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Chemistry M.S.*

The Master of Science in Chemistry can be viewed as either a terminal or non-terminal degree, serving as preparation for employment in chemical and related industries, in a wide range of government agencies, and in community colleges. The degree has both thesis and non-thesis options. The thesis option is designed to prepare students for careers in industry, in advanced research, and for further study toward Ph.D. degrees in biochemistry, chemistry, materials science, chemical engineering, forensics, pharmacology, toxicology, oceanography, medicine, environmental science, and related fields. The non-thesis option focuses on preparing students for chemical careers that typically do not have a research component.  This option is an excellent choice for students wanting to become faculty members at the junior college level and for high school teachers seeking the credentials necessary to teach dual credit.  The non-thesis option is designed to be a viable option for current teachers and others members of the workforce returning to college to advance their career opportunities.  

*This program will be available “pending approval by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.”

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general requirements for admission to graduate study at The University of Texas at Tyler, the requirements for admission to the Master of Science in Chemistry are as follows:

  1. The submission of complete official transcripts from all prior academic institutions which the student attended.
  2. A completed application to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
  3. A satisfactory score on the General Test (verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and critical thinking/analytical writing) of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) within the last 5 years.
  4. Three letters of reference.
  5. The equivalent of an American Chemical Society (ACS) certified B.S. in Chemistry with an average GPA of 3.0 in all chemistry courses completed.  Students who fail to meet the minimum GPA requirement may prove proficiency by achieving an acceptable score on three ACS graduate placement exams.
  6. A demonstrated proficiency in the use of the English language, both spoken and written. The student may be required to pass an English proficiency test.
  7. Approval by the Departmental Graduate Committee.
  8. Consideration may also be given to one or more of the following: the applicant's demonstrated commitment to his or her chosen field of study, socioeconomic background, first generation college graduate, multilingual proficiency, geographic region of residence, and level of responsibility in other matters including extracurricular activities, employment, community service, and family responsibilities.


Degree Requirements - Non-Thesis Option

  1. Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved graduate credit.
  2. Required Courses (3 hours). Complete CHEM 5301 Introduction to Graduate Teaching and Research.  
  3. Prescribed Electives (21 Hours). Complete 7 of the following courses with approval of advisor.
    1. CHEM 5310 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
    2. CHEM 5312 Chemical Sensors
    3. CHEM 5320 Advanced Biochemistry 
    4. CHEM 5321 Biochemical Foundation and Treatment of Disease
    5. CHEM 5331 Bioinorganic Chemistry
    6. CHEM 5332 Organometallic Chemistry
    7. CHEM 5340 Physical Organic Chemistry
    8. CHEM 5341 Organic Synthesis
    9. CHEM 5342 Macromolecular Chemistry
    10. CHEM 5350 Quantum Chemistry
    11. CHEM 5351 Molecular Spectroscopy
    12. CHEM 5390 Advanced Topics in Chemistry
    13. CHEM 5301 Introduction to Graduate Teaching and Research
  4. Free Elective (6 hours). In consultation with advisor, complete 6 hours of chemistry graduate coursework. With advisor approval, a student may substitute up to 6 hours of graduate work from another discipline (6 hours). 

Degree Requirements - Thesis Option

  1. Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of approved graduate credit.
  2. Required Courses (9 hours). Complete CHEM 5395: Thesis I, CHEM 5396: Thesis II, and CHEM 5301: Introduction to Graduate Teaching and Research.  
  3. Prescribed Electives (18 Hours). Complete 6 of the following courses with approval of advisor.
    1. CHEM 5310 Advanced Analytical Chemistry
    2. CHEM 5312 Chemical Sensors
    3. CHEM 5320 Advanced Biochemistry 
    4. CHEM 5321 Biochemical Foundation and Treatment of Disease
    5. CHEM 5331 Bioinorganic Chemistry
    6. CHEM 5332 Organometallic Chemistry
    7. CHEM 5340 Physical Organic Chemistry
    8. CHEM 5341 Organic Synthesis
    9. CHEM 5342 Macromolecular Chemistry
    10. CHEM 5350 Quantum Chemistry
    11. CHEM 5351 Molecular Spectroscopy
    12. CHEM 5390 Advanced Topics in Chemistry
  4. Free Elective (3 hours). In consultation with advisor, complete an additional 3 hours of graduate chemistry coursework. With advisor approval, a student may substitute up to 3 hours of graduate work from another discipline.

Graduation Requirements Thesis Option

Candidates for the Thesis Option for Master of Science in Chemistry must also meet the following requirements:

  1. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all course work required for the degree. Only grades of “C” or better can be applied toward the degree.
  2. Submission of a written thesis describing an original research project. The thesis must be of scientific significance and suitable for publication in refereed scientific journals. The student must then defend the thesis at an oral examination administered by the Thesis Advisory Committee.
  3. Satisfactory performance on a final comprehensive, oral examination covering the thesis and related foundations in chemistry.

Graduation Requirements Non-Thesis Option

Candidates for the Non-Thesis Option for Master of Science in Chemistry must also meet the following requirements:

  1. Maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 in all course work required for the degree. Only grades of “C” or better can be applied toward the degree.
  2. Demonstrate satisfactory performance on a final comprehensive oral and /or written examination covering the courses, a non-research based professional paper, and other academic or laboratory components of the student’s program selected by the graduate advisory committee.

Thesis Advisory Committee

A thesis research project will begin during the first semester of full-time graduate work.  The student and thesis advisor will select two additional members from the graduate faculty in the Department of Chemistry to serve on the Thesis Advisory Committee.

Full-time Status

Full-time graduate students are expected to register for minimum of 9 semester credit hours each long semester.

Transfer of Graduate Credit

Transfer of graduate credit from a regionally accredited institution is limited to 9 hours.  All transfer credit must have been completed with a grade of “B” or better and approved by the departmental Graduate Committee and the Department Chair.