The Department offers an M.S. and a Ph.D. in Chemistry. The Ph.D. is granted in recognition of breadth and depth of knowledge of the facts and theories of modern chemistry and an ability to carry out independent chemical research demonstrated through submission of an acceptable doctoral dissertation. The M.S. may be earned either through submission of an acceptable Master’s thesis (Plan I) or through an approved program of graduate course work and a comprehensive oral examination (Plan II). A Master’s degree is not a prerequisite for admission to the Ph.D. program.

Students in the Ph.D. and M.S. Plan I (Thesis) programs are required to complete a minimum of seven approved four-unit courses including six graduate-level courses. The M.S. Plan II (Non-Thesis) program requires that the student complete 10 four-unit courses including eight graduate level courses and a comprehensive oral examination. Graduate students are expected to attain grades of B or better to remain in good academic standing. The comprehensive oral examination assesses the competence of the candidate in the areas of chemistry covered by the chosen course work, with unanimous agreement among the three examination committee members required for satisfactory completion.

Progress toward the Ph.D. during the first year is assessed by a written examination administered after completion of the first year of study. This examination covers either research accomplishments during the first year or comprehensive knowledge acquired in course work. The time and content of the examination depends upon the student’s specific area of interest.

Training in teaching is an integral part of each graduate program, and all graduate degree candidates are expected to participate in the teaching program for at least four quarters during their graduate career.

Participants in the Ph.D. program take an oral examination for formal Advancement to Candidacy. This examination consists of an oral defense before a faculty committee of the student’s dissertation research project, and an original research proposition conceived, developed, and documented by the student. The committee may examine the student at this time on any subject it deems relevant to the independent pursuit of chemical research. For students in organic chemistry, the candidacy exam must be taken by the end of the sixth quarter in residence. For students in inorganic chemistry, the candidacy exam must be taken by the end of the seventh quarter in residence.

The most important component of the Ph.D. program is the doctoral dissertation, which must describe the results of original research performed by the student under the supervision of a faculty member of the Department. The criterion for acceptability of the dissertation is that its contents be of a quality suitable for publication in a scientific journal of high editorial standards. Each Ph.D. candidate is expected to present the work described in the completed dissertation in a seminar before the Department, following which the candidate will be examined on the contents of the dissertation by a committee of the faculty. A Master’s thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the M.S. under Plan I must also describe the results of a student’s original research performed under the direction of a faculty member. However, no public oral defense of the Master’s thesis is required.

Residency requirements specify a minimum of six quarters in residence at UCI for Ph.D. candidates and three quarters for M.S. candidates.

The normative time for completion of the Ph.D. is five years, and the maximum time permitted is seven years.

Master of Science in Chemistry Plan I (Thesis Plan)

Master of Science in Chemistry Plan II (Non-Thesis Plan)

Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry

Concentration in Chemical, Applied, and Materials Physics

This is an interdisciplinary program between condensed matter physics and physical chemistry, which is designed to eliminate the barrier between these two disciplines. Students with a B.S. in Physics, Chemistry, Materials Science and Engineering, or Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering are encouraged to apply to the program. The goal of the concentration in Chemical, Applied, and Materials Physics (ChAMP) is to provide students with a broad interdisciplinary education in the applied physical sciences that emphasizes modern laboratory and computational skills. The program accepts students for both the M.S. and the Ph.D. Upon admission to the program, students are assigned two faculty advisors, one from the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and one from the Department of Chemistry, to provide guidance on curriculum and career planning.

Doctor of Philosophy Requirements