WKU Chemistry Graduate Tracks

---

WKU Chemistry Graduate Research Tracks

The chemistry department offers two main routes to a graduate thesis. All tracks culminate in an original thesis based on research over the course of the graduate period. All students participate in graduate seminars, including the presentation of one in each year of the program. Courses on proposal development and literature searching are designed to be mastered early in the program.

The general thesis tracks (Chemistry, CTGN, and Biochemistry, CTBC) involve advanced coursework, seminar participation, and writing courses. Chemistry students take graduate work in four of the five chemistry disciplines (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical), plus at least three elective courses at the graduate level. Biochemistry major plans of study include two courses in advanced biochemistry, with an additional biochemistry lab course.

The research-intensive program (CRIT) has significantly fewer classroom courses, and instead focuses on the development of at least two peer-reviewed manuscripts for scholarly journals; prior to thesis defense, at least one of these must be accepted for publication. Admission to the CRIT requires approval from the research advisor and from the chemistry department graduate committee. 

More information or questions can be directed to the graduate coordinator.