This page offers some background on the differences between each division in the Chemistry department. You can find more details in the Graduate Handbook.
The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry Graduate Program has divisions in:
Biochemistry Division
(Pages 2-3 in Handbook)
First year students typically take Advanced Genetics in the fall term and Advanced Biochemistry in the winter term. The Scientific Reasoning course is taken in the second year fall term. The first meeting with the thesis committee occurs in late fall or early winter term also in the second year. The committee approves advancement based on an evaluation of the student's progress developing their project and in their research. The student and advisor provide input to the committee (see section “Review of Progress & Additional Requirements”) after completion of the proposal-writing segment of the "Scientific Reasoning” course. The precise timing of the meeting—i.e. whether it occurs at the end of the fall term or in the winter term—is at the discretion of the student and their advisor. Advancement can be deferred until another thesis committee meeting if the committee or advisor deems that additional project development or research progress is needed.
Students must register for a minimum of nine (9) graduate hours per term up to sixteen (16) maximum while maintaining a GPA of 3.0 or greater. A student’s advising committee may recommend or require additional courses be taken before graduation.
Organic and Inorganic Materials Division
(Pages 3-4 in Handbook)
Students must register for a minimum of nine (9) graduate hours per term up to sixteen (16), maximum. The programs of first-year students will be worked out in consultation with faculty members at the time of entering the graduate program. The student, following discussions of degree and research objectives with the research supervisor, should select subsequent coursework. A student’s advising committee may recommend or require specific courses to be included.
First-year students typically take two graduate level Chemistry courses plus additional hours to meet the minimum of nine (9) credit hours. In addition, students must complete at least six (6) graded graduate courses (3 or 4 credits each) at the 500 or 600 level. At least four courses must be in Chemistry; two may be in an obviously related field.
Reading and Independent Study Courses (e.g. CH 605) may qualify as one or more of the required six courses with approval by the student’s committee, and if the courses are taken for a grade at a load of at least 4 credits.
At least 18 credit hours are required in Dissertation (CH 603) for the PhD degree. Credit for Research and Thesis is recorded on a P/NP basis. During the term the thesis is defended, the student must be registered for at least 3 hours of CH 603. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all graduate courses taken during the degree program. Students must be registered for at least 3 credit hours during the term in which they are advanced to candidacy.
Physical Chemistry Division
(Pages 5-7 in Handbook)
Students must register for a minimum of nine (9) graduate hours per term up to sixteen (16), maximum. The programs of first-year students will be worked out in consultation with faculty members at the time of entering the graduate program. The subsequent program of coursework should be selected by the student following discussions of degree and research objectives with the research supervisor. A student’s advising committee may recommend or require specific courses to be included.
First-year students typically take two graduate level Chemistry courses plus additional hours to meet the minimum of (9) nine required per term. In addition, students must complete at least six (6) graded graduate courses (3 or 4 credits each) at the 500 or 600 level. At least four courses must be in Chemistry; two may be in an obviously related field.
Reading and Independent Study Courses (e.g. CH 605) may qualify as one or more of the required six courses with approval by the student’s committee, and if the courses are taken for a grade at a load of at least 4 credits.
At least 18 credit hours are required in Dissertation (CH 603) for the Ph.D. degree. Credit for Research and Thesis is recorded on a P/NP basis. During the term the thesis is defended, the student must be registered for at least 3 hours of CH 603. Graduate students must maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.00 in all graduate courses taken during the degree program.
Apply to our Graduate Program
Interested in applying? Contact our Graduate Program Manager, Helen Durany, by email or at 541-346-4416.
Ready to apply? Start your application on GradWeb, the centralized application portal for graduate admissions at the University of Oregon.