/College of Arts and Sciences
Department of Chemistry

Rotations FAQ

Our rotation program is designed to give PhD students experience in multiple research labs before deciding which lab they would like to do their PhD thesis in. A rotation is a short research position within an individual lab. Experience in multiple different labs can aid students in deciding which projects and lab environments best suit their interests.

Prospective students are asked to give preferences for their 1st rotation labs in June. Typically, students are matched up with a rotation advisor in July and begin their rotations on the first day of classes (usually late August). A second rotation begins 6 weeks after the start of the 1st rotation. A 3rd rotation will start 6 weeks after the 2nd starts (12 weeks after the beginning of the semester).

Please note that all rotation assignments need to be finalized though the rotation advisor or graduate program coordinator.

FAQ:

Chemistry PhD students are allowed to rotate with any of the Core or Affiliated Faculty on our departmental website.

No. Although most of our PhD students participate in rotations it is not required. Notably, if a student does not complete 2 full rotations they must take 6 graduate course to meet our degree requirements. Students who complete 2 rotations only need to take 5 graduate courses to meet the degree requirements.

If you have already decided on a research advisor and obtained a commitment from them that you can join their lab.