The graduate program in chemistry offers exciting opportunities to pursue cutting-edge scientific research in physical, inorganic, organic, biological and nano chemistry. The department hosts numerous well-funded research projects that form the basis of graduate student dissertations. During the first semester, students enroll in three courses and choose a research advisor among the faculty in the department. In addition, students normally perform the duties of a teaching assistant, although several fellowships are available that do not require teaching. A significant feature of Brown's doctoral program in chemistry is that almost all students start their research during the second semester of the first year. During later semesters, the research project becomes the student's primary responsibility, and leads to a Ph.D. dissertation usually within four or five years.

Additional resources: The Department of Chemistry occupies a state-of-the-art laboratory building and maintains outstanding facilities. Departmental research resources include two 300 MHz and one 400 MHz NMR spectrometers and three mass spectrometers. In addition, individual research groups maintain a wide array of specialized equipment, including three cutting-edge, ultra-fast laser systems; high power Nd:YAG; excimer, dye, and quantum cascade lasers; a laser Raman spectrometer; several high-resolution Fourier transform infrared spectrometers; an automated X-ray diffractometer; atomic force and scanning tunneling microscopes as well as a wide range of networked workstations and computers. In addition, the department houses excellent machine and electronics shops that are staffed by skilled technicians.

Completion requirements: A.M: Eight course credits.

Sc.M.: Eight course credits and a thesis.

Ph.D.: Completion of five lecture-based courses, written cumulative examinations, oral defense of a research project proposal, oral defense of an independent research proposal, dissertation research and thesis defense. Teaching experience is considered a valuable part of the program, and each student is normally expected to be a teaching assistant for one year during his or her graduate career.

ADMISSION INFORMATION

Admission requirements: B.S. degree in chemistry or equivalent. Interview recommended but not required.

GRE General: Required

GRE Subject: Recommended

Application deadline: January 15

FACULTY