The graduate program in Chemistry at
Tufts University is large enough to foster stimulating interaction among
colleagues and provide research opportunities at the frontiers of science, but small enough to have a very favorable student/faculty ratio.
Doctoral students become well acquainted with the faculty and, based on mutual interests,
select a research supervisor during their first semester. Formal requirements
are minimized to allow students the flexibility to tailor their Ph.D. or
M.S. program to meet their individual needs. A more detailed description
of the program requirements can be found in the
Handbook
of Academic Requirements & Procedure for the Chemistry Graduate Program.
Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry
The Ph.D. in chemistry is primarily
a research degree. It is awarded to students who have displayed competence in planning and conducting original research in the field of chemistry,
demonstrated a broad familiarity with the science of chemistry, understanding
in the application of the scientific method, and gained a thorough knowledge
of their field of specialization.
The formal requirements of the Ph.D.
program are built on a pyramidal structure requiring a solid foundation
in all four core areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic, and
physical), and a thorough knowledge of the field of specialization. In
the first part of the Ph.D. program, students take at least one formal
classroom course in each the core areas of chemistry: analytical (141,
142,
144,
145,
or 146),
inorganic (161
or 162),
organic (151
or 152),
and physical (131,
132,
133,
134,
or 136).
The courses must be completed successfully (B- or better) by the end of
the third semester. To round out the formal course requirements, two additional
classroom courses, exclusive of research, must be completed satisfactorily
by the end of the fifth semester.
Since original research is the primary
requirement for the Ph.D. degree, a student selects a research supervisor
and begins research before the end the first year. The student and research
supervisor then select two faculty members to serve as the student's Doctoral
Research Committee. The student's Committee, in conjunction with the student's
research adviser, take over the advisory function from the graduate committee
and guides the student's work to promote development as an independent
investigator.
Tufts University has a unique system
through which students develop and demonstrate a thorough knowledge of
their field of specialization. Each student must complete two independent
study topics. The subject of a study topic is proposed by the student to
their Research Committee. In this way, each student plays an active
part in shaping their program. A student may begin work on a study topic
as soon as an adequate understanding of the fundamentals has been demonstrated.
Students must complete two study topics before the end of their fourth
semester in residence.
Thus, in addition to research each
student must complete the following requirements:
- Service as a teaching assistant
- Presentation of two study topics, one as a departmental seminar
- Defense of an original research proposal.
- Completion of a dissertation reporting
significant work of publishable quality
Master
of Science in Chemistry
The course requirements of the master's program at Tufts University are flexible since each student entering the
program has individual goals. Briefly, each student must pass eight graduate-level courses, at least six of which must be formal classroom instruction. With
the approval of the student's adviser, up to one-half of the course work may be taken in related fields outside the department of chemistry.
Graduate
Program in Chemistry/Biotechnology
The Department of Chemistry jointly
with the Biotechnology Center,
now offer programs leading to the degrees Master of Science (M.S.) for
students seeking an education at an advanced level in chemistry/biotechnology,
and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) for those preparing for careers in which
chemical/biotechnology research is a central activity. A more detailed description
of the program requirements can be found in the
Handbook
of Academic Requirements & Procedure for the Chemistry/Biotechnology Graduate Program.
Water: Systems, Science and
Society (WSSS) Program
All of the major graduate schools at Tufts
University participate in the graduate certificate program in Water:
Systems, Science and Society (WSSS), which is a model for integrative
graduate education both that organizes research and training on water
policies and issues across disciplinary boundaries. MA/MS/PhD student
participation in the program does not add time to their degrees and is done
through their home department. The goals of this unique certificate program
are to develop interdisciplinary research projects that will make
significant policy contributions, to educate a diverse, ethical, skilled set
of professionals who are trained in a multidisciplinary approach within a
specialized degree, and to meet the growing global demand for
interdisciplinary water experts. Students in WSSS will be equipped to
develop integrated, interdisciplinary solutions to the complex policy issues
surrounding U.S. and international water crises. For more information on
WSSS please visit
http://www.tufts.edu/water/
