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University

University of Auckland
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Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry

This course is available

On-Campus

Level of Study

Doctoral Degree

Duration

3 years

Next start date

Expected Feb 2024

Campus

Epsom Campus

Summary

The PhD is a globally recognised postgraduate research degree, the highest level of degree you can achieve. PhD students are critical, curious, creative thinkers who undertake original research over at least 3 years. As well as your supervised original research, through your doctoral programme you will have opportunities to expand and develop your personal and professional skills. Doctoral candidates present their work at local and international conferences, and are encouraged to network and collaborate with a wide range of experts in their research field.

This course is also offered at overseas.

Chemistry is the science behind inventions such as semiconductors, polymers, pharmaceuticals and a wide range of advanced materials.

Chemistry gives you a sound understanding of the chemical nature of matter and a grounding in laboratory-based chemical science. It is an extraordinarily multidisciplinary science and the interaction with other sciences has an enormous influence on our modern lifestyle and standard of living.

You will explore the impact of chemistry, from the chemistry of elements and their compounds and the relationship between molecular structure and reactivity, to the role of energy, concepts of bond formation and chemical equilibrium.

Issues such as green science and sustainability, energy and fuels, drug design and development and the creation of new materials will provide a robust foundation to your study, alongside bonding and reactivity, synthesis and reactivity, and the physico-chemical principles and techniques that underlie a wide range of modern analytical methods used in chemistry and the biomedical sciences.

You may then concentrate on advanced materials chemistry, biomolecular chemistry, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, medicinal chemistry, structural and computational chemistry, or the synthesis of bioactive molecules amongst other research interests.

Programme structure

The University of Auckland PhD is a three-to-four year full-time advanced research degree.

On possible to the PhD programme, you will be enrolled provisionally. By the end of your first year, you must meet a number of goals to be confirmed into the PhD programme, including developing a full thesis proposal. After confirmation, you will continue to work on your research before submitting your thesis for examination after three years and within four years of your start date. The examination process includes an oral exam.

As part of your PhD study, you can take part in our doctoral skills programme, designed to help you achieve success in your research and develop skills for your future. We have a dedicated postgraduate careers advisor, and our library service includes specialist subject librarians to help you in your research. The central School of Graduate Studies provides dedicated support and advice for the doctoral community.

Where could this programme take you?

Our PhD graduates are successful in a wide range of fields and careers, as well as the traditional academic research career path. The PhD gives you extensive specialist and transferable skills, which are sought after in many sectors, including industry and government, and can even help you to develop entrepreneurship skills to run your own startup.

Entry criteria

Masters-level qualification or the equivalent of a bachelors degree with honours

Evidence of significant research, usually undertaken as part of prior study

English language requirements

  • IELTS (Academic) - Overall score of 6.5 and no bands below 6.0
  • Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) - Overall score of 90 and a writing score of 21
  • Paper-based TOEFL - Overall score of 68 and a writing score of 21
  • C1 Advanced (previously - Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE)) - Overall score of 176 and no bands below 169
  • C2 Proficiency (previously - Cambridge English Proficiency (CPE)) - Overall score of 176 and no bands below 169
  • University of Auckland Foundation Certificate in English for Academic Purposes (FCertEAP) - Grade of B-
  • University of Auckland English Pathway for Postgraduate Studies (EPPS) - Grade of B-
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic - Overall score of 58 and no PTE Communicative score below 50
  • Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB) - 85
  • Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English (ISE) - ISE III with a pass in all 4 components
  • LanguageCert - International ESOL - C1 Expert (LRWS) with a high pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill OR C2 Mastery with a pass overall and no less than a pass in each skill
  • AEMG English for Academic Purposes Direct Entry Program (AEAP DEP) Final Exam - Overall score of 70% with no section below 65%
  • English New Zealand Accredited Pathway Assessment - Assessment Level 3 overall and no skill below Level 2

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