Chemistry and Chemical Biology
The First Two Years
PhD
Course Requirements and Research
• Students must pass four advanced half-courses in chemistry and/or related fields (e.g., biochemistry, physics, etc.) with average grades of B or higher. Grades of B will count as a pass if balanced by a B+ or better on a one-for-one basis. An advanced course is one designated in the announcement of courses as “for undergraduates and graduates” or “primarily for graduates” with the exception of the following courses that cannot be used for credit toward the PhD degree in Chemistry: Chemistry 135 and 165. Courses numbered 300 or above do not count toward this requirement.
• During CCB Orientation week (generally two weeks before classes begin), students will formulate a Plan of Study in consultation with a member of the Curriculum Advising Committee (CAC). The CAC may withhold approval for courses deemed inappropriate for the PhD degree in Chemistry. 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 start of their third term unless granted a deferral by the director of graduate studies.
Rotations
• Entering graduate students (G1s) are required to participate in a minimum of two rotations of eight weeks each, and are encouraged to conduct additional rotations. However, students may join a research group upon completion of the second eightweek rotation. 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 in the department.
Advising
• During CCB Orientation Week (generally two weeks before classes begin) each entering student meets with an assigned member of the Curriculum Advising Committee (CAC) to formulate their 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.• Students are strongly encouraged to 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 a research proposal in their second year of residence before the GAC. In addition, students are expected to meet with the GAC in the fall term of their fourth and sixth years. 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.
• 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 in their second year of residence 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 degree from an English-speaking institution will have their English proficiency tested. Development of English language skills may be required of students whose proficiency is deemed inadequate. (See Chapter III for more information.)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 the student’s second year of residence by organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry students, (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.• 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.
• The PhD committee must be made up of the student’s advisor and at least two other readers. 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 FAS 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 the FAS (one being the student’s advisor) is met.
Master’s Degree (AM) Requirements
• The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology does not grant a terminal AM degree. However, upon completion of certain requirements, students in the Chemistry PhD program may apply for the AM degree.Residence
• A minimum of one year of full-time study is required.Course Requirements and Research
• The student must pass eight advanced half-courses diversified among the fields of chemistry with average grades of B or higher. Grades of B- will count as a pass if balanced by a B+ or better on a one-for-one basis. Typically, four of the halfcourses are classroom work, and the remaining four are research courses. Students will formulate a plan of study in consultation with a member of the Curriculum Advising Committee (CAC). The CAC may withhold approval for courses deemed inappropriate for the AM degree in Chemistry.• Approval of the application for the AM degree is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required eight half-courses. Proper documentation of passing grades on applicable bracketed courses (i.e., GSAS transcripts) must be received by the department office before approval of the AM degree is granted.