Chemistry, M.S.

Thesis Option

The minimum requirement for the degree of Master of Science is 30 credit hours of graduate course work. At least nine hours must be concentrated in one of the divisions of chemistry. In addition, a minimum of six hours must be taken across two other chemical divisions. With the approval of the student’s thesis advisor, the additional three hours may be taken in graduate level non-chemistry courses. Also required for the Master’s degree are six hours of /thesis research (at the 7000 level), and two hours of credit in CHEM 6095 - Seminar  for a total of 30 semester hours. For graduate course work, the candidate must maintain an overall B (3.0) average, a B (3.0) average in the major area. Each student is required to prepare and present one literature seminar, the subject of which is to be taken from the current research literature and is not to be directly related to the student’s present or previous research. A formal abstract, prepared and distributed prior to the date of the seminar presentation, is required. Each student must present the seminar no later than the fourth semester in the program (excluding summer semesters). Courses at the 5000-level can only be used for graduate credit with the approval of the student’s thesis advisor and the department chair.

MS Thesis

Students will submit annual reports documenting progress in the program, which will be evaluated by the graduate committee. A Candidate Plan of Study that includes coursework completed, in progress, and remaining, must be approved by the graduate coordinator and submitted to the graduate school no later than the semester prior to the completion of the degree.

The Master of Science degree (Thesis Option) requires a thesis embodying original research in a specialized area. The thesis must be defended in an oral final examination, and approved by the student’s advisory committee. The defense will serve as the Master of Science (Thesis Option) degree milestone. After the defense, the thesis is revised according to committee recommendations. Once approved the committee signs the Thesis Approval Form and the final version is uploaded for review and approval by the Graduate School.

Master of Science in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option)

The Master of Science in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option) Degree Program provides B.A. and B.S. degree students with an option of obtaining a M.S. degree based upon completion of program of academic coursework in advanced chemistry.

Program Limitations and Constraints

Students admitted to the Master of Science in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option) Degree Program are not eligible for financial support from the Department of Chemistry in the form of a graduate assistantship or fellowship.

Students admitted to the Master of Science in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option) Degree Program may not directly transfer into the Ph.D. program but may apply to the Ph.D. in Chemistry at any time. Admission into the Ph.D. program will be based on the merit of the applicant as compared to the applicant pool for that semester.

Advisor/Committee

An advisor will be assigned to the student based on his or her area of interest. The Advisor will be a member of the Chemistry Department and will monitor academic progress. The advisor will guide the student through the academic aspects of the program, serve as liaison to the Department and the Graduate School, and serve as the Chair of the Non-Thesis Project Review Committee. The Advisor will select two additional faculty members to serve on the review committee. Members of the review committee must be members of the graduate faculty and must be from or affiliated with the Department of Chemistry.

Non-Thesis option

The minimum course work requirement is 30 hours for the Master of Science in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option) Degree Program. Graduate credit is awarded for courses numbered 5000 and above. As a minimum, a student must present at least 15 semester hours of work in courses numbered 6000 or above.

Students must complete a minimum of 18 hours in Chemistry.  In addition, a total of 2 credit hours of CHEM 6095 - Seminar  are required. The student must be registered for CHEM 6095  the semester they plan to graduate.

Elective courses must be numbered 5000 or above and may come from areas outside of chemistry. All elective courses to be used for the MS degree in Chemistry must be approved by the Department of Chemistry.