CHEMICAL PHYSICS PROGRAM
HOMERESEARCHJOINT PROGRAMSFACULTY/STUDENT DIRECTORYREQUIREMENTS
APPLICATION INFOCOURSESFINANCIAL SUPPORTNEWSSEMINARS / COLLOQUIA

MS Non-Thesis Requirements
  • Written Qualifying Examination passed at the M.S. level
  • Scholarly paper
  • 30 graduate course credits of which 24 must be course credits including:
    • Advanced laboratory course
    • Two credits of seminar, can be included in the non-course credits
    • Advanced course at the 600 level or above
  • B average

MS Thesis Requirements
  • 30 graduate credits including:
    • Six credits of CHPH799 - (M.S. thesis research)
    • 21 course credits
    • Two credits of seminar, can be included in the non-course credits
    • Advanced laboratory course
    • Advanced course at the 600 level or above
  • B average
  • Written Masters Thesis

Ph.D. Requirements
  • Written Qualifying Examination passed at the Ph.D. level and normally taken at the beginning of the second year
  • 24 graduate course credits including:
    • Two credits of seminar
    • Advanced laboratory course
    • Advanced course outside of the student's main field of study
  • Research presentation with faculty present
  • Scholarly paper in an area of intended thesis research
  • 12 credits of CHPH899 (Ph.D. dissertation research, only available after advancement to Ph.D. candidacy)
  • B average
  • Written Ph.D. dissertation
Students must also satisfy all general requirements of the Graduate School.

Click here for Graduate School Requirements.


Qualifying Examination
Students are usually advised to take the Qualifying Examination after their first summer, but some students require more than one year to prepare for the Qualifying Examination.

The written examination has two parts: Chemical Physics and Quantum Mechanics. The examination questions are based on the course material in Physics 622 (Quantum Mechanics I), Physics 623 (Quantum Mechanics II), Chemistry 684 (Chemical Thermodynamics), Chemistry 687, (Statistical Mechanics) and Chemistry 691(Quantum Chemistry), Physics 601 (Classical Mechanics) with optional questions based on the material in Physics 606 (Electrodynamics), and Chemistry 601 (Inorganic Chemistry). The examination is two half-days in length held at the same time and in the same place as the Physics Qualifying Examination.

The first day of the Qualifying Examination students choose either three or four questions from six questions that are based on the material in Physics 601, Physics 606, Chemistry 601, Chemistry 684, Chemistry 687, and Chemistry 691. On the second day the questions are identical to those on the Quantum part of the Physics Qualifying Examination.

The results of the Qualifying Examination are:
  1. Pass
  2. Conditional Pass with an oral examination
  3. Conditional Pass with conditions set by the Qualifying Examination Committee
  4. Fail
The purpose of the oral examination is to determine whether a student with satisfactory grades on most of the written examination but a deficiency in a limited area is qualified to pursue Ph.D. research without further course work or supplemental study. When the oral examination confirms the results of the written examination, the Qualifying Examination Committee, can propose remedies including additional course work, individual study, retaking portions of the written examination, or a second oral examination.

Research Advisor
It is essential that a student choose a research advisor soon after passing the Qualifying Examination and that this decision be made in a rational manner. It is now a requirement that all students interview at least three research advisors before coming to a final decision. There will be a form to be signed by the student and at least three faculty members. It is anticipated that students will choose research advisors in their second year.

Scholarly Paper
The ability to present scientific material in a clearly organized paper with proper scholarly documentation in a standard format is an essential skill for scientists. The purpose of the scholarly paper requirement is to introduce students to scientific writing and prepare them for the writing of their thesis and also scientific manuscripts for publication in refereed scientific journals. The paper is not to be a duplication of papers prepared for formal courses, however special problems and independent study courses may be used as a basis for the paper. Some examples of an acceptable paper include:
  1. An extension of a paper prepared for a graduate-level seminar
  2. A survey of the current state of research in a field of scientific research
  3. An introductory discussion of proposed dissertation research
The paper is not to be a collaborative effort. It is to be the work of the student alone. Scholarly Papers are normally 15 to 20 pages in length including figures and references. Examples of acceptable Scholarly Papers are available in the Chemical Physics Program Office.

It is expected that the Scholarly Paper will be undertaken after passing the Qualifying Examination and once a research advisor and research topic have been decided upon. The Scholarly Paper is a requirement for Ph.D. candidacy and the M.S. degree. Two faculty members must approve the Scholarly Paper. Typically these are the student's research advisor and a member of the student's Ph.D. Examining Committee. Normally the Director will also read the paper.

PhD Oral Examination Committee
The Chemical Physics Committee has recommended that the Ph.D. Oral Examination Committee for each student be established once the student has passed the Qualifying Examination, joined a research group, and begun Ph.D. research. Normally this will be in the second year. The Ph.D. Oral Examination Committee members are to be chosen by the Director of the Chemical Physics Program in consultation with the student's research advisor. It is recognized that the composition of the Committee may change during the course of the student's research, but the existence of a Committee soon after Ph.D. research begins is an important advantage for the student. It is anticipated that members of the Committee will play an active role in the direction of research, the evaluation of the required scholarly paper, the preparation of the written Ph.D. thesis, and the Ph.D. Oral Examination.

PhD Oral Exam
At the March 14, 2002 meeting of the Chemical Physics Committee the form of the Ph.D. Oral Examination was discussed. The following guidelines have been formulated:
  1. It is strongly recommended that the candidate present a seminar on his/her Ph.D. research well in advance of the final Ph.D. oral examination. Seminars provide valuable experience in organizing results and speaking before and audience. Seminars by candidates also provide a way for the members of the examining committee to learn about the results of the Ph.D. research of the candidate in advance of receiving the written thesis and the Ph.D. oral examination.
  2. Before the examination begins there should be a meeting of the Examining Committee. This meeting is for the purpose of reviewing the record of the candidate and also for discussing issues relevant to the Ph.D. thesis and the examination.
  3. The examination should begin with a brief (15 to 20 minute) summary of the Ph.D. research by the candidate.
  4. The summary presentation portion of the examination is to be open to all members of the UMD community as well as outside visitors.
  5. During the course of the oral summary questions may be asked of the candidate by members of the examining committee. Members of the audience are not permitted to ask questions of the candidate.
  6. After the presentation, the members of the committee may ask the candidate questions.
  7. At any time during the course of the oral presentation or the subsequent question period the audience may be dismissed at the request of any member of the committee and the concurrence of the Chairman of the Committee.
  8. After the question period the committee undertakes its deliberations. No one other than the members of the committee may be present for the deliberations.
Full and Part-time Status
(Excerpted from University of Maryland Schedule of Classes)
Official status (either full-time or part-time) for academic purposes is based on registration at the end of the Schedule Adjustment Period (first ten days of classes). International students with F-1 or J-1 visas must maintain full-time status throughout each semester according to Federal regulations.

To be certified as a full-time graduate student it is necessary to be officially registered for a combination of courses equivalent to 48 units per semester. Graduate assistants holding full-time teaching or research appointments are full-time students if registered for at least 24 units in addition to the assistantship. Courses taken for Audit cannot be used in calculating full-time or part-time status.

Course Number Units per Credit Hour   Course Number Units per Credit Hour
000-399 2   899 18
400-499 4   UMEI005 6
500-599 5   UMEI006 2
600-898 6   UMEI007 4
799 12   UMEI008 2


Typical Curriculum

First Year
Fall Semester
  1. Quantum Mechanics I (PHYS622)
  2. Methods of Mathematical Physics (PHYS604) or Classical Mechanics (PHYS601) or Structure and Bonding of Molecules and Materials (CHEM601)
  3. Thermodynamics (CHEM684) or Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics (ENCH610)
First Year
Spring Semester
  1. Quantum Mechanics II (PHYS623)
  2. Statistical Mechanics I (CHEM687) or Electrodynamics (PHYS606) or Satistical Physics (PHYS603)
  3. Quantum Chemistry II (CHEM691)
First Year
Summer Semester
  1. Study for Qualifying Examination
  2. Advanced laboratory course (may also be taken in the second year)
  3. Qualifying Examination (week before the start of Fall classes)
Second Year
  1. Advanced laboratory course (if not taken during the summer of the first year)
  2. Advanced course
  3. Reading project or preliminary research qualifying for CHPH799 or CHPH898 credits
  4. Preparation of Scholarly Paper
  5. Oral Presentation
Third Through Fifth Years
  1. Admission to Candidacy
  2. Ph.D. Research
  3. Additional course work as recommended by thesis advisor
  4. Preparation of written doctoral thesis
  5. 12 credits of CHPH899
  6. Thesis oral defense

Deadlines for Graduate Students



University of Maryland • Chemical Physics Program • Computer and Space Sciences Building • College Park, MD 20742 • 301-405-4780