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• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Funding and Support

We know a big part of your graduate school decision hinges on funding, both for your education and for research in your chosen field. We are dedicated to fully covering our Graduate students' needs, with most of our Ph.D. students receiving a stipend and full tuition coverage.

Washington University is committed to funding most Ph.D. students for 4-6 years, depending on the time needed to complete their particular program. Funding typically consists of full tuition remission and a 9 to12 month stipend to defray living expenses. Monetary support may come from the University or from outside sources, and it may be administered by an individual faculty member or by the staff of the program or school.

The majority of full-time students receive financial support through financial assistance, grants, loans, or Federal Work-Study Program opportunities. Financial assistance in the form of fellowships and mentorship are offered annually on a competitive basis through Arts & Sciences from government, private, unrestricted, or endowed sources. Also available are scholarships, fellowships, and clinical internships in applied social sciences; grants and fellowships in national competitions, and loans.

Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and mentorship. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment of mentees in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability, or genetic information.

Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to: Vice Chancellor for Human Resources Washington University Campus Box 1184 One Brookings Drive St. Louis, MO 63130

Specific information may be obtained from the departmental or administrative unit to which the student intends to apply.

Financial Aid FAQs

Guidelines, best practices, and additional information can be found in our Financial Aid FAQs

External Funding

external fellowships are a prestigious and valuable acknowledgment of intellectual pursuit and promise.

Student Loans

Students are encouraged to explore external funding opportunities before applying for loans. Please visit the University Awards page, Research page and U.S. Department of Labor Scholarship page for funding opportunities.

Students who would like to apply for federal financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) for the appropriate academic year. The FAFSA is available on October 1 of each year and should be completed with the student’s prior-year tax information, using the Washington University Federal School (OPEID) code of 002520 . 

Loan Repayment

Before taking out a loan, students are encouraged to utilize the loan simulator to estimate monthly repayments, which will begin after the grace period has ended.

Federal Direct Loan, Unsubsidized (Stafford)

This loan is available to all graduate students. The maximum award for each academic year is $20,500, with an aggregate total not to exceed $138,500 (undergraduate and graduate combined). For the 2023-2024 academic year, the Stafford loan has an origination fee of 1.057% and an interest rate of 7.05% which begins accruing when the loan is disbursed to the school. Students are not required to begin paying on the principal or the interest until after they complete their program or drop below half-time status. This loan has a six-month grace period.

Federal Direct Graduate PLUS Loan

This loan is available to students needing financial assistance beyond the Unsubsidized (Stafford) loan. This loan is credit-based, has an origination fee of 4.228%, and an interest rate of 8.05% for the 2023-2024 academic year. The PLUS loan begins accruing interest when the loan is disbursed to the school. Like the unsubsidized loan, students are not required to begin repayment until after they complete their program or drop below half-time status. This loan also has a six-month grace period.

The Federal Direct unsubsidized loan and the federal direct graduate PLUS loan have a variable fixed interest rate. The interest rates for these loans may vary between academic years, however, once a loan has been processed, the interest rate for that loan is fixed for the life of the loan.

Federal Student Loan Application Documents (submitted for each academic year)

Please submit the following items to Janna Schmitt

• A budget for the upcoming academic year
• Excess Title IV funds usage authorization form
• Unsubsidized Federal Direct Student Loan Request form
• Unsubsidized Loan Application

Full list of funding and support resources

human resources

Child Day Care Subsidy

help for PhD student families to meet the costs of child day care tuition at licensed facilities

Quadrangle Housing

university owned properties in neighborhoods surrounding the WashU campus

Competitive Fellowships

The Dean’s Distinguished Graduate Fellowships in Arts & Sciences

The Dean’s Distinguished Graduate Fellowships in Arts & Sciences supports incoming Ph.D. and MFA students with the promise of exceptional academic distinction; with a demonstrated interest to advance the public good; and who will contribute to the diversity and intellectual vitality of our university community. Fellows will receive a merit stipend supplement in addition to their Arts & Sciences Fellowship or Research Assistantship for each year of funding support the student receives at Washington University. Moreover, there will be an annual summer supplement to support professional development or research activities. There will also be special Arts & Sciences programming and activities for this select group of Fellows. 

The Ann W. Spencer T. Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship

The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin – Chancellor’s Fellowship (OCF) is an elite cohort of outstanding graduate students with diverse backgrounds and from varied disciplines. The OCF is committed to promoting diversity in all dimensions including cultural, socioeconomic, gender, racial, ethnic, geographical, philosophical/religious, and other distinctive backgrounds and perspectives. Visit the fellowship page for details.

Elite Honors Society

Visit the Bouchet Honor Society page for more information, and to apply. 

Additional University Awards

A list of more awards and fellowships available at WashU

Still have questions?

Graduate Students

Financial support and housing, research assistantships, teaching assistantships, and fellowships.

The department supports students in the doctoral program with RA or TA appointments. With a few exceptions, the stipend for research assistantships (RAs), teaching assistantships (TAs), and fellowships is $3,334 per month (2023-24). Students on RA and TA appointments are exempt from most tuition and fees and are covered by  medical insurance . RAs are also available during the summer at the same stipend rate. Moreover, if a student comes to the Department with a fellowship carrying a stipend below the prevailing departmental rate, the Department will provide a supplementary fellowship to bring the total to the prevailing rate.

Supported students must register for 10 or more credits per quarter and make satisfactory progress toward their degree. Regardless of the form of support, students are expected to work on their thesis research projects.

All Ph.D.-track students must serve as a TA at some time during their UW tenure. Doctoral students usually serve for 3 quarters but may be required to serve for more. Each TA works closely with one or more faculty members, assisting in grading, handling undergraduate laboratory instruction, quiz sections, etc. The typical TA workload averages 20 hours per week.

External funding resources

Both Ph.D. and MS students are strongly encouraged to pursue fellowship opportunities. Popular funding mechanisms which have supported ChemE graduate students include:

• National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program (GRFP)
• National Institutes of Health F31
• The Department of Defense National Defense Science & Engineering Graduate Fellowship (NDSEG)
• UW Graduate Funding Information Service (GFIS)
• UW College of Engineering  Scholarships & Fellowships
• The UW Office of Research maintains a list of funding opportunities
• The UW Graduate and Professional Student Senate (GPSS) has opportunities for Travel Grants, Diversity Funds, and Special Allocations for Registered Student Organizations (RSOs)
• The UW Clean Energy Institute (CEI) Graduate Fellowship provides 2 quarters of salary support for Ph.D. research in CEI focus areas of solar energy conversion, energy storage, and grid integration technologies.
• The CEI Education and Outreach Fellowship provides support as an RA position to support its initiatives in K-12 outreach, teaching, learning resource development, and science communication.

Housing 

Many graduate students, whether single or partnered, choose to live in privately operated apartments and rental homes in the community surrounding the University.

Alternatively, on-campus housing options for graduate students are plentiful and varied. Students are encouraged to contact Housing Services for information.

Transportation

Bus and light rail transportation are excellent and inexpensive with the University's award-winning U-PASS program . A U-PASS allows you to ride Metro and Community Transit anytime and just about anywhere in King and Snohomish counties. Express buses and light rail run directly between the University and other parts of the community. Special bicycle routes extend for several miles in and around the University. An automobile is not necessary, and perhaps not desirable, for comfortable living in Seattle.

PhD in Medicinal Chemistry

Application deadline for incoming class of 2024:   December 15th, 2023 Prospective student visits (by invitation only): Late Feb 2024

The Department

We have 8 faculty running active research labs tackling health-related problems at the interface of chemistry and biology. Our department is internationally recognized for work on the mechanism and kinetics of xenobiotic metabolism by cytochrome P450s (CYPs) and other detoxification enzymes. CYPs metabolize most drugs used in the clinic, and their dysfunction is linked to harmful drug-drug interactions, inflammation, cancer, heart disease, and impaired neurodevelopment. Recently, our research has diversified into other areas of biochemistry, pharmaceutical chemistry, biophysics and chemical biology. Some faculty study therapeutic antibodies, peptides and other biologics, which are revolutionizing clinical practice. Other faculty study virology with the goal of developing better vaccines and treatments for diseases like HIV/AIDS and influenza, or neurodegeneration with the goal of improving the diagnosis and treatment of dementias like Alzheimer’s disease. Our faculty also develop new analytical techniques, such as mass spectrometry methods to characterize lipids, metabolites and glycoproteins more quickly and sensitively than ever before. Learn more about each lab’s research here .

The PhD Experience

Coursework requires students to become proficient in organic, medicinal and physical chemistry, pharmacology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. (See a typical Program of Study , and course descriptions in the course catalog .) The curriculum is adaptable to individual interests and needs, and most didactic coursework is completed in the first two years.  For more information on the program please refer to our most recent Med Chem student handbook .

Professional development outside the laboratory and classroom is a major point of emphasis. Students build communication skills through regular presentations to their labs, and in departmental journal clubs and research seminars. Many students interested in biotech/pharma careers have benefited from our innovative industry mentorship and internship programs.

Financial Support

Incoming graduate students are generally supported by a research assistantship from the department for the first year of study, allowing students to dedicate their time to study and work in the lab. It currently covers tuition (excluding a $265 per quarter student fee) and an additional stipend of $3259 /month. In subsequent years, support is provided either by the department or by research or training grants. Outstanding applicants are considered for an ARCS Scholarship that provides an additional stipend of $7,500 for the first year and $5,000 for the next two years of graduate school. The research assistantship also provides health insurance at no charge for students; coverage is available for spouses and dependents for an additional fee. (You can find more information on the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program and other benefits through UW Human Resources .)

Career Opportunities

Our graduates also excel in academia. Recent graduates have done post-doctoral work at institutes such as Yale University, University of California San Francisco, University of California San Diego, Lawrence Berkeley National Lab, Queen Mary University of London, and Children’s Hospital Research Center. Subsequently, alums have gone on to tenure-track faculty positions at top-tier research universities, colleges of pharmacy, and liberal arts colleges.

More Application Info & FAQs

Stipend levels change frequently. In 2023-2024, first and second year medical students receive $36,336 annual stipend plus tuition & benefits, and PhD students and third and fourth year medical students receive $45,000 annual stipend plus tuition & benefits.

NIH F30 Fellowships

MSTP students are strongly encouraged to apply for individual pre-doctoral F30 fellowships from the NIH. Our students enjoy close to a 100% funding success rate. F30 fellowships are designed specifically for MD/PhD students and are transferable to medical school.

ARCS: Achievement Rewards for College Scientists

MSTP students are eligible to receive Achievement Rewards for College Scientists (ARCS) awards during their PhD studies. These awards supplement (that is, are in addition to) the MSTP stipend. ARCS awards are valued at $17,500 payable over 3 years. ARCS recipients are nominated by MSTP leadership. For more information, please see the ARCS Seattle Chapter website .

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Graduate Education

The real cost of grad school in the us, nearly everyone gets funding, but the financial demands of getting a phd can catch some off guard, by wynne parry, special to c&en, november 2, 2021 | a version of this story appeared in volume 99, issue 41.

• U.S. team makes history at International Chemistry Olympiad
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• How an alternative grading system is improving student learning
• Chemistry in Pictures: Blinded by the magnesium
• Tales of April fools

Graduate school has a reputation of being difficult, but when Nyesa Enakaya moved to Washington, DC, to start her PhD in chemistry at Howard University, she found the pressures were more than academic. Nearly all chemistry PhD programs come with a guaranteed income, but for some students, the money goes only so far.

Enakaya started in a stronger position than many. Not only was she debt-free, but she had savings, and with her parents’ help she made a down payment on a condo near her new institution. Together, her monthly mortgage and homeowners’ association (HOA) fees cost less than renting in the area. This arrangement will also make it possible for her to sell when she graduates.

Her 9-month teaching assistant’s salary of $20,000 sounded like a lot at first, even though it’s less than the average chemistry stipend of $26,000. But as her first school year began, it became clear that her monthly paychecks amounted to roughly the same amount as her mortgage, HOA fees, and utility costs. She had little to nothing left over for all the expenses that typically accompany graduate school, such as health insurance, fees charged by the school, and, of course, food, let alone anything unexpected.

“I just saw my bank account draining,” says Enakaya, now in her fifth year at Howard. “I wasn’t making enough money to support myself, and I was losing all of my savings.”

In chemistry and closely related fields, PhD students almost always receive financial support to cover the cost of their tuition and their living expenses. That’s not true of those in chemistry master’s programs or many who pursue degrees in other areas, such as the humanities and medicine, for which funding is much less consistent. Even so, PhD student stipends in chemistry are never lavish.

While many manage just fine, others quickly learn that their stipends cover much less than they expect or need. Routine costs, including taxes and health insurance, add up quickly. A high cost of living, as in a place like the District of Columbia, undergraduate debt, and unforeseen expenses can all contribute to a financial shortfall and the stress and frustration that accompany it.

However, not everyone struggles. Overall, funding appears to meet students’ needs more often than not. In an American Chemical Society survey conducted in 2019, 62% of US graduate students in the chemical sciences said their financial support was adequate, a decrease of roughly 7 percentage points from 2013.

Amrit Venkatesh says the financial package for his chemistry PhD at Iowa State University, which included a stipend that reached $26,600, seemed reasonably well matched to the cost of living in Ames, Iowa. “I would definitely not call it underpaid,” he says.

After he finished his master’s degree in his native India, Venkatesh at first didn’t seriously consider going to the US for a PhD. He wanted to take time to consider his options, and he assumed that programs in the US would be too expensive for him to afford. After deciding to pursue a PhD in nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy, he began looking for a strong program. In the process, he learned that the school that would become his top pick, Iowa State, offered a stipend that he believed he could live on. “I only applied after I was convinced I could make it work,” he says.

Tips from experts and grad students

Before starting a PhD program

Talk to current or recent grad students

When undergraduates give Sarah Goh, a professor of chemistry at Williams College, lists of programs that interest them, she connects them with Williams alums. “I will say, OK, so email these six people and ask them what the program is like and what their life is like.”

Learn about loans

Payments on many, but not all, student loans can be deferred while you’re in graduate school. Federally subsidized loans are the only ones that won’t accrue interest while you are in a grad program, says Ryan Stuart, a family life and finance educator at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Compared with undergrads, grad students pay higher interest rates and are more likely to encounter lifetime borrowing limits.

Ask yourself whether you can afford to live there

When you are close to selecting a program, draft a detailed budget tailored to your individual needs and the local cost of living, says Emily Roberts, owner of Personal Finance for PhDs. As part of your research, ask current students if the stipend is livable, she says.

Prepare yourself

Before you start your program, Roberts recommends paying down any credit card or other debt and establishing a cash reserve to keep you afloat, in case it takes some time to get your first paycheck. If you anticipate needing additional income and think you’ll have the time, energy, and freedom, she recommends establishing a side job before you start your program.

Talk to fellow grad students

Your colleagues are the “biggest encyclopedia for budgeting finances,” says Katie Johnson, a recent PhD graduate from the University of Nevada, Reno. “The graduate students that have been there for 2, 3, 4 years, they already know how to do it,” she says. Not only do other students know where to find the cheapest rent and phone bill, but they also may become your roommates.

Make a spending plan (aka budget)

“There is literally no way to figure out if you can survive on any amount of income if you don’t have a plan in place,” says Stuart, who finds that people are generally more receptive to the prospect of making a “plan” versus a “budget.” He recommends using PowerPay’s free online planning tools.

Rightsize your housing

Financial experts typically recommend spending no more than 30% of your monthly income on housing. If that share creeps up much higher, “that is a big red warning flag that you need to do the best you absolutely can to downgrade your housing costs,” Roberts says. That can mean getting a roommate or moving, if feasible.

Establish an emergency fund

Whether it’s a car accident or a last-minute trip home, unexpected expenses come up. Stuart recommends that students put aside at least $400 just in case. If you can manage $1,000, all the better; if not, aim to build up to that amount. Once you have a more regular, stable income, try to set aside 3 to 6 months’ worth of expenses, he says.

Start saving now

You may have a hard time imagining retirement right now, but Stuart and others recommend that you start putting something aside for it. Thanks to compounding interest, “even little amounts over longer periods of time are going to be much higher in the long run,” he says.

While US chemistry graduate students can receive funding from a number of sources, for most students, the institution where they study provides a stipend as compensation for teaching or research. To keep students focused, some institutions discourage or even forbid them from taking on outside jobs.

On average, US schools pay $26,814 for doctoral students working as research assistants and $26,082 for their counterparts working as teaching assistants, according to another ACS survey in 2019, this one of chemistry programs. These numbers, however, obscure enormous variation between both programs and students, who sometimes receive funding from additional sources, such as certain fellowships.

In spring 2014, after struggling to find accurate and up-to-date stipend information online, Emily Roberts launched the PhD Stipend Survey , which now has almost 11,000 entries. The results aren’t perfect—a few entries list unbelievably high amounts—but the survey is the closest thing to a clearinghouse for PhD stipends.

Roberts, who holds a PhD in biomedical engineering, cautions that a dollar amount on its own is meaningless. “Without putting that stipend in the context of the local cost of living, you really don’t yet have any idea of whether that stipend can pay even for basic living expenses,” says Roberts, now the owner of Personal Finance for PhDs .

To account for the cost of living, her survey uses data from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Living Wage Calculator for a single person with no dependents to calculate a living-wage ratio. A ratio less than 1 raises “a red flag,” Roberts says.

Housing, in particular, can strangle students’ finances. The high cost of living near the University of California, Santa Cruz, drove graduate students at this institution to strike in December 2019. They demanded a $1,412 per month raise, an increase they calculated would allow students to spend less than 30% of their pretax income on rent, the proportion recommended by financial experts.

On July 1 of this year, Connor Brandenburg, an organic chemistry student at UC San Diego, got a raise that brought his finances nearly in line with this rule. After his department increased students’ stipends from $31,000 to $34,000 per year, his rent—$897 a month for a studio in university-run housing—accounted for about 32% of his pretax income.

But, within a year and a half, this share may grow substantially. In April 2023, he will have exhausted the 2 years of on-campus housing the university allotted him as a graduate student. Off-campus rents for a comparable studio can run up to $1,700, Brandenburg says, so he’s planning to downgrade.

“I’m 24. I don’t necessarily want to share a room with someone anymore, [but] financially, that may be my only option,” he says.

In addition to rent, graduate students face an expense familiar to undergraduates: fees, which some institutions levy separately from tuition. Like so much else, fees can vary considerably between schools.

This fall, the bill for graduate students at the Georgia Institute of Technology amounted to as much as $1,097 for 10 fees , which include money to fund student organizations, transportation services on campus, and a general-purpose “special institutional” fee.

Most of these charges are recommended by the school’s president and set by the Board of Regents for the University System of Georgia, which includes Georgia Tech. The largest of these fees, the special institutional fee, is an exception. The board instituted it in 2009, at first temporarily, to compensate for state budget cuts. But funding reductions remained in place and so did the fee, growing from $100 to $344 for graduate students.

While Georgia taxpayers may benefit from this shift, the accumulating fees make a difficult situation worse for Krista Bullard, a fifth-year PhD student in chemistry and biochemistry at Georgia Tech. Through a fellowship at the school’s Renewable Bioproducts Institute, Bullard earns $29,000 a year, an amount that she has found doesn’t match the cost of living in Atlanta.

“I have my parents’ car. They pay my car insurance; they pay for my phone,” she says. “I don’t think I could do it on my own.”

Like many other students, she has loans from her undergraduate degree, which add to the financial pressure. The end may be in sight, however, because she plans to graduate in May.

“I’m really pushing for that, mostly because I really can’t afford to stay any longer,” she says.

Fees typically don’t include another common cost: health insurance. Some institutions, including Georgia Tech, require students to purchase plans offered through the school or prove they have comparable coverage. But some programs provide free coverage.

Roughly a year after finishing his PhD, Venkatesh says his financial experience turned out “about the same as what I expected.” That doesn’t mean it was easy. Like many other students, he made the money work through a combination of hard work, self-discipline, and, on occasion, painful trade-offs.

After moving from India, Venkatesh faced a distinct set of financial challenges: he needed to send money back home to his family and, after he got married at the end of his first year, to support his wife, whose visa restrictions severely limited her options for earning income in the US. Tight finances, as well as the demanding work culture of American academia, contributed to the most difficult part of his entire PhD experience: traveling home only twice.

Together, he and his wife carefully managed their money, and Venkatesh figured out a way to supplement his stipend. While at Iowa State, he earned a series of academic honors—fellowships, scholarships, and a prize for research publications—that brought in between $1,000 and $10,000 after each year of his program.

“I have seen graduate students who manage the stipend significantly better than even I did,” he says. “But there were also students who might say the exact opposite, who were really struggling from month to month.”

In contrast, Enakaya’s expectations of living on her stipend evaporated after she started her program at Howard. At first she made do by using her savings and credit cards. She also found work tutoring and teaching, as well as paid summer internships, and her adviser provides her with some additional funding for her research. Her success lining up outside income, however, has come at a cost.

Over the most recent summer, for example, she interned at Brookhaven National Laboratory while teaching biochemistry and a Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) prep course virtually. For 12 weeks, this arrangement kept her away from her research lab at Howard, where she had originally intended to focus her time and energy.

“Going into Howard, I truly didn’t believe that I would have to be taking internships, that I would have to be getting extra jobs,” she says.

The financial prospects for future Howard students may improve, at least to a degree. By 2023, the university plans to increase the 9-month teaching assistant stipend in chemistry and other departments by 20%, to $24,000, according to Dana Williams, dean of Howard’s Graduate School. This decision was based on the cost of living in the DC area, she says in an email.

Others besides teaching assistants may benefit too. Although funded by faculty members’ grants, research assistant stipends match those of teaching assistants and will likely increase too, according to Hua Zhao, the chair of Howard’s Chemistry Department.

The raise would bring Howard’s stipend more in line, although not quite on par, with funding offered to PhD students in chemistry at other DC institutions. Georgetown University and George Washington University both offer full-year support, versus Howard’s 9 months, of more than $35,000.

Looking back, Enakaya says that even if she had fully understood the financial picture, and the prospect of a larger stipend elsewhere, she would not have reconsidered her decision to go to Howard.

“I wanted to go to an HBCU [historically Black college or university]. I want to be surrounded by people that I know support and love me and really want to help me grow not just as a chemist, but as a Black chemist,” she says. “I want to learn from the faculty here, because they’ve had similar stories and similar experiences as me.”

When told her scramble to make the money work sounded stressful, Enakaya says: “Graduate school is stressful. We make it work. We definitely make it work.”

Wynne Parry is a freelance writer based in the greater Philadelphia area. This article is copublished in inChemistry magazine in partnership with ACS Education.

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• Arts & Sciences
• Graduate Studies in A&S

Graduate Program

The Department of Chemistry offers a PhD in Chemistry that prepares scientists for careers in research and teaching. The program offers pathways for graduate studies that span biological, organic, inorganic, physical, and nuclear chemistry. Key to the success of the students and the Chemistry PhD program is the strong interpersonal connections that develop between our students and the faculty and that often lead to new research directions and bridges being built between disciplines. As a result, doctoral students commonly pursue research at the interface of two or more subfields of chemistry. During the first semester of residence in the program, students are given the opportunity to explore research options within the department and to identify research mentors with common interests. The PhD requirements are kept to a minimum so that students can focus on scientific discover and building skillsets for successful careers.

WashU and the Department of Chemistry are proud of our faculty , of our facilities , of our research accomplishments and accolades, and of our educational reputation . Most of all, we are proud of our students, their successes in research, and their career endeavors. While the Chemistry PhD program is considered large, it is small enough that interactions between the hardworking, driven students and its passionate faculty provide invaluable experiences that contribute to the PhD experience.

The Graduate Program

Faculty and current students talk about the strengths of the department and Washington University

What makes transdisciplinary research work? A conference explores best practices.

Heemstra co-authors blueprint for promoting diversity in the lab

Program highlights.

Interdisciplinary and Collaborative Research

As research knows no boundaries or titles, the Chemistry PhD program offers research and training opportunities in many sub-disciplines of chemistry, including magnetic resonance, materials and nanoscience, and laser spectroscopy. Current collaborations include those with faculty in Washington University's McKelvey School of Engineering, the School of Medicine, national laboratories, and scientists in industry.

Research Resources, Facilities, and Instrumentation

Research at the forefront of science requires modern resources, facilities, and instrumentation. WashU has invested heavily in the research efforts in the Department of Chemistry to ensure students and faculty are able to pursue interdisciplinary research and explore novel directions. Most of the research in chemistry is located in six adjacent buildings on the Danforth Campus of WashU.

Excellent Academics and Training

Students are taught by research-active faculty in the classroom and in the laboratory so that modern concepts with applications in scientific discovery prepare students for careers in science. Most of the research groups in Chemistry are small enough so that faculty are intimately involved with ongoing research and progress of the students.

Collegiate Campus & Suburban Environment

Most of the research of the chemistry students and faculty occurs on the Danforth Campus of WashU, which is located just outside of the city of St. Louis. Although the interiors are of the buildings are state of the art, the exteriors are designed in a gothic style with Missouri red granite facades.

Financial Support

All Chemistry PhD students receive a generous stipend ($36,050 for the '24-25 twelve-month academic year) and a tuition fellowship for the duration of the program. Students also receive a 90% subsidy on health insurance. This support enables students to focus on their studies and scientific discovery without experiencing financial hardship.

Outreach Opportunities

Students participate in outreach initiatives throughout the university and wider community, in particular with programs focusing on women in STEM and high school students interested in chemistry.

Prospective PhD Students

Interested in joining our department? Learn about candidacy requirements, financial assistance, and more. Much of the application process can be accomplished online.

Making the Move

Graduate students rave about St. Louis: it’s affordable, from housing to entertainment and culture. The Zoo, Missouri History Museum and St. Louis Art Museum all boast free admission, and our cost of living is consistently one of the lowest nationally. That means an excellent quality of life, even on a budget. Washington University also supports graduate students in their transition to St. Louis, from housing services to child care.

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Graduate Student Resources

Find commonly used resources here, or search all Department of Chemistry resources. 

Graduate School Forms

admissions, teaching, dissertation & more

PhD Degree Requirements (PDF)

find requirements specific to graduate study in chemistry

Graduate Application

learn how to apply online for the graduate program in chemistry

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Graduate school links, doctoral dissertation guide, office of graduate studies policies, graduate student groups, office of graduate studies resources, office for international students and scholars.

I still remember the first time when I met my advisor, Bryce Sadtler. He showed me around in lab and talked with me about research. I felt respected and that experience enhanced my motivation to do research. As a member of WashU chemistry department, everyone can befriend and support to each other in such unique community. Bryce and other professors in chemistry help me a lot with my courses and academic issues. Constructive suggestions and inspiring ideas coming from them show the direction to my success.

Have questions? 

To learn more about the graduate program in chemistry, please contact the graduate coordinator, Barbara Taylor.

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TA/RA Salaries

Information about salary schedules and salary administration.

• Salary Schedule Definitions and Policies
• Excess Workload Compensation Policy  (to be used when workload is more than 50% FTE)

All of the schedules below are printable PDFs.

Salary Schedules Effective July 1, 2023–June 30, 2024

• Regular (Non-Variable Rate) TA/RA/SA Salary Schedule
• Variable Rate RA Salary Schedule
• Variable Rate TA Salary Schedule  
• Summer 2023 Graduate Research Student Assistant (GRSA) Salary Schedule . GRSA job code information can be found in  Article 25 of the UAW 4121 union contract . Departments using the hourly GRSA schedules should use the schedule for  summer 2022  for the 6/16–6/30 pay period and then update the amount after July 1.
• Summer Teaching Supplement Instructions

Salary Schedules Effective July 1, 2022–June 30, 2023

• Summer 2022 Graduate Research Student Assistant (GRSA) Salary Schedule . GRSA job code information can be found in  Article 25 of the UAW 4121 union contract . Departments using the hourly GRSA schedules should use the schedule for  summer 2021  for the 6/16–6/30 pay period and then update the amount after July 1.

Salary Schedules Effective July 1, 2021–June 30, 2022

• Variable Rate TA Salary Schedule 
• Summer 2021 Graduate Research Student Assistant (GRSA) Salary Schedule . GRSA job code information can be found in  Article 25 of the UAW 4121 union contract . Departments using the hourly GRSA schedules should use the schedule for  summer 2020  for the 6/16–6/30 pay period and then update the amount after July 1.

Clinical Chemistry Fellowship

Jane Dickerson, PhD, DABCC

Associate Professor | Co-Director, Clinical Chemistry Fellowship

Hsuan-Chieh (Joyce) Liao, PhD, DABCC

Assistant Professor | Associate Director of Chemistry | Co-Director, Clinical Chemistry Fellowship

Geoffrey S. Baird, MD, PhD

Professor and Chair

Daniel D. Bankson, SM, PhD, MBA

Associate Professor

Andrew N. Hoofnagle, MD, PhD

Professor | Head, Division of Chemistry | Director, UW Medical Center - Montlake, Chemistry | Director, Clinical Mass Spectrometry | Director, Analytic Core, Nutrition Obesity Research Center | Assistant Director, Clinical Immunology

Christina M. Lockwood, PhD, DABCC, DABMGG

Professor | Division Head, Genetics & Solid Tumors

Patrick C. Mathias, MD, PhD

Associate Professor and Vice Chair of Clinical Operations | Associate Medical Director of Informatics | Medical Director of Airlift NW POCT

William S. Phipps, MD

Assistant Professor | Director of Tissue Mass Spectrometry | Assistant Director of Clinical Chemistry

Petrie M. Rainey, MD, PhD

Professor Emeritus

HMC Faculty

Hsuan-Chieh (Joyce) Liao, PhD, DABCC Co-Director, Clinical Chemistry Fellowship Assistant Director, HMC Chemistry

Seattle Children's Faculty

Jane Dickerson, PhD, DABCC Co-Director, Clinical Chemistry Fellowship Pediatric Clinical Chemistry, Utilization Management

Michael Astion, MD, PhD Medical Director of Laboratories, Seattle Children's Hospital; Lab Management

Lisa Johnson, PhD Director, Chemistry Laboratory

Anna Scott, PhD Biochemical Genetics

*Additional teachers for the program include those from the Chemistry Division. However, many other Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology faculty members also contribute to the training.

Aurora Bridge over Lake Union

The Postdoctoral Training Program in Clinical Chemistry at the University of Washington is the oldest in the United States. More than eighty clinical chemists have graduated from the program to go on to successful careers in leading universities, private hospitals, commercial laboratories and industry.

The goal of this two-year postdoctoral program is to prepare doctoral scientists or physicians for academic careers in clinical chemistry. The training is tailored to the background and interests of the individual fellows. The first month of training is an intensive didactic course in all aspects of Laboratory Medicine. In the next six to nine months, fellows will rotate through all sections of the clinical chemistry laboratories at the University of Washington, Harborview Medical Center, and Seattle Children's Hospital. During these rotations, fellows become familiar with the spectrum of analytical methods and instrumentation used in a clinical chemistry laboratory, along with the interpretation of results from these analyses and with management aspects of these sections. During the remaining 12 to 15 months of training, fellows pursue research relevant to laboratory medicine under the mentorship of Laboratory Medicine faculty.

The fellows also participate in the undergraduate and graduate teaching programs of the department. There are ongoing didactic sessions throughout the training program, as well as small projects to carry out. Fellows take calls for problems that may arise in the clinical chemistry laboratory and interact on a frequent basis with pathology residents training in Laboratory Medicine.

Typically, one or two positions are available in a given year, with a nominal start date of July 1. The program is accredited by the Committee on Accreditation in Clinical Chemistry (ComACC) . Current ComACC certification expires in 2024 .

Requirements

PhD or MD with academic credentials appropriate for certification by the American Board of Clinical Chemistry (ABCC) at the completion of training; or MD-certified or eligible for certification in Clinical Pathology by the American Board of Pathology (ABP) .

Sponsorship

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US or eligible for H-1B sponsorship.

Stipend and Benefits

This is a 2 year program. Initial appointment is for one year with reappointment evaluated before the second year based on progress within the program. Stipend and benefits are based on the schedule for residents at an equivalent level. 

Application:

Candidates may apply to this program from April 1 through August 31 the year before the July 1 start of the next year.

The position starting July 1, 2024 has been filled. We will accept applications for the July 1, 2025 position starting April 1, 2024.

• Follow this link to the DLMP Fellowship application instructions and entry system    

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Department of Chemistry

Funding options for graduate students, financial support options.

Would you like to get your Ph.D. for FREE ?

The chemistry department offers graduate assistantships for Ph.D. students, which provide monthly stipends and waive tuition expenses. Graduate assistants are required to carry a full course load of 16 credit hours in addition to research and/or thesis work each term (with the exception of summer term, during which time graduate assistants are required to register for nine credits).

Teaching assistantships

First-year Ph.D. graduate students are generally supported as teaching assistants. Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) work with the faculty by conducting recitation and laboratory sections and assisting with grading and examinations. The time commitment for a GTA averages 12 hours per week.

Research assistantships

Most of the research conducted in the department is supported by grants from federal agencies, e.g., the National Science Foundation and National Institutes of Health, or large private sources such as the Petroleum Research Fund or Research Corporation. Graduate students performing non-credit-hour research on these projects are supported as research assistants.

During the first term of study, graduate students should discuss prospects for research support with faculty members with whom they are interested in doing thesis research. Faculty members cannot provide absolute assurance of support since it depends on the renewal of research grants by outside agencies, and these actions cannot be predicted with certainty.

Fellowships/scholarships

Advisors may nominate their graduate students for the summer fellowships that cover salary for the summer months.

Funding conferences and travel

The travel funds from these programs are designed to provide graduate students with financial support to cover part of the cost of attending and presenting their scholarly achievements at prestigious conferences and venues.

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Across the department, explore recent stories.

Celebrating excellence in research: 2024 College of Science Awards

Celebrating excellence in teaching and advising: 2024 College of Science Awards

Celebrating inclusive excellence, administration, service and performance: 2024 College of Science Awards

Researchers make key advance toward removing pesticide from groundwater

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GRADUATE PROGRAM

Here you'll find a year-by-year breakdown of the requirements for the PhD degree from the University of Washington Pharmacology Department, and well as information about your general exams, and selecting a Doctoral Supervisory Committee.

• PHARMACOLOGY COURSE OFFERINGS
• FIRST YEAR PhD REQUIREMENTS
• SECOND YEAR PhD REQUIREMENTS
• THIRD YEAR PhD REQUIREMENTS
• FOURTH YEAR AND BEYOND
• SUPERVISORY COMMITTEE
• GENERAL EXAM
• FINAL EXAMINATION

Pharmacology Graduate Program Overview Pharmacology explores the nature of interactions between drugs and biological systems, and their applications to the treatment of disease. Courses in this field are offered to graduate, medical, dental, pharmacy, nursing, and other interested UW students.

The Department of Pharmacology offers the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree.

Admissions Requirement GRE Scores are not required. 

A baccalaureate degree with a major in any of the sciences, such as biochemistry, chemistry, pharmacy, physics, physiology, psychology, or zoology, is strongly advised. Students are selected from the applicant pool based on several criteria, including academic performance, letters of recommendation, and previous research experience.

Graduation Requirements Minimum of 90 credits, to include:

• Pharmacology 501-506 course series with a minimum grade of 2.7 for each course.
• Pharmacology 507 throughout graduate school (must attend 5 seminars).
• Pharmacology 514 in the first and second years of graduate study.
• Pharmacology 519 (laboratory rotations) during the first year of graduate study.
• Four advanced courses in Pharmacology.
• CONJ 531 (Signaling Mechanisms in Excitable Cells)
• One Quantitative Analysis course.
• Creditable passage of the General Examination. Thesis research beginning the second and subsequent years of study.
• Completion of an approved PhD dissertation and creditable passage of the Final Examination, which is the defense of the dissertation.

Time to Doctoral Degree The Graduate Program in the Pharmacology Department is designed to provide the guidance and mentoring necessary for graduate students to finish all course requirements and complete and defend their thesis research within a period of 6 years from matriculation. In the Winter quarter (Year 2) after entering their thesis lab, students will form and convene their Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee to review their progress in preparation for the general exam.

Following completion of the general exam, students are required to meet with their Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee at least once every 12 months. The committee and the student develop a definite plan of action for achieving specific goals, which will be summarized in the annual thesis committee report. Stipend and tuition support extending beyond year 6 are dependent on Thesis Committee approval and the advisor’s research funding or appropriate training grant support.

Financial Support Financial support is offered to students who maintain satisfactory academic progress. Tuition and stipends are provided by National Institutes of Health training grants, University of Washington teaching assistantships, individual research grants, and fellowships from private sources.

Contact Debbie Bale Box 357750 (206) 543-7485 [email protected]

Pharmacology Course Offerings

PHCOL 501 Drug Discovery and Emerging Therapeutics (2) Zheng Consideration of the general principles and current approaches involved in modern drug discovery and development, with an emphasis on basic concepts in drug action, delivery, and metabolism. Discussion of novel drug discovery techniques and emerging non-standard therapeutics. Lectures and student presentations. Prerequisite: basic knowledge of organic chemistry and biochemistry. Offered: A (first five weeks of the quarter).

PHCOL 502/CONJ 532 Signal Transduction from the Cell Membrane to the Nucleus (2) Scott, Ong Intracellular signaling pathways leading from cell membrane receptors to the nucleus. Pathways activated by seven transmembrane receptors and G-proteins, insulin/PI3 kinase, nitric oxide and WNTs and mechanisms of signal termination. Cytokine/Jak/Stat signaling and role of subcellular localization in signal transduction. Prerequisite: basic knowledge of biochemistry. Offered: Jointly with CONJ 532; A (second five weeks of the quarter).

PHCOL 503 Autonomic/Cardiovascular Pharmacology (2) Nathanson Consideration of the pharmacology of the cardiovascular and autonomic nervous systems. Emphasizes the mechanisms of neurotransmitter, hormone, drug action at autonomic synapses, and the molecular basis for physiology and pathophysiology of the cardiovascular system. Lectures, group discussion, and analysis of recent research. Prerequisite: organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory anatomy and physiology. Offered: W (first five weeks of the quarter).

PHCOL 504 Neuropharmacology (2) Bajjalieh, Yadav Consideration of the neurobiological basis of drug action on the central nervous system, including mechanism of action and therapeutic use in psychiatric disorders; neurodegeneration/neuroinflammation; control of neuronal excitability and pain; drug abuse and addiction. Lectures, group discussion, and analysis of recent research. Offered: W (second five weeks of the quarter).

PHCOL 505 Endocrine Pharmacology (2) McKnight, Sancak Consideration of the pharmacology of endocrine systems including the actions of hypothalamic/pituitary regulatory peptides, glycoprotein hormones/growth factors, peptide and steroid hormones. Lectures, group discussion, and analysis of recent research. Prerequisites: organic chemistry, biochemistry, and introductory anatomy and physiology. Offered: Sp (first five weeks of the quarter).

PHCOL 506 Immunopharmacology and Chemotherapeutics (2) McKnight, Shechner Basic principles of immunology as applied to immunopharmacology. Current overview of cancer chemotherapy and antimicrobial chemotherapy. Lectures, group discussions, student presentations, and analysis of recent research. Prerequisite: coursework in biochemistry and physiology. Offered: Sp (second five weeks of the quarter).

PHCOL 507 Pharmacology Seminar (1) Scott Presentation of comprehensive reports on recent medical and scientific literature in fields of current importance. Research progress reports and reports on results of completed research. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: AWSp.

PHCOL 514 Current Topics in Pharmacology (1) Faculty Requirement for first and second-year students.  Offered: AWSp.

PHCOL 519 Introduction to Laboratory Research in Pharmacology (4) Wang On a rotation basis, students carry out individual research projects in the laboratories of different faculty members with appointments in the Pharmacology department. At the end of each rotation, students make formal presentations of their work. For first-year graduate students in the Pharmacology program. Offered: A,W,Sp

PHCOL 550 Introduction to the Pharmacology Department (1) Wang Overview of the Pharmacology graduate program; presentation of program requirements including required courses and teaching opportunities.  Prerequisite: first-year graduate student in the Pharmacology program. Offered: A.

PHCOL 600 Independent Study or Research (*) AWSpS Faculty

PHCOL 800 Doctoral Dissertation (*) AWSpS Faculty

ADVANCED COURSES PHCOL 529 Ion Channel Pharmacology (2) Catterall, Sancak Recent work has shown that ion channels are often the targets of mutations which cause disease in humans and mice. Inherited diseases are known which affect voltage-gated sodium, calcium, potassium, and chloride channels, epithelial sodium channels, ATP-gated potassium channels, glycine receptors, and CFTR. We will use the inherited diseases and the naturally occurring mutations in these channel proteins as starting points to consider the structure, function, physiology, genetics, and pharmacology of these ion channels. The class will be in seminar format, with most presentations given by student participants. Prerequisites: Conj 531 and students are requested to review the lectures by Dr. Zagotta before the first class meeting. Offered: odd years; A.

PHCOL 531 Genetic Analysis of Signaling Systems (3) McKnight Current topics involving signal transduction will be discussed with an emphasis on genetic analysis of multicellular systems and creative experimental design. Prerequisites: permission of instructor. Offered: odd years; Sp.

PHCOL 534 Molecular Basis of Drug Addiction (2) Chavkin Advanced consideration of the effects of drugs on neurotransmission and higher order neural systems including current topics in receptor pharmacology, hormonal modulation of neuro signaling, effects of disease on neural circuits, regulation of synaptic plasticity, and mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration. Prerequisites: PHCOL 504 or permission of instructor. Offered: even years; A.

PHCOL 537 Molecular Neurobiology of the Cell Membrane (2) Nathanson Advanced consideration of the structure and function of cell membranes, membrane trafficking, exocytosis, endocytosis, membrane proteins, and lipid-mediated signal transduction. Processes important to nervous system functioning will be emphasized. Prerequisites: Neuro 501, 502, 503 or permission of instructor. Offered: odd years; W.

MEDCH 528 Biophysical Enzymology and Biopharmaceuticals (2) Atkins Covers in-depth treatment of chemical catalysis and transition state theory as related to enzyme mechanisms; thermodynamics and kinetics of protein-ligand interactions, protein-protein-interactions and protein-lipid interactions, and methods for their study. Discusses therapeutically relevant examples, including viruses, therapeutic antibodies, and drug targets. Offered: even years; W.

MEDCH 541 Biological Mass Spectrometry (3) Whittington Covers the basics of modern ionization methods and mass analyzers; small molecule structure assignment, quantitative assay development by LC-MS and metabolomics; quantitative discovery-based proteomics and validation methods; and peptide sequence determination, post-translational modification mapping, and protein structure determination methods. Prerequisite: permission of instructor. Offered: Sp.

PhD Requirements and Curriculum: First Year

Students engage in three different laboratory rotations and take classes in different aspects of pharmacology. The rotations provide students the opportunity to examine different biological problems and work in different lab environments, one of which will ultimately become their dissertation laboratory.

Fall Quarter: PHCOL 501 – Drug Discovery and Emerging Therapeutics (2 credits) PHCOL 502/CONJ 532 – Signal Transduction from the Cell Membrane to the Nucleus (2 credits) PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 514 – Current Topics in Pharmacology  (1 credit) PHCOL 519 – Introduction to Laboratory Research in Pharmacology (4 credits) PHCOL 550 – Introduction to the Department (1 credit) CONJ 531 – Signaling Mechanisms in Excitable Cells (1.5 credits)

Additional Courses: Students can take one Advanced Pharmacology course and/or additional graded approved courses selected from the list of approved courses. Students should not register for more than 18 total credits.

Winter Quarter: PHCOL 503- Autonomic/Cardiovascular Pharmacology (2 credits) PHCOL 504 – Neuropharmacology (2 credits) PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 514 – Current Topics in Pharmacology (1 credit) PHCOL 519 – Introduction to Laboratory Research in Pharmacology (4 credits)

Spring Quarter: PHCOL 505 – Endocrine Pharmacology (2 credits) PHCOL 506 – Immunopharmacology and Chemotherapy (2 credits) PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 514 – Current Topics in Pharmacology (1 credit) PHCOL 519 – Introduction to Laboratory Research in Pharmacology (4 credits)

Summer Quarter:  Register for UCONJ 510 (2 credits)   OR  PHCOL 600 – Research (2 credits) (UCONJ 510 space is limited, register early!)

Students should register for 2 credits MAX.

Biomedical Research Integrity Lecture Series : Students attend a minimum of 2 lectures and 2 discussion sessions.

Student Advising and Evaluation Dr. Edith Wang advises first-year graduate students and is responsible for overseeing the activities of individual students including course registration, laboratory rotation selection, and selection of their thesis advisor and Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee members.

The progress of Pharmacology students is reported quarterly to the Pharmacology Faculty. This report is based on the student’s performance during lab rotations and coursework.

At the end of the Spring Quarter of the first year, students select a thesis advisor (with the approval of the Department Chair) who will be the Chair of their Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee.

Laboratory Rotations Laboratory rotations are designed to provide first-year students with an opportunity to gain hands-on experience with the theoretical and technical approaches to research that are practiced in different laboratories. This experience helps students to select a permanent lab in which to conduct their thesis research. Students complete three 10-week rotations in the labs of their choice during the Autumn, Winter, and Spring quarters of their first year.

At the completion of each laboratory rotation, students provide a title and abstract describing the objectives, results, and conclusions of their research project and present a short research talk to fellow students and faculty in the Pharmacology Department. The rotation advisor provides a numerical grade and written evaluation of the student’s performance in the lab and the rotation talk. The student receives a copy of the evaluation, which becomes a part of the student’s academic file.

Students with a Master’s degree and significant research experience may petition the Pharmacology Graduate Program Committee to reduce the number of laboratory rotations required before selecting a thesis advisor.

Selection of Dissertation Advisor By the end of the eighth week of Spring quarter (mid-May), each student must notify Dr. John Scott (Pharmacology’s Chair) of their first and second choices for a thesis advisor. Finding a mentor who agrees to accept the student into his/her lab is a qualifying step for continuation in the Pharmacology graduate program and a successful graduate career.

With the approval of the Department Chair and completion of their Spring Quarter rotation, the student moves to their thesis advisor laboratory for the remainder of their graduate studies.

Biomedical Research Integrity The summer series on Biomedical Research Integrity (BRI) was developed by the UW School of Medicine in response to a directive from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) requiring that all graduate students supported by NIH training grants be provided with training in the ethics of research. Additionally, the Medical School Executive Committee recommends that all trainees, regardless of funding source, participate in the BRI Series during their training.

The Department of Pharmacology requires all Pharmacology graduate students to complete the course in research ethics during their study in the department. It is a requirement for graduation, whether or not you may be supported on a NIH training grant. The Department office will receive an attendance sheet; the fulfillment of the requirement is documented.

It is required that first-year students take a minimum of two lectures and two discussion groups from the Biomedical Research Integrity Series. When you are on a training grant, it is essential to check with the administrators of the training grant every year to ensure compliance with specific requirements for your training grant.

PhD Requirements and Curriculum: Second Year

Students begin work on their dissertation research project, select their Doctoral Supervisory Committee, and prepare for the written portion of the General Exam.

Fall Quarter: PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 514 – Current Topics in Pharmacology (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Register for your Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 600 – Research (Variable credits) The number of credits to register for will vary. Student must register for at least 10 total credits and no more than 18 total credits during any given Quarter, except Summer Quarter.

Additional Courses: Students can take one Advanced Pharmacology course and/or additional graded approved course.

Winter Quarter: PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 514 – Current Topics in Pharmacology (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Register for your Thesis Advisor’s lab meeting course. PHCOL 600 – Research (Variable credits) See Autumn Quarter for explanation.

Spring Quarter: PHCOL507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 514 – Current Topics in Pharmacology (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Register for your Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 600 – Research (Variable credits) See Autumn Quarter for explanation.

Summer Quarter: PHCOL 600 – Research (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Students register for their Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. Students should not register for more than 2 total credits during Summer quarter.

Teaching Requirement Teaching experience is considered an important aspect of training in the Pharmacology graduate program.  Students serve as Teaching Assistants for one quarter of the Pharmacology 500 series during their second year or may choose to participate in a community outreach teaching experience. The TA experience begins with participation in the TA workshop on Teaching & Learning offered by UW in September. TA responsibilities for courses include attending all sessions, supporting 1st year graduate students, preparing and delivering lectures, management of class discussion and grading of student presentations. If you prefer to participate in a community outreach TA experience, please contact Dr. Stan McKnight ( [email protected] ) for more details.

University of Washington Resources for Teaching: http://www.washington.edu/teaching  

Choosing Your Doctoral Supervisory Committee  During the Autumn Quarter of the second year, students (with the advice of the Thesis Advisor and the Graduate Program Committee) select faculty members to serve on their Doctoral Thesis Supervisory committee. The Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee consists of the thesis advisor, Graduate School Representative (GSR), and Pharmacology faculty and faculty members from other departments most familiar with the student’s dissertation research area.

At least five, but no more than seven faculty members are recommended on the Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee. The majority of the Committee members should have a primary appointment in the Department of Pharmacology. At least one, but no more than three (including the Graduate School Representative), should hold primary appointments outside of the Department of Pharmacology. Only one committee member may be a faculty member who is not a member of the Graduate Faculty. The chair of the Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee (Thesis Advisor) and the Graduate School Representative (GSR) must be in attendance at the General Examination and at the Final Examination.

Criteria for selecting the Graduate School Representative (GSR)

• The GSR cannot have an appointment within the Pharmacology department
• The GSR has no conflict of interest with the committee chair(s)/student (i.e., budgetary, familial, romantic).
• The GSR must be a Graduate Faculty member with an endorsement to chair doctoral committees.
• The GSR cannot have an affiliate or adjunct appointment with the Pharmacology department.

The names of Committee members must be submitted to Debbie Bale, who submits the information to the Graduate School with the authority of the Graduate Program Director.

Individual Development Plan (IDP) Preliminary Review Pharmacology graduate students in their second year of graduate school are required to create an IDP and schedule a preliminary review that will prepare them for a successful future career. Please see the following guidelines for details about “ Creating an IDP “.

Preliminary Review For the preliminary review, you should plan to present the general area/ideas of your thesis project. The primary purpose is to allow committee members to provide feedback on your potential thesis project and to help you formulate the actual specific aims of your future General Exam research proposal. This meeting also will allow you to get to know your committee members before your General Exam.

Students are required to convene a preliminary review meeting with their committee members before the end of Winter quarter of their second year.

Written Component of General Examination  The written portion of the General Examination is scheduled by Dr. Wang during the month of June or July for graduate students to take at the end of their second year. The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the student’s knowledge and understanding of basic pharmacology and the medical sciences (e.g., biochemistry, physiology, molecular/cellular biology, etc.) and their ability to apply this knowledge. The exam is take-home and consists of questions written by members of the Pharmacology faculty.

Questions will be graded by the authoring faculty members and an evaluation of overall performance on the exam will be provided to each student. Areas of perceived weakness will be noted and may be reexamined during the oral portion of the General Examination. Results of the Written General Examination will be included as a permanent part of the student’s record.

PhD Requirements and Curriculum: Third Year

The student continues on dissertation work and takes the oral General Examination.

Third Year Courses

Fall Quarter: PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Students register for your Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 600 – Research (Variable credits)

Students can take one Advanced Pharmacology course and/or additional graded approved course. Students should not register for more than 18 total credits.

  Winter Quarter: PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Students register for their Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 800 – Research (Variable credits) For students who have passed the Pharmacology written and oral General Examinations. The number of credits to register for will vary. Students must be registered for a minimum of 10 total credits and no more than 18 total credits each Quarter (except Summer Quarter).

Spring Quarter: PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) – Students register for Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 800 – Research (Variable credits)

Summer Quarter: PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) – Students register for their Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 800 – Doctoral Dissertation (1 credit)

*Students supported by a training grant may need to attend required Biomedical Research Integrity Lecture Series lectures and discussions. Check with your training grant administrator for specific details.

Oral Component of General Examination Students schedule the oral General Examination, which is administered by the Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee, during the Fall Quarter of their third year of graduate studies. The oral General Examination is chaired by a departmental faculty member who is not the Thesis Advisor. The chairing faculty member will be designated by the Thesis Advisor prior to the exam with the concurrence of the Graduate Program Committee. The examination is based, in part, on an evaluation of the student’s proposed research for the dissertation and on his or her knowledge of the disciplines important to the research.

A short thesis research proposal (in the style of an NIH F31 NRSA proposal) will be provided by the student to his/her/their Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee members at least one week prior to the oral General Examination. During the oral examination,  the student will present the background for the proposed research, thesis proposal, and dissertation research progress. This will be followed by questions from the Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee on issues related to the background and thesis proposal.

• 20-minute uninterrupted talk on background
• 20-minute faculty questions on foundational knowledge of their fields
• 20-minute uninterrupted talk on proposed research
• Up to 60 minutes faculty questions the proposed research, general knowledge of pharmacology and related disciplines

The duration may be influenced by the student’s previous performance on the written general examination and in-class work. Each Committee member will be invited to ask a series of questions on general knowledge.

On the basis of an evaluation of student performance on all portions of the general examination (written general examination, oral presentation, and defense of the thesis proposal), the committee recommends one of the following: 1) approval of candidacy towards the Ph.D. degree, 2) further work and subsequent reexamination (over specific areas or in total), or 3) termination from the program.

After successful completion of the oral General Examination, graduate students enroll in PHCOL 800 rather than PHCOL 600. This reflects the change in status from a pre-candidate to a candidate for the doctoral degree.

Steps To Your Oral General Examination Contact your Thesis Advisor and committee members to find a suitable date. Your Graduate School Representative (GSR), Thesis Advisor, and two other committee members must be in attendance. When you have confirmed the date and time with your committee, notify Debbie Bale – ( [email protected] ) and a suitable location will be scheduled.

After you have a room reservation, date, and time for your oral General Examination, you will need to submit your request for a General Examination online through MyGrad: https://grad.uw.edu/mygrad-program/ at least three weeks in advance of the exam date. Notify Debbie after you have submitted your request so that she can approve the date and time of your exam.

At least two weeks before the oral General Examination, a written description of your thesis proposal must be circulated to your supervisory committee for them to review. A copy should be given to Debbie for your file. Specific guidelines for the written thesis research proposal will be provided to students at the beginning of the Fall quarter in their 3rd year.

Prior to the oral General Examination, Debbie will provide the necessary warrant that will be given to your Advisor. Each member of your supervisory committee who is present must sign the document.

If it is not possible to schedule your oral General Examination by the stated deadline, please contact Dr. Edith Wang ( [email protected] ).

PhD Requirements and Curriculum: Fourth and Subsequent Years

The student continues with their dissertation research and prepares for their dissertation defense.

Fall/Winter/Spring Quarter: PHCOL 507 – Pharmacology Seminar (1 credit) PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Students register for your Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 800 – Doctoral Dissertation (Variable credits)

Summer Quarter: PHCOL 560-577 (1 credit) Students register for their Thesis Advisor’s laboratory meeting course. PHCOL 800 – Doctoral Dissertation (1 credit)

Annual Review of Dissertation Progress In Winter quarter of your fourth year and each subsequent years until the doctoral defense, the student will be reviewed annually by their Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee regarding their dissertation progress. The student prepares a two-page status report, which is circulated to the Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee and meets with the Committee for a discussion of their dissertation research progress and future plans. The annual review must be completed by the end of the Winter Quarter each year.

Laura Sheard Graduate Lecture Fourth year students will select the lecture speaker and will consult with the department’s seminar co-chairs prior to inviting the speaker. Student will also host a lunch and dinner with the speaker. Full details will be shared before the beginning of your fourth year. To learn more about the lecture, please visit: https://pharmacology.uw.edu/seminars/laura-sheard-lecture/

Final Examination When you and your supervisory committee have agreed you are ready to graduate, you will select a Reading Committee, a subgroup of at least three members of your Supervisory Committee, who will be appointed to read and approve your dissertation. It is the responsibility of a Reading Committee to (a) ensure that the dissertation is a significant contribution to knowledge and is an acceptable piece of scholarly writing; (b) determine the appropriateness of a candidate’s dissertation as a basis for issuing a warrant for a Final Examination and; (c) approve a candidate’s dissertation.

Once you have selected the Reading Committee, contact Debbie Bale ( [email protected] ) with the names of your choice, Debbie will enter the Reading Committee member names into MyGrad to inform the Dean of the Graduate School. Your Reading Committee will approve your dissertation online through the MyGrad Committee View portal. Instructions will be given to them by email from the Graduate School.

Next, you will need to select a date for the thesis defense that is acceptable to your Supervisory Committee members and you. After a date has been selected, contact Debbie to reserve a room for your defense. After a room has been reserved, log In to  MyGrad: https://grad.uw.edu/mygrad-program/ to schedule your doctoral final exam. Contact Debbie after you have entered the information in MyGrad for approval.

The other formalities regarding the final submission of your dissertation are all detailed very nicely, with each step delineated, at the following website:  https://grad.uw.edu/current-students/enrollment-through-graduation/graduation-requirements/

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie.

Choosing the Doctoral Supervisory Committee

During the Autumn Quarter of the second year, the student (with the advice of the Thesis Advisor and the Graduate Program Committee) selects a Doctoral Thesis Supervisory committee and is required to convene a preliminary meeting with the committee. The Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee generally includes:

• Pharmacology faculty most familiar with the area of the student’s research.
• At least five but no more than seven members.
• The majority of the Committee members should have primary appointments in Pharmacology.
• At least one, but no more than three (including the Graduate School Representative), should be faculty members that do not hold primary appointments in Pharmacology.
• The chair of the Doctoral Thesis Supervisory Committee (Thesis Advisor) and the Graduate School Representative must be in attendance at the General Exam and at the Final Exam.
• The GSR cannot have an appointment within Pharmacology.
• The GSR cannot have an affiliate or adjunct appointment.

Once selected, the names of the Committee members are submitted to the Graduate Program Specialist, who submits them to the Graduate School with authority of the Graduate Program Advisor.

UW Graduate School references

https://grad.uw.edu/policies-procedures/graduate-school-memoranda/memo-13-supervisory-committee-for-graduate-students/

Written Component of General Examination

The written portion of the General Examination is scheduled during the month of June at the end of their second year. The purpose of this examination is to evaluate the student’s knowledge and understanding of basic pharmacology and the medical sciences (e.g., biochemistry, physiology, molecular/cellular biology, etc.) and their ability to apply this knowledge. The exam is take home and consists of questions submitted by members of the Pharmacology faculty. Questions will be graded by the authoring faculty members and an evaluation of overall performance on the exam will be provided to the student. Areas of perceived weakness will be noted and may be reexamined during the oral portion of the General Examination. Results of the written General Examination will be entered into the file as a permanent part of the student’s record.

For more information please visit the UW Graduate School’s General Examination webpage: https://grad.uw.edu/policies-procedures/doctoral-degree-policies/general-examination-admission-to-candidacy-for-doctoral-degree/

Steps To Your Oral General Examination

• Contact your Thesis Advisor and committee members to find a suitable date. Your Graduate School Representative (GSR), Thesis Advisor and two other committee members must be in attendance. When you have confirmed the date and time with your committee, notify Debbie Bale ([email protected]) and a suitable location will be scheduled.
• After you have identified a date for your oral General Examination, you will need to submit your request for a General Examination online through  MyGrad at least three weeks in advance of the exam date. Notify Debbie after you have submitted your request so that she can approve the date and time of your exam.
• Prior to the exam, your Thesis Advisor should review your academic record (including your performance on the written General Examination) to advise you of any areas of general knowledge that require special attention.
• At least two weeks before the oral General Examination, a short written description of your thesis proposal must be circulated to your supervisory committee for them to review. A copy should be given to Debbie for your file. Specific guidelines for the written thesis research proposal will be provided to students at the beginning of the Fall quarter in their 3rd year.
• Prior to the oral General Examination, your advisor will designate another committee member to chair the oral General Examination. For the examination, be prepared to give a thirty-minute description of your thesis proposal and research progress. This will be followed by thirty to sixty minutes of questions from your committee on issues related to the proposal. After the proposal-related questions, anticipate questions on general knowledge of pharmacology and related disciplines.Debbie will provide the necessary warrant that will be given to your Advisor. Each member of your supervisory committee who is present must sign the document.
• If it is not possible to schedule your oral General Examination by the stated deadline, please speak with Dr. Edith Wang.

Steps to Your Dissertation

The first step to your dissertation is to select a Reading Committee, a subgroup of at least three members of your Supervisory Committee who will be appointed to read and approve your dissertation. It is the responsibility of a Reading Committee to (a) ensure that the dissertation is a significant contribution to knowledge and is an acceptable piece of scholarly writing; (b) determine the appropriateness of a candidate’s dissertation as a basis for issuing a warrant for a Final Examination and; (c) approve a candidate’s dissertation.

Once you have selected the Reading Committee, contact Debbie Bale ( [email protected] ) with the names of your choice, Debbie will enter the Reading Committee member names into MyGrad to inform the Dean of the Graduate School. (After you submit your thesis, your Reading Committee will approve your dissertation online through the MyGrad Committee View portal. Instructions will be given to them by email from the Graduate School.)

Next, you will need to select a date for the thesis defense that is acceptable to your Supervisory Committee members and you. Contact Debbie with the date and time for room reservations. After a room has been reserved, go to your MyGrad account to schedule your doctoral final exam. Debbie will approve the date and time; an email confirmation from the Graduate School will be sent to all your committee members after approval.

The other formalities regarding the final submission of your dissertation are all detailed very nicely, with each step delineated, on the UW Graduate School Thesis/Dissertation webpage.

If you have any questions, please contact Debbie ([email protected]).

PhD Stipend Survey Results

The living wage ratio (LW ratio) normalizes each gross pay entry to the local living wage. The purpose is to allow you to quickly compare the pay received by students at universities in different cost-of-living areas. See the FAQ for more information.

Show/Hide gross pay details.

Ph.D. Financial Support

Fellowships for ph.d. students.

A well-defined Master of Science program of appropriate rigor is maintained, but the Department of Chemistry does not offer financial support to students whose degree goal is the master's degree. This degree is neither a prerequisite for nor a forerunner of, the Ph.D. degree, although it may be acquired along the way if a student so desires.

All admitted graduate students annually receive a full-tuition scholarship as well as coverage of the required Graduate Student Services Fees and individual insurance premiums. Admitted graduate students also annually receive primary funding via a research training assignment, pedagogical training assignment, or fellowship stipend.

Enrolling in a program of study includes additional costs beyond the tuition listed  here

For a full list of direct and indirect expenses associated with the cost of attendance, please visit the  Cost of Attendance  page of the Graduate Financial Aid Office website.

Tuition and fee information is available on  the Bursar's website  

Special Fellowships

Several supplemental fellowships are offered by the Department, such as the Freud Scholar Fellowship. Also, the Division of Physical Sciences offers a limited number of McCormick Fellowships which provide a supplemental award. All applicants are considered for these awards, and the recipients are announced with offers of admission.

Freud Scholar Fellowship

A very generous alumna of this Department has endowed the Freud Scholarship Fund at the University of Chicago, the purpose of which is to help us gather "the best and the brightest" to study here for the Ph.D. in Chemistry. 

We are excited by the possibilities afforded by the Freud Scholarship Fund to assemble a group of dedicated outstanding young chemists who will be afforded every opportunity to experience the rigors and joys of research at the Ph.D. level.

McCormick Fellowships

The Division of Physical Sciences also offers a limited number of McCormick Fellowships which provide a supplemental award.. All applicants are considered for these awards, and again, are awarded in addition to full tuition and stipend support.

Training Program in Chemistry & Biology

The interdisciplinary Predoctoral Training Program in Chemistry & Biology at the University of Chicago provides for select, outstanding students cross-training at the interface of chemistry and biology with a synthetic and mechanistic focus. This program, supported through a training grant of the National Institutes of Health, is the only interdivisional, predoctoral program at The University of Chicago that has cross-training in both the physical and the biological sciences as its objective.

Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)

The Department of Chemistry participates actively in the Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP) administered by the Pritzker School of Medicine at the University of Chicago. MSTP is a structured six-year program leading to both an M.D and a Ph.D. in chemistry. Full tuition and a stipend are awarded for the six-year period. The MSTP is funded by the National Institute of General Medical Sciences and is open only to US citizens.

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Four years of graduate assistantship minimum stipend increases planned

UW–Madison has committed to increasing minimum graduate student teaching, research, and project assistantship stipends for the next four years in a stipend forecasting plan sent last week to schools, colleges, departments, and graduate programs. Rather than setting minimum rates year-to-year, the new approach gives students, principal investigators, departments, programs, schools, and colleges the ability to budget for minimum salary increases several years into the future.

The plan emphasizes supportive factors that are critical to student success: tuition remission, health and dental insurance benefits, paid vacation and sick leave, and mentorship training.

“Our competitive benefits package – which includes stipends, tuition remission, health insurance, and other benefits – is designed to help graduate students defray their cost of living so that they can focus on their advanced studies and degree completion,” states William J. Karpus, Dean of the Graduate School, who developed the plan with Provost Charles Isbell and Vice Chancellor for Finance and Administration Robert Cramer.

Ninety-nine percent of UW-Madison graduate assistants qualify for tuition remission, which allows them to take up to a full credit load every semester tuition-free. Graduate assistants are also paid stipends that can be used to help cover the various non-tuition costs of attendance, including paying segregated fees. These fees fund services such as the bus pass programs, University Health Services, and the Child Care Tuition Assistance Program.

The plan will enable UW–Madison, which supports over 5,400 graduate students through teaching assistant, project assistant, research assistant, and lecturer student assistant appointments, to remain competitive for top applicants. The plan also provides increased clarity about future minimum stipend rates to departments, programs, schools, and colleges.

The UW–Madison minimum annualized stipend for a 50% graduate assistant or internal fellowship appointment will be:

• 2024-25 : $32,396 (14% increase from 2023-24)
• 2025-26: $35,636 (10% increase from 2024-25)
• 2026-27: $37,417 (5% increase from 2025-26)
• 2027-28: $39,288 (5% increase from 2026-27)

Many individual graduate programs set stipend rates above the minimum to respond to competitive factors within the discipline; increases to the minimum stipend have no direct effect on programs or departments already paying above these minimums.

The plan also links degree completion and career preparation to effective faculty mentorship of graduate students and to graduate students developing mentor and mentee skills. Under the new plan, the university will implement evidence-based mentorship training by the end of 2027-2028.

The Graduate School will continue to communicate with programs and departments on the specifics of the minimum rates each year, including collecting stipend-setting information each fall, and work closely with schools and colleges to explore the broad set of issues affecting graduate students.

Visit the Graduate School’s website to read more about how UW–Madison invests in graduate assistantships . Questions about the stipend forecasting plan can be directed to [email protected] .

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Taimeng Liang awarded ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry Predoctoral Fellowship

MINNEAPOLIS / ST. PAUL (3/28/2024) – Chemistry PhD student Taimeng Liang recently received a Division of Medicinal Chemistry Predoctoral Fellowship from the American Chemical Society (ACS). The fellowship aims to support outstanding third and fourth year graduate students in the field of Medicinal Chemistry.

Liang came to the University of Minnesota in 2020, after completing her undergraduate studies in Chemistry at Boston University. As a fourth year graduate student studying in the lab of Dr. Gunda Georg , Liang is working to develop novel non-hormonal, reversible, male contraceptives. “The target I am working on is BRDT, which is a testis-specific protein responsible for spermatogenesis. I am responsible for the synthesis of compounds, biological assaying of compounds, design and computational modeling of compounds,” she says. “In other words, it is a project that requires interdisciplinary focus and techniques. My overall interest in chemistry has always been performing ‘wet work’ and overseeing the entire process of drug design. Having the experience of designing a compound, optimizing it for drug candidacy, and testing its properties is all very exciting to me!” 

Being involved in interdisciplinary, multi-modal research motivates Liang to master a variety of research techniques and to be involved in a blend of specialty topics. Her goal for the next few years is to keep working to attain improved compounds and results before graduation. “I believe the project I am working on is very important for our society and shines a new light on our traditional understanding of birth control, which is usually implemented for female usage,” Liang says. 

The ACS Division of Medicinal Chemistry offers Predoctoral Fellowships to outstanding graduate students involved in Medicinal Chemistry research. The award will provide Liang with a $40,000 stipend. Over the course of their nearly 150 year history, the ACS and their subdivisions have developed a variety of financial and professional support programs. Funding from the ACS aims to advance the chemical sciences through research, education and community projects.

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