Chemical Education Ph.D.

The skills may include statistical analysis, analytical instrument operation, background and experience in both field-based and quantitative studies in chemical education research, current technology in education and collateral fields of study such as mathematics, computer science, biology and physics. Courses which are recommended to assist in the development of these skills include SCED 694, SRM 610 and either SRM 502 or SRM 603, Chemistry and Biochemistry-approved courses in one or more of the following areas: educational technology, statistics and chemistry/chemical education research (CHEM 693, CHEM 693, or CHEM 793), and collateral fields of study (computer science, mathematics, biology and physics).

Note(s): Students without a bachelor’s degree in chemistry must complete original research projects in chemistry and chemical education. One project must be equivalent to a master’s project and written in thesis format and the other will be written and defended as the candidates’s doctoral dissertation.

All students must complete courses in a minimum of three areas of chemistry (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic or physical). One course in biochemistry is required if not previously taken.

Students without a master's degree in chemistry must complete 24 hours in the Chemistry component, 16 hours in the pedagogy component, and a minimum of 38 hours in the Research Component (all required hours and electives).

Students will select sufficient electives to complete the degree program. Additional electives in the Research, Pedagogy or Chemistry Components may be selected; electives in supporting sciences, mathematics, computer science, and education are also recommended. All electives will be selected in consultation with the student's graduate committee.

All students must pass written and oral comprehensive examinations in chemical education and in two of the five chemistry content areas (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, or physical).

All students will demonstrate competence in the research aspects of both basic chemistry and chemical education by completing original research projects in chemistry and chemical education. One project must be equivalent to a master's project and written in thesis format and the other will be written and defended as the candidate's doctoral dissertation.

For students who have written and defended a thesis as part of a master's degree, the thesis, if approved by the candidate's graduate committee, will substitute for the appropriate research requirement.

All students will write a scholarly paper and submit it for publication in a refereed journal as a requirement for this degree.

Qualifier Examinations. Each student must pass qualifying examinations in three of five areas selected from chemistry content (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic or physical chemistry). Students will have two opportunities to pass each area exam. Qualifier examinations are scheduled during the week preceding the beginning of classes each semester. If an examination is failed, the requirement may be satisfied by completing designated undergraduate coursework in the appropriate subdiscipline with a minimum grade of “B.”