Academics | Duke Chemistry

Our doctoral course and examination procedure emphasize research and research accomplishment as early as possible. Your Ph.D. supervisory committee, coursework, and your path through the examination process are individually designed by you and your advisor and planned according to the particular research area and topic involved. An M.S. degree is not required for admission. Students generally remain in residence during the summer. Since graduate courses are not offered during the summer session, this time is exclusively used for research.

Ph.D. Requirements

NOTE: International students whose native language is not English must enroll in English language courses offered through the Graduate School, during their first 3 semesters, unless formally waived from this requirement by the Graduate School.

Typical Degree Timeline

First Year Students
Fall	Attend RCR Orientation, which takes place week before classes start to complete 6 of the required 12 RCR credits Register for continuation, Chem 701, and 12 credits of graduate science classes Complete 3 lab rotations Register for any English courses deemed necessary for international students (if student can register for only one, Oral English course recommended first)
Spring	Chair’s office will finalize formal affiliation with Primary Investigator Register for Continuation, Chem 701 and 8-12 credits of graduate science classes Register for any English course deemed necessary for international students Attend RCR Forums when available, each worth 2 credits towards required 12
Summer	Register for continuation
Second Year Students
Fall	Register for continuation Register for remaining courses necessary to achieve 22 graduate science credits Register for Chem 801 Research, 6 credits Complete all required English courses for international students by end of this semester PI submits recommendation for supervisory committee. PI may consult with student or make the decision alone. Supervisory committees finalized by DGS office in December Attend RCR Forums when available, each worth 2 credits towards required 12
Spring	Register for continuation Register for Chem 801 Research, 6 credits Turn in preliminary examination document to DGS office with copies for all supervisory committee members in early March Supervisory committee members return preliminary examination document, with comments and evaluation, to DGS office to be passed back to students for revision of document. Mid-March Submit finalized prelim document to supervisory committee at least one week in advance of the prelim exam Attend RCR Forums when available, each worth 2 credits towards required 12
Summer	Register for continuation
Third Year Students
Fall	Register for continuation Work towards meeting Oral Presentation requirements by this point
Spring	Register for continuation Turn in to DGS office your Annual Progress Report summing up academic milestones and research completed during that academic year in mid-May
Summer	Register for continuation Propositional abstract due to Assistant DGS office by August 1 Prop committee will return approved or unapproved prop abstracts with comments and evaluation to Assistant DGS to return to students in mid-August Submit revised abstract for review by Prop committee by September 1 All RCR requirements should be completed by this time
Fourth Year Students
Fall	Register for continuation All propositional abstracts approved by committee by September 15 Submit finalized written version of the research proposal to be provided to the examinign panel by October 15 Sit propositional exame during first 2 weeks of November
Spring	Register for continuation
Summer	Register for continuation
Fifth Year and Beyond Students
By this time, students have presented often enough to have fulfilled 2 Oral presentation requirements Turn in to the DGS office the Annual Progress Report summing up academic milestones and research completed during that academic year in Mid-May Students should be working towards completing dissertation in the next year