Chemical Sciences, M.S.

Program Description

The Master of Science with a Major in Chemical Sciences (MSCB) is a thesis-based program with tracks in Chemistry and Biochemistry. The MSCB offers a flexible curriculum, individually tailored to the student’s background and research interests. The program is 33-credit-hours of coursework with research opportunities in all areas of chemistry and biochemistry, from synthetic organic chemistry to enzymology. The MSCB will prepare students to think in an interdisciplinary fashion about problems in chemistry, biochemistry and many other related areas of study. This program is designed to allow students to complete course work and thesis research within two academic years.

Successful candidates will have an undergraduate grade point average of at least 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) and will have completed requirements for the bachelor degree in a college accredited by a recognized regional accrediting association within the U.S., or in an equivalent institution outside the U.S. (accredited by a recognized accrediting agency). Adequately prepared applicants must demonstrate core competency as reflected by the record of undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, with a degree focus in one of these areas. The core includes 8 semester hours of physics with labs, 16 hours of general and organic chemistry with labs, 8-9 hours of math including calculus, and 8-20 hours of upper level chemistry and/or biochemistry and/or biology.

Adequately prepared applicants must demonstrate core competency as reflected by the record of undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry, physics and mathematics, with a degree focus in one of these areas. An applicant who is deemed deficient in one or two courses by the Admissions Committee may be admitted into the program under the condition that the missing undergraduate courses be taken in addition to the graduate program requirements; these will not count toward the degree and are not eligible for the tuition waver.

This program is a part of the College of Science and Mathematics .

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Admission, Enrollment, and Graduation Policies

Admission Requirements

The following are program-specific requirements beyond the general Graduate Admissions  requirements. To be considered for admission to this program, the following application materials must be submitted to the KSU Graduate Admissions Office:

• Statement of Research Interests - Can be uploaded into the online application. Should strongly indicate research area of interest (to be done with faculty member) and background information that may be relevant to succeeding in the program.
• References- Names and contact information for two persons familiar with the applicant’s potential to complete successful graduate work.
• Optional- Two Letters of Recommendation - Should be from persons familiar with the applicants potential to complete successful graduate work. 

Admissions Criteria for Unique Cases

Currently, there are no exceptions to the admission requirements.

Transfer Credit

No credit from outside institutions is accepted for this degree program.

Graduation Requirements

Each candidate must petition to graduate at least one semester prior to completion of program requirements. For more information, please view the corresponding section of Academic Policies: 5.0 PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS & GRADUATION . 

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Program Course Requirements