cornell chemistry phd application

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Doctoral Program (Ph.D.)

The Smith School’s Ph.D. in chemical engineering will prepare you for careers in academia and research. The program is completed in four to five years, and students typically receive full funding.

Why earn a Ph.D. in chemical engineering at the Smith School?

As your pursue your ph.d., you’ll be prepared to make significant contributions to the field—and you’ll be in good company. .

Not only are our chemical engineering faculty leading researchers and facilities continually improving with state-of-the-art upgrades and equipment, the culture of collegiality at the Smith School is unmatched. While you’re progressing toward your thesis and diploma, you’ll be surrounded by a community of scholars that is contributing to something greater and embracing the founding principles of Cornell University .

The graduate student experience reflects a thriving community among its student groups and initiatives; curriculum includes components of lab safety and research ethics; and faculty and research students are working toward ensuring that future CBE classes are composed of demographically diverse students through new programming. The Smith School’s community stands out as a differentiating factor—not only will you make significant contributions to the field, but you’ll be part of a group that is making a societal impact in more ways than one.

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• CBE Research Areas
• CBE Faculty Directory

Degree progression and requirements

As a Ph.D. student, you’ll complete a select set of core courses, take two exams, and complete a thesis with oversight from your faculty Special Committee. You are also required to minor in two subjects. The Ph.D. program is very flexible and allows students to shape their studies with graduate-level electives.

Typical Ph.D. in chemical engineering sequence

First-year transition course.

First-year Ph.D. students take CHEME 6920 - Principles and Practices of Graduate Research. Topics include the culture and responsibilities of graduate research and the professional community; the mechanics of conducting research (experimental design, data analysis, serendipity in research, avoiding self-deception); documenting research (lab notebooks, computer files); and reporting research (writing a technical paper and oral presentations). 

Required courses

All new Ph.D. students are required to take four core classes during the first two years of study.

• CHEME 6130 - Advanced Chemical Engineering Thermodynamics 
• CHEME 6240 - Advanced Fluid Mechanics and Heat Transfer OR  CHEME 6230 - Transport Phenomena for Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering 
• CHEME 6110 - Mathematical Methods of Chemical Engineering Analysis
• CHEME 6420 - Chemical Kinetics and Transport OR CHEME 6430 - Advanced Principles of Biomolecular Engineering

Examinations for Ph.D. students

Research Progress Assessment (RPA) — Typically after the first year, Ph.D. students complete this oral and written evaluation to assess their proficiency in chemical      engineering fundamentals and research.

Examination for Admission to Candidacy (A Exam) — After the second year (semester 4), Ph.D. students complete this exam to confirm their ability to undertake original research and present an appropriate plan for their thesis project. Before taking the A Exam, students must complete a mandatory CPR, a First Aid class and the four required core classes.

Ph.D. candidacy

Ph.D. candidates (post- A Exam) complete their research, deliver a yearly Work-in-Progress (WIP) seminar, and defend their findings.

M.S. Program

Program description.

The Department of Chemistry & Chemical Biology (C&CB) at Cornell University has initiated a program leading to a Master of Science (M.S.) degree. Students with interests in all subfields of Chemistry (e.g., Analytical, Biological, Inorganic, Organic, Materials, Physical, and Theoretical) are invited to apply and the teaching/research facilities of Cornell University will be used to design a personalized graduate program.

The department anticipates that most participants in the M.S. program will have undergraduate degrees in Chemistry or a closely related field, and so the program will provide an opportunity to refresh and upgrade skills relevant to the molecular sciences. As the M.S. program is individually tailored to the needs of each applicant, it should also be of interest to students who are seeking to fill in gaps in their educational backgrounds prior to advanced studies in Chemistry, Medicine, or other areas related to the Physical Sciences and Engineering. This graduate program will also be advantageous to members of the community seeking to learn modern techniques of the chemical and materials world by gaining access to the state-of-the-art instruments and facilities at Cornell.

M.S. Coursework

The M.S. program consists of 30 graduate credit hours which, in favorable cases, may be completed over a single academic year including summer research. As the academic backgrounds and personal/professional goals of each student will differ, we anticipate significant diversity in the programs of study in the M.S. degree. Therefore, we do not prescribe a rigid set of courses as prerequisites or requirements, though we would ordinarily anticipate that the majority of the credits are taken in chemistry and related subjects at suitably high levels. Your program of study will be adapted to your individual interests and needs in consultation with the M.S. Graduate Program Director and will likely include coursework selected from across Cornell’s campus.

The M.S. program is designed for those who wish to obtain further education in the field of chemical sciences broadly understood, and to develop their ability for critical inquiry, independent research, and teaching. Research-degree students are expected to give evidence of mature purpose by initiating and pursuing their own programs; as such the award of the MS degree is contingent upon the completion of a master’s research project documented through the preparation of an archivable document presented to the student’s special committee and to the Graduate School.  In the fall of the first year it is expected that each student will be enrolled in Chem 5110, which provides an introduction to the vast world of tools and opportunities for chemical research, found in both our department, and across the campus.

The program will require a minimum of a single academic year in residence, though there can be no guarantee that all admitted students will progress at the same rate.

Applying to the M.S. Program

Admission to the M.S. program is distinct from admission to the Ph.D. program. Enrollment in the M.S. program in C&CB neither precludes a subsequent application to the Ph.D. program, nor does it serve as an alternate pathway into that program. Applications for admission to the M.S. program commencing in Fall 2023 will be reviewed beginning January 1, 2023 and will continue on a rolling basis through June 15, 2023.

Tuition is set by Cornell University and is currently $29,500 AY. Tuition for the 2023-2024 academic year will be finalized in February 2023. In addition, each student is required to have adequate medical insurance. The plan offered by Cornell currently costs $4,046. If you have coverage from a US-based plan you may be exempt from purchasing the Cornell plan, for details see the student health benefits website . C&CB cannot offer direct financial support to M.S. students and we do not anticipate the availability of tuition waivers for this program.

Students wishing to pursue the M.S. degree in C&CB should apply directly to the Field of Chemistry & Chemical Biology through the Graduate School at Cornell University. The Cornell University Graduate School website provides information about general requirements as well as requirements specific to international students. Please visit the following links for further details regarding the C&CB graduate program as well as the  application form  (which includes a course record form).

Academic Department

Chemistry and Chemical Biology

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a full range of courses in physical, organic, inorganic, analytical, theoretical, materials, bioorganic, bioinorganic and biophysical chemistry. The department recognizes that the link between teaching and research is a vital one in the continuously evolving field of chemistry, and ensures that students will be provided with the most advanced information and perspectives through its faculty's dual commitment to teaching and to research. In addition to facilities in nuclear magnetic resonance and x-ray crystallography, the department houses The National Biomedical Research Center for AdvanCed ESR Technology (ACERT), which develops and applies methods and theory of modern electron spin resonance.

Associated Faculty

• Mikail Abbasov
• Nicholas L. Abbott
• Héctor D. Abruña
• Christopher Alabi
• Nandini Ananth
• Nozomi Ando
• Youn Jue (Eunice) Bae
• Barbara A. Baird
• Jeremy M. Baskin
• Brandon Bogusz
• Richard A. Cerione
• Pamela Chang
• Geoffrey W. Coates
• David B. Collum
• Brian Crane
• Susan Daniel
• Serena DeBeer
• Francis DiSalvo
• Robert A. DiStasio Jr.
• Steven Edward Ealick
• James R. Engstrom
• Lara A. Estroff
• Gregory Sion Ezra
• Brett P. Fors
• Bruce Ganem
• Melissa A. Hines
• David Holowka
• Karen Lagasse
• Tristan Lambert
• Kyle M. Lancaster
• Stephen Lee
• Roger F. Loring
• John A. Marohn
• Phillip Milner
• Andrew Musser
• Christopher K. Ober
• Poul B. Petersen
• Harold Scheraga
• Frank C. Schroeder
• Erin Stache
• Erik Thiede
• Ulrich B. Wiesner
• Justin J. Wilson
• Peter T. Wolczanski
• David B. Zax

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Related disciplines.

• Sciences and Mathematics

In the College of Arts and Sciences   .

Course Offerings    

The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology offers a full range of courses in physical, organic, inorganic, and analytical chemistry and in chemical biology. Courses with numbers below 6000 are primarily intended for undergraduates, while courses with numbers above 6000 are primarily intended for graduate students. Advanced chemistry majors are encouraged to consider graduate courses in an area of interest. In addition to their teaching interests, our faculty members have active research programs. The link between teaching and research is a vital one in a continually evolving scientific subject; it ensures that students will be provided with the most advanced information and perspectives and affords opportunities for students to participate in research. For additional information about the department and course offerings, see the department website.

Website:  chemistry.cornell.edu

B. Crane, chair (122 Baker Laboratory, (607) 255-4175); TBD, associate chair; J. A. Marohn, director of undergraduate studies; H. F. Davis, director of graduate studies; H. D. Abruña, N. Ananth, Y. Aye, B. A. Baird, J. Baskin, R. A. Cerione, P. Chen, G. W. Coates, D. B. Collum, R. A. DiStasio, S. E. Ealick, G. S. Ezra, B. P. Fors, B. Ganem, M. A. Hines, C. Kinsland, K. M. Lancaster, S. Lee, H. Lin, S. Lin, D. R. Lorey, R. F. Loring, P. Petersen, T. Ruttledge, D. Y. Sogah, J. Wilson, P. T. Wolczanski, D. B. Zax

Overview of the Major

The Cornell chemistry major combines rigor with flexibility, allowing students to explore chemistry and related fields while preparing them for a wide range of careers and professions. The Cornell chemistry major offers multiple routes to earning the Bachelor of Arts degree in Chemistry. The two most commonly followed routes are shown below. See The Major in Detail section for a more thorough explanation of the multiple ways to complete the chemistry major. Students who earned a sufficiently high score on the AP ( Advanced Placement   ) chemistry exam may take CHEM 2150    and begin on the accelerated track.

Standard track

• first year: general chemistry, mathematics
• second year: organic chemistry lecture(s) and laboratory, physics
• third year: physical chemistry lecture(s) and laboratory, one other advanced laboratory
• fourth year: inorganic chemistry

Accelerated track

• first year: general chemistry, organic chemistry I, mathematics
• second year: organic chemistry II and laboratories, inorganic chemistry, physics
• third year: physical chemistry lectures and laboratory, analytical chemistry laboratory
• fourth year: advanced courses

Admission to the Major

Admission to the chemistry major requires the satisfactory completion of a number of introductory courses which, when taken together, demonstrate an interest in the different subfields of chemistry and an interest in completing the major. Students usually apply to the major in their sophomore year, at which time they should have completed the following courses.

• Introductory Chemistry: CHEM 2070    & CHEM 2080    or CHEM 2150    
• Organic Chemistry CHEM 3570    or CHEM 3590    or  CHEM 3530    
• Mathematics: MATH 1110    
• Physics: PHYS 2207    or PHYS 1112    

It is expected that students will have earned a C or better in these courses. Students with a grade of C– or lower in one of these required courses may be considered for admission to the major after they have completed additional coursework (typically one semester) satisfactorily. Students who are second-term sophomores or beyond who have completed all but one of these requirements may also be admitted to the major provided that they have a plan for completing the requirements for the major on schedule. To apply to the major, please follow the directions given at: chemistry.cornell.edu/undergraduate .

The Major in Detail

The chemistry major requires a total of 60 credits in chemistry and related subjects. These 60 credits must include the set of core courses listed below, together with a total of 8 credits of laboratory beyond general chemistry. Credit awarded by Cornell for scores on the CEEB Advanced Placement tests in chemistry, calculus, and physics may be substituted for the appropriate core courses. Outside of the core courses, the remainder of the 60 credits must be chosen from the elective courses designated below. These elective courses are selected from a variety of disciplines related to chemistry. Core courses and electives linked by “or” indicate that only one choice can be selected.

Many combinations of courses may be used to build the 60-credit chemistry major. For example, students wishing to focus on chemical biology may choose electives from the chemical biology courses offered in our department and from courses in other departments listed under Biology and Biochemistry. Students choosing to emphasize materials chemistry may choose electives from graduate level chemistry courses listed under Inorganic Chemistry, and Organic and Polymer Chemistry, as well as from courses listed under Materials Science and Engineering. Those with an interest in science policy might choose courses listed under Science and Society, and those focusing at the interface between chemistry and physics can choose from graduate level courses in physical chemistry or from courses listed under Mathematics, Computer Science, and Physics. The wide selection of designated electives permits chemistry majors to add both depth and breadth to their curriculum and to construct a degree that best suits their future plans.

Required Core Courses

General Chemistry

• CHEM 2070    & CHEM 2080    or
• CHEM 2150    

Organic Chemistry

• CHEM 3570    & CHEM 3580    or
• CHEM 3590    & CHEM 3600    or
• CHEM 3530    

Students who are planning for graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist or healthcare professional are strongly advised to take a two-semester sequence.  One of the two-semester sequences –  CHEM 3570    &  CHEM 3580    or  CHEM 3590    &  CHEM 3600    – is required for the Honors curriculum.

Physical Chemistry

• CHEM 3890    & CHEM 3900    or
• CHEM 2870    

Students planning for graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist are strongly advised to take  CHEM 3890    & CHEM 3900   , which are required for the Honors curriculum.  Students taking CHEM 3890    &  CHEM 3900    are required to take a prerequisite semester of multivariable calculus from the electives below.

Inorganic Chemistry

• CHEM 4100    

Core Laboratories

• CHEM 2510    (2 credits)
• CHEM 2900    (2 credits) or CHEM 3030    (4 credits)

Students planning graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist are advised to take  CHEM 3020    and CHEM 3030   , which are required for the Honors curriculum.

Mathematics

• MATH 1110 - Calculus I    & MATH 1120 - Calculus II    
• 4 AP credits plus MATH 1910 - Calculus for Engineers    

AP credit may be substituted for one or more of these courses.

• PHYS 2207 - Fundamentals of Physics I     & PHYS 2208 - Fundamentals of Physics II    or
• PHYS 1112 - Physics I: Mechanics & Heat    & PHYS 2213 - Physics II: Electromagnetism    or
• PHYS 1116 - Physics I: Mechanics and Special Relativity    & PHYS 2217 - Physics II: Electricity and Magnetism    

The non-calculus-based introductory physics courses  PHYS 1101    &  PHYS 1102    are NOT acceptable.  AP credit may be substituted for one or both of these courses.

Required Advanced Laboratory Courses

A total of 8 credits of laboratory, including core laboratories, is required. This requirement may be met by taking CHEM 3010    and/or CHEM 3020    or by taking laboratory courses outside of chemistry that are listed under electives. Credits for independent research ( CHEM 4210   , CHEM 4330   , CHEM 4610   , or CHEM 4770   ) do not count toward the laboratory requirement. Note that the Honors curriculum requires CHEM 3010   , CHEM 3020   , and CHEM 3030   . This advanced laboratory sequence is strongly advised for students planning graduate study in chemistry or a career as a chemist.

Elective Courses

Electives from Chemistry and Chemical Biology

Any course offered by the Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology at the 4000 level or higher may be used as an elective. A complete listing can be found on the chemistry department’s course offerings page   . In addition, the Chemistry Department website provides an abbreviated list.

Students who have completed the core courses are encouraged to take graduate courses at the 6000 or 7000 level in areas of interest. No more than four credits of independent research ( CHEM 4210   , CHEM 4330   , CHEM 4610    or CHEM 4770   ) may be counted as an elective.

Electives from Other Departments

See the Chemistry Department website for the list of electives from other departments. Some courses may not be offered every year. Be aware that some courses may have additional prerequisites that do not count toward Chemistry electives credits.

Independent Research

Chemistry majors are encouraged to participate in independent research through CHEM 4210   , CHEM 4330   , CHEM 4610   , or CHEM 4770   . These courses provide academic credit for research carried out in the laboratory of a departmental faculty member or in the laboratory of a faculty member in another department who is a member of the graduate field of chemistry.  Students interested in starting a research project should contact potential faculty research supervisors to identify an advisor with an open position.

Latin Honors

Any student following the Honors curriculum in chemistry who has earned an overall Cornell GPA of 3.30 or higher by the end of the penultimate semester will be awarded the A. B. with honors (cum laude).

Senior chemistry majors with superior grades in chemistry and related subjects, who have selected a rigorous group of courses, and who have demonstrated excellent performance in at least four credits (or the equivalent) of undergraduate research in chemistry or a related field may be nominated to participate in CHEM 4980   , the Honors Seminar, by their research advisor or the Director of Undergraduate Studies. To ensure that the nomination process runs smoothly, all students who are interested in the Honors Seminar should discuss this possibility with their faculty advisor early in the Fall semester of their senior year. Admission to the Honors Seminar is by invitation only, or by permission from the Director of Undergraduate Studies. Students participating in CHEM 4980    attend lectures on a variety of topics not covered in conventional courses and present their research in a paper and in a seminar. Successful completion of CHEM 4980    leads to the A. B. with honors ( cum laude ) or high honors ( magna cum laude , summa cum laude ).

Laboratory Course Regulations

Students and members of the teaching staff are required to wear safety goggles and lab aprons in all chemistry laboratories. Closed-toed footwear is required; no sandals are allowed.  Students will be issued safety goggles and a lab apron their first day of lab. Students are reminded to bring their goggles and lab aprons with them to every subsequent laboratory session. Those who fail to cooperate with the safety program will be asked to leave the laboratory.

Students in first semester general chemistry courses ( CHEM 1560   , CHEM 2070   ,  CHEM 2090   , and CHEM 2150   ) are charged a mandatory laboratory fee and will be provided with safety goggles and lab aprons at their first laboratory session.

Students in  CHEM 2080    who did not take a first semester general chemistry course at Cornell (i.e., advanced or transfer credit was used) are charged a mandatory laboratory fee and will be provided with safety goggles and lab aprons at their first laboratory session.

Students in organic labs ( CHEM 2510    and CHEM 3010   ) and advanced labs ( CHEM 2900   ,  CHEM 3020    and CHEM 3030   ) are required to provide their own safety goggles and lab aprons. No laboratory fees are charged for these courses. However, students in  CHEM 2510    and CHEM 3010    are required to pay for glassware and any other items broken during the semester as well as for any items broken or missing from their laboratory desks at the end of the semester. Students who fail to inventory their desks at the appointed time in the presence of their instructor are charged an abandoned desk fee in addition to charges to replace any broken or missing items.

PhD Programs

Bcmb allied program.

The  Biochemistry, Structural Biology, Cell Biology, Developmental Biology  and  Molecular Biology  graduate programs at Weill Cornell Graduate School are collectively known as the  BCMB Allied program . Students may affiliate with any of the three programs, however they are initially admitted to, and remain members of, the BCMB Allied program overall.

Biochemistry & Structural Biology

Advanced training in the application of biochemical, structural, biophysical, and imaging methods to addressing questions relating to biological processes and mechanisms.

Cell & Developmental Biology

Opportunities to develop research training in cell biology, developmental biology, genetics, and molecular biology.

Immunology & Microbial Pathogenesis

Draws together a diverse faculty who seek to understand how the immune system works both as a unique entity as well as an integral part of higher organisms.

Molecular Biology

Opportunities to develop research training in the molecular pathways involved in control of cell growth, replication and responses to environmental changes.

Neuroscience

Development and function of the nervous system is a unifying theme of the program. Students interact closely with faculty studying the nervous system from a wide variety of scientific disciplines.

Pharmacology

The Pharmacology PhD program at Weill Cornell Graduate School (WCGS) is unique in that it trains students in the scientific foundations that underlie modern pharmacology.

Physiology, Biophysics & Systems Biology

Educating students through research in current and innovative aspects of three synergistic components at the forefront of biomedical sciences: physiology, biophysics and systems.

• PBSB Program at Houston Methodist Academic Institute

Population Health Sciences

Population Health Sciences prepares students to be leading researchers in population health sciences: an emerging interdisciplinary scientific field that aims to improve population health by addressing the multiple determinants of health and health disparities across populations and seeks to improve healthcare delivery.  

Tri-Institutional Ph.D. Programs

Collaborative Tri-Institutional PhD programs of Weill Cornell Medical College, The Rockefeller University and the Sloan-Kettering Institute

• Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Computational Biology & Medicine
• Tri-Institutional PhD Program in Chemical Biology
• Tri-Institutional MD-PhD Program (MD-PhD)

Weill Cornell Medicine Graduate School of Medical Sciences 1300 York Ave. Box 65 New York, NY 10065 Phone: (212) 746-6565 Fax: (212) 746-8906

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="cornell chemistry phd application"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Application status.

After submitting your application, you should receive a confirmation email and the application will be forwarded to your proposed field of study for review.

You can easily  check the status of your application materials by logging into your ApplyWeb account and viewing the checklist on your personal activity page. Your field will update your checklist as they receive and process your materials. After submitting your application, please allow at least seven days for your application status to be updated. Any questions you have concerning your application (e.g. optional materials, missing information, anticipated notification date, etc.) should be directed to your field.

You will receive a decision notification directly from your field. We invite you to learn more about accepting or deferring your offer, or how to reapply  if you do not receive an admission offer this year.

If you decide to attend Cornell, and we hope that you will, please review our information about  funding and next steps .

Why should you consider Cornell?