Resources For:

The First Two Years

PhD

Course Requirements and Research

• The Committee on the Degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Physics is com­posed of members of the departments of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, Physics, Astronomy, and of the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences, with special interests in the field commonly known as chemical physics. The program of study includes courses in these subjects and research on an appropriate problem under the direction of a member of one of these departments.

• Students in the program are required to pass five half-courses. There are two tracks: either one course from A), one course from B), and three courses from C); or two courses from A), one course from B and two courses from C).

A) Chemistry 242; or Physics 251a, 251b.
B) Chemistry 161 or Chemistry 240 or Physics 262 or Applied Physics 284.
C) Applied Mathematics 201, 202; Chemistry 158; Applied Physics 195, 282, 292, 295a, 295b, 296r, and 298r; Physics 151, 153, 181 (or Eng. Sci. 181), 218, 232a, 232b, 253b, 268r. Equivalent courses may be substituted with the approval of the committee.

• All entering graduate students (G1s) are required to take “Chemistry 299hf. Scien­tific Teaching and Communication: Practicum” in their first year. This course will teach graduate students how to communicate scientific concepts in the classroom.

• In addition to taking Chemistry 299hf, all first year physical chemistry and chemical physics graduate students are required to take “Chemistry 300P. Physical Chemistry Seminar” in their first year.

• During CCB Orientation Week, each entering student meets with an assigned mem­ber of the Curriculum Advising Committee (CAC) to formulate a Plan of Study (course selections). The CAC advises students on their academic plans, approves re­quired courses, and assists in decisions related to the PhD program. Any changes to the original Plan of Study must be discussed with and approved by a member of the CAC.

• It is expected that required coursework be completed no later than the end of the third term in residence.

• Admission to a research group is strongly encouraged at the start of or during the student’s second term. All students should enter a research group by the end of the second term of their first year unless granted a deferral by the director of grad­uate studies.

Rotations

• Entering graduate students (G1s) are required to participate in three 4-week rotations in different laboratories, OR they may conduct one 8-week and one 4-week rotation in two different laboratories. The goal of the rotations is to broaden a student’s sci­entific perspective by exposing him or her to the science and environment of different laboratories.

Advising

• Each entering student meets with a member of the Curriculum Advising Committee during the week prior to the start of classes. The CAC advises students on their academic plans, approves required courses, and assists in decisions related to the PhD program.

• All students should enter a research group by the end of the second term of their first year unless a deferral is granted on a term-by-term basis by the director of graduate studies. Once a student joins a research group, the faculty member of that group becomes the student’s advisor. If a student subsequently finds that another area of research more closely matches his or her interests, the student should con­sult with the director of graduate studies.

• At the end of their first year, students are expected to constitute, in consultation with the director of graduate studies, their Graduate Advising Committee (GAC). Students are expected to present and defend an independent proposal anytime be­tween the second term of their second year up to the end of their fourth year in the presence of the GAC (including their PI). In addition, they will have meetings with their GAC in the second term of their second year, and anytime in the third and fourth years. Their independent proposal meeting will serve as one of their three meetings for their G2, G3, and G4 years. They may have a voluntary meeting in their 5th year and, if necessary, a mandatory meeting with their GAC in their 6th year. The objective of these meetings is to bring focus to the timely completion of the degree requirements, to foster (non-advisor) faculty-student interactions, and to provide career counseling. At GAC meetings, students will present their progress on their PhD studies to date.

• Students are encouraged to consult with the director of graduate studies on any issues that affect graduate student life.

Oral Examinations

• Students in Chemistry are expected to present and defend a research proposal anytime between the second term of the second year and the end of the fourth year. The presentation will be before a faculty committee in accordance with the Graduate Ad­vising Committee guidelines.

Language

• A thorough command of oral and written English is required. Incoming PhD students who are non-native speakers of English and who have not received their under­graduate degress from an English-speaking institution must meet GSAS standards for English proficiency. Students who are not deemed proficient will be required to take courses at the Institute of English Language to develop their English language skills as part of their preparation for teaching and their professional development. Students will not be allowed to teach until they are deemed proficient.

Teaching

• Students will be expected to teach in the spring term of their first year and one term of their second year based on teaching needs. With his or her advisor’s concurrence, a student may teach in subsequent years.

Satisfactory Progress

• Continuation in the degree program is contingent on the following: (1) satisfactory completion of required coursework; (2) successful presentation and defense of a research proposal in accordance with policy set by the Graduate Advising Commit­tee (GAC); (3) admission to a research group during the second term in residence, unless extension of time has been approved by the director of graduate studies; and  (4) satisfactory progress in 300-level research courses.

Dissertation

• The PhD dissertation is based on independent scholarly research which, upon conclu­sion, is defended in an oral examination before a PhD committee made up of the stu­dent's advisor and at least two other readers. One of the readers must be a faculty member of the department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology (generally the advisor). Two members of the committee must be members of the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Faculty members from other schools at Harvard who hold appointments on GSAS de­gree committees as well as FSA emeriti and research professors may serve as a mem­ber of the dissertation committee.

• Faculty of institutions outside of Harvard may serve as a member of the dissertation committee providing the requirement of two readers from FAS (one being CCB faculty member; generally the advisor) are met.

• The preparation of a satisfactory dissertation normally requires at least four years of full-time research. The final manuscript must conform to the requirements described in the booklet The Form of the PhD Dissertation, included in the dissertation preparation packet of procedural and deadline information that may be obtained from the CCB Department Office.

Master of Arts (AM)