Current Graduate Students

PhD Program Requirements

For Program Requirements, please visit Graduate Division’s website for the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry and the Doctor of Philosophy in Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology.

Cumulative Examinations  – (Chemistry PhD Program Only – Not Required for BMSB Program) Cumulative exams are used to test knowledge in a given division of Chemistry.  In order to qualify to give your oral examination and advance to PhD candidacy, you must pass your cumulative (or more commonly called cume) exams.

Nomination of Doctoral Committee – Prior to scheduling the oral examination, students must submit their nomination of doctoral committee form to the Graduate Student Affairs Office. Chemistry forms can be found here; and Biochemistry, Molecular and Structural Biology (BMSB) forms can be found here.  If you have questions regarding your committee, please refer your questions to chemgrad@chem.ucla.edu.

Oral Examinations – It is recommended that you advise the Graduate Student Affairs Office of the date/time of your oral examination at least two weeks prior to your exam.  Please fill out the form and return it to 4009 Young Hall. Your committee will need to sign an Oral Examination form on the date of your exam.  Once you have notified the Graduate Student Affairs Office about your scheduled oral examination, your student file and additional paperwork will be delivered to your committee prior to the exam date. Failure to notify the Graduate Student Affairs Office in a timely manner will delay the processing of your paperwork.

Advancement to Candidacy (ATC) – Once a student has successfully passed their oral examination, an advancement to candidacy for doctoral degree fee of $90 will be charged to their BAR account.

Final Oral Exam (Defense of the Dissertation) – Chemistry: Not required, but up to the committee’s discretion. Biochemistry: A final thesis seminar presentation is required prior to filing the thesis. Students must advise the Graduate Student Affairs Office of the scheduled date of their final oral examination so that the appropriate paperwork can be sent to the doctoral committee.  Please send an email to chemgrad@chem.ucla.edu with your name, date of exam, and room number.

Department Resources

Travel Awards – The department provides travel funding for students attending or presenting at an academic workshop or conference.  The forms can be found here.  For questions regarding the paperwork, please contact the Graduate Student Affairs Office.

• Chemistry Seminars
• Chemistry Events

Campus Resources

• Graduate Student Resource Center– The UCLA Graduate Student Resource Center is a Graduate Students Association initiative that is managed by Student Affairs. The GSRC is a resource, referral and information center for graduate students, offering programs and workshops on a variety of topics, drop-in advice and assistance, meeting and study space, and the opportunity for social interaction. 

• Graduate Writing Center  – The Graduate Writing Center (GWC) offers a variety of workshops and programs that are focused on graduate students’ needs.

• Graduate Students Association – The Graduate Students Association (GSA) is the student-led government at UCLA. 

• Graduate Division Forms

• Library Resources for Chemists and Biochemists

Additional Resources:

Graduate Division

Registrar’s Office

UCLA Schedule of Classes