Ph.D. Requirements
Attainment Examinations
For Students Entering Fall 2004–2006
By the end of the third semester, entering graduate students must pass an attainment requirement in each of three areas of chemistry: Organic, Inorganic, and Physical. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure sufficient background for graduate coursework and further research. Students may meet this requirement by either:
Students may meet this requirement by either:
- Passing an attainment examination in each area, or
- Passing a graduate course in the area deemed appropriate by the Graduate Program Committee with a grade of at least a B.
Normally, all students will take attainment examinations upon arrival in the department for the purpose of guiding advising on courses. Based on the results of the exam, the choice among the options above is determined by the Graduate Program Committee after consultation with the student and advisor (if one has been selected). Note that if a student does not have sufficient background to enter a graduate course in a given area, he/she will need to take (or audit) undergraduate coursework approved by the Graduate Program Committee and then either retake and pass the attainment exam in that area or pass an appropriate graduate course by the end of the third semester in residence.
Expectations and Outcomes
Students may retake the attainment exam when it is administered to new students in January and/or the following August. Failure to pass the attainment requirements by the end of the third semester will lead to probation. Failure to meet this requirement by the end of the second year will lead to a delay in completing the research progress report and/or termination from the program. Attainment requirements must be satisfied before a student may complete the research progress report requirement.
For Students Entering Fall 2007
By the end of the third semester, entering graduate students must pass an attainment requirement in each of three areas of chemistry: Organic, Inorganic, and Physical. The purpose of this requirement is to ensure sufficient background for graduate coursework and further research.
Expectations
Students may meet this requirement by either:
- Passing an attainment examination in each area, or
- Passing graduate course work in the area, typically 12 units, as deemed appropriate by the Graduate Program Committee with a grade of at least a B in each course.
Normally, all students will take attainment examinations upon arrival in the department for the purpose of guiding advising on courses. Based on the results of the exam, the choice among the options above is determined by the Graduate Program Committee after consultation with the student and advisor (if one has been selected). Note that if a student does not have sufficient background to enter a graduate course in a given area, he/she will need to take (or audit) undergraduate coursework approved by the Graduate Program Committee, and then either retake and pass the attainment exam in that area or pass appropriate graduate course work by the end of the third semester in residence. Attainment requirements must be satisfied before a student may complete the research progress report requirement.
Outcomes
Students may retake the attainment exam when it is administered to new students in January and/or the following August. Failure to pass the attainment requirements by the end of the third semester will lead to probation. Failure to meet this requirement by the end of the second year will lead to a delay in completing the research progress report and is grounds for termination from the program.