Master of Science in Chemistry - Professional Science Master's Options

The Chemistry Department offers two Professional Science Master's Options within the Master's of Science in Chemistry. Please read the admissions requirements and programs requirements carefully as they are not identical. These programs are no longer accepting applications.

Master's of Science - Professional Science Master's in Chemistry and Polymer Science Option (PSMCPS)

The goal of this program is to further educate ACS accredited chemists for a professional career in an industrial, government, or non-profit research setting.

This is a 32 credit program which requires the successful completion of 18 credits of chemistry/polymer science courses, 9 credits of management courses, 3 credits of management or chemistry electives, a one-credit ethics seminar; and a one-credit professional internship.

Applicants who have recently graduated, as well as, those who have worked in the chemistry/polymer field for multiple years, and foresee the potential of a managerial role in their future are urged to apply.

Chemistry Department Admissions Requirements for the PSMCPS:

Incoming students must possess an ACS undergraduate degree in chemistry (or its full equivalent) and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 from an accredited college or university. Candidates with a closely related major may be admitted with the approval of the Graduate Program Coordinator.

Since advanced study is required in at least three disciplines of chemistry, a number of courses in Analytical/Environmental, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, Physical and Polymer will be available every semester. All students must make up any deficiencies during the first year of their program.

Applications for the Professional Science Masters in Chemistry and Polymer Science are accepted year round, but it is recommended that completed applications be submitted one semester prior to expected matriculation.

Graduate Admissions Requirements:

General requirements for all applicants are a completed application packet supplied by the Graduate Admissions Office which includes:

  • Graduate Admissions Application form
  • A Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and/or professional performance
  • Official score report for the Graduate Record Exam, with a satisfactory level score
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Application fee

Applications may be downloaded or submitted electronically from the Graduate Admissions website.

PSMCPS Course of Study

Chemistry and Polymer Science Course Requirements (18-21 credits total

Required Core Courses for Chemistry and Polymer Science (Choose 4 courses from the following list. Each course is 3 credits):

Elective Courses for Chemistry and Polymer Science (Choose 2-3 courses from the following list. Students may also use the fifth course from the list above. Each course is 3 credits.):

Provision is made for a student to elect certain advanced subjects in related fields of chemistry, mathematics, physics, and engineering with permission of PSM Coordinator & Faculty advisor.

Management Course Requirements (9-12 credits total): Students are required to take a minimum of six credits of advanced (6000 level) courses. Up to two 2-credit basic courses may count towards the degree if they are advanced course prerequisites.

Required Advanced Management Courses (2 courses; 3 credits each):

Advanced Elective Management Courses (1-2 Courses; 3 credits each)
  • FINA.6400 Financing Innovation & Technology Ventures
  • MKTG.6300 Market Research for Entrepreneurs
  • ENTR.650 Innovation & Emerging Technology
  • MGMT.6300 New Product Development
  • Basic Courses (2 credits each) maybe prerequisites of advanced courses. If necessary, up to two of the following 2 credit courses can be counted towards the program requirements
  • ACCT.5010 Financial Accounting
  • FINA.5010 Business Financial Analysis
  • MKTG.5010 Marketing Fundamentals
  • MGMT.5010 Organizational Behavior

Other courses may be substituted with permission of the PSM Coordinator and the Faculty Advisor.

Required Science and Ethics Seminar (1 credit total)

Required Professional Internship: (1 credit total)

The duration of the internship component of the PSM degree is expected to be a minimum of 340 hours and be 3 to 6 months in duration. The student will work within a business, government agency or research institute directly related to their area of chemistry. The student is encouraged to participate in real world work situations involving not only technical problems, but also teamwork, communication skills and decision-making.

Before commencing the internship a student must be formally enrolled in the PSM program, have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours (including one management and one ethics course) towards the degree, and have permission of their faculty advisor.

Upon completion the intern will be required to submit a paper in thesis format and defend an oral presentation of their work.

Students who possess a full-time position in business, industry or government will be permitted to use work related to their current position as an internship.

Professional Science Masters in Pharmaceutical Biochemistry (PSMPB)

The goal of this program is to further educate scientists with strong backgrounds in chemistry/biochemistry for a professional career in an industrial, government, or non-profit research pharmaceutical setting. This is a 32 credit program which requires the successful completion of 18 credits of chemistry/biochemistry coursework, 9 credits of management course work, an additional three credits of chemistry or management electives, a one-credit ethics seminar, and a one-credit professional internship.

Applicants who have recently graduated, as well as, those who have worked in the biochemistry/pharmaceutical field for multiple years, and foresee the potential of a managerial role in their future are urged to apply.

Chemistry Department Admissions Requirements for the PSMPB:

  • The PSMPB program will consider applicants with BA/BS undergraduate degrees in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, health professions or related disciplines who possess a significant chemistry background and have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.000 from an accredited college or university.
  • Since advanced study is required in at least three disciplines of chemistry, a number of courses in Analytical/Environmental, Biochemistry, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical Chemistry will be available every semester. All students must make up any deficiencies during the first year of their program.
  • Applications for the Professional Science Masters in Chemistry and Polymer Science are accepted year round, but it is recommended that completed applications be submitted one semester prior to expected matriculation.

Graduate Admissions Requirements:

General requirements for all applicants are a completed application packet supplied by the Graduate Admissions Office which includes:

  • Graduate Admissions Application form
  • A Statement of Purpose
  • Three letters of recommendation pertaining to academic ability and/or professional performance
  • Official score report for the Graduate Record Exam, with a satisfactory level score
  • Official transcript(s)
  • Application fee
  • Applications may be downloaded or submitted electronically from the Graduate Admissions website.

PSMPB Course of Study

Pharmaceutical Biochemistry Course Requirements (18-21 credits total)

Required Core Courses for Pharmaceutical Biochemistry (All students must take CHEM.550 and CHEM.562 PLUS two courses from the following list. Each course is 3 credits):

And two courses from the following list:

Elective Courses for Pharmaceutical Biochemistry (Choose 2-3 courses from the following list or an additional course from the above list. Each course is 3 credits.):

Provision also is made for the student to elect certain advanced subjects in related fields of chemistry, health sciences, biology, and other related disciplines with permission of PSM Coordinator & Faculty advisor.

Management Course Requirements (9-12 credits total):

Required Courses (2 courses; 3 credits each):

Elective Courses (Students choose 1-2 courses from the following list. Each course is 3 credits.)

Other courses may be substituted with permission of the PSM Coordinator and the Faculty Advisor.

Science and Ethics Course (1 credit total)

Professional Internship: (1 credit total)

The duration of the internship component of the PSM degree is expected to be a minimum of 340 hours and be 3 to 6 months in duration. The student will work within a business, government agency or research institute directly related to their area of chemistry. The student is encouraged to participate in real world work situations involving not only technical problems, but also teamwork, communication skills and decision-making. Before commencing the internship a student must be formally enrolled in the PSM program, have completed a minimum of 18 credit hours (including one management and one ethics course) towards the degree, and have permission of the PSM coordinator and their faculty advisor. Upon completion the intern will be required to submit a paper in thesis format and defend an oral presentation of their work. Students who possess a full-time position in business, industry or government will be permitted to use work related to their current position as an internship.

Please address any inquiries to Chemistry PSM Coordinator: Jin Xu.

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