Ph.D. Program Overview

Created in 2004, the Chemistry Ph.D. program at SMU is designed to be unique and effective at preparing excellent scientists with aspirations in a variety of fields.  There are many opportunities to conduct high-profile, independent research within the department's areas of expertise. In addition to a generous stipend, all tuition and fees are covered by the department or research advisor.  Health insurance is provided free of charge to all graduate students.

The first two semesters in the program provide advanced insight in a variety of fundamental fields of chemistry during ten one-credit hour (1/3 semester) core courses. Additional advanced classes are also taken during this time, depending on student interests and needs. Usually during the second semester, students choose their research advisors and begin research within the professor's laboratory. During the second year of the program, students have the opportunity to refine their communication skills during departmental seminars on (i) a current topic in the fields of materials or medicinal chemistry that is unrelated to their research and (ii) their own current research progress and plans.  These seminars are evaluated by the student's advisor and faculty committee, and ample feedback is provided in order to aid in developing highly effective communicators.

During their third year, students write an original research proposal unrelated to the their research and orally defend this proposal before their faculty committee.  After presenting at a national or regional conference and successful completion of research, students write and defend their dissertation before their faculty committee.

Information about attending SMU graduate school.

Faculty Spotlight

Professor John Maguire and a team of international scientists have succeeded in attaching metal carborane entities to Single Wall Carbon Nanotubes (SWCNT). The functionalized SWCNT were found to be soluble in water and to concentrate in EMT6 tumor cells (a mammary carcinoma) transplanted into the flank of young female BALB/c mice. These results have direct application to boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT) in the treatment of cancer.

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