Chemistry, MS, PhD - Curriculum & Duration

Coursework

The research oriented MS (thesis) and PhD degrees require a minimum of 23 semester hours of didactic coursework, which includes both core and elective courses. These courses are selected in consultation with the Research Advisor, Advisory Committee, and the Department's Graduate Program Director. Each student is also expected to participate in the Department's seminar program where both literature and research seminars are delivered to students and faculty on a weekly basis during the semester.

MS Students in the non-thesis program take an additional 10 semester hours of didactic coursework in lieu of research credits. Full curricula requirements for all tracks are detailed below.

Selection of a Research Advisor (MS Thesis and PhD)

Upon entering the graduate program, all students register for research rotations with at least two potential research advisors. This laboratory rotation program is designed to expose the student to the available research opportunities in their area of interest. Upon completion of the rotation series, a student is eligible to select a Research Advisor (the advisor usually is, but need not be, one of the rotation advisors). Consult this list of faculty who are available to serve as advisors.  Descriptions of faculty and their research interests will help you select a potential research advisor.

Once the advisor is selected, an Advisory Committee is formed, typically consisting of three or four faculty members with appropriate expertise, and is designed to assist the student in their research endeavors. With the aid of the research advisor, you will write a research prospectus outlining your proposed research program. This prospectus must be presented to and approved by your Advisory Committee before you can begin the thesis research.

Research Project (MS Thesis and PhD)

Students in the MS Thesis and PhD programs are expected to carry out an independent, original research project under the direction of a one of these graduate faculty members in the Department, with the guidance of an Advisory Committee. The equivalent of at least 2 semesters of full-time research are minimally required to qualify for the MS Thesis degree, while at least 4 semesters of full-time research are minimally required for the PhD degree. Additionally, thesis students are required to present (MS and PhD) and publish (PhD) their research findings as a part of their degree requirements.

Thesis Dissertation and Final Defense (MS Thesis and PhD)

Upon completion of the research project that is necessary for the MS (thesis) and PhD degrees, you must write a thesis describing your research accomplishments, and successfully defend that thesis at a final oral examination before the members of the Advisory Committee.

Curricula

Prerequisites for MS (thesis and non-thesis) and PhD

Each student in expected to have completed the courses listed below, or their equivalent, at an accredited college or university.

• Calculus, 2 semesters
• Organic Chemistry with Laboratory, 2 semesters
• Analytical Chemistry, 1 semester
• English Composition, 1 semester
• Literature of Chemistry, 1 semester
• Biochemistry, 1 semester
• Physical Chemistry, 2 semesters
• Physical Chemistry Laboratory, 1 semester
• Instrumental Analysis, 1 semester
• Inorganic Chemistry, 1 semester

Graduate Core Requirements for MS (thesis and non-thesis) and PhD

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
CH 805	Critical Evaluation of Literature (Fall Term, 1st year)	1 credit
CH 880	Current Literature (Spring Term, 1st year)	2 credits
CH 802	Research Seminar (2 terms, 2nd year + )**	2 + 0 credits
ST 704	Statistics for Research*	3 credits
CH 786	Research Ethics	1 credit
*ST 710 (Biostatistical Methods) may be substituted at the recommendation of the Advisor or Advisory Committee for those students with no statistics background.
** Students must participate in CH-802 every term after their first year.  The first time taken students will receive 2 credits for the course, in subsequent terms, the course will be taken for 0 credits.

Chemistry Core Requirements for MS (thesis and non-thesis) and PhD

Two graduate courses (6 credits) from the following:

• Organic Chemistry
• Analytical Chemistry
• Physical Chemistry
• Bioinformatics

Chemistry, MS (non-thesis)

Requirements/Courses	Credits
Graduate Core Requirements	9 credits
Chemistry Core Requirements	6 credits
Additional 700- or 800-level chemistry courses*†	18 credits
Total Chemistry, MS (non-thesis)	33 credits

Chemistry, MS (thesis)

Course Number	Requirements/Course Name	Credits
	Graduate Core Requirements	9 credits
	Chemistry Core Requirements	6 credits
CH878	Introduction to Research	2 credits
CH885	Scientific Writing for Chemistry	3 credits
	Additional 700- or 800-level chemistry course*†	3 credits
CH799	Master's Research	10 credits (minimum)
Total Chemistry, MS (thesis) Requirement		33 credits

Chemistry, PhD

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
	Graduate Core Requirements	9 credits
	Chemistry Core Requirements	6 credit
CH878	Introduction to Research	2 credits
CH885	Scientific Writing for Chemistry	3 credits
	Additional 700- or 800-level chemistry course*†	3 credits
CH899	Doctoral Research	20 credits (minimum)
Total Chemistry, PhD		43 credits

Notes:
*Courses must be approved by Advisor or Advisory Committee.
† May include up to 6 credits of 300 or 400 level courses approved by Advisor and Program Director

Graduate Elective Courses

May include, but is not limited to, the following courses:

Course Number	Course Name	Credits
CH 714	Structure Activity Relationships	3 credits
CH 716	Chemical Synthesis Laboratory	3 credits
CH 718	Heterocyclic Chemistry	3 credits
CH 721	Chemical Kinetics	3 credits
CH 727	Physical Biochemistry	3 credits
CH 728	Advanced Biochemistry	3 credits
CH 731	Statistical Thermodynamics	3 credits
CH 732	Quantum Chemistry	3 credits
CH 733	Computational Chemistry	3 credits
CH 748	Computer Aided Drug Design	3 credits
CH 762	Analytical Separations Chemistry	3 credits
CH 764	Pharmaceutical Analytical Chemistry	3 credits
CH 767	Applied Spectroscopy	3 credits
CH 828	Biophysical & Biochemical Methods	3 credits
CH 813	Special Topics in Organic Chemistry	2-3 credits
CH 841	Special Topics in Biochemistry	2-3 credits
CH 863	Special Topics in Analytical Chemistry	2-3 credits
CH 864	Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry	2-3 credits
CH 892	Special Topics in Physical Chemistry	2-3 credits
BI 745	Molecular Evolution & Phylogenetics	3 credits
BI 775	Proteomics	3 credits
BS 767	Cell Biology Methods Lab	2 credits
BS 764	Biotechnology	3 credits
BS 765	Biotechnology Lab	2 credits
BS 861	Cell & Molecular Biology	3 credits