Oct 31, 2024

2016-2017 Graduate Catalog

2016-2017 Graduate Catalog ARCHIVED CATALOG: CONTENT MAY NOT BE CURRENT. USE THE DROP DOWN ABOVE TO ACCESS THE CURRENT CATALOG.

Doctor of Philosophy - Chemistry

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Plan Description

The Ph.D. degree in chemistry is primarily a research-based program that includes sufficient advanced course work to provide a strong background from which students may pursue forefront research, under the direct guidance of a faculty member, in their chosen areas of interest. The program is designed to develop the professional skills required to function as an independent researcher in chemistry.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

For preferential consideration, please submit materials for Fall semester admission by February 1, and for Spring semester, by October 1.

The applicant is required to submit a completed Graduate College application, application fee and official transcripts to the Graduate College with copies submitted to the department.
Admission to the Ph.D. degree program in Chemistry requires a B.S. degree or a M.S. degree in Biochemistry, Chemistry, Biology, or a related discipline.
A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.00, on a 4.0 scale, for all undergraduate or graduate work is required for admission to the program.
In addition, the Graduate College application and official transcripts, the Department of Chemistry requires a statement of interest from the applicant. A letter of application should state interests and goals for graduate study. This is a 1-2 page essay describing the applicant’s reasons for considering graduate study, goals after completion of the graduate degree, and the applicant’s specific areas of interest.
The Department of Chemistry requires three letters of recommendation from persons familiar with the academic record of the applicant. Each letter should detail the potential of the applicant for advanced graduate work in Chemistry or Biochemistry.
The Department of Chemistry requires scores for GRE, General Record Exam, for admission.
All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

See Subplan Requirements below.

Subplan 1: Post-Bachelor’s Track
Subplan 2: Post-Master’s Track

Subplan 1 Requirements: Post-Bachelor’s Track

Total Credits Required: 60

Course Requirements

Graduate Seminar Course – Credits: 5

CHEM 691 - Graduate Seminar in Chemistry

A minimum of 3 presentations are required.

Coursework Elective Courses – Credits: Minimum of 12

A minimum of 12 credits of advisor-approved coursework electives. These courses may include but are not limited to:

CHEM 710 - Environmental Aquatic Chemistry

CHEM 715 - Environmental Organic Chemistry

CHEM 725 - Advanced Organic Chemistry

CHEM 726 - Organic Synthesis

CHEM 735 - Advanced Physical Chemistry

CHEM 745 - Instrumental Analysis-Inorganic

CHEM 749 - Polymer Chemistry

CHEM 750 - Quality Assurance and Statistics

CHEM 770 - Protein Chemistry

CHEM 771 - Metabolism and Energetics

CHEM 772 - Nucleic Acid Chemistry

CHEM 773 - Physical Biochemistry

CHEM 775 - Bioanalytical Environmental Toxicology

CHEM 783 - Spectral Interpretation

CHEM 793 - Special Topics

Research Elective Courses – Credits: 31

Complete 31 credits of advisor-approved research electives. These courses may include but are not limited to:

CHEM 792 - Research Seminar

CHEM 795 - Independent Study

CHEM 796 - Dissertation Prospectus

CHEM 797 - Directed Research

Dissertation – Credits: 12

CHEM 799 - Dissertation

Degree Requirements

Doctoral students in Chemistry are required to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours beyond the baccalaureate.
All students are required to maintain a minimum a 3.00 grade point average in all graduate-level courses. Two grades of B- are permitted in the degree program as long as the GPA remains at or above 3.00. One grade of C+ or lower will result in academic probation even if the overall GPA is above 3.0. Two grades of C+ or lower will result in automatic suspension or separation from the program.
All students must meet with their advisory committee on a yearly basis, and all students must complete an annual evaluation form.
A dissertation advisor must be chosen by the end of the first semester, and the Doctoral Advisory Committee must be appointed prior to the end of the second semester. An approved graduate degree program must be filed prior to the beginning of the third semester of enrollment. All students must meet these deadlines; failure to do so will result in academic probation. Failure of a student on academic probation to meet these requirements within the next semester could result in separation from the pr m.
The Doctoral Advisory Committee must consist of the faculty advisor (chair), chemistry graduate faculty in the discipline of study, one additional chemistry graduate faculty member, and one graduate-college representative from outside the department. Failure to identify an advisor and form this committee will result in the student being placed on academic probation. The use of committee members external to UNLV is allowed with approval from the examination committee. External members without graduate faculty status at UNLV will be non-voting members of the Ph.D. examination committee.
All students are required to schedule an interview with the advisor either before or during the first semester of study. If the student does not select an advisor, the Graduate Coordinator will assign a temporary advisor. The purpose of the initial interview is to develop a plan of course work for the first year.
All students are required to schedule a diagnostic interview with the Doctoral Advisory Committee before the end of the 2nd semester. The purpose of the interview is to develop a list of recommended courses and design the student’s degree program, which must be submitted prior to completing 16 credits of course work toward the degree.
All students must prepare a dissertation proposal for a Proposal Defense Examination. The student should register for the Dissertation Prospectus course. This examination must be completed prior to the end of the fourth semester. To remain in good standing students are required to develop and defend a dissertation prospectus no later than the fourth semester of enrollment. If a student does not defend a dissertation prospectus they will be placed on academic probation. The Proposal Defense Examination focuses on the dissertation proposal and the student’s ability to perform the research. It includes a formal oral presentation of the student’s dissertation proposal, research to date, and questions by the dissertation advisory committee on the dissertation topic. The Proposal Defense Examination is to be taken prior to the Comprehensive Examination.
Advancement to Candidacy. Students will advance to candidacy if the Comprehensive Examination is passed and the enrolled coursework is successfully completed based on the evaluation of the students Doctoral Advisory Committee. The comprehensive exam will consist of written and oral components as defined by the Ph.D. Examination Committee. Satisfactory performance on the Comprehensive Examination requires that Ph.D. students have a basic knowledge of the discipline of study. It also requires the student to follow the guidelines established for each discipline (i.e., Biochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry and Organic Chemistry). The student’s Doctoral Advisory Committee or the faculty from the discipline of study will determine the format and content of both the written and oral exams.
The Ph.D. Examination Committee will determine if the student passes the Comprehensive Examination. If a student fails any part of the Comprehensive Examination, the Ph.D Examination Committee will determine if the student is allowed to retake the portion of the comprehensive exam that is not passed.
1. Students who fail to pass any part of the Comprehensive Examination or Proposal Defense on the first attempt must successfully complete a second attempt (as specified by the Ph.D. Examination Committee) within the next six months to remain in the program.
2. Failure to advance to candidacy by the end of the sixth semester of enrollment will result in the student being placed on academic probation. Failure to advance to candidacy by the end of the seventh semester will result in the student being separated from the program.
3. Students who enter the program with a baccalaureate degree and who fail the second examination may be allowed to continue as a Master of Science student with the consent of the Doctoral Advisory Committee.
4. A student who has successfully passed both the Proposal Defense and Comprehensive Examinations will advance to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree.
5. After advancement, subsequent years of study will be required for the graduate student to complete their degree. The duration of this period will depend on the success of the research project as defined by the Doctoral Advisory Committee.
6. Completed coursework will only be counted towards the graduation requirements of this program for eight years if the student completed a baccalaureate degree. It is recommended that students publish at least one research-based manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal prior to graduation.
7. Satisfactory performance on the final examination will consist of the presentation and defense of the dissertation research. The defense will consist of an oral presentation open to the public, a short period of questions from the public, a closed session of questions from the Doctoral Advisory Committee, and a closed deliberation and vote by just the Doctoral Advisory Committee members. Any graduate faculty member may attend the closed session of questions of the defense.
It is expected that each student be a teaching assistant for a minimum of two courses prior to graduation. It is also expected that each student publish research-based manuscripts in peer-reviewed journals.

Graduation Requirements

See Plan Degree Requirements below.

Subplan 2 Requirements: Post-Master’s Track

Total Credits Required: 30