Year One

Graduate Coursework

Normally, doctoral students are expected to take all available DCB graduate courses in their area of interest, which are deemed relevant to their programs, as well as courses outside their area for breadth. Approved courses in other departments are encouraged in the interest of greater breadth. It is also anticipated that it will be necessary or desirable for some students to complete 100-series (undergraduate) courses, both for added breadth and as preparation for more advanced courses. Most students take all courses in the first year, typically two 3-unit courses per quarter. It is expected that a student in the Ph.D. program will pursue a program of study providing:

1. Depth of knowledge in a technical specialty area

2. Breadth of knowledge in two or more technical areas distinct from, but supportive of, the technical specialty area.

The breadth of knowledge should involve concepts different from those of the specialty area. Students will normally demonstrate substantial satisfaction of depth and breadth requirements through the successful completion of regular coursework.

Recommended Course Planning

The recommended courses for each of the 5 areas are established by the Area Advisor at the time the student enters the program. Students will meet with the Area Advisor during New Grad Academic Training (NGAT) to plan coursework for the year. When undergraduate or remedial background courses are stipulated, some of the first year required courses may be delayed until the second year. The first year curriculum (18 units) must be completed before the Advancement to Candidacy Oral Examination, but additional or supplemental coursework may be completed after the Oral Exam. The following are some example courses by area:

• 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

Research Area and Advisor Selection

Active Exploration Requirement

• Participation in at least three (3) research groups is required before selecting a Primary Research Advisor

• A “rotation” may vary greatly from one research area to the next and is defined by the DCB as any one of the following:

  • Attendance at a minimum of 3 group meetings;

  • A multi-week lab rotation including collaboration on a project;

  • A series of interviews and lab tours with at least 3 students and/or postdocs from the same research group;

  • Or other forms of active exploration as agreed upon by the student and PI

Students are also encouraged to interview additional members of the faculty with whom they share research interests and to participate in additional research group rotations if desired. Students are not permitted to make a commitment to a particular professor prior to their second quarter and prior to completion of the interview and rotation processes. This is true even in cases where a student has worked for and been paid by a particular professor during the preceding summer.

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.

Teaching Requirement

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.

First Year Chair’s Meeting

The student’s primary advisor should provide a written statement for the Chair at least one week in advance of the meeting. This will be collected by the Staff Graduate Advisor. The student will also complete a first year meeting questionnaire to be discussed during the meeting and provide their updated resume/CV.

Establishing a Candidacy and Thesis Committee

• By the end of the first year, students should choose their thesis committee

• The student, with the advice of their Research Advisor, is responsible for proposing a committee and asking those faculty members if they are willing to serve on the committee

• Ph.D. committees require a minimum of 3 UC ladder faculty:

  • 2 faculty members (including your Chair) must be in your home department

  • At least 1 faculty member must be independent of the thesis project

• The Research Advisor (or joint advisors) may serve on the candidacy committee, but their presence is not counted in the required number of faculty members described above

• The Research Advisor will serve as Chair of the final defense and thesis/dissertation committee

• When appropriate, a member from another department may be appointed to the committee

• The student will meet with all committee members at least once a year to discuss progress, receive input and feedback, and discuss any concerns they might have

Statement of Legal Residency (SLR)

• By the end of the first year, all domestic students are expected to establish California residency

• Submit your SLR with the Office of the Registrar at this link