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 511 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 4(1-6) |
| CHM 520 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 531 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 541 | Advanced Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 551 | Materials Chemistry: Inorganics and Nanomaterials | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 555 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
Note: Selection of these courses will be done in consultation with the graduate program committee or graduate advisor.
Required Courses I (2 hours)
Select one of the following:
| CHM 601 | Chemistry Seminar Presentations | 2(2-0) |
| SCI 731 | Biochemistry, Cell and Molecular Biology Colloquium | 1-2(Spec) |
Required Courses II (1 hour)
Select one of the following:
| CHM 602 | Scientific Writing in Chemistry | 1(1-0) |
| SCI 740 | Research Ethics and Responsible Conduct of Research | 1(1-0) |
Electives (8-9 hours)
Select three from the following:
Note: Courses may not double count toward Electives and Foundation Courses and credit cannot be earned in both CHM 520 & CHM 521.
| CHM 511 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 4(1-6) |
| CHM 515 | Environmental Chemistry of the Great Lakes | 2(1-3) |
| CHM 520 | Introductory Biochemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 521 | Biochemistry I | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 522 | Biochemistry II | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 527 | Biochemistry Laboratory | 2(1-3) |
| CHM 531 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 541 | Advanced Organic Chemistry: Mechanisms | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 542 | Structure Determination Using Spectroscopic and Related Methods | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 551 | Materials Chemistry: Inorganics and Nanomaterials | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 555 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 560 | Biomimetic Nanotechnology | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 566 | Introduction to Biomaterials | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 568 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 571 | Topics in Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 575 | Internship in Chemistry or Biochemistry | 1-6(Spec) |
| CHM 583 | Seminar in Chemistry | 1-2(Spec) |
| CHM 611 | Advanced Topics in Analytical Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 621 | Advanced Biochemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 624 | Advanced Topics in Biochemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 631 | Coordination Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 632 | Advanced Topics in Inorganic Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 641 | Advanced Topics in Organic Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 644 | Advanced Organic Chemistry: Reactions and Synthesis | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 651 | Advanced Topics in Physical Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 655 | Quantum and Computational Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 665 | Advanced Topics in Polymer Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 667 | Polymer Additives | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 669 | Polymer Processing | 3 |
| CHM 781 | Chemistry Teaching Practicum | 2(Spec) |
| CHM 791 | Directed Research | 1-6(Spec) |
| CHM 793 | Chemistry Teaching Internship | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 794 | Experimentation in the Teaching of Chemistry | 1-6(Spec) |
Plan Option (12 hours)
Select one of the following plans:
Plan A: Thesis Option (12 hours)
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 Chairperson.
Plan B: Non-Thesis Option (12 hours)
Required Course (9 hours)
Elective Course (3 hours)
Select one 600 level or greater course from the Electives list.
Total: 30 semester hours
Accelerated Admissions to the M.S. in Chemistry
Undergraduate students in Chemistry and Biochemistry can pursue a Master of Science degree in Chemistry while still fulfilling the requirements for their Bachelor's degree. The Accelerated Master's Degree Program allows students to reduce the total number of credits to complete their undergraduate and graduate level degrees by applying up to 15 credits (500 level courses) towards graduate requirements on both degree programs.
Admission Criteria:
Students must have an overall undergraduate grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 and have completed a minimum of 60 credits toward a Bachelor's degree the semester that they apply for admission to the Accelerated MS program in Chemistry. To be eligible for the accelerated program, students must complete the admission requirements for the MS program in Chemistry and CHM 211 & CHM 349.
Depending on the student’s undergraduate degree (Biochemistry or Chemistry) and their selected concentration, the following table indicates the graduate level designated course hours that can be completed before the bachelor’s degree is awarded. Courses must be approved by a graduate advisor and must be used toward both undergraduate and graduate degrees.
| |
Biochemistry Major
|
Chemistry Major:
Chemical Technology
Concentration
|
Chemistry Major:
Chemistry
Concentration
|
Chemistry Major:
Materials Chemistry
Concentration
|
Chemistry Major:
Environmental Chemistry
Concentration
|
|
500 level required
credit
hours
|
CHM 521
CHM 522
CHM 527
8
|
CHM 520
CHM 511
CHM 527
9
|
CHM 520
3
|
CHM 520
CHM 551
6
|
CHM 520
CHM 511
7
|
500 level
required
elective
credit
hours |
0
|
3
|
6
|
3
|
0
|
TOTAL
500 level
required
credit hours
|
8
|
12
|
9
|
9
|
7
|