Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Site: Greeley
Mode: In-person
Start terms: Fall, Spring
Location: Ross Hall 3480
Email: chemistry@unco.edu
Website: www.unco.edu/nhs/chemistry-biochemistry/
Select either the B.S. to Ph.D. or the Master’s to Ph.D. options.
This program prepares versatile, well-informed chemistry teachers by providing advanced training for chemistry teachers or chemists who wish to pursue educational opportunities beyond the master's degree. Students completing this program are qualified to work in the chemical education field at a variety of levels; such as, science coordinators or supervisors in the secondary school, chemistry instructors at two- and four-year colleges or chemistry educators at a university. At the professional level, program graduates are qualified to do fundamental research in chemical education and to direct chemistry research at the undergraduate level.
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 451L, CHEM 452L) 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, 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, and earth sciences.
Qualifier Examinations. Qualifier examinations are scheduled during the week preceding the beginning of classes each semester. Pre-Master's students 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. Any cost associated with enrollment in undergraduate courses is the responsibility of the graduate student.
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.
Admission
General Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements
Program Requirements:
The student should have completed requirements of an ACS-certified baccalaureate degree in chemistry.
Master’s en route to the Ph.D. Students who have been admitted to the Ph.D. program in Chemical Education may complete a master’s degree in Chemistry en route to completion of the doctoral degree. Requests for a simultaneous master’s degree in a discipline other than Chemistry will not be accepted. Students in collaboration with the students’ advisors, will develop a plan of study that includes clearly distinct master’s and doctoral requirements. Students must graduate from the master’s degree program in a minimum of one semester prior to conferring of the doctoral degree.
B.S. to Ph.D. Degree 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.
Required — 10 hours
| CHEM 682 | Problems in Teaching Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 755 | Supervised Practicum in College Teaching | 1- 4 |
| SCED 694 | Science Education Research | 3 |
Electives — 3 hours
In conjunction with their advisor, candidates can select appropriate graduate-level courses in supporting areas such as:
- Statistics and Research Methods (SRM)
- Psychology (PSY)
- Educational Technology (ET)
- Science Education (SCED)
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 or chemical education master’s thesis and a chemical education or chemistry doctoral dissertation. The results of the dissertation project (or part of the project) must be submitted, after research advisor approval, for publication to a peer-reviewed, professional journal prior to graduation. Students in the program are reminded that should they choose a chemistry dissertation research topic, the degree awarded will be Chemical Education.
Research Coursework — 16-19 hours
Required Seminars — 4 hours
CHEM 600: one seminar each on chemical literature, chemical thesis or thesis equivalent research, chemical education literature, and chemical education dissertation research.
Electives
In conjunction with their advisor, candidates can select appropriate graduate-level courses in supporting areas such as:
- Statistics and Research Methods (SRM)
- Psychology (PSY)
- Educational Technology (ET)
- Science Education (SCED)
Methodology (12-15)
Required Research Core — 12 hours
Required Research — Minimum of 44 hours
Masters Research — 10 hours
Doctoral Research — Minimum of 34 hours
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1- 9 |
| CHEM 797 | Doctoral Research Proposal-Chemistry | 1- 4 |
| CHEM 799 | Doctoral Dissertation-Chemistry | 1-12 |
Master’s to Ph.D. Degree Requirements — 64 Credits
Pedagogy Component — minimum 13 hours
Each student must complete a minimum of 13 hours in this category.
Required — 10 hours
| CHEM 682 | Problems in Teaching Chemistry | 3 |
| CHEM 755 | Supervised Practicum in College Teaching | 1- 4 |
| SCED 694 | Science Education Research | 3 |
Electives — 3 hours
In conjunction with their advisor, candidates can select appropriate graduate-level courses in supporting areas such as:
- Statistics and Research Methods (SRM)
- Psychology (PSY)
- Educational Technology (ET)
- Science Education (SCED)
Research Component — minimum 51 hours
Each student must complete the 51 required hours in this category. Competence must be demonstrated in both chemistry and chemical education at the level of a chemistry or chemical education master’s (thesis or non-thesis) and a chemical education or chemistry doctoral dissertation. A prior master’s (thesis or non-thesis) in chemistry or chemical education may be used, with approval of the Graduate Committee, as evidence of competency. The results of the dissertation project (or part of the project) must be submitted, after research advisor approval, for publication to a peer-reviewed, professional journal prior to graduation. Students in the program are reminded that should they choose a chemistry dissertation research topic, the degree awarded will be Chemical Education.
Required Seminars — 2 hours
CHEM 600: one seminar each on chemical education literature, and chemical education dissertation research
Research Coursework — 14-17 hours
Methodology — 12-15 hours
Required Research Core — 12 hours
Electives
In conjunction with their advisor, candidates can select appropriate graduate-level courses in supporting areas such as:
- Statistics and Research Methods (SRM)
- Psychology (PSY)
- Educational Technology (ET)
- Science Education (SCED)
Required Doctoral Research — Minimum of 34 hours
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1- 9 |
| CHEM 797 | Doctoral Research Proposal-Chemistry | 1- 4 |
| CHEM 799 | Doctoral Dissertation-Chemistry | 1-12 |