Department of Chemistry
A. Alan Pinkerton, Chairperson
Max O. Funk, Director of Graduate Studies
The Master's Program
The master's program in chemistry increases the professional competence of the chemist beyond the bachelor's degree. Course work, independent research and small group discussions are emphasized to achieve this goal. The Master of Science degree can be viewed as an important professional goal or as preparation for study toward the doctoral degree.
Requirements for the Master's Program
For the degree of Master of Science or Master of Science and Education, students must meet the following departmental requirements:
a.The courses presented must total at least 30 hours of graduate credit, including at least 4 hours credit in Graduate Research.
b.Registration for Research Seminar is typically required each term the student is enrolled in Graduate Research.
c.Each candidate must present a thesis.
d.Registration for Chemistry Colloquium is typically required each term, but no more than 4 hours credit may count within the required 30 hours.
e.Each candidate must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a comprehensive general oral examination in addition to the public defense of the thesis at a colloquium presentation.
f.Upon choosing a research director, an advisory committee will be appointed to supervise the research, to administer the comprehensive general oral examination, and to approve the thesis. Each student, in conjunction with the graduate adviser, the research director and the student's advisory committee, will prepare a plan of study listing the courses and other requirements for the degree. Upon approval, the plan of study becomes the list of course requirements for the degree. Students typically take six or more 6000-level courses as part of the plan of study.
The Doctoral Program
The doctoral program in chemistry is designed to ensure that the student has the basic foundation of knowledge and is equipped with the tools necessary to do independent research. The emphasis on research recognizes the power of original research to arouse the scientific curiosity of the student, to develop and stimulate creativity, and to encourage further discovery through independent study.
The doctoral program is divided into three stages for the typical student. The first stage establishes through a set of prescribed courses the foundation for further training. During this stage, a research director is chosen. During the second stage, the student will pursue research toward the dissertation, undertake comprehensive examinations, and prepare the required original research proposals. After meeting the comprehensive examination requirements the student is admitted to candidacy in the third stage of the program; this stage is devoted to research and completion of the doctoral dissertation. The department degree requirements are listed in the following section. Further details involving examinations and admission to candidacy may be obtained by consultation with the department.
Requirements for the Doctoral Program
Candidates for the Doctor of Philosophy degree are required to meet the requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences as stated in the section of this catalog entitled "Degree Requirements." In addition, the following departmental requirements must be met:
a.Each student, in conjunction with the graduate adviser, the research director and the student's advisory committee, will prepare a Doctoral Program Proposal (plan of study) listing the courses and other requirements for the degree. Upon approval, the Program Proposal becomes the list of course and other requirements for the degree. Students typically take six or more 8000-level courses as part of the plan of study.
b.Registration for Chemistry Colloquium is required each term.
c.Registration for Research Seminar is required each term the student is enrolled in Graduate Research.
d.Each student must satisfactorily complete two semesters in supervised half-time teaching.
e.After admission to candidacy, each student is required to spend a minimum of two consecutive semesters in full-time study at The University of Toledo.
f.All dissertation research must be carried out in laboratories of The University of Toledo.