Master of Science in Chemistry

Advisors:
John B. Miller,
Room 3156, Wood Hall

Steven Bertman,
Room 3440, Wood Hall

The Master of Science in Chemistry is a research degree planned to provide a broad background in the various fields of chemistry with concentration in one.

Admission Requirements

Entrance requirements are those of The Graduate College. Students may be asked to take a test of spoken English proficiency based upon application materials and references. Application must be made both to the Office of Admissions, Graduate Admissions, and to the Department. Prospective students are required to take the Graduate Record Examination General Test. Three letters of recommendation from academic or professional sources should accompany the application. Application material, including grade point average, transcripts, performance on GRE, and letters of recommendation will all be used in the determination of admission and financial support.

Program Requirements

After admission students will be required to take placement examinations covering any three of the fields of Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical Chemistry, and Biochemistry before they start classes. The entrance examinations are scheduled during the week preceding each semester. Students who fail an examination are required to attend the corresponding undergraduate course, if available, or make specific arrangements with the appropriate division. Enrollment in a 6000-level Chemistry course is no permitted unless the appropriate entrance requirement has been satisfied.

The student is required to elect twenty hours in the field of Chemistry, including the Master’s Thesis. The Chemistry hours may be more than twenty depending on the student’s background. The remaining hours up to at least thirty hours may be in a related field or fields. The course sequence will include (if not previously elected):

5. Two 6000-level courses from different divisions

(Analytical, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, or Physical), including one course in the division of the Master’s Thesis.

6. At least 3 hours of

CHEM 6900 - Special Investigations in Chemistry Credits: 1-6 hrs.

7. Masater’s Thesis

CHEM 7000 - Master’s Thesis Credits: 6 hrs.

Additional Requirements

The requirement for any of the above 5000-level courses is waived if the student has taken a corresponding course as an undergraduate.

The student is required to pass a final oral defense of his or her thesis administered by the student’s graduate committee. The student is also required, as part of the graduate training in chemistry, to attend departmental seminars, colloquia, and symposia, and to participate in research within the department.