Overview

The educational philosophy of the department allows for considerable flexibility in a student's graduate program. You may take courses in fields outside the department, such as biochemistry, pharmacology, physics, mathematics, environmental science, and other science areas in a program tailored to your interests and needs. In the chemistry department, courses are offered in inorganic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, physical inorganic chemistry, synthetic organic chemistry, physical organic chemistry, heterocyclic chemistry, advanced analytical chemistry, optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, electrochemistry, thermodynamics, quantum chemistry and polymer chemistry.

We evaluate applications based on transcript information, GRE (general test), statement of purpose, and recommendation letters in order to develop an understanding of an applicant's likelihood of succeeding in our program. Most successful graduate students started with a strong background in all four sub-disciplines of chemistry, and many engaged in research during their undergraduate careers. Non-traditional students, such as those who worked in the chemical industry after graduation, have also been successful. 

UVM undergraduates who will be graduating and wish to enter our graduate program are not admitted to the Ph.D. program. We feel that diversity of experience is important in professional development, so we encourage our undergraduates to go on to other nationally recognized programs. However, we do admit occasional UVM undergraduates to our master’s program for two reasons: to allow undergraduate biochemistry majors to take chemistry coursework to prepare them for a Ph.D. program in chemistry and to allow students who have significant ties to the Burlington area to remain for an additional time.