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 all of the requirements for admission to Graduate Studies. The Chemistry Department requirements are as follow:
1. A bachelor's degree,
2. A major or minor in Chemistry or commensurate industrial experience,
3. A grade point average of 2.5 in undergraduate Chemistry courses,
4. An official transcript,
5. Three letters of recommendation.
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 four courses totaling a minimum of twelve semester hours is required in a field that logically supports the major (Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology).
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, twelve additional semester hours of course work in Chemistry may be substituted for six 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 will select two additional faculty members to serve as the thesis
committee. This committee will judge the student's thesis defense.
Period of Study: Students taking nine semester hours of course
work each long semester and three 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 are 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.
AREAS OF CONCENTRATION FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE EXAMINATION:
| Analytical Chemistry | Environmental Chemistry | Organic Chemistry |
| Biochemistry | Inorganic Chemistry | Physical Chemistry |
SENIOR COURSES OPEN TO GRADUATE STUDENTS
| CHM 439 | Metabolism |
| CHM 440 | Instrumental Analytical Chemistry |
| CHM 442 | Air Quality |
| CHM 467 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry |
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 the format acceptable to the American Chemical Society.
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, carbonium ion, carbanion and free radical chemistry are studied. Prerequisite: CHM 239/219.
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.
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.
CHM 571 ADVANCED PHYSICAL CHEMISTRY: CHEMICAL KINETICS. A study is made of the mechanisms of processes and their rates of approach to equilibrium. Factors determining the rate, such as concentrations, temperature, solvent, and catalyst, are considered. Experimental methods of determining reaction mechanisms are discussed. Prerequisites: CHM 358, 468; MTH 375.
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.
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, 468
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 358, 468.
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.
*CHM 698 GRADUATE RESEARCH IN CHEMISTRY.
*Subject to action by the Board of Regents, The Texas State University System, and the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.*