Students should discuss course schedules with their advisors during the first year and with their supervisory committee in subsequent years. The Master’s degree requires 30 credit hours including a minimum of 15 coursework credits (including seminar). For the Ph.D. degree, students entering with a BS need 60 credits including a minimum of 15 coursework credits (excluding seminar). Students entering with a Master's degree need 30 credits. The remaining credits will be primarily in research (CHEM 6970 or CHEM 7970). Other courses may also be required as the student discusses the Program of Study with their Supervisory Committee. Students should check the graduate catalog for residence and other requirements. The maximum load for a student doing half-time teaching or research (a Teaching Assistant or a Research Assistant) is 12 credits per semester; normal student registration is 6-7 credits per semester. Continuous registration is required until completion of the degree program.
Students in the chemistry program can choose to specialize in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry. To qualify as a Ph.D. candidate, students must complete a minimum of 15 (MSPh.D.) or 30 (BS-Ph.D.) credits of graduate courses at level 6000 and above. Of the 15 or 30 credits, 6 must be from courses outside the student’s chosen area of specialization. These may include courses outside the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.
Each division (analytical, inorganic, organic and physical) has established a list of core courses for students specializing in that area:
Analytical Chemistry
CHEM 6020 Molecular Spectroscopy (3 credits)
CHEM 7640 Analytical Special Topics: Chromatography (1 credit)
CHEM 7640 Analytical Special Topics: Mass Spectrometry (1 credit)
CHEM 7640 Analytical Special Topics: Practical GC/MS (1 credit)
Inorganic Chemistry
CHEM 6500 Reactivity and Mechanisms in Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
CHEM 6510 Chemical Applications of Group Theory (1 Credit)
CHEM 7310 Molecular Structure and Spectroscopy (3 credits)
Organic Chemistry
CHEM 6300 Advanced Modern Organic Chemistry (Physical Organic) (3 credits)
CHEM 7300 Reactions and Synthesis in Modern Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
CHEM 7310 Molecular Structure/Spectroscopy (3 credits)
Physical Chemistry
CHEM 6010 Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
CHEM 6020 Molecular Spectroscopy (3 credits)
Students entering with prior graduate coursework may petition to have equivalent courses at USU waived, possibly without substitution by other courses. This decision will be made in consultation with the student’s committee or with faculty within the student’s division. Adequate documentation of equivalency, and possibly demonstration of competence will be required.