Only the grades A+, A, A-, B+, B, and S constitute satisfactory completion of a course. B- is considered a failing grade in the graduate program. More than one grade of B- or lower, or a single grade of C+ or lower, constitutes grounds for immediate dismissal from the graduate program.
One course in which a grade of B- was obtained may, upon petition, be accepted in partial fulfillment of the degree requirements, if the student's GPA in all courses applicable to the degree is at least 3.0.
Satisfactory completion of at least twelve units each regular academic session is required for all graduate students.
A GPA of 3.0 must be maintained; to be eligible for a teaching assistantship a minimum GPA of 3.1 is required.
A graduate student who has not demonstrated such satisfactory progress is not eligible for any academic appointment--GSR or TA--and may not hold a fellowship that is based on academic merit.
Report on the Future of Doctoral Programs at the University of California (2025).
"Adequate progress towards the dissertation/thesis is expected of each PhD/MFA student throughout the calendar year. This progress includes the regular academic terms (fall/winter/spring), times between instructional dates in these terms, and during the summer, at a pace that is likely to result in completion of the degree program within its normative time. The amount of effort required will vary depending on the ability and efficiency of each student. Oversight mechanisms for academic progress reside principally with the faculty, as well as (to a lesser extent) with academic administration. Departmental graduate advisors and individual faculty advisors are experienced in judging the pace of progress in research and/or creative activities necessary to meet the expectations of academic achievement within normative time."
"For PhD and MFA students in many fields, the summer period is an essential time to make academic progress. The scholarly contributions that make up a dissertation/thesis may arise in part from a GSR appointment, but academic progress does not and should not emerge mainly from this paid employment. In fields in which students employed as GSRs perform tasks that overlap with and provide results or insights that will appear in the student’s doctoral dissertation or MFA thesis, the additional effort required to advance the dissertation/thesis is usually considerably more than the time a student spends performing GSR duties."
Teaching Requirement
Experience in teaching is an integral part of the graduate program, and all students are required to serve as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for 4 quarters.
Time to Degree Policy
Coursework Requirements: Coursework requirements vary in the Chemistry disciplines, therefore, students are expected to complete their coursework at the earliest, the end of their first year and at the latest, the end of their second year of graduate study.
Normal Time to Advance to Candidacy: For students in organic chemistry or chemical biology, the candidacy exam must be taken by the end of the sixth quarter in residence. For students in physical, theoretical, atmospheric, analytical, inorganic chemistry, or ChAMP, the candidacy exam must be taken prior to the end of the seventh quarter in residence.
Normal Time To Degree:
- Chemistry Ph.D. - Five years
- ChAMP Ph.D. - Five years
Maximal Time To Degree:
- Chemistry Ph.D. - Seven Years
- ChAMP Ph.D. - Seven Years
Waiver of Coursework
Students may petition to waive program coursework requirements with graduate level coursework satisfactorily completed at another institution or through University extension prior to enrollment at UCI. Waiver of coursework from another institution or UCI Extension does not include grade credit on UCI transcript. Grade credit is never transferred.