The Ultimate Ph.D. Experience
The PhD program in Chemistry and Chemical Biology at UC Davis has over 200 graduate students engaging in research across five research tracks: analytical, chemical biology, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. We encourage and support graduate research that transcends traditional academic boundaries by bringing together faculty from departments across campus, including the School of Medicine, College of Engineering, College of Biological Sciences and the Genome Center.
The PhD program traditionally takes about five years to complete. First year incoming students have a three week orientation prior to the beginning of fall quarter where they take ACS exams, meet their fellow cohort and continuing students, attend trainings and presentations, and meet faculty. In the fall of their first year, students do lab rotations in three labs to identify a lab they would like to research in. In their second year, students take their qualifying exam. During their third year, students continue their research and present it in the Third Year Seminar course. Students continue to research and write their dissertation in the subsequent years.
"Grad school is going to be stressful wherever you go, so you should choose somewhere you feel supported. I have friends and faculty here I can always rely on."
- Joya Cooley, Graduate Student
A Research-Based M.S.
Students in the M.S. degree program in Pharmaceutical Chemistry will gain an in-depth understanding of the experimental and computational processes and societal issues that surround the discovery and design of modern pharmaceuticals. The program is intended for students seeking to be employed as research chemists in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
A Framework for Diversity
We actively recruit graduate students with a variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews. Women comprise over 40% of graduate students in our department and over 20% of our faculty. We are also committed to providing additional financial support and mentoring to underrepresented minorities and students with disabilities beginning their doctoral studies.