Chemistry Ph.D. Candidates in each area of specialization should normally complete as a minimum the coursework indicated below. Some of these requirements can be met on the basis of orientation examinations and courses taken prior to entry into the graduate program. If your projected research falls in an area which differs appreciably from that anticipated by the field requirements listed below, you may be permitted appropriate modifications.
Inorganic Chemistry: (1) Required background material: Chemistry 173; (2) 174, 275, 276A, B; (3) two courses selected from 207, 271A-Z, 279, 280, 281, 213B, 215A,B,D, 223A, 232, 236, 241A-Z, 242, 243A,B, 244A,B, 245, 246, 153C, or other graduate courses with the approval of the Area Advisor; (4) 278.
Organic Chemistry. (1) Required background material: Chemistry 132 A,B,C, 136; (2) 243A, 244A; (3) 243B or 244B; one additional course from physical chemistry (213B, 245) or inorganic chemistry (173, 174, 275, 276A) or biochemistry (153C); (5) two courses from 207, 232, 236, 241A-Z, 242, 245, 246, 281; (6) 248
Physical Chemistry (1) Required background material: Chemistry 110A, 110B, 113A; (2) courses 215A, 215B, 223A, 223B or equivalent; (3) course 228 each term; (4) one term of course 218 (for presentation of research); (5) two courses (for letter grade credit) from 215C, 215D, 223C, 225; (6) two courses (with S/U grading option) from 215C, 215D, 221A-F, 223C, 225, 243A, 276A, 277, Physics 105, 110A, 110B, 131, 132, 140, or upper division mathematics courses (subject to approval). Substitutions may be made with consent of the physical chemistry area advisor.
Biochemistry Ph.D.: Candidates should normally complete as a minimum the coursework indicated below. Some of these requirements may be met on the basis of courses taken prior to entry into the graduate program with consent of the Graduate Advisor. Required coursework must be completed prior to advancement to candidacy. (1) Required background material: 1 year organic chemistry, 1 course in physical chemistry or biophysical chemistry, 1 year of biochemistry, some coursework in the life sciences and some biochemistry laboratory experience. Deficiencies in background may be made up after admission; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry M253 and M267 (12 units); (3) additional upper division or graduate courses to total 24 units (including units from (2) above), of which 18 units must be completed in the first year. These courses should be chosen in consultation with the Biochemistry Graduate or Ph.D. advisor; (4) 258 during the first 4 quarters; (5) 268 during the first 3 quarters; (6) 3 laboratory rotations (Chemistry and Biochemistry 596) during the 1st year.
Written Qualifying Examinations
Chemistry Ph.D. Written Examinations: Rather than a single comprehensive examination, the Department gives all Chemistry Ph.D. candidates a series of written tests called cumulative examinations. These are designed to encourage and test the continued growth of professional competency through coursework, study of the literature, departmental seminars, and informal discussions with colleagues.
Three examinations are given per quarter at approximately monthly intervals. If you enter directly into the Ph.D. program and perform satisfactorily on the orientation examination in your special area, you may begin writing the examinations immediately. You must begin by the start of your second quarter of residence and must continue until you have passed five. To remain in good standing, you should pass at least one of the first six examinations attempted and three out of nine. Fifteen attempts will normally be the maximum.
Biochemistry Ph.D. Written Examinations: The written examination requirement is coupled to the graduate student seminar, Chemistry 258. Beginning with the Winter Quarter of the first year, each quarter you will be required to submit written reports based on the seminar course to the instructor and other designated faculty members. Students must receive a passing grade on these three reports prior to taking the oral qualifying examination.
Minimum Progress At the end of the first and second year, your overall progress will be evaluated by the Graduate Study Committee or Biochemistry Faculty Committee, taking into account performance in courses, written examinations, and research. The committee may recommend that you (1) proceed to the oral examination, (2) be redirected to the M.S. program, or (3) be terminated.
The Doctoral Committee. A doctoral committee, appointed with the approval of the Graduate Division, will conduct the oral qualifying examination. This committee must consist of not fewer than four members (five for Biochemistry): at least one member must be from a department other than Chemistry and Biochemistry. Two members must hold tenure rank. At the end of a successful examination, the chair and members of the committee, in consultation with the student, shall determine which of its members will guide, read, approve and certify the dissertation. A minimum of two members from the Department and one outside member must act in this capacity. A decision is also made as to whether a final oral examination will be required.
Oral Qualifying Examination. This examination is based on your research proposal which should represent independent work and should offer the doctoral committee the opportunity to judge your ability to think creatively and to formulate significant ideas for research. The oral qualifying examination is to be attempted during the sixth quarter of residence by all Biochemistry students and by Chemistry students completing the written qualifying exams by the end of the first year. All others must take the oral exam by the end of the seventh quarter. Failure to comply with this time schedule may result in disqualification from the Ph.D program unless permission has been given by the Area Advisor. The committee's decision to advance you to candidacy, to allow you to repeat the oral, or to disqualify you will be based on the quality of the written proposal, the adequacy of the oral presentation, your overall record at UCLA as reflected in coursework and examinations, and your research ability and productivity.
Advancement to Candidacy. When a satisfactory report on the completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations has been submitted, you will be eligible for formal advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D.
Candidate in Philosophy Degree. In conjunction with advancement to candidacy you may request award of the Candidate in Philosophy degree.
Dissertation. You are required to prepare a dissertation thesis based on independent, original research conducted under the supervision of your research advisor and doctoral committee.
Final Oral Examination. The final oral examination is optional with the doctoral committee.
Teaching Experience One year of teaching experience is required.
Time-to-Degree. From admission to completion of written qualifying examinations; 3-6 academic quarters (1-2 calendar years).
From admission to advancement to candidacy: 6-7 academic quarters (2-2 1/3 calendar years).
From admission to award of degree: 12-18 academic quarters (4-5-6 calendar years).