The Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry at Western Michigan University offers a unique combination of traditional rigorous research experience, breadth of coursework, and training in effective communication of scientific concepts. This program is specifically designed for students who wish to pursue careers in chemistry that require excellence in research. The communication requirement also provides excellent training for careers in academia, government and industry.
The program will enhance your abilities to plan, conduct, analyze and report original research. Required coursework enhances your scientific preparation and supports your research.
PROGRAM GOALS
The Ph.D. program in the Department of Chemistry at Western Michigan University offers a state of the art research experience with a broad span of coursework that is critical to careers in academia, government and industry.
The educational goals of the program stress:
Breadth of knowledge in chemistry – The breadth required to teach college level chemistry successfully and to perform meaningful research in chemical sciences is provided through rigorous coursework and laboratory rotations.
Research – Original research under the guidance of a dissertation committee culminating in a doctoral dissertation in a selected area of chemistry. The program is designed to be completed in four to six years and will prepare Ph.D. level chemists with an appreciation of the interdisciplinary and didactic nature of chemistry and an ability to effectively convey the knowledge.
RESEARCH SPECIALIZATIONS
Our doctoral program allows you to specialize in several areas including:
Synthetic organic chemistry
Medicinal chemistry
Supramolecular chemistry
Inorganic chemistry
Computational chemistry
Bioinorganic chemistry
Bioorganic chemistry
Biochemistry
Analytical chemistry
Mass spectrometry
Nanoscience
Ultrafast laser spectroscopy
Environmental chemistry