EIU Master of Science in Chemistry

Traditional, Research (Thesis)-Based Master of Science Chemistry Degree with Chemistry or Biochemistry Options

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:  

• 5 core chemistry graduate classes (CHM 5000, 5001, 5002, 5003, and 5950) and 6 credit hours of CHM 5890 - Graduate Research
• 6 credit hours of core elective courses which can be from CHM 5210, 5280, and 5420
• 12 credit hours of Chemistry electives which can be from graduate chemistry courses >= CHM 4750
• 4 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

 Biochemistry: 

• 9 core biochemistry graduate classes (CHM 4860, 5000, 5001, 5002, 5003, 5280, 5285, and 5950) and 6 credit hours of CHM 5890 - Graduate Research
• 3 credit hours of core elective courses which can be from CHM 5210, and 5420
• 12 credit hours of Chemistry electives which can be from graduate chemistry courses >= CHM 4750
• Additionally, the elective courses can come from the Biological Sciences Dept., upon approval of the Graduate Coordinator
• 4 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

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