The Master of Science program in chemistry furthers the aims of the
University by extending the student's knowledge of the fundamental
branches of chemistry. In addition, this graduate program affords
an opportunity for original investigation in a specialized field
chemical science. Facilities are available for advanced training
and research to prepare students for the Master of Science degree.
This degree develops student skills for entry into all chemistry
related professions and graduate programs including biotechnology,
biochemistry, material sciences, medicinal chemistry,
pharmaceutical sciences, petrochemical sciences, medicine and the
allied health professions.
Entrance
Requirements
The undergraduate preparation of the student who expect to
undertake graduate work in chemistry is a bachelor's degree in a
chemical science. Alternately a nondegree student may submit
evidence of undergraduate preparation that normally includes
courses of eight or more semester hours in each of the following:
inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry,
physical chemistry, general physics. In addition, he or she should
be equipped with six semester hours of mathematics, including
differential and integral calculus. Where there is a deficiency,
the Chair of the department will determine what basic courses the
student must make up in order to matriculate for an advanced degree
in chemistry.
The program affords an opportunity for original investigation in
a specialized field.
Departmental Requirements
Program: The Master of Science
degree can be fulfilled in either of two ways. Students who elect
to undertake a thesis as partial fulfillment of the degree
requirements must complete a total of 30 credits, comprised of 24
lecture credits and six research credits. Students who elect to
meet degree requirements without undertaking a thesis must complete
a total of 33 credit hours and pass a comprehensive exam.
Required Courses: All students
must pass Chemistry 101, 111, 121 and 141.
Research: Students in the thesis
program must take Chemistry 900, Master's Research (six credits).
This sequence of courses requires the completion of a research
problem by the student under the supervision of a staff member, and
the presentation of the results in the form of a written
thesis.
The topic of the research must be approved by the research advisor,
the Chair and the Dean. All work must be done at the University. In
rare cases, permission may be obtained from the Dean to carry out a
portion of the work outside the University.
Research Tool: All students must
demonstrate abilities in either a foreign language (German) or a
computer programming language. Those who elect a foreign language
must pass German 0101-0102 or demonstrate by the ETS examination an
ability to read modern scientific German. Alternatively, a student
can elect MTH 165-166 in lieu of German to satisfy the language
requirement.
Comprehensive Examination: A
written comprehensive examination is required of students in the
non-thesis program. In the thesis program an oral comprehensive
examination is given which includes defense of the thesis.