CHEM:PHD - Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
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There are no majors associated with this program.
Students can choose to pursue the PhD in Chemistry without selecting a specific track. One of the following tracks can be chosen in order to specialize in the specific fields of study below:
Admissions Requirements for the PhD in Chemistry
(1) A minimum undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of 3.0/4.0 in chemistry and cognate science courses. International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.
(2) A statement of purpose, official transcripts, and three letters of recommendation evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work. Originals of these items must be sent to the FIU Admissions office as specified at https://admissions.fiu.edu/how-to-apply/graduate-applicant/index.html. Prospective candidates should refer to both the above website and https://case.fiu.edu/chemistry/ for details regarding the application procedure, which must be completed on-line.
(3) Formal admission to the Master of Science and PhD programs is granted by the Admissions Office. Awards of teaching assistantships are granted by the Graduate Program Director. Entrance is possible at the beginning of each semester (fall, spring, summer). For consideration for a graduate assistantship applicants need to apply for the Fall semester and all application materials should be received at least five months prior to the desired starting date.
(4) Students whose undergraduate degree is not equivalent to the American Chemical Society certified Bachelor of Science degree in chemistry may be required to make up deficiencies. For example, depending on his or her area of specialization, a student may be required to make up deficiencies in quantum mechanics, instrumental analysis, or biochemistry by successfully completing Graduate Physical Chemistry II (CHM 5426), Graduate Analytical Methods (CHM 5150), or Graduate Biological Chemistry (CHM 5305) respectively.
(5) Entering graduate students must pass two proficiency exams. Proficiencies are offered in organic, physical, inorganic, analytical, and biochemistry. One pass must be in either organic or physical chemistry; the other is open. The proficiency exams will be administered to incoming graduate students in the week before the fall and spring semesters. If a student fails to receive a pass in a proficiency exam, he or she must show proficiency by completing the appropriate course with a grade of “B” (3.0/4.0) or better. These courses are Graduate Organic Chemistry (CHM 5225), Graduate Physical Chemistry (CHM 5425), Graduate Analytical Methods (CHM 5150), and Graduate Biological Chemistry (CHM 5305). Students are expected to complete proficiency requirements by the end of their first semester.
(6) Graduate students must maintain a GPA of 3.0/4.0. Only courses applicable to the graduate program, excluding those for making up deficiencies or satisfying proficiencies, are counted in the GPA. If the cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 for one semester, the student will be placed on academic probation. A student who fails to raise his or her GPA to 3.0 or higher within one semester will be dismissed from the program.
(7) Full-time graduate students generally serve as Teaching Assistants (TA) in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for their first semester. Doctoral candidates must serve as a TA for at least one year except in unusual circumstances. TAs are awarded on a competitive basis, require a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, and can be continued for up to four years for PhD students who maintain acceptable academic performance. A limited number of Graduate Research Assistantships (RA) may be available.
Students in the Chemistry Education Track must meet all the PhD in Chemistry degree requirements stated above. The coursework must include:
1. A minimum of twelve credits of chemistry courses, with a minimum of nine of these credits being Chemistry core courses. Students must select an area of concentration (Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, Physical). Six credits of chemistry coursework must come from the area of concentration and six credits from outside the area of concentration.
2. At least nine credits of education research courses, including one course from each of the categories of courses listed below.
1. At least three credits of advanced methodology courses, dependent on the focus of the dissertation project. Suggested courses appear in the list below, but others can be approved of by the dissertation committee in consultation with the Graduate Program Director.
Admissions Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry (track: Forensic Science)
To be admitted into the PhD in Chemistry program with a Forensic Science track, a candidate must:
(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, forensic science or a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university approved by the Chemistry graduate committee. The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in a natural science with a least 7 semester courses (28 hours including labs) of chemistry courses including physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Any deficiencies must be completed before being fully accepted to the PhD program;
(2) Have a 3.0/4.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline;
(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to the Graduate Program Director evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work;
(4) Pass at least two proficiency exams in either analytical or biochemistry and either organic or physical chemistry – students who have not taken physical chemistry must take one semester of physical chemistry to make up the deficiency;
(5) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). A total score of 80 on the iBT TOEFL or 6.5 overall on the IELTS is required.
All admissions to the PhD in Chemistry program must be recommended by the chemistry graduate committee and signed off by the chemistry graduate program director.
Admission Requirements for the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Chemistry (track: Radiochemistry)
To be admitted into the PhD in Chemistry program with the Radiochemistry Track, a candidate must:
(1) Hold a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or a relevant discipline from an accredited college or university approved by the Chemistry Department Graduate Committee. The minimum requirement is a bachelor’s degree in a natural science with a least 7 semester courses (28 hours including labs) of chemistry courses including: physical chemistry, analytical chemistry and biochemistry. Any deficiencies must be completed before being fully accepted to the PhD program.
(2) Have a 3.0/4.0 average or higher during the last two years of the undergraduate program or a master’s degree in a relevant discipline.
(3) Arrange to have three letters of recommendation sent to the Chemistry Graduate Program Director, each evaluating the applicant’s potential for graduate work.
(4) Pass at least two proficiency exams in either analytical or biochemistry and either organic or physical chemistry.
(5) Receive approval from the Radiochemistry Graduate Committee.
(6) International graduate student applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit a score for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or for the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Minimum required scores is 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, 80 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT) or 6.5 overall on the IELTS.
(7) All admissions to the PhD in Chemistry program must be approved by the Chemistry Department Graduate Committee and signed off by the Chemistry Graduate Program Director.
IMPORTANT: This track has specific admission requirements that must be met. Please see Admissions Requirements before you pursue this track.
Students must choose either the Analytical or the Biochemistry concentration. The course of study must include twelve credits of required classes that depend on the concentration (each of the following courses is worth three credits):
Transfer of Credits and Financial Support
Students having an MS in Chemistry may transfer as many as 36 credits towards the PhD degree. However, no more than six of those credits will count toward fulfillment of the formal course work requirement. More than six credits for formal course work can be transferred only with special permission of the Graduate Committee, in which case the number of additional course work credits required will depend on the student’s performance in courses, the date courses were completed, and the area of PhD concentration.
Full-time graduate students in good academic standing are eligible for financial support. Teaching and research assistantships are available on a competitive basis. Inquiries concerning application to the program and availability of financial support should be directed to the Chemistry Graduate Program Director.
IMPORTANT: This track has specific admission requirements that must be met. Please see Admissions Requirements before you pursue this track.
The course work must include at least 21 credits of approved course work from the following three groups.
A minimum of six credits from the following list, which includes core courses:
Additional electives from the following list, or with graduate committee approval, as needed to meet the course requirement
A minimum of 75 credits of course work. A grade of “C” or higher must be obtained in all courses, and a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher must be maintained.
Satisfactory completion of cumulative examinations. The student will begin taking the cumulative examinations after completing the proficiency requirements but no later than the beginning of the student’s second semester. Seven examinations, each lasting three hours, will be given per year. The student must pass four out of ten consecutively-offered exams for admission to candidacy.
At least nine credits of chemistry core courses, including courses from at least two of the six major areas of chemistry (Analytical, Biochemistry, Environmental, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical) selected from the core courses listed below.
The following do not count toward satisfaction of this requirement: Proficiency courses and courses taken to make up for undergraduate-level deficiencies in chemistry (including CHM 5150, CHM 5225, CHM 5305, CHM 5425, and CHM 5426); and courses corresponding to research seminar, colloquium, supervised teaching, and thesis completion (CHM 6910L, CHM 6935, CHM 6936, BCH 7930, CHM 6940, CHM 6970, and CHM 6971).
Full-time graduate students, prior to reaching candidacy, are required to register for one credit of the following course listed below each semester they serve as teaching assistants.
Full-time graduate students are required to register for course or one credit of course each fall and spring semester.
At least one credit from course is required. Each student must present a seminar on their proposed research at the colloquium for a letter grade by the end of their third semester of graduate study.
At least eight credits from the course below involving independent dissertation research under the direction of a faculty member in the Department are required.
At least 15 credits of from the course below to be taken after the student has advanced to candidacy.
Students can choose to pursue the PhD in Chemistry without selecting a specific track. One of the following tracks can be chosen in order to specialize in the specific fields of study
Award of an M.S. en route to Ph.D. Individuals directly admitted into the Ph.D. program may apply to be awarded an M.S. degree in Chemistry. To be eligible students must have completed requirements of the MS in Chemistry with report option. Upon certification by the student's advisor, dissertation committee, and the departmental graduate committee that these requirements have been met the student will be eligible to receive an M.S. in Chemistry with report option.