Graduate Bulletin

Chemistry, Ph.D.

COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall: February 15 [December 15 for international applicants]

Spring: September 15  [August 1 for international applicants]

Semi-rolling: The initial selection date for fall admission is February 15, with a final review on March 30. The initial selection date for spring admission is September 15, with a final review of October 30.

Letters of Reference:

Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letter of recommendation should come from faculty or industry people who are familiar with the academic and/or research aptitude of the candidate.

Coursework Required for Admission Consideration:

The vast majority of applicants have or will receive an undergraduate degree in Chemistry or a related field.

Master's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

No.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline:

Yes. Chemistry or  related field

Statement of Goals:

The Statement of Goals should include the following elements: your specific interest in Temple's program; your research goals; your future career goals; and your academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:

If the student's GPA is below 3.25, they can be considered for appointment as a TA if their percentile scores on the Verbal and Quantitative portions of the GRE sum to at least 100%.

For international applicants, the minimum TOEFL score or range of scores to be accepted:  575 on the paper-based test or 230 on the computer-based test.  Regadless of their score, all applicants are required to take a SPEAK test upon arrival at Temple.

Resume:

A resume is required.

Other:

Research papers with the candidate as a co-author or any other material associated with the research aptitude of the candidate are also recommended.

Program Requirements

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Full-Time/Part-Time Status:

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m.

General Program Requirements:

Number of Didactic Credits Required Beyond the Master's: 18

Required Courses:

Depending upon the track, 6 graduate courses are required. 3 of these courses must be in the student's area of concentration. Students must earn a total of 18 semester hours. of coursework, with at least 3 courses in their major track.

Internship: No internship is required.

Language Examination: No language examination is required.

Additional Requirements:

A preliminary examination, the passing of 6 cumulative examinations, the presentation and defense of an original research proposal, and the presentation of one departmental seminar on a literature topic are additional reqiurements. The student should complete their preliminary exam within 42 months of matriculation.

Culminating Events:

Preliminary Examination:

The preliminary examinations, including the passing of 6 cumulative examinations, involves the presentation and defense of an original research proposal, as well as the presentation of one departmental seminar on a literature topic. Students are evaluated on their mastery of the material under review. The student should complete their preliminary examinations within 42 months of matriculation.

Cumulative examinations (a major part of the preliminary examinations) are written by the graduate faculty and are given 3 times a semester in each of the different degree tracks. Cumulative examinations are given on a regular schedule. It is up to the student to schedule their original research proposal. Each cumulative examination is evaluated by at least two graduate faculty members.

Dissertation:

Dissertation Advising Committee Information. The Dissertation Advising Committee is formed to oversee the student's doctoral research and is comprised of at least three Graduate Faculty members. Two members, including the Chair, must be from the Chemistry Department. Committee compositions must be approved by the department's graduate committee. The Chair is responsible for overseeing and guiding the student's progress, coordinating the responses of the Committee members, and informing the student of his or her academic progress.

Dissertation Examining Committee Information. The Dissertation Examining Committee evaluates the student's dissertation and oral defense. This committee is comprised of the Doctoral Advising Committee and at least one additional Graduate Faculty member from outside the Chemistry Department. The Outside Examiner should be identified no later than the beginning of the semester in which the student will defend the dissertation.

Advisor/Committee Information. If a student needs to change a member of a Committee, the new member must be approved by the department's graduate committee and registered with the Graduate Secretary and the Graduate School.

Dissertation/Monograph Philosophy. The Doctoral Dissertation is an original study that makes a significant contribution to the field of chemistry. It should expand the existing knowledge and demonstrate the student's knowledge of both research methods and a mastery of his or her primary area of interest. Dissertations should be rigorously investigated, uphold the ethics and standard of the field of chemistry, demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the primary area of interest and the broader field of chemistry, and be prepared for publication in a professional journal.

Philosophy of the Proposal. The dissertation proposal should contain a description of the research that the student will pursue for their Ph.D. The student must consult with their research advisor for guidance prior to writing this document. It is understood in writing this document that a general experience in research will help evolve new chemistry as a consequence of observations made during the course of an ongoing research problem. This document needs to be approved within 42 months of matriculation.

Criterion for Passing the Dissertation and the Defense. The Committee will evaluate the student's ability to express verbally his or her research question, methodological approach, primary findings, and implications. The Committee will vote to pass or fail the dissertation and the defense.

Dissertation Defense Scheduling. Students who are preparing to defend their dissertation should confirm a time and date with their Dissertation Advisory Committee and register with the Graduate Secretary at least 15 days before the defense is to be scheduled. The Graduate Secretary will arrange the time, date, and room within two working days, and forward to the student the appropriate forms.

Announcing the Dissertation Defense. After the Graduate Secretary has arranged the time, date, and room, for the defense, the student must send to the Graduate School (501 Carnell Hall) a completed "Announcement of Dissertation Defense" form at least 10 days before the defense. The Department will post fliers announcing the defense.

Contacts

Program Contact Information:

www.chem.temple.edu

Department Information:

Dept. of Chemistry
201 Beury Hall

1901 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
chemgrad@temple.edu
215-204-7118

Department Contacts:

Admissions:

Graduate Secretary

chemgrad@temple.edu
215-204-1980

Program Coordinator:

Dr. Scott Sieburth
sieburth@temple.edu
215-204-7916

Graduate Chairperson:

Dr. Scott Sieburth
sieburth@temple.edu
215-204-7916

Chairperson:

Dr. Robert Levis
rjlevis@temple.edu
215-204-5241

About the Program

The chemistry graduate program has been designed to provide a solid background in the area of specialization and emphasize the acquisition of skills which will enable students to obtain further knowledge as required in their research, and later, in their professional careers. For this reason, the graduate degree programs are research oriented, and seminar attendance and familiarization with the chemical literature are considered important aspects of the program. The course requirements are comparatively light although a wide variety of intermediate and advanced courses in related areas are offered. Students are encouraged to take courses in related areas, such as physics, biology and computer science, according to their research interests.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 7 years

Campus Location:

Main Campus

Students are required to complete the degree program through classes offered before and after 4:30 p.m. Students are able to complete the degree program on a part-time basis (8 credit hours or less per semester).

Department Information:

Dept. of Chemistry
201 Beury Hall

1901 N. 13th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19122
chemgrad@temple.edu
215-204-7118

Ranking:

Not applicable.

Accreditation:

Not applicable.

Areas of Specialization:

The Department of Chemistry offers programs leading to the Ph.D. and M.A. degrees in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry.  Areas of specialization include medicinal, nanoscience, photonics, surface science, environmental chemistry, materials and polymers.

Job Placement:

The majority of students find employment in the chemical industry. A lesser fraction go on to academic positions as well as government laboratories.

Affiliation(s):

Not applicable.

Interdisciplinary Study:

A Chemical Physics program is offered jointly with the Physics Department.

Study Abroad:

No.

Licensure:

Not applicable.

Non-Degree Student Policy:

Non-matriculated students are allowed to take up to 9 credit hours before being admitted into the degree program.

Financing Opportunities

Teaching Assistants (TA): The duties of the TA will typically involve the leading of recitation sections and/or overseeing laboratories. The TA, in general, is also involved with the grading of lab assignments, tests, and quizzes, when applicable.

Research Assistants (RA):  Most students are supported by research assistantships after their first year.

Other Financial Opportunities