Photochemical Sciences, PhD

The Center for Photochemical Sciences at Bowling Green State University (BGSU) has a vibrant, world-renowned program that offers students the opportunity to perform cutting-edge research with our internationally recognized faculty.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the doctoral degree, students in the Photochemical Sciences program are expected to be able to:

• Apply quantum mechanical methods to predict observable properties for molecular motions including translation, rotation and vibration.
• Apply quantum mechanical methods to determine molecular electronic wavefunctions and to characterize the molecular bonding.
• Analyze organic reaction mechanisms and the mechanistic diagrams and methods for their education.
• Demonstrate an understanding of selected topics of physical organic chemistry including stereochemistry principles, and the application of reactive intermediates in chemistry.
• Analyze the generation and nature of excited states, including evolution of excited states, and radiative and nonradiative processes and energy transfer.
• Demonstrate and active knowledge of experimental techniques and modern instrumentation for characterization of excited states is part of the topics covered.
• Demonstrate an active knowledge of photochemical reactions, various reaction types including absorption and emission of light, intersystem crossing, energy transfer, electron transfer and symmetry rules that govern these processes, rules for orbital symmetry governed reactions.
• Analyze different types of photoreactions including inorganic photoprocesses, organic and organometallic photochemistry, photobiochemistry, polymer photochemistry and photoelectrochemistry applications.
• Demonstrate the knowledge of selected “hot topics” under a rapid advance in recent years focusing on photochemistry, photophysics, nanoscience and scanning probe microscopy.
• Evaluate previous scientific conclusions as they apply to a new area of investigation.
• Integrate the results of the PhD dissertation and effectively communicate original scientific findings.

Admission Requirements

Fall application deadline is March 1. Fall priority funding deadline is March 1. Spring application deadline is November 1. Spring priority funding deadline is November 1.Since application reviews may begin immediately after the deadline, we recommend submitting your application and providing all required documents before the deadline.

Documents required:

• Three Letters of Recommendation
• Statement of Purpose

International applicants are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA). Successful completion of ELS 112 will also be accepted for this requirement. 

Additionally, Duolingo test scores will be accepted for applications through Summer 2025. Applicants of the Graduate College who have completed a previous degree (associate, bachelor’s master’s or doctorate) from a U.S. college/university or are from a country (click here for a complete list) in which instruction was delivered in English (and attended the university for at least two years) are exempt from providing these test scores.

Graduate Assistantships and Tuition Scholarships are available. Indicate your interest in receiving an assistantship/scholarship below.  Also, please fully answer questions in the Secondary Photochemistry application.

Application Requirements

Admissions Categories and Grade Point Average Requirements

International Application Information

Degree Requirements