Skip to main content
Chemistry and Biochemistry Chemistry and Biochemistry
  1. HOME
  2. Graduate Programs
  3. Joint Doctoral Program

Joint Doctoral Program

Programs of Study

Programs of study are tailored to the needs of individual students, based on their prior training and research interests. However, progress to degree is generally similar for all students. Students spend a year at SDSU enrolled in the MA or MS chemistry program, and then they apply to the Joint Doctoral Program. During the first year of doctoral studies, JDP students take courses at UCSD and pursue research with their SDSU Thesis Adviser; students whose native language is not English must pass an English proficiency examination. Beginning the first summer, the emphasis is on research at SDSU, although UCSD or SDSU courses of special interest may be taken throughout a student's residency. In the second year, there is a departmental examination, which includes a written research proposal and an oral defense of the research proposal. In the third year, students advance to candidacy for the doctorate by defending the topic, preliminary findings, and future research plans for their dissertation. Committees for the departmental exam, advancement to candidacy exam, and the thesis defense are made up of faculty from both the SDSU and the UCSD campuses.

Research Opportunities

Research opportunities are listed on the SDSU Department of Chemistry Faculty and Facilities Web pages. 

Teaching

Teaching apprenticeships are a vital and integral part of graduate student training. JPD students must fulfill any teaching that may be required at SDSU for degree requirements or support.

Financial Support

Prospective JDP students should contact SDSU about possible financial support. Students pay fees and out-of-state tuition (if applicable) to SDSU only. 

Health and Dental Plan

A primary health care program, major medical plan, and dental plan are among the benefits provided by the University's registration fee (see Graduate Student Health Insurance Program, GSHIP). Minor illnesses and injuries can usually be treated at the Student Health Center. Counseling is provided free of charge through Counseling and Psychological Services.

Admissions

Applicants must submit complete applications for their JDP program of interest at both UC San Diego (UCSD) and San Diego State University (SDSU) The respective application deadlines for your program of interest's applications at both institutions will be the same.

To make admissions decisions, the admissions committees consider an applicant's:

  • Transcripts (minimum average grade of B, 3.0 overall GPA, in past year required)
  • Quality of the undergraduate university
  • Research experience or publications
  • Letters of recommendation (especially from proposed SDSU Thesis Adviser)
  • Neither the General GRE nor the Subject GRE are required.

  • Applicants that have recently studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country in which English is a dominant language, are exempt from language testing requirements.

    Demonstrated proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or DTE) is required for all other international applicants whose native language is not English. Requirements for demonstrating proficiency are listed below.

    • TOEFL iBT Speaking subscore of 23 and above
    • IELTS Speaking minimum subscore of 7
    • PTE Speaking minimum subscores of 65
    • DET Total minimum subscore of 120 (out of 160)

    For more information on the English Language Proficiency requirements, please visit this website by our Division of Graduate Education and Postdoctoral Affairs.

  • Statement of purpose (research interests and reason for applying)
  • Competitiveness of the applicant pool