university of michigan phd chemistry admission requirements

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Admission to the Michigan Ross PhD program is competitive and highly selective. When evaluating applications, we consider a wide range of qualifications, including the capacity for independent thinking (demonstrated through work or research), creativity, and excellent academic skills. Fit with faculty research interests and contribution to the diversity of the student community is also considered. 

Application Deadline for Fall 2025:  Dec. 1, 2024 (11:59 p.m. PST)

Applying to the PhD Program

Go to Rackham Graduate School's website and determine your status. Create your account on ApplyWeb to get started on your application, or log in to ApplyWeb to manage an application in-progress or add recommendations. It’s easy to get started.

Your application must include the items listed below in order to be complete. Most of these items can be submitted directly through the online system.

**Please read these instructions carefully before beginning the application**  

PhD applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university and demonstrate working knowledge of college-level algebra, calculus, and intermediate microeconomics. The Accounting area requires a relevant master's degree. For all other areas, an MBA or master’s degree in an allied field may be helpful, but it is not required and will not shorten the time in the program. We especially invite applications from qualified students with nontraditional backgrounds, international students, women, and members of underrepresented racial and ethnic groups. 

Michigan Ross and the Horace H. Rackham School of Graduate Studies at the University of Michigan jointly administer the applications for the PhD programs through an online submission process. As part of the application, individuals must designate a single area of study from the seven areas offered.

All applications are submitted online. All of the credentials listed below are uploaded as a part of the online application. Instructions for submitting the application and paying the application fee appear at the end of this list.

Please be aware that you will need to select "Business Administration Ph.D." as your intended graduate program when starting your application. The system will then prompt you to select your subplan (e.g. Accounting, Finance, etc.). The exception to this is if you are applying to the new Business & Economics area.. This is listed on its own under the Business Administration heading.

Please upload a current resume or CV as a part of your application. The application will prompt you for this.

The statement of purpose should be a concise, well-written essay about your academic and professional experiences, your career goals, and how completing the Ross School's PhD program will help you progress toward the realization of these goals. The statement of purpose should be between three and five pages.

The personal statement differs from the statement of purpose in that we ask you to write about how your background and life experiences — including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges — have motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan. It should be limited to 500 words.

Please do not repeat your academic statement of purpose.

You must register your recommenders through the online application form. Registering your recommenders generates an automated email with instructions on the process. It also grants access to the recommender's portion of the database where they can either compose a new letter or upload an existing letter that will become a part of your application.

Letters of recommendation play an important role in the admissions process. Applicants are encouraged to submit letters from people, preferably faculty members, who know their strengths and weaknesses as a scholar, and who can speak to their readiness for a doctoral program at a major research institution in the United States. Letters that include information about previous research and/or teaching experience are particularly helpful. Please note that we only accept letters submitted directly by the recommenders. Photocopies or emailed copies of letters sent by the applicants will not be accepted.

Recent updates have been implemented and official transcripts are no longer required at the time of application.

A scanned/electronic copy of the official transcript will be used for initial review by our admissions committee.  You will be required to have your official transcript sent to the Rackham Graduate School only if you are recommended for admission.

All applicants should report their Grade Point Average (GPA) on page 5 of the online application. The GPA should be reported using a standard U.S. four point scale.  Applicants who attended an institution outside the United States should follow the instructions to convert their international average grade point to a U.S. four point GPA (see "How to Convert Grades to a U.S. GPA" here). Upload a scanned copy of your official transcript(s) on the transcript upload page(s) of the application. 

More information and directions for transcript submission available at Rackham Graduate School

Official GMAT or GRE General Examination scores are no longer required and should not be submitted for inclusion.

Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency, unless they meet one of the criteria for an exemption listed below. You qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:

• You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only
• If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes, that degree does not meet the exemption. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution
• You are a current U-M student

In order for scores to reach us prior to the application deadline, we encourage applicants to plan accordingly and schedule their exams as soon as possible. We will accept official TOEFL or IELTS score reports for tests that are not more than two years old as of the application deadline. Please use the following code when submitting your scores to the University of Michigan:

The TOEFL/ETS institution code is 1839 (a department code is not necessary)

We use the following minimum scores as benchmarks of preparedness for admission to the PhD program. We do not automatically disqualify applicants for low component or total scores. However, low scores could have a negative impact on the admission decision.

• TOEFL iBT (Preferred) — Total 106 including minimum component scores as follows: Reading – 26, Listening – 26, Speaking – 27, and Writing – 27
• IELTS — Total score 7 with all component scores (Listening, Reading, Writing, and Speaking) at least 7

Once you have completed and validated the application, you will need to finalize your application by submitting the application and paying the application fee. Additional instructions are available within the online application.

The fee can be paid by credit card only. A limited number of fee waivers are available from Rackham .

The application fee for U.S. citizens and permanent residents is $75 USD.The application fee for international applicants is $90 USD.

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The PhD program in the U-M Medical School Department of Biological Chemistry provides a broad scientific training along with research specialization that together equip students for outstanding careers.  Current areas of research include structural biology, protein biochemistry, enzyme reaction mechanisms, molecular genetics, signal transduction, neurobiology, and cell and developmental biology, along with cooperative research between laboratories or departments.

The common theme in our research is an interest in understanding biological phenomena at the molecular and mechanistic level. Our PhD graduates include two Nobel Prize winners and numerous others holding academic positions or responsible positions in research institutes or research-oriented companies.

Biological Chemistry applications are through the Program in Biomedical Sciences (PIBS), which offers students access to most of the bioscience PhD programs at the University of Michigan during their first year. Students need only apply to PIBS and designate Biological Chemistry as their PhD program of interest. This allows incoming students to either focus primarily on Biological Chemistry immediately upon entering graduate school, or to explore their research interests more broadly during their first year before committing to a specific PhD program.

A complete description of the PIBS gateway program and application process can be found at the PIBS site .

Learn more about the online application

Graduate work in the Department of Biological Chemistry combines the rigor of advanced study with the flexibility for students to design their own optimal curriculum. Coursework consists of required classes and advanced electives in biochemistry, courses in critical analysis and scientific writing, graduate seminars, and elective courses for breadth. Graduate students present a research seminar to the department in their fourth year and informally present their research in poster sessions and at the annual retreat. Students are welcome and encouraged to actively engage in departmental service activities, including the Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, the Graduate Program Committee, and the PhD Student Recruitment Committee.

• BIOLCHEM 660 Molecules of Life: Protein, Structure, Function and Dynamics
• BIOLCHEM 711 Graduate Seminar
• BIOLCHEM 712 Biological Chemistry Seminar Series
• PHRMACOL 502 Introduction to Scientific Communication
• PIBS 503 Research Responsibility and Ethics
• PIBS 504 Rigor and Reproducibility
• Biological Chemistry Advanced Electives (two courses), including Eukaryotic Transcription and Epigenetics, Regulatory RNA and Control of Gene Expression, Enzyme Kinetics, Biochemistry of Membranes and Organelles, Protein Crystallography, and others
• Electives for breadth, including Introduction to Bioinformatics and Computational Biology, Cell Biology, Molecular Genetics, Techniques in Biophysical Chemistry, Cellular Biotechnology, and others

Department course descriptions and offerings can be found in the LSA Course Guide (search Credit Type: Graduate, and Subject: MED Biological Chemistry) and the LSA Graduate Course Catalog (search Department: MED Biological Chemistry).

At the end of their first year, students in Biological Chemistry write and orally defend an original research proposal. The written and oral components of the exam assess the student’s understanding of the required course content for the department and the student’s ability to reason analytically and to independently develop ideas and experimental approaches. Through this mechanism, students gain valuable experience in the preparation of a competitive research proposal and in the development of independence in scientific reasoning.

Incoming PIBS PhD students become familiar with graduate research opportunities by engaging in research rotations during both Fall and Winter terms. They may also inquire about their eligibility for a full-time summer research rotation. Students select a mentor and PhD program after completing the PIBS year.

To join the Biological Chemistry PhD program, students choose a mentor who is a faculty member or affiliate faculty member in Biological Chemistry. Full-time laboratory research begins by the summer following the PIBS year. A student's mentor provides guidance in selecting a dissertation research topic, in selecting a dissertation committee, and in other aspects of the student's graduate career and professional development. In addition, the graduate program director and graduate program advisors provide mentorship during the graduate school experience.

PhD students in Biological Chemistry gain valuable teaching experience by serving as teaching assistants for one semester. Students interested in developing teaching skills can also participate in workshops offered by the U-M Center for Research on Learning and Teaching (CRLT), such as “Preparing Future Faculty” and teaching certificate programs.

Our student handbook is an in-depth guide detailing the PhD program academic requirements, departmental events, graduate student commitments and more.

Our PhD students range from recent arrivals who are in the process of choosing their research mentors to advanced students who are completing their doctoral dissertations.

• Annual Department Research Retreat - The student-organized Biological Chemistry research retreat, held at the beginning of Fall term at the Maumee Bay Lodge & Conference Center in Ohio in recent years , provides students, postdoctoral fellows, research staff, and faculty an opportunity to present and discuss research in a relaxed and informal setting. All first year PIBS and MSTP students are invited to attend.
• Department Seminar Program - Biological Chemistry sponsors a weekly seminar program that features speakers of international reputation. Students can participate in the selection, invitation, and hosting of speakers for this seminar series.
• Student Research Seminars - Students in the department meet for lunch, conversation, and an informal research talk. This gathering provides an opportunity for students to keep in touch with their colleagues and to share scientific expertise and advice.
• Happy Hours - Students and other members of the department are regularly invited to gather at local establishments in Ann Arbor to enjoy conversation and appetizers.

By contributing their time, energy, and unique perspectives, our students provide valuable service to fellow students, the department, and the university community.

• Sydney Alibeckoff
• Carmen Castillo
• Alexi Chabez
• Vishakha Choudhary
• Giselle Flores
• Stephen Gonzalez
•  Arkajit Guha
•  Andres Herrera Tequia
• Kira Holton
• Kailyn Jessel
• Chase Lindeboom
• Claudia Mak
• Alex Missman
• Basila Moochickal Assainar
• Mason Myers
• Yulduz Rakibova
• Natalia Harris
• Andres Herrera Tequia
• Cara Loomis (Main Campus)
• Minli Ruan (Chemistry)
• Sydney Alibeckoff (MSRB III)
• Sharon Garrott
• Rosa Romero
• Anibal Tornes Blanco
• Natalia Ubilla

DEI Committee Mission Statement

Our purpose is to foster a collaborative community that affirms our experiences.

Our mission is to provide consultation on initiatives important to inclusion efforts, promoting cultural sensitivity and integrating values of DEI into the Department.

We seek to:

• Evaluate the departmental climate to identify and address existing issues
• Create supportive spaces for engaging in uncomfortable conversations
• Foster diverse interests and career goals of all trainees, faculty, and staff
• Catalyze sense of belonging through social celebrations of our diverse community
• Provide resources and organize pilot programs that accomplish these objectives

We do this because:

• Individuals experience unique challenges navigating higher education
• We want to ensure retention of members of our community at every level
• Collaboration across different backgrounds produces innovations in fundamental medical research and fundamental change in society

We invite anyone in the Biological Chemistry community to communicate with us relevant to our mission: to discuss, suggest, and participate with us.

• Arkajit Guha

Biological Chemistry students successfully compete for positions on NIH training grants and for numerous departmental, institutional, regional, and national awards.

Examples of honors received by our PhD students:

• Department Awards
• U-M Medical School Awards: Graduate Student Awards for Excellence
• U-M Rackham Graduate School Awards: Barbour Scholarships, Rackham Predoctoral Fellowships, Distinguished Dissertation Awards
• National awards: the Harold M. Weintraub Graduate Student Award, the P.E.O. Scholar Award, predoctoral fellowships from the American Heart Association, the Ford Foundation, the National Science Foundation, and the National Institutes of Health

Students in the PhD program in Biological Chemistry typically receive their degree within 5 to 6 years (the average is less than 6 years, which is also the average for PhD programs in biological sciences at the University). Many of our graduates have gone on to hold major academic, government, and industrial research positions. Our students have also proceeded to careers in scientific public policy, public health, medicine, dentistry, patent law, and clinical or scientific editing. Two graduates of the department, Stanley Cohen, who discovered epidermal growth factor, and Marshall Nirenberg, who cracked the genetic code, were Nobel Prize laureates.

Our graduates stay connected to each other and to the department through friendships and scientific collaborations, a sense of shared community and history, and a common passion for discovery at the frontiers of biological chemistry.

Our interdisciplinary research into the molecular mechanisms of life offers a wide variety of investigative opportunities to students and fellows.

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Admissions Information

Apply to PhD CEE Program

Apply to MSE CEE Program

Apply to MEng CEE Program

Learn about our degree programs

Master’s Advising Contacts

MSE, MEng, and PhD applications from students who are external to U-M are considered in our Fall admission cycle. Winter admissions are only available for existing U-M students. In rare cases, Winter admission to our PhD program to external students is possible if the recruiting faculty member files a petition to the department Graduate Committee; upon approval of the petition, the student can apply and the application will be reviewed. If you are interested in admission to our PhD program in a Winter term, please reach out to potential advisors before applying. Applications from external students for Winter admissions will otherwise not be reviewed and the application fee is non-refundable.

• PhD deadline is December 15.
• MSE deadline is January 15.
• MEng deadline is January 15.
• Winter Master’s deadline (for U-M students ONLY) is October 1.
• Master’s applications received by January 3 are guaranteed consideration for internal fellowships.

The application is due by 11:59 p.m. EST on the deadline.

Admissions Requirements

• The Civil and Environmental Engineering department expects an applicant to have earned a Bachelor’s degree in the field or an equivalent by the time they register in a CEE program. Applicants should possess a very strong background in math, physics, chemistry, or engineering. Admission is extremely competitive.
• We follow the College of Engineering Admissions Criteria.
• Applicants without a Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering may be eligible to apply if they have equivalent academic experience. To determine if you have equivalent experience, read through the Bachelor’s Civil or Environmental Engineering program requirements and review the required courses.
• A Master’s degree is not required for admittance to the PhD program. Most students who go directly into the PhD program get a MSE in Civil or Environmental Engineering along the way. Some students also plan their coursework so that they earn an additional master’s degree in another engineering department.

Department Application Procedure

Online application.

• For the PhD, MSE, and MEng programs, we accept external applications for the fall term only . Applications for the SUGS program are accepted for both the fall and winter terms.
• After you have created an account, review the Rackham Graduate School Application Checklist .
• Online applications for Fall 2025 admissions will be available September 2024.
• If you or your recommender need technical assistance regarding the application such as creating an account, logging in, using the application or the recommendation systems, please email: [email protected] . Include the following information: user name, full name, email address and phone number. Please allow 24 hours for a response.
• After you submit your application through CollegeNet, you will receive a confirmation email immediately. A follow-up confirmation email with directions for setting up a U-M friend account will be sent about 5 days after submitting the CollegeNet application.
• Applicants can login to  Wolverine Access  to verify that the data they submitted to U-M is correct, see their residency status, view what documents have been received by the Rackham Admissions office and accept or decline the offer of admission. You will need your uniqname and password to login. Once logged in, select the Students tab, then New & Prospective Business.
• If you are currently a non-CEE Rackham Master’s student who would like to add one of our Master’s programs, you should apply through the Rackham Add a Degree application . All regular admissions deadlines and requirements apply.
• For MEng, you apply through the College of Engineering website .

Application Fee

• The application fee for United States citizens and those with permanent resident visa status is $75. The fee for non-U.S. citizens is $90. This fee is non-refundable and subject to change.
• For information about fee waivers and need-based grants for PhD and MSE applicants, see the Rackham website . Our department does not give fee waivers or grants.

GRE Information

• PhD applications for Fall 2024 admissions will not require a GRE as part of the admissions requirement. GRE scores are optional and may be submitted as part of your overall PhD application.
• GRE scores are highly encouraged (but not required) for applications to join any MSE program in Civil and Environmental Engineering in the 2024/2025 academic year.
• GRE scores are recommended but not required for MEng applications.
• GRE reporting code is 1839; department code not required.
• GRE scores of up to 5 years old as of the application deadline may be used.

TOEFL/IELTS Information

• TOEFL (IBT) minimum is 84. If you are required to take the TOEFL and your score is below 84, you cannot be admitted as a graduate student at the University of Michigan .
• TOEFL reporting code is 1839; department code not required.
• IELTS minimum is 6.5. If your score is below 6.5, you cannot be admitted as a graduate student at the University of Michigan.
• English Language proficiency scores of up to 2 years old as of the application deadline may be used.
• Visit the Rackham website for information on the English proficiency requirement for non-native English speakers.

GPA Information

• Average undergraduate GPA of our Fall 2021 PhD class is 3.74/4.0 and for the Master’s cohort is 3.56/4.0.
• If your institution does not use a 4.0 scale, the Rackham Graduate School (or College of Engineering for MEng applicants) will convert your GPA when they receive your transcripts. More information on required academic credentials from non-U.S. institutions is available from the Rackham Graduate School.

Letters of Recommendation

• Our department requires three letters of recommendation. They should be from professors, employers or others who know you well. These should be submitted with your online application.
• Letters of recommendation should be submitted through the CollegeNet/ApplyWeb portal and are due by the application deadline. If your recommender has an issue submitting their letter of recommendation through the web portal, we will accept hard copies mailed to the address at the bottom of the page.

Transcripts

We do not require a set of official transcripts be sent to the department. However, applicants should upload their unofficial transcripts with their application by the deadline. The unofficial transcript will be used to make Departmental application decisions.

MSE and PHD Applicants

• Applicants that are attending or graduated from a U.S. institution should upload a copy of their official transcript for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional or Doctoral degree earned or in progress through their ApplyWeb application account. Do not upload academic records printed from your school’s website or student portal.
• For non-degree transcripts, only upload a transcript if credit has not been transferred from the non-degree course to your transcript in which you earned your degree.
• If you are recommended for admission, the Rackham Graduate School will require official transcripts. Recommended applicants will receive an email notification when the official transcripts are required for submission. At that time, you can request an official transcript be sent to Rackham either through a transcript service or via mail to their office.
• Applicants who attended or graduated from non-U.S. institutions should upload copies of official transcripts and degree documents with their application through ApplyWeb. You will also need to submit official copies direct to Rackham at the application stage through the  directions found on Rackham’s website .
• Our department cannot confirm that transcripts mailed to the Rackham Graduate School have been received. It typically takes several weeks for Rackham to upload transcripts after they have been received.

Masters of Engineering (MENG) Applicants

Official transcripts should be sent to the College of Engineering Graduate Professional Program at the address listed in the Mailing Address section below.

Academic Statement of Purpose

• This is a chance for you to give the Admissions Committee details about your academic background and career aspirations. You will want to talk about your engineering experiences, your motivation for pursuing a higher degree, your long-term goals, as well as your specific interests.
• Academic Statement of Purpose should be a page or a little over a page long.

Personal Statement

• In this document, you should indicate how your personal background and life experiences, including social, cultural, familial, educational or other opportunities or challenges have motivated your decision to pursue a graduate degree at the University of Michigan.
• This is not an Academic Statement of Purpose, but a discussion of the personal journey that has led to your decision to seek a graduate degree.
• Personal Statement should be about 500 words (this is approximately one page single-spaced, or two pages double-spaced).

Resume / Curriculum Vitae

• We require that you submit a resume or curriculum vitae.
• You may update this document if you feel there is something significant that you would like to add after you have submitted your application. You would do so by sending the updated document to our department at [email protected] . 

Additional Information

• Note for students applying to more than one degree program : You must submit the application, fee and ALL required credentials including the TOEFL scores (and GRE if submitting), transcripts, and letters of recommendation for each program separately.
• Policy on transfer credit: Graduate credits may be transferred to Master’s degree programs only. Generally, up to 6 credits may be transferred, providing they meet program requirements. Please refer to the Rackham Graduate School Transfer of Credit Policy for regulations for transfer of credit into the Master’s degree program.

Admissions Decisions

• Final decisions on admission are typically made by April 15.
• An application fee is required for each new application submission.

Admission Deferrals

• If your circumstances meet these criteria, please prepare a request to defer admission along with an explanation for the request and send it to the CEE department at [email protected] .
• You may request admission deferral after your admission has been finalized by the Rackham Graduate School.

Financial Aid

• All incoming PhD students are offered full financial support which includes a stipend, full tuition, health benefits and dental benefits while they are active in the program. Support may be offered in the form of a Departmental Fellowship, Graduate Student Research Assistantship (GSRA), Graduate Student Instructorship (GSI) or through External Fellowships for which the student may apply.
• Limited funding is available for Master’s students. Master’s students may have the opportunity to apply for GSI, GSRA or grading (temp) positions after their first term at U-M. There are also a limited number of departmental scholarships depending on area that students admitted to our program can apply for. You will be notified if any of these apply to you. Please see our financial aid page to obtain more information about potential sources of aid in the College of Engineering.

If you need to determine your residency status, please see the Residency Clarification Guidelines .

Mailing information

All application information can be submitted online; however, if you need to mail materials to Rackham, the Department, or the College of Engineering (for MEng applicants), addresses are as follows:

Graduate Admissions (Letters of Recommendation)

c/o Graduate Services

Civil & Environmental Engineering

2105 G.G. Brown Building

2350 Hayward Street

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2125

Additional Contacts

Admissions (When Official Transcripts Are Required)

University of Michigan Rackham School of Graduate Studies

0120 Rackham Building

915 E. Washington

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1070

Rackham Application Page

Graduate Professional Programs (Supporting Materials for MEng)

College of Engineering

2214 SI – North

1075 Beal Avenue

Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2112

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For the 2024-25 application cycle, we are modifying our admissions process and requirements. Please visit the Application Changes page to see an update.

Winter Term Application Deadline

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FAFSA is Available in December

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Students who submit an application before they have received a high school diploma will apply as a first-year student, and should submit the following items prior to the deadline:

• Completed  Common Application with $75 application fee* payment
• High school transcript ( additional requirements by country )
• School Report (Common App)**
• One Teacher Evaluation (core academic teacher or other non-relative who can speak directly to the student's academic aptitude, potential, and classroom performance )
• SAT or ACT score, if available and you wish them to be considered***
• TOEFL, IELTS, MET, etc. scores (for non-native speakers of English)
• Official college transcripts (for high school students dual enrolled in a college or university; additional requirements by country )

We highly recommend that all required documents be submitted electronically. You can do so via your application vendor or an online document service such as Parchment, Scrip-Safe, SCOIR, National Student Clearinghouse, and so on. 

Students who apply Early Action will receive a decision earlier in the process, as they are guaranteed a response by late January. Regular Decision candidates may not receive a final admissions decision until early April. 

You do not need to apply Early Action, but this fast-paced approach may fit your needs by providing you with a decision sooner. It's a great option if you know that Michigan is one of your top choice schools. 

The Chief Advantage of Early Action

Early Action provides you with a guaranteed decision date. For many students, this enables better planning.

Applying for Early Action typically involves the same steps and materials as regular admissions. 

Deadlines and Decisions

Complete application and materials —  postmarked by Nov. 1 Early Action decision release —  by late January Final equal consideration deadline —  Feb. 1

Note: Students who apply via Early Action but don’t meet the requirements or deadlines will be rolled into the regular decision applicant pool. All materials must then be postmarked by Feb. 1 and decisions will be released by early April.

NOTE: All of these materials must be received by the Nov. 1 deadline for your application to be considered for Early Action, Feb. 1 for Regular Decision.

Electronically submitted materials must be received on the application deadline date, and hard copy materials must be postmarked on or before the deadline date.

Do not submit additional documents unless specifically requested, as this may delay your decision.

If you enrolled in college study after secondary school graduation, you must apply as a transfer student.  *You can apply for a fee waiver in the application if you meet certain criteria. Visit  Enrollment Connect to view your application fee waiver status if you have already submitted your application. International students are not typically eligible for fee waivers. In addition to the Michigan Indian Tuition Waiver granted by the state, the University of Michigan will waive all Common Application filing fees for students who qualify as tribal-enrolled American Indian or Alaska Native applicants (Tribal Enrollment Number required). Applicants should check "Other Fee Waiver Request" and "American Indian or Alaska Native Tribal Enrollee" in the U-M specific portion of the application. **The School Report or Counselor Recommendation must be submitted with an official high school transcript and received in our office by the deadline. For this reason, we strongly encourage counselors to submit the report and transcript electronically. ***We will allow self reported test scores; the scores do not need to come from the testing agency. If you have not yet had your scores reported, you can have them sent to us using these links:

• ACT (U-M Code is 2062)
• SAT (U-M code is 1839)

Sending Test Scores

For Early Action consideration, Nov. 15 is the deadline to submit SAT or ACT test scores, if you indicated on the application that you wanted them considered as a part of your application. Test scores, including AP or IB exams, can be self-reported on your University of Michigan application portal once you have submitted your application. For Regular Decision consideration, the deadline to submit test scores is Feb. 1.

All admitted and enrolled students who chose to self-report SAT or ACT test scores are required to submit official scores in order to validate their self-report submission. Please arrange to have your SAT or ACT scores submitted directly from the testing agency to the University of Michigan Office of Undergraduate Admissions. (U-M SAT code is 1839; ACT code is 2062.) A significant discrepancy between your self-reported test scores and your official scores could result in revocation of your admission.

Notification

All admissions decisions will be posted on  Enrollment Connect . When your decision is ready to view, you will be sent a notification via email from [email protected] with the subject line "Your University of Michigan Application Status Has Been Updated."  The decision notification email will NOT be sent if you have already viewed your decision.  Please add this email address to your safe list so that your notification does not go to your junk or spam folder. However, given variations in online security, we recommend that you check both your inbox and junk mail folders just to be sure. Notifications will be released to the email address you provided on your application. If you need to update your contact information, you can do so using the “Verify Application Answers" button on the Application menu of  Enrollment Connect .

Applicants who have been admitted will also receive paper correspondence. We will send your admissions decision to the address you provided in your application; if you have provided a mailing address, we will send the decision there. If you have only included a permanent address, that is where your decision will be sent.

We are unable to give decisions over the phone; it is your responsibility to monitor  Enrollment Connect  for your decision.

Schools and Colleges With Additional Application Requirements

Some schools and colleges at the University of Michigan have additional application requirements. Interested students should visit their websites to review these important instructions:

• Ross School of Business (admissions portfolio submitted with application to U-M)
• Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning (Architecture majors only)
• Penny W. Stamps School of Art & Design
• School of Music, Theatre & Dance

Due to capacity constraints, students who apply for admission into the College of LSA or the College of Engineering and are considering computer science as a major must now request selection into the major on the Common Application. For additional information, visit the Computer Science and Engineering Admissions webpage . 

Michigan’s ROTC programs offer you the opportunity to grow into a leader. Each is designed to ground you in the professional background and military skills training needed to pursue a career as an officer in your chosen branch of the service. At the same time, students will be completing bachelor’s degree programs (and, in some cases, graduate degree programs) while defraying the cost of a college education through highly competitive, merit-based scholarships.

You’ll have an intensive college life and experience in ROTC through events, opportunities for service with such agencies as the Red Cross, base visits, club and intramural sports, military balls, and much more. You’ll belong to a tight-knit group, forge lifelong friendships, and gain the kind of discipline that will apply to a wide range of careers and professions. Above all, you’ll live the country’s highest values of honor, loyalty, and integrity.

From its central location on the North Campus, the Michigan Naval ROTC will train and educate you as an officer in either the U.S. Navy or U.S. Marine Corps. Army ROTC will prepare you to be an officer in the Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard upon graduation. The Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) will prepare you to become an Air Force officer commissioned as a second lieutenant.

All programs offer deferment to attend advanced civilian graduate and professional schools.

In addition to your home schooled transcript and your ACT or SAT score, we strongly encourage home-schooled and online students to submit AP exam scores or grades from an accredited secondary or post-secondary institution in the academic subjects required for admission. 

• College of Literature, Science, and the Arts (LSA): For admission into the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts, we strongly encourage submission of AP exam scores or graded college work in natural science, social science, and world language subjects.
• College of Engineering: For admission into the College of Engineering, we strongly encourage submission of AP exam scores or graded college work in calculus, chemistry, and physics.
• School of Nursing or the School of Kinesiology: For admission into the School of Nursing or the School of Kinesiology, we strongly encourage submission of any combination of three of the following: AP exam scores or graded college work in a natural science, social science, world language, or math subject.
• School of Music,Theatre, & Dance or Stamps School of Art & Design or Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning: In order to be admitted into any of the talent-based units, we strongly encourage submission of any combination of two of the following: AP exam scores or graded college work in a world language, social science, natural science, or math subject area.
• Ross School of Business: For admission into the Ross School of Business, we strongly encourage submission of AP exam scores or graded college work in math, natural science, and social science.

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Ph.D. Degree Requirements

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GENERAL REQUIREMENTS-All MSE PhD Students

The following requirements are departmental; they are meant to provide details beyond those given by the Rackham Graduate School’s Academic Policies and Procedures.  Where the following requirements conflict Rackham’s Policies and Procedures, the Rackham requirements will take precedence. 

All students must take two courses (cognates) outside the MSE dept.  These cognate courses (each of two credit hours minimum) must be in a technical area, and are usually satisfied at the graduate level (400 level courses can also satisfy cognate requirements).

All graduate students receiving financial support from the MSE dept., from the University, or from a National Fellowship must enroll in MSE 690, 990, or 995 during the term(s) they are supported.  The faculty research advisor will work closely with the student to establish a research program and officially evaluate the student’s research progress through the grading of MSE 690, 990, or 995.  Students must register for at least a  total  (coursework and research credits) of 8 credit hours at the Master’s and Candidate level, and at least 6 credit hours at the Pre-Candidate level, each term to maintain full time status.

DEPARTMENT SEMINAR SERIES

All Ph.D. students and all M.S. students who are enrolled in research and are supported by a fellowship or grant must register for 1 credit of MSE 890 (MSE Colloquium) for 4 semesters and attend at least 70% of the colloquium each semester to receive a satisfactory passing grade. All Ph.D. Candidates and Research Master’s students who are enrolled in research and  no t supported by a grant or fellowship are still required to attend the Colloquium series, but need not enroll in MSE 890.  Coursework Master’s students who are not enrolled in research are not required to enroll in MSE 890, but may take up to 2 credits of MSE 890.

COURSE SELECTION

All course selections must be approved by the faculty research advisor or the graduate advisor.  

Ph.D. CANDIDACY REQUIREMENTS

• Students must show a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent awarded by an accredited institution.
• Students must complete at least 18 credit hours (not including 990 research, including the grade of S - Satisfactory) of graded graduate coursework on the Ann Arbor campus.
• Students must take at least 2 cognate courses, at least 2 credits each in a technical area and obtain a B- or better in each course.
• Pre-candidates must enroll in 3 credits of MSE 990 research credits each fall and winter semester until Candidacy.  Candidates must enroll in 8 credits of MSE 995 research credits each fall and winter semester until graduation.
• Successful completion of College of Engineering Responsible Conduct of Research & Scholarship/RCRS training.
• A cumulative minimum GPA of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) is required for all graduate work taken for credit.  
• Successfully pass the Prelim Exam for Candidacy.
• Successfully pass the Qualification Exam Core courses.
• The department expects that students will achieve candidacy within 2 years, although some students may be able to do it sooner. According to Rackham’s policies, a student who does not achieve candidacy within three calendar years after the first enrollment in the Rackham doctoral program will be placed on academic probation. 
• A candidate may elect either one course per term, or more than one course for a total of no more than four credits, without paying additional tuition. Courses may be taken for credit or as a visit (audit). A candidate who does not elect a course during a term of 995 enrollment may, in the next term, either register for courses for no more than 8 credits or register for no more than two courses that total more than 8 credits without paying additional tuition. An additional course may not be taken in anticipation of taking none in a future term of 995 enrollment. A candidate who takes courses beyond this limit will be assessed tuition.

Ph.D. DEGREE REQUIREMENTS

1) core courses and qualification.

The PhD qualification process in MSE requires the incoming graduate students to take and pass the following core courses,  each  with at least B+ grade, in their first year:

• Thermodynamics (MSE 532), offered in the Fall term 
• Kinetics (MSE 535), offered in the Winter term
•  Fundamentals of MS&E (MSE 550), offered in the Fall term* 

* The core course MSE550 is targeted at students entering the MSE graduate program with a non-MSE undergraduate major such as Physics, Chemistry, etc.  The students with non-MSE undergraduate degrees may petition the graduate committee to opt out of 550. The petition should provide evidence, through copy of undergraduate transcript, that the student has taken the  equivalent  of the following required courses in MSE undergraduate curriculum at University of Michigan, and passed  each  with B+ or higher grade: 

MSE 220 or 250 (Intro MS&E); MSE 242 (Solid State / Materials Physics); 

MSE 350 (Structures of Materials); MSE 420 (Mechanical Behavior of Materials).

The written qualifying exam option as a substitute for taking the core courses will no longer be offered, i.e., all incoming students will be required to take and pass the 2 or 3 (as applicable) core courses. However, a student who takes a core course but fails to get a grade of B+ or higher, may petition the graduate committee to take a ‘make up’ written test in that core course as a second attempt towards qualification. Although the student’s grade on the transcript will not change, the score in the ‘make up’ written test will be used by the graduate committee to determine if the student has met the qualification requirement in that core topic. 

A score below B+ in the core course  and  failure in the following ‘make up’ written test will result in disqualification from the PhD program.

Students who do not complete all of the above PhD qualification core courses in year 1 may be asked to discontinue from the PhD program.

2) COURSEWORK (Graded)

• 12 credit hours from MSE courses (generally, 4 courses, including core courses)
• 9 additional credit hours from MSE or other courses (generally, 3 courses) at least 6 credit hours must be from a technical area.  Students may count no more than 1 non-engineering, professionally related (e.g. business, entrepreneurship, public policy, patent law, TechCom, engineering education) course toward their coursework degree requirement, which must be approved by the student’s advisor (Ph.D.) or Master’s Chair (M.S.) This course cannot be used as a cognate.

*Incoming students holding an M.S.E. degree (or equivalent) from another institution must complete 18 credit hours of formal coursework (12 MSE credit hours and 2 cognate courses from a technical area) to fulfill the residency and cognate requirements set forth by the Rackham Graduate School.

3) MSE COLLOQUIUM

Students must enroll in MSE 890 (1 credit) for four semesters and attend 70% of the seminars each semester. 

4) PRELIM (THESIS PROPOSAL) EXAM 

Students seeking Ph.D. candidacy must successfully pass the Prelim Exam within two years of their initial enrollment in the MSE department. The Prelim Exam will consist of an oral defense of the thesis proposal based on student’s research performed as a pre-candidate or, if approved by the faculty research advisor, prior work towards the Master's degree.

A thesis proposal document should be submitted to your committee members 10 working days in advance of the prelim examination; and should provide the motivation for the proposed research based on a critical review of the background and relevant literature, a statement of the objective, a description of the proposed research approach, including new proof-of-concept research results, a thorough analysis of the results, a plan for future research, and a list of references.  The document should be less than 20 pages (single-spaced, 12-point font, 1” margins), including figures, but not including references.  Successful completion of the prelim exam is a requirement for advancing to candidacy.

 The examination is conducted by a committee (selected according to Rackham dissertation committee selection requirements), which is expected to become the doctoral thesis committee if the student becomes a Ph.D. candidate. The committee will report to the Graduate Committee whether the student has passed; and, if not, whether a rescheduled exam is recommended.

5) TEACHING REQUIREMENT

Each student is required to complete one teaching assignment prior to the completion of the Ph.D. degree.  Normally this requirement is met after achieving candidacy.

6) DATA MEETING

At least one data meeting is required, no later than 4 years after initial enrollment.  Final defense is expected within 1 year after the data meeting.

7) ANNUAL PHD STUDENT EVALUATION FORM 

Each Ph.D. student is required to complete an annual student evaluation form with their advisor by May 31 st  every year.  Failure to do so may result in cancellation of GSRA/fellowship support.

8) THESIS AND THESIS DEFENSE

A thesis and its public defense are required for the Ph.D. degree as set forth by the Rackham Graduate School.

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Application Deadlines & Requirements Admissions to the PhD program in the Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences at UM is granted to students who have a superior record of achievement in their previous studies and show a strong potential to succeed at an advanced level of study. Successful applicants typically hold a BS degree in pharmacy, chemistry, chemical engineering, biomedical engineering, cellular and molecular biology, biological chemistry, or another comparable field of study. Those admitted to the PhD program normally have a strong GPA and excellent letters of recommendation. For non-domestic students, we strongly prefer applicants with MS degree although exceptional candidates with bachelor’s degree are considered for the PhD program.

Application Deadline

The deadline for applications for admission to  Fall Term 2025  PhD Program in Pharmaceutical Sciences is  December 2, 2024.   The  Fall Term 2025  application will be available   online on August 28, 2024.

Entrance Requirements ​Please note that all of application materials must be submitted through the online application. Please do not send any certificates, copies of passports, papers you have written/published, or copies/duplicates of application materials to the PharmSci department office. All of the documents described below must be submitted online.

• Rackham application
• A concise (2-3 pages) statement about your academic background, prior research experience, abstracts, manuscripts, presentations given in scientific conferences, research interests, and the name(s) of faculty with whom you are interested in working.
• A concise (500-word limit) essay that describes how your background and life experiences, including cultural, geographical, financial, educational, or other opportunities or challenges, motivated your decision to pursue a PhD in our program. Please do not simply restate your Academic Statement of Purpose.
• These should be written by recommenders best qualified to speak to your academic progress, research skills, and potential for graduate study. Recommenders should submit their letters using the online application site.
• All copies of undergraduate or any graduate program transcripts must be provided. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded electronically with your online application. In addition, official copies must be submitted directly as part of the  application process  to the Rackham Graduate School.
• The GRE is not required.
• The degree was earned from an institution where the language of instruction is exclusively English. This exception does not apply if some classes completed were taught in a language other than English. Verification from the school may be required.
• The degree was earned from a country where the official language is English (e.g., United States of America, Australia, England).
• Additional information is available on Rackham's  website .
• $90 for international applicants

§  Rackham will not process an application without the application fee, nor can the College review applications prior to the payment of this fee. Some fee waivers are available from the Rackham Graduate School.

Please click  here  for Frequently Asked Questions on the admissions requirements (FAQs).

Admissions Decision Timeline Late January to February : Interview process (campus visits will be arranged for candidates residing in the U.S., while online interviews will be arranged for candidates residing abroad). ​Mid-February to Mid-April : All applicants are notified via e-mail as soon as an admission decision is reached, with the final notifications sent by mid-April.

Financial Support ​ ​The Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences has a long history of funding most, if not all, of its PhD students for the duration of their studies, but such support is not guaranteed. Financial aid comes in the form of departmental fellowships, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, or some combination of these. In addition to Department financial aid, applicants are also considered for various Rackham fellowships, and are encouraged to apply for nationally competitive fellowships available from NSF, DoD, and other sources. All support is contingent upon satisfactory progress toward the Ph.D. degree, and the availability of funds.

Applicants to the  BSPS program  are invited to apply as First Year Students (Freshman Applicants) or as Transfer Students (both current University of Michigan student "cross-campus transfers" or as transfer students from another college or university). First Year Students must apply by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Regular Decision date of  February 1 ; Transfer Students must apply by  March 1  (there are different application forms depending on the type of transfer; transfer applicants must have completed at least one full semester of college courses at U-M or at an accredited 2-year or 4-year institution). The College of Pharmacy only accepts students for Fall term entry.

Students interested in the Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Sciences program must apply through the U-M Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Review the Bachelors Program Admissions page and visit the  Office of Undergraduate Admissions  for more information and how to apply. 

https://pharmacy.umich.edu/prospective-students/programs/dual-pharmd-and-phd-program

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PhD Applications

Table of contents.

• Graduate Application Mentoring Program (GAMP)
• Deadlines to submit applications
• PhD application step-by-step
• Previous degrees required
• Course prerequisites/deficiencies
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Letters of recommendation
• Additional information

Deadlines To Submit Applications

Application deadline for Fall 2025 PhD: December 10, 2024.

PhD applicants are only accepted for entry in the Fall semester.

PhD Application Step-by-Step

1. Fill out the application

Applying to U-M Ann Arbor (Rackham Graduate School Link)

2. Statement of purpose

Must include areas of interest in the top corner

3. Personal statement Some suggested topics for your personal statement are:

• Volunteer and/or community service;
• Extra-curricular activities;
• Leadership activities;
• Educational, cultural, geographic or socio-economic background underrepresented in your discipline of graduate study;
• Financial hardship;
• First generation U.S. citizen or first generation in family to graduate from a four-year college.

4. GRE scores

A GRE score is not required for applicants who apply for Fall 2025 PhD

5. Three letters of recommendation

If you apply online, we encourage you to submit your letters electronically. At least TWO of your letters should be from faculty.

6. Transcripts

Submit a transcript for each Bachelor’s, Master’s, Professional or Doctoral degree earned or in progress. For instructions on submitting transcripts, please see the  Rackham Graduate School website . Applicants will upload a copy of the official transcript and enter a “self-reported” GPA when applying online. Official paper transcripts/documents are only required if a student is admitted, and these must be submitted by the end of the first term of enrollment.

All credentials submitted for admission consideration become the property of the University of Michigan and will not be returned in original or copy form.

7. International applicants must also send

Include one set of: Official transcripts, certificates, and diplomas in the original language, in addition to an English translation.

TOEFL scores sent from ETS (institution code 1839)

8. Application fee

There is a $90.00 application fee for international applicants.  

Domestic and Permanent Resident applicants are eligible for an application fee waiver. This will automatically apply to your application.  

Undocumented or DACA Applicants are also eligible for application fee waivers here.

While very limited, in certain circumstances, International applicants may be eligible for an application fee waiver administered by the Rackham Graduate School. For information about eligibility criteria and instructions for various fee waiver programs, visit this page.

9. Decision notification

All applicants who are offered admission are notified via e-mail as soon as a decision is reached. PhD admission/financial aid offers will be sent via e-mail mostly during the months of February and March. Notification to applicants who do not receive admission are sent in early-April. The Graduate Admission Committee is working very hard to finish reviewing your application. Once an admission decision has been made by the committee, we will notify you by e-mail. Thank you for your patience.

Previous Degrees Required

Admission to the PhD program does not require a Master’s degree. Qualified students who hold a bachelor’s degree in engineering, science or mathematics may apply directly to the PhD program.

COURSE PREREQUISITES

Most of our classes require and assume that the students are knowledgeable in one or more of the following subjects: linear algebra, calculus-based probability, calculus-based statistics, and computer programming. If you are admitted to the Master’s or PhD programs, the department will provide a list of descriptions of University of Michigan courses frequently used to satisfy these prerequisites to help you ascertain your knowledge of the above topics, and, if needed, attain the necessary background. We will provide an opportunity to review the highlights of these subjects together with your fellow entering students before the fall semester begins. We will also recommend classes at the University of Michigan if you prefer to take them during your graduate studies.

Test Of English As A Foreign Language – (TOEFL)

• take the verbal and written English tests given by ELI (English Language Institute);
• report the results to the IOE graduate program advisor, and
• abide by any recommendation made by his or her counselor or the Graduate Program Advisor for remedial coursework.

Letters Of Recommendation

• Letters of recommendation should be submitted online, but hard copies may be submitted if that is not possible. Remember to add sufficient time for hard copies to reach us by the application deadlines.

Additional Information

Please send requests to:  [email protected]

Chemistry PhD / MSc (Res)

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Delivery format In person

Start date September

Duration PhD: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time; MSc by Research: 1 year full-time

Award Doctorate / MSc by Research

Entry requirements A 2:1 Honours degree (or the equivalent) in a relevant subject. Full requirements

Fees £4,921 (full-time), £2,461 (part-time) Fee details

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Course overview.

Tackle current and future scientific challenges with research in Chemistry at Birmingham. You'll enter a high quality research environment that will provide you with the best starting point for your future career.

You’ll receive an excellent research experience at Birmingham. While becoming an expert in your chosen research field, you'll develop a diverse range of skills to equip you for a research career in science. You'll also develop key transferable skills that will be invaluable for pursuing a career in any discipline.

The best thing about my course was the quality of teaching I received. I also personally really enjoyed getting involved in the sporting activities at the University. Thomas Carey PhD Chemistry