Policies | Chemistry (PhD) | Stanford University Bulletin

Grading Policies

Graduate students in the Chemistry PhD program are required to maintain continuous enrollment in Chem 200 (Chemical Research) prior to attaining TGR status. For Chem 200, satisfactory research progress results in 'S' grades; unsatisfactory research progress results in 'NC' grades. After students attain TGR status, they enroll in Chem 802 (TGR dissertation). Satisfactory progress on research projects or dissertation results in 'N' grades for Chem 802, which will be converted to 'S' grade upon completion of the degree program; unsatisfactory progress on research projects or dissertation results in an 'N-' grade for Chem 802.

GPA Requirements

Candidates for advanced degrees must have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 for all graduate level lecture courses. Required courses must be taken for a letter grade, with a minimum grade of a B to count toward degree requirements. Students are expected to complete all coursework before the end of their third year.

External Credit Policies

Students who have completed graduate coursework at another institution, if covering similar content as a graduate course offered at the Stanford Chemistry Department, may transfer course units during the winter quarter of their first year of doctoral study. The student shall submit a petition to the Director of Graduate Studies, who will evaluate the transfer units on a course-by-course basis. Graduate work accepted for transfer of residency may reduce the six-course requirement by as much as half.