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The degree of Doctor of Philosophy in chemical physics is conferred on qualified students whose interests lie in areas of research that overlap both chemistry and physics. Inquiries should be addressed to Prof. David Reichman, Chair of Chemical Physics, Department of Chemistry, Columbia University, MC 3104, 3000 Broadway, New York, NY 10027.

Degree Requirements

The requirements listed below are special to this subcommittee and must be read in conjunction with the general requirements of the Graduate School.

Comprehensive Examination

All graduate students are required to take the comprehensive examination in physical chemistry during the registration period preceding their first term of residence. The examination covers material typically taught in an undergraduate physical chemistry course. The results are used in advising the student on the choice of courses, and if the student does not achieve sufficiently high standing on the examination he or she must retake a comparable examination given later in the year.

For the M.A. Degree

The M.A. degree, the first step toward the Ph.D. degree, is conferred upon completion of the requirements listed below.

Students must take G9201 and the equivalent of five 4.5 point graduate-level courses (two 2.5 point courses are considered equivalent to one 4.5 point course).Required courses: Physics G4003; Chemistry G4221 or Physics G6037; Chemistry G6222/G8223 or Physics G6038; Chemistry G4230 or Physics G6036. Additional graduate courses should be approved by the student’s research sponsor.

Residence Units: Two.

For the M.Phil. Degree

The M.Phil. degree is prerequisite to the doctoral degree and is conferred on candidates who have received the M.A. degree, and upon satisfactory completion of the requirements listed below.

Examinations: Six cumulative examinations, administered by the Department of Chemistry. In addition, each student is required to submit and defend a report on research progress, at the end of the spring term of the second year of graduate study, and to submit and defend an original research proposal, in the fall term of the fourth year of study.

Residence Units: Six (including the M.A.) at least four of which must be completed at Columbia. The subcommittee recommends candidates for the M.Phil. degree upon satisfactory completion of all the requirements.

For the Ph.D. Degree

A candidate for the Ph.D. degree must have earned the M.Phil. degree at Columbia. The student must prepare, with the approval of his or her sponsor, a dissertation embodying the student’s original research and must successfully defend it in a final examination before a committee of the faculty. It is expected that the thesis defense takes place before the end of the fifth year of graduate study at Columbia.

Financial Aid

A comprehensive program of financial aid is available, including fellowships and appointments in teaching and research. All Ph.D. students receive the annual prevailing stipend and appropriate tuition and health fees for five years, provided that they remain in good academic standing. If students receive a year of advanced standing they are entitled to four years of fellowship funding.