Chemistry, (PhD)

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PhD Degree Program

Program objectives are: (1) competence in a common core of material in the major area of specialization; (2) proficiency in a minor area of specialization outside of the major; (3) development of expertise in experimental design, data analysis, and oral and written presentation of research results; (4) competitive for professional positions in the chemical sciences.

Admission Standards and Procedures

Applicants to the Department of Chemistry are required to apply to the University of Memphis Graduate School. Students must complete a Bachelor’s degree with a major or minor in chemistry (or related field) OR complete a Bachelor’s degree and completed sufficient chemistry coursework at the undergraduate level to be sufficiently prepared for graduate study prior to matriculation. A typical applicant will have already completed their degree or be in the final year of study when applying to the program.

A full application will include:

Academic Transcripts (Certified for International Applicants)
Personal Statement
Minimum of 2 Letters of Recommendation

Students may, at their discretion, include a C.V. or resume with a list of credentials and publications/presentations, though this is not required. The GRE is NOT required or considered as a standard for admission.

An average admitted student will have the following credentials:

Research or work experience in chemistry or a related field
Average GPA of admitted students in a typical incoming class is between 3.2 and 3.3 (4 point scale). We do not have a strict GPA minimum beyond that imposed by the University of Memphis Graduate School.
Strong letters of recommendation detailing academic achievement and work ethic

NOTE: Students who may be weak in one area (research, GPA, letters of recommendation) are encouraged to apply! Each student application is evaluated holistically by the graduate studies committee of the Department of Chemistry for academic rigor and departmental fit. Similarly, meeting the minimum, or exceeding the average, requirements does not entitle the applicant to admission. Meeting such standards only ensures full consideration of the application.

Program Requirements

Diagnostic Requirements

We believe a well-rounded chemistry background is essential for success in a chemistry career. As such, we impose the following Diagnostic requirements prior to awarding the Ph.D. Degree:

A score of 75^th percentile or better on the American Chemical Society General Chemistry Exam (3 attempts allowed)
Proficiency in four areas of chemistry, as determined by completion of a course or a score of 50^th percentile or better on a standardized subject exam.
- Organic Chemistry (CHEM 6311)
- Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 6211)
- Physical (CHEM 6411)
- One of Inorganic (CHEM 6111), or biochemistry (CHEM 6511).

CHEM 6111 - Intermediate Inorganic CHEM Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 6211 - Instrumntl Analysis Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 6311 - Intermediate Organic Chemistry Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 6411 - Advanced Physical Chemistry Credit Hours: (3)
CHEM 6511 - Biochemistry I Credit Hours: (3)

Course Work Requirements

72 hours of course credit beyond the Bachelor’s degree are required to obtain the Ph.D. degree. No more than 12 hours of credit at the 6000 level may be counted. At least 12 hours must be in courses numbered CHEM 7100-7899 or 8100-8899, with at least two areas of chemistry represented. Presentation (CHEM 7911) and Advanced Presentation (CHEM 8911) are required of all doctoral students. Additional hours will be filled via research (CHEM 8001 - Directed Research, CHEM 8910 - Spec Prob In Chem, CHEM 9000 - Dissertation) and attendance at Chemistry Seminar CHEM 7913 - Chemistry Seminar)

A maximum of 12 hours of course work may be included in a field related to chemistry (physical or biological sciences, mathematical sciences, or engineering). Courses taken in related areas must be numbered 6000 or above. However, these related courses cannot substitute for the more than six of the twelve hours of required CHEM 7/8000-level courses for the Ph.D. Degree.

Transfer Credit

A maximum of 30 hours of graduate course credit completed at the University or other accredited institution (including credit applied on an MS degree) may be applied to the 72-hour requirement subject to the approval of the student’s Advisory Committee and the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee.

Residence

Of the total semester-hour requirement, a minimum of 24 hours must be earned while the student is at The University of Memphis. This requirement cannot be met wholly by attendance at Summer Sessions and must include at least one academic year of full-time student status.

Comprehensive Examinations

Comprehensive examinations for doctoral students include written exams (cumulative examinations), written documents, and oral examinations. Details and procedures can be found in the Graduate Handbook.

The Advisory Committee

Upon admission to the Graduate School, the student will be advised by the Department’s Graduate Studies Committee. A student must choose a major professor from the graduate faculty before the end of the first semester following enrollment. The major professor, in consultation with the student, will recommend faculty members to be appointed to the student’s Advisory Committee. This committee, which is appointed before the student’s First Year Conference, must be composed of at least three members, with the major professor serving as chair. The committee will be expanded to five members after completion of the Second Year Conference. Of the members of this committee, at least one is to be from a different area of specialization from that in which the student intends to work. Upon appointment, the committee will review the student’s progress to date and outline an appropriate program tailored to the student’s interests to enable fulfillment of the degree requirements. The student will be regularly evaluated by their Advisor and Advisory Committee. In the unlikely event that a student changes major professors, a new Advisory Committee must be appointed.

Doctoral Research and Dissertation

A minimum of six hours of CHEM 9000 is required for the doctoral degree. Registration for a minimum of nine semester hours of CHEM 9000 and CHEM 8001 combined is required of all doctoral candidates before the dissertation will be considered.

Final Examination

The student’s Advisory Committee will administer a final oral examination on the student’s dissertation and related material after completion of all course requirements and the dissertation. This examination will be held two weeks or more after the student has distributed copies of the dissertation to the members of the Advisory Committee; which must be done at least five weeks before the end of the semester in which the student expects to graduate. If the final oral examination is unsatisfactory, it must be repeated within one year. It may not be repeated more than once.

Retention

A student pursuing the doctoral degree program may be terminated for any of the following reasons:

Failure to maintain a grade point average of 3.0 or above. A student who has a cumulative grade point average below 3.0 will be placed on probation. The Assistant Vice Provost for Graduate Studies must approve continuation in graduate school. Any person whose continuation is denied may appeal the decision to the University Council for Graduate Studies.
Accumulation of more than six hours of graduate credit with grades of C or below.
Failure to complete comprehensive examinations.
Failure to make satisfactory progress towards the degree in a timely fashion, as determined by the Departmental Program Retention Committee.
Failure to satisfy the Advisory Committee on the final oral examination. (See Final Examination Section).