Planning for Graduate Study in Chemistry
&Chemistry Research at UA
YOUR NAMEDepartment of ChemistryThe University of Alabama
Tuscaloosa, AL 35487
Why Graduate School?
Graduate training is needed to become proficient enough to be a strong participant in chemical research and the development of new knowledge.
With a PhD, you’ll be able to rise to top technical or administrative positions in industrial, academic, or government labs.
An advanced degree will result in a higher overall career earning potential.
Graduate School Can Be Fun!
It’s hard work, but you’ll be performing challenging research in an area that interests you.
You’ll be developing lifelong friendships and professional relationships.
Chemistry Starting Salaries From the American Chemical Society (ACS) for 2007 graduates. Median salaries for starting chemists. Typically, only 2-3 years after obtaining a PhD you will recover any
salary “lost” while attending graduate school as a ~$21,000 per year GTA/GRA. After that, you’re ahead by $30,000 or more per year over a BS/BA chemist.
For 2007 graduates, the median starting salary for a new PhD chemist was $75,000. For 2004, this value was $65,000. Starting salaries are increasing!
Time after graduation
BS/BA MS PhD
<12 months $36,700 $48,000 $75,000
12-36 months $38,600 $47,000* $70,000*
*Occasionally, starting salaries have increased so that new hires earn more than chemists employed for 1-3 years.
Preparation for Graduate School Undergraduate Curriculum
ACS-Certified B.S. Degree (preferred, not required). Take a full range of courses over all subdivisions of
chemistry, including biochemistry. Take as many upper level math, biology, and physics
courses as time permits. Acquire good skills in problem solving, teamwork, and
communications. Undergraduate Research
Seize the opportunity for research at your own institution.
Become a participant in a summer research program at an academic institution or an industrial intern or co-op.
Acquire Additional Skills Computer skills, work processing, spreadsheets,
databases, programming. Acquaint yourself with chemistry journals and the
scientific literature.
Admission to Graduate School
For regular admission, usually need GPA ≥ 3.0. For regular admission, usually need Graduate
Record Exam (GRE) ≥ 1000 (Q + V). (Note: 2011 new scale: 130-170 rather than 200-800)
Most schools don’t require the Chemistry Subject GRE exam.
Letters of Recommendation (2 or 3) – ask faculty who you have interacted with.
Foreign Students – TOEFL ≥ 550 (paper exam, pBT) of >79 (internet exam, iBT). Also accept IELTS (≥ 6.5); Pearson Test (≥ 59).
Note: In Chemistry, you don’t need a Masters degree (MS) in order to obtain a doctorate degree (PhD).
Where to Apply?
Gain info for your selection process from: Undergraduate professors or advisors ACS student affiliate meetings Seminar speakers Speakers at scientific conferences Publications in chemistry journals ACS Directory of Graduate Research Brochures and wall hangers from various
programs Websites Visits to departments were you are considering
graduate study
Where to Apply, continued The most important questions to consider
are: (1) Where to go to school? (2) Who to work for?
Choose a school with multiple research options that interest you.
If you want to work with a specific individual, contact them before applying. E-mail faculty whose research interest you.
Contact the Director of Graduate Recruiting or other faculty with questions.
Academic pedigree can still be important. Visit a school before you accept their offer of
admission.
Financial Support Positions
Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA) Graduate Research Assistantship (GRA) Fellowships or Scholarships
UA Chemistry Current Support Stipend (2010-2011 AY): $21,900 for 12 months Full tuition waiver; no fees except for ~$60/semester Free health insurance for the student ($1,500/yr value) If a student remains in good academic standing, they
are guaranteed support in the PhD program for up to 5 years.
You will be paid to go to graduate school, but don’t let money be a primary deciding factor. Make your decision based on how the overall program and its research opportunities meet your needs.
Financial Support, conti. Put your offers on an equal footing. Compare:
Stipend: Is it for 12 months or 9/10 months with summers being different?
Tuition: Is it a waiver or are you given tuition money as taxable income? Must you pay it back? Are there hidden fees?
Health Insurance: Is it free to you? Cost of Living: May negate differences in
monetary offers. Add-Ons/Sweeteners: Have in writing whether
these are only for initial year or for all years. Length of Financial Support: Is continuous support
offered for the period of time in which you can reasonably be expected to complete your degree (e.g., 5 years for a PhD)? This is very important.
Regional Chemistry GTA Stipends, 2010
*12 month net stipends = amount paid to the student minus tuition and fees that the student pays out of pocket
Institution Net Stipend No-Cost Health Insurance
Emory U. $22,000 Partial
Florida St. U. $19,000 Partial
Louisiana St. U. $19,500 Partial
Mississippi St. U. $22,000 Partial
North Carolina St. U. $21,000 Yes
U. of Alabama $21,900 Yes
U. of Florida $19,950 Yes
U. of North Carolina $22,250 Yes
U. of Georgia $22,000 Partial
U. of South Carolina $21,300 Partial
U. of Tennessee $18,900 Yes
Vanderbilt U. $23,000 Yes
How and When to Apply? How?
Electronic applications are usually preferred over paper forms. For online application and info, check out the website of the department or university.
Many departments waive application fees for domestic students. It doesn’t hurt to ask the department’s Director of Graduate Recruiting before sending money.
When? For complete consideration for all positions, including
fellowships, it’s best to submit applications for Fall before the end of the prior calendar year.
Although most entering graduate students begin in the Fall semester, a few students may be admitted at the beginning of Spring semester.
It is never too late to apply.
Parts of the UA Application Application Form – Online submission preferred Statement of Purpose (SOP) -
Discuss experience, career goals, research interests.
Toot your own horn. This is your opportunity to tell the department anything that you want them to know about you.
GRE – Official scores sent by ETS are needed. TOEFL – Needed by applicants when English is
not their native language and they don’t have a degree from a US institution.
Transcripts – Official transcripts sent by your undergraduate institution.
Letters of Reference - Normally 3 are required. Ask faculty who know you well to write them.
Overview of UA Chemistry
25 Research Active Faculty ~85 Graduate Students Research in all major areas of chemistry, plus
interdisciplinary Centers and programs Graduate Stipend: $21,900/year with waiver of
tuition and free health insurance for the student
www.bama.ua.edu/~chem/
UA Graduate Chemistry Programs PhD Program MS Program
Plan I – Thesis Option Plan II – Non-Thesis Option (Course work only)
Divisions and Research Programs Analytical Chemistry Biochemistry Inorganic Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physical Chemistry
Interdisciplinary Programs Center for Materials for Information Technology
(MINT) Center for Green Manufacturing (CGM) Center for Advanced Vehicle Technology (CAVT) Coalition for Biomolecular Products (CBP) Center for Molecular-Scale Electronic and Spintronics
(CMSES)
PhD Program Degree Requirements
Usually completed in ~5 years
Courses (72 credit hours total) Placement exams (ACS exams) upon entering
program assist in matching courses to a student’s background
6 lecture courses - 18 credit hours 4 in major area and 2 outside major area
Research Techniques – 6 credit hours Advanced Research Techniques – 8 credit hours Graduate Seminars – 16 credit hours Dissertation Research – 24 credit hours
PhD Program Degree Requirements
Research Selection of Research Advisor
Seminars for entering students with all Chemistry faculty
Detailed interviews with faculty of interest Selection made by student late in their 1st
semester of study or early in their 2nd semester
Dissertation Committee 5 members selected by 3rd semester Meet for IRR, ORP, Dissertation Defense
Start your research project under your advisor’s supervision – This is the fun part!
PhD Program Degree Requirements
Additional Requirements Initial Research Review (IRR)
Present to dissertation committee by the end of the first
month of your 4th semester Cumulative Exams
2-3 hour exams offered 10 times a year in each of the 5 subdisciplines of chemistry
Must pass 4 exams by the end of the 2nd year of study (20 attempts maximum)
Usually taken in major area, but can take outside of area
Original Research Proposal (ORP) Present an defend (in writing and orally) an original idea
outside of your own research area Must be completed by 5th semester of study
PhD Program Degree Requirements
Seminars Literature – during 2nd year Research – during last semester
Dissertation Write and defend orally - on your own research Must result in at least one refereed publication
MS Plan I (Research) Requirements
Usually completed in 2-2.5 years Admission preference is usually given to PhD
applicants, except under special circumstances Requirements similar to PhD Program except:
30 credit hours with 4 lecture courses (3 in major area)
Only thesis committee meetings are IRR and thesis defense in last semester
No cumulative exams, ORP, or literature seminar
Research seminar to department in last semester
Thesis written and defended orally to thesis committee
National Research Council Survey
178 Departments were ranked in a survey using 2000-2006 data
Subjective Ranking based on faculty surveys: 71st (60th percentile)
Dimensional Ranking based on yearly department data: Overall Research Activity: 53rd (71st %) Publications/faculty: 3.64, ranked 33rd
Citations/paper: 2.34, ranked 75th
Funded Faculty: 80%, ranked 88th
Student Support and Outcomes Overall Student Support and Outcomes:
42nd (76th %) 1st year students supported: 100% 6 year PhD completion: 48.6%, ranked
48th
Median time to degree: 5.8 yr, ranked 151st
National Research Council Survey
Diversity Overall Diversity: 103rd (42%) Minority faculty: 5%, ranked 55th
Minority students: 19.5%, ranked 28th
Female students: 32.1%, ranked 149th (2009-10, 45%)
International students: 50% (2009-10, 36%)
National Research Council Survey
UA Analytical ChemistsCarolyn J. CassadyProfessorANALYTICAL/BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: mass spectrometry, ion/molecule reactions, MS/MS of peptides by FT-ICR and TOF, sequencing metallopeptides
Shanlin PanAssistant ProfessorANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: electrochemistry, single molecule Raman and fluorescence spectroscopy, nanomaterials and biosensors
Shane C. StreetAssociate Professor, Director of Graduate RecruitingANALYTICAL/PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: Nanomaterials, thin film tribology, and surface chemistry
UA Analytical ChemistsGregory J. SzulczewskiAssociate ProfessorANALYTICAL/PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: chemistry of surfaces and interfaces, thin film devices, colloidal particles for sensing applications
UA Biochemists
Russell TimkovichProfessor BIOCHEMISTRY/BIOPHYSICAL/BIOANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: electron transport proteins, NMR analysis of 3D protein structure, biosynthesis of novel tetrapyrroles
Laura S. BusenlehnerAssistant Professor BIOCHEMISTRY/BIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY: metal-related diseases, protein structure-function studies, amide hydrogen-deuterium exchange mass spectrometry
John B. VincentProfessorBIOINORGANIC CHEMISTRY/BIOCHEMISTRY: elucidation of the structure, function, and mode of action of metallobiomolecules, biological chromium chemistry
UA Biochemists, conti.Stephen A. WoskiAssociate Professor, Director of Graduate StudiesORGANIC/BIOORGANIC CHEMISTRY: non-natural nucleoside synthesis, peptide nucleic acids, interactions of metal complexes with DNA, synthesis of components for molecular electronics
Patrick A. Frantom Assistant ProfessorBIOCHEMISTRYStructure and function of enzymes, Protein dynamics, Mechanisms of catalysis and regulation, Kinetic isotope effects
NEW FACULTY
UA Inorganic Chemists
David E. NiklesProfessor INORGANIC/MATERIALS CHEMISTRY: materials for information technology, polymer coatings for magnetic tape, porphyrin synthesis, porphyrin-dendrimers as optical devices
Robin D. RogersRobert Ramsay Professor of Chemistry, University Research Professor, Director of the Center for Green ManufacturingANALYTICAL/INORGANIC CHEMISTRY: separation science, ionic liquids, x-ray diffraction & crystal engineering, self-assembled porphyrin arrays
Joseph S. ThrasherProfessorINORGANIC/ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY: novel sulfur-fluorine compounds, industrial fluorine chemistry, computational chemistry
UA Inorganic Chemists
Thomas VaidAssistant Professor INORGANIC/MATERIALS CHEMISTRY: inorganic andorganic electronic materials, solar energy conversion
UA Organic Chemists
Anthony J. Arduengo, IIISaxon Professor ORGANIC/INORGANIC: the chemistry of new or unusual bonding arrangements, material science, new reagents for synthesis
Silas C. BlackstockProfessorORGANIC CHEMISTRY: electron transfer chemistry, high-spin polyradical ions, redox-gradient dendrimers, electron donor-acceptor bonding, crystal engineering
Michael P. JenningsAssociate Professor, Director of Undergraduate StudiesSYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: total synthesis of biologically active natural products, enantioselective methodology development based on novel chiral ligands, asymmetric catalysis
UA Organic Chemists, conti.
Kevin H. ShaughnessyAssociate Professor, Department ChairORGANIC/ORGANOMETALLIC CHEMISTRY: metal-catalyzed organic synthetic methodology, environmentally benign reactions, High-throughput screening of reaction selectivity
Timothy S. SnowdenAssociate ProfessorSYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY: synthetic methodology, natural product synthesis
NEW FACULTYMarco BonizzoniAssistant ProfessorSUPRAMOLECULAR CHEMISTRY Pattern-based recognition in molecular sensing, molecular assembly through non-covalent interactions, physical organic chemistry of supramolecular systems
UA Physical Chemists
Martin G. BakkerAssociate Professor PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: EPR, radical dynamics/reactions in organized media, surfactant aggregation, materials
Michael K. BowmanAssociate ProfessorPHYSICAL/BIOPHYSCIAL CHEMISTRY: EPR, structure and function of metalloproteins, defect centers in crystalline and non-crystalline solids
David A. DixonRobert Ramsay Professor of ChemistryPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: computational and theoretical chemistry, applications to organic, inorganic, bio, environmental, industrial, and materials
UA Physical Chemists, conti.
Robert M. MetzgerProfessor PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: molecular electronics, electrical conductivity in organic crystals, unimolecular organic rectifiers
Arunava GuptaMINT ProfessorMATERIALS and PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: nanostructured materials for biomedical applications and information technology
NEW FACULTYDaniel J. Goebbert Assistant ProfessorPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY Photoelectron imaging, ion spectroscopy, reactive intermediates
Overhead View of the University of Alabama Campus and Shelby Hall during Construction
Entrance to Shelby Hall
Shelby Hall Rotunda Ceiling
Shelby Hall Rotunda Floor
Center Courtyard – View of Rotunda
Hallway of a Research Wing
Research Lab – Kispert Group
Electron Paramagnetic Resonance (EPR) Lab
Research Lab – Shaughnessy Group
Fourier Transform Ion Cyclotron Resonance Mass Spectrometer (FT-ICR/MS) – Cassady Group
Mass Spectrometry Lab – MALDI/TOF and Double Focusing Sector Spectrometers
Typical Graduate Student Office
Faculty Office in Shelby Hall
UA Department of Chemistry