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 detailing the coursework they will take during their tenure here. Early on, students start to take thesis credits in order to complete research and prepare for their eventual thesis defense. The organic and analytical chemistry divisions both take cumulative exams, and all Ph.D. students are required to take an oral preliminary exam — usually around the second or early third year in the program. Ph.D. candidates usually complete their thesis and defend 2-3 years later.