Mar 29, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog 
    
2019-2020 Graduate Catalog This is not the most recent catalog version; be sure you are viewing the appropriate catalog year.

Chemistry [M.S.]


This program provides advanced study in chemistry for individuals who are currently employed in chemistry-related industrial or governmental positions or desire professional training before entering the job market or a doctoral program.

This is a designated STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) program.

Program Admission


  • Meet minimum Graduate School requirements, including a 2.7 Undergraduate GPA (3.00 is preferred)
  • An undergraduate degree with a major or a strong minor (approximately 25 hours) in chemistry.
  • Undergraduate Coursework
    • One year of calculus-based college physics (PHY 223 /PHY 224 ) and calculus.
    • Advanced undergraduate courses corresponding to courses in organic, physical, and analytical chemistry, along with either inorganic or biochemistry.
    • The graduate coordinator will ascertain competency and the need for remedial work in any deficient areas. Students who do not meet the minimum academic admission requirements may be admitted conditionally to the MS in Chemistry degree program and will be expected to complete the conditions by the end of the first year.
  • Submission of Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test scores required for all students. For International Students, additional TOEFL or MELAB scores must be submitted.
  • Applicants should write a one-page statement focusing on their motivation and rationale for seeking admission to the program. In this statement, they should describe their academic background and articulate how this program relates to their professional goals.

Department Information


Chemistry Deborah Heyl-Clegg, Ph.D., Department Head | 541 Science Complex, 734.487.0106, dheylcle@emich.edu

Advisor Information


Timothy Brewer, Ph.D., Graduate Coordinator, L054 Science Complex, 734.487.9613, tbrewer@emich.edu

Undergraduate Courses for Academic Deficiencies


Students are expected to meet the requirement of an undergraduate granted ACS Chemistry Degree. If not, they must take courses to meet their deficiencies during their first year of graduate studies (by the time they have earned 18 credit hours).

THESE COURSES CAN BE REQUIRED FOR STUDENTS WITH ACADEMIC DEFICIENCIES BUT WILL NOT COUNT TOWARDS CREDITS IN THEIR PROGRAM OF STUDY TO EARN A MASTER’S DEGREE

Degree Requirements: 30-34 hours


Students in this program follow either the Thesis Plan or the Non-Thesis Plan. All students must take one-credit hour courses in information retrieval, safety, and scientific writing in addition to distribution requirements of three graduate chemistry courses in various disciplines.

Thesis Plan:


This plan requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credit.

Students will be accepted into the thesis plan after two semesters of enrollment and at least one credit taken under an advisor. The student will be approved to continue with the thesis plan based upon the recommendation of their graduate advisor and approval of the graduate committee.

Three additional required courses for this thesis plan are:

Thesis plan students must submit a written thesis based on original research along with an oral presentation of the research to the Chemistry Department. A maximum of 10 hours of CHEM 697 /698 /699  may be used toward the degree in the thesis plan. For research credits to be awarded, a written report of research must be submitted to and approved by the research advisor

Non-Thesis Plan:


This plan requires satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 hours of graduate credits. Students must complete a total of six to ten hours of graduate based laboratory courses CHEM 533 /552 /563  and/or CHEM 697 /698 /699  – Research in Chemistry. A maximum of six research credits can be completed under the non-thesis plan. For research credits to be awarded, a written report of research must be submitted to the research advisor and approved by the research mentor.

Elective Courses:


Courses selected from among graduate courses at the 500- or 600-level. Courses are selected in consultation with the graduate coordinator and student’s thesis research director.

Courses that are offered include those in the distribution requirements along with those below:

Laboratory Courses:


Courses offered to students who wish to advance their knowledge through laboratory courses. Students who have taken undergraduate courses of CHEM 433, CHEM 453, and CHEM 463 are not eligible to take these courses for credit towards their program of study.

Research Credits:


An approved written thesis and an oral presentation of the research to the Chemistry Department is required with six to ten hours of research credit.

Cognate Courses: 0-6 hours


Zero to six hours selected from courses outside the Chemistry Department with the approval of the graduate coordinator. Note: students interested in educational research may take the following cognate courses with the approval of the graduate coordinator.