Graduate Chemistry Program

Master of Science Program

General Information
The Chemistry Department offers graduate programs in analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and polymer chemistry. The department also encourages interdisciplinary activities. Faculty members are active participants in the environmental engineering and science and biomedical science and engineering programs; others work with physicists and biologists in areas such as atmospheric science, biochemistry, and biophysical chemistry.

The chemistry faculty wants graduate students to understand the purpose of, and need for, fundamental research while working on problems of practical interest and application to the challenges facing mankind in the modern world. Areas of research include the use of digital electronic methods to analyze trace constituents of air and water, a study of the molecules of living systems, the effects of toxic chemicals and carcinogens, synthesis and characterization of compounds of medicinal and industrial interest, methods for studying macromolecules, and characterization of transients species using lasers.

The Chemistry Department strives to maintain a community of research scholars (faculty, postdoctoral fellows, and graduate, and undergraduate students) that is large enough to provide a variety of experiences within chemistry, yet small enough to give each student individual attention. Both full-time and part-time study are available.

For admission to graduate study, the department requires a B.S. in chemistry or the equivalent. This requirement applies to full-time and part-time students working toward either the M.S. or the Ph.D. degree. All entering M.S. and Ph.D. students are required to take a series of two-hour exam in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry to help assess their preparation for graduate work in chemistry. The scores obtained on these exams are used as a basis for course selection.

The M.S. degree is awarded after satisfactory completion of a minimum of 45 credit hours in chemistry and related fields, at least 30 credits of which must be taken at Drexel. Both thesis and non-thesis options are available.

Course Requirements
The Course requirements for both thesis and non-thesis options are one complete sequence in the major area of interest; one of the sequence courses from each of analytical, organic, polymer and inorganic chemistry; and two courses in physical chemistry. The remaining credits may be chosen from graduate courses within the department or from other departments offering courses related to the student's major areas.

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Doctoral Program

The Ph.D. degree is awarded in any of five main areas of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, or polymer chemistry. The degree recipient must demonstrate scholastic breadth in chemistry and contribute significantly to scientific advancement in a chosen major area. Requirements of the program include coursework, candidacy examinations, a chemical information retrieval or technical writing course, and successful completion or a publishable Ph.D. thesis.

Course Requirements
Ninety credits of graduate-level work must be completed for the Ph.D. degree. The Chemistry Department requires 30 credits of coursework in chemistry (outlined above in the Course Requirements section of the M.S. program). The balance can be made up to more advanced special topics courses and research credits.

Candidacy Requirements
To become a candidate for the Ph.D. in chemistry at Drexel, a student must pass a prescribed set of cumulative examinations and present and successfully defend a research proposal in an area not directly related to his or her Ph.D. thesis research.

Cumulative Examinations
Written examinations designed to test a student's background in his or her major area are given monthly during the academic year and occasionally during the summer at the discretion of the faculty. Students should begin taking these examinations after having completed three courses in the major area (usually the main sequence courses). Full-time students normally begin taking these examinations in the fall term of their second year.

The Cumulative Exam Schedule for the 2004-2005 academic year can be found here.

Research Proposal
The research proposal is an attempt to confront the student early on with problem of defining and evaluating a worthwhile research program. The examination at which the research proposal is defended is held no later than 90 days after notification of a student's completion of the cumulative examination requirement. A written proposal is submitted to the committee no later than two weeks before the examination. A passing grade on this examination admits the student to Ph.D. candidacy.

Thesis
A Ph.D. thesis-the heart of the Ph.D. degree-must be written, accepted by the research supervisor, presented to Ph.D. Thesis Examining Committee, and defended orally. It is the responsibility of the student, not the research supervisor, to submit an acceptable thesis.

For More Information...

To request more information about our graduate program, please fill out the Graduate Info Request Form here.

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