How do you get a PhD in chemistry?

Answer 1

An important thing to understand here is that you wouldn't get a PhD in chemistry as a whole subject but you would get a PhD in a certain field of chemistry, like physical chemistry.

Allow me to explain:

I'm from the UK so the first thing you would do is get a degree in Chemistry or a related subject like Medicinal Chemistry or Biochemistry, whatever you like best. This would be called a BSc; Bachelor of Science meaning you have a degree in a science based subject. So you would have a BSc in Chemistry.

Then you could go on to get a Masters, or an MSc for Master of Science.

These degrees are normally more specific than BSc's so you would study a particular part of Chemistry and not Chemistry as a whole, for example, Analytical Chemistry.

However, you can study an MSc in Chemistry as a whole which has a research basis.

Then you would do a PhD. These are primarily research degrees which would involve a specific part of Chemistry and not as a whole subject.

So you would have a really specific title.

Answer 2

To obtain a PhD in chemistry, you typically need to complete coursework, pass a series of comprehensive exams, conduct original research, write a dissertation, and defend your work in front of a committee of experts in the field. This process usually takes around 4-6 years to complete.