Chemistry, Ph.D.

The Chemistry, Ph.D. program, housed in the College of Arts and Sciences department of Biological and Chemical Sciences, aims to prepare a new generation of scientists with advanced knowledge and research skills to address critical challenges in various scientific and industrial fields. The primary purpose of the program is to foster expertise in emerging areas of chemistry, equipping graduates with the capacity to lead research and innovation efforts in academia, industry, and government.

The program is designed to meet the growing demand for highly trained chemists, particularly in sectors such as pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, and environmental science. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of chemists is projected to grow by 6.2% from 2022 to 2032, with demand driven by pharmaceuticals, materials science, and environmental sciences. Industry leaders have expressed a strong interest in partnering with academic institutions to support workforce development, and several local companies have reported difficulty in finding candidates with advanced chemistry expertise. These companies have emphasized the need for chemists who not only have a deep understanding of chemical principles but are also adept in modern analytical and computational techniques.

Curriculum Overview

The curriculum for our program in chemistry is carefully designed to provide a robust foundation in both theoretical knowledge and practical research skills, including effective scientific communication, ensuring that students are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, and beyond. Students begin with a comprehensive approach to both the ethical and practical aspects of scientific research and from the start will engage in their research projects, allowing them to apply the knowledge from coursework directly to their individual research. They will also take advanced and specialized classes to further develop the analytical and biochemical knowledge necessary for cutting-edge research. The essential elements of the curriculum include a balanced combination of coursework, research training, seminars, and professional development, ensuring that students develop both a deep understanding of chemical principles and the ability to conduct independent, original research. The required number of credits to graduate is 63.

All courses will be delivered on-campus through lecture and discussion formats, supplemented by lab-based work for applicable subjects. The first two years of the program focus on establishing a strong theoretical and practical foundation in chemistry. Courses are designed to provide students with advanced knowledge in various areas of chemistry, including organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical chemistry. Students will gain exposure to special topics through participation in research seminars, which are embedded in CHEM 999, Thesis Research. Within CHEM 999, students are evaluated by their research advisors based on their oral presentations, which involve actively presenting at these seminars. Additionally, students are required to attend and engage in these seminars to gain exposure to various techniques and research areas, broadening their knowledge and skill sets.

Research

Research is the cornerstone of the Ph.D. program, with students engaging in a full-time residency requirement to ensure an immersive, research-intensive environment from the first semester onward. The residency experience will provide students with the opportunity to gain exposure to sophisticated research methodologies, including advanced instrumentation, experimental techniques, and computational modeling, as appropriate to their area of focus. Full-time residency is the core of the students' research training, which will start in the students' first year through CHEM 999 or CHEM 921, with the possibility of research rotations in the first semester. By the end of the first year in the program, each student will pair with a faculty advisor who will provide guidance, support, and feedback throughout the research process. Students will engage in a significant, original research project under the supervision of their faculty advisors, which will form the core of their Ph.D. dissertations. Extensive hands-on laboratory and/or theoretical/computational work will be required, often involving advanced techniques and instrumentation. The residency experience will provide students with the opportunity to fully engage in independent research projects and develop the advanced skills necessary for successful completion of their Ph.D. dissertations.

Facilities, Equipment, and Library Resources

New York Tech is committed to maintaining and improving its research infrastructure and ensuring computer facilities, research equipment, laboratories, and libraries remain at the forefront of academic and industry innovation. Recent expansions to our facilities include major renovations to laboratories and offices, development of additional core research facilities, acquisition of major pieces of research equipment, and hiring of additional faculty and technical staff. Wireless capability is available in all of the libraries, and laptops are available for patrons to borrow so that they may access the New York Tech network from anywhere in the library. All members of the New York Tech community have access to a total of 38,069 print titles, 1,298 media, and 138,314 ebooks and 161,930 e-journals. The Long Island and New York City libraries also have innovation/maker hubs which house collaborative workspaces and a variety of equipment, including 3D printers, raspberry pi kits, digital cameras, 360 and Go-Pro cameras, and virtual reality headsets.

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Admission Requirements

Applicants must submit an application, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores, two letters of recommendation, transcripts leading to the applicant's previous degree(s), a statement of purpose, and for applicants whose native language is not English and who have been educated outside the U.S., an acceptable score of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required.

The admissions standards of the Ph.D. program in Chemistry will follow a holistic approach that considers both academic performance and research experience to ensure a diverse, high-performing, and high-potential student body:

Academic Requirements

• A strong academic background in Chemistry or a related field, evidenced by a bachelor's or master's degree from a regionally accredited university
• Applicants with a B.S. will be required to demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.2/4.0; those with an M.S. will be required to demonstrate a minimum GPA of 3.5/4.0.
• The minimum GRE score required for admission is 300.
• International students will be required to demonstrate English language proficiency through a minimum score on the IELTS (6.5) or TOEFL IBT (79) unless a waiver is granted in line with institutional policy.

Research Experience

• Demonstrated participation in previous research projects and/or authorship on peer-reviewed publications and/or work in relevant fields.
• Two letters of recommendation highlighting the candidate's research potential and academic excellence.

These requisites are for advisory purposes only. We will review the applications for positive indications of potential success in the program. The program director will work closely with New York Tech's Office of Graduate Admissions to ensure consistent application of the selection criteria compared to program admissions standards and practices. Each professor who is accepting Ph.D. candidate students for the upcoming academic year will be responsible for reviewing the submitted applications. Professors will carefully read through the applications, focusing on academic background, research experience, and alignment with their research interests. Based on these criteria, they will select the most suitable candidates for their research group. This individualized review allows professors to choose candidates who are best suited for their specific research projects, ensuring a strong fit between student and mentor.

Application Materials

• Completed application
• $50 nonrefundable application fee
• A resume or curriculum vitae
• A statement of purpose; this should include the selection of a first and second choice of area of research interest (analytical, biochemistry, organic, inorganic, physical, theoretical)
• Two letters of recommendation
• Copies of transcripts for all schools attended. All final, official transcripts must be received prior to the start of your first semester.
• Copy of college diploma or proof of degree
• Official GRE scores, if required (GRE Code: 2561)
• International student requirements: English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/PTE), I-20, and transcript evaluation

Transfer Credits

• Students who have an M.S. degree in a relevant field can transfer a maximum of nine credits (with at least B+) with the approval of their advisor and the program director.
• Pass grades earned during the spring and fall 2020 semesters meet this GPA threshold and are transferable to New York Institute of Technology.

Selection Procedures

To ensure the selection of candidates will thrive in the program, an initial screening will be conducted consisting of a review of the applicant's academic credentials, research experience, and personal statements before interviews with shortlisted candidates to assess their fit with the program, research interests, and potential contributions to the department. Finally, the candidate's background, achievements, and potential to contribute to diversity and inclusivity in the program will be considered.

Progression in the Program

Students will be required to maintain an overall GPA of 3.0 in Ph.D. courses and a Ph.D. course grade below a B- will result in the student repeating the course.

Qualifying Exam

At the end of the second year, Ph.D. students will take their qualifying exams. The examination committee will consist of three faculty members, including the research advisor and two additional chemistry faculty. Students will prepare two written documents: a summary of current research, and an original proposal. These documents will be due to their committee members one week before the scheduled oral exam, during which time no guests may be present. The research summary should be at least three, and no more than six pages long, not including references. This document should include clearly stated hypotheses and goals, as well as preliminary results and well-developed future directions. Brief summaries of the methodology used will be acceptable. The original proposal should follow either NIH (abstract, specific aims, research strategy, significance, innovation, and conclusion) or NSF (abstract, including intellectual merit and broader impacts, introduction, and research plan) guidelines.

Students will present their research first, and their original proposal second. A student who does not pass the qualifying exam will be offered another chance in fall of their third year; after a second failed attempt, the student will be asked to leave the program.

Preliminary Dissertation Proposal

Students are expected to produce substantial research output in the program, such as manuscripts for publication, detailed research reports, or dissertation chapters. These deliverables will serve as key milestones in their academic journey. To maintain progress, students will undergo an annual review process with their research mentor who evaluates their research achievements and ensures that they remain on track for timely completion. Any deviations from the expected progress will prompt a structured intervention to realign the research objectives.

Each student will have an advisory committee consisting of faculty members who will provide academic supervision and guidance throughout the Ph.D. journey. Regular meetings between students and their advisors to discuss progress, challenges, and future plans will be an essential part of the program.

The dissertation process will be as follows:

1. Pass the qualifying exam.
2. Assemble the dissertation committee.
3. Dissertation proposal (due eight weeks prior oral defense).
4. Completion and approval of dissertation proposal and advance to candidacy.
5. Submit written dissertation thesis (due two weeks prior oral defense).
6. Dissertation defense.
7. Revision (if requested) and approval of dissertation thesis.

Before final approval of the written document, the dissertation committee will schedule an oral examination at which the student must successfully defend the dissertation. The oral examination by the dissertation committee members will follow immediately after a public seminar by the student describing the complete body of work contained in the submitted thesis. Based on the outcome of the oral examination, the dissertation committee may require changes to the written dissertation document and schedule another meeting with the student. The student must submit the written document to the committee members at least two weeks before the oral defense. Following successful oral defense and approval of the written document, all committee members must sign the dissertation defense approval form, which is forwarded to the program director for final approval.