COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Science (MS) in Chemistry (MSC) is a graduate program designed to provide advanced training in chemical science through a combination of rigorous coursework, laboratory experience, seminar participation, and optional research-based thesis work. The program is structured to support both students aiming for research careers or doctoral study and those seeking advanced professional training for industry or applied science roles.Students complete a set of required lecture-based graduate courses totaling 12 credit hours, selected from advanced topics in inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, and specialized areas such as organometallic chemistry, materials chemistry, electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and chemometrics. This allows students to build a strong theoretical foundation while also exploring specialized subfields of chemistry aligned with their interests.In addition to coursework, students complete 6 credit hours of research techniques training, which focuses on developing laboratory skills, experimental design, and advanced chemical methodologies. Another 6 credit hours are dedicated to departmental seminars, which emphasize scientific communication, current research trends, and exposure to ongoing faculty and peer research in chemistry. These seminars help students build critical thinking and presentation skills essential for scientific careers.For students choosing the thesis pathway, an additional 6 credit hours are devoted to independent thesis research (CH 599), where students conduct original, faculty-supervised research projects. This culminates in a formal written thesis demonstrating their ability to independently investigate a chemical research problem using appropriate methods and analysis.Overall, the program requires 30 total credit hours and is designed to balance advanced classroom instruction, laboratory skill development, and research or scholarly communication experience. It provides flexibility through elective lecture course options across multiple chemistry disciplines, allowing students to tailor their education toward fields such as medicinal chemistry, materials science, analytical chemistry, or biochemistry. The structure ensures that graduates are well-prepared for either professional careers in chemical industries or further academic study at the doctoral level, depending on whether they pursue the thesis or non-thesis focus within the program.