Program Overview

Chemistry MS, Professional Science Emphasis

Overview

The Chemistry MS, Professional Science Emphasis is a graduate program designed for individuals with a background in the natural sciences. The program requires a minimum of 32 hours, with 16 credit hours at or above the 5000 level.

Admission Requirements

• Individuals with at least the equivalent of the B.A. degree in the natural sciences may be admitted to the Graduate School as candidates for the M.S. degree or as precandidates for the Ph.D. degree in chemistry.
• A student in the M.S. program may request to transfer to the Ph.D. program by petition to the department.
• The department admissions committee considers applicants' grade point averages and normally requires above-average performance in all areas of chemistry, as well as physics and mathematics, or other evidence of high aptitude for graduate work in chemistry.
• Applicants' letters of recommendation and academic programs are also considered.
• In some cases, the committee may require successful completion of undergraduate course work at UMSL as a condition of enrollment as a regular student.
• Students with bachelor's degrees in fields other than chemistry may be admitted to pursue graduate studies in chemistry, but they must make up background deficiencies, usually by taking undergraduate course work at UMSL.

Financial Support

• Teaching assistantships are available to qualified applicants.
• Research assistantships and fellowships are available for advanced students.
• Departmental support is not normally available beyond the fifth year in the program.

Preliminary Advisement

• Students who have been admitted for graduate work in chemistry will be contacted by the Director of Graduate Studies to develop a tentative plan of study, taking into consideration the student's background and interests.
• Entering students are required to demonstrate proficiency at the undergraduate level in four areas of chemistry (biochemistry, organic, inorganic, physical, and analytical).
• Proficiency may be demonstrated in one of the following ways:
  • Outstanding performance in recent undergraduate course work.
  • Satisfactory performance in standardized placement examinations.
  • Successful completion of assigned course work.

Degree Requirements

• This option requires a minimum of 32 hours, of which 16 credit hours must be at or above the 5000 level.
• Students must take 21 credit hours of chemistry, 9 hours in business, and 2 credit hours of internship or practicum.
• A maximum of 3 credits of CHEM 6897 may be applied toward the required minimum of number of chemistry credits (21 hours).
• The courses presented for the Master's degree (professional science emphasis) may not include certain specified courses.

Emphasis Area Requirements

• Elective Courses in Business (9 credit hours required):
  • MGMT 3623: Industrial and Organizational Psychology
  • BUS AD 5000: Economics for Managers
  • BUS AD 5100: Managerial Communication
  • MGMT 5600: Managing and Leading in Organizations
  • MKTG 5700: Integrated Marketing Strategies
  • BUS AD 5900: Law, Ethics and Business
• Required Internship or Practicum (2 credit hours required):
  • CHEM 5798
  • or CHEM 5799

Academic Affairs

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