Director of Graduate Studies
Department of Chemistry
Amnon Kohen
Lei Geng
Useful Links
Manual
of Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College
Handbook
for New Graduate Students
The University of Iowa Graduate College
Department of Chemistry Guidelines for Graduate Study
Frequently Asked Questions (DGS = Director of
Graduate Studies).
What is the role of the DGS?
How do I contact the DGS?
How do I handle transfer
credits?
What classes count
towards the Advanced Course Requirement?
When do I select my Academic
Committee?
How do I select my Graduate
Committee?
Where can I get the form for …?
What is the role of the DGS?
The DGS handles questions regarding the Guidelines for Graduate Study
in Chemistry and the Rules and Regulations of the Graduate College.
How do I contact the DGS?
Write an e-mail to amnon-kohen@uiowa.edu or
lei-geng@uiowa.edu.
You can ask your question by e-mail, or request an appointment.
How do I handle transfer credits?
There are TWO separate issues regarding transfer credits:
1) You need 72 semester hours to obtain a Ph.D. If you have taken graduate classes at another institution, you may be able to transfer credits to the UI and count these credits towards the 72 s.h. It is up to the Graduate College to approve these credits, NOT the DGS. The Graduate College usually makes this determination when you are accepted to study at the UI. If you have questions regarding this please contact Janet Kugley (janet-kugley@uiowa.edu)
2) You must complete 11 s.h. of graduate courses (i.e. 4 classes) by the end of your 4th semester (See Advanced Course Requirement in the Guidelines). A maximum of 6 s.h. (i.e. 2 courses) can be applied towards the 11 s.h. However, these transfer credits must be approved by the DGS. To get approval:
- a. Make sure the Graduate College accepted your transfer credits.
- b. Talk with your advisor about what classes, if any, you should ask about (don’t start this process until you have been assigned a permanent advisor, by the end of your first semester.)
- c. Write a memo describing what transferred class you would like to have count towards your Advanced Course Requirement. Include a copy of the syllabus (or other detailed description of what the course covered) and the transcript showing the grade you got for this class.
- d. The DGS will consider your request (this may take 1-2 weeks), and respond in writing.
What classes count towards the Advanced Course Requirement?
A partial list is given below. For other classes, please get approval from
the DGS before registration.
004:2XX, i.e. any 200 level chemistry course, except seminars
(281, 283, 285, 286), Frontiers (287), and Research (291).
002:123
002:218
004:173
004:180
052:156
061:112
071:130
071:135
077:222
099:110
099:241-242
22M:100
22M:104
22S:101
When do I select my Academic Committee?
Anytime after you are assigned a permanent advisor (end of 1st semester) but
before your comprehensive exam (during your 4th semester).
How do I select my Academic Committee?
1) Make a list of four possible faculty members with your advisor
a) You can have a maximum of two faculty members from your division
b) You must have faculty members from at least three different divisions
2) Contact the faculty members and ask if they are willing to serve on the committee
3) When you have found four faculty members who agree to be on your committee give their names to Sharon Robertson (Sharon-Robertson@uiowa.edu)
Where can I get the form for …?
See Sharon Robertson in 305 CB. She also knows all the deadlines.
