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Chemistry (Ph.D.)

The Department of Chemistry has an international reputation for excellence in research across a broad array of disciplines, including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, materials and physical chemistry. Graduate education at Colorado State aims to train creative and competent scientists through the pursuit of scientifically important research problems. Students are encouraged to cross disciplines and fields.

Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry

Areas of study.

• Analytical (biological laser spectroscopy and microscopy, chemical sensors, electrochemistry, microfabrication, nanostructured materials/polymer synthesis and characterization, photoelectrochemistry scanning probe microscopies, plasma chemistry, surface analysis)
• Chemical Biology (biopolymer engineering and evolution, biopolymer catalysis, macromolecular assembly, drug delivery, biopolymeric materials for sensing, analysis of biochemical and biophysical processes)
• Chemistry Education (metacognition, conceptual change, and ability to solve transfer problems, design and assessment of learning environments, low cost undergraduate laboratories)
• Inorganic (bioinorganic chemistry and chemical catalysis, coordination chemistry, kinetics and inorganic mechanisms, nanostructured materials chemistry, organometallic chemistry, solid-state chemistry, synthesis, theory, X-ray crystallography)
• Materials (biomaterials, electronic materials, nanomaterials, polymers, scanning probe microscopies, solid state chemistry, surface science, synthesis, thin films)
• Organic (asymmetric catalysis, bioconjugate chemistry, bioorganic chemistry, biosynthesis, reaction mechanisms, natural products chemistry, organometallic chemistry, organic synthesis)
• Physical (laser spectroscopy, liquids, molecular clusters, polymers, quantum theory of molecular electronic structure, reaction dynamics, solid-state NMR spectroscopy, statistical mechanics, ultra fast spectroscopy)
• Contact your department representative or request more program information .
• Check out department requirements and resources from your department’s website.
• When you’re ready to take the leap, start your application .

Requirements

Coursework, credit requirements, and more information is available in the Colorado State University general catalog . Please contact your department representative with program-related questions.

Student Employment

Graduate students interested in employment positions (GTA, GRA, GSA appointments and hourly positions) should contact their advisor and their departmental graduate coordinator for the process to apply.

Financial Aid

• Financial aid resources available through the Office of Financial Aid website.
• Your department may have financial aid options available and please check our financial resource section for additional opportunities.

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Graduate Programs

Department of chemistry graduate programs.

The MS program in chemistry provides students the skills and knowledge necessary to conduct specialized research in chemistry and related disciplines.  An MS in Chemistry at CU Denver prepares you to succeed in a competitive PhD or health sciences program, and provides you with valuable experience required to secure a position in the pharmaceutical, biotechnological, or other specialty industries. Our graduates have gone on to Ph.D. programs, pre-professional schools and careers in academia, government and industry.

The department offers two plans, a coursework plan or a thesis plan. The department also offers a BS/MS combined degree. For more information on plans see the menu to the right. Within each plan there are four tracks. More information for each track is shown below. Additionally, our department offers Data Science and Chemistry certificate to graduate students. 

MS Chemistry Biochemistry Track

MS Chemistry Synthesis and Measurement Track

MS Chemistry Molecular Modelling Track

MS Chemistry Traditional Chemistry Track

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Admission Steps

Chemistry - phd, admission requirements.

Terms and Deadlines

Degree and GPA Requirements

Prerequisites

Additional standards for non-native english speakers, additional standards for international applicants.

For the 2025-2026 academic year

See 2024-2025 requirements instead

Fall 2025 quarter (beginning in September)

Priority deadline 1: December 9, 2024

Priority deadline 2: January 15, 2025

Final submission deadline: July 15, 2025

International submission deadline: May 5, 2025

Priority deadline: Applications will be considered after the Priority deadline provided space is available.

Final submission deadline: Applicants cannot submit applications after the final submission deadline.

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Applicants must earn and submit proof of earning the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biochemistry or a related field from a regionally accredited institution prior to beginning graduate coursework at DU.

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.

Application Materials

Transcripts, letters of recommendation.

Required Essays and Statements

Other Required Materials

We require a scanned copy of your transcripts from every college or university you have attended. Scanned copies must be clearly legible and sized to print on standard 8½-by-11-inch paper. Transcripts that do not show degrees awarded must also be accompanied by a scanned copy of the diploma or degree certificate. If your academic transcripts were issued in a language other than English, both the original documents and certified English translations are required.

Transcripts and proof of degree documents for postsecondary degrees earned from institutions outside of the United States will be released to a third-party international credential evaluator to assess U.S. education system equivalencies. Beginning July 2023, a non-refundable fee for this service will be required before the application is processed.

Upon admission to the University of Denver, official transcripts will be required from each institution attended.

Three (3) letters of recommendation are required.  It is recommended that these letters be submitted by individuals capable of assessing your ability to succeed in courses and research in graduate school, for example former chemistry professors and/or research advisors. Letters should be submitted by recommenders through the online application.

Essays and Statements

Personal statement instructions.

A personal statement of at least 300 words is required. The statement should include information concerning your life, education, practical experience, special interests and specific purpose for applying to the University of Denver. Describe your goals for attending graduate school. What areas of chemistry or biochemistry are you most interested in? What do you hope to do after you complete your graduate studies? Why do you enjoy chemistry or biochemistry? Describe any research or teaching experience you have had. Have you been involved in an undergraduate research project during the academic year or in the summer? Have you had a summer job or internship in a commercial lab? Have you had experience in teaching as a grader, a lab teaching assistant or a lab preparatory assistant? Specifically mention research groups at DU that you would be most interested in joining, and why. Share anything in your personal statement that you believe will help evaluate your application.

Résumé Instructions

The résumé (or C.V.) should include work experience, research, and/or volunteer work.

Additional requirements for this program:

Applicants may be contacted to schedule an admissions interview.

Start the Application

Online Application

Financial Aid Information

Start your application.

Your submitted materials will be reviewed once all materials and application fees have been received.

Our program can only consider your application for admission if our Office of Graduate Education has received all your online materials and supplemental materials by our application deadline.

Application Fee: $65.00 Application Fee

International Degree Evaluation Fee: $50.00 Evaluation Fee for degrees (bachelor's or higher) earned from institutions outside the United States.

Applicants should complete their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by February 15. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for additional information.

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The Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) is a terminal degree for those seeking a technical or research career in Chemistry. It requires completion of 30 course credit hours plus 30 hours of dissertation (60 credit hours in total), passing preliminary and comprehensive examinations, and a successful dissertation defense. Please consult the Graduate Handbook for more details.

Students are also expected to meet the requirements of the Graduate School and to make steady progress towards their Ph.D. degree. Students should consult the Graduate Program Manager  for clarification of these rules or their status. Other academic matters are resolved by the Graduate Scholastic Committee.

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Question? Reach out!

Jay Bolan, Graduate Program Manager