Chemistry

At least nine quarter courses (36 units) are required, of which at least five (20 units) must be graduate courses and the remainder upper division courses. Choices may be made as described under Doctoral Degree. Each student’s coursework is determined and approved by the faculty area adviser, sometimes in consultation with the student’s PI.

Substitutions may be made with consent of the faculty area adviser. With the consent of the faculty graduate adviser, courses of directed individual study, but not research courses, may replace any of the courses listed above.

Up to 24 units of Chemistry and Biochemistry 596 or 598 may be applied toward the total course requirement; up to 20 units may be applied toward the minimum graduate course requirement.

Teaching Experience

Not required. Students who serve as teaching assistants must enroll in and receive a grade of S for Chemistry and Biochemistry 375 for each quarter they teach in order to continue teaching.

Field Experience

Not required.

Capstone Plan

For the capstone plan in Chemistry, students must complete the course work requirements of their specialization, in addition to a Capstone Project. The Capstone Project is a research proposal (4 ½ to 7 pages), that includes four main sections: 1) Specific Aims, 2) Significance & Innovation, 3) Research Plan, and 4) Impact. It is intended to develop the student’s ability to identify, analyze, and solve problems independently.

Research Proposal Submission and Grading: Students should solicit the mentorship of three Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty members who will read and grade their proposal. The final draft is due February 15 of their second year.

Three faculty members will read the proposal and send an e-mail grade and review to the student within three weeks. The grading is Pass/Fail. All three readers must rate the assignment as a “P” to complete the Capstone Project. If one or more of the readers does not rate the assignment as a "P", the student will be required to revise and resubmit within one month. Students are welcome to receive help and mentorship from faculty members as needed.

Thesis Plan

Every master's degree thesis plan requires the completion of an approved thesis that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research.

For the thesis plan in Chemistry, students must complete the course work requirements of their specialization, in addition to a master's thesis.

Time-to-Degree

From admission to completion of courses: Three academic quarters (one calendar year).

From admission to award of degree: Three to seven quarters (one to two calendar years).

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Advising

Initial academic advising is handled by the appropriate faculty area adviser. Students continue to consult with this adviser each quarter until completion of their course requirements. During this period, students also choose a research director to supervise the dissertation research. The Graduate Studies Committee, consisting of the faculty and staff graduate advisers and faculty area advisers, reviews each student's progress quarterly. Notification in writing is given to students who are performing at a very high level and to those who are not making adequate progress. The faculty graduate adviser, faculty area advisers, and Director of Graduate Student Services are available for personal consultation.

Minimum Progress. Students are required to join a research group by the end of winter quarter of the first year. At the end of the first and second year, the overall progress of each student is evaluated by the Graduate Studies Committee, taking into account performance in courses, written examinations, teaching, and research. The committee may recommend that students (1) proceed to the oral examination, (2) be redirected to the M.S. program, or (3) be recommended for academic disqualification.

Major Fields or Subdisciplines

Chemical biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, materials chemistry, biophysics, theory/computation, and analytical chemistry/measurement science and technology.

Foreign Language Requirement

None.

Course Requirements

Students in each area of specialization should normally complete as a minimum the course work indicated below. Some of these requirements can be met on the basis of orientation examinations and courses taken prior to entry into the graduate program. If the projected research falls in an area which differs appreciably from that anticipated by the field requirements listed below, students may be permitted appropriate modifications. Course requirements may be substituted with the approval of the faculty area advisers and research mentors.

All students must enroll in Chem 375 each quarter they have a TA appointment for S/U grading. Students must enroll in Chem 495 (S/U grading) during year one. Students should enroll in Chem 596 (S/U) or Chem 599 (S/U or letter grade) each quarter they are officially in a lab.

Chemical Biology: (1) Students entering the program should have a broad undergraduate training in chemistry covering general, organic, and biochemistry course work. Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 30A, 30B, 30BL, 30C, 30CL, 110A, 153A, 153B, 153C and satisfactory performance on the chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 205A, 269A, C for letter grades; (3) choice of 244A or 243A for a letter grade; (4) three courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry 240, 243A, 243B, 244A, 244B, 262, C264, 266, 269B, D and E, C279, C281, CM227 or other courses with approval of the chemical biology area adviser, for a letter grade; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 205B (letter grade), 206A-C (S/U), 203B or 250 (letter grade), and 400 (S/U); (6) one department seminar course each quarter (choice of 247 or 268), for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 209 for S/U; (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249B in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; (9) two optional laboratory rotations, one of which can be taken in the summer; and (10) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in fall of year 2 for S/U.

Inorganic Chemistry: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry C172 or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the inorganic chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 207, C267, C276A, 273 or 279, and C280 for a letter grade; (3) one elective course from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry CM205, C213B, C215B, 215D, C223A, C226A, 232, 236, 241A through 241Z, 242, C243A, C243B, 244A, 244B, C245, 271, C274, 277, or other graduate courses with the approval of the inorganic chemistry area adviser for a letter grade; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 278 each quarter (for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one) and 272 (S/U) each quarter; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249B in winter and spring of the first year; and (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in fall of year 2 for S/U.

Organic Chemistry: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 30A, 30B, 30BL, 30C, 30CL, 136, and satisfactory performance on the organic chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 236, C243A, 244A for a letter grade; (3) three courses from Chemistry and Biochemistry 205A, 207, C243B, 244B, C245, C281, and 241B through 241Z, or other courses with approval of the organic chemistry area adviser for a letter grade; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 248 (minimum three quarters; enroll for a letter grade during the quarter you present); (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 247 each quarter (for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one) (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249B in winter and spring of the first year; and (9) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Physical Chemistry: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B, 113A, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A-C215B, C223A-C223B (or equivalent substitutes that are approved by the physical area advisor), and a fifth graduate-level course (200-level) that is approved by the physical area advisor (all taken for a letter grade); (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228, 247, 278, or 278 each quarter for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 218 (one quarter) for S/U (substitutions may be made with consent of the physical chemistry area adviser); (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249C in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; and (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Materials Chemistry: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 113A, and either 136 or 172, or their equivalents, and satisfactory performance on the physical, inorganic, or organic chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C280 and C285 for a letter grade; (3) two courses from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry 207, C215A, C215B, C223A, C223B, 236, C243A, C243B, 244A, 244B, C273, C276A, C276B for a letter grade; (4) one course from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry C240, C281, 267, 277, or any course from the preceding group not already taken for a letter grade (other graduate courses from outside of Chemistry and Biochemistry may also be used with approval of the materials chemistry area adviser); (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228, or 248, or 278, every quarter for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U; (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249A in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; and (9) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Biophysics:

Track A: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B and 113A or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A, and C223 A, B for a letter grade; (3) 8 units from: Chemistry and Biochemistry M230B, 257, 269A, B, C, Physics 220, Physics 241A, B, C for a letter grade; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228 or 268, every quarter for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249C in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; and (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Track B: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 153A and 153B or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry 269A, B, C, M230B or 257, C200 or CM260A, and one quarter of 258 for letter grade; (3) 8 units of additional graduate courses from: Chemistry and Biochemistry M230B, 257, M230D, CM260A, CM260B, Physics 220, and Chemistry and Biochemistry C223A, B for letter grade; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 268 or 228 every quarter for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B, 209 and 400 for S/U; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249C in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; and (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Theory/Computation: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B and 113A or its equivalent, and satisfactory performance on the physical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C215A, B, C223A, B, and C226A, or C215A, C223A, and either C215B or C223B and 2 courses from the following: Chemistry and Biochemistry C245, C215C, C223C, C226A, CM260A, 269A, 269B, C276A for a letter grade; (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228, every quarter for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (4) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U (only required for students working in a lab that uses and/or stores chemicals); (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249C in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Analytical Chemistry/Measurement Science and Engineering: (1) Required background material: Chemistry and Biochemistry 110A, 110B,113A, 172, 136, or their equivalents, and satisfactory performance on the analytical chemistry orientation examination; (2) Chemistry and Biochemistry C243A and 244A, or C215A and C223A, or 207 and C276A, or C279 and CM205A for a letter grade; (3) Chemistry and Biochemistry C285 or 257 for a letter grade; (4) 8 units from: Chemistry and Biochemistry C208, 236, C240, 266, 276B, Bioengineering C204, C231, M225, M248, or other engineering or medical school graduate level courses approved by the area advisor for a letter grade; (5) Chemistry and Biochemistry 228, or 247, or 278, every quarter for a letter grade during year one and S/U after year one; (6) Chemistry and Biochemistry 203B and 209 for S/U; (7) Chemistry and Biochemistry 400 for S/U; (8) Chemistry and Biochemistry 249A, B, or C in winter and spring of the first year for S/U; and (9) Chemistry and Biochemistry 210 in the fall of year 2 for S/U.

Exit Presentation. Starting the 2018-2019 academic year, students are required to present their dissertation research before graduating.

Teaching Experience

One year (three quarters) of teaching experience is generally required. Students who serve as teaching assistants must enroll in and receive a grade of S for Chemistry and Biochemistry 375 for each quarter they teach in order to continue teaching and maintain their standing in the Ph.D. program.

Written and Oral Qualifying Examinations

Academic Senate regulations require all doctoral students to complete and pass university written and oral qualifying examinations prior to doctoral advancement to candidacy. Also, under Senate regulations, the University Oral Qualifying Examination is open only to the student and appointed members of the doctoral committee. In addition to university requirements, some graduate programs have other pre-candidacy examination requirements. What follows in this section is how students are required to fulfill all of these requirements for this doctoral program.

All committee nominations and reconstitutions adhere to the Minimum Standards for Doctoral Committee Constitution.

Departmental Written Examination/Written Research Proposal (also known as Chem 210 Proposal)

The written research proposal is coupled to a graduate student course on research excellence and proposal writing, Advanced Topics in Chemical Research, which students complete during the fall of their second year of graduate studies. The course is designed for second-year graduate students and intended to help them engage contemporary challenges in chemical research and their own research projects. Students will build critical thinking skills and gain proposal writing skills. The written research proposal is related to the student’s dissertation research.

Proposal Submission and Grading: Students should solicit the mentorship of three Chemistry/Biochemistry faculty members who will read and grade their proposal. Students should submit a polished version of their proposal to their research adviser no later than January 15 of their second year. After implementing revisions from their research adviser, the final proposal should be submitted to the adviser and two additional faculty members by February 15. The grading is Pass/Fail. If one or more of the readers does not rate the assignment as a "P," the student will be required to revise and resubmit within one month. Students are welcome to receive help and mentorship from faculty members as needed. Three Pass grades are required to complete the written research proposal and make the student eligible to take the doctoral advancement to candidacy exam.

University Oral Qualifying Examination

The University Oral Qualifying Examination consists of an original research proposal in an area distinct from the student's dissertation research and done without assistance from the research adviser. Students need to complete this exam before the start of the Fall quarter of the third year. The research proposal must be given to the faculty committee members seven days before the scheduled oral examination.

During the oral examination, the proposal is presented orally to the committee, and the committee questions the student on the proposal, general knowledge of the area, and dissertation research progress. The proposal represents independent work and offers the doctoral committee the opportunity to judge the student's ability to think creatively and to formulate significant ideas for research. The committee's decision to advance a student to candidacy, to allow the student to repeat all or part of the oral, or to recommend the student for academic disqualification, is based on the student's overall record at UCLA as reflected in coursework and examinations, and the student's research ability and productivity.

Advancement to Candidacy

Students are advanced to candidacy upon successful completion of the written and oral qualifying examinations. The Candidate in Philosophy (C.Phil.) degree is awarded for the quarter in which students are advanced to candidacy.

Doctoral Dissertation

Every doctoral degree program requires the completion of an approved dissertation that demonstrates the student's ability to perform original, independent research and constitutes a distinct contribution to knowledge in the principal field of study.

Final Oral Examination (Defense of the Dissertation)

Not required. The decision as to whether a defense is required is made by the doctoral committee.

Time-to-Degree

The following are normal times to complete the requirements of the program:

From admission to completion of written qualifying examinations: three to five academic quarters (one to one and two-thirds calendar years).

From admission to advancement to candidacy: six quarters (two calendar years).

From admission to award of degree: 17 quarters (four to five calendar years).

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Termination of Graduate Study and Appeal of Termination

University Policy

A student who fails to meet the above requirements may be recommended for termination of graduate study. A graduate student may be disqualified from continuing in the graduate program for a variety of reasons. The most common is failure to maintain the minimum cumulative grade point average (3.00) required by the Academic Senate to remain in good standing (some programs require a higher grade point average). Other examples include failure of examinations, lack of timely progress toward the degree and poor performance in core courses. Probationary students (those with cumulative grade point averages below 3 .00) are subject to immediate dismissal upon...