Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry

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Program Link:
https://chem.wsu.edu/
Program Handbook:
https://chem.wsu.edu/documents/2023/10/graduate-handbook.pdf/
Student Learning Outcomes:
https://chem.wsu.edu/earning-a-ph-d/
Total Graduate Faculty in Program:
17
Graduate Students in Program:
49
Students Receiving Assistantships:
49
Priority Deadlines:

  • Fall December 12 Priority deadline
  • Spring not accepting applications

Campus:

  • Pullman

International Student English Proficiency Exams

International students may need to surpass the Graduate School’s minimum English language proficiency exam scores for this program. If the graduate program has unique score requirements, they will be detailed below. Otherwise, please refer to the Graduate School’s minimum score guidelines.

  • 80 TOEFL : 17 Listening, 20 Speaking
  • 7 IELTS
  • 125 Duolingo : Further testing required to meet the spoken English requirement for Teaching Assistants who are not native speakers of English.

Additional Degree Program Admission Requirements

  • GRE Optional

Degree Description:

The Department of Chemistry offers courses of study leading to a Ph.D. degree with opportunities for research in seven fields: analytical, environmental, radiochemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic, organic and bioorganic, and physical chemistry. The low student-to-faculty ratio assures students of individual guidance, yet the total size of the department provides excellent facilities for research, including the latest instrumentation.

The program of study for graduate students in the chemistry department provides a good balance between formal course work and research experience. In addition to the normal core classes, first-year graduate students also take a seminar course which provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of current research in chemistry within the department. With this exposure, students are typically comfortable selecting a research advisor by the end of their first semester. Individual divisions also have a weekly seminar program in which graduate students participate, gaining experience in presenting and discussing their own research.

The written PhD thesis is the capstone of your graduate career and will describe a significant body of original scientific research. The adequacy of this work will be judged by your research advisor and committee members as well as the entire graduate faculty. Most successful PhD candidates are already the first author on several papers by the time they reach this stage of their career. Though there is no set number of publications required for completion of the PhD, a typical thesis will be the equivalent of at least two journal articles, with additional introductory material and experimental detail.

Admission Requirements:

  1. Transcripts from each post-secondary school attended (photocopies are acceptable for initial application review, official transcripts are required for official admission to WSU)
  2. Names and email addresses of three people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you
  3. GRE Scores-General Test Optional.
  4. International Students (English Proficiency Requirements) minimum TOEFL 80, IELTS 7, Duolingo 125 (self-reported/photocopies are acceptable for the initial application, official scores are required for official admission to WSU)
  5. A personal statement describing your motivations for graduate study towards a Ph.D., include research and faculty interests.  Please include a description of any previous jobs and research experience, if applicable.  Finally, include where you see yourself after earning a Ph.D.
  6. Curriculum Vitae/Resume (preferred/optional)

Student Opportunities:

Divisional seminars within the department, participation in regional and national meetings, and internships with national labs.

Career Opportunities:

Some of our alumni are heads of international corporations and faculty members in Chemistry Departments around the country.

Career Placements:

Many of our graduates find post-doc positions, teaching positions, industry positions, and national lab positions.

Contact Information: