Apr 08, 2025  
2017-2018 Graduate Catalog 
    
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2017-2018 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Theoretical and Computational Chemistry, Ph.D.

This is the first dedicated direct bachelors-to-Ph.D. degree program in theoretical and computational chemistry based on a 4 year (66 unit) curriculum. For details see smu.edu/CATCO.

Admission Requirements

In addition to meeting the general requirements described under Dedman College: Admission in the General Information section of this catalog, the program requires GRE test scores. Applicants who do not speak English as their native language are required to supply scores on the TOEFL English language proficiency test or the IELTS English competency test. Three letters of recommendation are required.

Financial aid is available in the form of teaching/research assistantships, which include the waiver of tuition and fees.

Degree Requirements

Core Courses (19 Credit Hours)

Elective or Special Topics Courses (6 Credit Hours)

Choose two with the consent of advisor:

Instructional Training - Mandatory TAship (2 Credit Hours)

Additional Requirements

Candidacy

For admission to candidacy for the Ph.D. degree, the student must pass the following additional qualifying requirements:

  • CHEM 7233 - Research Synopsis and Objectives   
  • Written summary of already published paper(s) or a summary of research results to be published and evaluated by a faculty committee
  • Oral presentation of the summary and discussion of the future plans of the dissertation research program in front of a faculty committee
  • Attendance at the CATCO group meetings including oral presentations of research progress in new topics in the field
  • Attendance at the annual CATCO workshop (second week in December)
  • Training in the use of modern computational chemistry packages and successful completion of all workshop exercises and a workshop exam
  • Poster presentation at SMU’s annual Research Day

Defense of Thesis

Each student must complete a significant body of research, write a dissertation (CHEM 8698 ) summarizing the published work (at least 5 peer-refereed articles are recommended), orally present this work before the department, and defend this work in front of a faculty committee.

Note: CATCO seniors meet at the end of each fall and spring semester to evaluate each student’s progress.  Students will be informed of their progress in writing.