Graduate Learning Outcomes

Department of Chemistry

Department of Chemistry Goals and Outcomes

The Chemistry Department has overriding goals which have an impact on both our graduate and undergraduate programs. These include:  

• Developing students as successful professionals.
• Developing students as effective researchers.
• Maintaining and enhancing the overall quality of the program. 

To meet these goals, we have developed specific expectations (outcomes) for our undergraduate and graduate programs and for our overall program.

 

Graduate Outcomes: 

The Chemistry Department has also identified specific objectives and outcomes for both the Masters and Ph.D. graduate programs.  

 

M.S. in Chemistry  

1. Students should have an advanced level understanding of at least three of the following areas of chemistry - Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry. They should have a graduate level understanding of their major area(s) of research.

2. Students should broaden their professional foundations through activities such as teaching, internships, and fellowships

3. Students should be able to communicate scientific results in writing and in oral presentation.

4. Students should acquire the basic tools needed to carry out independent chemical research. Students should become proficient in their specialized area of chemistry and successfully complete an advanced research project.

 

Ph.D in Chemistry

1. Students should have an advanced level understanding of Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry. They should master graduate material in their major area(s) of research. In addition to course work, Ph.D. students are required to pass four cumulative exams covering current topics in chemistry during their first three semesters of graduate study.

2. Students should broaden their professional foundations through activities such as teaching, internships, fellowships, and grant applications.

3. Students should be able to communicate the results of their scientific research in writing and in oral presentation. In addition to the final department seminar required of all graduate students, Ph.D. students are required to make an additional presentation at a department seminar or professional meeting.

4. Students should acquire the tools to become fully independent chemical researchers. They should be able to synthesize advanced material from the different areas of chemistry and formulate and carry out a research project that can lead to publication(s) in a refereed journal.

 

Program Enhancement

To maintain and improve both the undergraduate and graduate programs, the department aims to: 

1. Continue to be competitive by attracting high quality students;

2. Provide effective mentoring that encourages students to graduate in a timely manner;

3. Place graduates in positions in industry and academics

4. Maintain a nationally recognized faculty that is large enough and appropriately distributed across chemistry disciplines to offer students a wide range of fields and expertise.