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Nov 23, 2024
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2024-2025 Course Catalog
Chemistry, M.S. - Online
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A master of science degree in Chemistry enables graduate students to increase the depth and scope of their knowledge by working and studying alongside practicing chemists from both academia and industry. This degree is largely self-designed with the assistance of a faculty member, allowing students to tailor their studies to meet their specific educational goals. Potential candidates from both educational and industrial settings are encouraged to apply. Graduates advance to exciting careers in research and education or pursue doctoral degrees in Chemistry. Specifically designed for working professionals, classes meet online. The majority of students are already working professionals in industry and area schools.
Program outcomes
The student will:
- Recognize the interconnections between different areas of Chemistry
- Relate advanced areas of Chemistry to each other
- Recognize periodic trends and use them to predict and explain structure and reactivity
- Interpret the relationship between the physical properties of reactants and products to their reactivity
- Analyze chemical reactions in Organic, Inorganic, and Biochemistry
- Apply advanced chemical principles to one or more of the following: Forensic Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Planetary Chemistry, Environmental Chemistry, or Cancer Biochemistry
- Formulate chemical mechanisms for organic reactions
- Evaluate the research literature in Chemistry and Biochemistry
- Use advanced chemical concepts to solve novel problems
Matriculation requirements
- Graduate application and nonrefundable application fee
- A baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution in Chemistry or in a closely related discipline
- The prerequisites for admission include a B- or better in: two semesters of Organic Chemistry, two semesters of Physics, and one semester of Calculus
- A science GPA of 2.8 or higher is recommended, but does not guarantee admission
- Two letters of recommendation
- Official undergraduate transcripts
- Letter of intent (as part of the graduate application)
- An initial planned program of study that indicates your course interests
Please contact Admissions if you do not meet either GPA requirement
Progression standards
In addition to maintaining a 2.67 GPA, students must earn a B- or better in all required coursework. Students must earn a C or better in all elective courses. Failure to meet this requirements will result in probation. Required courses that were completed with a grade of less than a B- must be retaken. Students may retake a course only one time. Students failing to have a GPA of 2.67 must increase the GPA to 2.67 within six credits. Students who fail to increase the GPA in six credits or do not earn a B- in a required course in the second attempt will be dismissed. Students who earn a D or an F in any course will be dismissed.
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Degree requirements (30 credits)
Electives
Of the electives required, up to six credits can be transferred from another institution or from another USJ graduate program such as Biology or Education with permission from the graduate program director.
Comprehensive examination
All students in the program must pass a written comprehensive evaluation after completing a minimum of 24 credits in the graduate program, including all required courses. Most students will complete a comprehensive examination, which is a literature-based analysis of program goals and course objectives from the required courses. Thesis students will present and defend their thesis as a culminating activity in lieu of a written comprehensive exam.
Thesis Option
Exceptional students may apply for the thesis option under certain circumstances. First, the student must have a GPA of 3.3 without having repeated any course in the program. Second, the student must have completed the coursework without academic probation. Third, the student must identify: a thesis supervisor at their location; a hypothesis-driven, laboratory-based thesis project; and a USJ thesis advisor; all in consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Any students who have been accepted as a thesis candidate and earns a grade less than a B will be subject to departmental review. The department determines whether the student may continue in the thesis option or be asked to submit a non-thesis plan of study.
Thesis students will complete CHEM 598 - Research Planning Seminar and CHEM 599 - Master’s Thesis in lieu of two courses in their elective courses on the inital plan of study. CHEM 598 will be completed before research begins and CHEM 599 will be completed after the research project has been completed. Please note that the thesis option typically adds a year of time to completion of the degree.
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