Program description
The College of Arts and Sciences offers a doctoral degree in biomedical sciences with a specialization in health and environmental chemistry which is centered in the Department of Chemistry. The program requires a strong academic background in the natural sciences. Graduates will complete a unified program of formal coursework, as well as independent dissertation research, and will possess the theoretical background and practical skills necessary for successful contribution to the solution of environmental and health-related chemical problems. Scientists who graduate with this specialization will be capable of applying state-of-the-art methods to the determination, quantification and management of a wide variety of naturally occurring and synthetic chemical substances and the related chemical processes. No other doctoral program in Michigan focuses on these particular areas of chemistry, yet the contributions of highly trained doctoral-level scientists are essential to the resolution of major problems facing the nation in these areas.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Students are admitted to the Doctor of Philosophy in Biomedical Sciences program typically in the fall semester only. Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
All applicants to this program are admitted for the fall semester only. The application deadlines are:
- February 15 (early), April 15 (regular) and July 15 (late) for fall semester
- International applicants: May 1 for fall semester
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all Graduate Application Requirements and additional department requirements by the published application deadlines:
-
- Additional department application requirements
| |
- Additional Recommendation for Graduate Admission form
- In addition to the two Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms listed above, a third recommendation form is required by the program.
- Applicants must have earned bachelor’s degree in a natural science, mathematics, or other discipline relevant to health and environmental chemistry.
- Proficiency at the undergraduate level in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and two additional areas (inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, cell biology, or physiology). Students who are not proficient may need to take additional coursework. Applicants with undergraduate prerequisite course deficiencies in these areas must complete the preparatory course work before being eligible for admission to the graduate program.
- Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Although the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required, the general or subject GRE may enhance the applicant’s likelihood for acceptance into the program. Applicants may arrange for their official GRE scores to be submitted to Oakland University; the institution code for Oakland University is 1497.
|
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate school at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Oakland University Graduate School, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
Biomedical Sciences Doctoral Program Committee
The program committee, appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, consists of one faculty member from the two biomedical sciences specialization areas* as well as the coordinator of graduate programs in the College of Arts and Sciences, who serves as chair of the program committee. The program committee advises the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on admission of students, selection of student committees, proposals for changes in degree requirements and approval of doctoral dissertations.
* Health and Environmental Chemistry and Medical Physics
Biomedical Sciences doctoral program specialization committees
Two specialization committees, appointed by the Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences on recommendations from the chairs of the chemistry and physics departments, are responsible for preliminary screening of applications for admission, preliminary approval of dissertation committees, approval of course selections by each student, certification of fulfillment of proficiency requirements by each student, administration, and grading of preliminary examinations for each student, and proposal of any modifications in degree requirements for students in that specialization. Each specialization committee appoints specific faculty members to advise each incoming student selecting that specialization until the student’s dissertation committee is established.
Transfer credits
Accepted applicants who have previously earned a master’s degree from Oakland University or another regionally accredited university may request to apply up to 32 credits toward their doctoral degree. This petition must be approved by the Specialization in Health and Environmental Chemistry Committee and Oakland University Graduate School. Any credits transferred from an institution other than Oakland University must be graduate level credits with a grade of 3.0 or above in each course and be approved by the Specialization in Health and Environmental Chemistry Committee and Oakland University Graduate School.
Proficiency of entering students
Each student entering the program must demonstrate proficiency in specific areas of coursework. Upon entering the program the student must consult with the appropriate specialization adviser who will plan a program of coursework to eliminate any deficiencies in the student’s preparation.