Perhaps the most important student resource for chemistry graduate students is the graduate student handbook. It can be found here: https://chem.as.uky.edu/handbook-pdf

The graduate school has a page of student resources here: https://gradschool.uky.edu/student-resources-0

We understand the current housing crisis, especially for new, international students. That's why we have put together a list of rental properties in Lexington. Please click on the link to learn more.

1. On-campus graduate housing

2. Park Hill apartments

3. Red Mile apartments

This information is a summary of the full instructions that can be found in the chemistry graduate student handbook. If any confusion occurs, always defer to the handbook.

Instructions to students: Please use the rubric and resources below when drafting your rubric. You can ask the DGS to clarify any of the criteria that are unclear. However, you cannot give the DGS, or other faculty, any information about your proposal that could create issues in the double-blind review process.

Format:

• Page Limit: 7 pages (One page should address the hypothesis, purpose, and specific aims; 6 pages should address the research strategy which includes significance and innovation and experimental approach.)

• Font: Arial 11 point, Times New Roman 12 point, or Century Schoolbook 12 point

• Margins: 1” margins on all sides

• Wordcount: 2500-4000 words exclusive of figures, tables, and references

• File Format: pdf

Outline:

• Cover Page: A cover page containing a title, the student’s name, and statement attesting to the originality of the document and must be submitted separately.

• Hypothesis, purpose, and specific aims (suggested 1 to 2 pages, single-spaced): Provide a more in depth background for the proposal. Discuss the broader context of the overall impact of the research. Detail why the successful outcome of the proposal is important. Make sure to place the work in the context of the specific problem, gap in knowledge, advance in instrumentation, or product innovation.

• Significance and Innovation (1 to 2 pages, single-spaced): Provide a more in-depth background for the proposal. Discuss the broader context of the overall impact of the research. Detail why the successful outcome of the proposal is important. Make sure to place the work in the context of the specific problem, gap in knowledge, advance in instrumentation, or product innovation.

• Experimental Approach (suggested 2 to 4 pages, single-spaced): What is the general experimental approach for each objective? Detail which methods you propose to use. The equipment and techniques do not have to be available to the student. Detail the expected results and how they will be analyzed; discuss how they will (or will not) support the hypothesis. Discuss other potential outcomes and how they may alter your hypothesis. Consider what alternative approaches may be necessary.

• Bibliography: References should be cited and listed in an appendix to the proposal and do not count toward the page requirements. The title of the reference must be included for each citation in the bibliography. The document requires a minimum of twenty-five references.

Restricted Resources: Faculty advisors and PhD committee members are not allowed to edit or provide advice on any part of the document or topic.

Allowed Resources:

• Peers: Students are allowed to consult with peers on all aspects of topic selection idea development, and proposal structure. Consultation is for the purpose of advice on proposal development only, and all work submitted by a student must be their own.

• Example Resources:

o https://www.research.uky.edu/proposal-development-office

o Scientific Writing and Communication: Papers, Proposals, and Presentations 4^th Edition.

o Scientific Writing = Thinking in Words 2^nd Edition. David Lindsay.