Phase II Information and Application Page

Semi-Annual Phase II Application

We are excited to announce that the application process for Phase II of all majors in the Chemistry Department is transitioning to a semi-annual process with applications accepted at the beginning of every spring and fall quarter. These changes will help us improve the average time to degree for Phase II majors. 

Transitioning to two opportunities to apply for Phase II admission each year will: 

  • Afford transfer students and students just shy of completing Phase I coursework an opportunity to complete their major coursework on a two-year timeline, reducing average time to degree. 

  • Preserve time-to-degree for students who complete the organic sequence at the end of their sophomore year, regardless of whether they join the fall or winter Phase II cohort. 

  • Advance our goal of fostering an inclusive academic culture in the department by providing more opportunities for transfer students, students returning from an interruption to their degree progress, and others to advance to Phase II coursework in a timely manner. 

  • Increase opportunities for enrichment experiences such as study abroad and internships. 

  • Reduce reliance on summer-quarter “catch-up” coursework for students starting the organic chemistry sequence in a quarter other than fall. 

  • Increase flexibility with respect to advancement through mathematics prerequisites. 

Phase II Frequently Asked Questions

Yes! All Phase I coursework must be completed before applying for Phase II.

For example, if you intend to apply by the first day of spring quarter, Biochem students must have CHEM 352/BIOL 205 completed and Chem students must have CHEM 352/MATH 125 completed winter quarter at the latest. 

For students applying by the fall deadline, students must complete respective Phase I coursework by the end of summer quarter.

Spring application to enter the fall cohort: First day of spring quarter 

Fall application to enter the winter cohort: Friday of the first week of fall quarter 

The application itself is largely unchanged from the previous cycle, and Phase I coursework requirements are not changing. Review the writing prompts here.

Students applying by a specific deadline must have completed all Phase I coursework for their intended major at the time of application. BS and BA chemistry majors must also have completed or be enrolled in MATH 224 at the time of application; student who have completed MATH 224 at the time of application will have a higher priority. 

The major difference between the cohorts in terms of course scheduling is that the winter cohort has no lock-step course requirements in the fall quarter of the first year of Phase II. 

  • BS and BA Chemistry students who have not completed CHEM 333 Analytical Chemistry or CHEM 375 Biochemistry (or for BS students, MATH 204 Linear Algebra) may find the winter cohort a good fit because they can use the flexible first fall quarter to complete one or more of these courses before starting CHEM 461 Physical Chemistry. 

  • BS Biochemistry students who have not completed CHEM 333 Analytical Chemistry, CHEM 353 Organic Chemistry, or their PHYS 161-163 requirements may find the winter cohort a good fit because they can use the flexible first fall quarter to complete one or more of these courses before starting CHEM 471 Biochemistry. 

No! The fall and winter cohort schedules merge in the second year with CHEM 464 (Chem BS) and CHEM 466/474 (Biochem BS), so both cohorts will be on track to graduate in spring quarter of the second year. 

If you have plans to pursue a study abroad, internship, or other opportunity, you are encouraged to discuss the opportunity with your faculty advisor so that it can be incorporated into your plan of study. Please communicate any changes of plan, including unanticipated leave, with your faculty advisor and with the program coordinator (chemistry@wwu.edu). 

  • Submission of the Phase II application: spring applicants are typically admitted to the fall cohort, and fall applicants are typically admitted to the winter cohort. 

  • Completion of all required Phase I coursework with a passing grade. For example, students who still have Phase I coursework in progress at the time of application would be more likely to be asked to apply in fall to the winter cohort. 

  • GPA is a factor in Phase II admissions but is not a significant determining factor in cohort placement. 

Apply to Phase II

Phase II Application Questions