Master of Science: Chemistry-Non-Thesis-Based Option

Student Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from this program will:

  • Articulate an extensive knowledge in chemistry in both breadth and depth
  • Demonstrate critical thinking and problem solving skills
  • Search, read, understand and use scientific literature
  • Articulate scientific information both orally and in writing

Requirements for Admission

Applicants should have the equivalent of an American Chemical Society (ACS)-approved bachelor's degree in chemistry. This degree includes the equivalent of: one year of general chemistry, quantitative analysis, one year of organic chemistry, one year of physical chemistry, physical chemistry laboratory, instrumental analysis, inorganic chemistry, one year of physics, and three semesters of calculus, and the ACS-recommended distribution of advanced courses and course credits. Applicants should take particular note of the physical chemistry requirement. They may be admitted as provisional students if they have a limited number of undergraduate deficiencies. At the time that admission is offered, applicants will be notified of any requirements to be met for reclassification as fully admitted. Undergraduate courses included in these requirements must be completed with grades of C- or higher.

Applications are only accepted through the online system, and include:

  1. Official, confidentially transmitted transcripts.
  2. Statement of purpose.
  3. Two confidentially transmitted letters of recommendation (academic and/or professional).
  4. English language proficiency requirement.

Applicants from foreign countries, who have an official language other than English, must achieve scores of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (internet-based)on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to be considered for admission.

Placement Examinations

Incoming graduate students are encouraged to take organic and physical chemistry placement exams. Placement examinations are typically administered the week before the first week of classes of the fall and spring semesters. Students scoring below the 50th percentile in the organic and /or physical chemistry exams are required to take CHEM 5520R and CHEM 5530, respectively, before enrolling in other CHEM552X and CHEM553X classes.  CHEM 5520R and CHEM 5530 count as graduate credits. Students scoring above the 50th percentile in the organic and physical chemistry placement exams can take any CHEM552X and CHEM553X classes without restriction.

Chemistry Graduate Program Committee

Upon admission to M.S. program in chemistry, students will be advised by the Chemistry Graduate Program Coordinator, acting on behalf of the Chemistry Graduate Program Committee. Based on the Committee's evaluation of the students' transcripts and placement exam scores, the Chemistry Graduate Program Coordinator will inform students of any deficiencies and how they should be removed. The Chemistry Graduate Program Coordinator will also advise students on course curriculum. The Chemistry Graduate Program Committee serves as the supervisory committee for non-thesis M.S. students.

Seminar Attendance

Full-time M.S. students are required to attend all regularly scheduled and special seminars and colloquia. Part-time students are also required to attend these seminars but may petition the Chemistry Graduate Program Coordinator to waive this requirement all but one semester. Such students will be required either to participate fully during one semester, including the presentation of a one-hour seminar, or to present two one-hour seminars in lieu of full participation.

Minimum Requirements for Master of Science Degree

In addition to the requirements listed here, all M.S. students are subject to all general M.S. requirements of the University. See the School of Graduate Studies section of this catalog for a complete listing.

Coursework

The emphasis of this program is coursework. Non-thesis M.S. students are required to complete a minimum of 31 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. Non-thesis M.S. Students are required to complete:

Both of the following Chemistry Courses: 1,26
CHEM 5520R
Survey Of Organic Chemistry
CHEM 5530
Systematic Physical Chemistry
One of the following Organic Chemistry Courses:3
CHEM 5521R
Mechanisms Of Organic Reactions
CHEM 5522
Synthetic Organic Chemistry
One of the following Physical Chemistry Courses:3
CHEM 5531
Classical Thermodynamics
CHEM 5532
Chemical Kinetics
CHEM 5533
Quantum Chemistry
CHEM 5534
Molecular Spectroscopy
CHEM 5535
Statistical Thermodynamics
CHEM 5611Chemistry Seminar1
Nine credit hours from graduate-level Chemistry courses numbered between CHEM 5521R and CHEM 5588 (excluding CHEM 5530). 3,49
Additional credit hours from graduate-level Chemistry or non-Chemistry courses, which have been approved by the Chemistry Graduate Program Committee, to complete a minimum of 31 credit hours. For this requirement, no more than 6 combined credit hours of CHEM 5590, CHEM 5599, or CHEM 5699 may be applied. 4,59
Total Credits31

Program Retention

Students who receive a grade of C+ or lower in more than two courses applicable to the M.S. program or who have a cumulative grade-point average of less than 3.0 on courses applicable toward the M.S. degree after completing 18 or more credit hours of such courses, will be terminated from the degree program. Grades received for CHEM 5590 and any undergraduate-level courses are not included in the minimum GPA calculation.

Transfer Coursework Policy

Students who have received a grade of B- or better in graduate chemistry coursework taken as part of a degree program at another institution may have up to 6 credit hours of equivalent required coursework waived upon approval of a majority of the Chemistry Graduate Program Committee. A written request for this approval must be submitted within one year of full admission to the M.S. program.