Program Overview

Chemistry, Thesis Option, M.S.

The thesis program is strongly recommended for those planning to pursue graduate study at the Ph.D. level and for those intending to pursue research-oriented employment. By the end of the first semester, the student should select a research area and a thesis advisor who will supervise the research and the remainder of the student’s coursework. In collaboration with the advisor, the student should identify a three-member thesis committee. Two members must be from the department with the advisor as the committee chair; the third member must be from outside the department. An expert from outside the University may be used with the approval of the Graduate School.

In carrying out the thesis project, the student must complete a minimum of three and maximum of six hours of thesis credit. On completion of the research, the student will write a thesis that conforms to the Graduate School’s recommended procedures. With the advisor’s approval, a draft of the thesis will be forwarded to the other members of the thesis committee for examination and review. After the thesis has been reviewed and judged ready for defense by the advisor and by the other members of the thesis committee, the student must pass an oral thesis examination.

The oral examination is comprehensive, covering the student’s entire graduate program and emphasizing the research work and content of the thesis. All thesis and oral examination requirements must be scheduled and completed to meet Graduate School deadlines.

Learning Outcomes

• Focus on coursework and independent research supervised by a faculty advisor (thesis option);
• Develop a working knowledge of basic chemical principles, an understanding of their application in the laboratory, and the critical thinking skills needed to succeed in their field; and
• Develop and implement an independent research project in the basic chemical sciences that is expected to generate novel results contributing to their field.

Admission

To be admitted to graduate programs an applicant must have a bachelor’s degree and an adequate background in chemistry or biochemistry. An undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 is required; however, students with industrial experience in chemistry and averages below 3.0 may be admitted on probation at the discretion of the graduate advisor and with permission of the Graduate School. Applicants must achieve acceptable scores on the Graduate Record Examination. Applicants from non-English speaking countries who have not received a degree from a United States university must satisfy English proficiency requirements, including a minimum TOEFL score of 80 or a minimum score of 6.0 on the IELTS exam, or a minimum score of 105 on the Duolingo exam, or a minimum score of 56 on the Pearson English International Test.

General Requirements

Upon admission, students will confer with the appropriate graduate advisor to plan course sequencing and discuss research or report options. Satisfactory progress in coursework and a 3.0 G.P.A. in all graduate courses is required to remain in good academic standing. Students without the necessary prerequisite undergraduate courses will be required to take those courses to make up the deficiencies.

Curriculum Requirements

Graduate Seminar (6 hours)

• CHEM 7973 Graduate Seminar

Thesis (9 hours)

• CHEM 7981-6 Research and Thesis

6000-Level Chemistry Courses (12 hours)

• CHEM 6083 Analytical Chemistry I
• CHEM 6101 Inorganic Synthesis and Characterization
• CHEM 6181 Analytical Chemistry II Laboratory
• CHEM 6183 Analytical Chemistry II
• CHEM 6213 Medicinal Chemistry
• CHEM 6223 Electrochemistry
• CHEM 6243 Chemistry of Art Conservation
• CHEM 6301 Physical Chemistry Laboratory I
• CHEM 6303 Physical Chemistry I
• CHEM 6421 Physical Chemistry Laboratory II
• CHEM 6423 Physical Chemistry II
• CHEM 6443 Inorganic Chemistry
• CHEM 6453 Environmental Chemistry
• CHEM 6531 Biochemistry I Laboratory
• CHEM 6533 Biochemistry I
• CHEM 6543 Biochemistry II
• CHEM 6863 Special Topics in Chemistry

Elective Courses (3 hours)

Additional Courses

In addition to courses from the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, students may consider the following courses from outside the department towards degree requirements, following consultation with the graduate program advisor.

• BIOL 6173 Principles of Neuroscience
• CHE 7023 Thermodynamics
• ENGL 6033 Academic Writing for Graduate Students
• PHYS 6033 Quantum Mechanics I
• PHYS 6043 Quantum Mechanics II
• PHYS 6053 Introduction to Material Science
• PHYS 7043 Advanced Quantum Mechanics
• PHYS 7083 Statistical Mechanics
• PSY 7283 Statistical Methods for Research II

Total: 30 hours

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