RESEARCH PROPOSAL AND ORAL EXAMINATION—PHD REQUIREMENT

Anytime from September 1st of the 2nd year through August 31st of the 4th year, a graduate student is expected to present and defend an independent research proposal. The goal of this exercise is to expand the base knowledge of the student and to assist the student in identifying and proposing research projects in fertile and interesting areas of research. The objectives of the oral examination process are as follows:

1. to provide students the opportunity, within a professional setting,
1. to think deeply and creatively about a significant research problem and to present research ideas and results, or to propose how that problem can be addressed experimentally,
2. to develop writing skills by preparing a clear and concise scientific document,
3. to develop oral presentation skills and scientific discourse,
2. to provide students with a formalized mechanism to receive constructive, critical feedback from faculty members,
3. to encourage and foster in-depth analysis and advice by additional faculty members regarding the student’s proposed research.

Students are required to choose topics that are different from their Ph.D. research problem, and should discuss proposed independent research topics in consultation with their advisor. The oral exam is expected to be 30 to 60 minutes in duration. During the presentation, students should be prepared to answer questions concerning the proposal topic as well as allied areas. Questions of a more general nature, or of topical interest (e.g., current seminars) may also be asked. At the end of the independent research proposal presentation, there will be a short discussion on research progress to date.

Students must submit a five-page independent research proposal to their GAC seven days in advance of the oral presentation, using the guidelines specific to the area of research below. All GAC meetings will be graded on a pass/fail basis. The grading sheet will become part of the student’s academic record.

Students receiving a grade of fail may be required to submit a revised version of the proposal for reevaluation. In other cases, the committee will outline and set goals with a timeline for completion to be met by the student. An additional follow-up meeting with the GAC may be requested by the committee before the next official GAC meeting to assess the student’s progress. Students receiving a grade of fail on the oral portion of the exam may, in some cases, be required to improve their oral presentation skills through resources, such as the Bok Center, and/or by giving presentations within the department.

Physical Chemistry—Chemical Physics

Proposal Grading Sheet

PhD Candidates are required to attend the Woodward Lecture Series in Chemical Sciences / Physical Chemistry Seminars during their first year of graduate studies in conjunction with the Seminar course Chemistry 300P. Chemistry 300P is also recommended for Candidates in their second year of graduate studies.

Written Proposal Requirements: five pages maximum, single-spaced, twelve-point font, one-inch margins.

Organic Chemistry -- Inorganic Chemistry -- Chemical Biology

Proposal Grading Sheet

Written Proposal Requirements

1. The choice of a proposal topic is left to the Candidate in direct consultation with and approval of his/her Advisor.
2. The research proposal must contain ideas that originate with the Candidate.
3. The proposal must be prepared on standard letter-sized paper (8½ x 11), single-spaced; twelve-point font; one-inch margins; figures imbedded in the document and included in the five page limit. The proposal must conform to the following outline:
1. Overview (1 page):
1. First paragraph (0.5 page): identify the field of the proposal topic and briefly discuss any relationship between the proposal topic and the student’s thesis research; identify the critical question(s) that are addressed and why these are important; identify those features of the proposal that are original.
2. Abstract (0.5 page).
2. Proposal (maximum of five pages, including figures; excluding overview page and references):
1. Specific aim(s) (0.5 pages);
2. Background and significance (1 to 2 pages);
3. Research design and methods;
4. Impact statement (2 to 3 sentences).
3. References (not included in page limit).