jobs. For a diverse group of 28 young scientists who just completed the UCSF Science and Health Education Partnership (SEP) High School Intern Program, it wasn't just a part-time job.It was a glimpse into their bright futures in life sciences.
Our PhD program equips graduate students with the skills necessary to succeed as independent researchers. A PhD from MIT means that I have been surrounded by the most influential people during my most formative years in training. There is never a shortage of creativity or motivation to do my best. - Kenny Chen, Graduate Student in the ...
The program has two components to help students get ahead during the summer months. ... chemistry and biology. "This program not only pays you in the summer, which is awesome, but it also means young people graduate from high school on time, which means they are more likely to go to college and be employed one to four years after ...
Ph.D. Requirements. A minimum total 30 semester hours with at least 15 semester hours in chemistry courses. An overall GPA of 3.0 must be maintained. Students must pass at least 6 graduate lecture courses from at least 3 of 6 divisions with a minimum grade of 'C' in any one course during the first 4 semesters (excluding summers).