The written exams are a set of exams intended to test the student’s ability to integrate and apply the overall knowledge they have gained from their core courses in different areas of chemistry.

Process

Student must submit a Request Letter (to express intent to take these exams) by email to the IC Director (the DDRE must be cc’d in the email). Note that you will only be allowed to take these exams if you have already completed all your core courses.

Schedule

For 2nd sem AY 2024-2025, the deadline for submitting the Request Letter is on March 14. Tentative schedule of exams is 1st-2nd week of April.

Guidelines

	Preliminary	Qualifying
Intended for	MS Non-Thesis Option	PhD
Minimum Requirements	Completed core courses	Completed core courses
Additional Requirements	Written request addressed to the IC Director	Written request addressed to the IC Director
Mode	Written	Written
Purpose	To test the student’s ability to integrate and apply the overall knowledge they have gained from core courses	To test the student’s ability to integrate and apply the overall knowledge they have gained from core courses
Passing Requirements	Pass all exams in Inorganic, Analytical, Organic, and Physical Chemistry   Biochemistry will be a subsection of the Organic Chemistry exam   Passing rate: 50%	Pass all exams in Inorganic, Analytical, Organic, and Physical Chemistry   Biochemistry will be a subsection of the Organic Chemistry exam   Passing rate: 50%
Time Limit	4 hours maximum	4 hours maximum
Examiners	Test construction will be handled by student’s instructors whenever possible.	Test construction will be handled by student’s instructors whenever possible.
Repeat Policy	Students who fail 3 or more exams on the first attempt will not be allowed to repeat and will be out of the program.   Students who fail 1 or 2 exams may repeat the failed exams, but only once.   Repeat exams must be taken in the next available exam period, around 1 year from the exam date.	Students who fail 3 or more exams on the first attempt will not be allowed to repeat and will be out of the program.   Students who fail 1 or 2 exams may repeat the failed exams, but only once.   Repeat exams must be taken in the next available exam period, around 1 year from the exam date.
Other Exam Parameters	Exam mode will be left to the examiners. Exams may be open notes, but the policy must be the same for all examiners within the same academic group.   Exam must be reasonable, and must cover only what was covered at the time the student took the course.	Exam mode will be left to the examiners. Exams may be open notes, but the policy must be the same for all examiners within the same academic group.   Exam must be reasonable, and must cover only what was covered at the time the student took the course.
Timeframe	Usually around April 1-15 upon request	Usually around April 1-15 upon request