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Dept. of Chemistry & Biochemistry
224 Neckers Hall
Southern Illinois University
Carbondale, IL 62901
Phone: 618-453-5721
Fax: 618-453-6408
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2006 GRADUATE CATALOG
Programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Science degrees may be undertaken in the general areas of analytical, materials, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.
The doctoral degree in chemistry is a research degree. To be awarded this degree, the student must demonstrate, to the satisfaction of the graduate committee, the ability to conduct original and independent research within some area of chemistry and must, in fact, make an original contribution to the science. The master’s degree also requires a research project, but with less emphasis on originality and independence.
Admission
Each student must have a baccalaureate degree in one of the sciences, mathematics, or engineering to be considered for admission to an advanced degree program. An undergraduate major in chemistry, with the following courses, is desirable:
- One year of organic chemistry (lecture and laboratory).
One year of calculus-based physical chemistry (lecture and laboratory).
- One year of analytical chemistry including instrumental analysis.
Students with deficiencies in any area may be admitted, but such deficiencies may restrict the research areas available to the student and lead to requirements for additional courses during graduate study.
Prospective students are encouraged to contact faculty in areas of the students’ research interest.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general and chemistry test scores.
Foreign students whose native language is not English will be required to obtain at least 550 paper score, 220 computer score, on the Test for English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).A non-refundable application fee of $40.00 must be submitted with the application. Attach your check or money order, payable to Southern Illinois University, to the top of the application form. Do not send cash. Only checks or money orders payable to United States banks will be accepted.Placement Examinations. During the week before the beginning of classes, each admitted student is given four written examinations (ACS standard or equivalent examination) in the four divisions of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, physical (biochemistry might be taken in lieu of one of the above). The results of these examinations are used to place the student in appropriate courses and to advise the student regarding any deficiencies to be corrected. Every student is required to earn at least three passes in these four exams (a passing grade is set at 50th percentile according to the ACS standard tests) as part of their satisfactory progress in the program. Students admitted into the doctoral program who fail to earn three passes at the first try can take remedial courses in each failed subject and earn a grade of “A” which will be counted as a passing grade. Alternatively, these students can retake the exams in the failed subjects within the first year and pass them in up to two more tries. At the end of the first year, students in the doctoral program are expected to accumulate at least three passes in these examinations; and students who fail to do so will be transferred to the master’s program. For students admitted into the Master’s program, it is required that they take a remedial course in the failed subject. Therefore, we strongly encourage and expect beginning students to review the appropriate undergraduate material before taking these examinations. Introduction to Research Techniques. All graduate students must register for CHEM 592, Introduction to Research, during the first fall semester in residence. Minimum Registration. All students admitted to the department will register for a minimum of 9 credit hours every semester in residence except during the first semester, summer sessions, and while registered for CHEM 601 only. In the first semester, the students must register for a minimum of 6 credit-hours, and in every summer session, a minimum of 3 credit-hours. Registration for less than this requirement is not considered satisfactory progress toward a degree. Formal Course Work Requirement. Each student must complete the courses specified by the student’s graduate committee in the program of study.
The minimum course requirement for Master’s students follows the “2+1” format. All master’s students must take for credit at least two courses (six semester hours) within the student’s major field and at least one (three semester hours) from outside the major field. Typically 500-level courses are required to meet this requirement (Chemistry 479, Chemistry 451 and certain 400-level courses outside the department may also be eligible). Chemistry 594, special readings, cannot be used to meet this requirement. A student’s graduate committee may increase any of these departmental course requirements.
The minimum course requirement for doctoral students follows the “2+2” format. All doctoral students must take for credit at least two courses (six semester hours) within the student’s major field and at least two courses (six semester hours) from outside the major field. Typically 500-level courses are required to meet this requirement (Chemistry 479, Chemistry 451 and certain 400-level courses outside the department may also be eligible). Chemistry 594, special readings, cannot be used to meet this six hour requirement. Courses taken while in the master’s program may be applied to these department course requirements. A student’s graduate committee may increase these course requirements.
For a student working in a cross-divisional area, the committee will design an appropriate program of study in consultation with the Graduate Advisor and the faculty of the divisions involved.
Students in the doctoral program must present 3 departmental seminars for credit (CHEM 595). These include one based on a literature review, the second on the topic of an original research proposal, and the final seminar on the student’s own research. Only the last 2 seminars are required of students entering the doctoral program with a recognized master’s degree. Students in the master’s program must present 1 departmental seminar for credit.
All students must take 1 hour of CHEM 597, Professional Training, each semester in residence. Research Director and Graduate Committee Selection. Each student must select a research director and graduate committee preferably during the first semester, but no later than the end of the second semester in residence. The stu-dent must obtain a selection form provided by the graduate adviser and must interview at least 4 faculty members before selecting a research director and graduate committee. For a master’s candidate, the committee shall consist of the research director (chair), at least 1 member of the major division other than the research director, and at least 1 member outside the major division. For a Ph.D. candidate, the committee is identical except that at least 1 member outside the department is included. The chair of the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, if not otherwise appointed, is an ex-officio member of every graduate committee. A division may increase this requirement.
Graduate Committee Functions. The functions of the graduate committee are listed below.
- To plan and approve the student’s program of study.
To review the student’s progress in courses and suggest and approve changes in the program of study.
To evaluate the student’s progress in research and to make appropriate recommendations.
To determine whether a student may continue toward a degree. If continuation is denied, the committee must notify in writing the department chair of the reasons for this denial.
To read and evaluate the student’s thesis or dissertation.
- To conduct required oral examinations.
As soon as possible after being appointed, the committee will meet to plan the student’s program. At this time the progress and program form is completed and filed with the graduate adviser. The committee may require preparation of a master’s thesis even if directly pursuing a Ph.D. degree has been previously approved by the faculty.
Research Tools. The department requires specific research tools, which may differ among divisions. A student’s graduate committee, taking into account the student’s background and the needs of the research area, may require that the student acquire one or more research tools (e.g., foreign language, computer programming, statistics, and so on). Any research tool requirement must be completed before scheduling the preliminary oral examination for doctoral degree students or the final oral examination for master’s degree students. Assistantship Support. Continuation of assistantship support is contingent upon the student making satisfactory progress toward a degree. In addition, continuation of teaching assistantship support depends upon satisfactory performance of assigned duties. The Graduate School has established time limits for financial support. First Year Evaluation. The faculty, meeting as a committee of the whole, will review the progress of all graduate students at the end of their first year in residence.For students in doctoral program thefaculty can:
- recommend continuation in the doctoral program.
recommend transfer to a terminal master’s degree program.
- request that the Graduate School terminate the student from the program (giving cause).
For students in the master’s program the faculty can:
- recommend petitioning the Graduate School to allow entry to the doctoral program (accelerated entry option). Such petition can be made any time after one semester in residence.
recommend continuation in the master’s program with the option to petition the Graduate School to grant a master’s degree equivalency. When granted, this allows the student to apply for entrance to the doctoral pro-gram without writing and defending a thesis.
recommend continuation in the master’s program with option to petition to enter the doctoral program after completion of a master’s thesis.
recommend continuation in a terminal master’s program.
- request that the Graduate School terminate the student from the program (giving cause).
Preliminary Examination for the Ph.D. Degree.
Each student in the doctoral program must pass a preliminary examination before being advanced to candidacy. The written portion of the preliminary examination is given cumulatively with 10 examinations scheduled each calendar year. The student must pass 4 examinations in no more than 10 consecutive trials. Students must begin cumulative examinations at the start of their second calendar year or immediately on admission to the doctoral program if one calendar year has already been completed in the master’s program. After the student completes the cumulative examinations, the preparation and defense of an original research proposal will serve as the oral portion of the preliminary examination.
Summary of Ph.D. Degree Requirements. Each student must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. These requirements are:
- to fulfill the divisional course requirements.
to earn at least 32 semester hours in research and dissertation (CHEM 598 and 600). At least 24 of these hours must be in CHEM 600.
to attend weekly seminars and earn 2 semester hours of CHEM 595 beyond the master’s degree requirement by presenting departmental seminars.
to maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average.
to complete a course of study as determined by the graduate committee.
to satisfy any research tool requirement established by the student’s graduate committee.
to pass a series of cumulative examinations which shall serve as the written portion of the preliminary examination.
to prepare and defend an original research proposal which shall serve as the oral portion of the preliminary examination.
to complete a research project and to prepare a dissertation acceptable to the student’s graduate committee and the Graduate School.
- to schedule and pass a final oral examination (defense of dissertation).
Summary of Master’s Degree Requirements. Each student must fulfill the requirements of both the Graduate School and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry. These requirements are:
- to fulfill the divisional course requirements.
to earn at least 30 semester hours at the 400/500 level, at least 15 of which are at the 500 level. At least 21 of the 30 hours must be graded A, B, or C.
to attend weekly seminars and earn 1 semester hour of CHEM 595 by presenting a departmental seminar.
to earn at least 8 semester hours in research and thesis (CHEM 596, 598, and 599). At least 3 of these hours must be CHEM 599.
to maintain at least a 3.00 grade point average.
to satisfy any research tool requirement established by the student’s graduate committee.
to prepare and present a thesis on the research carried out.
- to schedule and pass a final oral examination.
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