M.S. in Chemistry or Biochemistry

Program of Study

Degree Type

Master of Science

For the Master of Science in Chemistry or Biochemistry, the student is required to complete a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours beyond the bachelor’s degree. Students may choose between a thesis or non-thesis option. In addition to general college requirements, all courses taken for graduate credit must result in a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Thesis Option

The student must complete a thesis with at least 15 combined credits CH 598 (Directed Research) or CH 599 (M.S. Thesis). Additional credits may consist of any combination of thesis or course electives. Course elective credits may consist of additional CBC courses or other departmentally approved 4000-, 500- or 600-level engineering, science, business, mathematics, or Global School electives with no more than 9 credit hours coming from 4000-level advanced undergraduate courses. All course selections must be approved by the student’s research advisor and the CBC Graduate Committee prior to registering. Each student should select a research advisor by the end of the first semester of study. M.S. candidates must submit and defend a thesis based on research conducted under the direction of a CBC faculty member. The thesis committee consists of at least three members, two of whom must belong to the CBC Department faculty.

Minimum Credits

Non Thesis Option

Graduate credits must consist of 4000-, 500- or 600-level courses. Credits should be distributed as follows:

At least 15 credits in CBC courses.
A maximum of 10 credits in electives in areas of engineering, science, management or mathematics.
Students also may use up to 9 credits of CH 598 (Directed Research) toward credit hour requirements.
A maximum of 9 credits of 4000-level advanced undergraduate courses

Biochemistry Coursework

Biochemistry students will be advised to take graduate courses in Membrane Biophysics (CH 541), Molecular Modeling (CH 554), Medicinal Chemistry (CH 538), and Spectroscopy (CH 516) in addition to advanced Biochemistry courses. Among electives in other areas, these might include courses on applied Biochemistry/Biological processes (BB 560/ BB 505/BB 509) and Bioinformatics (BCB 501/BCB 502/BCB 503).

Chemistry Coursework

Chemistry students will be advised to take graduate courses in Theory and Applications of NMR Spectroscopy (CH 536), Molecular Modeling (CH 554), Medicinal Chemistry (CH 538), and Spectroscopy (CH 516) in addition to advanced Chemistry courses. Among electives in other areas, these might include courses on Chemical Engineering (CHE 506/ CHE 521/CHE 561), applied Biochemistry/Biological processes (BB 560/BB 505/BB 509), materials science fundamentals and characterization (MTE 509/MTE 532/PH 561), and others with departmental approval.