Graduate Studies in Chemistry at Texas A&M

Overview

Selecting a research advisor is one of the most important things you will do during your first semester as much of your training will involve group and mentor interactions. This decision will affect the next four to five years; therefore, the choice of advisor requires careful consideration.

Gathering Information

The research you will perform is the most important part of graduate school. When selecting an advisor, you should explore a broad range of faculty in many different areas, even those who are peripheral to what you believe are your main interests. The Department currently requires you to talk to at least five faculty members.

You should gather information about potential research advisors and groups. For example:

• Is the advisor accepting new students?
• What projects are available in a particular group?
• What financial and pedagogical support does the advisor provide to individual students?
• What are the advisor's expectations of students?
• How is the group managed?
• What are the group dynamics?

Guidelines

• All first-year graduate students must interview a minimum of five faculty members whom they plan to consider as a research advisor and obtain their signatures on the Research Advisor Selection Form.  You must turn in the selection form and a rank-ordered list to the Chemistry Graduate Advising Office by October 15th. The rank-ordered list will be kept confidential. 
• The assignment process is generally completed by the beginning of November. If you are not accepted by one of your first three choices, you will be notified and the responsibility of finding another advisor will fall back to you. You will need to inform the Chemistry Graduate Advising office of a new advisor selection prior to the beginning of the spring semester to remain in good academic standing.
• Without the approval from the Graduate Advisor, you are not permitted to be affiliated with a research group until the research advisor selection process is completed.

Making Changes

A small percentage of students reconsider their choice in research group. Changes should occur early to minimize the time it takes to graduate. Changing research advisors should be done with very serious consideration and it is highly recommended that you contact the Graduate Advisor before beginning the process.

Related Documents

• Research Advisor Selection Form (pdf)

Overview

Teaching is an integral part of the mission of the Department of Chemistry. As a Teaching Assistant, you will develop and improve your teaching and communication skills by interacting on a one-one basis with undergraduate students.

Guidelines

• All graduate students are required to teach for minimum of two semesters and teach a minimum of 2 sections per semester to receive teaching credit.
• Internationalstudents must pass the English proficiency requirements to be eligible to teach.
• Graduate Assistant-Teaching (GAT/TA) positions are for a full semester. Teaching Assistants are required to fulfill their responsibilities for the entire semester.
• Non-teaching appointments, such as grading, instrument operation, or instructional assistant positions (IA), do not count toward the teaching requirement.
• Graduate students must fulfil the two semester teaching requirement before they can serve as an IA.
• Graduate students should be enrolled in the appropriate section of CHEM 697-Methods of Teaching.

Performance of Duties

In order to provide an appropriate learning atmosphere for undergraduates students, it is imperative that laboratory courses be properly instructed and that all assigned duties be carried out conscientiously. Graduate students assigned for teaching must be present during each assigned class period, as well as during the week prior to the start of the semester for required training. Substitutions, such as to allow a TA to participate in other program related activities, may be possible and require prior approval of the instructor or laboratory coordinator.

Teaching Evaluations

The following evaluation procedures are designed to provide you with information to develop and improve your teaching effectiveness. Evaluations are also used to nominate outstanding graduate students for departmental and university teaching awards.

• TAs may be evaluated at mid-term by the faculty lab coordinators.
• A final evaluation will be completed by undergraduate students in every section at the end of the semester. Faculty lab coordinators may complete a final evaluation form as well.
• The final course evaluation scores will be reviewed by the Chemistry Graduate Advising Office.
• If you receive poor evaluations (less than 3.0 on a 5.0 scale), you may be asked to attend a teaching workshop or similar activity to improve

Remediation for Underperforming Teaching Assistants

The following actions will be taken when a GAT fails to perform assigned duties:

• The TA will meet with the teaching supervisor or laboratory coordinator to discuss the issue.
• A written warning will be issued by the teaching supervisor or laboratory coordinator and copy will be sent to the student's research advisor and the Graduate Advisor.
• Graduate Students who continue to fail to perform assigned duties will not be permitted to receive financial support from teaching for a minimum of one year.

Title IX/Student Assistance Services Processes & Procedures

• Title IX of the Education Amendment of 1972 prohibits discrimination on the basis of sex in educational programs and activities at institutions that receive federal financial assistance.
• Sexual harassment, including sexual violence, is a form of sex discrimination and is therefore prohibited under Title IX. Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal, nonverbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature constitute sexual harassment when this conduct is so severe, persistent or pervasive that it explicitly or implicitly affects an individual's employment, unreasonably interferes with an individual's work or educational performance, or creates an intimidating or hostile work or educational environment.
• Texas A&M University is committed to providing an environment of academic study and employment free from harassment or discrimination to all segments of its community; its faculty, staff, students, guests and vendors; and will promptly address all complaints of discrimination, sexual harassment, and related retaliation in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. (See Notice of Nondiscrimination and Abuse)
• Visit the TMAU Title IX website https://urc.tamu.edu/title-ix/ ) for more information.

Related Links

Procedures for Resolving Student Concerns

Teaching Assistant Responsibilities

Lab safety requirements

Overview

The Chemistry Graduate program of study consists of a combination of coursework and scholarly research. The objective of an advanced degree is to provide students with the knowledge base and specific training necessary to advance science and their career. The purpose of coursework is to provide a strong foundation in a broad area of chemistry. Coursework prepares students to evaluate the scholarly research of others and provides the knowledge base needed to identify scientific problems and construct a programmed approach to solve those problems.

Guidelines

• Graduate students will enroll for exactly 9 credit hours each spring and fall semester. Students will also register for 6 hours for the summer semester. Students are required to maintain continuous enrollment.
• During the first two long semesters, students are required to register for a minimum of 4 graded lecture courses. A minimum of 12 credit hours are required overall. If a student holds an MS from a US institution, taking a fewer number of graded courses may be permitted with the approval of the Graduate Advisor.
• Additionally, first year students will register for CHEM 681: Seminar, CHEM 686: Ethics in Chemical Research, and any students who serve as Teaching Assistants will register for CHEM 697: Methods in Teaching.
• In the second year, students will register for CHEM 681: Seminar, CHEM 695: Frontiers in Chemical Research, and CHEM 691: Research
• Beyond the second year, the required credit hours will typically come from CHEM 691: Research and CHEM 682: Departmental Research Seminar.
• All graduate students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0. (TAMU Student Rule 12.3 and 12.5)

Dropping a Course

Students who would like to request dropping a course must contact the Chemistry Graduate Advising Office early in the semester. Dropping a course can only be done with the approval from the Graduate Advisor. Special considerations must be applied since a graduate student who is registered for less than full-time is not eligible for a teaching or research assistantship or an in-state tuition waiver.

Related Documents

• Course Descriptions
• TAMU Student Rule 1.8

Overview

The research advisor or advisory committee, in consultation with the student, will develop a degree plan which lists the basic academic course requirements for a given degree. The degree plan will also establish your formal advisory committee with the Graduate and Professional School (GPS).

Ph.D. Degree

• The degree plan must be filed with GPS by June 30 of the first academic year of study.
• Ph.D. committees must consist of at least three Chemistry faculty members and one out-of-department faculty member. The out-of-department faculty member cannot hold a joint appointment in Chemistry.
• A total of 96 hours in your degree plan are required:
  • Coursework: Minimum of 12 credit hours in chemistry or related lecture courses
  • Four semesters of Chemistry 681: Seminar (4 credit hours)
  • Four semesters of Chemistry 682: Departmental Seminar (4 credit hours)
  • Two semesters of Chemistry 695: Frontiers in Chemical Research (2 credit hours)
  • One semester of Chemistry 686: Ethics in Research and Scholarship (1 credit hour)
  • One semester of Chemistry 697: Methods in Teaching Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • The remainder of hours will be Chemistry 691: Research

Related Links

• Submit your Degree Plan or Petition

Alternative M.S. Degree

All Chemistry graduate students are admitted into the Ph.D. program. However, with approval, a student in the program may choose to pursue a M.S. degree (thesis option or non-thesis option) instead. Students who would like to switch to the M.S. program must contact the Chemistry Graduate Advising Office before applying for a degree change.

Guidelines for a change of degree

• Submit a petition for degree change through the online document processing submission system. The degree change will be effective the following semester. International students must contact ISS after submitting a degree change.

• Submit a new degree plan
• Degree plan Guidelines for the thesis option:
  • M.S. committees will consist of at least two chemistry faculty members and one outside faculty member.
  • Students are required to have a total of only 32 hours, as follows:
    • A minimum of five chemistry or related lecture courses (15 credit hours)
    • Two semesters of Chemistry 681: Seminar (2 credit hours)
    • One semester of Chemistry 695: Frontiers in Chemical Research (3 credit hours)
    • One semester of Chemistry 686: Ethics in Research and Scholarship (1 credit hour)
    • One semester of Chemistry 697: Methods in Teaching Chemistry Laboratory (1 credit hour)
    • A maximum of 10 credit hours of Chemistry 691: Research can be applied for the thesis option.
  • Different guidelines apply for the non-thesis option. Please contact the Graduate Office.
  • After the degree plan has been approved by the Graduate and Professional School (GPS), students will submit a written proposal and approval form through GPS no less than 60 days before scheduling a defense.
  • For the thesis option, submit the written thesis to the committee two weeks before the final defense.
  • Submit a Request and Announcement of the Final Examination form two weeks before the scheduled defense.
  • Submit a Written Thesis Approval Form

Related Links

• Submit Degree Plan or Petition
• Proposal Approval Form
• Request an Announcement for Final Examination
• Written Thesis Approval Form

General Information

Every international student in the Department of Chemistry must pass an Oral English Language Proficiency Examination (ELPE) to be eligible for a Teaching Assistantship. International students may be exempted from taking the ELPE if they have completed a 4-year undergraduate degree from a US institution or achieved a minimum score of 26 (speaking) on the TOFEL.

The ELPE is administered upon arrival at TAMU. Students who do not pass the ELPE will be required to enroll with the Center for Teaching Excellence's English Language Proficiency program (CTE-ELP). There is no cost to the student for this program.

The Department of Chemistry will support a student who has not passed the ELPE for the first semester only. Students have until the end of their first year to fulfill the English requirement.

Related Documents

• English Language Proficiency Examination
• Center for Teaching Excellence

Overview

During the first two years of study, students are required to attend the Chemistry Graduate Seminar. During the second year, students will present a research seminar as a part of their Preliminary Exam. The course consists of presentation instruction and student seminars. The skills learned will also assist students in making future presentations at scientific meetings and job interviews.

• Define research questions clearly.
• Interpret preliminary studies and supporting literature.
• Prepare well-organized and balanced presentation slides.
• Present research to an audience not in the student's immediate field.
• Integrate fundamental principles into scientific discussions.
• Improve comfort level while giving presentations.
• Further develop their presentation skills.
• Improve ability to "think on your feet" during question/answer sessions.

Presentation Guidelines

• Students will provide an abstract of 150-200 words excluding references. A figure must be included. See abstract guidelines.
• Students must provide an electronic copy of the abstract to Sandy Horton by 5 pm on the Monday of the week of the scheduled seminar date.
• Students are required to give a 20-minute seminar and answer questions from faculty and students for approximately 5 minutes following their presentation.
• As the presentation is a part of the preliminary exam, the members of the student's PhD Committee must attend the seminar.
• Academic Integrity will be maintained at all times.

Related Documents

• Abstract Guidelines (pdf)
• Academic Integrity
• Research Seminar Presentation Rubric

Overview

Doctoral and Thesis-option Masters students are required to submit a research proposal. A Research proposal should be prepared in a professional manner with proper literature citations and provide background information and preliminary results as well as the future direction of the dissertation project.

Guidelines

• In connection with the timing of the preliminary examination, the dissertation research proposal (prepared by the student) must be sent to the Chemistry Graduate Advising Office at least two weeks prior to the day of the preliminary oral examination. The graduate office will review the proposals and those in compliance with the guidelines will be distributed to the committee members. Proposals received after the deadline will not be reviewed and the exam will be canceled. See: Preliminary Exam Proposal Format and Content Guidelines
• Masters students must submit the proposal no later than 60 days prior to the close of the semester in which they expect to defend.
• It is understood that the Research Proposal is an original piece of work generated exclusively by the student. The student may ask other group members or their research advisor to offer comments and suggestions but the content of the proposal must be original.

Related Documents

• Academic Integrity (pdf)
• Proposal Title Approval Page
• Proposal Format and Content Guidelines (pdf) 
• Written Proposal Rubric(pdf)

Overview

The purpose of the preliminary examination is to determine whether students are prepared to complete an original, intellectual, and scientific investigation that will culminate in a doctoral dissertation. The preliminary examination consists of a public presentation and oral exam. CHEM 681 Seminar will serve as the public presentation part of the exam. Admission to candidacy for a doctoral degree requires all students to pass a preliminary examination and submit a research proposal.

Prerequisites

• Overall GPR of 3.0 or higher
• Approved degree plan
• Be within 6 credit hours of completing all formal graded course work on degree plan (except CHEM 681, 684, 690, and 691)
• Successfully completed CHEM 681 student seminar 2 weeks before the exam
• Research proposal

Guidelines

• The preliminary exam takes place during the 2nd year of study.
• The exam should be scheduled to occur within approximately two weeks after the presentation in the CHEM 681 seminar.
• The exact format of the exam is determined by the chair of the advisory committee and approved by the remaining members of the committee.
• The student is responsible for initiating the Report of Preliminary Exam form and distributing rubrics for the oral exam.
• If the student fails the preliminary exam, it may be retaken in the next regular semester of study with the approval of their advisory committee.
• Students who do not complete the exam during their 2nd year will have a hold placed on their registration.
• Students must complete all remaining degree requirements within a four-year period following the preliminary exam.

Related Documents

• Preliminary Examination Checklist and Report Form
• Research Seminar Presentation Rubric (pdf)
• Prelim Rubric (pdf)
• Written Proposal Rubric (pdf)

Overview

The progress report is used to summarize the status, progress, and prospect of a student's research and to encourage communication, feedback, and collaboration between a student and their research committee.

Guidelines

• A written report and approval form are due to the Chemistry Graduate Office by July 31 starting in the 3rd year of study, and then every summer until graduation.
• The written report is to be completed by the student and should consist of a summary of the research already completed and goals for future research.
• The written report should be between 1 and 3 pages in length including figures. The report should be single spaced, have 1-inch margins, and 11 pt. font.
• If a student has made significant contributions for a publication or manuscript, a copy can be used to substitute the written report. The publication does not need to have been accepted.
• Feedback from the committee chair is required. Students should allow at least 2 weeks for the committee to review the report prior to the deadline. Written feedback is provided by the committee chair and optionally the committee members.
• Students who fail to submit a report will be blocked from registration.

Related Documents

• Graduate Student Annual Progress Report Form (pdf)

Guidelines

All Chemistry doctoral and master's students must submit a thesis or dissertation that complies with university rules. The university guidelines for writing a dissertation are listed below.

• Each Doctoral and Masters program at TAMU requires the completion of an electronic dissertation or thesis.
• A dissertation or thesis must be submitted to the student's advisory committee at least 2 weeks before the final oral defense.
• Electronic Thesis/Dissertations (ETDs) may be submitted to the Thesis Office only after successfully passing the final exam and once the advisory committee has officially approved the content of the ETD. All committee approvals must be complete on the Written Thesis/Dissertation approval Form prior to submission.
• Format requirements are outlined in the Thesis Manual.
• The ETD must be submitted to the Thesis Office for compliance review and approval in time to meet the appropriate deadlines for graduation in a given semester. After the ETD is submitted electronically to the Thesis Office, students may make only those corrections required by the Thesis Office. Additional corrections requested by the student, the chair, or other committee members will be accepted only in exceptional circumstances.
• Students will also need to submit a Thesis, Dissertation, and Record of Study Copyright and Availability form.

Academic Integrity

TAMU students must adhere to the Aggie Honor Code when preparing the ETD. The ideas or data of others must be properly used and acknowledged, and when necessary, permission must be secured from copyright holders. All research must be conducted following appropriate ethical standards for the responsible conduct of research. For further information see the following.

• Aggie honor system Office
• Copyright Resources
• Institutional Review Board

Related Documents

• Information regarding publication and embargo, copyright information, and the use of pre-published material
• Written Dissertation Approval Form
• Written Thesis Approval Form
• Thesis, Dissertation, and Record of Study – Copyright Availability
• Thesis/Dissertation Rubric (pdf)
• Thesis, Dissertation, and Record of study Copyright and Availability Form
• Thesis Manual (pdf)

Prerequisites

The following prerequisites must be completed prior to the scheduling of the final defense.

• The degree plan is on file with the Graduate and Professional School (GPS).
• The overall GPR is 3.00 or higher.
• No "U" of "F" grades are on the degree plan.
• All course work on the degree plan must have been completed.
• An approved proposal must be on file with GPS.
• An approved preliminary exam must be on file with GPS (prelims expire after 4 years).
• The student must be registered.

Guidelines

Students must have:

• The dissertation in the final form and ready for distribution to all committee members.
• A Request and Announcement of the Final Examination submitted to GPS two weeks prior to the exam.

Students will need to meet with the Chemistry Graduate Advising Office no later than 30 days before the proposed exam date.

Related Documents

• Request and Announcement for Final Examination (pdf)
• Calendars & Deadlines