Students must complete 30 credits of graduate course work, of which
at least 18 must be lecture credits. Credit may also be obtained by
conducting research and by writing a thesis. Up to 9 graduate credits
may be transferred from other institutions, if approved by the program
director. Graduate courses offered outside the program may be taken for
graduate credit, but only if approved by the graduate faculty.
1. Research Credit. Up to 6 credits may be taken in the research courses 56:160:619,620.
2. Thesis/Nonthesis.
Up to 6 credits may be taken in preparing a research thesis
(56:160:701,702). Students not doing a thesis must prepare a short
written introduction to some problem of current research interest in
chemistry and present a 30- to 45-minute departmental seminar on the
topic (1 credit). The seminar will be followed by a comprehensive final
examination.
3. Faculty Adviser and Committee.
All students are urged to find a faculty adviser (by mutual consent)
before the start of their second terms, usually one who specializes in
their areas of interest. Two other individuals will be appointed to
form the student`s committee. The committee oversees the selection of a
research project, judges the acceptability of the thesis or essay, and
conducts the final examination.
4. Research or Library Project Initiation.
When a student is ready to begin research or a library project, an
outline of the proposed topic is given to the graduate faculty for
approval.
5. Completed Thesis. The thesis must
be approved by the director of the student`s research committee and
then accepted by the other committee members. It is the student`s
responsibility to check with the Office of Graduate Studies in Camden
to obtain information concerning the final thesis form, number of
copies required, and deadlines.
6. Teaching Assistants. All
teaching assistants are required to take at least 6 graduate credits
(other than their teaching assistantship) each term. Teaching
assistants get 6 E-credits (56:160:877) per term. Teaching
assistantships are limited to two years duration.
7. Research Seminar. All
full-time students must take the research seminar course
(56:160:601,602) whenever offered. Part-time students also are
encouraged to take this seminar. Up to 2 credits may be taken in the
seminar course.
8. Independent Study Credits. Independent
study credits are not counted as lecture-course credits unless special
permission has been granted by the graduate faculty.
Final Examination (Thesis Defense)
All students are required to pass a final oral examination, conducted
by their committee. This exam is at least one hour in length and begins
with a presentation (open to the public and possibly scheduled as a
research seminar) of her or his thesis or essay.
An
application for admission to candidacy must be filed early in the term
in which the final examination is to be administered. Application forms
are available from the director of the graduate program in chemistry.
The examination must be completed in accordance with the schedule
established by the Office of Graduate Studies in Camden and the
chemistry program. In the event of an unfavorable decision, the
examination may be repeated twice.
