Degree Requirements
Graduate study in Chemistry at Stanford stresses the unique needs of the students; basic course and examination requirements are deliberately kept to a minimum to allow each candidate flexibility in fulfilling individual research interests. Graduate students are usually engaged in research by the second quarter of their first year. Many first-year students do two, five-week optional rotations during autumn quarter. As students meet with faculty members, they collect signatures for verification on the Application to Start Research form. All six signatures from chemistry professors must be obtained by the end of autumn quarter, first year. All students join labs by the end of February of their first year and only after meeting with at least six faculty members. The only exception to this, are ChEM-H students in the CBI program. They have until the summer quarter, end of first year, to join a lab. Generally, University and Department requirements for the PhD degree can be met in less than six years of residence.
Course Enrollment
Admitted AY 26-27 Cohort Degree Requirements
Year 1
Autumn
- 2 CHEM Courses (200-level)- 6 units
- CHEM 200-2 units
- CHEM 299-1 unit
- CHEM 291-1 unit
Winter
- 2 CHEM Courses (200-level)- 6 units
- CHEM 200-2 units
- CHEM 300-1 unit
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379-1 unit
Spring
- 2 CHEM or Approved Out-of-Department Elective Courses (200-level)- 6 units
- CHEM 200-2 units
- CHEM 300-1 unit
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379-1 unit
Summer
- CHEM 200-10 units
Physical, Biophysical, and Chemical Physics students are required to enroll in CHEM 271 and CHEM 273
Admitted AY 25-26 and Prior Cohort Requirements
Year 1
Autumn
- CHEM Elective Courses (200-level)
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 299
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
- Placement exam
- TA
Winter
- CHEM Elective Courses (200-level)
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 301
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
- Pick an Advisor
- TA
Spring
- 2 CHEM Elective Courses (200-level)
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 301
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
- Complete 4 CHEM elective courses
- TA
Summer
- CHEM 200-10 units
Physical, Biophysical, and Chemical Physics students are required to enroll in CHEM 271 and CHEM 273
Year 2
Autumn
- CHEM Elective Course (200-level)
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Winter
- CHEM 211A-progress report
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Spring
- CHEM Elective Course (200-level)
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Summer
- CHEM 200
- Complete 2 remaining CHEM elective courses
- Admission to Candidacy
Year 3
Autumn
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Winter
- CHEM 211B-seminar
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Spring
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Summer
- CHEM 200
Year 4
Autumn
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
Winter
- CHEM 211C- research proposal
- CHEM 200
- CHEM 301
- inactive course, enroll in 1 additional CHEM 200 unit
- CHEM 300
- CHEM 329, 359, or 379
- Reading Committee Form due
Spring
- CHEM 802-TGR
Summer
- CHEM 802-TGR
Year 5
Autumn
- CHEM 802-TGR
Winter
- CHEM 802-TGR
Spring
- CHEM 802-TGR
Summer
- CHEM 802-TGR
Research Groups and Seminars
The research groups in Chemistry range from small (only two to three students) to large (twenty or more), including postdoctoral research fellows. Much of the advanced instruction, little of which is formally listed in the course catalog, occurs in group seminars organized within the individual research groups. Distinguished visiting scientists often participate in such special seminars, while research seminars of broader interest are arranged through weekly Departmental seminar programs in all areas of chemistry.
Candidates for the PhD degree are required to participate continually in the department colloquium (CHEM300 Department Colloquium) and the division seminar of the major subject (CHEM329 Organic Chemistry Seminar, CHEM359 Inorganic Chemistry Seminar, or CHEM379 Physical Chemistry Seminar).
Exams
Due to the confidence the Department has in its selection of candidates for admission to graduate study, no departmental or comprehensive examinations are required for the Ph.D. degree.
Scientific development in the second and third years is normally monitored through individual student discussions with the faculty advisor.
Courses and Degree Requirements
More detailed information concerning degree requirements and course offerings can be found in the Stanford University general catalog, Stanford Bulletin, under these headings:
See also the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures for specifics on Stanford University admissions, doctoral program requirements, funding, student records, and more.
PhD Timeline
