Oct 06, 2024  
2024-2025 University Catalog 
  
2024-2025 University Catalog

Chemistry, M.S.


Student Learning Outcomes

Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for MS Chemistry

1

Students will develop critical thinking skills in the chemical sciences.

2

Students will be able to communicate chemical information in written and oral form. 

3

Students will be able to use chemical information for chemical analysis.

 

 

 

 

Admission

In addition to meeting the minimum standards for admission to the Graduate School, applicants will be asked to provide two letters of recommendation from faculty familiar with the academic and research potential of the applicant.

Degree Requirements


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.

Curriculum Summary


  • CHEM Courses 5000-6000 level Credits: 15
    (CHEM 5310  or CHEM 5311  required)
  • - Credits: 1 (required; may be taken for credit a maximum of 3 times)
  • Elective Courses (5000 or above) Credits: 3
  • Thesis Research (7000 and 7025) Credits: 9
Advisory Committee

Each M.S. student has an advisory committee that directs the course work and research. In the first semester in the Master of Science program (Thesis Option), the student selects a faculty member from the Department of Chemistry to serve as chair of the advisory committee. By the end of the second semester, the advisory committee is expanded to a minimum of three members. Members of the advisory committee must be members of the graduate faculty and must be from or affiliated with the Department of Chemistry.

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.

Curriculum Summary


  • CHEM Courses 5000-7000 level Credits: 18
    (CHEM 5310  or CHEM 5311  required)
  • - Credits: 1 (required; may be repeated for credit a maximum of 3 times)
  • Elective Courses (5000 or above) Credits: 9

Application for Candidacy


Students should apply for candidacy after 15 hours have been completed. Candidacy applications must be submitted the semester prior to semester in which the student will be graduating.

Non-Thesis Project


Each student is required to prepare and present a literature seminar as the Non-Thesis Project. The subject matter of the seminar is to be taken from the current chemical/biochemical research literature. The student’s Advisor must approve the topic. A formal abstract, prepared and distributed prior to the date of the seminar presentation, is requires. The student must present their seminar the semester they intend to graduate. The presentation of the seminar will serve as the milestone requirement for the Master of Science Degree in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option) and will be judged by the students’ Advisor/Committee as pass or fail.

Master’s Examination Report


A Master’s Examination Report, signed by the Advisory Committee, must be presented to the Graduate School as evidence of completion of the master’s degree milestone (non-thesis project). The report is due the last week of the month preceding Commencement.