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Chemistry, M.S.

Minimum Totals for Graduation: 30 hours

Admission Requirements, Retention & Termination Standards

Admission Requirement Snapshot

GPA: 2.7 (and 2.7 in Chemistry)
Application Deadlines: 
February 1 (Fall Admission with Graduate Assistantship)
July 1 (Fall Admission without Graduate Assistantship)
October 1 (Spring Admission without Graduate Assistantship)

See Admission Requirement Details Below

Applicants for admission to the Chemistry M.S. program must be admitted initially to Graduate Studies at CMU (https://fireup.cmich.edu/apply/). In addition to the CMU admission materials, the applicant must provide two letters of reference and a statement of purpose. GRE exam scores are not required. The Statement of Purpose should be one page describing your purpose and general plan for graduate study. The statement should include information about your future career plans, and past or current activities or achievements which are related to your proposed field of specialization including any research or teaching experience you may have had. Students from non-English speaking countries may be required to submit TOEFL scores. Upon submission of all required materials, Graduate Studies forwards the materials to the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry for admission recommendation. Final notice of admission comes from Graduate Studies.

Applicants should have received a baccalaureate degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or related area, with a minimum grade point average of 2.7 overall and 2.7 in chemistry courses. Undergraduate coursework should include mathematics through calculus and one year of physics. Students with deficiencies in chemistry, mathematics, or physics may receive admission with stipulations.  Regular admission is granted when those deficiencies are removed by completing coursework in addition to that required for the M.S. degree.

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry awards a limited number of merit-based Graduate Assistantships for students admitted in fall semester. In order to receive full consideration for Graduate Assistantships, completed applications and all transcripts, scores, and letters must be received by February 1.

Full time students are required to attend and actively participate in all department seminars. Satisfactory progress through the M.S. program involves maintaining a 3.0 cumulative grade point average in graduate courses, completion of a faculty directed program of research, and successful preparation and defense of a written thesis.

Program Requirements

Foundation Courses (6-7 hours)

Select two from the following:

CHM 511Advanced Analytical Chemistry

4(1-6)

CHM 520Introductory Biochemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 531Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 541Advanced Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms

3(3-0)

CHM 555Advanced Physical Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 561Polymer Chemistry

3(3-0)

Note: Selection of these courses will be done in consultation with the graduate program committee or graduate advisor.

Required Courses (3 hours)

CHM 601Chemistry Seminar Presentations

2(2-0)

CHM 602Scientific Writing in Chemistry

1(1-0)

Electives (11-12 hours)

At least 3 credit hours must be earned in Chemistry courses at the 600 level. Electives must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee.

CHM 511Advanced Analytical Chemistry

4(1-6)

CHM 514Environmental Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 515Environmental Chemistry of the Great Lakes

2(1-3)

CHM 520Introductory Biochemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 521Biochemistry I

3(3-0)

CHM 522Biochemistry II

3(3-0)

CHM 527Biochemistry Laboratory

2(1-3)

CHM 528Bioanalytical Techniques Laboratory

2(1-3)

CHM 531Advanced Inorganic Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 541Advanced Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms

3(3-0)

CHM 542Structure Determination Using Spectroscopic and Related Methods

3(3-0)

CHM 547Advanced Synthesis Laboratory

2(1-3)

CHM 551Materials Chemistry: Inorganics and Nanomaterials

3(3-0)

CHM 555Advanced Physical Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 556Applied Quantum Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 560Biomimetic Nanotechnology

3(3-0)

CHM 561Polymer Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 562Industrial Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 566Introduction to Biomaterials

3(3-0)

CHM 567Polymer Science Laboratory

2(1-3)

CHM 568Pharmaceutical Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 569Materials Characterization

2(1-3)

CHM 571Topics in Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 572Selected Topics in Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 583Seminar in Chemistry

1-2(Spec)

CHM 611Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 621Advanced Biochemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 624Advanced Topics in Biochemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 631Coordination Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 632Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 641Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 644Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis

3(3-0)

CHM 651Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 655Quantum and Computational Chemistry

3(3-0)

CHM 663Polymer Synthesis

3(3-0)

CHM 665Advanced Topics in Polymer Chemistry

1-9(Spec)

CHM 667Polymer Additives

3(3-0)

CHM 669Polymer Processing

3

CHM 781Chemistry Teaching Practicum

2(Spec)

CHM 793Chemistry Teaching Internship

1-9(Spec)

Notes:

  • Courses may not double count toward Electives and Foundation Courses.
  • Students interested in teaching college chemistry focus should take at least 6 hours of Internship and Practicum (CHM 781, CHM 793).
 

Plan Option (9 hours)

Select one of the following plans:

Plan A, Thesis Option (9 hours)

CHM 798Thesis

1-9(Spec)

Note: Arrangements for completion of the thesis requirements are worked out between the student, research director and thesis committee chair. For further information, the student may confer with the graduate program coordinator or the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

Plan B Non-Thesis Option

Select 8 hours of Electives at the 600 level, plus:
CHM 698Plan B Project

1(Spec)

Note: Students must submit a Plan B project approved by the chemistry graduate committee that discusses their independent study or research.

Total: 30 semester hours