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ResearchChemical Physics is a separate interdisciplinary graduate program with graduate faculty consisting of members of the Departments of Chemistry, Physics, Chemical Engineering and Materials Science, Biochemistry, and Medicinal Chemistry. Thesis directions of students in this program cover a wide range of topics, including, but not limited to, spectroscopy, molecular collisions, chemical dynamics, quantum mechanics, statistical mechanics, thermodynamics, low-temperature behavior, polymers and macromolecules, surface science, and biochemical and heterogeneous catalysis. Although it is a stand-alone degree program, students in Chemical Physics are embedded into the culture and activities of the home department of their research advisor. These students typically take coursework and attend seminars in both Chemistry and Physics. A small number of students in the program begin as Chemistry or Physics majors and later switch to Chemical Physics, or vice versa, if they find that one graduate program better suits their educational objectives. Financial support commitments and research/thesis options for accepted chemistry students switching to chemical physics are unchanged. Graduate course requirements:The Chemical Physics program provides the flexibility needed for students to take courses from a number of different departments to provide optimum preparation for their research interests, which are often interdisciplinary in nature. The program is designed to enable students with typical undergraduate backgrounds (in either chemistry, physics, or related subjects) to begin research during the summer of their first year in residence. Course programs are individually tailored to each student’s needs and research goals in consultation with her or his faculty advisors. Ordinarily course programs for Ph.D. students include at least 24 semester credits of graduate courses. Typically each one-semester course is 4 credits, and students take about three courses per semester, so the course work requirements can, if desired, be completed during the first year. These 24 graduate credits must include either (a) at least 5 credits in chemistry and at least 5 credits in physics, or (b) a total of at least 16 credits in chemistry and/or physics combined, including at least 5 credits of quantum mechanics and at least 5 credits chosen from the areas of thermodynamics, statistical mechanics, statistical physics, and chemical dynamics. There is no minor or supporting field requirement, and no foreign language requirement. The candidacy exams may be taken in physical chemistry, physics, or chemical physics. Chemical Physics students and faculty also attend the departmental seminars and colloquia in chemistry and physics which provides twice weekly lectures by outstanding scientists from around the country and the world. In addition, Chemical Physics students attend the Waves and Beams student seminar series and present a seminar on their own research in their third and/or fourth years. Graduate Student Stipends and Financial Aid:The Chemical Physics program offers three types of financial support: fellowships,
research assistantships, and teaching assistantships (see below). The stipends
are very competive and range from about $1800/month to $2500/month. In addition,
all graduate students that are appointed for at least half-time as research
or teaching assistants receive full tuition benefits and generous health benefits. Major Research Instrumentation:Minnesota Supercomputing Institute (www.msi.umn.edu): Enabling cutting-edge computational projects in the chemical physics arena. How to enroll:Prospective graduate students should have adequate undergraduate preparation in chemistry, physics and mathematics. Students must be accepted for graduate study by the Graduate School and for financial support (in the form of a teaching assistantship or a fellowship) by the Chemistry or Physics Department, or by one of the other departments represented on our faculty. Current Ph.D. students with a teaching assistantship, fellowship, or research assistantship who wish to switch their degree program to Chemical Physics can do so upon approval from the Chemical Physics Graduate Committee. Upon their arrival at the University, new graduate students take a proficiency examination in physical chemistry, which presupposes knowledge equivalent to a full year study of undergraduate physical chemistry. Web-Based Application:You can use the web to apply to the Chemical Physics Graduate Program at: Graduate School Program Application. Please specify Chemical Physics as your major area of interest. Please note that Chemical Physics applicants who are non-Chemistry majors are not required to take the Chemistry GRE subject test, though you are still required to take the GRE general test. If you are a non-Chemistry major applying for Chemical Physics you may leave the GRE subject test score blank or you may choose to fill it in with a subject score from a different field (such as Physics). Chemical Physics Graduate Program
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