The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a thesis and non-thesis pathway to the Chemistry, MS degree (MSC).
Admissions
In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, entering graduate students should have completed undergraduate coursework equivalent to a B.S. degree in chemistry or biochemistry.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Requirements for all Chemistry, M.S. Candidates
Whether enrolled in the Plan I (Thesis option) or Plan II (Non-Thesis option) program, all MSC candidates must select a UA faculty advisor by the end of their first semester. In addition, a three-person Examining Committee composed of the research supervisor and at least two other UA Graduate Faculty members must be formed by the end of the student’s 2nd semester. Plan I Thesis MSC students are required to have one member from outside the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry; Plan II Non-Thesis MSC students will have committee members from within the Department only.
Curricular Requirements - Thesis Option
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lecture Course Options | 12 | |
| Intro Inorg Chem | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Physical/Analytical Core | ||
| Structure/Bonding Core | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Chem Lit & Comm | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Research Techniques Course | 6 | |
| Research Techniques Chemistry | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem | ||
| Departmental Seminars | 6 | |
| Intro to Chemistry Research | ||
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Research Seminar | ||
| Thesis Research | 6 | |
| Thesis Research | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
The student will write and defend a thesis. Normally, the student must finish this program within 2.5 years.
Curricular Requirements - Non-Thesis Option
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lecture Course Options | 18-24 | |
| Intro Inorg Chem | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Physical/Analytical Core | ||
| Structure/Bonding Core | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Literature Communication | 3 | |
| Chem Lit & Comm | ||
| Research Techniques | 0-5 | |
| Research Techniques Chemistry | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem | ||
| Departmental Seminar | 4 | |
| Intro to Chemistry Research | ||
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Initial Research Review | 0-1 | |
| Initial Research Review | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Normally, the student is expected to finish this program in 2 years.
Curricular Requirements - Non-Thesis Option w/ ACS Chemistry BCh Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 501 | Intro Inorg Chem | 4 |
| CH 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | 3 |
| CH 584 | Chem Lit & Comm | 3 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 1 |
| Dual Credit Course Options | 6 | |
| Select up to 6 credit hours of cross-listed courses | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Graduate Elective Course Options 1 | 13 | |
| Select at least 13 credit hours of Graduate Elective Options | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select only listed courses not previously or concurrently taken as dual credit courses. |
| 2 | Department pre-approved research advisor required. |
Curricular Requirements - Non-Thesis Option w/ ACS Biochemistry BCh Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 501 | Intro Inorg Chem | 4 |
| CH 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | 3 |
| CH 561 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CH 563 | Biochemistry Lab | 3 |
| CH 584 | Chem Lit & Comm | 3 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 1 |
| Dual Credit Course Options | 3 | |
| Select up to 3 credit hours of cross-listed courses | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Biochemistry Lab | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Graduate Elective Courses Option 1 | 10 | |
| Select at least 10 credit hours of Graduate Elective Options | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select only listed courses not previously or concurrently taken as dual credit courses. |
| 2 | Department pre-approved research advisor required. |
Curricular Requirements - Non-Thesis Option w/ Non-ACS Chemistry BS Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 563 | Biochemistry Lab | 3 |
| CH 584 | Chem Lit & Comm | 3 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 1 |
| Dual Credit Course Options | 9 | |
| Select up to 9 credit hours of cross-listed courses | ||
| Intro Inorg Chem | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Graduate Elective Course Options 1 | 14 | |
| Select at least 14 credit hours of Graduate Elective Options | ||
| Intro Inorg Chem | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem 2 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Select only listed courses not previously or concurrently taken as dual credit courses. |
| 2 | Department pre-approved research advisor required. |
Curricular Requirements - Thesis Option w/ ACS Chemistry BCh Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 501 | Intro Inorg Chem 1 | 4 |
| CH 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol 1 | 3 |
| CH 583 | Intro to Chemistry Research | 1 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 3 |
| CH 586 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| CH 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| CH 660 | Adv Research Techniques Chem | 6 |
| Graduate Elective Course Options | 6 | |
| Select two graduate elective courses (6 credits). | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry 1 | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics 1 | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl 1 | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt 1 | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Biochemistry Lab 1 | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech 1 | ||
| Chem Lit & Comm | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth 1 | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem 1 | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem 1 | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Course meets dual credit requirements. |
Curricular Requirements - Thesis Option w/ ACS Biochemistry BCh Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 501 | Intro Inorg Chem 1 | 4 |
| CH 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol 1 | 3 |
| CH 563 | Biochemistry Lab 1 | 3 |
| CH 583 | Intro to Chemistry Research | 1 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 3 |
| CH 586 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| CH 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| CH 660 | Adv Research Techniques Chem | 6 |
| Graduate Elective Options | 3 | |
| Select one graduate elective course (3 credits). | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry 1 | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics 1 | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl 1 | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt 1 | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech 1 | ||
| Chem Lit & Comm | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth 1 | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem 1 | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem 1 | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Course meets dual credit requirements. |
Curricular Requirements - Thesis Option w/ Non-ACS Chemistry BS Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 563 | Biochemistry Lab 1 | 3 |
| CH 583 | Intro to Chemistry Research | 1 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 3 |
| CH 586 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| CH 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| CH 660 | Adv Research Techniques Chem | 6 |
| Graduate Elective Options | 10 | |
| Select at least 10 credit hours of Graduate Elective Options. | ||
| Intro Inorg Chem 1 | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry 1 | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics 1 | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl 1 | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt 1 | ||
| Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol 1 | ||
| Biochemistry I | ||
| Biochemistry II | ||
| Adv Biophysical Chem | ||
| Adv Bio-Inorganic Chem | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech 1 | ||
| Chem Lit & Comm | ||
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth 1 | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem 1 | ||
| Solid State Materials Chem 1 | ||
| X-ray Diffraction | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Electrochemistry | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Course meets dual credit requirements. |
Additional Academic Requirements
Whether enrolled in the Plan I (Thesis option) or Plan II (Non-Thesis option) program, all MSC candidates must select a UA faculty advisor by the end of their first semester. In addition, a three-person Examining Committee composed of the research supervisor and at least two other UA Graduate Faculty members must be formed by the end of the student’s 2nd semester. Plan I Thesis MSC students are required to have one member from outside the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry; Plan II Non-Thesis MSC students will have committee members from within the Department only.
Transfer Credit
See Graduate School information on Transfer Credit.
Accelerated Master's Program
The Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) is intended for highly motivated Chemistry/Biochemistry majors whose objectives include a degree at the Master's level. Students will choose either the Plan I thesis or Plan II non-thesis (coursework) MSC degree track. The curriculum requirements vary by undergraduate degree track and by the selected MSC degree track, with details available in the corresponding curriculum tables above. Students in the Accelerated Master's Program may not take CH 519 Physical/Analytical Core or CH 520 Structure/Bonding Core for graduate credit.
For additional information see Graduate School information on the AMP program.
Comprehensive Exam
The oral defense of the student's thesis will serve as the comprehensive exam for the Plan I Thesis option program. The candidate will present a departmental research seminar covering their thesis research before holding the oral defense of the thesis with their approved Examining Committee. The student's research supervisor and the other Examining Committee members will evaluate the student's thesis and render a pass/fail decision based upon the quality of the written thesis and the student's oral defense. This oral defense counts as the MSC comprehensive exam for the student.
For the Plan II Non-Thesis MSC program, the comprehensive exam requirement is met by passing CH 584 Chem Lit & Comm with a grade of 'B' or higher.
Plan I - Thesis Process Requirements
The lecture coursework requirement for the Plan I MSC degree will consist of a minimum of four lecture courses (12 hours), plus CH 583 Intro to Chemistry Research (1 credit; not required for Accelerated Master's Program students), CH 585 (4 total hours for graduate-only MSC students and 3 total hours for Accelerated Master's Program students), CH 586 (1 hour), CH 570/CH 660 (6 hours), and CH 599 (6 hours). At the conclusion of their first semester, students will be assigned a research advisor. Students should work with the research advisor to select a thesis committee consisting of the research advisor and at least two other members of the Graduate Faculty (at least one from the Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry and one from outside the Department) by the end of the second semester. Normally, students will register for CH 586 in their fourth semester to complete their thesis defense.
Plan II - Non-Thesis Process Requirements
The lecture coursework requirement for the Plan II MSC degree will consist of a minimum of six lecture courses (18 hours), plus CH 583 Intro to Chemistry Research (1 credit; not required for Accelerated Master's Program students), CH 584 (3 hours), and CH 585 (3 total hours for graduate-only MSC students and 1 total hour for Accelerated Master's Program students). The remaining 6 credit hours comprise a combination of lecture, research courses (CH 570/CH 660), and an optional initial research review (CH 680 Initial Research Review). Students planning to include research courses and/or CH 680 Initial Research Review must have a Department-approved faculty research advisor.
Time Limits for Degree Completion Requirements
See Graduate School information on Time Limits.
Academic Misconduct Information
See Graduate School information on Academic Misconduct.
Withdrawals and Leave of Absence Information
See Graduate School information on Withdrawals and Leave of Absence.
Academic Grievances Information
See Graduate School information on Academic Grievances.
Grades and Academic Standing
See Graduate School information on Grades and Academic Standing.
Graduate School Deadlines Information
See Graduate School information on Deadlines.
Application for Graduation Information
See Graduate School information on Application for Graduation.