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Graduate Program - General Information
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| The graduate program in Chemistry at MU is the oldest and most well-developed of any public institution in the state of Missouri. The first two PhD degrees granted by the department occurred in 1909. Today, we continue a tradition of educating highly competent scientists with the vision, creativity and resourcefulness necessary to meet the ever-changing challenges of their professional environment. Doctoral students are admitted and graduate degrees, master's (MS) and doctoral (PhD), are awarded through the department. Both degrees are based upon a program of course work leading to independent research and completion of a thesis. For the doctoral degree, the thesis will be of greater scope and will demonstrate creativity and originality. Therefore, our graduates have the skills to adapt to new challenges, using experience, intellect and imagination to solve problems as they arise. Furthermore, the chemist with an advanced degree takes pride in the profession and is determined to continue intellectual growth and education to maintain professional fitness. As a result, the overwhelming majority of our graduates find productive and fulfilling careers in their fields.
As a prospective graduate student, you can be confident that our faculty is committed to helping you achieve these goals. Graduate work in chemistry is demanding, but the rewards are well worth the time and effort. Our curriculum is designed to bring you a desired level of independence and knowledge, taking into account your specific needs and interests. The specific requirements are listed individually for the PhD and MS degrees and describe more fully our program of study.
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| Research Advisors |
Graduate study in chemistry involves, above all, research. Therefore, the most important decision you will make during your graduate career is the selection of a research adviser. It is important that this be done carefully and that your choice is an informed one. You will be spending a great deal of time and effort on your research project; it is crucial that it be a problem that interests you. In almost all cases, the specific research project is developed by the student and research adviser, working together within the scope of the professor's research program. This Website includes a list of the faculty and brief research descriptions of their current research activities. As you will see, there is a great diversity of interests represented in the department. You should have no trouble finding someone with the necessary expertise to help you make significant contributions in your area of interest. These outlines, of course, only provide general areas of research activity; it is important that you talk with faculty individually to discuss more specific proposals.
Under most circumstances, selection of a research adviser should be made by the end of the first semester--only then can progress toward the thesis commence. Your adviser will help to assemble a doctoral program committee, whose purpose is to help guide your development, to suggest elective courses, and to provide advice as needed to help focus your research result into a cogent thesis. (Formal appointment of the committee requires the approval of the Associate Chair for Graduate Studies.) This same committee also serves as the examining committee for the oral comprehensive examination, which is usually taken during the third year. The working relationship among student, adviser and committee is one that can grow and flourish with benefit to all.
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| English Proficiency Requirement |
The State of Missouri has a law that makes graduate students from non-English speaking countries (i.e., those in which primary and secondary education is not taught in English) ineligible to serve as a teaching assistant until they have demonstrated English speaking proficiency. At the University of Missouri, this means students from outside the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and a few others cannot serve as a Teaching Assistant until they have passed the English Speak test given through the Program for Excellence in Teaching (PET). A score of 2 on the English Speak test makes one eligible to teach only lab courses (i.e., no recitation section). A score of 3 or higher on the English Speak test makes one eligible to teach lab and recitation sections.
The English Proficiency Requirement essentially states that all graduate students must score a 3 or higher on the English Speak test through the Program for Excellence no later than the end of their second year in our graduate program to remain eligible for Chemistry Department Teaching Assistantship support. The details are given below.
All new students from non-English speaking countries that are admitted into our graduate program will be made stipend offers for one year assuming satisfactory progress toward the PhD degree. The stipend offers require the new students to help with the Undergraduate Teaching Program (50% FTE). To be considered for Chemistry Department support in their second year, the student must pass the English Speak test through PET at a level 2 or higher. If the student passes at a level 3 or higher, he/she is eligible to teach recitation and lab. To be considered for Chemistry Department Teaching support beyond the second year (3rd year and further on), the student must pass the English Speak test through PET at a level of 3 or higher.
Note: The above requirements for TA eligibility do not affect Research Assistantships (RA), since RA positions are with a particular faculty adviser. However, if a student is on a Research Assistantship in his/her 2nd or 3rd year and then requests Chemistry Department TA support for later years, the above eligibility requirements are in effect. If the student is not at a level 3 or higher on the English Speak test in his/her 3rd year, then he/she is not eligible for TA support.
Additional English Proficiency classes are offered through the Program for Excellence in Teaching (PET). If a student receives a score of less than 3 on the English Speak Test, the PET staff will recommend classes to help improve the student’s English proficiency. Some of the classes are listed below.
Intensive English Program (IEP): Designed for students who need to work on all aspects of English. This is an intensive 25-hour per week course.
English Language Support Program courses:
| ELSP 001: |
Grammar and Composition I |
| ELSP 002: |
Reading and Vocabulary |
| ELSP 003: |
Grammar and Composition II |
| ELSP 004: |
Oral Communication |
| EL 4302: |
Tools for Teaching American Students
Teaching (designed for students with low to mid level 2) |
| EL 4303: |
Communication and Culture for American College Teaching
(designed for students with at least a 2) |
| EL 9437: |
Instructional and Communication Strategies for Effective College Teaching
(designed for students with at least a 3) |
Note: The PET courses are by approval by the PET staff only.
For more information on the PET program, see their web site at http://pet.missouri.edu/
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| Financial Aid |
The Department of Chemistry makes every effort to provide year-round support for all students making satisfactory progress toward an advanced degree in chemistry. Most students are awarded either teaching or research assistantships. The amounts of the stipends vary and are subject to change according to inflation and other factors, but are very competitive. The Department of Chemistry only provides financial support to graduate students enrolled in Chemistry degree programs.
Most first-year students are supported on graduate teaching assistantships, which are normally guaranteed upon admission to the graduate program and demonstration of proficiency in written and spoken English. These positions are 50% FTE, allowing ample time for course work, research and studies. Typically, as a graduate teaching assistant, you will have primary teaching responsibility for a group of undergraduate students in general, organic or analytical chemistry. This responsibility includes supervising laboratory instruction, leading recitation and discussion groups, grading and attending meetings.
Research assistantships generally are made available by specific professors, who have funding through grants and contracts to support students working on their research projects. These assistantships are generally awarded to second-year or more advanced students, because the student must be associated with a specific research group. The research assistantship frees the student from teaching responsibilities and allows full effort to be devoted to research activities.
Usually, research assistantships continue through the summer. Only a few teaching assistantships are available during the summer, but the Department has a number of special summer fellowships and assistantships, and has been successful in providing summer support for those students without regular research assistantships.
In addition, the Department and the University have a number of scholarships with enhanced stipends for highly qualified applicants to the graduate program. When you submit your application materials, you will automatically be considered for these special awards.
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