Nov 12, 2024  
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog 
    
2024-2025 Graduate Catalog

Chemistry, Ph.D.


Return to: 3180 Department of Chemistry  

The Department of Chemistry offers a program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in Chemistry. The Ph.D. degree is offered with concentrations in biochemistry, organic/medicinal chemistry, biophysical/computational chemistry, and analytical chemistry. A Ph.D. is also offered in geochemistry in collaboration with the Department of Geosciences, and in nutritional sciences in collaboration with the Department of Nutrition. Please contact the Departments of Geosciences or Nutrition directly for details on the last two Ph.D. degree programs.

Additional Admission Requirements

To apply for the Ph.D. program in Chemistry, prospective students must submit the online graduate application form accessible at https://graduate.gsu.edu/how-to-apply/. The program requires:

  • A baccalaureate degree in Chemistry or a related field from an accredited college or university.
  • Undergraduate academic transcript.
  • A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 or higher for International Applicants unless exempt (See FAQs linked below for information about exemptions)
  • Written responses to five short-essay prompts that appear in the application.
  • At least three letters of recommendation from people familiar with the student’s work and background.

For more information about applying to the Ph.D. program in Chemistry, please see our FAQs page at https://chemistry.gsu.edu/graduate/faqs-for-prospective-students/.

Degree Requirements


At least 80 hours of graduate credit are required for the Ph.D. degree. To satisfy the minimum requirements for the degree, students must complete:

  1. A minimum of 30 hours of approved coursework. The details depend on the concentration, but those typically include:
    1. A minimum of 11-12 credits of core concentration courses.
    2. A minimum of 9 credits of interdisciplinary electives from approved courses related to the concentration.
    3. A minimum of 4 credits of CHEM 8800  (Seminar in Chemistry).
    4. A minimum of 6 credits of CHEM 8900 (Directed Study in Chemistry).  
  2. A minimum of 50 hours of research, at least 30 hours of which must be Dissertation Research (CHEM 9999 ).
  3. Satisfaction of the research skill requirement.**
  4. A written and an oral qualifying general examination.***
  5. Annual progress reports and committee meetings due April 15th of each year after completion of the qualifying exam.
  6. A written dissertation.
  7. A final oral examination, directed primarily to the defense of the dissertation.

*The total number of credits from courses and research must add up to at least 80 credit hours. 

** Research Skill Requirement: A course in a research skill (e.g., computer language, technical writing, advanced statistics, electronics, or other similar course taken with departmental approval) is required. Credit hours used to fulfill this requirement do not count in the 80 hours.

*** A research proposal must be submitted after completion of the written portion of the qualifying exam.

Specific requirements: The following coursework illustrates the minimum curriculum requirements for each discipline. Substitutions in the curriculum may be made based on the recommendation of the student’s research adviser and require the prior written approval of the Director of Graduate Studies and the Department Chair. Students will be expected to demonstrate knowledge of all material covered in the core or designated courses during the qualifying examination.