Introduction to the Graduate Program in Chemistry |
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The Chemistry Department currently offers graduate programs leading to either the M.S. or Ph.D. in analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. In recent years about eight students per year have received the Ph.D. The size of the student body makes for close faculty-student contacts and an informal, stimulating atmosphere.
The educational philosophy of the Department allows for considerable flexibility in a student's graduate program. Thus, a student may take courses in fields outside the Department, such as biochemistry, pharmacology, physics, mathematics, environmental science, and other science areas in a program tailored to the individual student's interests and needs.
In the Chemistry Department, courses are offered in inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, physical inorganic chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry, and polymer chemistry.
Upon arriving in Burlington in the fall, new graduate students in Chemistry take examinations in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry in order to place students properly in the graduate curriculum. The exams are nationally standardized by the American Chemical Society and national norms are used. Appropriate course work and didactic opportunities are in place to strengthen any student weakness that may appear from the exams.
Students generally take two or three semesters of formal course work and the normal course load per semester during this period is approximately six to nine semester hours. A departmental requirement for doctoral students is three semester hours of advanced work in each of three of the five major areas of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. Courses outside the department are allowable and often desirable in interdisciplinary areas, e.g. pharmacology, medicinal chemistry, solid state chemistry, chemical physics, etc.
Early in the fall semester our faculty present a series of short talks which describe their research interests. New graduate students attend these talks and then discuss specific research interests with individual faculty members. After this process, students normally make a decision regarding their research direction and specific advisor around the end of November of the first year.
Cumulative examinations are given periodically on subjects in the student's major area. These examinations are designed to ensure familiarity with the student's general area. The content of these exams varies depending on the area of specialization, but generally requires a knowledge of basic principles and current literature. After passing a required number of these exams (the number varies by area), the requirement is met. The usually happens before the end of the third year of study.
Students apply directly to the Graduate College using the on-line application process for admission to our graduate program in chemistry.
For further information send an e-mail to Rory Waterman, Graduate Admissions Chair, or call Anna Lavallee (802 656-2594) in the chemistry office.
Students who may have questions or would like guidance before making a formal application, may pre-apply at no cost directly to the Department of Chemistry. We will respond quickly to your query about the feasibility of admission into our program.
Applications are reviewed as they are received.
Students that have submitted applications by February 1, 2010 will receive priority consideration into the graduate program in Chemistry, and those that have been accepted will be invited to visit the Department in the spring.
Any potential or admitted applicant is welcome to visit anytime during the year, but please contact the Graduate Admissions Chair prior to let us know when you plan to visit.
All full-time graduate students in the Department receive financial aid in the form of teaching or research fellowships. Financial assistance is tendered to a student before enrolling at the University of Vermont and can be expected to continue throughout his or her graduate career provided the student's progress continues to be satisfactory. The usual types of financial aid are listed below:
Teaching Fellowships: These fellowships provide a stipend and full tuition remission and are the most usual form of fellowship support offered to entering graduate students. Although teaching fellow appointments are made for the period of the academic year only, the Department provides each teaching fellow with summer support from research grant funds or other resources of the Department.
Research Fellowships: Graduate research fellowships or assistantships are normally awarded to second, third, or fourth year graduate students only. These research appointments provide for the payment of tuition and for a stipend equivalent to that received by a teaching fellow. Appointment is on a calendar rather than academic year basis. Exceptionally well-qualified students are nominated by the department for national fellowships, such as those provided by the National Science Foundation.
