Since we awarded our first Ph.D. in 1935, the Department of Chemistry at Oregon State University has grown into a thriving community of students and faculty whose research stretches across analytical, organic, material, physical, computational, and nuclear boundaries.
Our graduate program is carefully laid out; Each graduate student will work with their advisor to create a study program that details the coursework they will take during their tenure here. Early on, students take thesis credits to complete research and prepare for their eventual thesis defense. All Ph.D. students must take an oral preliminary exam — usually around the program's second or early third year. Ph.D. candidates usually complete their thesis and defend 2-3 years later.