Coursework & Registration for Continuing Scholars

section III, article 1

Coursework is an opportunity to delve deeper into the science of your chosen research area as well as the discipline of chemistry more broadly. Required skills-based coursework in proposal preparation, pedagogy, and ethics, among others, will help prepare you for your thesis work and for the job market.

Reminder of requirements

“Continuing” coursework refers to course effort after the first year of graduate school.

Review the First Year Coursework article for a list of courses required for all scholars and an overview of grading policy and expectations.

The Course Plan Guidance provides an at-a-glance view of requirements by semester:

Chemistry-Course-Plan-_-Rev-Apr-2024Download

Petitioning for Course Credit or a Course Waiver

Scholars may petition to receive course credit for graduate courses taken at another institution and/or a course waiver for a maximum of 9 credit hours. The scholar should submit the Petition for Course Credit and/or Waiver form as supporting documentation with a petition to the graduate program. Petitions will be forwarded to the Graduate Committee for review. Transfer credit requests must also be approved by the Laney Graduate School Dean (see box below.)

Coursework petitions must be submitted by the end of the first semester of coursework.

What is the difference between transfer credit and a waiver?

Course transfer credit may be given only for courses that were not used to satisfy the requirements of any previous degree. When you request course credit, you are requesting for a specific course taken elsewhere to be included on your official Emory transcript. Transfer credit may also reduce the number of courses required at Emory by an equivalent amount. A course waiver may be requested to reduce the usual six-credit course load required for candidacy based on prior coursework at the graduate level. Waivers may be requested for courses that were also used to satisfy requirements for a previous degree. In the case of a waiver, the courses themselves will not be reflected on the Emory transcript. It is more common for students to be eligible for a waiver than for transfer credit.

Scholars wishing to use non-chemistry coursework as part of a transfer or waiver request should include a rationale indicating the relevance of the course to the chemistry degree. Support from the primary research mentor significantly strengthens requests (therefore, scholars are encouraged to submit these requests after group selection has concluded.)

All requested waivers and petitions will be reviewed. However, scholars should be advised that in most cases, it benefits the scholar to take a full slate of courses at Emory.​​​​​​​

Course Registration for Continuing Scholars

All scholars should meet with their primary research mentor to decide on necessary coursework. First year scholars are encouraged to consult their rotation advisors and/or the DGS. Scholars must register themselves online via OPUS. The Graduate Program Coordinator can provide assistance but is not responsible for enrollment. Scholars are responsible for ensuring that they are enrolled prior to the enrollment deadline each semester. 

Milestone Course Guidance

Scholars must enroll in a specific course to properly record and receive credit for chemistry milestones. Scholars should enroll in these courses in the semester in which they plan to complete a milestone. Scholars are also required to re-enroll if they are approved to re-test a milestone in a given semester.

  • CHEM 798B: Second Year Qualifying Exam (3 credits)
  • CHEM 798C: Third Year Milestone (1 credit)
  • CHEM 798D: Fourth Year Milestone (1 credit)

Registering for External Courses

Scholars who wish to register for courses offered outside of the Department of Chemistry must complete the External Coursework Petition. This form requires signatures from the primary research mentor, the Instructor of Record for the requested course, and the graduate committee. If a scholar wishes to apply a non-chemistry course towards the six chemistry courses required for candidacy, they should indicate this on the petition.

Coursework Residency Requirement and Research Credit

All scholars in the graduate program are required to maintain a full course load consisting of at least 9 units during the fall, spring and summer semesters. In most semesters, scholars will need to enroll in CHEM 599R (Pre-Candidacy) or CHEM 799R (Post-Candidacy) to properly reflect their research effort. Scholars should refer to the table below to determine the appropriate research credit to reflect their effort in a given semester.

Research Credit Guidance

First Year, First Semester0
First Year, Second Semester6
First Year, Summer12
Second Year, First Semester9
Second Year, Second Semester9
Second Year Summer and Above12
Note: In any given semester, if a scholar calculates that their full credit load will fall below 9 credits or rise above 18 credits, the scholar must contact the Director of Graduate studies to discuss prior to the beginning of add/drop.

Grading for Research Credit

The Instructor of Record for CHEM 599R/ 799R is the Director of Graduate Studies. The DGS will seek input from the primary research mentor as to the scholar’s research progress at the midpoint of each semester. Scholars will be graded as:

  • Progressing well, no concerns 
  • Some concerns will need improvement 
  • Major concerns, needs significant improvement 

Scholars will be informed of their mid-semester evaluation and will be provided with notes from the primary research mentor regarding the assessment. At the end of the semester, faculty will be asked to advise the DGS of any changes to the mid-semester evaluation. Scholars must receive an assessment of “progressing well, no concerns” to earn an “S” grade in research in a given semester.

Share Your Thoughts

If you would like to provide feedback on this handbook entry, we invite you to submit this form.

Next: Teaching

Course Transfer Credit or Waiver

Appendix D

Request for a course waiver waiver via petition

Scholars may petition to receive course waiver for graduate courses taken at another institution up to a maximum of 9 credit hours. An approved waiver may reduce the usual six-credit course load required for candidacy based on prior coursework at the graduate level.

The scholar should submit the Petition for Course Credit and/or Waiver form as supporting documentation with a petition to the graduate program. Petitions will be forwarded to the Graduate Committee for review and the scholar will receive a response as a program letter from the DGS.

Coursework petitions must be submitted by the end of the first semester of coursework.

All petitions will be reviewed. However, scholars should be advised that in most cases, it benefits the scholar to take a full slate of courses at Emory.​​​​​​​

Provide syllabi related to the request

Petitions for a course waiver should be accompanied by the syllabus for the course at the previous institution and for the Emory course the scholar feels is equivalent. The scholar is expected to have compared the previous course and the Emory course to determine that the waiver request is appropriate.

Courses taken at Emory for credit must be distinct from waived courses

If a course waiver is approved, the scholar will be advised that they may not receive credit again for the same course at Emory. Therefore, if the scholar has additional courses to complete following the approved waiver, the scholar must complete new courses distinct from the approved course to fulfill any remaining course requirements.

Example: A three credit waiver is approved for CHEM 521 because it is judged to be substantially similair to a course completed at another instituion. The scholar must complete five additional courses at Emory to enter candidacy – none of these courses may be CHEM 521.

Support from primary research mentor

Support from the primary research mentor significantly strengthens requests for a course waiver. Therefore, scholars are encouraged to submit these requests after group selection has concluded so that their request may be accompanied by a letter from the primary research mentor. The mentor should address:

  • The relevance of the previous work to the PhD degree
  • The scholar’s mastery of the previous work and method via which mastery has been judged
  • How the waiver will support the scholar as they pursue training related to the PhD degree (That is, will they take more classes in a different area? Fewer classes to avoid repetition of effort that will free up time for laboratory work?)

Transfer credit versus waiver

In almost every case, it is most appropriate for a scholar to request a course waiver rather than transfer credit.

Course transfer credit may be given only for courses that were not used to satisfy the requirements of any previous degree. When you request course credit, you are requesting for a specific course taken elsewhere to be included on your official Emory transcript. Transfer credit may also reduce the number of courses required at Emory by an equivalent amount. It is more common for students to be eligible for a waiver than for transfer credit.

Share Your Thoughts

If you would like to provide feedback on this handbook entry, we invite you to submit this form.

Next: Teaching

First Year Course Selection

section II, article 4

Coursework is an opportunity to delve deeper into the science of your chosen research area as well as the discipline of chemistry more broadly. Required skills-based coursework in proposal preparation, pedagogy, and ethics, among others, will help prepare you for your thesis work and for the job market.

Required courses for all scholars

  • six 3-credit chemistry graduate courses (or approved external courses)
  • TATT 600 + 605 (TATTO)
  • JPE 600 + 606 + 610 (JPE)
  • ELSP courses, if required (ELSP)
  • CHEM 504 (Rotations)
  • CHEM 597 (Proposal/Library Course)
  • CHEM 798B, CHEM 798C, CHEM 798D (Milestones)
  • Research credit (every semester except the first)
Chemistry-Course-Plan-_-Rev-Apr-2024Download

Grading

Courses are graded as Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory (S/U) or on a letter grade basis (A, A-, B+, B, B-, C, or F). Courses that offer a letter grade must be taken for a grade if they will be applied towards the requirements for candidacy.

Understanding course levels

Graduate courses at Emory are offered at the 500-level or above. The following guidance may be helpful in distinguishing between levels:

  • 500-level: core/foundational graduate course; appropriate for any graduate scholar
  • 600-level: required training courses, including TATTO and JPE
  • 700-level: advanced graduate course; first year scholars may enroll, but are encouraged to seek advising support to ensure they can be successful in the course

New scholar enrollment

New scholars will meet with faculty during orientation to select coursework for the first semester.  A signed Course Selection Form is required for the first semester only.

Enrollment in two chemistry graduate courses is considered a full load during the first year.

First year scholars wishing to take a third course in either the Fall or Spring should request DGS permission prior to enrollment via a petition to the graduate program. Scholars are advised that two courses is considered a full load and is the most common successful path through the program. Scholars who elect to take three courses have the option of dropping one course at any point during the semester; this action will result in a “W” notation on the transcript.

ELSP courses

The LGS English Language Support Program (ELSP) provides high quality language support to graduate and professional students, postdoctoral fellows, and scholars with diverse linguistic backgrounds at all stages of the academic journey.  Scholars for whom English is a second language may be required to take an ELSP assessment during orientation. The chemistry graduate program strongly encourages scholars to take all required and recommended ELSP courses. ELSP courses are also recommended as an excellent resource for fluent English speakers seeking support in graduate writing and presentation skills.

Registering for external (non-Chemistsry) courses

In most cases, first year, first semester scholars will be best served by taking all of their courses in chemistry. However, after this point, scholars are encouraged to broadly explore course offerings across Emory.

Scholars who wish to register for courses offered outside of the Department of Chemistry must complete the External Coursework Petition. This form requires signatures from the primary research mentor (or DGS prior to joining a group) and the Instructor of Record for the requested course. If a scholar wishes to apply a non-chemistry course towards the six chemistry courses required for candidacy, they should indicate this request on the petition.

First year research credit

All scholars in the graduate program are required to maintain a full course load consisting of at least 9 units during the fall, spring and summer semesters.

First Year, First Semester (Fall)

First year scholars should NOT enroll in any research credit during their first semester at Emory. Research effort during the first semester is tracked via enrollment in CHEM 504: Rotations. Scholars may be automatically enrolled in research credit as a temporary placeholder prior to course selection – it is the responsibility of the scholar to drop these credits when they enroll in their selected courses.

First Year, Second Semester (Spring)

Scholars should enroll in 6 credits of CHEM599R to reflect research effort.

First Year, Third Semester (Summer)

Scholars should enroll in 12 credits of CHEM599R to reflect research effort.

Next: Teaching

Probation Policy

Section VI, Article 1

We want all scholars to succeed. If you are concerned about falling into probationary status, be sure to communicate with the Graduate Program Coordinator and your primary research mentor to determine your best path forward.

Causes of probationary status

Scholars whose work causes them to fall into probationary status will receive notification from Laney Graduate School. Scholars who receive a semester or Cumulative G.P.A. of < 2.7 will fall into probationary status. In addition, scholars will receive a “U” grade for the following courses (thus falling in to probationary status) when they fail to meet a program requirement:

  • CHEM 504 for failure to complete rotations or join a group
  • CHEM 798B for failure to successfully complete the Second Year Qualifying Exam or failure to successfully complete a re-test within one semester
  • CHEM 798C for failure to successfully complete the Third Year Milestone or failure to successfully complete a re-test within one semester
  • CHEM 798D for failure to successfully complete the Fourth Year Milestone or failure to successfully complete a re-test within one semester
  • TATT 605 for unsatisfactory TA performance
  • CHEM 599 (pre-candidacy) or CHEM 799 (post-candidacy) for insufficient research progress and/or failure to submit an annual report
  • Receiving an “I” or “U” grade in six or more credits

Scholars in probationary status are not eligible for merit awards or LGS Professional Development Support (PDS) funds. Scholars will receive formal notice of probationary status from the Laney Graduate School.

Review process

All scholars will be reviewed at the end of each semester by the faculty. Scholars who fall into probationary status due to a negative review will be informed of their status in writing by the Laney Graduate School. Consequences of a negative review may include:

  • Withdrawal of financial support
  • Repetition of research, coursework, and/or examinations
  • Termination from the program

Scholars in probationary status

Scholars will be recommended for termination from the program by no later than the end of their second semester on probation. Scholars who fail to successfully re-test any milestone within one semester of their first attempt will be recommended for termination from the program at the conclusion of that semester even if they have not been on probation more than once.

Appeal of probationary status

Scholars facing termination due to probationary status may petition for one additional semester to improve their record by following the departmental petition process. The petition must address:

  1. Any extenuating circumstances that contributed to the probationary status.
  2. A formal request for an extension with a specific deadline for submitting any outstanding work included.
  3. A supporting letter from the primary research mentor, including a plan for ongoing financial support.

The Graduate Committee will review petitions and advise the scholar of the outcome. Scholars may petition for a maximum of two semester-long extensions.

Alternatively, scholars may petition for a change of program following a recommended termination in order to complete the M.S. degree.

Termination

Scholars whose appeal (or change of program to the M.S.) is not approved will be recommended for termination from the program by no later than the end of their second semester on probation.

Share Your Thoughts

If you would like to provide feedback on this handbook entry, we invite you to submit this form.

Next: Grievance Policy

Coursework for Continuing Scholars

section III, article 1

Coursework is an opportunity to delve deeper into the science of your chosen research area as well as the discipline of chemistry more broadly. Required skills-based coursework in proposal preparation, pedagogy, and ethics, among others, will help prepare you for your thesis work and for the job market.

Reminder of requirements

“Continuing” coursework refers to course effort after the first year of graduate school.

Review the First Year Coursework article for a list of courses required for all scholars and an overview of grading policy and expectations.

The Course Plan Guidance provides an at-a-glance view of requirements by semester:

Chemistry-Course-PlanDownload

Course registration for continuing scholars

All scholars should meet with their primary research mentor to decide on necessary coursework. First year scholars are encouraged to consult their rotation advisors and/or the DGS. Scholars must register themselves online via OPUS. The Graduate Program Coordinator can provide assistance but is not responsible for enrollment. Scholars are responsible for ensuring that they are enrolled prior to the enrollment deadline each semester. 

Milestone course guidance

Scholars must enroll in a specific course to properly record and receive credit for chemistry milestones. Scholars should enroll in these courses in the semester in which they plan to complete a milestone. Scholars are also required to re-enroll if they are approved to re-test a milestone in a given semester.

  • CHEM 798B: Second Year Qualifying Exam (3 credits)
  • CHEM 798C: Third Year Milestone (1 credit)
  • CHEM 798D: Fourth Year Milestone (1 credit)

Registering for external courses

Scholars who wish to register for courses offered outside of the Department of Chemistry must complete the External Coursework Petition. This form requires signatures from the primary research mentor, the Instructor of Record for the requested course, and the graduate committee. If a scholar wishes to apply a non-chemistry course towards the six chemistry courses required for candidacy, they should indicate this on the petition.

Coursework residency requirement and research credit

All scholars in the graduate program are required to maintain a full course load consisting of at least 9 units during the fall, spring and summer semesters. In most semesters, scholars will need to enroll in CHEM 599R (Pre-Candidacy) or CHEM 799R (Post-Candidacy) to properly reflect their research effort. Scholars should refer to the table below to determine the appropriate research credit to reflect their effort in a given semester.

Research credit guidance

First Year, First Semester0
First Year, Second Semester6
First Year, Summer12
Second Year, First Semester9
Second Year, Second Semester9
Second Year Summer and Above12
Note: In any given semester, if a scholar calculates that their full credit load will fall below 9 credits or rise above 18 credits, the scholar must contact the Director of Graduate studies to discuss prior to the beginning of add/drop.
Share Your Thoughts

If you would like to provide feedback on this handbook entry, we invite you to submit this form.

Next: Teaching

Orientation

section II, article 1

Orientation activities always begin on the start date indicated in your Emory offer letter – this is quite a bit earlier than the first day of classes, generally the middle of August.

​​​​​​

Orientation overview

New scholars are required to attend orientation for both the chemistry graduate program and the Laney Graduate School before the start of classes.

Advanced students may be required to attend orientation activities to complete program requirements that were missed or not offered during their own orientation.

​​​​​​​All orientation activities are mandatory. Scholars who do not participate may forfeit their August stipend payment and/or be excluded from rotation activities.

Orientation content

Orientation will include the following:

  • introductions
  • program requirements, including rotations
  • mail and keys
  • Emory ID cards and building access
  • payroll and compensation
  • facilities and stockroom
  • safety training
  • TA training
  • ethics training
  • academic advising with faculty
  • course selection and registration
  • cohort team building
  • strategies for success in graduate school
  • peer mentoring and graduate organizations
Next: Research Rotation Program