Degree Title and Name:  Master of Science in Chemistry

Program Name and Number:  Chemistry (Athens) – MS3311

Department/Unit:  Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

Delivery Mode:  Athens Campus

Term(s) of Entry:  Fall (typically), Spring (in rare circumstances)

Program Overview:  The department’s mission is to provide a quality education to graduate students while they pursue state-of-the-art research in chemistry. The objective of the graduate program is to educate and train students to become highly effective scientists by providing them with the interdisciplinary tools, research skills and ethical and service sensibilities needed to succeed in their future career.  This includes offering a variety of rigorous graduate level courses, maintaining cutting-edge research programs within individual laboratories and compliance with the Code for Professional Ethical Conduct espoused by the American Chemical Society.

Generally, it takes approximately 2.5 years to complete the M.S. curriculum; however, an accelerated M.S. degree program is available to qualified Ohio University undergraduate students. This program allows students to complete their M.S. in chemistry within 12-15 months after completing their bachelor’s degree. Students accepted into the accelerated M.S. program would typically begin research in their junior/senior year of undergraduate studies, taking graduate classes during their senior year. The accelerated M.S. program also has an optional graduate research exchange program with the University of Leipzig in which students conduct research in Leipzig for 2-4 months, generally during the summer.

Program Learning Outcomes:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of chemical concepts and of selected topics in chemistry.
2. Demonstrate the ability to plan, execute, evaluate, and communicate original chemical research concepts and outcomes.
3. Develop specialized research skills to carry out work effectively in the laboratory of a chosen faculty research advisor. 

Opportunities for Graduates: The M.S. degree prepares students for a variety of professional positions and for graduate studies. Example sectors for employment include the pharmaceutical industries, analytical service laboratories, government laboratories and biomedical and industrial laboratories.

Link to Program:  https://www.ohio.edu/cas/chemistry/grad/requirements/ms-graduate.cfm

Link to Program Handbook: https://www.ohio.edu/cas/chemistry/grad/requirements/index.cfm

Graduation Requirements:  The following minimum requirements must be satisfied to graduate.

1. Complete 30 semester hours in Chemistry and approved electives.
2. Demonstrate breadth of knowledge competency by passing at a level of B or higher one 5000-level course in three of these five areas of chemistry: Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, Physical and Biochemistry. One of the three courses must be in the student’s major area, and the other two must be in the other areas. Breadth of knowledge competency must be met during the first year of graduate studies.
3. Demonstrate depth of knowledge competency by passing two classes at the 5000-level in the student’s major area of research. A grade of B or better must be obtained in each course attempted.
4. Attend each semester the weekly departmental colloquium series.
5. Take the graduate seminar course each semester (CHEM 8960, 8970, 8980 or 8990 depending on the student’s research area).
6. Participate in the Advanced Seminar in Research Development and Leadership course each semester (CHEM 8900 or equivalent).
7. Register to the Research and Thesis course (CHEM 6950) any semester during which research facilities and/or resources are being used. There is no limit on the number of dissertation hours that can be counted toward the 30-hour requirement.
8. Take the Graduate Chemistry Research Training class (CHEM 5710) during the first semester of graduate studies.
9. Students have three options: either (1) prepare a written thesis; or (2) publish, in a peer-reviewed academic journal, an article based on the student’s research; or (3) complete 24 credit hours of graded coursework at the 5000-level or above and write a review-type article. The thesis or the review-type article must be defended to a committee; the defense is open to the public.
10. The student’s graduate advisor and committee determine the specific requirements for each student within the above framework.

Culminating Experience:  Students write either a thesis, a research article, or a review. They defend the document to a committee and to the general public.

Admission Requirements:  Applicants whose qualifications satisfy all criteria listed below are reviewed for admission to the Chemistry M.S. program:

1. 4-year bachelor’s degree in chemistry or equivalent.
2. GPA (or equivalent) of 3.0 or higher
3. TOEFL of 80 (IBT) or IELTS of 6.5 across all bands for international students, in accordance with Ohio University policy.

International Students: This program permits full-time enrollment in residence at Ohio University, and an I-20 may be issued based on admission to this program.