Application Process

Applicants to the masters or doctoral programs should have training equivalent to that of an undergraduate chemistry or biochemistry major, preferably in a program accredited by the American Chemical Society or the equivalent. In addition to coursework in the fundamental areas of chemistry (organic, physical, analytical, biological, and inorganic), the student is assumed to possess a good working knowledge of mathematics and physics.

Typically, new graduate students begin in the Fall term (mid-September). Applications files should be complete by *February 1st* to be considered for the first round of assistantship offers for the Fall term. Graduate Students admitted to the Department usually are financially supported (please see Financial Assistance).

Applicants are required to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE) aptitude test (General test only, Subject test is optional), as well as provide GRE scores, undergraduate transcripts, two letters of recommendation, a personal statement and graduate assistantship application (if applicable). Applicants whose native language is not English also must schedule the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to submitting a departmental application. The TOEFL is a University requirement, for minimum exam scores please follow the link to the PSU International Admissions Office. Applications are evaluated on all of the above components, incomplete applications will not be reviewed.

Please note there are two applications to submit, one application packet to the Department of Chemistry and the other to the Portland State University Office of Admissions. For your convenience, two checklists of the required application materials have been provided below with links to downloadable PDF files. Please send application materials to the appropriate department as indicated.

For additional application questions please contact Joan Zivi, the graduate admissions coordinator, at zivij@pdx.edu, or by phone at (503) 725-8756 (toll-free: 1-800-547-8887 ext. 8756).