Department of Chemistry and Geology

The Master of Science in chemistry provides training for those who wish to advance their careers in research, industry, government service or teaching. In addition to advancing students toward a doctoral program, the program also provides courses of interest to industrial chemists who already may hold advanced degrees. In addition to full-time faculty, the department of chemistry draws part-time faculty from local industries, allowing a broader range of offerings.

Admission Requirements

1. Graduation from an accredited college or university.
2. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 24 credits in undergraduate chemistry with laboratory work, including physical and organic chemistry, a working knowledge of calculus and one year of physics with laboratory.
3. Submission of an official score report for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test taken within the last five years. (The GRE requirement is waived for applicants who have completed a master's degree.)
4. Three letters of recommendation.

Applicants who have not completed all requirements for admission to the degree program may be permitted to enroll in classes for credit on a nonmatriculated or nondegree basis.

Degree Requirements

1. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 32 credits (see * below) in courses prescribed or approved for the degree of Master of Science in chemistry.
2. Compliance with the minimum course requirements listed below.

Core Courses

• CHEM6613 Theoretical Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM6673 Physical Organic Chemistry
• CHEM6781 Biochemistry
• CHEM6805 Graduate Seminar
• CHEM7771 Advanced Organic Synthesis

Two of the following three courses:

• CHEM6641 Quantum Chemistry
• CHEM6651 Chemical Thermodynamics
• CHEM7751 Chemical Kinetics

Other Courses

• CHEM6801 Research and Thesis (Optional)* 3 credits each semester
• CHEM6802 Research and Thesis (Optional)* 3 credits each semester
• CHEM6803 Thesis Seminar (Optional)*

*A student may substitute 9 credits of additional chemistry courses for:
 CHEM6801,  CHEM6802 Research and Thesis and
 CHEM6803 Thesis Seminar (total 7 credits) requirements.
This makes a minimum of 34 credits in courses for the Master of Science degree when a student elects the nonthesis option.

Minimum of 6 credits in additional chemistry courses approved by adviser. Up to 6 credits of graduate courses in a single area outside chemistry to be approved by adviser may be substituted.