Degree Pathway for Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry, Sustainability Option

This is 45 minimum credit program.

Required Chemistry Courses
Choose one from each category
Total courses required = 3
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9

Physical Chemistry Course

CHEM.5600 OR

CHEM.5221

Advanced Physical Biochemistry OR

Solid-State Materials Chemistry

3

Organic Chemistry Course

CHEM.5320 OR

CHEM.5240 OR

CHEM.5680 OR

CHEM.5030

Organic Reaction Mechanisms OR

Organic Synthesis OR

Structural Analysis OR

Polymer Science I

3

Analytical Chemistry Course3

CHEM.5130 OR

CHEM.5260 OR

CHEM.5140 OR

Spectroscopy OR

Chromatography OR

Advanced Analytical Chemistry

3
Required Sustainability Course (1 course)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total3
CHEM.5190 Sustainable Chemistry 3
Specialized Electives (select 3 courses)*
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total9
CHEM.XXXXSpecialized Elective I3
CHEM.XXXXSpecialized Elective II3
CHEM.XXXXSpecialized Elective III3

Interdisciplinary Elective Courses (choose 2)**

Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total6
CHEM.XXXXInterdisciplinary Elective I3
CHEM.XXXXInterdisciplinary Elective II3
Other Approved Electives: Thesis (total 12 credits)
Course NumberCourse NameCredits
Total for all electives credits 18
CHEM.7590Ph.D Thesis Chemistry (variable credit)
0-9

Total number of courses required for degree (not including thesis credits) = 9

Total number of thesis credits = 18

Total credit hours required for degree = 45

Specialized Electives*

Students must consult their advisors before selecting specialized elective courses.

CHEM.5130 Spectroscopy 

CHEM.5221 Solid-State Materials Chemistry 

CHEM.5230 Organic Reaction Mechanisms 

CHEM.5240 Organic Synthesis 

CHEM.5260 Chromatography 

CHEM.5360 Advanced Materials Chemistry I 

CHEM.5430 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

CHEM.5500 Biochemistry

CHEM.5600 Advanced Physical Biochemistry 

CHEM.5660 Nanomaterials and Nanostructures 

CHEM.5680 Structural Analysis 

CHEM.5750 Machine Learning and AI in Energy Applications 

CHEM.5850 Modern Organic Chemistry 

CHEM.5950 Supramolecular Chemistry 

CHEM.6720 Surface and Colloid Chemistry 

POLY.5030 Polymer Science I 

POLY.5040 Polymer Science II 

POLY.5110 Biopolymers 

POLY.5050 Polymer Preparation and Characterization 

Interdisciplinary Elective Courses**

PHYS.5030 Physical Optics 

PHYS.5390 Electro-Optics 

PHYS.5720 Solid State Physics 

PHYS.5770 Solid State Electronic and Optoelectronic Devices 

CHEN.5250 Sustainable Chemistry and Engineering 

CHEN.5290 Recent Advances in Green Chemistry and Nanotechnology 

CHEN.5290 Nanomaterial Characterization I 

CHEN.5410 Nanomaterials Characterization II 

CHEN.5460 Biomaterials Science and Engineering 

CHEN.5080 Advanced Material Science and Engineering 

CHEN.5700 Nanodevices and Electronic Materials 

ATMO.5080 The Climate System 

ATMO.5230 Air Pollution and Control 

ENVI.5160 Climate Change: Science, Communication, and Solutions 

ENVI.5720 Energy and Environment 

MECH.5210 Solar Fundamentals 

MECH.5220 Wind Energy Fundamentals 

MECH.5255 Hydropower 

MECH.5270 Solar Energy Engineering 

MECH.5290 Fuel Cell Fundamentals 

MECH.5350 Fundamentals of Sustainable Energy 

MECH.5330 Nanomaterials for Energy 

MECH.5340 Green Combustion and Biofuels 

PLAS.5330 Green Coatings Science and Technology 

PLAS.5450 Additives to Polymer Materials 

PLAS.5470 Materials for Renewable Energy and Sustainability 

PLAS.5960 Plastics, Elastomers, and Additives from Renewable Resources 

PLAS.5970 Plastics & Environment 


Last updated: 3/26/26