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 555 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 561 | Polymer 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 601 | Chemistry Seminar Presentations | 2(2-0) |
| CHM 602 | Scientific 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 511 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 4(1-6) |
| CHM 514 | Environmental Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| 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 528 | Bioanalytical Techniques 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 547 | Advanced Synthesis Laboratory | 2(1-3) |
| CHM 551 | Materials Chemistry: Inorganics and Nanomaterials | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 555 | Advanced Physical Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 556 | Applied Quantum Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 560 | Biomimetic Nanotechnology | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 561 | Polymer Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 562 | Industrial Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 566 | Introduction to Biomaterials | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 567 | Polymer Science Laboratory | 2(1-3) |
| CHM 568 | Pharmaceutical Chemistry | 3(3-0) |
| CHM 569 | Materials Characterization | 2(1-3) |
| CHM 571 | Topics in Chemistry | 1-9(Spec) |
| CHM 572 | Selected Topics in Chemistry | 1-9(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 663 | Polymer Synthesis | 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 793 | Chemistry 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)
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:
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