phd chemistry university of chicago

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Department of Chemistry

• Committee on Computational and Applied Mathematics
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This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, plesae visit http://catalog.uchicago.edu .

• Viresh Rawal
• Paul Alivisatos
• Aaron Dinner 
• Guangbin Dong
• Gregory Engel
• Laura Gagliardi
• Giulia Galli, Molecular Engineering - Associate Appointment
• Philippe M. Guyot Sionnest
• Michael D. Hopkins
• Yamuna Krishnan
• Ka Yee Christina Lee
• David Mazziotti
• Jiwoong Park
• Joseph Piccirilli, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Benoit Roux, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Stuart Rowan, Molecular Engineering - Associate Appointment
• Norbert F. Scherer
• Elena Shevchenko, Professor Part-Time
• Steven J. Sibener
• Scott Snyder
• Jack Szostak, as of 9/1/2022
• Dmitri Talapin
• Andrei Tokmakoff
• Gregory Voth

Associate Professors

• John Anderson
• Bryan Dickinson
• Raymond Moellering
• Surinarayanan Vaikuntanathan

Assistant Professors

• Weixin Tang
• Anna Wuttig

Senior Instructional Professors

• Vera Dragisich
• Valerie Keller
• Britni Ratliff
• Meishan Zhao

Assistant Instructional Professor

• Shaunna McLeod
• Hannah Lant

Emeritus Faculty

• Laurie Jeanne Butler
• Philip E. Eaton
• Robert Haselkorn, MGCB
• Richard F. Jordan
• Stephen Kent, Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
• Donald H. Levy
• James R. Norris, Jr.
• Takeshi Oka
• Stuart A. Rice
• James Skinner, Molecular Engineering - Associate Appointment
• Hisashi Yamamoto

The Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemistry offers wide opportunity and unusual flexibility for advanced study and research, and is designed to encourage individuality, independence, and excellence in students. Most students select their research advisor by winter quarter of their first year and are engaged in research by the spring quarter. The department has neither a system of cumulative examinations nor a written major examination. There are relatively few course requirements and great flexibility as to which courses may be taken.

In the Division of the Physical Sciences barriers between departments are low. Students in the Department of Chemistry often take courses in other departments and can even earn the degree in chemistry for research that has been done under the supervision of a member of another department. Students are encouraged to fashion special programs of study under the guidance of the faculty.

Application

A completed application will include undergraduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, and the results of the GRE examination (the advanced test in chemistry is recommended). Foreign applicants must also submit the results of the TOEFL or IELTS.

Students are normally admitted beginning with the autumn quarter of each year. The sequential nature of some of our courses makes this the best time to begin graduate studies. Although applications may be considered at any time at the discretion of the admissions committee, students are strongly encouraged to complete their applications by December 1st. The department has no admissions quota and in recent years the entering class has numbered between 38 and 55.

A well defined Master of Science (S.M.) program of appropriate rigor is maintained, but the Department of Chemistry does not offer financial support to students whose degree goal is the master’s degree. This degree is neither a prerequisite for, nor a forerunner of, the Ph.D. degree, although it may be acquired along the way if a student so desires.

The Department of Chemistry participates actively in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) administered by the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. MSTP is a structured six year program leading to both the M.D. degree and the Ph.D. in chemistry. Full tuition and a stipend are awarded for the six year period. MSTP is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and is open only to U.S. citizens.

Financial Support

All students admitted to the Ph.D. program are offered financial support. Generally this takes the form of a first year teaching assistantship which provides a complete merit tuition scholarship and pays a competitive monthly stipend. Teaching assistants are usually assigned to one of the undergraduate laboratory courses. Duties involve supervising one class section (13-18 students) for one afternoon per week, holding a discussion session and office hours, and assisting with grading. The total time required is about fifteen hours per week.

By the end of the third quarter students have usually selected their research supervisor. An appointment as a research assistant (stipend plus tuition) normally continues throughout the period of research.

There are several special supplemental fellowships and scholarships offered by the department and the University. All students seeking admission are automatically considered in the competition for these awards. No separate application is required. Students are urged to compete for the many national and other external fellowships available.

Advanced Degrees

The department administers basic examinations in the fields of inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry in the autumn, winter, and spring quarters. Graduate students are expected to take these examinations upon entering the department. Deficiencies evidenced by these examinations must be remedied and the examinations passed prior to the end of the third quarter of residence (not counting summer quarter).

In the first year, students must satisfactorily complete nine courses. At least six of these must be 30000 level courses from the offerings of the Department of Chemistry or of related departments in the Divisions of the Physical and the Biological Sciences, and the Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering. Grades of C or better are expected. The remaining three courses will consist of the Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry, CHEM 5000x series.  Other courses may include Chemistry 35000 and/or 40000 level chemistry research courses; however, one may not register for these courses during the autumn quarter. An advisor assists students in formulating programs of study that will best satisfy personal needs and departmental requirements. Courses taken outside the department to satisfy the first year requirements must be approved by the advisor.

Students who have completed all courses with grades of C or better (P in research courses) may be recommended for the S.M. degree; these students may, at the discretion of a faculty member, be required to submit a paper on their work in CHEM 35000 or a 40000 level research course.

At the end of the spring quarter in the first year, the faculty review the student’s overall record. Course performance is a major part of this review; a B average or better in all 30000 level courses (excluding CHEM 35000 ) is expected. At this time the department will advise students whether they are qualified to continue studies and to prepare for the Ph.D. candidacy examination described below. A student seeking admission to Ph.D. candidacy must take the candidacy examination before the end of his or her fifth quarter in residence (normally October; for this purpose summer quarter is counted as a quarter in residence). This examination is based on the student’s written research prospectus. The student presents the research prospectus to the committee, and must be prepared to discuss the relevant chemical literature, progress to date, plans for future work, and the relationship of the research to other chemical problems.

The faculty review the recommendations of the candidacy examining committee and, after consideration of the student’s academic record, vote on whether or not to recommend that the student be admitted to candidacy. All candidates for the Ph.D. degree are required to participate in some form of teaching. Normally this involves serving as a teaching assistant for three quarters in the first year.

The Ph.D. degree is granted upon satisfactory completion of scholarly research work, presented in a written thesis, discussed in a public seminar, and defended orally before a faculty committee.

Students should especially note the following:

• It is the responsibility of the individual research sponsor to monitor the progress of a student’s research. Unsatisfactory progress may result in termination of financial support and/or dismissal from the Ph.D. program.
• Satisfied the basic examination requirement
• Satisfied the course requirements
• Demonstrated satisfactory progress in research and teaching
• Passed the candidacy examination
• Students should consider satisfying any or all course requirements by taking proficiency examinations. Application to take a proficiency examination should be made directly to the person who will be teaching the particular course. The examinations will be administered during the first week of the quarter in which the course is offered. No stigma is attached to failing a proficiency examination.

Chemistry Courses

CHEM 30100. Advanced Inorganic Chemistry. 100 Units.

Group theory and its applications in inorganic chemistry are developed. These concepts are used in surveying the chemistry of inorganic compounds from the standpoint of quantum chemistry, chemical bonding principles, and the relationship between structure and reactivity.

Instructor(s): W. Lin     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20100 and CHEM 26100

CHEM 30200. Synthesis and Physical Methods in Inorganic Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course covers theoretical and practical aspects of important physical methods for the characterization of inorganic molecules. Topics may include NMR, IR, RAMAN, EPR, and electronic and photoelectron spectroscopy; electrochemical methods; and single-crystal X-ray diffraction.

Instructor(s): W. Lin     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 30100

CHEM 30400. Organometallic Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course covers preparation and properties of organometallic compounds (notably those of the transition elements, their reactions, and the concepts of homogeneous catalysis).

Instructor(s): G. Dong     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20100 and CHEM 26100 Equivalent Course(s): CHEM 20200

CHEM 30600. Chemistry Of The Elements and Materials. 100 Units.

This course surveys the descriptive chemistries of the main-group elements and the transition metals from a synthetic perspective, and reaction chemistry of inorganic molecules is systematically developed.

Instructor(s): J. Anderson     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20100

CHEM 30900. Bioinorganic Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course covers various roles of metals in biology. Topics include coordination chemistry of bioinorganic units, substrate binding and activation, electron-transfer proteins, atom and group transfer chemistry, metal homeostasis, ion channels, metals in medicine, and model systems.

Instructor(s): C. He     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 20200 and 22200/23200

CHEM 31358. Simulation, Modeling, and Computation in Biophysics. 100 Units.

This course develops skills for modeling biomolecular systems. Fundamental knowledge covers basic statistical mechanics, free energy, and kinetic concepts. Tools include molecular dynamics and Monte Carlo simulations, random walk and diffusion equations, and methods to generate random Gaussian and Poisson distributors. A term project involves writing a small program that simulates a process. Familiarity with a programming language or Mathlab would be valuable.

Instructor(s): B. Roux     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): Three quarters of a Biological Sciences Fundamentals sequence, BIOS 20200 and BIOS 26210-26211, or consent from instructor Note(s): CB Equivalent Course(s): BCMB 31358, BIOS 21358, CPNS 31358

CHEM 32100. Physical Organic Chemistry I. 100 Units.

This course focuses on the quantitative aspects of structure and reactivity, molecular orbital theory, and the insight it provides into structures and properties of molecules, stereochemistry, thermochemistry, kinetics, substituent and isotope effects, and pericyclic reactions.

Instructor(s): M. Levin     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200 and 26200, or consent of instructor

CHEM 32200. Organic Synthesis and Structure. 100 Units.

This course considers the mechanisms, applicability, and limitations of the major reactions in organic chemistry, as well as of stereochemical control in synthesis.

Instructor(s): V. Rawal     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200 or consent of instructor

CHEM 32300. Strategies and Tactics of Organic Synthesis. 100 Units.

This course discusses the important classes for organic transformation. Topics include carbon-carbon bond formation; oxidation; and reduction using a metal, non-metal, or acid-base catalyst. We also cover design of the reagents and the scope and limitation of the processes.

Instructor(s): S. Snyder     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200 or consent of instructor

CHEM 33200-33300. Chemical Biology I-II.

This course emphasizes the concepts of physical organic chemistry (e.g., mechanism, molecular orbital theory, thermodynamics, kinetics) in a survey of modern research topics in chemical biology. Topics, which are taken from recent literature, include the roles of proteins in signal transduction pathways, the biosynthesis of natural products, strategies to engineer cells with novel functions, the role of spatial and temporal inhomogeneities in cell function, and organic synthesis and protein engineering for the development of molecular tools to characterize cellular activities.

CHEM 33200. Introduction to Chemical Biology. 100 Units.

This course will introduce biomolecules, chemical biology approaches and genomics from chemistry perspectives. The course will be an introduction to genomics and genomics tools in research and medicine, and will provide a well-rounded view of cell structure and function, the main signaling pathways in cells, and modern methods to chemically probe, program and reprogram cells.

Instructor(s): Y. Krishnan.     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): A grade of C or higher in CHEM 22200 or 23200, or consent of instructor Equivalent Course(s): CHEM 23300

CHEM 33300. Chemical Biology II. 100 Units.

This course will further explore the principles of biochemistry and cell biology from a chemical perspective. Molecular structure, reactivity and functional organization in biological systems - ranging from single molecules to whole organisms will be examined. Chemical concepts and tools will be applied to solve problems at the interface of chemistry, biology, and medicine. This course aims to develop and refine skills on experimental design, data analysis, interpretation and presentation while promoting the critical analysis of recent research in chemical biology. The focus of this course will be on the design, synthesis, validation and application of chemical probes, broadly defined, in modern biological research.

Instructor(s): W. Tang. Y. Krishnan     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 33200, or consent of instructor

CHEM 33800. Current Topics and Methods in Chemical Biology. 100 Units.

The aim of this course is to teach modern chemical biology methods, technologies, and applications as applied to problems and challenges in human health and biotechnology. Both classics in translational chemical biology and emerging technologies will be used to teach general principles in the application of chemistry to therapeutic development and biotechnology. As compared to the Chemical Biology course track (Chem332/Chem333), this course is geared more toward non-experts in chemical biology or those with a less extensive chemistry background.

Instructor(s): B. Dickinson. R. Moellering     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22200/23200

CHEM 33900. Discovery and Translation of Molecular Therapeutics. 100 Units.

The aim of this course is to broadly expose students to emerging classes of molecular therapeutics and diagnostics with a focus on the chemistry and molecular engineering underlying their discovery, development and translation into use by society. This material will be presented through the lens of academic, industrial and clinical experts, which will collectively expose students to the diverse disciplines that come together in the creation of new medicines and diagnostics.

Instructor(s): R. Moellering.     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 33200 or CHEM 33800

CHEM 35000. Intro To Research: Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

For course description contact Chemistry.

CHEM 36100. Wave Mechanics and Spectroscopy. 100 Units.

This course presents the introductory concepts, general principles, and applications of wave mechanics to spectroscopy.

Instructor(s): A. Dinner     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26300

CHEM 36200. Quantum Mechanics. 100 Units.

This course builds upon the concepts introduced in CHEM 36100 with greater detail provided for the role of quantum mechanics in chemical physics.

Instructor(s): D. Mazziotti     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 36100

CHEM 36300. Statistical Thermodynamics. 100 Units.

This course covers the thermodynamics and introductory statistical mechanics of systems at equilibrium.

Instructor(s): S. Vaikuntanathan     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26100-26200

CHEM 36400. Advanced Statistical Mechanics. 100 Units.

Topics covered in this course may include statistics of quantum mechanical systems, weakly and strongly interacting classical systems, phase transitions and critical phenomena, systems out of equilibrium, and polymers.

Instructor(s): V. Goth     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 36300 or equivalent

CHEM 36500. Chemical Dynamics. 100 Units.

This course develops a molecular-level description of chemical kinetics, reaction dynamics, and energy transfer in both gases and liquids. Topics include potential energy surfaces, collision dynamics and scattering theory, reaction rate theory, collisional and radiationless energy transfer, molecule-surface interactions, Brownian motion, time correlation functions, and computer simulations.

Instructor(s): G. Voth     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 36100 required; 36300 recommended

CHEM 36800. Quantum Molecular and Materials Modeling. 100 Units.

Quantum mechanical methods, including quantum chemistry, density functional theory (DFT), and many body perturbation theory, for simulating the properties of molecules and materials will be explored in this course. Numerical algorithms and techniques will be introduced that allow for solution of approximate forms of the Schroedinger and Boltzmann Equations that model structural and transport properties of molecules and materials. The coupling of DFT with molecular dynamics will be detailed for determining finite temperature properties. Coupling of DFT with spin Hamiltonians to study dynamical spin correlations in materials will also be described. Examples of the application of quantum mechanical methods to materials for energy conversion and quantum information technologies will be provided.

Instructor(s): Laura Gagliardi,Giulia Galli     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): MENG 21300 or CHEM 26100 or PHYS 23400 or instructor consent Equivalent Course(s): CHEM 26800, MENG 25510, MENG 35510

CHEM 37000. Introduction to Laboratory Research. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): Moellering, R.     Terms Offered: Autumn

CHEM 38700. Biophysical Chemistry. 100 Units.

This course develops a physicochemical description of biological systems. Topics include macromolecules, fluid-phase lipid-bilayer structures in aqueous solution, biomembrane mechanics, control of biomolecular assembly, and computer simulations of biomolecular systems.

Instructor(s): R. Benoit     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): ONE of the following: CHEM 31358 Simulation, Modeling, and Computation in Biophysics; CHEM 36300 Statistical Thermodynamics; CHEM 36400 Advanced Statistical Mechanics. Knowledge of basic calculus, matrix algebra, statistical mechanics, and kinetics are recommended.

CHEM 39000. Solids, Materials, Surfaces. 100 Units.

This course is an introduction to modern materials chemistry. It covers basic chemistry and physics of condensed systems, such as solids, polymers, and nanomaterials. The electronic structure of metals, semiconductors and magnetically ordered phases will be discussed. We will review optical and electronic properties of different classes of materials using examples of hard and soft condensed matter systems and drawing structure-property relationships for conventional solids, polymers, and nanomaterials. Finally, the course will cover the fundamentals of surface science and material synthesis, applying modern understanding of nucleation and growth phenomena.

Instructor(s): D. Talapin     Terms Offered: Autumn Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26100, CHEM 26200, and CHEM 26300, or equivalent Equivalent Course(s): MENG 35200

CHEM 39100. Polymer Synthesis. 100 Units.

This course introduces the most important polymerization reactions, focusing on their reaction mechanisms and kinetic aspects. Topics include free radical and ionic chain polymerization, step-growth polymerization, ring-opening, insertion, controlled living polymerization, crosslinking, copolymerization, and chemical modification of preformed polymers.

Instructor(s): Stuart Rowan     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22000 and CHEM 22100 Equivalent Course(s): MENG 25110, MENG 35110

CHEM 39200. Polymers. 100 Units.

The course covers the following advanced topics in polymer science, by a combination of lectures and student presentations: 1) Electrical-conductivity, mobility, applications in various fields 2) Biological polymers-biocompatibility, degradable drug delivery, (Protein, DNA and RNA delivery), tissue engineering 3) Liquid crystal polymers 4) Polymers for catalytic function 5) Ferroelectric/ferromagnetic polymers 6) Optical polymers (linear, nonlinear optical polymers) 7) Block copolymers for nanostructures 8) Supramolecular polymers-polymers with self-healing properties.

Instructor(s): Luping Yu     Terms Offered: Winter Prerequisite(s): CHEM 22000-22100-22200 and CHEM 26100

CHEM 39300. Electronic and Quantum Materials for Technology. 100 Units.

This is a one-quarter introductory course on the science and engineering of electronic and quantum materials. The intended audience is upper-level undergraduate students and first-year graduate students in Molecular Engineering and other related fields, including Chemistry and Physics. We will learn the basics of electrical and optical properties of electronic materials, including semiconductors, metals, and insulators starting from a simple band picture, and will discuss how these materials enable modern electronic and optoelectronic devices and circuitry. We will also explore the modern synthesis techniques for these materials and the effects of reduced dimensions and emergent quantum properties. No comprehensive exposure to quantum mechanics, thermodynamics, or advanced mathematical skills will be assumed, even though working knowledge of these topics will be helpful.

Instructor(s): Jiwoong Park     Terms Offered: Spring Prerequisite(s): CHEM 26200 or PHYS 23500 or instructor consent Equivalent Course(s): MENG 26600, MENG 36600

CHEM 40000. Rsch: Related Depts/Institutes. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Related Depts/Institutes under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Physical Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40200. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Readings and Research for working on their PhD

CHEM 40300. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 40400. Rsch: Org/Phys/Polymer Chem. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Org/Phys/Polymer Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40500. Rsch: Laser/Surface/Phys Chem. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Laser/Surface/Physical Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40600. Research: Bioorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Bioorganic Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40700. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 40800. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Organic Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 40900. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41000. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41200. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41300. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41400. Research: Org/Biological Chem. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41500. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 41600. Research: Biophysical Chem. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Biophysical Chemistry under the supervision of professor.

CHEM 41700. Research: Geochemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Geochemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 41800. Rsch: Org/Phys-Org Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Org/Phys-Org Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 41900. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42000. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42200. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42300. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42400. Research: Org/Biological Chem. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42500. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42600. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42700. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42800. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 42900. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43000. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43100. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Doctoral research on an original project in Inorganic Chemistry under the supervision of the professor.

CHEM 43200. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43300. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43400. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43500. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43600. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43800. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 43900. Research: Org/Biotheoretical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44000. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44100. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44200. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44300. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44400. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44500. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44600. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44700. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 44800. Research: Organic Chemistry. 100-300 Units.

CHEM 44900. Polymer Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Laboratory Research on an original project in Polymer Chemistry for Ph.D. dissertation.

CHEM 45000. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

CHEM 45100. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Laboratory research in physical chemistry.

Instructor(s): Sarah King     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter. Start in 2018 - 2019 and continue every year/quarter after that

CHEM 45200. Research: Organic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Conduct research towards a dissertation research project in Organic Chemistry.

Instructor(s): Prof. Mark Levin     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45300. Research: Organic/Biological Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Conduct research for Ph.D. dissertation in the laboratory of a Chemistry Department faculty member.

Instructor(s): Prof. Weixing Tang     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter. Offered every quarter

CHEM 45400. Research: Physical Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Research in computational/theoretical/physical chemistry toward a Ph.D. dissertation project.

Instructor(s): Prof. Laura Gagliardi     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45500. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Ph.D. laboratory research in a faculty research laboratory.

Instructor(s): Anna Wuttig     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45600. Research: Inorganic Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Laboratory research on a Ph.D. dissertation project in Inorganic Chemistry.

Instructor(s): Paul Alivatsos     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 45700. RESEARCH: ORGANIC/BIOLOGICAL CHEMISTRY. 300.00 Units.

Conduct Ph.D.dissertation research in the laboratory of a faculty member in Chemistry.

Instructor(s): Prof. Jack Szostak     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter

CHEM 49000. Chemistry External Research/ Professional Development. 300.00 Units.

Off site research internship.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Autumn Spring Summer Winter Prerequisite(s): Approval of dissertation advisor

CHEM 50000-50001-50002. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry I-II-III.

This sequence will extend the traditional two-week departmental TA training into a full year, covering both the materials that are critical to becoming an excellent TA and the skills to produce well-rounded PhD candidates. At the end of this sequence, students are expected to develop an enhanced understanding and talent of critical thinking, an enriched knowledge base that is critical in solving real-world problems, an improved ability in the consideration and use of innovative pedagogical tools, the ability to transition into independent research, and effective skills in preparing high-quality written reports and oral presentations, as well as to begin thinking about career development skills.

CHEM 50000. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry I. 100 Units.

All organic chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D01; all general chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D02.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Autumn Note(s): All organic chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D01; all general chemistry TAs should enroll in discussion section 1D02.

CHEM 50001. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry II. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Winter

CHEM 50002. Advanced Training for Teachers and Researchers in Chemistry III. 100 Units.

Instructor(s): Dr. Vera Dragisich     Terms Offered: Spring

CHEM 70000. Advanced Study: Chemistry. 300.00 Units.

Advanced Study: Chemistry

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PhD Programs

Our program brings together students from a wide range of disciplines to address  problems of global significance .

We welcome students who specialize in materials science, physics, chemical and biological engineering, and more. Our innovative approach to science and engineering drives solution-focused collaboration. The Pritzker School of Molecular Engineering (PME) offers PhDs in  Molecular Engineering  and  Quantum Science and Engineering .

Learning from Leaders

When you start your graduate work at Pritzker Molecular Engineering, you'll find a growing team of top-tier researchers from diverse science and engineering disciplines to support you.

Your professors–pioneers in their fields–will quickly become your mentors. They will connect you with our partners in academia, industry, and government.

You'll have access to research advisors not only at PME, but also at the prestigious Argonne National Laboratory, as well as fellow STEM departments including chemistry, physics, and immunology. This adds up to an environment teeming with exciting discoveries, new technologies, and innovative solutions–where you can grow into a leader in the field of molecular engineering.

• Our Faculty
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World-class Labs, Cutting-edge Facilities

PME’s main hub, the William Eckhardt Research Center, features cutting-edge facilities like our biomolecular research labs, cleanrooms, molecular imaging facilities, and nanofabrication facility.

Plus, most PME faculty members have joint appointments at Argonne , so you’ll have access to even more world-class facilities, in areas including scattering, imaging, and computation.

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Engineer the Future

We take our role as the first school in the nation dedicated to molecular engineering seriously. It drives us to carve out a new path in engineering research and education.

We transcend traditional boundaries by bringing together interdisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists to holistically address societal issues . Our pioneering approach to education teaches you not only the fundamentals of molecular engineering, but also how to communicate your work to a variety of audiences. You'll have the opportunity to take electives across the University—from business classes at Booth to policy courses at Harris Public Policy to astrophysics in the Physical Sciences Division .

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Pritzker Nanofabrication Facility (PNF)

University of Chicago campus

For general inquiries about the PhD program, questions on financial aid, or to schedule a visit to PME, please contact [email protected]

Materials Research

Materials research at uchicago cuts across disciplinary boundaries to create new and novel materials. materials science helps us to understand and create novel properties that emerge from complex chemical systems..

Nanomaterials

Quantum dots, 2D materials, plasmonics

Synthesis of functional organic materials

Biomaterials

Nature's macromolecular assemblies

Quantum Materials

Controlling quantum dynamics in materials

Microscopy and Nanoscopy

Linking structure to function

Solar Light Harvesting

Capturing light to power the planet

Soft Condensed Matter

Jamming, sticking, and patterning

Working at the interface between theory and experiment

Materials Faculty

Uchicago material scientists span disciplinary boundaries sharing ideas across fields, paul alivisatos.

Nanomaterials, Quantum Dots

Chibueze Amanchukwu

Electrodes, Electrolytes, Batteries

John Anderson

Inorganic Chemistry, Organometallics, Metal-Organic Frameworks

David Awschalom

Quantum Information, Solid State Physics, Spintronics

Juan DePablo

Polymer Dynamics, Glassy Systems, Molecular Engineering

Ultrafast, Biophysics, Chemical Dynamics

Aaron Esser-Kahn

Polymers, Biomaterials, Immunoengineering

Andrew Ferguson

Computational Modeling, Biomaterials, Machine Learning

Laura Gagliardi

Quantum Chemistry, Multi-reference Transition Metal Chemistry

Giulia Galli

Materials, Electronic Structure, Defect Dynamics

Margaret Gardel

Biophysics, Cytoskeletal Dynamics, Soft Condensed Matter

Supratik Guha

Nanoscale Materials, Energy Conversion, Solid State Physics

Philippe Guyot-Sionnest

Quantum Dots, Solid State Physics, Chemical Physics

Mike Hopkins

Solar Light Harvesting, Charge Separation, Inorganic Chemistry

Jeffrey Hubbell

William irvine.

Soft Matter, Chirality, Helicity, Phase Transitions

Heinrich Jaeger

Granular Materials, Soft Condensed Matter

Interfacial Dynamics, 2D Materials, Electrochemical Mechanism

Membrane Dynamics, Biophysics, Soft Condensed Matter

Biological Materials, Nanomedicine, Metal-organic Frameworks, Nanomaterials

Electrochemistry, Water Purification, Chemical Engineering

Peter Maurer

Nanoscopy, Quantum Materials, Quantum Sensing, Biological Materials

Splashing, Glassy Systems, Soft Condensed Matter

Paul Nealey

Lithography, Nanofabrication, Polymers, and Bio-comaptible materials

Jiwoong Park

2D Materials, Electronic Dynamics, Chemical Physics

Shrayesh Patel

Polymers, Ion Transport, Batteries, Chemical Engineering

Stuart Rice

Quantum Dynamics, Liquids, 2D Materials

Stuart Rowan

Polymers, Organic Chemistry, Biomaterials

Norbert Scherer

Biophysics, Optical Matter, Plasmonics

Elena Shevchenko

Functional Nanoparticles, Inorganic Chemisty, Nanomaterials

Steve Sibener

Surface Science, Chemical Dynamics, Water

Allison Squires

Microscopy, Biological Materials

Dmitri Talapin

Quantum Dots, Inorganic Chemisty, Nanomaterials

Materials Science, Nano-bio Interfaces, Bio-Electronics

Matt Tirrell

Polymer Brushes, Chemical Engineering, Biomolecular Engineering

Vincenzo Vitelli

Theory, Soft Matter, Phase Transitions

Sihong Wang

Polymer Electronics, Biomaterials, Chemical Engineering

Organic Solar Cells, Polymer Design, Organic Materials

Unified by our desire to create new materials, our faculty work collaboratively across a wide array of scientific disciplines

Affiliations

Prospective Graduate Students

Graduate students should apply to one of the doctoral programs listed below.

Prospective Postdoctoral Scholars

Postdoctoral Scholars should apply directly to one of faculty listed above.

Prospective Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate students should apply directly to the College.

Novel material properties arise from quantum confinement and then hierarchical assembly of functional nanoscale building blocks.

Learn more about Nanomaterials from the groups below . Guyot-Sionnest Group Park Group Scherer Group Talapin Group Shevchenko Group Tian Group Alivisatos Group Sibener Group Lin Group King Group Engel Group

Working at the intersection of organic chemistry and materials science, UChicago scientists synthesize and characterize novel organic materials with well-controlled electronic and optical properties. We explore relationships between chemical structure and properties to facilitate discovery of new organic materials for organic solar cells, organic electronics, water splitting, and other practical applications.

Learn more about Polymers from the groups below . Yu Group Tirrell Group Rowan Group Nealey Group Wang Group Liu Group Hubbell Group Esser-Kahn Group Sibener Group Patel Group DePablo Group Freed Group Lin Group

Biology has evolved function for billions of years. Proteins, lipids, and glyco-proteins form elaborate networks with incredible structures and functions. Cytoskeletons exert force. Photosynethtic light harvesting antennae power and feed the planet. Membranes provide the interfaces that define biology.

Learn more about Biomaterials from the groups below . Gardel Group Lee Group Lin Group Wang Group Rowan Group Hubbell Group Esser-Kahn Group Tian Group Engel Group

From quantum information to solar light harvestings, quantum dynamics and the material properties that govern quantum correlations, confinement, and entanglement imbue materials with novel properties.

Learn more about Quantum Materials from the groups below . Awschalom Group Galli Group Engel Group Yu Group Park Group Anderson Group Maurer Group

We can't understand what we can't see. Imaging with chemical specificity at or below the diffraction limit enables new probes of biology and materials.

Learn more about Microscopy and Nanoscopy from the groups below . Gardel Group King Group Squires Group Sibener Group Lee Group Tian Group Scherer Group Talapin Group Shevchenko Group Alivisatos Group Guyot-Sionnest Group Engel Group

Capturing solar light and harnessing the energy for society's use remains a scientific grand challenge. We create materials for novel solar cells, and illuminate design principles of solar light harvesting.

Learn more about Solar Light Harvesting from the groups below . Yu Group Engel Group Hopkins Group Lin Group Talapin Group Guyot-Sionnest Group Galli Group Sibener Group

Materials far from equilibrium exhibit novel and complex properties. We seek insights to control properties and design whole new classes of smart materials. For example, granular matter, optical matter, and biomaterials all exhibit unusual properties emerging from self-assembly under non-equilibrium conditions.

Learn more about Soft Condensed Matter from the groups below . Jaeger Group Nagel Group Irvine Group Vitelli Group Scherer Group DePablo Group Sibener Group Talapin Group Tian Group Gardel Group Lee Group

Alongside our experimental efforts, we develop, apply, and explore new theoretical methods and models to understand complex emergent phenomena in functional materials. From biology to quantum materials to light harvesting and energy transport, we construct new ways to understand physical phenomena and interpret data.

Learn more about Theory from the groups below . Gagliardi Group DePablo Group Galli Group Vitelli Group Ferguson Group Scherer Group Engel Group

Best Chemistry Programs

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Academic Catalog

2023-2024 graduate & professional catalog.

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Admission Requirements

Applicants are considered on an individual basis. For questions regarding the application process, they are advised to contact the graduate coordinator ( [email protected] ). Complete transcripts of all undergraduate and any graduate course work must be submitted. In addition to the Graduate College minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

• Baccalaureate Field Chemistry or biochemistry. Other fields are considered on an individual basis.
• Grade Point Average At least 3.00/4.00 in mathematics and science courses (excluding independent study or research courses) and at least 2.75 for the final 60 semester hours (or 90 quarter hours if the university follows the quarter system) of undergraduate study.
• Tests Required None.
• TOEFL 80, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Speaking 20, and Writing 21 (iBT Test); 60, with subscores of Reading 19, Listening 17, Writing 21 (Revised Paper-Delivered Test); , OR,
• IELTS 6.5, with subscores of 6.0 for all four categories (Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing), OR ,
• PTE-Academic 54, with subscores of Reading 51, Listening 47, Speaking 53, and Writing 56.
• Letters of Recommendation Three letters are required.
• Personal Statement Required as part of the Application for Graduate Appointment . The form is accessible online (click the down arrow in the top right corner to make it a fillable PDF). Statement should be submitted on a separate sheet. Research background and interests should be emphasized, and a discussion of the applicant's suitability to our graduate program should be provided.
• Nondegree Applicants Nondegree applicants must submit a transcript from their baccalaureate institution and a statement regarding their future plans.

Degree Requirements

After admission, all entering students must take placement examinations. The placement examinations, which are at a level of typical terminal college courses, are offered in the areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, and biochemistry. All graduate students must show proficiency in three areas of their choice. A deficiency in an area must be remedied by taking an advanced undergraduate or a graduate-level course in the area.

Students seeking a PhD degree are encouraged to enter this program immediately after completion of their undergraduate studies. The MS degree is not a prerequisite to the PhD degree in Chemistry.

• Minimum Semester Hours Required 96 hours beyond the baccalaureate.
• Course Work At least 9 hours must be in lecture courses at the 500 level in the student’s major area and 3 hours must be in a chemistry lecture course at the 500 level (or 6 hours in lecture courses at the 400 level in one field) outside the student’s area of specialization. Students must meet the seminar requirements of their area of specialization within the program. Students found to be deficient in specific areas of chemistry on the basis of placement examinations may have to complete additional courses.
• Preliminary Examination Required. Candidates must fulfill the Assessment for Candidacy requirements and have a  Research Committee Meeting consisting of an oral examination and assessment of research progress by the end of the second year in the program. Advancing to candidacy is dependent on satisfactory completion of these requirements within the time limit set by the department.
• ​ Chemistry Education Research Students complete this  requirement by taking and passing an additional 400/500-level  course in Chemistry or in a field of educational research  approved by the advisor. Students also take and pass CHEM  570 (1 cr.) during their second year, in advance of their  second year committee meeting.
• Analytical Chemistry: Students must pass CHEM 520   during their  second year, in advance of their second year committee  meeting, and an additional 400/500-level   course.
• Biochemistry: Students are required to take and pass CHEM  550 four times ( each semester during their first and second years).
• Inorganic Chemistry: Students are required to submit written  research reports at the end of the student’s second  semester.
• Organic Chemistry: Students are required to take and pass  CHEM 530 four times ( each semester during their first and second  years).
• Physical Chemistry: Students will be required to take and  pass CHEM 540 four times ( each semester during their first and second  years).
• Dissertation Required.

MS students who transfer to or enter the PhD program before completion of the MS degree are also required to meet these requirements by the end of their fourth semester 

Interdepartmental Concentrations

Students earning a graduate degree in this department may complement their courses by enrolling in select concentrations after consulting with their graduate advisor. Interdepartmental concentrations available for this degree include:

• Neuroscience

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Our Mission

We study how biomolecules function and interact to drive the complex, diverse, and adaptive behaviors of living systems. Our focus is on biological mechanism at the atomic level. We are pioneers in all areas of biophysics, structural biology, and protein engineering and design.

We have strong collaborative ties to the IBD , Chemistry ,  GGSB , MGCB , and Neurobiology .  

The Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Our priority is to build and maintain a diverse faculty, student, postdoc, and staff community, and to cultivate a culture that is welcoming and supportive to all. We recognize that diversity and inclusion are fundamental to our core mission of developing and supporting excellence and innovation in scientific discovery, education, and public policy.

Primary Ph.D. Programs

• Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics

Our program application is available here . Please indicate that you are applying to the Molecular Biosciences cluster , and the Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics program.

Affiliated Ph.D. Programs

• Cell and Molecular Biology
• Genetics, Genomics, and Systems Biology
• Benoit Roux elected as 2023 American Association for the Advancement of Science fellow
• Phoebe Rice receives Quantrell and Graduate Teaching Award
• Tony Kossiakoff and Eduardo Perozo Elected to the National Academy of Sciences!

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College of Pharmacy - Chicago | Rockford

Phd in pharmaceutical sciences.

We enable students with backgrounds in fundamental sciences to become leaders in pharmaceutical sciences

Located in the vibrant and multicultural city of Chicago, UIC's PhD Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the strongest and largest of its type in the United States. Our college is consistently ranked in the top ten in terms of funds secured annually from the National Institutes of Health and by US News and World Report. We pride ourselves on giving students from all types of backgrounds the tools they need to become independent researchers. Students in the program select one of the program concentrations, described below.

Important dates Heading link Copy link

We are so pleased you are considering graduate studies in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Illinois Chicago! Although Pharmaceutical Sciences is one of the best graduate programs of its kind in the country, our real pride is mentoring students into independent researchers who become leaders in our field. The program has some unique strengths, including providing flexibility to carry out internships in your later years. Have a look around our website. If you have questions, feel free to reach out to us at [email protected] . We look forward to reading your application! Debra Tonetti, PhD  |  Professor, Pharmaceutical Sciences

Program Coursework Heading link Copy link

All students in the Pharmaceutical Sciences program take the following courses. Additional concentration coursework is also required and is shown in each of the concentration tabs.

• Drug Discovery, Design, and Development (PSCI 501, 3 credit hours)
• Training in Research Presentation (PSCI 502, 1 credit hour)
• PSCI 503: Biostatistics for Pharmaceutical Scientists (1 credit hour)
• BSTT 400: Biostatistics I (4 credit hours) [Note: BSTT 400 is required for the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration]
• Scientific Ethics and the Responsible Conduct of Research (GC 501, 1 credit hour)
• Research Rotation (PSCI 592; 3-4 credit hours)
• PSCI PhD Course Requirements
• PSCI Department Course Descriptions

Program Concentrations Heading link Copy link

Five concentrations comprise the PhD program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Click on the tabs below to learn more about each of them. To see the faculty mentors for each concentration, visit the Faculty Mentors page .

Chemistry in Drug Discovery

Concentration description.

Faculty in the Chemistry in Drug Discovery concentration use the tools and techniques of chemistry to discover and develop new chemical probes and potential therapeutics. Students in this concentration learn how to design, synthesize, characterize and analyze small molecules, peptides, and proteins.

Concentration Coursework

Students in the Chemistry in Drug Discovery Concentration take the following courses:

• Fundamental of Drug Action I (PHAR 422, 4 credit hours)
• Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (PSCI 530, 5 credit hours)
• Electives (9 credit hours)

Concentration Coordinator

Prof. Terry Moore ([email protected])

Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics

The Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics concentration is designed to provide advanced understanding of fundamental causes of diseases, strategies that identify new drug targets, and mechanistic explanations of how drugs work (or fail) from the perspective of the target and systems they impact. Faculty affiliated with MMT integrate a wide variety of molecular, biochemical, genetic, bioinformatic, and bioengineering approaches to study mechanisms of pathogenesis ranging from infectious diseases to cancer. Students will enroll in fundamental molecular and cellular biology courses and select elective courses in areas of their focused research.

Students in the Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutics Concentration take the following courses:

• Biochemistry (e.g., GEMS 501 or equivalent graduate-level biochemistry course, 3 credit hours)
• Molecular Biology (e.g., GEMS 502 or equivalent molecular biology course, 3 credit hours)
• Biostatistics I (BSTT 400, 4 credit hours)
• Molecular Genetics (GEMS 511, 3 credit hours)
• Receptor Pharmacology and Cell Signaling (GEMS 515, 3 credit hours)
• Microbial Pathogenesis (MIM 560, 3 credit hours)
• Cancer Biology and Therapeutics (PSCI 540, 3 credit hours)

Prof. Alessandra Eustaquio ( [email protected] )

Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery

Faculty in the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration use the tools and techniques of physical and biologic sciences and engineering to understand and develop delivery systems and formulations for therapeutic molecules and control the biodistribution of therapeutic molecules. Students in this concentration learn how to design, synthesize, characterize and analyze novel materials and drug delivery systems and design and develop technologies related to therapeutic distribution in the body.

Students in the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery Concentration take the following courses:

• *This 4 credit hour course will count 1 hour toward the program core statistics requirement and 3 hours toward the Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery concentration requirements. Students will not receive credit for two introductory statistics courses.
• Essentials for Animal Research (GC 470, 1 credit hour)
• Experimental Animal Techniques (GC 471, 2 credit hours)
• Principles of Pharmaceutics and Drug Delivery (PSCI 510, 3 credit hours)

Prof. Richard Gemeinhart ([email protected])

Pharmacognosy

Faculty research programs in the Pharmacognosy concentration aim to develop therapeutics from natural products and to study the mechanisms of pain, cancers, and a wide array of infectious and tropical diseases. Students of this concentration are trained in a combination of bioinformatics, synthetic biology, genetic engineering, chromatography, and spectroscopy to achieve these goals.

Students in the Pharmacognosy Concentration take the following courses:

• Research Techniques in Pharmacognosy (PSCI 520 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)
• Structure Elucidation of Natural Products (PSCI 521 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)
• Advanced Pharmacognosy (PSCI 522 or equivalent; 3 credit hours)

Prof. Brian Murphy ([email protected])

PharmD/PhD Joint Program Heading link Copy link

Pharmaceutical Sciences participates in the joint PharmD/PhD program, which trains students for careers in academic pharmacy and bench science research. Students admitted to this joint program participate in the PharmD curriculum and pursue original doctoral research projects in the laboratories of the university’s graduate faculty in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

The joint program offers the potential of reducing the time of earning both degrees in sequence (9 or more years) by approximately two years. The trade-off is that both degrees are awarded at the end of the training period and neither degree can be received before the other is completed.

The PharmD/PhD program is for exceptional, highly motivated and achieving students ready to meet the challenge of increased academic load and independent research project.

Program coordinator: Dr. Lindsey McQuade ( [email protected] )

• Joint PharmD/PhD Course Requirements
• Joint PharmD/PhD Program Page

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Pride Points for PhD PSCI Heading link Copy link

$ 35,162 annual graduate stipend for students on teaching assistantship or research assistantship

33 internships completed by department graduate students in the last five years

19 students currently on training grant or fellowship

# 7 nationally ranked College of Pharmacy according to US News

# 7 nationally ranked total research funding among Colleges of Pharmacy according to AACP

Start your application Heading link Copy link

The Pharmaceutical Sciences Program at UIC offers a supportive, inclusive environment and rigorous academic preparation for students who are interested in careers in pharmaceutical sciences. If you have any questions about the program or about your application, please contact [email protected].

Get in touch: Contact Us

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Application Information

Thank you for your interest in the graduate program of the Department of Chemistry at UIC. We look forward to receiving your application and appreciate your interest in doing graduate work in chemistry at the University of Illinois Chicago. We have a research faculty of 27, 15 postdoctoral research associates, and a diverse group of over 150 graduate students who study problems in biochemistry, analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. For detailed information regarding our current research, please access our home page.

All of the items listed below would be needed to submit a complete application. If you need clarification or additional information, please send your questions to Dr. Daesung Lee ( [email protected] ), Director of Graduate Studies, can also answer your questions.

Concerning entry for the graduate class during the Fall semester, the $70 application fee is  waived  for completed and submitted applications from both domestic and international students until Dec. 15.  To repeat- the application is free  until this time after which a fee is applied. International students must pay an additional $100 to evaluate international course work regardless of residency,  which will be reimbursed for students who accept our admission offer!

ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS MUST BE UPLOADED TO THE ONLINE APPLICATION

(Documents MUST be in PDF format.)

Application for Graduate Study

• Original transcript and proof of degree ( see discussion below )
• Application for Graduate Appointment    - (Click the down arrow in the top right corner to make the form a fillable pdf)
• Personal Statement of research background and professional goals ( see discussion below )
• Three letters of recommendation ( see discussion below )
• GRE scores are not required

If you are an  international applicant , you also need to provide:

• Certified English translation of your transcript and degree certificate
• TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE-Academic report  ( see discussion below )
• International Student Declaration & Certification of Finances  ( see discussion below )

The  Application for Graduate Study  is to be completed on-line. The application fee can be paid on-line with a credit card only at the time of the submission of your application.

Original Transcripts and Proof of Degree

Credentials (transcripts, academic records, diplomas, certificates of degrees, etc) must be uploaded directly to the online application. English translations should also be uploaded if the credentials are not in English.All credentials uploaded to the online application are considered unofficial.

If you are admitted, you will be asked to submit official or attested credentials in a sealed envelope, with a certification stamp across the seal.  Please do not send these official documents until we request them from you .

Application for Graduate Appointment / Statement of Purpose

The Application for Graduate Appointment form includes space for your Statement of Purpose on the second page, however, please provide your statement as a separate document.

Letters of recommendation

You will need to provide email addresses of your references. A request for a letter of recommendation will then be sent to the designated individual. The application system will keep track of requests that have been sent and when references have submitted their recommendation letter.

Letters must be written by professors or employers who can accurately comment on your academic and research ability. All letters must be signed and typed on institutional letterhead.

Please ask ETS to send your TOEFL report to UIC. (UIC’s institutional code is  1851 ). The minimum TOEFL score required by the University of Illinois Chicago is 550 for the computer-based test. For the TOEFL iBT test, a minimum total score of 80 is required with minimum sub-scores as follows: Writing 21; Speaking 20; Listening 17; Reading 19. Note that the total score has been set higher than the sum of the sub-scores.

For the IELTS test, a minimum total score of 6.5 is required with the following minimum sub-scores: Listening 6.0; Writing 6.0; Reading 6.0; Speaking 6.0.

For the PTE-Academic a minimum total score of 54 is required with the following minimum sub-scores: Listening 47; Writing 56; Reading 51; Speaking 53.

Please note that the TOEFL or IELTS or PTE examinations are not required for students who have completed at least two academic years of full-time study in a country where English is the native language and in a school where English is the language of instruction within five years of the proposed date of enrollment at UIC.

International Student Declaration and Certification of Finances

It is not necessary to send your completed  International Student Declaration and Certification of Finances  form until you are admitted and receive an offer from the Department of Chemistry. In that case, you will receive notification requesting that you provide us with this document.

Submitting your application and deadlines

Applications are reviewed as soon as they are complete. For fullest consideration, both for admission and potential University Fellowship awards, submit your application and all supporting documents before  January 1 .

The deadline to receive all application materials from U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or international students who are applying for entry in the Fall semester is  February 15 .

Pharmaceutical Sciences

Why study pharmaceutical sciences.

Unleash your potential in the dynamic field of pharmaceutical sciences through our PhD program. Designed to inspire and challenge, our comprehensive curriculum combines cutting-edge coursework with advanced research, allowing you to delve into captivating areas such as pioneering drug development, unraveling the intricate impact of medications on the body, exploring breakthrough drug delivery techniques, and maximizing the therapeutic potential of medications for optimal patient outcomes. With flexible scheduling options available, including online and in-person formats, you can tailor your learning experience to fit your needs and preferences. 

Become part of our program and unleash your potential to make groundbreaking contributions that will shape the future of pharmaceutical sciences.

Choose Your Specialization

Because the scope of pharmaceutical sciences is so broad, our graduate program has a number of specialty disciplines:

Biomembrane Sciences Track

In the Biomembrane Sciences track, students delve into captivating research projects encompassing drug delivery strategies, cosmetic product safety assessment, mathematical modeling of membrane transport, innovative drug formulations, nanocarrier design, and advancements in skin and hair development.

Experimental Therapeutics Track

Discover a world of possibilities in our Experimental Therapeutics track, where we bridge the gap between innovative therapeutic entities and real-world applications. Explore captivating research opportunities in areas ranging from cancer biomarkers to neuropharmacology, stroke, epilepsy, and more.

Health Outcomes Track

The Health Outcomes track aims to train interdisciplinary scholars in pharmaceutical sciences, economics, business, and quantitative analysis. By conducting research in this emerging field, students develop expertise that can improve patient health. This track offers exciting opportunities to contribute to the pharmaceutical industry's growing demand for scientists skilled in social and administrative aspects of pharmaceutical sciences. Students in the Health Outcomes track explore diverse research projects, ranging from drug safety and pharmacovigilance to pharmacy facility design, operation, and pharmacoeconomics.

Admission Requirements

Applicants with an undergraduate degree in chemistry, biology, engineering, or related fields from an accredited institution are eligible to apply for our full-time, research-intensive MS program in Pharmaceutical Sciences. Similarly, those with a completed professional degree like PharmD, MD, or DVM also meet eligibility requirements. Interested applicants can directly apply without prior completion of an MS degree. Admission to our competitive program, which offers supervised, full-time research training, is based on a selection process. 

Programmatic minimum admission criteria include:

• A U.S. bachelors degree from a regionally accredited college or university or an equivalent degree from outside of the U.S.
• A grade-point average (GPA) of at least 3.00 or non-U.S. equivalent
• A Graduate Record Examination (GRE) score of at least 290/3.0 obtained within the past 5 years
• International Applicants: qualifying English language profiency score

Supplemental Application Documents

To be considered for admission, please complete the University of Cincinnati Graduate Application and submit the following documents electronically within the application: 

Curriculum Vitae (CV)

Statement of Purpose: Explain your motivation for pursuing a research-intensive Ph.D. degree in Pharmaceutical Sciences at the University of Cincinnati. Include your desired research focus area within the broad field of Pharmaceutical Sciences.

Submit all college transcripts, including evidence of high academic achievement (unofficial transcripts are sufficient for initial review).

• Three letters of recommendation are required for applications, and we strongly recommend that applicants seek letters from individuals who can provide insights into their research experience. Please note that letters of recommendation from family members, friends, current students, politicians, or clergy will not be accepted. 

Non-Matriculated Students

If you are interested in exploring Pharmaceutical Sciences graduate-level courses without formal enrollment in a degree-seeking program, please complete the  basic data form .

Our program opens doors to a wide range of exciting career opportunities in the pharmaceutical industry, clinical research organizations, academia, and government sectors. Upon graduation, you may find yourself in roles such as a scientist, clinical pharmacologist, clinical trial manager, post-doctoral fellow, or regulatory affairs manager.

Furthermore, there are additional career paths available, including positions as a medical science liaison, pharmaceutical consultant, medical writer, or chemist, providing you with diverse avenues to pursue your passions and contribute to the advancement of the field.

Scholarship Opportunities

To explore available scholarship opportunities, please visit our Financial Aid & Scholarships page .

The graduation requirements for this program include: 

Completion of Plan of Study

Successful passing of the PhD qualifier and research proposal

Verification of at least one (1) first-author manuscript related to PhD dissertation research that is accepted for publication in a peer-reviewed scientific journal

Compliance with degree-required seminar and journal club credit hours per semester

Cumulative grade point average of all didactic courses ≥3.0

Min of 90 credit hrs from track-based curriculum outline

No failing “F” grade in any of the degree-associated graduate courses

Successful upload of a chair-signed dissertation through the Graduate College ETD portal by the specified deadline

• Guide: Pharmaceutical Sciences- Biomembrane Sciences Track
• Guide: Pharmaceutical Sciences- Health Outcomes Track
• Guide: Pharmaceutical Sciences- Experimental Therapeutics Track

Application Deadlines

Early Admission

General Admission

All application documents must be electronically submitted through the online application. When completing the online application, please select the desired degree path carefully, as document switches between different tracks are not permitted. Applications are reviewed with the following timeline:

Fall semester applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee in May, with submissions accepted until August 1st. 

Spring semester applications are reviewed by the Admissions Committee in October, with submissions accepted until December 1st. 

Typically, the Fall semester provides more opportunities for incoming applicants.

For further inquiries, contact [email protected] .

Contact Information

Find related programs in the following interest areas:.

• Medicine & Health
• Natural Science & Math

Program Code: 25DOC-PCEU-PHD

The Department of Chemistry

Student awards assembly, spring 2024 , friday, may 31st at 3:30 p.m., kent chemical laboratory room 107, hosted by professor john anderson , please join the chemistry community in celebrating student achievement at the spring student awards assembly., all department members are invited, as well as graduating undergraduates and their families who may be in town. a reception will immediately follow. .

Please come by to celebrate an exceptional year of science!

Spring Awards Assembly 2023 - Image Block

Ceremony Schedule

Awards ceremony 3:30 p.m. - 4:00 p.m. | kent room 107, mini symposium of awardees’ research (tba) 4:00 p.m. - 5:00 p.m. | kent room 107, reception 5:00 p.m. - 6:30 p.m. | kent chemical laboratory foyer, offical spring student awards assembly program 2024 coming soon.

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MS in Data Science

MSDS students choose among the many introductory graduate courses offered to students in the PhD program. These courses cover areas of computer science, optimization, linear algebra and statistics for students that have not had prior exposure to this required course work. Master’s students are fully integrated in the academic activities of the department alongside the PhD students.

Students must complete the required 5 core courses, 4 electives, and a final project to complete the program. There are also three foundational courses that students can test out. For the students who test out of foundational courses, the minimum number of courses taken in the program is 9. For the students who take all foundational courses, it is 12. These foundational courses can be taken in the summer before the program starts. Finally, students will be able to engage in a variety of opportunities across the Data Science Institute research programs and partnerships during their residency in the program.

The Curriculum

Foundational courses:.

Interested students will have the opportunity to test out of each of the 3 foundation courses below. Each of the courses will be offered in the late summer and offered online before the start of the fall quarter.

• Computational Foundations for Data Science
• Mathematical Foundations for Data Science
• Statistical Foundations for Data Science

Core Courses:

• Introduction to Data Science
• Systems for Data and Computers/Data Design
• Data Interaction
• Introduction to ML and AI  or Foundations of Machine Learning and AI Part I
• Responsible Use of Data and Algorithms

Four graduate-level electives can be selected from a wide variety of courses in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics and across the University.

The online application portal will begin accepting applications for Fall 2024 admission in early Fall 2023. To ensure full consideration, applicants should apply by the deadline. The program may accept applications after the deadline if the cohort is not filled.

How wildfires change soil chemistry

Understanding how wildfires change soil could aid recovery.

The huge, long-lasting wildfires that have become increasingly common in recent years can cause changes in soil chemistry that affect water contamination, air quality, and plant growth. But these changes are poorly monitored and rarely factor into post-fire recovery efforts or risk assessments, according to a review study published May 14 in Nature Reviews Earth & Environment .

The study, led by Stanford University and Colorado State University scientists, found that better techniques are needed to monitor changes in soil and surrounding ecosystems. This enhanced monitoring could inform decisions on how to treat drinking water sourced from burned areas, support reforestation, and protect workers against toxins during cleanup, rebuilding, or revegetation.

"In our study, we mesh organic and inorganic chemistry together, whereas a lot of fire research will typically just consider one subject area," said soil biogeochemist Claudia Avila, who co-led the study with Alandra Lopez, PhD '22, while both researchers were postdoctoral scholars in the lab of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability Professor Scott Fendorf.

"A better understanding of the molecular mechanisms in soil can help explain, for instance, why drinking water from a forest fire-impacted watershed is suddenly more toxic, or why a forest is not coming back," said Colorado State University soil chemist Thomas Borch, a senior author of the study.

Climate and ecosystem impacts

The review highlights evidence from recent studies suggesting wildfires may release more planet-warming carbon dioxide into the atmosphere than anticipated. Charcoal-like remnants of burned wood and other organic materials, known as black carbon, may not trap carbon dioxide for long periods, as scientists had hoped. "Carbon that's gone through forest fires and becomes black carbon can actually turn more readily into carbon dioxide by microbes than previously thought," said Fendorf, the Terry Huffington Professor at Stanford.

"From a climate perspective, we still have a poor understanding of how much of the carbon that is left after a fire has the potential to be transformed into greenhouse gasses, such as carbon dioxide," said Borch, who worked in Fendorf's lab as a postdoctoral fellow 20 years ago.

Wildfires can have many benefits for ecosystems, the authors note. Some fires can increase the nitrogen in soils and augment the water solubility of soil organic carbon, for example, setting the stage for regrowth. However, recovery depends on the presence of other chemicals. For instance, certain types of organic molecules formed in soil during fires are needed for many seeds to germinate. If the local soil chemistry and fire conditions do not produce enough of these molecules, called karrikins, revegetation may be stunted.

Other research included in the new review has shown that wildfires can double the soil concentration of a group of toxic chemicals known as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can induce chemical reactions that inhibit revegetation. These molecular-scale effects could well explain the mystery of vast areas where trees have struggled to reestablish after wildfires in the Rocky Mountains, Borch said.

Wildfires can also alter the chemical properties of inorganic materials such as metals within soils. Fire can change the metals into dangerous forms that readily move through the environment, ending up in the air or nearby water, the authors explained, citing Fendorf and Lopez's own recent research. The scientists documented high levels of a hazardous form of the metal chromium at wildfire sites resulting from heat-induced transformation of naturally occurring, benign forms of chromium. At sites where extremely hot, long-lasting fires cooked soils to high temperatures for extended periods, chromium persisted for many months until the next large rain event.

Other research on chromium indicates that after lower-intensity fires, remnant plant and animal tissue in soil can allow the toxic form of chromium to return to its inert form. Taken together, these studies illustrate the broader reality that wildfire impacts on soil chemistry depend on the intricate nature of the fire and landscape, including fire duration and temperature.

Predicting and mitigating wildfire risks

Broader surveillance and modeling could inform strategies for protecting lives, property, and natural resources, as well as wildlife management decisions. Avila offers an example of how this approach to informed stewardship could help prevent the leaching of metals into drinking water supplies. "By identifying an area that has a high potential for, say, chromium release, we can call for prescribed burns that are lower intensity and reduce the potential for high-intensity, toxin-releasing fires," said Avila, who is now an assistant professor of environmental and ocean sciences at the University of San Diego.

"If we can grasp the complexity of the intertwined processes that are happening both on the organic and the inorganic side, then that helps give us the ability to predict outcomes for different fire, landscape, and geological conditions," said Fendorf.

• Ecology Research
• Geochemistry
• Global Warming
• Sustainable land management
• Pesticide poisoning
• Organic farming
• Ecological niche
• Soil science
• Conservation ethic

Story Source:

Materials provided by Stanford University . Note: Content may be edited for style and length.

Journal Reference :

• Alandra Marie Lopez, Claudia Christine E. Avila, Jacob P. VanderRoest, Holly K. Roth, Scott Fendorf, Thomas Borch. Molecular insights and impacts of wildfire-induced soil chemical changes . Nature Reviews Earth & Environment , 2024; DOI: 10.1038/s43017-024-00548-8

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