Chemical Education Ph.D.
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Degree Requirements — 64-94 Credits
See “Chemical Education Ph.D.”.
Select either the B.S. to Ph.D. or the master’s to Ph.D. options.
The student must have completed requirements of an ACS-certified baccalaureate degree in chemistry or must remove any deficiencies. If not previously taken, physical chemistry (CHEM 551, CHEM 552, CHEM 453, CHEM 454) and biochemistry (CHEM 581) may be taken to partially meet this requirement.
Research Tools
Students must demonstrate research skills in areas pertinent to the dissertation research topic. The Students’ competence in these skills will be assessed by the Students’ oral exam committee and/or dissertation committee members.
The skills may include statistical analysis, analytical instrument operation, background and experience in both field-based and quantitative studies in chemical education research, current technology in education and collateral fields of study such as mathematics, computer science, biology, earth sciences, and physics.
Qualifier Examinations. Qualifier examinations are scheduled during the week preceding the beginning of classes each semester. Each student must pass qualifying examinations in three of five areas selected from chemistry content (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry). Students will have two opportunities to pass each area exam. If a qualifier exam is failed, the student is required to attend the appropriate undergraduate course(s) in that area.
Comprehensive Examinations. A written and oral comprehensive examination must be passed in one sub-discipline of chemistry (a minimum of two graduate-level courses are required in the subdiscipline prior to taking the exam). The standardized ACS exam in general chemistry I and II must be taken and passed (with a minimum average of 90 percent). A written and oral comprehensive examination must be passed in chemical education.
NOTE: Students will select sufficient electives to complete the degree program. Additional electives in the Research, Pedagogy or Chemistry Components may be selected; electives in supporting sciences, mathematics, computer science, and education are also recommended. All electives will be selected in consultation with the student's academic and research advisors.
B.S. to Ph.D. Requirements — 94 Credits
Chemistry Component — minimum 18 hours
Each student must complete a minimum of 18 hours in this category. Each student must complete courses in a minimum of three areas of chemistry (analytical, biological, inorganic, organic or physical). One course in biochemistry is required if not previously taken.
Electives — 18 hours
Pedagogy Component — minimum 13 hours
Each student must complete a minimum of 13 hours in this category. PSY 540 is required for students with no prior course in learning processes.
Required — 10
| CHEM 682 | Problems in Teaching Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 755 | Supervised Practicum in College Teaching | 1 - 6 |
| SCED 694 | Science Education Research | 3 |
Electives —3
| PSY 540 | Theories and Principles of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 681 | Cognition and Instruction I | 3 |
| SCED 678 | Science Education Seminar | 1 - 2 |
Research Component — minimum 63 hours
Each student must complete the 63 required hours in this category. Research competence must be demonstrated in both chemistry and chemical education at the level of a chemistry master’s thesis and a chemical education doctoral dissertation. The results of the dissertation project (or part of the project) must be submitted, after research advisor approval, and accepted for publication to a peer-reviewed, professional journal prior to graduation.
Research Coursework — 16-19
Required Seminars — 4
CHEM 600: one seminar each on chemical literature, chemical thesis or thesis equivalent research, chemical education literature, and chemical education dissertation research.
Methodology (12-15)
Required Research Core — 12 hours
| SRM 603 | Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| SRM 610 | Statistical Methods III | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SRM 700 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
Electives
Required Research — 44-47 hours
Masters Research — 10
CHEM 693: required for students who do not wish to obtain a masters en route to the Ph.D.
CHEM 695 and CHEM 699: required for students who desire to obtain an M.S. en route to the Ph.D.
Doctoral Research — 31-34
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1 - 4 |
| CHEM 797 | Doctoral Research Proposal-Chemistry | 1 - 4 |
| CHEM 799 | Doctoral Dissertation-Chemistry | 1 - 12 |
Master’s to Ph.D. Requirements — 64 Hours
Pedagogy Component — minimum 13 hours
Each student must complete a minimum of 13 hours in this category. PSY 540 is required for students with no prior course in learning processes.
Required — 10
| CHEM 682 | Problems in Teaching Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 755 | Supervised Practicum in College Teaching | 1 - 6 |
| SCED 694 | Science Education Research | 3 |
Electives — 3
| PSY 540 | Theories and Principles of Learning | 3 |
| PSY 681 | Cognition and Instruction I | 3 |
| SCED 678 | Science Education Seminar | 1 - 2 |
Research Component — minimum 51 hours
Each student must complete the 51 required hours in this category. Research competence must be demonstrated in both chemistry and chemical education at the level of a chemistry master’s thesis and a chemical education doctoral dissertation. A prior master’s thesis in chemistry may be used, with approval of the Graduate Committee, as evidence of competency in chemistry research. The results of the dissertation project (or part of the project) must be submitted, after research advisor approval, and accepted for publication to a peer-reviewed, professional journal prior to graduation.
Research Coursework — 14-17
Required Seminars — 2
CHEM 600: one seminar each on chemical education literature, and chemical education dissertation research
Methodology — 12-15
Required Research Core — 12 hours
| SRM 603 | Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| SRM 610 | Statistical Methods III | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SRM 700 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
Electives
| SRM 602 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| SRM 670 | Evaluation: Models and Designs | 3 |
| SRM 685 | Educational Ethnography | 3 |
| SRM 686 | Qualitative Case Study Research | 3 |
Required Doctoral Research — 34-37 hours
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1 - 4 |
| CHEM 797 | Doctoral Research Proposal-Chemistry | 1 - 4 |
| CHEM 799 | Doctoral Dissertation-Chemistry | 1 - 12 |
Students may also enter with a master’s in Chemistry and complete the doctoral degree with 64 hours.