The department offers an Umbrella Program for the PhD reflective of the depth and breadth of contemporary research undertaken within Chemistry and Biochemistry. We offer students the choice of the Thesis (Research) or the Comprehensive Exam (Coursework). Full-time students in the Comprehensive Exam Plan normally complete the degree in three quarters and those in the Thesis Plan may need four to six quarters, depending on the nature of their research project. Minimum progress in an academic year (three quarters) is considered 36 units for full-time study and 20 units for part-time study, students must petition to study part-time. Typically, all students entering the MS program are considered Coursework MS students. If interested in switching to the Thesis MS, students must join a lab. Before students will be approved for the Thesis MS track, they must successfully complete a CHEM 297 Form (Experimental Methods in Chemistry), and then submit an MS Thesis Agreement Form signed by the selected Faculty Advisor, which must be reviewed/approved by our Vice Chair.