Study in chemical physics leads to the Master of Science (M.S.) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degrees. Admission to this interdisciplinary program is open to students with either a chemistry or physics undergraduate degree and to exceptional individuals with other, related experience.
When you first arrive at the University, you are assigned a temporary faculty adviser. With your adviser, you begin planning course work to meet your specific needs and interests. The curriculum consists of a blend of courses offered by the chemistry and physics departments. In the second or third quarter of your first year of graduate student, you will most likely choose a permanent thesis adviser. At the end of your first year of study, you will take an exam designed to measure your readiness to carry out independent research. After passing this exam, you proceed directly to the Ph.D. program, or in some cases, complete an M.S. degree first. You are officially admitted to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree by writing and defending your own research proposal, usually after one full year of research experience. Presentation and defense of the Ph.D. dissertation complete the degree program.
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