Chemistry PhD Program Detailed Degree Requirements

Program Overview

PhD Course Requirements in Chemistry


Program Overview – Doctoral Degree

Advising

Initial academic advising is handled by the appropriate faculty area advisor. Students continue to consult with this advisor each quarter until completion of their course requirements. During this period, students also choose a research director to supervise the dissertation research. The Graduate Study Committee, consisting of the faculty and staff graduate advisors and faculty area advisors, reviews each student’s progress quarterly. The faculty graduate advisor, faculty area advisors, and Director of Graduate Student Services are available for personal consultation.

Minimum Progress. At the end of the first and second year, the overall progress of each student is evaluated by the Graduate Study Committee, taking into account performance in courses, written examinations, teaching, and research. The committee may recommend that students (1) proceed to the oral examination, (2) be redirected to the M.S. program, or (3) be terminated.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Inorganic, organic, physical, materials, biophysics, analytical/instrumentation, or theory/computation.

Teaching Experience

One year (or three quarters) of teaching experience is required. Students who serve as teaching assistants must enroll in and receive a grade of S for Chemistry and Biochemistry 375 for each quarter they teach in order to continue teaching.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass University written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations the University oral qualifying examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to University requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All Ph.D. candidates in Chemistry take a series of written tests called cumulative examinations. These are designed to encourage and evaluate 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. Students must begin writing the examinations in their second quarter of residence and must continue until they have passed four examinations. A maximum of twelve attempts are allowed. To remain in good standing, students must pass at least one of the first five examinations attempted. Students with a master’s degree from a U.S. university are required to pass three examinations out of nine attempts.

The University Oral Qualifying Examination consists of an original research proposal in an area distinct from the student’s dissertation research and done without assistance from the research adviser. The proposal is presented orally to the committee, and the committee questions the candidate on the proposal, general knowledge of the area, and dissertation research progress. The proposal represents independent work and offers the doctoral committee the opportunity to judge the student’s ability to think creatively and to formulate significant ideas for research.

All students are required to take the University Oral Qualifying Examination by June 30 of their second year. The committee’s decision to advance a student to candidacy, to allow the student to repeat all or part of the oral, or to disqualify the student, is based on the student’s overall record at UCLA as reflected in coursework and examinations, and the student’s research ability and productivity.

Chemistry PhD Oral Exam Information 2019-20 Chemistry PhD Oral Examination Information Sheet

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Capstone Plan

In exceptional cases, a comprehensive examination is administered in lieu of a thesis. This written examination is administered and graded by a faculty committee selected by the faculty graduate adviser and is graded pass or fail. For students who fail, recommendation for or against a second examination is made by the faculty graduate adviser.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student’s ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required for all students in the program. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

The following are normal times to complete the requirements of the program:
From admission to completion of written qualifying examinations (see above for definition/description of these for each major): three to five academic quarters (one to one and two-thirds calendar years).

From admission to advancement to candidacy: six academic quarters (two calendar years).

From admission to award of degree: 12 to 18 academic quarters (four to six calendar years).Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy and Special Departmental or Program Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3.00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon the recommendation of their department. University guidelines governing termination of graduate students, including the appeal procedure, are outlined in Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA. A student may be recommended for termination by the Graduate Study Committee. A student may appeal a recommendation for termination to the departmental chair.

PhD Course Requirements in Chemistry

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 the projected research falls in an area which differs appreciably from that anticipated by the field requirements listed below, students may be permitted appropriate modifications.

Organic

(1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 30A, 30B, 30BL, 30C, 30CL, 136, and satisfactory performance on the organic chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 236, C243A, 244A; (3) three courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry 207, 232, 236 through 241Z, 242, C243B, 244B, C245, C281 or other courses with approval of the organic chemistry area adviser; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 248 (every quarter); (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 209 (one quarter) and 249B (three quarters).

Inorganic

(1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry C172 or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the inorganic chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 207, C275, C276A,and C280; (3) one elective course from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry M205, C213B, C215B, 215D, C223A, 232, 236, 241A through 241Z, 242, C243A, C243B, 244A, 244B, C245, 271, C273, C274, 277, or other graduate courses with the approval of the inorganic chemistry area adviser. If the C274 requirement is waived, two electives should be selected from this list; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 278 and one quarter of Chemistry and Biochemistry 282; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400.

Physical

(1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B, 113A, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A-C215B, C223A-C223B, or equivalent; (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228 each quarter; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 218 (one quarter). Substitutions may be made with consent of the physical chemistry area adviser; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400.

Materials and Nanoscience

(1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B and 113A,

or

172,

or

136, or their equivalents, and satisfactory performance on the physical, inorganic, or organic chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C280 and C285; (3) one from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A, C223A, C276, 244A; (4) one from: Chemistry and Biochemistry C215B, C223B, 236, C243A, C275, 276B; (5) one from: Chemistry and Biochemistry C240, C281, 277, or any other class from the preceding two groups; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228,

or

248, or 278, every quarter; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400.

Analytical

(1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B  and 113A, or 172, or 136, or their equivalents, and satisfactory performance on the analytical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C243A and 244A, or C215A and C223A , or 207 and C276A, or C279 and CM205A; (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry C285 or 257; (4) 8 units from: Chemistry and Biochemistry C208, 236, C240, 266, 276B, Biomedical Engineering CM204, C231, M225, M248, or other engineering or medical school graduate level courses approved by the area advisor; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228, or 247, or 278, every quarter; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400.

Biophysics

Track A

: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B and 113A or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A, and C223 A, B; (3) 8 units from: Chemistry and Biochemistry M230B, 257, 269A, B, C, Physics 220, Physics 241A, B, C; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228 or 268, every quarter; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400.

Track B: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 153A and 153B or its equivalent; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 269A, B, C, M230B or 257, C200 or CM260A, and one quarter of 258; (3) 8 units of additional graduate courses from: Chemistry and Biochemistry M230B, 257, M230D, CM260, Physics 220, and Chemistry and Biochemistry C223A, B; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 268 or 228, every quarter; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400; (6) 3 lab rotations.

Theoretical

(1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B and 113A or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A, B, C223A, B, and C226A,

or

C215A, C223A, and either C215B or C223B and 2 courses from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry C245, C215C, C226A, CM260A, 269A, 269B, C276A; (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228, every quarter.

Chemical Biology

Students must be registered for at least 12 units every Fall, Winter, and Spring quarter of every year that they are enrolled.

Course Requirements:

(1) Students entering the program should have a broad undergraduate training in chemistry covering general, organic, and biochemistry course work. Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 30A, 30B, 30BL, 30C, 30CL, 110A, 153A, 153B, 153C.

(2) Two courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry 205A, 269A, and 269C

(3) Choice of 244A or 243A

(4) Three courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry 240, 243A, 243B, 244A, 244B, C264, 266, 269B, 269D, 269E, C279, C281, or other courses with approval of the chemical biology area advisor. The same units cannot be used to satisfy the (3) course requirement.

(5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 205B, 206 (Fall, Winter, and Spring of first year), 203B or 250, and 400.

(6) One department seminar course each quarter (choice of 247 or 268)

(7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 209

(8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249B in winter and spring of the first year

(9) Two optional laboratory rotations; one can be taken in the summer.

(10) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in fall of year 2.

(11) Suggested Core Courses– Biomaterials Focus: Fall: 269A, 269C Winter: 243A Spring: 205A

(Electives as so desired); Suggested Core Courses – Synthetic Focus: Fall: 269A, 269C, 244A

Spring: 205A (Electives as so desired); Suggested Core Courses – Biochemistry Focus:

Fall: 269A, B, C, D, E Winter: 243A Spring: 205A (Electives as so desired).

  1. Chem 375 each quarter you TA. Enroll under course instructor. 4 units for a 50% appointment.
  2. Chem 495
  3. Chem 596 or 599 each quarter you are working in a lab. Enroll under lab faculty member. Enroll in Chem 596 until you advance to candidacy for your doctoral degree. Once you advance, enroll in 599.

For course descriptions, visit UCLA’s Course Catalog:
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Academics/Course-Descriptions/Course-Details?SA=CHEM&funsel=3

Recommended Schedule for Chemical Biology:

Fall Quarter, FIRST YEAR

Course Grade Type
Chem 206: Chemistry of Biology Seminar S/U
Chem 209: Introductory to Chemistry Research S/U
Options to satisfy (4) requirement:

Chem 244A: Organic Synthesis: Methodology and Stereochemistry (suggested for Synthetic focus)

Chem 269B: Biocatalysis and Bioenergetics (suggested for Biochemistry focus)

Chem 269D: Mechanism and Regulation of Gene Expression (suggested for Biochemistry focus)

Chem 269E: Biomolecular Structure, Catalysis, and Regulation (suggested for Biochemistry focus)

 Letter
Chem 247 or 268: Group Seminar Letter
Chem C250: Research Integrity in Cellular Biology, Molecular Biology, and Biochemistry Research (or 203B Spring quarter)
Chem 269A: Protein Structure Letter
Chem 269C: Nucleic Acid Structure and Catalysis Letter
Chem 244A: Organic Synthesis: Methodology and Stereochemistry (or 243A Winter quarter) Letter
Chem 375: Teaching Apprentice Practicum (only students who are TAing) S/U
Chem 495: Teaching Seminar S/U
Chem 596: Directed Individual Study or Research (only students who are working in a lab) S/U

Winter Quarter, FIRST YEAR

Course Grade Type
Chem 206: Chemistry of Biology Seminar S/U
Chem 243A: Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry (if you didn’t take 244A in Fall) Letter
Chem 247 or 268: Group Seminar Letter
Chem 249B: Methods of Chemical Synthesis: Organic/Inorganic/Organometallic S/U
Options to satisfy (4) requirement:

Chem 243A: Structure and Mechanism in Organic Chemistry (suggested for Biomaterials and Biochemistry focus)

Chem 244B: Strategy and Design in Organic Synthesis

 Letter
Chem M205B: Issues on Chemistry/Biology Interface S/U
Chem 375: Teaching Apprentice Practicum (only students who are TAing) S/U
Chem 400: Safety in Chemical and Biochemical Research S/U
Chem 596: Directed Individual Study or Research (only students who are working in a lab) S/U

Spring Quarter, FIRST YEAR

Course Grade Type
Chem 203B: Ethics in Chemical Research (if you didn’t take Chem C250 in Fall) S/U
Chem CM205A: Introduction to Chemistry of Biology Letter
Chem 206: Chemistry of Biology Seminar S/U
Chem 247 or 268: Group Seminar Letter
Options to satisfy (4) requirement:

Chem C240: Bionanotechnology

Chem C243B: Organic Chemistry: Mechanism and Structure

Chem C264: Free Radicals in Biology and Medicine

Chem 266: Proteomics and Protein Mass Spectrometry

 Letter
Chem 249B: Methods of Chemical Synthesis: Organic/Inorganic/Organometallic S/U
Chem 375: Teaching Apprentice Practicum (only students who are TAing) S/U
Chem 596: Directed Individual Study or Research (only students who are working in a lab) S/U

Future Quarters

Course Grade Type
Chem 210: Proposal Writing Course (Fall of 2nd Year) S/U
Chem 247 or 268: Seminar (each quarter) S/U
Options to satisfy (4) requirement (taken year 2):

Chem 279: Biological Inorganic Chemistry

Chem 281: Polymer Chemistry

 Letter
Chem 375: Teaching Apprentice Practicum (taken each quarter you TA) S/U
Chem 596/599: Directed Individual Study or Research (each quarter) S/U