PhD in Chemistry

The PhD in Chemistry consists of 90 credit hours beyond a bachelor's degree. These credits are taken through coursework, seminars and project work to fulfill all PhD requirements.

Requirements include the following:

1. A minimum of 90 credit hours, including no less than 24 credit hours of coursework, a six credit-hour seminar and a maximum of 30 transferred credit hours from a Master of Science degree (B grade or better) applied toward PhD degree requirements.
2. A minimum of three academic years of full-time graduate study or the equivalent in part-time study.
3. Satisfactory completion of the PhD candidacy procedure within two years of full-time study after admission to the PhD program or, for part-time students, before completing 66 credit hours. If the comprehensive examination is failed twice, the student is required to leave the program.
4. A written dissertation must be submitted by each candidate and defended orally as part of the final examination. For the final oral examination, a committee is selected by the faculty advisor and approved by the department chair and dean of the respective school. The committee consists of a minimum of five members. The members should include at least four Clarkson faculty of assistant professor rank or higher who possess an earned doctoral degree. At least one of the faculty members must be from a department other than the candidate’s major department.
5. Time limit: After the comprehensive examination has been passed, all work fulfilled specifically for the doctorate is to be completed within a period of seven calendar years.
6. Grading system: The grades of A+, A, A-, B+, B, B-, C+, C and P are acceptable for credit toward the degree. For graduation, an average of B or better must be earned in non-dissertation courses and seminar work.
7. PhD candidates in chemistry must: (i) Complete a minimum of six credit hours of CM900 and (ii) present three seminars as part of their degree requirements.

Faculty members are associated with the New York State-funded Center for Advanced Materials Processing and several other interdisciplinary programs on campus. Their research is supported by sources including grants from the National Science Foundation, as well as New York State and private industry funding.

Current areas of research include:

• Analytical, electrochemistry and sensors
• Biochemistry and biotechnology
• Inorganic and solid-state chemistry
• Nanotechnology and nanomaterials
• Organic, polymers and soft materials
• Physical and computational chemistry

A complete application consists of the following:

• Online Application Form
• Résumé
• Statement of purpose
• Three letters of recommendation
• Official transcripts
• GRE Test Scores: the GRE requirement will be waived for spring and fall 2024 applicants.
• For international applicants, an English proficiency test is required:
• Minimum test score requirements: TOEFL (80) and TOEFL Essentials (8.5), IELTS (6.5), PTE (56) or Duolingo English Test (115).
• The English language-testing requirement is not waived based on language of instruction, nor do we accept university certificates. English testing is waived if an applicant has a degree from a country where English is the Native Language. Click here to see the list of these countries.

PhD prerequisites: Applicants must possess a baccalaureate (BS) or a Master of Science (MS) degree in chemistry or a related major (e.g., materials science, biochemistry, biophysics, environmental science or a similar discipline).

Applicants must have also completed the following minimum college course preparation:

• Introductory chemistry courses, including general chemistry.
• Specialized classes, including:
• Analytical chemistry
• Biochemistry
• Inorganic chemistry
• Organic chemistry
• Physical chemistry.
• Basic training in mathematics and physics.