About PhD Program,
During the first semester at Penn State, Chemistry graduate students “rotate” through three research labs, spending about a month in each lab. The advisor selection process then begins in December.
Within the first 12 to 18 months, students complete five graduate level courses. Students are not required to follow a pre-set curriculum, but rather have freedom to follow their individual interests through personalized program plans.
Students are encouraged to choose from a variety of intermediate and advanced courses in Chemistry, including courses on special topics taught by faculty members actively engaging in research in those areas. Courses in related fields such as physics, mathematics, biochemistry, biophysics, polymer science, material science, and computer science may also be taken.
Once coursework is completed, students are required to successfully complete their Qualify Exam, taken after one year, and the Oral Comprehensive Exam, taken by the end of the fifth semester. This comprehensive exam consists of a description of a student’s research progress and the defense of a brief original research proposal.
For further information on degree requirements and graduate level courses being offered, please visit the bulletin.
PhD Program Degree Eligibility with GPA,
Official scores for the TOEFL iBT or IELTS are required to be submitted to the department prior to the application deadline. In regard to your TOEFL iBT score, a minimum overall total score of 100 with a speaking score of 23 is recommended for consideration. The IELTS minimum score is a 6.5. TOEFL iBT or IELTS scores may be no more than 2 years old.
Those who have a bachelor or master’s degree conferred from an institution at the following: Australia, Belize, British Caribbean, British West Indies, Canada (except Quebec), England, Guyana, Jamaica, Republic of Ireland, Liberia, New Zealand, North Ireland, Scotland, United States, Wales.
Due to our program’s undergraduate teaching requirement, we cannot make exceptions to our TOEFL/IELTS minimum scores. Applications with scores lower than our program’s stated minimums (overall and speaking) will not be admitted.
PhD Funding Coverage,
A Ph.D. in Chemistry at Penn State is fully supported by teaching and research funds – you will not have to pay to pursue your graduate education. All Chemistry graduate student assistantships include a stipend, health care benefits (medical, dental, and vision), and full tuition support throughout their Ph.D. studies and research. These benefits are extended to all domestic and international graduate students.
We also offer incoming students additional funds for their first year to assist with moving and other expenses. The stipend for the full academic year of 2022/2023 is $32,256. Estimated living expenses (rent, utilities, food, transportation, etc.) is $23,300.
There are two types of assistantships,
Teaching Assistantships – Most graduate students in Chemistry will serve as TA’s for their first 2 semesters. We take care to ensure that TA appointments require no more than 20 hours per week (laboratory or recitation instruction, preparation, grading, etc.). Many students in their first semester are given an assignment to teach 10 hours of general chemistry lecture (CHEM 110) per week and 10 hours of general chemistry lab (CHEM 111). Depending on the needs of the department, interested students may fulfill their teaching requirement by teaching organic chemistry lab (CHEM 203/213) or physical chemistry lab (CHEM 457). All new teaching assistants receive training specific to the course, as well as in pedagogy more broadly, before their assignments begin. Teaching provides graduate students with many professional development opportunities that are applicable in academic, industry, and other career paths, including practice in public speaking, communication, and interpersonal skills.
Research Assistantships – After the spring semester of their first year, graduate students are typically supported by research assistantships.
Application Requirement,
- Read the Graduate School’s Requirements for Graduate Admission
- Fill out the ONLINE APPLICATION
- Pay the Graduate School application fee
- Applications without fee payment cannot be processed
- The application fee is non-refundable
- If the $65 application fee presents a financial hardship, the Department of Chemistry has funding available to pay the application fee for a limited number of applicants. Receipt of an application fee waiver does not guarantee admission. Decline of waiver is also not an indication of rejection of an application.
- Upload/request the following electronic documents:
- Three letters of recommendation
- Domestic students- Please make sure to include reference letters from any REU experiences you have had.
- International students- Please make sure to include reference letters from any domestic research experiences you have had (REU, Summer).
- GRE General Test scores (GRE is optional; choosing not to submit GRE scores will not impact your admissions decision)
- Institutional code: 2660 PENNSYLVANIA ST U All campuses
- Department code: 0301 Chemistry, General
- TOEFL iBT scores (international applicants only)
- Department code: 62
- Transcripts
- Note: As of November 10, 2014 the Graduate School requires all prospective students to upload anOFFICIAL, COLOR COPY TRANSCRIPT from all institutions of higher learning attended, both undergraduate and graduate, as part of the online application process.
- International Students must also submit certified official copies of all certificates and diplomas mentioned on the application.
- Please note:The online application portal is maintained by the Graduate School. Your application is submitted to the Graduate School and upon completion is forwarded to the Chemistry Department for review. If you are a current Penn State, University Park, undergraduate student desiring to apply, please contact the Graduate Program Coordinator at chemgrad@psu.edu, before submitting your application.
Application Deadline,
Dec 01, 2024
Application Fee,
- The application fee is non-refundable
- If the $65 application fee presents a financial hardship, the Department of Chemistry has funding available to pay the application fee for a limited number of applicants.
