Current Ph.D. Students

More Information

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Changing Path of Research Interest

Each incoming graduate student chose a path of research interest on their application: analytical, chemical biology, chemistry education research, inorganic, materials, organic, or physical. This information, along with the faculty of interest, helped the admission committee evaluate the applicant. The path of research interest is also used during the fall orientation to advise the incoming graduate student which courses in the fall semester may be most applicable and meet the department requirements. The path of research interest does not affect which faculty research group the student can join as most faculty have graduate students from multiple paths in their group.

After visiting the department and becoming more familiar with the faculty, incoming students may want to change the path of research interest.  Please fill out the Change of Path Form if you would like to change your path of research interest.

If you have any questions, please contact the Graduate Program Office.

Change an Advisor Form

If you are considering changing research groups, please contact the Chemistry Graduate Program Office (GPO). The GPO can help direct you and provide useful information. Then fill out the Change of Advisor Form. This will alert the Graduate Program Office and they will make the appropriate changes in the department databases and files.

Dissertation Binding

The Chemistry Copy Center can bind your dissertation/thesis.  Discuss with your research advisor about what type of binding is preferred, then fill out the following forms:

Email the completed forms along with a PDF of your dissertation/thesis to the Copy Center. Please contact the staff in the Copy Center if you have any questions.

Enrollment Credit Requirements for a Non-Dissertator

Fall and Spring Semester Enrollment: Non-Dissertators

Non-dissertators (total 13 – 15 credits*)

  • Lecture courses to satisfy the core and minor requirements or courses of general interest
  • 1-12 credits research – Chem 990 (Enroll in the section of your PI)
  • 1 credit group meeting – Chem 980 (Enroll in the section of your PI)
  • 0 credits seminar
    • Analytical – Chem 920
    • Chembio – any
    • Chem Educ Res – any
    • Inorganic – Chem 900
    • Materials – Chem 920
    • Organic – Chem 940
    • Physical – Chem 960

*Official auditing of courses does not count toward the total credits.

Non-dissertators: spring, 1st year (total 15 credits*)

  • Lecture courses to satisfy the core and minor requirements or courses of general interest
  • Chem 607 – safety course, 1 credit (counts in spring semester, even though it was taken before the semester began)
  • 1-12 credits research – Chem 990 (Enroll in the section of your PI)
  • 1 credit group meeting – Chem 980  (Enroll in the section of your PI)
  • 0 credits seminar
    • Analytical – Chem 920
    • Chembio – any
    • Chem Educ Res – any
    • Inorganic – Chem 900
    • Materials – Chem 920
    • Organic – Chem 940
    • Physical – Chem 960

*Official auditing of courses does not count toward the total credits.

Summer Term Enrollment: Non-Dissertators

Non-dissertators (total 2 credits)

  • 2 credits research – Chem 990 (Enroll in the section of your PI)

Enrollment Credit Requirements for a Dissertator

Fall and Spring Semester Enrollment: Dissertators

Dissertators (total 3 credits)

  • 3 credits research – Chem 990 (Enroll in the section of your PI)

**Dissertators are not permitted to officially audit courses

Summer Term Enrollment: Dissertators

Dissertators (total 3 credits)

  • 3 credits research – Chem 990 (Enroll in the section of your PI)

Master of Science (M.S.) Degree

Master of Science Degree for Graduate Students Continuing toward the Doctor of Philosophy

Graduate students in the Department of Chemistry who are pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree will meet the requirements for a research-based Master of Science (M.S.) degree after they successfully compete the Thesis Background Exam (TBE), typically taken in the spring of the second year of the graduate program. At that time, the students can apply for the M.S. degree and it will be awarded during the spring conferral date. Obtaining the M.S. at this juncture can serve as positive recognition of a student’s progress in the program. Students are not obligated to apply for the M.S. degree.

Procedure to apply for the M.S. degree:

  • At least 4 weeks before the TBE oral exam, the student should request to add the MS program in MyGradPortal. Note that the M.S. program will be in addition to the Ph.D. program.
  • The Graduate Program Office (GPO) will approve the request.
  • After receiving notification that the M.S. degree was added, the student can request a M.S. warrant on the Department of Chemistry website.
  • The student should bring the M.S. warrant to the TBE oral exam. Upon successful completion of the TBE, the PI can sign the M.S. warrant.
  • The student returns the signed warrant to the GPO.

Terminal Master of Science Degree for Current Graduate Students

The Department of Chemistry encourages all graduate students who are considering leaving the Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) program to obtain a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. Graduate students leave the Ph.D. program for a range of reasons and all are legitimate. A M.S. degree from UW–Madison is highly respected and demonstrates an advanced knowledge of chemistry and a higher level of independence than the bachelor’s degree.

  • Current graduate students with a research assistantship (RA) who received their M.S. degree after their TBE exam can discontinue the Ph.D. program at any time.
  • Current graduate students with a teaching assistantship (TA) who received their M.S. degree after their TBE exam can discontinue the Ph.D. program when they have completed their teaching obligations.
  • Current graduate students who did not complete their TBE exam should meet with the Graduate Program Office (GPO) to discuss their options to obtain either a coursework-base or a research-based M.S. degree. Conversations with the GPO are confidential as they work with the student to develop a plan to obtain the M.S. degree.

Prescription Safety Glasses

The steps to obtain prescriptions safety glasses are outline below.

  1. Complete the “application for safety eyewear” form on the University Health Services website.
  2. Make an appointment at UHS and spec out your glasses – you must have a current, valid prescription from your doctor (department does not pay for eye exams)
  3. Bring the form back to Chad Skemp (Chemistry Business Office, room 1123) and he will complete the purchase with a dept. credit card
  4. Questions, please contact Beatriz Lemire, Human Resource Specialist, Department of Chemistry.

Please contact the Graduate Program Office at gradprogram@chem.wisc.edu if you have general questions. Contact Marc Willadsen, payroll specialist, at mwilladsen@wisc.edu if you have questions about benefits or payroll.