M.S. Degree in Chemistry Requirements

Coursework

A total of 32 credit hours is required and obtained by the following:

• A minimum of 22 credit hours in 300/400 level courses.
• A minimum of 12 credit hours must be in courses at the 400 level.
• The 22 credit hours must include at least one course in four of the six subdiscipline areas (Analytical, Biochemistry, Chemical Education, Inorganic, Organic, Physical).
• One of the subdiscipline area requirements may be satisfied with an appropriate 300- level course, but at least three of the area requirements must be satisfied with 400- level courses.
• It may be possible to include a course in a department outside of chemistry in satisfying the credit hour requirement.
  • The recommendation of your research director and written authorization from the Graduate Coordinator should be obtained in advance.

Seminar

• Seminar is Chem 492 and has a total of 2 credit hours.
• Regular attendance at seminar is expected each semester, even when not enrolled.
• One of the required seminars will be a seminar based upon a topic of current interest in the chemical literature.
• The other seminar, typically presented near the end of the M.S. program, will be based upon original research leading to the thesis.

Teaching

Satisfactory performance as a Teaching Assistant for at least one semester is required of all students in the program.

Teaching

• Satisfactory Performance as a Teaching Assistant for at least one semester is required of all students in the program.

Final Examination

• After completion of all coursework and the thesis, a final oral examination is administered by the thesis committee.
• Open to all graduate faculty, this is a general examination that includes a defense of the thesis.

Thesis Research

• Students will conduct original research leading to the composition of a Master's thesis.
• A maximum of 4 credit hours in CHE 490 and 4 credit hours in CHE 499 are counted as part of the plan of study.
• Most graduate students register for more than a total of 8 hours over the course of their M.S. programs.
• All credit in 490 and 499 is recorded as DE (deferred) until the defense of the M.S. is completed. At that time, it is converted to CR (credit).
• There is no letter grade for these courses.

Thesis Proposal

• Each student is required to prepare a written proposal of their thesis research project.
• This proposal is then orally defended in front of a thesis committee, comprising at least three faculty members, including the research advisor.
• One member of the committee must be in a different discipline of chemistry than the advisor.
• This proposal must be signed by the committee, the department chairperson, and the dean of the Graduate School and must be on file with the Graduate School in the semester in which the student intends to graduate.

Final Examination

• After completion of all coursework and the thesis, a final oral examination is administered by the thesis committee.
• Open to all graduate faculty, this is a general examination that includes a defense of the thesis.