Graduate Studies in ChE

Prospective graduate students apply to the chemical engineering graduate program online through the University of Virginia. Generally, graduate students are admitted and begin their studies during the fall semester. Admission to the department is highly competitive, and applications are thoroughly and carefully reviewed to identify tenacious and curious applicants with research interests and goals that align with department research activities and who have demonstrated excellence in prior academic, research, and leadership activities.

Online Application for U.S. Citizens and International Students

Special instructions and information for international applicants

Deadlines (for fall semester admission)

• U.S. Citizens: January 15 (for financial aid consideration) or August 1
• International Applicants: January 15 (for financial aid consideration) or April 1

IMPORTANT! Students seeking financial assistance for fall semester admission should complete their application by January 15. Applications received after this date may be considered, but financial aid may no longer be available.

GRE Scores: The Department of Chemical Engineering no longer receives or reviews GRE scores.

The department currently has a strong focus on the doctoral program and admits very few students to the terminal master's degree program. Applicants interested in a terminal master's degree are encouraged to explore the options provided by Virginia Engineering Online (VEO).

For department-specific graduate admissions questions, please contact: cheadmis@virginia.edu

Advisors

Newly enrolled graduate students will be advised by the graduate program coordinator. Soon after the start of the fall semester, new graduate students will select a topic for their thesis (Ph.D.) or (if applicable) M.E./M.S. project work. Each research or project topic is proposed by an individual faculty member (see current Research Topics list, available from the department office). The faculty member with whom the student will work then becomes his or her advisor.

Plan of Study

The recommended course load for master's degree candidates is four 3-credit graduate courses per semester. Students who wish to carry more than four courses in a semester must secure the recommendation of their advisor and the approval of the departmental faculty.

The Research Examination is to be taken within one month after completing the first summer of research. The student is to describe, in both written and oral forms, his/her research progress to that time as well as plans for further work.

Although the motivation, background and technical originality of the research are important components, the overall goal is to assess the student’s aptitude for research. The written document and oral presentation will be limited in length. Following the oral presentation to the faculty, questions suggested by the research will be asked. The outcomes of this exam are pass, pass with conditions or fail. In exceptional cases, the decision will be deferred until the students' M.S. thesis defense.

Students must indicate in writing their intention to take the Research Exam when it is announced.

Admission to Doctoral Study is a formal action of the departmental faculty that indicates acceptance into the ultimate research phase of the doctoral program. Students who wish to be admitted to doctoral study (normally after successful completion of the Research Examination) must apply in writing to the Graduate Coordinator.

In order to be admitted to doctoral study the student must have:

• Completed a program of advanced course work, here or elsewhere, equivalent to the departmental course requirements for the Master's Degree
• Passed the Preliminary and Research Examinations
• Demonstrated, to the faculty's satisfaction, a capability for independent research of the quality expected for the doctorate.

A student's doctoral work is carried out under the direction of doctoral advisory committee. Within one semester of admission to doctoral study, the doctoral advisory committee must be appointed for each student by the assistant dean for graduate programs upon recommendation of the department chair and the plan of study should be prepared and promptly submitted. The committee, chaired by the research advisor, should have at least one member from outside the student's department and major curriculum study area. This committee should meet with the student as early as possible to begin assisting the student in development of research plans, in the selection of additional graduate courses, and in the timely preparation and submission of the dissertation proposal.

A doctoral Plan of Study, listing the courses taken as part of the Ph.D. program and tailored to the interests and needs of the individual student, is developed in consultation with the student's doctoral advisory committee. The plan must satisfy all requirements of SEAS. Courses taken in pursuit of a Master's degree in this department or elsewhere may be included in the doctoral plan of study. Although there are no specific departmental course requirements for the doctoral degree, the plan of study should ensure both depth in the specific research area and breadth in chemical engineering and related sciences. After approval by the committee and department, it is forwarded to the assistant dean for graduate studies in SEAS. The plan of study should be submitted promptly after appointment of the doctoral advisory Committee.

The dissertation proposal should be completed within two years of completing the research exam (doctoral qualifying exam). The proposal should indicate the purpose and objectives of the work to be undertaken, the current state of the art with bibliography, and the strategy to be followed and techniques to be employed in the research. Preliminary data, calculations, and/or theoretical developments may be included in support of the proposed work. The proposal will be presented orally and discussed publicly. The doctoral advisory committee will serve as the dissertation proposal exam committee.

If in the judgment of the advisory committee the student's proposal is not satisfactory, the student may be required to submit a revised proposal for further discussion with the advisory committee.

The purposes of the dissertation proposal are:

1. To determine if the student's knowledge of the area chosen for research and the pertinent literature is adequate
2. To determine whether the proposed work, if completed, would provide the basis for an acceptable dissertation
3. To advise the student on general approaches and specific techniques that may be helpful in the proposed research

Employers of UVA Chemical Engineering Ph.D. Graduates Include:

Aetna Student Health Insurance website

Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC)

Direct Deposit - For students receiving fellowships (through SIS)

Direct Deposit - For GRAs/GTAs (WorkDay)

Emergency Loans - Emergency Loan is a short-term, interest-free loan available to graduate and undergraduate students for up to $500 and graduate students for up to $750 per semester. 

Graduate Record  - 2021-2022 year requirements and descriptions (previous years archived)

Graduate Student Forms

Graduate Writing Lab

Honor Loan - The Honor Loan fund was established to help University of Virginia students meet their short-term financial needs

Lou's List

Offboarding ITS checklist 

Payroll Pay periods - Find out when you should get your check

Student Information System (SIS) FAQs

UVA Engineering information for Graduate Students

UVA Collab

National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity (NCFDD)

• Webinars, workshops, and advice: https://www.facultydiversity.org/graduate-students

 
Mental Health Resources

• A comprehensive look at your student insurance benefits: https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/schools/uva/pdbs2021.pdf
• How to find in-network providers for health care (including mental health): https://www.aetnastudenthealth.com/en/school/812806/members/find-doctor.html
• Teladoc: https://www.teladoc.com/
• CAPS: https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/caps
• CAPS online resources: https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/caps-online-resources
• Comprehensive list of UVA mental health resources: 
  https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/sites/studenthealth.virginia.edu/files/UVaMHResource sWebsiteFinal.pdf
• Other mental health link options:
  • https://www.uvastudco.com/mental-health-resources
  • https://advising.virginia.edu/resources/silvercloud/
• COVID-19 resources from UVA: https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/covid19-wellbeing

Fall classes begin on Tuesday, August 23, 2022. Enroll as soon as possible if you haven’t done so already!

In order to be considered enrolled at the University for the Fall 2022 term, students must be enrolled in at least one class/research credit(s) and not have any Negative Service Indicators (holds) by 5:00 p.m. on Friday, August 26th.

Fall Course Enrollment Dates and Deadlines:

Friday, July 1st – Enrollment opens for new students

Tuesday, July 19th -  Fall tuition bills emailed to students.

Friday July 30th – Fall term Returning to the University form closes in SIS

Wednesday, August 17th – Tuition due date. Student Financial Services will assign finance holds on students’ accounts who have not paid their fall tuition by that date. You will need to contact SFS directly to remove finance holds to enable you to register. (434) 982-6000; Email: sfs@virginia.edu.  

Tuesday, August 23  –  Fall classes begin. Please enroll as soon as possible.

Friday, August 26th  5:00 p.m. Deadline to enroll and resolve holds. In order to be considered enrolled at the University for the Fall 2022 term, students must be enrolled in at least one class/research credit(s) and not have any Negative Service Indicators/holds. (This is a preliminary date – I will provide additional information about the fall semester as it is available to me).

Tuesday, September 6th –

ADD deadline for all UVA Engineering courses (full-time students must be in 12 credits by this date).

                Deadline to change grading option from graded to non-graded credits.

Tuesday, October 11 – DROP without W Deadline for all UVA Engineering courses.

IMPORTANT NOTES:  UVA Engineering students must adhere to other schools’ deadlines! Drop deadlines for other schools at UVA are much earlier.

Arts & Sciences deadline is September 7th. Other schools drop deadlines: https://registrar.virginia.edu/enrollment-information/fall-2022-enrollment-instructions

See UREG’s Academic Calendar for updates and other information https://registrar.virginia.edu/. 

Tuesday, October 18th – DROP with final grade of W for all UVA Engineering courses.

Students in the VEO program will have different registration dates and deadlines.  Check the VEO website, http://www.engineering.virginia.edu/online , for dates and deadlines.  Also, due to the nature of this program, you do not have to be registered for classes at UVA every semester.  If you have problems or receive confusing emails, please contact the VEO administrator, director, or advisor.

Tuesday, December 6th – classes end

Thursday December 8 – Sunday, December 18 – Final exams (reading days, December 11, 14)

Friday, December 16th – Fall degree conferral date (as it appears on transcript; transcripts with conferral date available after December 22nd).

Monday, December 19th – Spring 2023 returning to the University form closes in SIS

Who should enroll in fall?

All on-grounds, degree seeking students are required to be enrolled full or part-time according to their approved academic load.

Students graduating in December. All December degree candidates must be enrolled in coursework/research (or affiliated status for students who qualify). If you are interested in affiliated status enrollment, please contact me for further details before August 1st. The deadline to apply in SIS for December 2022 graduation is October 1st.

NOTE: Students in the VEO program do not have to be registered for classes at UVA every semesterhttps://engineering.virginia.edu/online/current-students/contacts.

Registration Tips:

Full-time fall enrollment = 12-15 credits

GTA/GRAs receiving any form of financial aid (fellowship, GRA or GTA) from the School of Engineering this fall, must be enrolled in 12 credit hours/full-time (this can be all research hours in your research advisor’s section). You must be enrolled to receive financial aid.

Part-time Enrollment = 6 credits or less. NOTE: Part-time students’ tuition is based on what you register for and you should not register for more than 6 credits or receive any financial aid from SEAS.

Do not Wait to Enroll! Waiting until the last minute to register creates many difficulties for the system and for you.

• GTA/GRAs receiving financial aid will not receive it until after they enroll.
• If you receive any federal financial aid (loans), your aid calculation may be incorrect, and you may have to repay a large sum of money.
• On approximately July 19th the fall tuition bills will be emailed to students, and if you haven't registered before the bills are produced, then the maximum tuition will be billed (whether or not that is the correct charge for the course load for which you intend to register), and the departments will not be able to enter correct tuition information for you to have this paid.

If you register for a multi-section research or independent study course, choose your instructor carefully. The instructor of the section for which you register is the only one who can give you a grade at the end of the semester. If he/she doesn’t know you, the grade will not likely be a satisfactory one.

Having Trouble Registering?

SIS Holds Preventing Enrollment. Click on “details” to find out who placed the HOLD and who to contact to get it lifted. The Engineering Graduate Office can only lift an “Engineering Hold.” We can’t lift Financial holds, Student Health holds, ISO, Dean of Students holds, etc.

You don’t see the 1228 – 2022 Fall term in SIS. You are not term activated for fall, meaning that SIS is not expecting you to be a student in the fall semester. This often happens if you are expected to receive your MS this semester but plan to continue in a PhD program. Check with your Graduate Director to see if your expectations match your department’s expectations. If so, your Graduate Administrator can contact to request term activation for Fall so that you can register

Review your SIS account at the beginning of each semester for enrollment accuracy.  Please communicate with your academic advisor or departmental Graduate Coordinator regarding course enrollment, and check your Academic Requirements report in SIS to be sure your courses satisfy your degree requirements. 

If you have any problems or questions, contact  Jayne Weber via email:  jef2f@virginia.edu.

Additional Resources:

For questions about your tuition/fees: Student Financial Services (SFS) https://sfs.virginia.edu/

sfs@virginia.edu. 434-982-6000

Health Insurance/Subsidy: https://www.studenthealth.virginia.edu/insurance

International Studies Office (ISO): https://iso.virginia.edu/

issp@virginia.edu 434-982-3010

Graduate Engineering Department Directors and Student Coordinators: https://engineering.virginia.edu/current-students/graduate-students/contact-us/program-directors

Welcome to the Chemical Engineering Department at the University of Virginia. In this section, you will find information to help with your transition to graduate school and to Charlottesville. 

Orientation

When students arrive they will attend an informative orientation led by the department that will help them become familiar with all of the resources we have to offer here in the Department of Chemical Enginering. This is also a time for new students to meet other students as well as faculty. Typically this orientation is held within a week prior to the first day of the fall semester. The 2022 schedule will be available soon!

Mandatory International Student ISO Orientation

All new international students holding all non-immigrant statuses are required to bring their legal documents and proof of the orientation quiz completion to the ISO upon your arrival in Charlottesville.This is required so that the ISO can determine your legal status and make copies for our records as required by U.S. law. You can find all of the information on this on the INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS & SCHOLARS WEBSITE.

Housing

• UVA GRADUATE HOUSING
• HOUSING GUIDE (PDF)
• UVA OFF-GROUNDS HOUSING SERVICE
• BLUE RIDGE APARTMENT COUNCIL
• UNIVERSITY CLASSIFIED ADS
• CRAIG'S LIST

ID Numbers

Each student will receive (3) different ID's at the University. The first is your Computer ID which will also be your email address (followed by @virginia.edu). The second ID will be your University ID. This ID number will appear on your ID card and be the one you will use the most on grounds. The third ID number is your SIS ID which the administration will use for your class registration, grading, transcript, and other official functions. You can find all three IDs in your Student Center in SIS. You can obtain your University ID Card after you register at the ID Card Office, Observatory Hill Dining Hall, during normal business hours.

Activate UVA Email Account & Systems Access

You will need to follow the procedures listed HERE to gain access to your email account and other university systems such as UVA Collab and the Student Information System (SIS).

Health

All UVA students must have health insurance and must complete the Health Insurance Hard Waiver. Students receiving funding will be provided with health insurance through the University. You will need to sign up for this once you arrive and need to sign up each year in August. If you are not receiving funding you may also sign up, but will have to pay for your premium. All students may add dental insurance that can be purchased separately. This premium is not paid by UVA. Visit the following links for more information and to sign up:

• STUDENT HEALTH: INFORMATION FOR NEW STUDENTS
• AETNA: UVA STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE WEBSITE
• UVA'S HEALTH INSURANCE HARD WAIVER REQUIREMENT

MTAs, GTAs, and GRAs.

In our department, we have three types of positions that are filled by graduate students: MTAs, GTAs, and GRAs.

MTAs are Masters students who are paid by the hour for tasks such as grading assignments, holding office hours to help students, etc. The current MTA hourly rate is $15. MTAs are scheduled approximately 10-20 hours per week. MTA positions offer no other benefits and do not waive or reduce the tuition costs – so tuition would still need to be paid in full by the MTA student.

GTAs are typically PhD students who are serving as Teaching Assistants, and GRAs are typically PhD students who are serving as Research Assistants. 

In each academic year, the department expects to fulfill a significant number of MTA positions. Being an MTA can help a student reduce their overall cost of attendance. Being a MTA is a great way to learn a topic more deeply, and our current MTAs say that helping other students learn is a very fulfilling experience. While Masters students are certainly not required to be an MTA, our UVA CS community relies on this expertise, so Masters students are encouraged to apply. 

All new PhD students are usually considered GRA's (even if your admission letter says that you are receiving a "CS Fellowship"). So, if you are an international student and expect to receive funding, then one of the first things you need to do when you arrive is to get your social security card. You must be in the country for 10 days and then go to the social security office: 1470 Pantops Mountain Pl, Charlottesville, VA 22911. 

Payroll

New students who expect to be an MTA, GTA or GRA  must obtain a Social Security Card as soon as possible. If you are a PhD student, then some time after you arrive, you will receive information on your stipend and when you should expect to receive your payments. You will also receive a notification from Workday (the HR system) about completing your I-9 form. Here is more information about the I-9 process and the required documents you will need: HTTPS://HR.VIRGINIA.EDU/COMPLIANCE/I-9-AND-E-VERIFY If you are a Masters student, then you will apply to work and this is an hourly position. Details will be given once you are hired. 

It may be as late as Oct. 1 before you receive a paycheck so try to bring enough money to last for 6 weeks. If you have questions about your funding you can email CS-OFFICE@VIRGINIA.EDU. 

EMPLOYMENT OF NON-CITIZENS

As soon as possible, you will need to get a social security card by taking their passport to the address below. This will need to be done before you will be allowed to receiving any type of payment. All PhD students will need a social security card.

Social Security Office
1470 Pantops Mountain Place
Charlottesville, VA 22911
(800) 772-1213
(434) 295-1144

U.S. Bank Checking Account

You need a checking account at a U.S. bank in order to receive your stipend payments. Once you have a bank account, then you will need to set up direct deposit through your SIS account. 

DIRECT DEPOSIT DIRECTIONS.

English Language Exams

All International Students whose first language is not English are required to take the UVELPE test. Note that you cannot fail the UVELPE; based on the results, some students are recommended for writing or spoken English classes, designed to ensure a successful research and teaching career at the University of Virginia.

If you are going to be a MTA or a GTA in the Fall, you MUST take the SPEAK test. (UVELPE and SPEAK are two separate tests). All of the information on these tests can be found on the CENTER FOR AMERICAN ENGLISH LANGUAGE & CULTURE WEBSITE.

STEP 1: Committee Form – This form is needs to be filled out (signatures not needed) and emailed to Angela Skubon ams2fm@virginia.edu,2 weeks prior to your proposal.

https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_doctoral_advisory_committee.pdf

STEP 2: Secure location & committee for the date and time of your proposal  

You will need to talk to your committee for their availability, then find a room that is available for you to use on the day that you choose. Make sure your committee puts it on their calendars!

Talk to your committee chair about whether you wish to have a private question and answer period with faculty only. If so, the chair of the committee would excuse the non-faculty participants after their questions are finished.

STEP 3: ABSTRACT

 ONE WEEK BEFORE YOUR DEFENSE PLEASE SEND ANGELA SKUBON ams2fm@virginia.edu and email  WITH YOUR COMMITTEE, THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF YOUR PROPOSAL- THE EXACT TITLE AND AN ABSTRACT FOR DISTRIBUTION.

STEP 4: DAY OF PROPOSAL FORMS

• This form should be and filled out with the exception of the Satisfactory/UnSatisfactory boxes and the signatures (that will be done by the faculty) and emailed to your committee chair.
  • https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_dissertation_proposal.pdf

• Also email this form with the top filled out to your committee chair:
  • https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_dissertation_proposal_assessment.pdf

• List of publications
• Career Planning Activities
• Copy of CV
• Unofficial Transcript – you can get from SIS yourself

More information and form links at : https://engineering.virginia.edu/gradofficepageforms

So you are ready to Defend your dissertation and GRADUATE.

Here are some things you need to be sure to do:

Always read your emails from Jayne Weber. They will have specific deadlines for things like step 1:

STEP 1 : APPLY TO GRADUATE IN SIS : Here is a how-to:

https://virginia.servicenow.com/its?id=itsweb_kb_article&sys_id=26d33eb8db809f004f32fb671d96191f

There is also a deadline to defend by each semester, become familiar with that date – Jayne Weber will email it out.

Once you have applied to graduate:

STEP 2: Committee Form This form will need to be filled out 2 weeks prior to your dissertation:

https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_final_examination_committee.pdf and either email to Angela Skubon ams2fm@virginia.edu

• Your proposed examining committee must be approved by your program and the Dean’s Office two weeks prior to the exam. *Make sure your defense is on your committee’s calendars*
• At least one month before the end of the semester: Distribute your thesis to committee members.
• At least 2 weeks prior to the deadline: Defend, complete any required corrections and additions, and have a final copy of your thesis/dissertation ready to submit before the deadline.

Talk to the chair of your committee about whether you wish to have a private question and answer period with faculty only. If so, the chair of the committee would excuse the non-faculty participants after their questions are finished.

 STEP 3: ABSTRACT TWO WEEKS BEFORE YOUR DEFENSE PLEASE SEND ANGELA SKUBON AN EMAIL asm2fm@virginia.edu  WITH YOUR COMMITTEE, THE DATE, TIME AND PLACE OF YOUR DEFENSE- THE EXACT TITLE AND AN ABSTRACT FOR DISTRIBUTION.

STEP 4: DAY OF DEFENSE: ON THE DAY OF YOUR DISSERTATION DEFENSE YOU WILL NEED TO EMAIL YOUR COMMITTEE CHAIR THESE THINGS:

• This form should be filled out with the exception of the Satisfactory/UnSatisfactory boxes and the signatures (that will be done by the faculty via DocuSign after) and emailed to your committee chair.  
• https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_report_on_final_examination.pdf
• Also fill out the top and email  to your committee chair: https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/form_thesis_dissertation_assessment.pdf
• List of publications
• And completed Approval Sheet& Title page
• If you have an embargo request for your dissertation thesis upload fill out this form: https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/embargo_request_form.pdf and email it to the committee chair prior to your defense. Do NOT upload to Libra until you receive an email that the embargo has been processed.

Here is the link to help you with Title formatting: https://engineering.virginia.edu/sites/default/files/common/offices/graduate-programs-office/Files/Dissertation_Title_Recommendations.pdf

STEP 5: Libra Upload and Survey of Earned Doctorate (if you have an embargo request wait on this until you get specific instructions from Libra)

After you pass your final defense:

• Complete this: https://sed-ncses.org/GradDateRouter.aspx
• Print the Certificate of Completion and email it to Jayne Weber.  
• It may take a few days to update in SIS to show satisfied.
• Once it is satisfied in SIS: Upload your thesis or dissertation
• Go to Libra here is the link: https://www.library.virginia.edu/libra/landing/

Follow the instructions for how to upload

• Verify that grades are reported for all the courses you are currently registered in.

For more details about this process use this link: https://engineering.virginia.edu/current-students/current-graduate-students

STEP 6: KEY, ID & FORM TURN IN

We will need you to return your keys to the Front Desk, as well as your ID.

You will need to turn in the Lab Check-Out Form http://engineering.virginia.edu/ChE_Lab_Checkout, this can be sent to Angela Skubon by email or you can drop it by 117B.

Please also fill out this alumni information: https://virginia.az1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_1Ypsef2awkdpwto

Step 7: CEREMONY AND CELEBRATION!

Use this link to find out about your diploma http://www.virginia.edu/registrar/diploma.html

Make sure to let us know if you plan to participate in ChE Graduation Ceremony!

Watch for emails about cap and gown! Regardless of when you graduate – your health insurance is paid for throughout the end of summer (usually around July 31). You are not eligible for Cobra with student insurance.

YOU DID IT! WAY TO GO!

Checklist for PhD Graduation

More Detailed Instructions

• Apply to graduate in SIS?
• Complete your committee form and send to Jen Lamb?
• Send your abstract to Angela Skubon?
• Do you need to embargo your dissertation for any reason? Talk to your advisor and let Jen Lamb know asap.
• Day of Defense bring with you:
  • Final Examination Form
  • Dissertation Assessment Form
  • Transcript you got from Jen Lamb
  • List of publications
  • Completed Approval and Title Sheet

• Passed your Defense? (WAY TO GO!)
• Complete the Survey of Earned Doctorate and Email to Jayne Weber
• Upload dissertation to Libra
• Verify your grades are reported for all the courses you are registered in
• Turn in Lab-Check out Form and Alumni Information
• Turn in Keys & ID to the Front Desk
• CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!
• Make sure your diploma delivery address is correct in SIS
• If you are attending a ceremony please let us know
• Look out for emails for cap and gown information from SEAS
• Health insurance is typically good until end of summer of the year you graduate, you are not COBRA eligible. CLICK HERE for the exact date your insurance coverage will end.