DEPARTMENT OF CHEMISTRY

The graduate program in Chemistry is designed to train chemists for careers in business, industry or academics. These degrees are also appropriate for those students planning to continue their training in Ph.D. programs at other institutions.

Admission Requirements

Students seeking admission to the Master of Science program in Chemistry must meet the basic requirements of Graduate Studies specified in the ADMISSION section of this catalogue. The Chemistry Department requirements are as follow:

1. A major or minor in Chemistry or commensurate industrial experience,
2. A GPA of 2.5 in undergraduate Chemistry courses,
3. Three letters of recommendation.
4. A score of 1000 on the Graduate Record Exam

Degree Requirements

Master of Science, Plan I, II or III, requires a fundamental core of four graduate courses from different areas of Chemistry (Analytical, Biochemistry, Physical, Inorganic, or Organic) and at least one semester of research (CHM 698). Other requirements are indicated below. For the Master of Science, Plans I and III, a minor consisting of 4 courses totaling a minimum of 12 semester hours is required in a field that logically supports the major (Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, etc.).

Master of Science, Plan I

12 semester hours of Chemistry (from 4 areas)
6 semester hours of thesis
12 semester hours in a minor field

Master of Science, Plan II

12 semester hours of Chemistry (from 4 areas)
6 semester hours of thesis
12 semester hours of graduate Chemistry electives
When it is deemed appropriate by the Advisory Committee, 12 additional semester hours of course work in Chemistry may be substituted for 6 semester hours of thesis. This will result in a minimum of 36 semester hours of credit for those students.

Master of Science, Plan III

24 semester hours of Chemistry (from 4 fields)
12 semester hours in a minor field
12 semester hours (undergraduate) in French or German

Master of Education, Plan II: This nonthesis degree program is designed to provide additional study in a teaching field for the professional secondary school teacher and is initiated in the College of Education and Applied Science. The degree requires 36 hours of graduate credit as described below:

18 semester hours of undergraduate credit in Chemistry
12-18 semester hours of graduate credit in Chemistry
12-18 semester hours of professional education courses

Other Specific Requirements

Advisory Committee: The student will begin a thesis research project in the second semester of graduate work. The student and the thesis director, with approval from the chair, will select two additional faculty members to serve as the thesis committee.

Period of Study: Students taking 9 semester hours of course work each long semester and 3 semester hours each summer session will be expected to finish their graduate program within two years. A minimum of three long semesters and two summer sessions is required.

Comprehensive exam and oral thesis defense: In order to receive the MS degree, all graduate students are required to pass a comprehensive exam based on their course work. The nature of this exam, which may be written and/or oral, will be determined by the faculty in consultation with the student’s thesis director. An oral presentation of the thesis to the faculty in a seminar format is required, and the thesis must be defended before the student’s thesis committee.

*Master of Science in Forensic Science. This interdisciplinary degree is designed to produce graduate level forensic scientists. Formal graduate course work from the Departments of Chemistry, Biological Sciences and the College of Criminal Justice will focus on advanced principles of genetics, cell and molecular biology, toxicology, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, and legal and ethical aspects of the criminal justice system. Summer practicum and internships will provide experiences in the collection, preservation, analysis and presentation of forensic evidence. Graduates of this scientist practitioner program will be prepared to work and consult with various agencies within the criminal justice system. This is a non-thesis program requiring 45 semester hours of graduate credit that follows a single track. Admission into the program is through the College of Criminal Justice, which requires a minimum score of 1000 on the GRE (adding the analytical and quantitative scores), a 3.0 undergraduate GPA, and three letters of recommendation. A Bachelor’s degree from a regional accredited institution in chemistry, biology, criminal justice (with a strong emphasis in chemistry or biology), or a related field is also required. Required courses for students entering with a Bachelor’s degree include:

AREAS OF CONCENTRATION FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION:

Analytical Chemistry Organic Chemistry Physical Chemistry
Biochemistry Inorganic Chemistry

GRADUATE COURSES

CHEMISTRY COURSE DESCRIPTIONS

CHM 510 CHEMICAL LITERATURE AND SEMINAR. Students will participate in the departmental seminar program. This participation will require the preparation and presentation of current research material in a format acceptable to the American Chemical Society. Credit 1.

CHM 561 PHYSICAL ORGANIC CHEMISTRY. This course consists of a study of the effect of structure upon reactivity of organic compounds. The qualitative and quantitative relationship of structure to acidity and basicity in organic chemistry is developed. In addition, reactive intermediates (carbocations, carbanions and free radicals) are studied. Prerequisite: CHM 239/219. Credit 3.

CHM 562 ORGANIC REACTION MECHANISMS. Theoretical principles of ionic and free radical reactions are discussed. The methods of determining reaction mechanisms are surveyed along with applications to individual reactions. Prerequisite: CHM 239/219. Credit 3.

CHM 568 ANALYTICAL SPECTROSCOPY. Theory and application of selected areas of spectroscopy commonly used in qualitative and quantitative analysis are covered. Topics include atomic and molecular spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, laser analytical methods, fluorescence, phosphorescence, and chemiluminescence and their application to environmental, atmospheric, and bioanalytical problems. Prerequisite: CHM 440. Credit 3.

CHM 572 ADVANCED BIOCHEMISTRY I. The chemical structure and the biological functions and controls of proteins are reviewed. Proteins to be considered include enzymes, transport proteins and structural proteins. Protein biosynthesis and recombinant DNA technology are also discussed. Credit 3.

CHM 574 CHEMISTRY OF COORDINATION COMPOUNDS. The chemistry of compounds containing metal ions is discussed. Emphasis is placed on the complex transition of metal compounds. The electronic configurations of these ions in various bonding environments are considered in interpreting their chemical and physical properties. Prerequisites: CHM 467 and *448. Credit 3.

CHM 581 ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: THERMODYNAMICS. Principles are stressed including the three laws of thermodynamics, thermochemistry and statistical thermodynamics. Applications of the principles to gases, solution, mixtures, solids and interfaces are given. Prerequisites: CHM *448. Credit 3.

CHM 585 SELECTED TOPICS IN ADVANCED CHEMISTRY. This course is adaptable to the needs and interests of the individual graduate student majoring in Chemistry. Modern developments in specific subdivisions of the field of chemistry are considered. It may be repeated for credit, provided the repetition is not in the same subdivisional field. The subdivisional fields offered are: analytical, biochemistry, environmental, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Prerequisite: Graduate standing in Chemistry. Credit 3.

CHM 698 GRADUATE RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY. Credit 3.

CHM 699 THESIS. Credit 3.