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 explore lab options 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.
For information on how to plan out all aspects of your graduate journey, see our Chemistry Grad Map!
Faculty Advisers
Chair: Kyle Crabtree
Analytical: Elizabeth Neumann
Biological Chemistry and Chemical Biology: Marie Heffern and Sheila David
Inorganic: Alan Balch
Organic: Dean Tantillo and Cody Ross Pitts
Physical Chemistry and Chemical Physics: Davide Donadio
Student Support and Resources
Below is a list of some resources for graduate students and the protocol for assisting distressed or distressing students.