First Year Students

The GSO would like to welcome you to the University of Maryland and to the graduate student experience! 

We are seeking a first year representative to serve on the GSO committee!  This commitment is expected to be no more than 1-2 hours per week and includes attending GSO committee meetings, providing feedback regarding any issues that the first year grad students may be encountering. If you are interested, please send an email to UMDChemistryGSO@gmail.com!
Below is an outline of the typical graduate student experience:
 
Semesters 1 and 2: 

• Enrolled in 3-4 Courses
• Completing Teaching Requirement (in discussion or traditional lab courses)
• Taking cumulative exams (see Resources for examples)
• Searching for a research advisor (see Tips for Sucessful Lab Placement)
• Attending the weekly seminar in your discipline.

During the Winter term, you will take CHEM612, in which you and your classmates will deliver an oral presentation of the literature review you completed in CHEM611 (taken in the Fall term).
 
Semesters 3 and 4:

• Completing course requirements (21 credit hours)
• Giving a Literature Seminar (required)
• Completing cumulative exam requirement
• Advancing to Candidacy!

 
Semesters 5 through 8-10:

• After completion of candidacy, you will primarily be conducting research toward completion of your PhD.  In addition, you will be developing your professional network by attending local and national conferences and being involved in the local section of the ACS, the Chemical Society of Washington. 
• Students are supported by Teaching or Research Assisstanships or through Fellowships.