Each student admitted to graduate standing in Chemistry is given orientation examinations at the beginning of the first quarter. The main purpose of the orientation requirement is to help you and your advisor plan your course program. The examinations include material covered in upper division courses in physical, organic, and inorganic chemistry. All courses suggested because of deficiencies in undergraduate preparation are normally to be completed by the end of the first year. There are no orientation exams in Biochemistry: the student plans a course program in consultation with the Biochemistry Graduate Advisor.
Chemistry students are encouraged to become familiar with research activities of all faculty in your area of interest and to join a research group as soon as possible. Biochemistry students will rotate through three research groups during the Fall, Winter and Spring Quarters, with a final selection made at the end of the Spring Quarter.
If you are planning to work toward the Ph.D. degree, you should not seek a M.S. degree first, but should apply directly to the Ph.D. program. Application materials may be obtained by writing to Phyllis Jergenson, Director, Student Services, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, UCLA, Los Angeles, CA 90024.
Advising. Initial academic advising is handled by the appropriate Area Advisor. You will continue to consult each quarter with this Advisor until completion of your course requirements. During this period, you will also choose a Research Director who will supervise the dissertation research. The Graduate Study Committee reviews your progress quarterly. Notification in writing is given to students who are performing at a very high level and to those who are not making adequate progress. The Graduate Advisors, Area Advisors and the Director, Student Services are available for personal consultation.
Major Fields or Subdisciplines. Biochemistry; inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.
Foreign Language Requirement. None
Disqualification and Appeal of Disqualification. A student may be disqualified from the M.S. or Ph.D. program by action of the Graduate Study Committee or Biochemistry Faculty Committee for failure to maintain an adequate level of performance in coursework (3.0 GPA, excluding seminar courses 228, 248, 268, 278), in qualifying examinations, or in research progress. Appeal of disqualification may be made to the Department Chair.
Any questions, suggestions, or problem reports regarding this server should
go to mik@www.chem.ucla.edu.