Table of Contents
(1) Research Area and Advisor Selection
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In order to remain in good academic standing, students are required to formally join a research group by the end of their second quarter (by submitting the Advisor Selection Form to the Staff Graduate Program Advisor), but not sooner than December 1st of their first year. |
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The choice of research advisor is one of the most important decisions made in graduate school. Students are strongly encouraged to take the time to consider this decision carefully in order to make the best choices for themselves. Student choices made too soon, with inadequate information, or from a feeling of obligation may negatively impact the student's graduate career. Thus, students should consider all options and make an informed decision that is mutually agreed upon by both student and research advisor. While important, the choice of research advisor is not an absolute commitment. If the original choice is not ultimately the perfect match, students are permitted to switch groups. However, this can cause a student's time to degree to be significantly delayed and this situation should be avoided when possible. Students intending to switch groups must complete the petition process, but are not required to complete additional rotations or interviews.
(2) Graduate Coursework
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18.0 units of core academic units with a letter grade of B or better, in each course, is required and a cumulative grade point average of 3.0 must be maintained. |
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Students meet with their Faculty Area Advisor during New Grad Training to plan course selection
Biochemistry Area: CHEM 226, CHEM 234, CHEM 241-256, CHEM 259, CHEM 261, CHEM 262AB, CHEM 281, and selected BMSE courses
Inorganic Area: CHEM 268AB and CHEM 270-279
Materials Area: CHEM 240, CHEM 265, CHEM 274, CHEM 282ABC, CHEM 285, and selected CHEM and MATRL courses chosen in consultation with the Area Advisor
Organic Area: CHEM 224, CHEM 226-233, CHEM 239, CHEM 240, CHEM 258, and CHEM 263
Students are also expected to participate in CHEM 223 regularly, though it does not apply toward the 18 required units
Physical Area: CHEM 217-222, CHEM 225, and selected CHEM courses chosen in consultation with the Area Advisor
(3) Teaching Requirement
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Students are required to teach a minimum of 3 quarters, but no more than 9 quarters total, during their stay in the graduate program. |
Most students teach all of the first year and, on average, 4-6 quarters total. Students are required to enroll in CHEM 501ABC or 502ABC, as appropriate, during each term in which they are employed as Teaching Assistants. Exposure to teaching is valued as an essential skill to be gained in graduate school. Refer to this section for additional details on Teaching Assistant positions.
(4) Annual Thesis Committee Meetings
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Students are required to establish the thesis committee no later than the end of the first year (see here for details). The student will meet with all thesis committee members collectively at least once per year to discuss and reflect on progress and future plans in the program, receive input and feedback, and present any concerns or potential issues that you may have. Submit your Annual Thesis Committee Meeting Signature Page to the Staff Graduate Advisor once completed. |
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The committee should remain the same unless there is a need to change members. Changes to the committee require the approval of the Department Chair. At least 3 of the 4 faculty committee members (including the PI) must be present, though additional faculty members can be present if desired. The PI will be excused at the mid-point of the meeting and discussion will continue amongst the student and remaining committee members. The student must submit a written progress report (approximately 2 pages in length) and current CV to the committee for review at least one week in advance. Be prepared to present your work, discuss potential issues, and receive feedback from the committee. The student is required to submit the signature form, progress report, CV, and faculty comments to the Staff Graduate Program Advisor (all components must be submitted for the requirement to be considered complete). The signature and comments of the PI are also required (refer to the Primary Research Advisor section of the signature form).
(5) Original Research Proposal
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Completion of an original research proposal by the end of fall quarter of your second year is required as follows: |
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Students who are eligible for the NSF fellowship should follow the NSF graduate fellowship guidelines and format. Submission of the application to NSF is required by the fall deadline of Year 2.
Students who are not eligible for the NSF fellowship should identify another graduate fellowship for which they are eligible, subject to approval by the Area Advisor. Timely submission to the relevant program is required.
When no suitable substitute program is available (as confirmed by the area advisor), the student will follow the NSF format and submit the proposal for evaluation to the area advisor by the NSF deadline.
(6) Seminar Requirement
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A letter grade of B or better must be achieved in CHEM 290, which requires delivery of a seminar related to your group’s research. |
This requirement must be completed before taking the Advancement to Candidacy Oral Exam.
(7) Advancement to Candidacy Exam
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The Candidacy Examination is comprised of oral and written components based primarily on the student's dissertation research field and is administered by the student's Candidacy Committee, formally established with the approval of the Graduate Division. The examination should be taken by the end of the sixth quarter, normally the spring quarter of the second year and all students must complete the exam no later than the end of the summer quarter following the second year. If the exam is failed, the student will have one opportunity to repeat. |
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The Candidacy Committee reports the results of the examination to the Staff Graduate Program Advisor, who will forward the required forms to the Graduate Division. When the oral examination is passed, the student must pay the $50 advancement to candidacy fee charged to their BARC account. The student is advanced to candidacy effective the first quarter following the exam in which the student is registered (students completing the exam in the fall will be advanced for winter, students taking the exam in the winter will be advanced for spring, etc.).
(8) Dissertation
The dissertation is written on a subject chosen by the candidate that is related to an area of study in the DCB. It must be of such nature as to enable the student to demonstrate their ability to carry out independent investigation and study. In a public presentation, the candidate will defend the dissertation before the Dissertation Committee approves it.
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The department requires a digital copy of your dissertation with an original signature (or copy), which should be dropped off in the Staff Graduate Program Advisor’s office (either digital or hard copies of the signature page are acceptable). Additional copies for yourself, your lab, and/or your advisor may be ordered directly from the UC Bindery here.
(9) Final Oral Examination
For the Defense of the Dissertation, the candidate must defend his or her work before the Dissertation Committee and give a one-hour public seminar presentation. The public presentation is considered part of the Examination. The Committee will meet with the student after the Examination to discuss any areas that need revision or additional work.
The dissertation must have preliminary approval of all members of the Ph.D. Committee before the final oral presentation is scheduled. The student must advertise the defense. At least two weeks in advance of the defense date, the student should email the Staff Graduate Program Advisor to request an announcement be forwarded to all members of the Department and to verify that all forms are in order. The student must provide the following information: Date, Time, and Location of the defense, any changes to the dissertation committee, the title of the dissertation, and an abstract of the dissertation. The student is responsible for ensuring that the Dissertation Committee Chair retrieves the applicable paperwork from the Staff Advisor’s office before the defense and returns it immediately following the defense.
After the final defense, the Dissertation Committee Chair reports the results of the defense to the Staff Graduate Program Advisor via a Form III, which is then forwarded to the Graduate Division. The student should also submit the Departmental Exit Survey to the Staff Graduate Program Advisor, complete employment separation paperwork with the Payroll and Personnel Analyst, and return all department keys, and consult the Graduate Division for additional final steps.