Requirements

Ph.D. Program in Chemistry with an Emphasis in Chemistry Education

Overview

The Ph.D. in chemistry with an emphasis in chemistry education is for the student who intends to pursue a career in chemistry education teaching and research at the university, four–year college or community college level.

Entrance Requirements

Students in this program will enter the department in the same way as other chemistry graduate students.

Students will meet all requirements of the graduate school.
Students will take the same placement exams as traditional chemistry graduate students and remove any deficiencies by taking the appropriate courses.

Coursework Requirements

Students will complete the same coursework in traditional areas of chemistry as the other Ph.D. students, including the core courses: Analytical CH811, Physical CH830, CH821 or CH822, and Inorganic CH805, 807, or 808.
In addition, students will complete four courses in supporting areas such as education, statistics, cognitive psychology, and curriculum development (for example ED 803 Advanced Methods of Teaching, ED 843 Studies in Teaching of Science, ED 848 Literature in Science Education, ED 878 Methods of Education Research II, PSYCH 801/811 research Design and Quantitative Methods I and II, PSYCH 833 Advanced Cognitive Psychology) These courses will be determined by the student's advisor, in consultation with the student and the student's thesis committee.
Students will give three seminars, one on the planned research one on the literature of chemistry education and one on the completed research.

Students must qualify for the Ph.D. Program in the content area of specialization

The student will take and pass qualifying examination or cumulative examinations given by one of the traditional divisions (analytical, physical, organic or inorganic)

In addition

Students will:

Perform a one-year research project in a traditional area of chemistry. The student will sign up for 9 hours of CH 991; the financial and logistical arrangements will be made by mutual agreement of the research directors involved. In lieu of the one year project, a research based Masters degree in Chemistry will also satisfy this requirement.
Carry out a research project and write a dissertation in the area of Chemistry Education.Complete a teaching practicum of at least 3 credit hours (not including laboratory teaching) under the supervision of the advisor, and preparation of a teaching portfolio will be required.

Clemson University | Chemistry Department