Chemistry PhD Program
The Chemistry PhD program was implemented at the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) in the Fall semester of 2023. Students can pursue one of three different paths within the program: (1) doctoral degree in Chemistry, Academic path, (2) doctoral degree in Chemistry, Entrepreneur path and (3) doctoral degree in Chemistry, Executive path. The different paths, including class requirements, are described here.
Academic path: A total of 48 semester hours of graduate course work and a minimum of 18 semester hours of dissertation research are required. Students who hold a MS degree in Chemistry or a related field are allowed to transfer up to 24 credit hours of applicable course work. Decisions on which credits are transferable are made by the department admissions committee.
Entrepreneur path: A total of 48 semester hours of graduate course work and a minimum of 18 semester hours of dissertation research are required. The 48 semester hours of course work include 18 hours of business coursework and will provide the student with a Graduate Certificate in Technology and Innovation Management. Students who hold a MS degree in Chemistry or a related field are allowed to transfer up to 24 credit hours of applicable course work. Decisions on which credits are transferable are made by the department admissions committee.
Executive path: A total of 57 semester hours of graduate course work and a minimum of 18 semester hours of dissertation research are required. The 57 semester hours of course work include 36 hours of business coursework and will provide the student with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree. Students are allowed to transfer up to 24 credit hours of applicable course work. Decisions on which credits are transferable are made by the department admissions committee.
Students are expected to take a minimum of nine credit hours of didactic classes and seminars in the Fall and Spring semesters of the first year. Students are also expected to decide on their research topic and identify a doctoral advisor within the first year. The advisor and the student will develop a Program of Study, which will be submitted to the Graduate School for approval by the Graduate Dean no later than the end of the second semester. After a research topic has been formulated between the advisor and the student, a PhD committee is assembled that consists of the doctoral advisor and an additional four faculty members. The members of the committee can hold appointments in departments other than Chemistry but will have an intricate understanding of the research subject. Committee members can be chosen from other universities as long as they are registered as graduate faculty at UAH.
Students are expected to pass the Qualifying exam after acquiring 18 hours of Chemistry course work, but no later than in the fourth semester. The Qualifying exam consists of a research proposal, typically following the NSF proposal guidelines that lays out the scientific background and proposed experimental approach to the research topic. The student will defend the research proposal in front of the PhD committee. Upon the successful defense of the proposal, the student is expected to start taking research hours and to continue to take didactic hours. In case the student fails the defense of the research proposal, a second chance will be given in the following semester. The student will also be given the option of leaving the program with a non-thesis MS degree in Chemistry upon completing 33 hours of didactic classes.
All requirements for the doctoral degree must be completed in no more than five years after the student has passed the Qualifying Examination. The student is encouraged to publish at least one publication in the course of the research work and prior to defending the PhD. The dissertation must be defended publicly.
The Chemistry PhD is unique in that it has 3 pathways: Academic, Entrepreneur, and Executive.
Across all options, the core will include 21 credit hours of coursework, including 12 credit hours of chemistry courses selected from analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biochemistry, and polymer science; 6 hours of CH 700; and 3 hours of chemistry electives.
Students in all pathways will be expected to participate in CH 780 each semester, though credits will not count toward degree requirements. Per UAH policy, a minimum of 18 credit hours of dissertation CH 799 must be completed.
Academic path (66 hours total)
The Academic Path option consists of coursework and research comparable to traditional PhD programs. In this option, students complete the following.
12 credit hours of chemistry courses selected from analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biochemistry, and polymer science
15 hours of additional chemistry courses, including 6 hours of CH 700
21 hours of elective graduate courses in support of student’s research
18 hours of dissertation CH 799
It is recommended that students also complete three related business courses: New Ventures Strategies MGT 505, Technology & Innovation Management MGT 601, and New Product Development MKT 604.
Entrepreneur Path (66 hours)
The Entrepreneur Path option is an integration of business and management courses. It is ideal for students interested in employment with small and medium enterprises or start‐ups. In this option, students complete:
12 credit hours of chemistry courses selected from analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biochemistry, and polymer science
15 hours of additional chemistry courses, including 6 hours of CH 700: Current Topics in Chemistry
3 hours of chemistry electives
18 credit hours of business coursework, including those in the integrated Graduate
Certificate in Technology & Innovation Management
18 hours of dissertation CH 799
Executive path (75 hours, including MBA)
The Executive Path option is an integration of business and management courses supporting the student's research. It is ideal for students with interests in employment with large multinational companies, as well as career development for existing employees. In this option, students complete:
12 credit hours of chemistry courses selected from analytical, inorganic, organic, physical, biochemistry, and polymer science
6 hours of CH 700 Current Topics in Chemistry
3 hours of chemistry electives
36 credit hours for the certified Masters of Business Administration (MBA)
18 hours of dissertation CH 799
Other Requirements:
Students must identify a research field and advisor; pass the qualifying examination; pass the annual examinations; and complete and defend a research dissertation.
Analytical
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 521 | CHEMICAL INSTRUMENTATION | 3 |
| CH 549 | SPECTROSCOPY & MOLECULAR STRUCTURE | 3 |
| CH 621 | METHODS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSIS | 3 |
| CH 633 | ORGANIC STRUCTURE DETERMINATION | 3 |
Inorganic
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 600 | ADVANCED INORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CH 602 | CHEMISTRY OF COORDINATION COMPOUNDS | 3 |
Organic
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 631 | SYNTHETIC ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CH 632 | PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CH 633 | ORGANIC STRUCTURE DETERMINATION | 3 |
Physical
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 640 | ADVANCED CHEMICAL THERMODYNAMICS | 3 |
| CH 641 | STATISTICAL THERMODYNAMICS | 3 |
| CH 642 | ADVANCED CHEMICAL DYNAMICS | 3 |
| CH 643 | QUANTUM CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CH 644 | CHEMICAL ELECTRODYNAMICS | 3 |
| CH 647 | ADVANCED BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY I | 3 |
| CH 648 | ADVANCED BIOPHYSICAL CHEMISTRY II | 3 |
Biochemistry
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 561 | BIOCHEMISTRY I | 3 |
| CH 562 | BIOCHEMISTRY II | 3 |
| CH 635 | CHEMICAL TOXICOLOGY | 3 |
Polymer
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 645 | POLYMER PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY | 3 |
| CH 649 | POLYMER SYNTHESIS & CHARACTERIZATION | 3 |
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 700 | CURRENT TOPICS IN CHEMISTRY | 1-3 |
Innovative Strategies (new courses coming soon!)
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CH 660 | ||
| CH 661 | ||
| CH 662 |
Graduate Certificate in Technology and Innovation Management
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| MGT 505 | NEW VENTURES STRATEGIES | 3 |
| MGT 601 | TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| MGT 629 | LEADERSHIP: THEORY & PRACTICE | 3 |
| MGT 631 | HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT & ORGANIZATIONAL BEHAVIOR | 3 |
| MGT 640 | PRINCIPLES OF PROJECT MANAGEMENT | 3 |
Master of Business Administration
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| ACC 600 | FOUNDATIONS OF ACCOUNTING FOR MANAGERS AND ENGINEERS | 3 |
| ACC 602 | MANAGERIAL ACCOUNTING | 3 |
| ECN 600 | FOUNDATIONS OF ECONOMICS | 3 |
| ECN 626 | MANAGERIAL ECONOMICS AND TECHNOLOGY | 3 |
| FIN 601 | FINANCIAL DECISIONS UNDER UNCERTAINTY | 3 |
| MGT 622 | MANAGING HUMAN CAPITAL | 3 |
| MGT 629 | LEADERSHIP: THEORY & PRACTICE | 3 |
| MKT 601 | MARKETING STRATEGY & ANALYSIS | 3 |
| MSC 600 | QUANTITATIVE METHODS | 3 |
| MSC 605 | OPERATIONS MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| MGT 698 | STRATEGIC MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| Choose one of the following | ||
| MSC 622 | ANALYTICS FOR MANAGERS | 3 |
| MGT 601 | TECHNOLOGY & INNOVATION MANAGEMENT | 3 |
| MKT 604 | NEW PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT | 3 |
| IS 601 | MANAGEMENT OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY | 3 |