Chemistry Graduate Student Handbook The program goal is the development of professional chemists. Students acquire the specific skills required for careers in industry, government and academia through a program which includes research, course work and oral presentation combined with close interaction with members of the faculty, especially the student s research supervisor.
Table of Contents Introduction, 2 Basic Criteria, 3 MS Degree in Chemistry, 5 PhD Degree in Chemistry, 5 Thesis/Dissertation, 7 Ph.D. Chemistry: Option in Chemistry Education, 8 Leaving the Department, 9 Hazardous Waste, 9 The Department of Chemistry Graduate Program offers programs leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) and the Master of Science (M.S.) degrees in the areas of analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry as well as interdisciplinary areas. The department also offers a Doctoral Degree in Chemistry Education. The Chemistry Graduate Student Handbook provides information specific to the Chemistry Department. A UNH Graduate Student Handbook is an additional resource that covers topics such as financial and tax questions, professional development opportunities, and research and communication guidelines. Admission Requirements Admission to the Master of Science and the Doctor of Philosophy degrees is based upon a strong undergraduate record, which requires satisfactory work in the usual undergraduate courses in analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry. In addition, satisfactory completion of the normal support courses of mathematics and physics are required. Entering graduate students are expected to take placement examinations in chemistry to assist in starting each new graduate student at the appropriate level. These examinations will be offered during the orientation period of the semester. Students with strong backgrounds in other areas may be accepted as provisional, and are expected to complete the normal undergraduate degree requirements before entering the graduate program. 2 UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook
Basic Criteria M.S. Requirements Coursework totals 30 credits; 20 of those credits are coursework with 8 credits being from a 900 level course. 6-10 of the credits will come from research, Chem 899. Research Progress Report is comprised of written material and a discussion with your committee of faculty members. Mandatory attendance at your divisional seminar (I/O or A/P/E) and divisional lunch talks (I/O or A/P/E). A thesis based on the student s research (oral presentation to thesis committee and written thesis). Ph.D. Requirements Coursework Presentation of a seminar (1 credit course 997/998) Cumulative Examinations to assess student s level of understanding and progress Research Progress Report is comprised of written material and a discussion with your committee of faculty members. Mandatory attendance at your divisional seminar (I/O or A/P/E) and divisional lunch talks (I/O or A/P/E). Research Proposal Defense is an oral examination to assess the student s proposal. The purpose of the research proposal is to demonstrate the student s ability to conceive and execute a piece of original research. This is required in the third year and moves the student into the Ph.D. candidacy. A dissertation based on the student s research (oral presentation to the dissertation committee and a written dissertation). UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook 3
Research Projects Original research is an integral part of both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. This is conducted under the guidance of a faculty mentor (Research Director). The student's progress is monitored by the student's committee, which is chaired by the Research Director. The choice of a research project is an important matter and should be made only after serious consideration. At the beginning of the first semester, the student should consult the department web page for information on the current research of faculty members. Faculty research presentations will be set up in the Fall semester; attendance is mandatory for first year graduate students at the faculty research presentations. In addition to attendance at the faculty research presentations, the student must interview at least three (3) faculty members to discuss potential projects. The Organic Division requests that students interested in organic interview all six of the organic faculty. The student is given instructions and a form for the faculty member to sign upon completion of the interview. A deadline for completion of this process is noted on the instructional form and the student will submit her/ his first three choices of preference for a Research Director to the Graduate Coordinator. The Graduate Coordinator finalizes the assignments of students to Research Directors, with the concurrence of the Research Directors. Although every attempt is made to grant students their first choices, departmental need, current work loads of Research Directors, and other factors may not make this possible in all cases. Financial Support Most chemistry graduate students are supported by teaching assistantships (TA s) or research assistantships (RA s) during the academic year. The Graduate Catalog should be consulted for details on conditions of employment. M.S. and Ph.D. students in our program who make normal progress in their coursework, research, and other programmatic requirements are guaranteed an assistantship (teaching or research) and the aforementioned benefits for a minimum of two and four years, respectively. Ph.D. students receive increases to their base stipends as they progress beyond their second year (http://www.unh.edu/ grad-catalog/gi.cfm?thisid=164&masterid=127&headingid=127#164 ). Summer stipends are provided for first year graduate students from the Dean s Office, but students are required to TA summer courses during that period. After the first year, summer stipends may be available through grant funding from your Research Advisor, Chemistry department summer scholarships, and potential summer teaching opportunities. There are also several sources of funding available from the Graduate School, such as Academic Year Fellowships and Summer Research Fellowships. Although they are extremely competitive, we encourage students to apply as such fellowships enable you to focus on your research by exempting you from teaching assistant duties. For further details, visit the Graduate School s Homepage at www.gradschool.unh.edu. Committees Each graduate student will be assigned a committee with the Research Advisor as the chair of that committee in the second year of their program. Master s students will have two additional Chemistry faculty members assigned to form their committee. Doctoral students will have three additional Chemistry Faculty members and a faculty member from another University department or Institution to form their committee. Evaluation A review by the entire faculty will occur at the end of the first and second year graduate student programs. Course work, teaching performance, seminar participation, and research progress will be considered in the assessment. The student will receive a letter from their Research Advisor documenting the student s progress. The student will be informed whether continuing in the program is advisable and will be apprised of any weaknesses. Students whose performance is inadequate, or who show they may not be able to successfully complete the program will be asked to withdraw at this point or, in the case of Ph.D. students, possibly to switch to the M.S. degree program. 4 UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook
M.S. Degree in Chemistry The M.S. degree programs in Chemistry provide the student an opportunity to participate in graduate education without the longer academic and research commitment of doctoral study. Students who wish to extend their training prior to entering a doctoral program can avail themselves of this intermediate stage of education. Students who do not wish to commit the time necessary for a doctorate may find the shorter graduate period of the M.S. degree of value before they begin their professional career. The M.S. degree program allows the student to participate in advanced course work and to develop a significant research program. The M.S. program in Chemistry permits capable students to complete their work in two to three years. Required Credit/Course Information In accord with Graduate School requirements, the student must present 30 credits for completion of the M.S. program, with no more than 10 and no fewer than 6 of these in thesis research (Chem 899). Of the 20 course credits, at least 8 credits must be in courses numbered 800 or above. In accord with Graduate School s Academic Policy, the student must have an accumulated 3.0 GPA or higher to graduate. All Graduate students who are or will be TA s are required to take Chem 800 1 credit and Chem 802 1 credit. All MS students are required to take Chem 991 & Chem 992 1 credit each: Chem 991 Presentation Portfolio. Students will sign up in their third semester (usually fall semester, second year) and maintain a presentation portfolio. Chem 992 Professional Writing Portfolio Students will sign up in their third semester (usually fall semester, second year) and maintain a writing portfolio. Seminar Students enroll in CHEM 997/998 beginning with their third semester in the program, attend the seminars and participate in the Q&A sessions. Giving a seminar presentation is not required. Specific divisional requirements should also be fulfilled: Analytical -must complete three of the following courses: Chem 930, 933, 934, or 935. Inorganic - at least three courses of the following: Chem 903, 904, and 947. Students are recommended to take an Advanced proton NMR and carbon interpretation course which is currently offered as either 917 or 918, is recommended in addition to 808. Organic - at least three courses of the following: Chem 808, 855, 902, or 911. Note: All organic students are required to take Chem 855, even if they pass the placement exam. Physical at least three courses from the following: Chem 905, 925, 926, 927, or 995D/996D. In certain cases, courses may be taken in areas outside of chemistry, provided such courses constitute an integral part of the overall program as approved by the Graduate Coordinator and thesis committee. Ph.D. Degree in Chemistry The Ph.D. program in Chemistry is designed to train students as mature scientists capable of independent activity, i.e. capable of conceiving a research problem, planning and carrying out the necessary experimental work, properly interpreting the results, and advancing their knowledge by independent study. Traditionally, the Ph.D. degree is the mark of scholarly attainments and connotes a high degree of proficiency in a specialized field in addition to a wide breadth of knowledge of other fields. The program outlined below will assist the student in attaining the required scientific maturity, mastery of a chosen area of chemistry, and adequate proficiency in all other areas. The program also provides a means of testing the progress of the student. Capable students can complete the doctoral program in five years. Required Credit/Course Information Students are required to take courses in their field as required by the faculty in that area. These obligatory courses are: Analytical Chem 930, 933, 934, 935, and Math 835. Inorganic - Chem 808 (Organic), Chem 903, 904, and 947. *In addition to the divisionally required courses, further courses that may be appropriate to the student s course of study include 917(2-4cr)), 918(2-4cr), 926(3cr), 934(3cr) or other 800 and 900-level courses Organic - Chem 808, 855, 902, 911, 917, 918. An advanced proton and carbon NMR interpretation course, currently offered as either 917 or 918, is strongly recommended in addition to 808. Physical - Chem 905, 926, 927, 995D/996D In addition, all students must take at least two graduate chemistry courses outside their area of specialization, at least one of which must be at the 900-level. Students must present one satisfactory seminar (Chem 997 or Chem 998) in the student s 3rd. year, first semester of that year. Successfully defend an original research proposal, which must be presented in the student s 3rd year, second semester of that year. All Graduate students who are or will be TA s are required to take Chem 800 1 credit in their first year and Chem 802 1 credit in their second year. Chem 992 Professional Writing Portfolio Students will sign up in their third semester (usually fall semester, second year), maintain a writing portfolio and be awarded credit at the end of their fourth semester by their research mentor with advice from the thesis committee. Course requirements for interdisciplinary program UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook 5
students are : Chemistry Education Option: Chem 971 is required and 3 courses at the 900 level in chemistry sub-discipline. Course requirements to include Grad 990, 3 courses Quant Stats and 1 course in Cognition; advisor will provide course options for selection. Courses Students must demonstrate proficiency in each of the four major areas of chemistry: analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical. Students satisfy this requirement by taking the appropriate 900 level courses in their area of specialization. Outside their area, students satisfy the requirements by either passing the advanced placement exams given to entering students the week before classes begin or by passing the appropriate level courses recommended by the Advising team with a grade of at least B-. Research Progress Report The Research Progress Report (RPR) will be scheduled late in the third semester for all MS students and in the fourth semester for all Ph.D. student. All students must present a research progress report. All students will submit an outline of a Research Progress report to their research advisor. This outline is to be comprised of 2-3 pages of double-spaced typed text. M.S. students will present an outline to their Research advisor by November 1st and Ph.D. students will present their outline by January 15th. The advisor will return this with comments to the student. The student will then prepare a final fuller version, which is to be distributed to the students committee two weeks prior to the report date. A research progress report meeting between the student and the committee will be scheduled by the Academic Department Coordinator to take place between the Thanksgiving Holiday and the end of the semester for M.S. Students, and during the Spring semester for Ph.D. students. The date, time and location will be emailed to the student and the committee. This is an opportunity to talk with your committee about what has been accomplished in research up to this point. The Research Report should include a review of the relevant literature. It should summarize the student s research progress to date, as well as the student s plans and ideas for future work. As a guideline, it is suggested that the report should comprise about ten pages of double-spaced typed text. Any figures, references and tables incorporated should not be included in that total. The committee will meet and review all aspects of student work (courses, TA efforts, research, etc.). At that time a decision will be made regarding status in program or what further actions are necessary. RPRs that were considered inadequate by the committee will not be made up, although subsequent progress reports might be recommended. Seminar Each Ph.D. student must present a satisfactory seminar based on the literature. The seminar must be presented no later than the first semester of the student s third year. CHEM 802 will instruct students on how to choose a seminar topic and present it. The seminar topic cannot be directly related to the student s dissertation research at UNH. Attendance at department seminars is MANDATORY for all graduate students while in residence Research Proposal Each Ph.D. student must present and satisfactorily defend a research proposal before a committee of four (4) faculty members consisting of the student s guidance committee. The proposed research must be original from the student and must not be related to any research work being carried out in this department. The proposal will be judged on the basis of its intrinsic scientific merit, feasibility of execution, and the student s ability to defend it in a logical and convincing manner. Chemistry 802 educates students on how to research and present a research proposal. Procedure for Submission and Defense of the Proposal 1. An abstract of the proposal (1000 words or fewer) is presented to the committee. Students must do so by February 1st. of their third year if the Student entered the program in a Fall Semester or by October 15th. of their third year if the student entered the program in a Spring Semester. Within one week of receipt of the proposal abstract, the committee will evaluate it and notify the student whether or not it is acceptable. 2. Once the proposal abstract is judged acceptable by the committee, a detailed proposal must be prepared and distributed to the committee and to the Academic Department Coordinator two weeks prior to your proposal defense date. This should include a short abstract (less than 150 words), a statement of the problem and its significance, historical background, theoretical justification, anticipated experimental results, possible alternate outcomes, and conclusions. The Academic Department Coordinator will assist to schedule your proposal defense date with your committee and reserve a room. Each committee member will score the oral defense, assigning either a pass or a fail. At least three (3) passes are required to pass the defense. The student will be informed by the committee chairperson whether the proposal has passed or failed. 3. In case of failure, the committee chairperson will discuss the reasons for failure with the student and prepare a written evaluation and make recommendations. If the student fails a proposal defense, the committee will recommend one of the following: 1. That the student successfully re-defend the proposal no later than the first month of the following semester. 6 UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook
2. That the student successfully defend a new proposal, with an abstract judged acceptable no later than the first month of the following semester. A second failure to defend a proposal satisfactorily will result in an automatic permanent denial of advancement to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree. At this point, completion of a M.S. degree is an option. After advancement to candidacy, completion of the doctoral dissertation and its oral defense are the only remaining requirements. Evaluation The performance of each Ph.D. student will be reviewed periodically and recommendations will be made to the student concerning the subsequent program. A written review by the research advisor and the Graduate Coordinator will occur at the end of the first and second years. At these times, course and teaching performance, seminar participation, research progress, and performance on cumulative exams will be considered. The student will be informed whether continuing in the program is advisable and will be apprised of any weaknesses. Students whose performance is inadequate, or who show they may not be able to successfully complete the program will be asked to withdraw at this point or possibly to switch to the M.S. degree program. Each student will be evaluated by the divisional staff at the end of each subsequent year. By the end of the third year, the proposal presentation and the results of the advanced examinations will be considered in addition to the items mentioned previously. At this time students will be informed of one of the options listed below: 1. Student will be advanced to candidacy for the Ph.D. 2. Student must complete specified requirements, for which a time limit may be set 3. Student will be awarded the M.S. degree on completion of a satisfactory thesis 4. Student will be required to withdraw from the graduate program. Advancing to Candidacy A student will advance to candidacy when he/she has successfully completed his/her research proposal defense. The Academic Department Coordinator will complete the Advancing to Candidacy form and submit to the Graduate School for Approval. Please email Cindi Rohwer, Academic Department Coordinator, your proposed dissertation title and your fifth committee (external) member. Your research advisor can assist you with both of those details. Oral Defense of the Thesis or Doctoral Dissertation The culmination of the Master of Science and doctoral program is the presentation and defense of the thesis (M.S.) or dissertation (Ph.D.) before their Committee and any other members of the University community who may wish to attend. The thesis/dissertation embodies the results of the student s doctoral research program and is prepared under the supervision of the Research Advisor. The Thesis/Dissertation Formatting & Required Copies Format requirements are specified in the Thesis and Dissertation Manual available from the Graduate School http://www. gradschool.unh.edu/pdf/td_manual.pdf You will need to submit a copy for format review to the Academic Counselor of the Graduate School. Please note that you cannot submit a thesis for binding until review and approval of the format has been given by the Graduate School. It is recommended that you submit your thesis for review in advance of your defense. Here is the link to refer to Graduate School Calendar for deadlines to note: https:// www.gradschool.unh.edu/dates.php Various drafts of the thesis should be proofread by several people (i.e. members of your research group or other graduate students) for content, clarity, grammar and style before giving it to the committee. The candidate should consult with his/her research advisor regarding procedures to be followed in preparing the thesis. The role of the student s committee is to assess the science and not to serve as proof readers. The Graduate school offers workshops throughout the year on formatting once the thesis is complete. Please see the Academic Department Coordinator to schedule your room for your defense. The Academic Department Coordinator must be notified of the time, date and title of the thesis defense at least two weeks prior to the defense date to issue a memo to the department inviting all to attend. At this time the Academic Department Coordinator will enter your dissertation notice on-line to the Graduate School. Please email her an abstract of your dissertation to include in the announcement. The abstract must be no greater than 2800 characters (spaces are included). Copies of the completed thesis must be distributed to the committee at least TWO WEEKS prior to the date of the public presentation; otherwise the final defense will AUTOMATICALLY be rescheduled to take place at least two weeks later to comply with graduate school regulations. The public presentation will be in the form of a seminar lasting 40-50 minutes followed by questions and discussion from the audience. The committee will question the candidate further in a closed sessions immediately afterwards Binding Your Dissertation Once the defense has taken place and the final version of the thesis has been approved, you can submit your thesis for binding through an on-line process with the Graduate School. Bound Copies: We request 1 for your advisor, 1 for the Chemistry Library (which is referred to as the Depart- UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook 7
ment Copy), and then there are your personal copies. To submit your dissertation for binding, the Graduate School has developed an on-line submission process. Thesis/Dissertation Submission Checklist: http://www. gradschool.unh.edu/pdf/td_checklist.pdf. Dissertation Submission Instructions: http://www.gradschool.unh.edu/pdf/td_sub_instrc.pdf The bound copies will be sent to the address you provide when submitting your thesis on-line. We request that you ask for the copies to be sent directly to the Chemistry Department at 23 Academic Way, Durham NH 03824. This will enable us to distribute one to your advisor, one to the Chemistry Library and then send you your personal copies. Ph.D. Chemistry: Option in Chemistry Education Research, coursework, and other activities will concentrate on chemistry pedagogic theory and practice, and human subject research methodologies. Improvement in chemistry instruction across the K-graduate school continuum requires continuing development of a sound theoretical base for teaching and learning. This base grows out of research in the cognitive sciences and is re-interpreted in terms of the unique models which chemists use to describe the world. Research questions about fundamental cognition and about curriculum interventions may be pursued, but intellectual preparation is needed in both chemistry and cognitive science. Placement Students will be recognized as having advanced knowledge and experience in chemistry, advanced knowledge and experience in the study of student learning, and college level teaching experience beyond the traditional laboratory teaching assistantship. Chemistry departments have been seeking faculty interested in pursuing research in chemistry education or prepared to take on college curriculum reform and oversight. Other career paths are possible, such as Secondary School Department Chair, K-12 Curriculum Coordinator, University Teaching Excellence Program Coordinator, and Industrial Outreach Coordinator. The Option complements the College Teaching (Preparing Future Faculty) programs. The latter focus on pragmatic and philosophical preparation for teaching at the college level. Students pursuing the Option can also matriculate in the College Teaching programs. Criteria for acceptance into program Program Requirements that differ Student enters with Masters or other advanced standing (see admissions criteria below), or candidate can obtain MS at UNH on the way to the PhD with Option in Chemistry Education Cumulative exams are split between education and chemistry cores Professional presentation allowed in place of departmental seminar Course Requirements CHEM 971 GRAD 990 Chemistry core 8 UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook Teaching and Learning in Chemistry College Teaching Praxis (2 cr only) Three courses at 900 level in chemistry subdiscipline Quant Stats Two courses from (for example) PSYC 702, 705, 905, 906, 907; EDUC 981; MATH 835, 839, 842 Qual Stats One course from (for example) PSYC 704; SOC 794/894; EDUC 982 Cognition One course from (for example) PSYC 783, 710, 711, 712, 731, 914, 917 Course Credits and Mandatory Student Fees Mandatory Fees: Students holding paid full-time academic year graduate assistantships, research assistantships, and graduate fellowships who register for 9 or more credits will now be charged ½ the full mandatory fee rate. Students appointed as assistants, fellows and lecturers receive a fee waiver
for the technology fee during the period of their appointment. Course fees are also covered by the waiver. The Health Services and Counseling fee, the Memorial Union fee, the Student Recreation fee and the Transportation fee are not covered by waivers, although scholarships maybe awarded to individual students to cover these fees. Credits, credits, credits. Students on RA s and TA s must take 6 credits per semester to remain eligible for an assistantship. Students NOT on an RA or TA must take 9 credits to be considered full time. Ph.D. Students who take Chem 999 at any point in their program are automatically moved to a full-time category and therefore charged full time mandatory fees. Advanced to Candidacy Students: Currently the Gradute School allows students who have advanced to candidacy to petition for mandatory student fees to be waived. Please see the Department Academic Department Coordinator for assistance as needed. MS students who take Grad 900 (after completing Chem 899) are automatically moved to a full-time category and therefore charged fulltime mandatory fees. When you have completed your coursework, you can sign up for these courses to maintain your enrollment: Chem 899 Thesis Problems in Chemistry (1-10 credits), for MS students only. You may take a minimum of 6 credits and not exceed 10 credits for your MS degree. Part-time mandatory student fees apply when taking Chem 899. Chem 999 Doctoral Research (0 credits) for PhD students only. Full-time madatory fees apply whenever you take Chem 999. GRAD 900 - Master s Continuing Research Credits: Master s students who have completed all course requirements, registered for the maximum number of thesis or project credits, and are in residence completing their master s program must register for Master s Continuing Research. Students registered for GRAD 900 are considered full-time. Not graded. Leaving the Department The Department Office requires the following criteria to be completed when exiting the department. 1. Return all keys to either the Administrative Assistant or the Academic Department Coordinator. 2. It is important to note that your lab bench and office desk must be cleaned and all waste disposed of properly. The Academic Department Coordinator will put an Are you leaving form in your mail slot. You will need to complete the form and have your Research Advisor sign off on it, verifying that your hazardous waste has been properly labeled and disposed. This form will also give the department your dissertation distribution, your forwarding address and email, should we need to contact you. Office Facilities The Department of Chemistry Office is located in room W115, Parsons Hall. Regular hours are 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, unless otherwise noted. Contact phone is (603) 862-1550 or Chem.dept@ unh.edu. Chemistry Library Parsons Hall is fortunate in having an on-site chemistry library, ideal for research projects and papers. Once you are in your third year of research, you may obtain key card access to the Chemistry Library from the Chemistry Office. It is important that you understand that this is a privilege and all rules and regulations must be adhered to, or the key card access will be revoked. University Instrumentation Center The University Instrumentation Center (UIC) is a core University wide facility dedicated to the advancement of the research and academic missions of UNH and is open and available to all Faculty, Staff, and Students. The UIC houses many of the major scientific instrumentation on campus and on a fee per use basis, a certified operator or UIC staff will perform the sample analysis on a specified instrument. Researchers who require frequent use of an instrument may become certified operators. To become a certified operator of an instrument, a professor, staff or a student must complete a training program specified by the UIC. A student must also have written authorization from a faculty member. Hazardous Waste Marty McCrone (862-3536) and/or David Edwards, Environmental Health & Safety, are the contact persons for Hazardous Waste Disposal. Please call to schedule a pick up from your lab area. Margie Houle will coordinate on-line Hazardous Waste Safety Training. To coordinate please email him at margie.houle@unh. edu For Field Code Changed information on shipping chemicals and samples, please see the EH&S website or contact Andy Glode at andy.glode@unh.edu. To locate more information on Environmental Health and Safety programs, CEMS, etc. please visit their web site: http://www. unh.edu/research/environmental-health-andsafety ite: http://www.unh.edu/ehs/ **All chemical materials must be disposed of properly prior to leaving the department, or the department will bill you for disposal of unknowns** UNH Chemistry Graduate Handbook 9