Academic Requirements

All students in the Master’s-to-PhD Bridge Program begin by completing the Master’s degree in physics, chemistry or biology at Fisk University. Upon completion of the Master’s degree and for those students who have performed satisfactorily, the joint Fisk-Vanderbilt committee will then recommend to the Dean of the College of Arts and Science and the graduate committee of the department to which you are applying.

Course Grids

Specific courses taken will vary somewhat depending on the level of undergraduate preparation and the specific area of study. However certain core course requirements apply to all students. Core course requirement grids are provided here for Astronomy, Chemistry, Physics, and Materials Science.

Physics core courses

Fisk MA courses*

PHYS 541: Mechanics/Dynamics

PHYS 552: E&M I

PHYS 542: Quantum Mechanics I

Astronomy Core Courses

Fisk MA courses*

PHYS 541: Mechanics/Dynamics

PHYS 552: E&M I

PHYS 542: Quantum Mechanics I

Chemistry core courses

Fisk MA courses*

Chemistry colloquium (CHEM 501/502)

Teaching in Chemistry (CHEM 582)

Select 4 courses [12 cr] from at least two of the five areas: (1) Analytical Chemistry, (2) Biochemistry, (3) Inorganic Chemistry, (4) Organic Chemistry, (5) Physical Chemistry

Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 516)

Advanced Analytical Chemistry (CHEM 520)

Structural Chemistry (CHEM 530)

Advanced Organic Chemistry (CHEM 535)

Reactions of Organic Compounds (CHEM 538)

Synthetic Organic Chemistry (CHEM 539)

Advanced Physical Chemistry I (CHEM 545)

Advanced Physical Chemistry II (CHEM 546)

Molecular Spectroscopy (CHEM 547)

Special Topics (CHEM 581/582)

Interdisciplinary Materials Science core courses

Fisk MA courses*

* MA degree at Fisk requires at least 21 credit hours of graduate level coursework and 3-6 credit hours of research credits (Fisk course number 591 or 592). Up to 6 credit hours of approved undergraduate courses may be applied toward graduate credit. A total of 30 credit hours are required. After 30 credit hours are earned, Thesis Prep (Fisk course number 599) may be used to maintain full-time status. Fisk graduate courses are numbered 500-599.