The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a thesis and non-thesis pathway to the Chemistry, MSC and all applicants should have an undergraduate major in Chemistry or Biochemistry. The plan I Masters in Chemistry requires the student to select a research advisor and write a thesis based on original research. The plan II Masters in Chemistry is a coursework degree.
Admissions
In addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School, entering graduate students should have completed undergraduate coursework equivalent to a BS degree in chemistry or biochemistry.
See the Admission Criteria section of this catalog for more information.
Curricular Requirements - Thesis Option
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lecture Course Options | 12 | |
| 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Research Techniques Course | 7 | |
| Research Techniques Chemistry | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem | ||
| Departmental Seminars | 5 | |
| 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 in 2.5 years
Curricular Requirements - Non-Thesis Option
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Lecture Course Options | 18-24 | |
| 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Literature Communication | 3 | |
| Chem Lit & Comm | ||
| Research Techniques | 0-6 | |
| Research Techniques Chemistry | ||
| Adv Research Techniques Chem | ||
| Departmental Seminar | 4 | |
| Chemistry Seminars | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
Normally, the student is expected to finish this program in 2 years.
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. Up to 12 credit hours of coursework can be applied simultaneously toward both the B.S. and M.Sc. degrees (i.e., dual credit). The remaining credit hours for each degree are completed independently, although both undergraduate and graduate courses may be taken in the same semester. Students will choose either the thesis or non-thesis (coursework) M.Sc. degree track. The curriculum requirements vary by undergraduate degree track and by the selected M.Sc. degree track, with details available in the corresponding Course List tables below. 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.
Curricular Requirements - Non-Thesis Option w/ ACS Chemistry BCh Track
| Code and Title | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| CH 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol | 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Graduate Elective Course Options 1 | 14 | |
| Select at least 14 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| 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
| Graduate Course Options (Minimum 14 Credits) | Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses | ||
| 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 one 3 credit cross-listed course. | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry | ||
| Chemometrics | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl | ||
| Adv Org Ch II React Synt | ||
| Bioorg Reac Mech | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth | ||
| Organometallic Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Graduate Elective Course Options 1 | 14 | |
| Select at least 14 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| 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/ 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa | ||
| Graduate Elective Course Options 1 | 14 | |
| Select at least 14 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| 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 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol 1 | 3 |
| CH 570 | Research Techniques Chemistry | 1 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 4 |
| CH 586 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| CH 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| CH 660 | Adv Research Techniques Chem | 6 |
| Graduate Elective Course Options | 9 | |
| Select three graduate elective courses (9 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| 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 549 | Adv Ph Ch II Atom/Mol 1 | 3 |
| CH 563 | Biochemistry Lab 1 | 3 |
| CH 570 | Research Techniques Chemistry | 1 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 4 |
| CH 586 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| CH 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| CH 660 | Adv Research Techniques Chem | 6 |
| Graduate Elective 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 | ||
| 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 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| 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 570 | Research Techniques Chemistry | 1 |
| CH 585 | Chemistry Seminars | 4 |
| CH 586 | Research Seminar | 1 |
| CH 599 | Thesis Research | 6 |
| CH 660 | Adv Research Techniques Chem | 6 |
| Graduate Elective Options | 9 | |
| Select three graduate elective courses (9 credits). | ||
| Medicinal Chemistry 1 | ||
| Adv Anl Ch I Spec Meth | ||
| Chemometrics 1 | ||
| Adv Organ Chem I-Physicl 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 | ||
| Adv Inor Chi:Strct Mth 1 | ||
| Spec Topics Inorg Chem | ||
| Organometallic Chem 1 | ||
| Trends In Analytical Chem | ||
| Surface Analytical Techniques | ||
| Mass Spectrometry | ||
| Sel Topics In Org Chem | ||
| Spectroscopic Techniqa 1 | ||
| Total Hours | 30 | |
| Footnotes | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Course meets dual credit requirements. |
Comprehensive Exam
The oral defense of the student's thesis will serve as the comprehensive exam for the Plan I Thesis-option program. 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 better.
Plan I - Thesis Process Requirements
The lecture coursework requirement for the Plan I M.S. degree will consist of a minimum of four lecture courses (12 hours) plus CH 585 (4 total hours), CH 586 (1 hour), CH 570/CH 660 (7 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 two members of the Graduate Faculty (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 - Coursework Process Requirements
The lecture coursework requirement for the Plan II M.S. degree will consist of a minimum of six lecture courses (18 hours) plus CH 584 (3 hours) and CH 585 (3 total hours). The remaining 6 credit hours comprise a combination of lecture and/or research courses (CH 570/CH 660). Students planning to include research courses must have an 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.