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 1st sem AY 2025-2026, the deadline for submitting the Request Letter is on September 12. Schedule of exams is on October 6, 7, 8 and 9.

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 four exams: (1) Inorganic, (2) Analytical, (3) Organic, and (4) Physical Chemistry   Biochemistry will be a subsection of the Organic Chemistry exam Student’s performance will be rated PASS or FAIL for each of the four exams. PASS if ≥50% FAIL if <50%	Pass all four exams: (1) Inorganic, (2) Analytical, (3) Organic, and (4) Physical Chemistry   Biochemistry will be a subsection of the Organic Chemistry exam Student’s performance will be rated PASS or FAIL for each of the four exams. PASS if ≥50% FAIL if <50%
Time Limit	4 hours maximum per field	4 hours maximum per field
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 any of the 4 exams will be allowed to retake the failed exam(s), but only once.   The repeat exam(s) must be taken during the available exam period within 1 year from the 1st exam. Failure in the repeat exam(s) will result in disqualification from the MS program.	Students who fail any of the 4 exams will be allowed to retake the failed exam(s), but only once.   The repeat exam(s) must be taken during the available exam period within 1 year from the 1st exam. Failure in the repeat exam(s) will result in disqualification from the PhD program.
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.
Exam Periods	For 2nd sem: around April 1-15 For 1st sem: around October 1-15	For 2nd sem: around April 1-15 For 1st sem: around October 1-15