Program Overview
College of Natural and Health Sciences
Coordinator: Melissa Weinrich, Ph.D.
Email: melissa.weinrich@unco.edu
Phone: 970-351-1172
Location: Ross Hall 3480
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 education researchers by providing advanced training for chemists who wish to pursue educational opportunities beyond the master's degree. Students completing this program are qualified to work in the chemistry education field as chemistry instructors at two- and four-year colleges or universities. At the professional level, program graduates are qualified to do and direct fundamental research in chemistry education and chemistry.
The student must have completed a bachelor’s degree in chemistry or chemistry courses comparable to those required in the bachelor’s degree in chemistry at UNCO.
Research Tools
Students must demonstrate research skills in areas pertinent to the dissertation research topic. The student's competence in these skills will be assessed by the student's 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
Location: Greeley
Start Term: Fall, Spring and Summer
General Doctoral Degree Admission Requirements
Chemical Education Ph.D.
Admission Deadline
Fall Admission
For priority consideration, completed applications must be received by the Graduate School by Jan. 15. Acceptance and support information will be sent to successful applicants by March 1. Applications received after Jan. 15 will be reviewed after these and a decision typically made after the priority considerations have been completed. Typically, these decisions will be made within four weeks of submission of the completed application.
Spring Admission
Admission for the Spring semester is uncommon, but is possible. For consideration of admission in the Spring semester, applications must be complete by Nov. 10. Applications will be considered on a case-by-case basis typically within four weeks of the receipt of the completed application. Any applications for spring admission that are completed after that date will be handled as Fall admission applications.
Summer Admission
Admission to start a graduate program in Chemistry or Chemical Education in the Summer semester is not considered. All applications requesting summer admission will be deferred to the Fall or Spring semester as appropriate based upon the date the completed application is received.
Admission Requirements
Applicants must apply to the Graduate School at the University of Northern Colorado before the program area reviews the applicant’s request for admission. Failure to submit all required materials will delay the evaluation and screening of your application.
Each applicant must:
Take the following steps to be considered for admission:
Step 1: Complete the Application
Complete the online application.
- Answer the application questions.
- Send your requests for letters of recommendation.
- Request three (3) academic or professional letters of recommendation from those who can attest to your academic potential and abilities. You will be asked to supply information for your recommenders in the application.
- Submit the application and pay the non-refundable application fee.
- Domestic Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- International Students: $50 non-refundable application fee
- The Graduate School is waiving application fees for all current UNC students and alumni! (The waiver applies only to the UNC Graduate School application.) Click for details.
Once you submit your application you will be assigned an Admissions Portal, allowing you to upload supplemental items, as listed below, and track your application through the admissions process.
Step 2: Request Transcripts
Request one official transcript from any Institutionally Accredited college or university where a bachelor’s degree or higher was earned or is in progress (if you have earned multiple degrees, bachelor’s level or higher, an official transcript is required from each college or university where a degree was conferred). If you received a degree from UNC, you do not need to request a transcript from UNC. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to request that applicants provide official transcripts from other colleges or universities as needed. Applicants who have earned or are directly pursuing a higher degree from a regionally accredited institution without receiving a bachelor’s degree (e.g., PharmD) may be eligible to apply to the Graduate School without the conferral of a bachelor’s degree.
Exceptions: If an applicant intends to use Veteran’s Education Benefits, an official transcript from all colleges or universities attended will be required in order to maintain compliance with Veteran’s Affairs policies.
Official transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent via mail directly from the educational institution in an unopened, sealed envelope or through an electronically secure digital program from the issuing institution.
Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
University of Northern Colorado
Office of Admissions
Campus Box 10
501 20th St
Greeley, CO 80639
Electronic transcripts from U.S. institutions should be sent directly from the educational institution to: grad.admissions@unco.edu.
The Office of Admissions does not accept email, scanned or PDF transcripts directly from applicants. All official transcripts, submitted as part of the application process, are retained by UNC and not returned to applicants or admitted students.
UNC retains submitted transcripts, from institutions other than UNC, for admitted students for up to five years after graduation or date of last attendance at UNC. Transcripts provided by applicants who were not admitted, denied admissions or did not complete their application are destroyed after one (1) year. The Office of Admissions will make every attempt to use previously submitted transcripts if they are within these timeframes. However, if the Office of Admissions cannot locate previously submitted transcripts, the transcripts fall outside the timeframes listed above or they are considered illegible, applicants must provide new transcripts.
Applicants with academic credentials from outside the U.S. will need to follow therequirements for submission of foreign transcripts. Click on the Transcripts tab for information about international transcripts.
Step 3: Note About the GRE
This program does not require GRE scores.
Step 4: Supplemental Items
Log back into the Admissions Portal to submit the following:
Submit the Chemistry Cover Letter by clicking on the "Chemistry Cover Letter" link in your portal. The form will ask you to address the following:
- What areas of research are you interested in?
- Your goals after obtaining a graduate degree
- How UNC will help you obtain your goals
- Whether or not you wish to be considered for a teaching assistantship
Additional Information
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 an advisors will develop a plan of study that includes clearly distinct masters and doctoral requirements.
Applicants must have graduated from a master's program one semester prior to conferring Ph.D.
Once you apply to the UNC Graduate School and your application packet is complete, your application will be reviewed by the Graduate School and then sent to the faculty/program for an admission recommendation. The timing of the admission decision depends on each individual program’s deadline and review process.
International applicants (non-U.S. citizen/non-U.S. Permanent Resident) please refer to the International Admissions Requirements page for further information about submitting transcripts, English proficiency scores, passport copy and financial documentation.
For More Information
For more information about the admission process, please email the Office of Admissions at grad.admissions@unco.edu or call 970-351-2881.
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 7 hours
Each student must complete a minimum of 7 hours in this category.
Required — 4 hours
| CHEM 755 | Supervised Practicum in College Teaching | 1- 4 |
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 69 hours
Each student must complete the 69 required hours in this category. Research competence must be demonstrated in either chemistry or chemical education at the level of a 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: two seminars on chemical or chemistry education literature, one seminar on thesis or thesis equivalent research, and one seminar on dissertation research. Take 4 credits.
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
Students should pick two of three from SRM 603, SRM 680, and SRM 700. The remaining three credits of Research Core should be completed through CHEM 793.
| SRM 602 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| SRM 603 | Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SRM 700 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1- 9 |
Required Research — Minimum of 50 hours
Masters Research — 10 hours
Doctoral Research — Minimum of 40 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 7 hours
Each student must complete a minimum of 7 hours in this category.
Required — 4 hours
| CHEM 755 | Supervised Practicum in College Teaching | 1- 4 |
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 57 hours
Each student must complete the 57 required hours in this category. Competence must be demonstrated in either chemistry and chemical education at the level of a 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.
Required Seminars — 2 hours
CHEM 600: one seminar on chemical education literature, and one seminar on dissertation research. Take 2 credits.
Research Coursework — 12-17 hours
Methodology — 12-15 hours
Required Research Core — 12 hours
Students should pick two of three from SRM 603, SRM 680, and SRM 700. The remaining three credits of Research Core should be completed through CHEM 793.
| SRM 602 | Statistical Methods I | 3 |
| SRM 603 | Statistical Methods II | 3 |
| SRM 680 | Introduction to Qualitative Research | 3 |
| SRM 700 | Advanced Research Methods | 3 |
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1- 9 |
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 40 hours
| CHEM 793 | Doctoral Research Practicum-Chemistry | 1- 9 |
| CHEM 797 | Doctoral Research Proposal-Chemistry | 1- 4 |
| CHEM 799 | Doctoral Dissertation-Chemistry | 1-12 |