how many years for phd in chemistry

Timeline to Degree

Ph.d. in chemistry timeline.

The time to complete the Ph.D. in Chemistry program is four to six years, with a typical student finishing in five years.

"A great thing about our program is the breadth of our research. You can explore many different areas of Chemistry." - Dean Tantillo, Professor

Take and pass four ACS Entrance Exams at the 50th percentile or better or any prescribed undergraduate courses with a grade of "B" or better.
Meet with faculty and join a research group by the end of the Fall quarter.
Take up to six graduate courses (one to three per quarter) based on your chosen research area.
Take any remaining required graduate courses.
Take your Qualifying Examination (QE) either in Winter or Spring quarter, after all coursework is completed.
Nominate your dissertation committee and Advance to Candidacy with the Office of Graduate Studies.
Present your research project to your dissertation committee and peers in a seminar , either in Winter or Spring quarter.
Continue with research, write your dissertation and file to graduate.

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Ph.D. in Chemistry

Graduate students earn a Ph.D. through independent research in collaboration with one or more faculty members . Graded coursework ensures a thorough grounding in the fundamentals of the chosen field, as well as a breadth of knowledge in the chemical sciences. The median time to complete all requirements for the Ph.D. is about five years. Students are required to pass oral examinations in their area of specialization. There are no pre-entrance or qualifying exams.

For complete details about our doctoral program, see the sections below:

Prospective Graduate Students

Current Graduate Students