harvard chemistry phd program

About the Program

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The Chemical Biology Graduate Program was created in 2004 with the goal of training students to integrate the principles and experimental techniques drawn from both chemistry and biology.

The Chemical Biology Program is a PhD-granting interdisciplinary program that offers educational and research experience on both the Harvard Medical School and Cambridge campuses, as well as several affiliated institutions such as the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Massachusetts General Hospital, and the Broad Institute

The Chemical Biology Program is one of the programs in the Harvard Integrated Life Sciences , which facilitates collaboration and cross-disciplinary research. For information on our admissions process, please review our Admissions page .

Incoming students will meet with the class advisors individually at the beginning of each semester to plan their initial program of graduate study. Class advisors will be available to meet with students at any time during their graduate career.

The class advisors will lead a week-long orientation for incoming students at the end of August. The orientation will include a set of lectures and campus tours that will introduce students to the many resources at and around Harvard and will answer their questions regarding research, academics and the graduate program. Students will also be paired with a senior graduate student mentor during the orientation.

After the first year, a student will either choose a single faculty member as their dissertation advisor or initiate a collaboration between two or more labs. Students may choose dissertation advisors from any science department at Harvard, including the research departments of the 11 Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals.

First-year students meet individually with their class advisors to discuss their background and interests, and together they design a course of study to complement the student's existing training.

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Students are required to complete four required science courses. View a list of courses students commonly take .

In addition to these four courses, Chemical biology first-year students enroll in three courses that help prepare them for the practice of science. In addition to the many options within Harvard, students may also register for classes at MIT.

Fall Semester

Chemistry and Chemical Biology 101: The Chemistry and Biology of Therapeutics . This course will cover the chemical and biological principles that govern small molecule therapeutics. We will discuss small molecule conformational analysis, chemical forces that drive small molecule-protein interactions, and small molecule binding to proteins to affect disease states. We will also discuss how protein targets are identified and the frontiers of modern small molecule therapeutics. Protein targets include, but are not limited to kinases, proteases, GTPases, scaffolding proteins, epigenetic modifiers, metabolic enzymes and transcription factors. This course will teach students how to use modern computer modeling applications to perform structure-based design of small molecule ligands

ChemBio300: Introduction to Chemical Biology . The course is an evening seminar featuring weekly lectures by program faculty which serves to acquaint first-year students with the major research themes of the program faculty and helps them decide on research rotations and evaluate potential dissertation advisors.

January Term

ChemBio2200: Tools and Methods in Chemical Biology . This course will provide a survey of major topics, technologies, and themes in Chemical Biology, with hands-on exposure to a variety of experimental approaches

Spring Semester: BCMP236 or BCMP250

BCMP 236: Principles of Drug Action in People . This course will discuss principles of drug discovery drug modalities and drug pharmacology. In the first part of the course, fundamental aspects of receptor and enzyme targeting agents, drug mechanism, drug metabolism, pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics, small molecules, proteins, and nucleic acid drugs will be described. In the second part of the course, pharmacology of therapeutics that act on the cardiovascular, immunologic, and central nervous systems will be covered. The course will include frontier lectures on antiviral agents, cardiac drugs, and treatments for brain diseases and a journal club on specialized topics in drug discovery.  A range of knowledgeable instructors enlisted from the Harvard Medical School faculty and pharmaceutical scientists will participate in teaching this course.

BCMP250: Biophysical and Biochemical Mechanisms of Protein Function . This course focuses on the molecular mechanisms that underlie essential biochemical processes such as signal transduction. Major topics include biochemical thermodynamics and conformational equilibria, protein structure and folding, receptor pharmacology, allostery, and enzymatic mechanisms of signaling. The course includes both content lectures and research frontiers seminars focused on current research in biochemistry with an emphasis on signal transduction in therapeutically relevant pathways.

Second Year

MedSci300: Conduct of Science . The course follows a discussion group format in which 8-12 students meet with a faculty member who leads discussions on the ethical and responsible conduct of research.

Students in the program are expected to take 2-4 laboratory rotations before selecting a dissertation project. This is to allow the student to explore different research areas, identify potential collaborators, and experience the environment in different research groups. The program does not set time limits on rotations, but most rotations are expected to be 6-12 weeks long.

Students are required to act as teaching fellows in at least one course. We recommend that students complete this requirement by the end of their second year if possible.

Preliminary Qualifying Examination

The PQE aims to assess the student's ability to review research in a particular field, to identify a problem or formulate a central hypothesis that is significant for the field, to design line(s) of experimentation to address the problem or test the hypothesis, and to describe how s/he will interpret the data that would result from the proposed experiment. The topic for the proposal may be related to a student’s dissertation research or the topic may be completely independent.

Students may take the exam in the fall term or in the spring term (by April 15th) of their second year. It is advised that the student completes the teaching requirement in the semester without the PQE.

Dissertation

After completing the PQE, students will be required to meet once a year with a Dissertation Advisory Committee (DAC) consisting of their advisor(s) and three additional faculty. This should help refine the student’s ideas about their dissertation project and define the scope, direction and overall soundness of the idea.

The role of the DAC is to assist the student in defining the dissertation project, review scientific progress, offer critical evaluation, suggest extension or modification of objectives, arbitrate differences of opinion between the student and the advisor if they arise, and decide when the work accomplished constitutes a dissertation. We expect that students will complete their dissertation by their fifth or sixth year of study.

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Get started with your application to the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS)

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Welcome! 

Applications to degree programs for the 2025-2026 academic year will be available in early fall 2024.

Click here to Access the Applicant Portal

We’re delighted that you are interested in pursuing academic studies at the Harvard Kenneth C. Griffin Graduate School of Arts and Sciences (Harvard Griffin GSAS). Whether you intend to study toward a master’s or PhD degree, join a visiting students program, or participate in one of our outreach programs, we are looking forward to reviewing your application. For information about tuition and fees, see the Cost of Attendance section.

Harvard does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, political beliefs, veteran status, disability or any other protected classification, and we actively seek applicants from historically underrepresented communities. We hope you’ll consider applying. 

Immigration status does not factor into decisions about admissions and financial aid. For more information, see Undocumented at Harvard . 

Get Started 

Step 1: choose a program. .

You have several options for study at Harvard Griffin GSAS. 

Degree Programs 

The school offers master’s and PhD degrees in programs based in the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and engineering and applied sciences. Many programs also allow a student to conduct more focused research by choosing an area of study. Review the programs on offer to decide which program best meets your academic goals. 

Are you a Harvard College student looking for information on the AB/AM and AB/SM programs? Visit the Harvard AB/AM and AB/SM programs page.

Non-Degree Programs 

The Visiting Students Program offers you the opportunity to take classes and conduct research with faculty. 

Outreach Programs 

If you are looking for a short-term research experience, consider a paid summer internship  organized by Harvard Griffin GSAS, Harvard departments, and Harvard-affiliated teaching hospitals. The School also offers  Research Scholar Initiative , a post-baccalaureate program that enables college graduates to take part in a long-term research experience. 

Information for Exchange Scholars:

Exchange Scholars  

Step 2: Make a note of the application deadline and review admissions policies.

Application deadlines vary by program and are noted on the relevant program page . You should also review our admissions policies and Applying to Degree Programs .

Step 3: Determine whether you need to take standardized tests and register early. 

Degree programs may require Graduate Record Examination (GRE) general test or subject test scores. Applicants who are non-native English speakers may be required to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting scores from an English Language test (TOEFL or IELTS). Review the admissions policy on English proficiency for more information.  

Step 4: Complete your application by the deadline. 

The degree program application becomes available in September. You should review Applying to Degree Programs before starting your application. All components of the application to a degree program are due by 5:00 p.m., Eastern Time, on the deadline date.

Applications for the Visiting Students Program are accepted twice a year.

For application information about our Outreach Programs , visit your program page of interest.  

Who should I contact if I have a question about a specific program? 

If you still have questions after carefully reviewing your degree program of interest, reach out to the contact noted on the program’s page. 

Can I enroll in courses instead of applying to a degree program? 

If you are interested in taking courses for academic credit outside of a formal degree program, you may apply for Visiting Student status by the appropriate deadline. Please visit the Visiting Students website or contact [email protected] to learn more. 

Harvard Integrated Life Sciences (HILS) Applicants 

While prospective degree program applicants are encouraged to carefully choose the HILS program that best fits their academic goals, interested applicants may apply to up to three programs and pay only one application fee. If you elect to apply to three programs, only two may be programs in the Department of Medical Sciences (these programs are biomedical informatics, biological and biomedical sciences, immunology, neuroscience, speech and hearing bioscience and technology, and virology). The fee waiver for additional applications is ONLY available for those applying to multiple programs in the HILS federation. For more information, please consult the HILS page . 

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Department of chemistry and chemical biology.

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  • MASTER OF ARTS

The Department 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 in Chemistry. An AM degree in Chemical Physics is not offered, but Chemical Physics students may also apply for the AM degree in Chemistry. 

A minimum of one year of full-time study is required.

Course Requirements and Research

The student must pass eight advanced four-credit 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. Grades of C+ or below will not count. Typically, four of these four-credit courses are classroom work, and the remaining four are research courses. As many as four four-credit courses of the required eight may be taken outside the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, provided the Curriculum Advising Committee approves them. Students planning to take such courses should petition the CAC in advance of taking the courses in order to have them count for the AM degree. Approval of the application for the AM degree is contingent upon the satisfactory completion of the required eight four-credit courses.

No thesis is required.

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Sara Buhrlage

Sara Buhrlage

Elliot Chaikof

Elliot Chaikof

Luke Chao

The Chao Lab is focused on discovering structural and biophysical mechanisms underlying membrane dynamics and ultrastructure. A central goal for our team...

Fei Chen

Jon C. Clardy

The laboratory focuses on understanding how small molecules, particularly those from bacteria and fungi, control biological processes. Organizing themes...

Donald M. Coen

Donald M. Coen

Our laboratory takes molecular approaches to herpesvirus replication and latency. These studies provide excellent models for biological processes in...

Philip Cole

Philip Cole

Nika Danial

Nika Danial

Our lab investigates the metabolic mechanisms that regulate cellular and organismal adaptation to physiologic and pathologic stress conditions. Within...

Josefina del Marmol

Josefina del Marmol

Sloan Devlin

Sloan Devlin

The long-term goal of the Devlin lab is to understand and control the chemistry of human-associated bacteria in order to uncover how the microbiome...

Benjamin L. Ebert

Benjamin L. Ebert

The Ebert laboratory focuses on the molecular basis and treatment of hematologic malignancies, with a particular focus on myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS...

Stephen J. Elledge

Stephen J. Elledge

A major area of our interest is how eukaryotic cells sense and respond to stress in the form of damage to their genetic material. When cells incur DNA...

Ryan Flynn

RNA is an ancient and universal biopolymer that is involved in nearly every aspect of biology. Next to nucleic acids, proteins, and lipids, glycans are...

Marcia Goldberg

Marcia Goldberg

Our lab focuses on the molecular nature of innate immune interactions between microbial pathogens and the host. Pathogenic bacteria have evolved complex...

Stephen J. Haggarty

Stephen J. Haggarty

CHEMICAL GENOMICS OF NEUROPSYCHIATRIC DISORDERS

The long-term goal of the Haggarty laboratory is to advance the discovery of novel targets and...

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Chemical Biology

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Chemical biology is a rapidly growing field that combines the rigor and quantitative aspects of traditional chemistry and biochemistry programs with the excitement and medical relevance of modern molecular, cellular, organismic, and human biology. The program’s goal is to encourage students to develop their own ideas, drawing on the expertise available in the community to make exciting new discoveries. The program links together faculty on Harvard’s Cambridge campus in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences with faculty at Harvard Medical School, and the Broad Institute of Harvard and MIT.

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Vaibhav Mohanty, PhD

Vaibhav Mohanty, PhD

I am interested in understanding links between thermodynamics of protein-protein interactions and protein evolution. I work on developing mutational “traps” to combat the rapid evolution of proteins in infectious pathogens and in cancer.

I am a third-year Harvard-MIT MD-PhD student in the Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology MD and Harvard Chemistry PhD programs, where I am funded by a Hertz Fellowship , a  PD Soros Fellowship and by an NIH Medical Scientist Training Program grant. I am also a Resident Tutor for Fellowships, Medicine, and STEM (Physics/Chemistry) at Quincy House at Harvard College.

I work broadly on statistical physics of evolution , genotype-phenotype maps , and spin glasses and complex systems . Past research has been in time-dependent quantum mechanics of graphene electrons, mathematics and music theory, and diffusion MRI.

I received a PhD in Theoretical Physics from the University of Oxford as a  Marshall Scholar , where I worked in the Condensed Matter Theory group in Prof. Ard Louis' group . In 2019, I received my master's in Chemistry (Theory) and my bachelor's in Chemistry and Physics with a minor in Music from Harvard University, where I was a Goldwater Scholar .

Outside of research, I am a classical and jazz composer, pianist, and saxophonist .

Funding & Scholarship: Graduate Programs

Financial support for ph.d. students, all students admitted into our ph.d. program receive full financial support., this support includes tuition, fees, $1,004 in transportation and dental subsidies (as of ay24-25), and a cost-of-living stipend ($3655 per month in ay23-24 and $4083 per month before taxes in ay24-25)..

Support is independent of need provided a student remains in good academic standing and is making satisfactory progress towards his/her Ph.D. degree. Students are expected to complete their Ph.D. requirements in four to six years. Financial support takes several forms: fellowships, teaching fellowships, and research assistantships. Ordinarily, first-year Ph.D. students are supported with full fellowships so that they can devote their time to coursework.

For the classes entering in Fall 2024 and beyond : SEAS PhD students are expected to complete two sections of teaching in SEAS in their second year or spread across their second and third years. Both sections may be completed concurrently in a single course. Their research assistantship will be adjusted accordingly during the semester(s) in which they are teaching fellow (TF). The academic requirement for the PhD degree is one section of teaching in SEAS. The student and their research advisor may arrange to replace the second section of teaching with a research assistantship. Beyond the first year, when students are in a better position to teach and assist in research, support is ordinarily provided through research assistantships, or a combination of a teaching fellowship and a research assistantship. For more detailed information, please visit the following pages: GSAS Tuition and Fees  G SAS Financial Support for PhD Students

External financial support for Ph.D. students

Applicants and current students are encouraged and expected to apply for all non-Harvard scholarships for which they are eligible, especially those offered by the  National Science Foundation (NSF) Graduate Research Fellowship Program  and  National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG) . 

Each year, many SEAS students secure fellowships from external agencies.  Should an incoming student be awarded and accept any fellowship external to Harvard, it is the expectation that the student will utilize these funds in the first year of study in place of Harvard funding.   In advanced (G2+) years in the graduate program, students with external fellowships are advised to have a discussion with their financial aid officers from Harvard Griffin GSAS and SEAS about how to best utilize the remaining years of funding based on their activities and academic requirements.

To ensure equitable treatment of all students, the coordination of external award benefits with a student’s existing funding package is determined by the Harvard Griffin GSAS financial aid officer in consultation with SEAS.

Currently, PhD students with external support are eligible for a SEAS-sponsored academic incentive.  PhD students who bring in open, competitive external fellowships that are equal to 50% or more of total their support (tuition/fees + stipend) will receive a supplemental award of $3,000 in the first year of the external fellowship.  PhD students who bring in open external competitive external fellowships that are not 50% or more of their total support and are at least $10,000 (tuition/fees + stipend or salary) will receive a supplemental award of $1,000.  The full $3,000 bonus may also be awarded in certain cases of multi-year fellowships depending on the total amount of support provided.This policy is subject to review and change.

Financial support for terminal masters students (M.E. & S.M.)

While financial aid is not available for master’s students in our M.E. and S.M. programs, there are a variety of funding opportunities available. Prospective students are encouraged to apply for independent grants and fellowships to fund their studies.  Information about tuition and fees can be found here . Students in our Computational Science & Engineering or Data Science programs-should visit this page and also may contact the  GSAS Financial Aid Office  to learn more.

Students in the  MS/MBA:Engineering Sciences program  are eligible to apply for need-based  HBS Fellowships  and student loans in both years of the program.

harvard chemistry phd program

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Harvard Chemistry PhD: Stipend, Acceptance Rate, Application, Deadline, Requirements

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  • Updated on  
  • Jan 27, 2024

Harvard-Chemistry-PhD-Stipend-Acceptance-Rate-and-Requirements

Harvard University needs little introduction, being synonymous with academic excellence. Yet, its prestigious Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology boasts cutting-edge research, groundbreaking discoveries, and intellectual giants shaping the future of the field. For aspiring chemists wanting to push the boundaries of knowledge, a Harvard Chemistry PhD stands as the pinnacle of achievement, a gateway to a career in scientific exploration. Read this blog further for more details!

Harvard University
1636
8-12%
1 December of the year preceding start date
$75
Bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related field
GRE General Test, GRE Chemistry Subject Test (competitive scores expected in both)
Official transcripts, CV/resume, GRE score reports, 3 letters of recommendation, statement of purpose
Online through Graduate School of Arts and Sciences portal
$38,000 per year
Research assistantships, fellowships available
5-7 years

This Blog Includes:

Harvard university: an overview, why pursue harvard chemistry phd, harvard chemistry phd: acceptance rate, harvard chemistry phd: entry requirements, application process, application deadline.

Also Read: Top 5 Unique Courses Offered at Harvard University in 2024

Founded in 1636, Harvard University has nurtured some of the brightest minds in history, boasting 162 Nobel laureates among its alumni and faculty. Its campus in Cambridge, Massachusetts has world-renowned libraries, state-of-the-art labs, and a diverse community of scholars eager to unravel the mysteries of the universe. The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology, established in 1912, embodies this spirit of discovery, boasting 5 Nobel laureates and consistently ranking among the top chemistry programs globally.

The Harvard Chemistry PhD program is more than just academic rigour; it’s a transformative journey. Here are a few reasons why it might be the perfect path for you:

  • You get to work alongside internationally renowned faculty on research projects across subfields like nanochemistry, synthetic biology, chemical catalysis, and theoretical chemistry.
  • You benefit from the guidance of Nobel laureates, esteemed professors, and experienced postdoctoral researchers, gaining invaluable insights and honing your research skills.
  • You get access to a collaborative community of fellow PhD students and researchers, sharing ideas, and sparking discoveries.
  • You receive comprehensive coursework in core and advanced chemical disciplines, in theory and practical, to thrive in your chosen field.
  • You develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills essential for success in academia, industry, or beyond.

Gaining admission to the Harvard Chemistry PhD program is highly competitive. The acceptance rate typically ranges between 8-12% , i.e. roughly 80-100 applicants get accepted annually from hundreds of applications. This also emphasizes the need for a strong academic background and other requirements set out by the institute. Let’s take a look at some of the general entry criteria for the same.

Also Read: Top Free Courses Offered By Harvard University

A successful application should demonstrate your academic excellence, research potential, and commitment to the field of chemistry. Here are the key requirements:

  • A bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field with a strong GPA is mandatory.
  • Competitive scores on both the GRE General Test & GRE Chemistry Subject Test are expected, although specific requirements may vary for international applicants.
  • 3 strong letters of recommendation from professors, research advisors, or mentors.
  • A well-written and compelling statement highlighting your research interests, relevant experience, and future career aspirations.
  • Demonstrating previous research experience through participation in lab projects, internships, or independent research.

Documents Required: 

  • Official transcripts from all universities attended
  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • GRE score reports (General Test & Chemistry Subject Test)
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Statement of purpose

Fortunately, financial aid is readily available for admitted students. The program guarantees full tuition scholarships and a generous living stipend of approximately $38,000 for the 2024 academic year. Additional funding opportunities, such as research assistantships and fellowships, can further supplement your financial needs.

Also Read: Scholarships For Indian Students at Harvard University

The application process for the Harvard Chemistry PhD program is online through the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences portal. Be sure to carefully review the program website and application instructions for specific details and deadlines.

The application deadline for the Harvard Chemistry PhD program is 1 December of the year preceding your desired start date. Students are encouraged to submit their applications early as they are reviewed on a rolling basis.

Relevant Reads:

Ans: The Harvard Chemistry Ph.D. program has research opportunities in various subfields, such as organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, chemical biology, materials chemistry, and theoretical chemistry. 

Ans: Teaching opportunities may be available through Graduate School of Arts and Sciences teaching fellowships or as a teaching assistant in undergraduate courses.

Ans: The following documents are required for the application process:  1. Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended 2. 3 letters of recommendation 3. Statement of purpose 4. GRE scores 5. TOEFL or IELTS scores (for non-native English speakers)

We hope that this blog gave a complete insight into the Harvard Chemistry PhD program. Subscribe to Leverage Edu for more content on universities and courses to study abroad. Thank you for reading!

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Disha Kaira

Disha is an electrical engineer turned writer passionate about bringing a spark (and accuracy) to whatever content she comes across. Whether it's UI/UX Design or writing blogs on abroad education, she relishes every chance to learn and test the limits of her creativity.

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Chemistry, Ph.D.

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Saint Louis University’s Chemistry Ph.D. program offers specializations, including traditional areas of analytical, physical, organic and inorganic chemistry, as well as cross-disciplinary areas of materials and biological chemistry. Students must complete intensive research culminating in a dissertation.

Program Highlights

The SLU chemistry program offers students:

  • Close mentoring relationships
  • Small research group size
  • Opportunities to participate in interdisciplinary research

Graduate students in SLU's  Department of Chemistry  have access to a number of research tools, including:

  • Bruker 400 and 700 MHz NMR spectrometers
  • Bruker-EMX EPR, UV-Vis and FTIR spectrometers
  • Research-grade spectrofluorometers
  • GC-MS and LC-MS
  • Electrochemical analyzers
  • Gas chromatographs
  • A scanning electron micrograph
  • Computational facilities with modern molecular software
  • A Bruker CCD X-ray diffractometer facility

Curriculum Overview

SLU's Ph.D. in chemistry requires a minimum of 39 post-baccalaureate credits, with at least 27 credits of coursework and 12 credits of dissertation research.

Graduate Handbook

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Our graduate students are active in the research areas of analytical, organic, physical, synthetic, materials, environmental and biological chemistry. Our research groups regularly publish in top-ranked journals and present at national and international conferences.

Research is externally supported by the U.S. Air Force Office of Scientific Research, National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, Petroleum Research Fund and American Heart Association, among others.

Doctoral graduates pursue different paths, including teaching, postdoctoral studies or careers in industry or with government agencies, such as the FDA.

Past students from SLU's chemistry Ph.D. program have gone on to careers as research scientists, teachers, university faculty and in various capacities in pharmaceutical companies and government agencies.

Admission Requirements

Applicants should possess sufficient GPA and TOEFL (if applicable) scores and a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university. Bachelor's degrees usually are in chemistry or biochemistry, although other science majors will be considered.

Admission typically requires a minimum of 18 semester credits (minimum 2.8 GPA) of upper-division undergraduate chemistry courses, including organic chemistry (two semesters), quantitative analysis (one semester) and physical chemistry (two semesters). Students who do not meet these criteria may complete these prerequisites as part of their graduate program, though not for graduate credit.

Students who have not completed equivalent coursework in upper-level undergraduate inorganic chemistry and instrumental analysis will also be required to complete these courses, but they can be taken for departmental graduate credit.

Application Requirements

  • Application form 
  • Three letters of recommendation
  • Goal statement
  • Interview (desired)

Requirements for International Students

All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:

  • Demonstrate  English Language Proficiency
  • A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding the time at Saint Louis University
  • A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of study at the University
  • Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.

Application Deadlines

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis with priority review given to applications received by Dec. 15 for the fall semester and by Sept. 1 for the spring semester.

Review Process

The Chemistry Graduate Committee votes on whether to admit, deny or waitlist applicants. Applicants on the waitlist may be offered admission in a future semester.

Tuition Per Credit
Tuition Cost Per Credit
Graduate Tuition $1,370

Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:

Net Price Calculator

Information on Tuition and Fees

Miscellaneous Fees

Information on Summer Tuition

Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

Explore Scholarships and Financial Aid Options

  • synthesis and materials chemistry and
  • analytical and physical chemistry methods, with a higher level of knowledge expected in the student’s area of research.
  • Graduates will be able to use standard search tools and retrieval methods to obtain information about a topic, substance, technique or issue relating to chemistry and assess relevant studies from the chemical literature.
  • Graduates will be able to communicate scientific findings from literature and original findings from the student's own independent research in written publications and oral presentations.
  • Graduates will be able to acquire the basic tools, including chemical practices and theories, needed to conduct advanced chemical research. Students will become proficient in their specialized area of chemistry and complete an advanced, independent research project resulting in peer-reviewed publications.
  • Graduates will be able to adhere to accepted ethical and professional standards in chemistry.
Course List
Code Title Credits
Graduate Chemistry Courses12
Advanced Synthetic Chemistry
Analytical Chemistry II
Mass Spectrometry
Analytical Separations
Electroanalytical Chemistry
Mathematical Techniques in Chemistry
Computational Chemistry
Special Topics: Physical Chemistry
Organic Spectroscopy
Bioorganic Chemistry
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Synthetic Organic Chemistry
Medicinal Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Organometallic Chemistry
Solid State Chemistry
Group Theory & Spectroscopy
Biochemistry 1
Biochemistry 2
Biophysical Chemistry
Introduction to Chemical Biology and Biotechnology
Fundamentals and Design of Nanomaterials
Required Research Courses
CHEM 5970Research Topics3
CHEM 6900Introduction to Proposal Writing and Oral Presentations3
CHEM 6990Dissertation Research (taken over multiple semesters, 12hrs total)0-6
Research Elective 3
Introduction to Analytical Research
Introduction to Physical Research
Introduction to Organic Research
Introduction to Inorganic Research
Chemistry Electives6
Select two additional graduate chemistry courses from those listed above OR electives can also be fulfilled by taking 5000-level courses in other disciplines such as biology, math, computer science, engineering, and pharmacology with approval by Graduate Program Coordinator and student’s committee.
Total Credits39

Non-Course Requirements

  • Completion of research progress exam
  • Completion of written comprehensive exam
  • Completion of oral defense of research proposal
  • A public oral presentation and a private oral examination

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.00 in all graduate/professional courses.

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Graduate Chemistry course 3
Graduate Chemistry course 3
 Credits6
Spring
Graduate Chemistry course 3
Graduate Chemistry course 3
CHEM 5299

or CHEM 5499
or CHEM 5599
Introduction to Analytical Research
3
 Credits9
Summer
CHEM 5970 Research Topics 3
 Credits3
Year Two
Fall
Chemistry elective(s) 3-6
 Credits3-6
Spring
Completion of Research Progress Exam  
Chemistry elective 3-0
 Credits3-0
Summer
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 3
 Credits3
Year Three
Fall
Completion of Written Comprehensive Exam  
CHEM 6900 Introduction to Proposal Writing and Oral Presentations 3
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits4
Spring
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 2
 Credits2
Summer
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Year Four
Fall
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Spring
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Summer
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Year Five
Fall
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
Spring
CHEM 6990 Dissertation Research 1
 Credits1
 Total Credits39

Students are required to complete a minimum of 12 credits of dissertation research. The number of credits can vary each semester, but a student cannot register for zero credits of research until the 12 credits have been completed.

For additional information about our program, please contact:

Marvin Meyers, Ph.D. Chemistry graduate program coordinator [email protected]

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