EIU Master of Science in Chemistry

Traditional, Research Based Master of Science Program in either Chemistry or Biochemistry

This degree track involves joining the research group of a Chemistry and Biochemistry Department faculty member, and doing at least 4 semesters of research (for a Fall start, this would be spring and summer of 1^st year, and fall and spring of 2^nd year) working on a thesis project.  You will present your preliminary results to your committee for a pre-thesis defense, and then later on write and present your thesis research.  A number of students actually finish in the summer of their 2^nd year, rather than in that spring.

We have research in all the traditional areas of chemistry:  analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, and physical.  Please see under the “Research” tab for additional information.

The course work includes:

(For course descriptions, please click here)

.Chemistry:  

• 4 core chemistry graduate classes (CHM 5180, 5210, 5360, and 5420)
• 2 elective courses (6 credits) which can be from upper-level and graduate chemistry courses
• semesters of graduate seminar [CHM 5000 (three times) & 5001], where in your 3^rd or 4^th semester you present a 40-minute literature based seminar
• Intro to Chem. Research (CHM 5002) and Critical Reading (CHM 5003) classes, 1 credit each

 Biochemistry: 

• Same as the above, except that 2, and no more than 2, of the core chemistry graduate courses can be replaced by approved graduate biology courses. 
• Additionally, the elective courses can come from the Biological Sciences Dept., upon approval of the Graduate Coordinator

 Research-based MS track students preferentially are awarded graduate assistantships.