Program Requirements
General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30
Required Courses:
Thesis Track1
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Six formal lecture courses | 18 | |
| Literature seminar | 2 | |
| One approved graduate course and/or research course | 4 | |
| CHEM 9996 | Master's Thesis Research | 6 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Coursework Track1
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Ten formal lecture courses | 30 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Research Track1,2
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Six or more formal lecture courses | 18-21 | |
| CHEM 9900 | Seminar | 2 |
| CHEM 9901 | Original Research Proposal Preparation | 6-10 |
| or CHEM 9991 | Graduate Research Projects | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- 1
In consultation with an academic advisor, students select coursework from the following approved courses: CHEM 5001-9800 (excluding CHEM 5901), and may include BCMS 5003 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or MEDS 5003 Fundamentals of Biochem, BMSC 8702 Enzymes and Proteins, EES 5625 Electron Optical Techniques, MEE 5205 Microscopy and Microanalysis of Materials, and/or PHYS 5000 Topical Seminar. Additional course substitutions may be made with approval of the Graduate Committee.
- 2
Selecting the Research Track requires approval from the student's research advisor and the Chemistry Graduate Committee.
Culminating Events: In addition to successful completion of coursework, the Thesis Track and Coursework Track require the following:
Thesis:
The MS thesis is the culminating event for the Thesis Track. The thesis should be an original piece of research. Often, but not always, the research described in the MS thesis can be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The student coordinates the time for the defense with their Graduate Advisory Committee, which is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny.
Master's Examination:
The master's examination is usually the last requirement to be fulfilled by students in the Coursework Track. Its purpose is to demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge in the core concepts of Chemistry. The exam is based on the student's major track in Chemistry. Faculty members in the student's track write the questions for the master's exam. The faculty members who write the questions grade the exam. Students schedule the exam with the department.