-
Erik Berda
PROFESSOR -
Marc Boudreau
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Kathleen Bowe
Postdoctoral Research Assoc -
Arthur Greenberg
PROFESSOR -
Ian Konen
LECTURER -
Anyin Li
ASSISTANT PROFESSOR -
Nate Oldenhuis
Assistant Professor -
Roy Planalp
ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR -
Rudi Seitz
PROFESSOR -
Amit Tripathi
Postdoctoral Research Assoc -
Katharine Winans
SENIOR LECTURER
Chemistry: Chemistry Education (Ph.D.)
Chemistry: Chemistry Education (Ph.D.)

The Ph.D. Option in Chemistry Education is designed for students who plan a career at the interface of Science and Education (e.g. discipline-based education research, educational program assessment, STEM curricular design, chemistry teaching, etc.). The rigorous program involves coursework in Chemistry, Psychology and Education and original research in Chemistry Education, leading to the submission of a dissertation. Students with a research-based MS (or equivalent) will be admitted directly to the program. Students with a BS (or equivalent) will first obtain an MS degree, carrying out original laboratory-based research with a faculty mentor, and submitting a thesis. The program has a focus on developing strong writing and oral communication skills. Financial support is typically available through a teaching assistantship.
Curriculum & Requirements
Ph.D. Option in Chemistry Education
- Demonstration of a broad understanding of undergraduate chemistry by passing a series of basic examinations or satisfactory performance in approved courses.
- Demonstration of chemistry laboratory research proficiency by completing a thesis-based M.S. (or equivalent) either at UNH or another university.
- Satisfactory performance in a series of courses in science education, cognition, and qualitative/quantitative research methods.
- Attendance at Department seminars and research Lunch Talks.
- Satisfactory presentation of a Research Progress Report in the second year of residence
- Present a department seminar on a topic unrelated to dissertation research in the third year of residence.
- Preparation and oral defense of an original research prospectus in the third year of residence. Successful completion of the research proposal defense enables the student to advance to candidacy.
- Preparation, public presentation, and oral defense of a written dissertation.
- GPA of 3.0 or higher required to graduate.
- Please contact the department for additional information on this option.
Faculty Research Advisor and Dissertation Committee
Students select a research advisor during the first semester in the program after interviewing at least three faculty members. During each semester thereafter, students conduct independent research under the supervision of the Faculty Research Advisor. In the second year of residence and before the Research Progress Report, a dissertation committee is selected. This committee evaluates the student's Research Progress Report and the Research Proposal Defense. Once the Research Proposal Defense has been passed and the student advances to candidacy, a fifth committee member is selected and added to the Dissertation Committee to evaluate the Dissertation Defense.
Code | Title | Credits |
---|---|---|
Required department courses | ||
CHEM 802 | Critical and Creative Thinking for Chemists | 1 |
CHEM 992 | Graduate Writing Portfolio | 1 |
CHEM 997 | Seminar | 1 |
3 Chemistry CORE courses in a sub-discipline recommended by research advisor or MS degree | ||
Quantitative Stats | ||
Choose 1 course from: | ||
PSYC 705 | Tests and Measurement | 4 |
PSYC 905 | Research Methodology and Statistics I | 4 |
PSYC 906 | Research Methodology and Statistics II | 4 |
PSYC 907 | Research Methods and Statistics III | 4 |
EDUC 981 | Quantitative Inquiry: Methods and Techniques of Educational Research | 4 |
MATH 835 | Statistical Methods for Research | 3 |
MATH 839 | Applied Regression Analysis | 3 |
Quantitative Stats | ||
Choose 2 courses from: | ||
SOC #894 | Evaluation Research | 4 |
EDUC 982 | Qualitative Fieldwork & Data Analysis | 4 |
Cognition | ||
Choose 1 course from: | ||
PSYC 783 | Cognitive Development | 4 |
PSYC 710 | Visual Perception | 4 |
PSYC 712 | Psychology of Language | 4 |
PSYC 731 | Brain and Behavior | 4 |
PSYC 914 | Advanced Seminar in Cognition | 4 |
PSYC #917 | Advanced Seminar in Sensory and Perceptual Processes | 4 |
Deadlines
Applications must be completed by the following deadlines in order to be reviewed for admission:
- Fall: Feb. 15 (for funding); April 1 (final)
- Spring: Dec. 1
- Summer: N/A
- Special: N/A
Application fee: $65
Campus: Durham
New England Regional: No
Accelerated Masters Eligible: No
New Hampshire Residents
Students claiming in-state residency must also submit a Proof of Residence form. This form is not required to complete your application, but you will need to submit it after you are offered admission or you will not be able to register for classes.
Transcripts
If you attended UNH after September 1, 1991, and have indicated so on your online application, we will retrieve your transcript internally; this includes UNH-Durham, UNH-Manchester and UNH Non-Degree work.
If you did not attend UNH, or attended prior to September 1, 1991, then you must request one official transcript be sent directly to our office from the Registrar's Office of each college/university attended. International transcripts must be translated into English. We accept transcripts both electronically and in hard copy:
- Electronic Transcripts: Please have your institution send the transcript directly to grad.school@unh.edu. Please note that we can only accept copies sent directly from the institution.
- Paper Transcripts: Please send hard copies of transcripts to: UNH Graduate School, Thompson Hall- 105 Main Street, Durham, NH 03824. You may request transcripts be sent to us directly from the institution or you may send them yourself as long as they remain sealed in the original university envelope.
Transcripts are required for any school you earned a degree from, attended for at least one year, or attended for 2 or more semesters. Exceptions to this rule may be approved at the discretion of the program you are applying to and the UNH Graduate School Admission’s office.
Letters of recommendation: 3 required
Recommendation letters submitted by relatives or friends, as well as letters older than one year, will not be accepted.
Personal Statement
Prepare a brief but carefully crafted statement that includes: 1) Research experience. State the goals of your previous research and accomplishments to date. Including a list of publications, presentations, and awards within the Experience and Background section of the application is encouraged; however, please do not send actual publications or presentations. 2) Clear reasons why you wish to perform graduate work in chemistry education research. Include your immediate and long-range objectives. 3) Those UNH Chemistry faculty whose research interests you and why. If you do no yet hold a research-based M.S. degree, be sure to include those faculty whose laboratory-based research interests you. 4) Additional information that will enhance the selection committee’s understanding of your personal background and life experiences, including educational (e.g. teaching and leadership experience), cultural, familial, or other opportunities or challenges.
Statements must be included with your submitted application.
Important Notes
All applicants are encouraged to contact programs directly to discuss program specific application questions.
International Applicants
The University of New Hampshire recommends that international applicants who are living outside of the United States, and are planning on pursuing a research based degree, submit a preapplication form before submitting a full application. Your preapplication request will be carefully reviewed and a decision usually provided within 3 weeks. If your preapplication is approved then it is recommended you then submit a full application. If you are currently living in the United States (on a H1B visa, etc.), or you plan on pursuing a professional master’s degree, then you do not need to submit a preapplication.
Prospective international students are required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or equivalent examination scores. English Language Exams may be waived if English is your first language. If you wish to request a waiver, then please visit our Test Scores webpage for more information.
Explore Program Details
- Parsons Hall Emergency Operations Plan
- Seminars
- Resources
Chemistry Stockroom, Instrumentation, Chemistry Library, Chemistry Hygiene Plan