Photochemical Sciences

Career opportunities

Graduates of the BGSU Ph.D. in photochemical science program have gone on to work for prestigious employers, such as:

• Intel
• Merck
• Takeda Pharmaceutical Company
• J&J 
• PPG
• FBI Hazardous Materials Response Unit
• Dept. of Justice Bureau of Forensics
• Prominent research colleges and universities across the world  

A doctorate in photochemical sciences offers an in-depth understanding of the power and processes of the chemistry and physics that involve light. This includes solar cells, OLEDs, quantum-dot technologies, and emerging light-based technologies that increasingly shape our world. This knowledge drives advancement in fields like bioassays, medical imaging, environmental protection, drug development and so much more.  

Graduates with a Ph.D in photochemistry have their pick of exciting career paths in industry and higher education. Many become university professors or researchers, leading their own laboratories, mentoring students and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible through the science of light.  

Others pursue rewarding work in lucrative industries:

• In the renewable energy sector, they develop more efficient photovoltaic materials to improve solar energy sourcing.
• In the medical field, photochemists find roles in biomedical research and pharmaceuticals, including photodynamic therapies or the development of light-activated drugs. 
• Within environmental science, photochemistry can reveal new light-activated processes to break down harmful pollutants. 
• In material science, photochemical methods can be applied to create new materials for smarter tech and cleaner industrial processes.  

The work you do can have tangible, positive benefits for society. Photochemical scientists are uniquely positioned to discover creative new solutions as the world confronts major challenges such as climate change, disease and energy shortages.

Curriculum

The interdisciplinary curriculum for the Doctor of Philosophy in Photochemical Sciences includes carefully developed coursework and a large research component. Although the applications of the research are broad, the primary focus is on the study of the interaction of light with physical, chemical and biological systems. 

Students must complete at least 90 hours of graduate credit (at least 60 beyond the master’s degree) in chemistry and physics. These hours include a series of required core courses in chemistry, photophysics, photochemistry and spectroscopy. These can be tailored to include elective courses that meet your specific strengths and interests. 

Most students complete the photochemistry Ph.D degree in 5 years. 

A preliminary examination to qualify for doctoral candidacy is administered when you near completion of 60 credit hours. This consists of the written preparation and oral defense of an original research proposal. 

The research activities of doctoral candidates focus on independent research projects under the guidance of their research advisor and dissertation committee and culminate in a dissertation. Up to 30 hours of dissertation research can be applied toward the degree. 

The final exam for the degree is an oral defense in which you present a seminar open to the public on your research and defend the results and conclusions before the dissertation committee. 

Required courses

Areas of research

Bowling Green State University is a leader in photochemistry and photophysics research. Our faculty’s research is routinely published in the highest-impact, peer-reviewed journals and leads to patents and licenses.

Highlights of our research include: 

• Molecular photochemistry and photophysics of novel chromophores
• Semiconductor quantum dots
• Single-molecule spectroscopy and imaging
• Hybrid metal-organic photonic materials
• Organic semiconductors, electroluminescence and sensory materials
• Solar energy capture, conversion and catalysis
• Biophotonics
• Computational mechanistic photochemistry
• Photopolymers and photopolymerization

Admissions

Applicants who show evidence of outstanding undergraduate education and research ability may enter directly into the Ph.D program after completing a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biology, physics or related disciplines. A master’s degree in the above fields and the degrees from integrated BS-MS degrees are also accepted.

Follow the instructions outlined in the Graduate Admission webpage to apply.