Requirements for the PhD in Chemical Physics, UIUC / Chemistry at Illinois

1. Entrance

Chemical Physics students may choose to be so designated upon admission to the Ph.D. program in Chemistry or Physics. Either department will consider applications for transfer into the program from other departments.

2. Examinations

Students must satisfy either the qualifying examination in the Department of Physics or the registration examination and original research proposal requirements of Physical Chemistry. It will be assumed that a student will satisfy the requirements of the department through which he or she entered unless other arrangements are made with the concurrence of both departments

3. Course Requirements

Students must satisfy the minimum course specifications set by the Graduate College. Although there are no specific formal course requirements for the Chemical Physics Ph.D., each student is expected to obtain a firm background in (a) Classical Mechanics, (b) Quantum Mechanics, (c) Statistical Mechanics, (d) Electricity and Magnetism, and (e) Physical Chemistry. The choice of specific classes will be determined by the research interests of the student and the student's background. The Chemical Physics curriculum page gives some idea of the appropriate level of knowledge in each of these subject areas.

4. Research

It is generally expected that students will start research as soon as possible in some area related to Chemical Physics. It is usual but not mandatory that the research advisor be on the faculty of the Chemistry or Physics Department. The Chemistry and Physics departmental offices will generally provide help concerning which faculty members are carrying out research related to Chemical Physics.

5. Preliminary Examination

After completion of the background work suggested in Sections 2 and 3 and after appropiate research progress (generally in the third year of graduate work), the student must pass an oral Preliminary Examination. The purpose of the Preliminary Examination ("prelim") is to determine the student's preparation for carrying out an original research investigation in an area of his choice. This examination is based on a working paper (usually ~5-12 pages) presented by the candidate on completed and/or proposed research. For each student, the research advisor, in consultation with the student, will recommend a faculty prelim committee for appointment by the Dean of the Graduate College. The prelim committee must have at least four faculty members and must have representation from both the Physics and the Chemistry departments. It is desirable for some measurable progress to have been made at this point. It is the duty of the student to arrange a mutually agreeable time and place for the examination.

6. Progress

It is expected that the student will at all times be actively working toward the Ph.D. degree and in particular, toward production of an original research thesis. The research advisor and the student's home department will monitor the progress of students and take appropriate action where satisfactory progress is not being made.

7. Final Examination

When the thesis work is nearly complete, the student should arrange for a final thesis defense. The final committee is selected and arranged in the same way as the prelim. It will have the same general composition as the prelim committee and usually will include most of the same members. It is desirable that the degree candidate present his results publicly, either as part of the final defense or in addition to it. In any event, it is absolutely necessary that each member of the final committee have in his possession a copy or a good typed draft of the thesis at least two weeks before the defense.