Chemistry, M.S. Program
Program Description
The Master of Science degree provides students with advanced training in chemistry and the analytical skills needed to process and critique complex chemical information. Students may take most of the required coursework in chemistry or may choose a biochemistry concentration, with some required courses in chemistry and a specialization in biochemistry. The degree program mainly serves students in four categories: those seeking opportunities in the chemical industry requiring training beyond the baccalaureate level, employed chemists who wish to enhance their career potential, future teachers of high school or community college chemistry, and individuals contemplating more advanced graduate study.
Because of the rapid progress in the fields of chemistry and biochemistry, the department strives to offer a range of courses that cover not only established principles but also recent advances. Through laboratory-based coursework and research opportunities, students are prepared for new developments in experimental methods and instrumentation. They acquire experience reading and analyzing the chemical or biochemical literature in several courses, as well as through a research-based laboratory or computational project (University Thesis track) or by working on a capstone project (Capstone Project track).
Program Learning Outcomes
Students graduating with a Master of Science in Chemistry will be able to:
- demonstrate specialized knowledge in the chemical sciences beyond the undergraduate level,
- work effectively and safely in a laboratory environment using chemistry laboratory techniques and chemical/biochemical instrumentation,
- use theoretical and experimental chemistry methods to test hypotheses or analyze and design solutions to problems,
- understand, organize, and critically assess information from the chemical literature,
- present complex chemical information via oral and written reports.
Programs & Concentrations
Within the Chemistry degree, candidates will choose one of four courses of study:
- M.S. Chemistry, University Thesis track
- M.S. Chemistry, Capstone Project track
- M.S. Chemistry, Concentration in Biochemistry, University Thesis track
- M.S. Chemistry, Concentration in Biochemistry, Capstone Project track
Facilities
The laboratories are modern and well-equipped. Major instrumentation includes a 500 MHz nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometer (NMR), a capillary gas chromatograph with mass-spectral detection (GC/MS), Fourier-transform infrared spectrophotometers (FTIR), an inductive coupled plasma optical emission spectrometer (ICP-OES), a scanning electron microscope with an energy dispersive X-ray spectrometer (EDS-SEM), a multimode microplate reader, high-performance liquid chromatographs (HPLC), a fast protein liquid chromatograph (FPLC), a fluorescence spectrometer, and a diode-array ultraviolet-visible spectrophotometer.
Additional Information
The Masters’ degree program is under the nominal direction of the graduate coordinator, with the participation of the Graduate Studies Committee. All inquiries should be directed to the graduate coordinator or to the department chair.
Admission Requirements
The basic requirements for entry into the program are possession of a baccalaureate degree in Chemistry or Biochemistry, including a year of physical chemistry, and a GPA of at least 2. 6 in upper-division chemistry and biochemistry courses. Applicants not meeting the GPA requirement may still be accepted, subject to the receipt of acceptable letters of recommendation. Applicants not having an undergraduate major in chemistry or biochemistry may be accepted into the program, depending on the amount of undergraduate coursework required to remove deficiencies.
Qualified applicants are accepted in “Conditionally Classified Graduate” status. To become fully “Classified Graduate, ” students must remove any deficiencies in the undergraduate major, complete eight units applicable to the degree.
University Thesis track
A university thesis is required for both the M. S. Chemistry and the M. S. Chemistry, Concentration in Biochemistry, degrees within the University Thesis track. A thesis topic is decided by mutual agreement between a graduate student and an appropriate faculty member.
Off-Campus Research
Candidates whose employers permit the use of appropriate facilities and approve the release of the applicable findings may arrange to conduct research on their employers’ premises in support of their M. S. theses, subject to prior approval by the department.
Capstone Project track
The Capstone Project track entails the completion of a capstone project in lieu of a thesis. The topic and scope of the capstone project are decided by mutual agreement between a graduate student and an appropriate faculty member.
Advancement to Candidacy
Advancement to Candidacy requires that the student complete eight units in 600-level courses applicable towards the degree with an average grade of 3.0 or better and select a research advisor for the thesis or a supervisor for the capstone project.
Chemistry Degree Requirements (30 units)
In order to be eligible for the degree, the student must satisfy the following departmental requirements:
Core Requirements (15 units)
Complete a total of 15 units with the following courses:
Capstone Experiences (5 or 6 units)
Elective Courses (to reach a minimum of 30 units)
To complete the degree, students need to reach a unit total of 30. Students may take CHEM 311, CHEM 325, or any 400-level or higher-level course in Chemistry not already required for the degree program.
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