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13. PhD in Chemistry

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Southern Methodist University - Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies

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Southern Methodist University - Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies
PhD in Chemistry

Dallas, USA

DEGREE TYPE

PhD

DURATION

4 up to

5 years

LANGUAGES

English

PACE

Full time

APPLICATION DEADLINE

EARLIEST START DATE

STUDY FORMAT

On-Campus

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By contacting the school, you'll get access to free priority counselling for any study and application questions.

Key Summary

About : The PhD in Chemistry program prepares students for advanced careers in chemical research and academia. It emphasizes foundational knowledge and research skills, allowing students to contribute original findings to the field. The program structure includes coursework and extensive laboratory work, fostering a comprehensive understanding of contemporary chemistry sciences.

Career Outcomes : Graduates can pursue various career paths including roles as research scientists in pharmaceuticals, college professors, and chemical analysts in various industries. Additional opportunities may include positions in government research or consulting firms focused on chemical applications.

The Department of Chemistry here at SMU has a long history of excellence in research and teaching. Whether aspiring to a career in industry, medicine, or academia, the comprehensive curriculum provides students with the necessary knowledge and experience to excel in their future careers. The faculty maintain active research programs, attend numerous national and international meetings in their fields, and publishes in major journals. The Ph.D. program, established in 2004, builds on the faculty expertise and emphasizes three major areas:

Organic, Medicinal, and Bioorganic Chemistry
Materials and Polymer Chemistry
Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

Our programs both have the goal of maximizing each student's knowledge in the chosen field of study and preparing him or her for research and a future career in academia and/or private industry.

Chemistry, Ph.D.

First-year core courses
Two semesters of teaching undergraduate chemistry labs to enhance communication skills
Cumulative exams
Written and oral research progress report and dissertation plan
Research proposal
Successful completion of a research program under the supervision of the faculty
Presentation at a professional meeting
Dissertation and oral defense of the research

Degree Requirements

Primary Core Courses

The student must complete the primary core courses. The student must then complete secondary core courses, for the materials/polymer track. Additional courses will be selected based on the student’s interest and research program and in consultation with the student’s adviser and faculty committee. A core course may be substituted with another course with the approval of the Department of Chemistry graduate adviser, in consultation with the student’s research adviser.

CHEM 6110 - Chemical Communications: Literature, Writing, and Presentations
CHEM 6111 - Practical Laboratory Methods
CHEM 6115 - Theory of the Chemical Bonds
CHEM 6116 - Introduction to Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry
CHEM 6118 - Overview of Materials Chemistry
CHEM 6220 - Modern Aspects of Chemistry

Secondary Core Courses

CHEM 6113 - Practical Aspects of Spectroscopy
CHEM 6114 - Chemical Kinetics
CHEM 6316 - Introduction to Polymer Chemistry

Teaching Practicum

The student will complete at least two terms of the teaching practicum to enhance communication skills.

CHEM 7111 - Teaching Practicum I
CHEM 7112 - Teaching Practicum II

Current Topics in Research

All students must register for research topics courses for at least the first four terms in the program.

CHEM 6120 - Current Topics in Research
CHEM 6121 - Current Topics in Research

Cumulative Exams

The student will take up to 12 cumulative exams until the required total score is obtained.

Research Paper

At the end of the second year, students will write a paper and orally describe the progress of their research, including a plan for the future research program to be completed for the dissertation. This will be presented to the department and graded by a faculty committee that includes the student’s adviser.

CHEM 7233 - Research Synopsis and Objectives

Research Proposal

At the beginning of the student’s third year, the student will write an original research proposal unrelated to the student’s research program and will present this to the department and successfully defend this proposal before the faculty committee.