Chemical and Biological Sciences, MS

Distribution of Credits

Core requirements: 8 credits
Research requirements: 6-12 credits
Elective requirements: 10-16 credits
Total credits: 30 credits

A minimum of 15 credits must be taken at the 600-level or above.

Core requirements

These courses are required for the degree:

• CHEM 790 Seminar Credits: (1-0) 1 OR 
• BIOL 790 Seminar Credits: (1-0) 1 *

• *Two credits of Chem/Biol 790 are required.

• 
  Two of the following courses:

• CHEM 600 Emerging Technologies in Green and Sustainable Chemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
• BIOL 702 Molecular Biotechnology Credits: (3-0) 3
• BIOL 708 Environmental Biological and Chemical Sciences Credits: (3-0) 3 OR
• CHEM 708 Environmental Biological and Chemical Sciences Credits: (3-0) 3

Research requirements

The completion of a master’s thesis, approved by the student’s graduate advisory committee and the Dean of Graduate Education, is required for this degree. A minimum of 6 thesis credits are required.

• CHEM 798 Thesis Credits: 1 to 12 **

• **At least 6 credits of Chem 798 are required for this degree. No more than 12 credits of Chem 798 may be applied toward the degree.

Elective requirements

Students must complete 10-16 credit hours. At least 6 credit hours of the elective courses must have a CHEM or BIOL prefix. Students are required to discuss course selection with their academic advisor. Students must take electives at the 500 level or above.

Examinations

Candidates for the MS degree must fulfill all degree requirements of the graduate office and the program. A thesis proposal, thesis defense, and an oral final examination are required for this degree.

Additional requirements

In addition to these degree-specific requirements, the student must also meet the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees  by the Council of Graduate Education.

Objectives and Outcomes

Student Outcomes:

1. Students demonstrate fundamental knowledge in chemical and biological sciences.
2. Students understand scientific literature in their specialized area of chemistry or biology.
3. Students exhibit proficiency in formulating and executing technically sound plans to solve problems in chemical and biological sciences.
4. Students show specific knowledge and skills pertaining to their research thesis in chemistry and biology.
5. Students effectively communicate ideas and results relevant to chemical and biological sciences in both oral and written formats.

Distribution of credits

Core requirements: 8 credits
Research requirements: 3-6 credits
Elective requirements: 16-19 credits
Total credits: 30 credits

A minimum of 15 credits must be taken at the 600-level or above.

Core requirements

These courses are required for the degree:

• CHEM 790 Seminar Credits: (1-0) 1

• OR

• BIOL 790 Seminar Credits: (1-0) 1 *

• *Two credits of Chem/Biol 790 are required.

• 
  Two of the following courses:

• CHEM 600 Emerging Technologies in Green and Sustainable Chemistry Credits: (3-0) 3
• BIOL 702 Molecular Biotechnology Credits: (3-0) 3
• CHEM 708 Environmental Biological and Chemical Sciences Credits: (3-0) 3 OR
• BIOL 708 Environmental Biological and Chemical Sciences Credits: (3-0) 3

Research or project requirements

• CHEM 788 Research Problems/Projects Credits: 1 to 6

• At least 3 credits of Research Project (Chem 788) are required for this degree. No more than 6 credits of Chem 788 may be applied toward the degree.

Elective requirements

Students must complete 16-19 credit hours. At least 6 credit hours of the elective courses must have a CHEM or BIOL prefix. Students are required to discuss course selection with their academic advisor. Students must take electives at the 500 level or above.

Examinations

 No final degree examination is required for the non-thesis option. Individual courses may hold final examinations as part of the course.

Additional requirements

In addition to these degree-specific requirements, the student must also meet the requirements and policies applied to all graduate degrees  by the Council of Graduate Education.

Objectives and Outcomes

Student Outcomes:

1. Students demonstrate fundamental knowledge in chemical and biological sciences.
2. Students understand scientific literature in their specialized area of chemistry or biology.
3. Students exhibit proficiency in formulating and executing technically sound plans to solve problems in chemical and biological sciences.
4. Students show specific knowledge related to their research projects in chemistry and biology.
5. Students effectively communicate ideas and results relevant to chemical and biological sciences in both oral and written formats.