The undergraduate preparation of the student who expect to
undertake graduate work in chemistry is a bachelor's degree in a
chemical science. Alternately a nondegree student may submit
evidence of undergraduate preparation that normally includes
courses of eight or more semester hours in each of the following:
inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry,
physical chemistry, general physics. In addition, he or she should
be equipped with six semester hours of mathematics, including
differential and integral calculus. Where there is a deficiency,
the Chair of the department will determine what basic courses the
student must make up in order to matriculate for an advanced degree
in chemistry.
The program affords an opportunity for original investigation in
a specialized field.
Departmental Requirements
Program
The Master of Science degree can be fulfilled in either of
two ways. Students who elect to undertake a thesis as partial
fulfillment of the degree requirements must complete a total of 30
credits, comprised of 24 lecture credits and six research credits.
Students who elect to meet degree requirements without undertaking
a thesis must complete a total of 33 credit hours and pass a
comprehensive exam.
Required Courses
All students must pass Chemistry 101, 111, 121 and 141.
Research
Students in the thesis program must take Chemistry 900,
Master's Research (six credits). This sequence of courses requires
the completion of a research problem by the student under the
supervision of a staff member, and the presentation of the results
in the form of a written thesis.
The topic of the research must be approved by the research
advisor, the Chair and the Dean. All work must be done at the
University. In rare cases, permission may be obtained from the Dean
to carry out a portion of the work outside the University.
Research Tool
All students must demonstrate abilities in either a foreign
language (German) or a computer programming language. Those who
elect a foreign language must pass German 0101-0102 or demonstrate
by the ETS examination an ability to read modern scientific German.
Alternatively, a student can elect MTH 165-166 in lieu of German to
satisfy the language requirement.
Comprehensive Examination
A written comprehensive examination is required of students
in the non-thesis program. In the thesis program an oral
comprehensive examination is given which includes defense of the
thesis.