Chemistry, MS, PhD
In This Section
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 |
Contact:
John W. Tomsho, PhD
Program Director
Office Location:
Griffith Hall, Room 310A
Address:
University of the Sciences
600 South 43rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104-4495
Phone:
215-596-7395
Email: