Prospective Students

 

Things to Consider When Choosing a Graduate Program

Obtaining a graduate degree is a difficult task that requires a personal commitment, which can only be achieved if the student is deeply interested in the subject matter. When choosing a graduate program, matching research interests with that of the faculty is critical. Research opportunities, facilities, financial assistance, and location are important but dedication to the program is the key to success.

 

Custom Designed Graduate Coursework and Research Opportunities

Graduate coursework is intended to strengthen and broaden a student's basic scientific knowledge and to assist in understanding topics that are relevant to the student's research. Therefore, the curriculum is designed by the student and his/her graduate advisory committee based on the student's research interests and needs, taking into consideration previous education and experiences. This approach easily accommodates students who perform interdisciplinary research. Most coursework is taken in the first year and rarely extends past the second.

Courses are listed in the Graduate Catalog of Studies.

For specific project descriptions, click on any individual faculty member's name in the faculty directory.

Complete degree requirements are listed in the Graduate Catalog of Studies:

GSIE Degree Requirements  

MS:  30 credit hours and a thesis, 3.0 GPA 

PhD:  72 credit hours and dissertation, 3.0 GPA

CHBC Department Degree Requirements

MS:  Complete  all  24  credit  hours  of  coursework  as  assigned by  committee

PhD:  Pass  7  Cumulative  exams  and  all  committee  assigned coursework

Please see the chemistry and biochemistry graduate handbook for an in-depth overview of program requirements.

Please the GSIE graduate student handbook for an in-depth overview of program requirements.

 

Financial Support

• Graduate Assistantships (GA) - $19,200 stipend is provided for the 9-month academic year (FY2025) through a graduate assistantship (GA).  All  PhD students admitted to the graduate program are supported by a graduate assistantship for the duration of their graduate studies contingent upon satisfactory performance and availability of funds. There are two types of Graduate Assistantships: Teaching Assistants (TA) or Research Assistants (RA). Students are typically TAs in their first year. Most students will qualify for an RA position at the end of the second semester.
• A full waiver of tuition is provided and is currently valued at $520 per hour (resident), $1,287 per hour (non-resident/international) for FY2025. Graduate Assistants are required to be enrolled in 6 credit hours each fall and spring and 3 credit hours in the summer.
• Health Insurance - Domestic students have the option of purchasing discounted rate health insurance through the University. International students are required to purchase health insurance through the University (please visit the Student Health Insurance webpage for exceptions to this rule.) The current annual cost of the student health insurance plan is $1,167 for domestic students and $1,077 for international students (Fall 2024). Graduate Assistants receive a 66.6% discount.
• Graduate Travel Support - Travel subsidies are available from the Graduate School to allow students to make one presentation per year at a major conference and one research trip per year at national facilities. The current maximum travel subsidy is $1,100.
• Fellowships - Nomination packets are submitted by the department to the Graduate School. Please email cheminfo@uark.edu if at the time you apply, you would like to be considered for a fellowship.

Distinguished Doctoral Fellowship (DDF) minimum requirements: Entering with BS / GPA  3.65 / GRE ~302 (MS  ~314) / analytical writing  4.5 $41,200 for 4 years ($22,000 fellowship + $19,200 GA stipend)

Doctoral Academy Fellowship (DAF) minimum requirements: Entering with BS / GPA 3.5 / GRE  ~302 / analytical writing 4.0 $31,200 for 4 years ($12,000 fellowship + $19,200 GA stipend)

 

Admission Requirements

University of Arkansas Graduate School

• A conferred baccalaureate degree. Students who have not completed their baccalaureate degree at the time of application must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the last 60.0 credit hours of attempted coursework. Students who have a degree at the time of application must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA on the last 60.0 credit hours of attempted coursework from a regionally accredited institution of higher education.
• Or, a conferred post-baccalaureate degree, master's degree or doctoral degree (excluding professional degrees) from a regionally accredited institution.

International  Prospective  Students:

• International students must meet the English proficiency requirements for Admission.
• International Students who need financial support should also satisfy the English proficiency requirements for Teaching Assistantship.

Chemistry  and Biochemistry  Graduate  Program 

• 3.0  minimum  GPA Undergraduate  
• Typical Courses for Chemistry Major Applicants*:
  • General  Chemistry  I  +  General  Chemistry  II
  • Sophomore  Analytical  or  Quantitative  Analysis
  • Organic  Chemistry  I  +  Organic  Chemistry  II
  • Physical  Chemistry  I  +  Physical  Chemistry  II
  • Calculus  I  +  Calculus  II
  • Physics  I  +  Physics  II
  • Advanced  Analytical  or  Instrumental  Analysis
  • Advanced  Inorganic
  • Organic  Analysis  or  Physical  Methods  of  Organic Analysis

*These are the courses to be admitted without deficiency. Students with deficiency can be admitted to the program except additional courses may be required to advance to candidacy. Additional deficiency requirements may need to be satisfied as determined by the program after admission.