College of Sciences

Department of Chemistry

Graduate Program

To apply to graduate school at WSU you must apply online to the graduate school by visiting their website.


Be prepared to submit the following items:

1. Transcripts from each post-secondary school attended (photocopies are acceptable) .
2. Names and email addresses of three people who are willing to write letters of recommendation for you.
3. GRE Scores (General Test Required; Subject recommended)
4. TOEFL scores (International Students Only)

In addition, please submit a personal statement to the Department of Chemistry describing your interest in graduate studies in Chemistry. You may submit this as an email to Ms. Carrie Giovannini
at carrie@wsu.edu. For further information please contact Ms. Giovannini at 509-335-8866.

Applications submitted by March 1st will have priority consideration, but applications submitted between March 1st and July 31st will also be considered for fall enrollment.


Overview of Ph.D. Program

The Department of Chemistry offers courses of study leading to the MS and PhD degrees with opportunities for research in seven fields: analytical, environmental, radiochemistry, materials chemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. The low student-to-faculty ratio assures students of individual guidance, yet the total size of the department provides excellent facilities for research, including the latest instrumentation.

The program of study for graduate students in the Department of Chemistry provides a good balance between formal course work and actual research experience. In addition to the normal core classes, first-year graduate students also take a seminar course which provides a forum for the presentation and discussion of current research in chemistry within the department. With this exposure, students are typically comfortable selecting a research adviser by the end of their first semester. Individual divisions also have a weekly seminar program in which graduate students participate, gaining experience in presenting and discussing their own research.

Overview of activities, requirements and expectations

General Course Requirements

Advising


Divisional/Program Requirements for a Ph.D.

Analytical, Environmental and Radiochemistry

Inorganic

Materials Chemistry

Organic

Physical Chemistry 

Chemistry of Biological Systems


Overview of MS Program

Master's Degree

 

 

 

Visit the WSU Catalog for information on all Chemistry courses.

  • 501 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I
  • 502 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II
  • 503 Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
  • 506 Industrial Practicum
  • 507 Topics in Coordination Chemistry
  • 509 Chemical Group Theory
  • 510 Introduction to Protemics
  • 512 Bioanalysis
  • 514 Mass Spectrometry
  • 515 Trace Element Analysis
  • 517 Chromatography 2
  • 518 Electrochemistry 2
  • 520 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
  • 521 Radiochemistry and Radiotracers
  • 522 Radiochemistry Laboratory
  • 524 Activation Analysis
  • 527 Environmental Chemistry
  • 529 Selected Topics in Analytical Chemistry
  • 531 Advanced Physical Chemistry I
  • 532 Advanced Physical Chemistry II
  • 534 Chemical Statistical Mechanics
  • 535 Computational Quantum Chemistry
  • 536 Quantum Chemistry
  • 537 Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry
  • 540 Organic Reaction Mechanisms
  • 542 Advanced Organic Chemistry
  • 543 Theoretical Organic Chemistry
  • 544 Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry
  • 546 Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
  • 550 Special Topics in Nuclear Processes and Radioactive Waste Management
  • 551 Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
  • 555 Teaching Chemistry
  • 561 Atomic and Molecular Phenomena
  • 564 Molecular Phenomena
  • 581 Environmental Chemistry I
  • 590 Introduction to Research Topics
  • 591 Seminar in Inorganic Chemistry
  • 592 Seminar in Analytical Chemistry
  • 593 Seminar in Physical Chemistry and Materials Science
  • 594 Seminar in Organic Chemistry

 

 

 

Current Classes

Student Perspective

 

"The preliminary examination process for me was similar to running a marathon whilst having to stop every 20 yards and empty your pockets of sand. It’s a grueling process, and is something of a trial by fire, but it is worth it. I have never had my knowledge tested to that extent, ever. Having come through the 8 hour exam I felt empty, tired and exhilarated, I had made it through. The proposal defense occurred 1 month later and allowed me to crystallize my ideas into something more concrete and gave me a definite plan of action for the rest of my PhD. "

--Mark Ogden, PhD, Nash group

 

Chemistry Department, PO Box 644630, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-4630, 509-335-5585, Contact Us