University of Montana Catalog 2023-2024

Chemistry Ph.D. - Physical Chemistry

Doctor of Philosophy - Chemistry; Physical Chemistry Concentration

Degree Specific Credits: 60

Required Cumulative GPA: 3.0

  • The coursework that a graduate student takes is dependent upon their research area, the degree they are pursuing, and the need to cover deficiencies as determined by the proficiency exams.
  • 18 credits must be lecture-based courses, which is six courses worth 3 credits each at the 500 level; some graduate credit approved 400-level courses can be used upon recommendation of the advisory committee.
  • All graduate students will register for CHMY 630 (Departmental Seminar) every semester. Attending departmental research seminars is integral to a student’s education and allows the student a chance to learn about areas of science outside of their research area. Attendance of these seminars is mandatory unless excused by the faculty member responsible for organizing the seminar. The method of grading this class is the choice of the faculty member organizing the seminar.
  • Students must complete 18 credits in letter-graded courses. The specific courses completed must be selected in consultation with the thesis advisor and advisory committee.
  • 9 of the 18 credits must be in 500-level letter-graded Chemistry (CHMY) courses
    • 6 of these 9 Chemistry credits must be in 500-level letter-grade Chemistry courses outside the student's research specialty area as determined by the advisory committee.
  • The remaining 9 of the 18 credits may be in traditional letter-graded courses within or outside the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry when approved by the student's committee.
  • Students should plan a course of study that will allow them to complete coursework in their first four semesters of residence. Students will typically complete two graduate courses in each of their first two semesters in residence and at least one graduate course in each of the following two semesters.

Course Requirements

Core Requirements - Complete all of the following courses:
CHMY 501Teaching University Chemistry (completed the first fall semester)1
CHMY 630Seminar10
CHMY 640Introductory Graduate Seminar (completed the first fall semester)1
CHMY 650Graduate Chemistry Seminar (completed in the first two spring semesters, 1 each semester)2
CHMY 652Original Research Proposal 11
Physical Chemistry Requirements - Complete all of the following courses:
CHMY 420Chemoinformatics3
CHMY 562Organic Structure and Mechanisms3
CHMY 568Organometallic Chemistry3
Electives9
Complete 9 credits of graduate-level courses chosen in cosultation with your advisor.
Research/Dissertation - Complete 27 credits of the following courses:27
Research
Dissertation
Total Hours60

Minimum Required Grade: C 

1

Completed fall semester following completion of 2 credits in CHMY 650