PhD in Chemistry

Class Profile

Class Size

25

Average Age

27

Average Work Experience

2 Years

Diversity

Others:

30%

International:

26%

California:

44%

Career Outcomes

Median Earnings After Graduation

$1,10,000 / year

Top recruiters

Abbott Laboratories

Eli Lilly and Company

Pfizer

AstraZeneca

GlaxoSmithKline

Roche

Novartis

AbbVie

Sanofi

Dow Chemical

Mitsubishi Chemical

Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

$12,762 / year

Overall Cost

$27,762 / year

FAQs

• What are the main research areas?
  
  UCSD Chemistry faculty conduct research in analytical and atmospheric chemistry, biochemistry and biophysics, chemical biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, quantitative biology, structural biology, and theoretical and computational chemistry.
• What are the requirements for good academic standing?
  
  Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or above, have no more than 8 units of “F” or “U” grades, secure a thesis advisor by the end of the first year, and meet all departmental deadlines for exams and research progress.
• What is the structure and timeline of the PhD program?
  
  Year 1: Coursework, teaching apprenticeship, selection of thesis advisor, and start of research. Year 2: Departmental Exam (written research proposal and oral defense). Year 3: Advancement to candidacy after defending dissertation topic and preliminary findings. Years 4–5: Full-time research and dissertation writing. The program is typically completed in just over five years.
• What materials are required for the application?
  
  Applicants must submit: Academic transcripts Statement of purpose Three letters of recommendation Proof of English proficiency (for international students)
• What are the main admission requirements?
  
  Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent from an accredited institution, with at least a B average (3.0 GPA) by the time of enrollment. The GRE is not required for admission. International students must provide proof of English proficiency, such as a TOEFL score of at least 80 (iBT) or 550 (paper), or an equivalent IELTS score.