Doctoral Programs in Chemistry and in Chemical Biology
There are two different doctoral programs, a Doctorate in Philosophy in Chemistry and a Doctorate in Philosophy in Chemical Biology. The master’s degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program. Admission to either doctoral program is based on official transcripts showing strong performance in chemistry or chemistry and biology coursework, GRE scores, letters of recommendation from at least three of more people who know the student’s academic and research background and for applicants whose native language is not English, a minimum score as specified by the Office of Graduate Academics on the TOEFL. The admissions committee is looking for reasonable evidence that the student will be successful and prove capable of specialization with a broad intellectual foundation. Specifically, students will be admitted to the doctoral program only if the Admissions Committee feels that he/she is reasonably well prepared for the Qualifying and Preliminary Examinations in Chemistry or Chemical Biology. The students will be required to complete and pass the combined qualifying/preliminary exam by the end of their second year. The Preliminary Examination is meant to evaluate the doctoral candidate’s potential to become an independent scientist. The examination is based on an original research proposal in an area of the student’s own choice, preferably an area related to the pending dissertation area but with a topic significantly different from his or her thesis. It is submitted in written form and defended orally before the Thesis Committee
Applicants with good academic records who lack the level of preparation may be admitted initially to the M.S. program.
Eighty four credits are required for the doctoral degree. The Master’s degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the doctoral program but may be included in the 84 credits. The 84 credits should include a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation hours. Continuation in the doctoral program is contingent on passing the Qualifying Examination, Preliminary Examination, and meeting all other requirement as dictated by the Stevens Office of Graduate Academics. A student enrolled in the master’s program in Chemistry or Chemical Biology who is interested in a doctorate degree must apply formally for admission to the Doctoral program. For the Ph.D. degree, a prior Masters’ degree may be transferred for up to 30 credits. Up to one-third of additional course credits may be transferred with the approval of the Program Director and the Dean of the Graduate School provided they have not been used to obtain another degree.
Degree Requirements: The 84 credits required for the doctoral degree should include a minimum of 30 credits of dissertation hours. All doctoral students in Chemistry and Chemical Biology must pass a Qualifying/Preliminary examination. The preliminary examination is based on an original research proposal in an area of the student’s own choice, preferably an area related to the pending dissertation area but with a topic significantly different from his or her thesis. It is submitted in written form and defended orally before the Thesis Committee. Upon passing the Qualifying/Preliminatry exam, the student must take PRV961 (3 credits). The final milestone is the doctoral dissertation and defense. Specifics on these degree requirements can be found in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology Program Graduate Student Handbook.
Language Proficiency: Students must fulfill the English proficiency requirements as advised by Graduate Academics.
Doctoral Dissertation: The policies and regulations governing the doctoral dissertation are described in detail in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology Program Graduate Student Handbook.
Elective Options
Electives
To complete the course requirements for the Master's and PhD degree, a student will choose technical electives from the list of available courses as specified above for the Master's in Chemistry and Chemical Biology. The technical electives can be applied to a certificate program such as Drug Discovery or Analytical Chemistry. Also, students can take electives within a concentration: Analytical Chemistry, Organic Chemistry or Physical Chemistry as specified below. Note, students can take up to six credits of unrestricted electives from other relevant Departments with approval from their advisor.
Analytical Chemistry
| CH 550 | Spectra and Structure | 3 |
| CH 660 | Advanced Instrumental Analysis | 3 |
| CH 662 | Separation Methods in Analytical and Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 666 | Modern Mass Spectrometry | 3 |
| CH 561 | Instrumental Methods of Analysis | 3 |
Biology
Organic and Inorganic Chemistry
| CH 550 | Spectra and Structure | 3 |
| CH 580 | Biochemistry I - Cellular Metabolism and Regulation | 3 |
| CH 581 | Biochemistry II: Biomolecular Structure and Function | 3 |
| CH 582 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 610 | Advanced Inorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 640 | Advanced Organic and Heterocyclic Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 646 | Chemistry of Natural Products | 3 |
| CH 685 | Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
Physical Chemistry
| CH 520 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 582 | Biophysical Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 620 | Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics | 3 |
| CH 664 | Computer Methods in Chemistry | 3 |
| CH 669 | Applied Quantum Chemistry | 3 |