Graduate Catalog | 2025-2026
Chemistry, M.S.
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The Department of Chemistry offers a research-based Master of Science (M.S.) degree, which provides the background necessary for further graduate or professional studies in the physical, life or medical sciences or a career in chemistry. The M.S. degree also provides students a foundation in nanoscale science, an extension of chemistry that addresses the development, manipulation, and utility of materials and devices on the scale of roughly 1-100 nanometers in length, and the study of phenomena that occur on this size scale. The degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours and a capstone experience. For students entering the M.S. program thesis track, the capstone experience will involve defending a thesis based on original research carried out under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty. Students enrolled in the non-thesis track will complete a comprehensive exam to demonstrate their mastery of chemistry and nanoscale science. UNC Charlotte B.S. degree chemistry majors may elect to participate in the five-year Accelerated Early Entry M.S. program (described in the UNC Charlotte Undergraduate Catalog).
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Admission Requirements
In addition to the general requirements for admission to the Graduate School, the following are required for graduate study in Chemistry: - Administration of placement examinations by the department each semester just prior to registration as an aid in identifying academic deficiencies
- Removal of any deficiencies within one year
- International students must meet published University standards on English proficiency
Note: GRE test scores are not required. Early Entry Program Exceptional undergraduate students at UNC Charlotte may apply for the Early Entry Program and begin work toward the graduate degree before completion of the baccalaureate degree. See the Undergraduate Catalog for details and requirements. Also see the Degree Requirements and Academic Policies section of the Graduate Catalog for more information about Early Entry Programs. Degree Requirements
Students in this program must complete a minimum of 30 credit hours, including at least 15 credit hours in 6000-level courses open to graduate students only. Students in the M.S. in Chemistry program are required to be non-deficient in four out of five sub-disciplines of chemistry (inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, instrumental/analytical chemistry) as determined by five placement exams prior to the beginning of classes during the first enrolled semester. Students must not be deficient in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, and two other sub-disciplines of their choice. Deficiencies may be removed by passing the placement exam at the beginning of the subsequent semester or by passing a graduate level course with a grade B or above. To obtain the required 30 credit hours for graduation, students may choose additional credit hours in Research and Thesis or Elective Courses. All courses must be taken within seven years of admission to the program. Required Courses
Students enrolled in only the M.S. program will be automatically assigned to the thesis research track option. Students co-enrolled in both the M.S. in Chemistry program and the Ph.D. in Chemistry and Nanoscale Science program have the option of pursuing a non-thesis M.S. option. Elective Courses
A minimum of 6 credit hours from the following courses is required. Additional credits may be taken to satisfy the 30 credit hours. Notes:
*Departmental approval is necessary before CHEM 6060 credit can be used to satisfy this requirement. **Any 5000 level or higher Biology, Engineering, Chemistry and Nanoscale Science, Mathematics or Physics course, except those designed for a professional education sequence, may be taken for graduate credit upon departmental approval. Capstone Requirement
M.S. Degree: Thesis Track
A thesis must be written and defended within seven calendar years after admission into the M.S. program as a degree student. The written thesis is defended before the department and a special thesis committee of no fewer than four persons, with at least one member from outside of the Department of Chemistry. M.S. Degree: Non-Thesis Track
Students in the non-thesis track option must pass a comprehensive exam. Students enrolled in the M.S. non-thesis track will be co-enrolled in the Ph.D. program in Chemistry and Nanoscale Science. The student’s preliminary dissertation committee for the Ph.D. program shall also serve as the student’s advisory committee for the M.S. degree non-thesis track program. The M.S. comprehensive exam will written by the student’s advisory committee, and the subject matter for the exam will be based on the student’s coursework and proposed dissertation topic. Students begin the comprehensive exam process by submitting a dissertation topic proposal to their advisory committee. Within two weeks after the proposal is submitted, the committee will provide the student with a written comprehensive exam. The student shall have one week to complete the exam. Students are encouraged to complete the comprehensive exam prior to the start of their fifth semester in residence. A student that fails the comprehensive exam, may take it one more time. Note that a student does not need to pass the dissertation topic proposal oral defense to pass the comprehensive exam. Degree Total = 30 Credit Hours
Grade Requirements
Students in the M.S. in Chemistry program are required to maintain satisfactory progress toward the degree. Continued enrollment is at all times subject to review on the basis of academic record. This review is performed by the departmental Graduate Committee. A GPA of 3.0 is required for the degree. An accumulation of two marginal (C) grades or one unsatisfactory (U) grade on the graduate transcript results in termination of the student’s enrollment in the M.S. in Chemistry program and a termination of any assistantships and fellowships they were receiving. Advising
Approval of the program of each student and monitoring their progress toward the degree is the responsibility of the student’s research advisor. Prior to the selection of a research advisor, graduate student progress is monitored by the departmental Graduate Committee. Research Experiences
Chemistry faculty offer research opportunities in all areas of molecular and nanoscale sciences, and many participate in formal or informal interdisciplinary research programs. Faculty research interests include computational chemistry, organic synthesis, polymer chemistry, organometallic chemistry, structural and mechanistic organic chemistry, electrochemistry, materials and interfacial chemistry, catalysis, biochemistry, biophysical chemistry, analytical separations, bioanalytical chemistry, mass spectrometry, and chemical education. Many chemistry faculty are active participants in interdisciplinary research projects in biotechnology and biomedicine, optical science, materials science, or electrical engineering. Students receive academic credit for their research and benefit from a low student-to-faculty ratio. Graduate students are assigned individual projects and work closely with faculty members to build their own, original contribution to the scientific literature. Students have full access to and receive excellent training in the use of any departmental instrumentation needed to carry out their research. Results are presented at informal seminars, scientific conferences, and in articles published in high-quality, refereed journals. Research in the Department is funded in part from competitive grants obtained from agencies such as the American Chemical Society, National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, DoD, DoE, Research Corporation, Dreyfus Foundation, North Carolina Biotechnology Center, UNC Charlotte Foundation, and private industry. Assistantships
Graduate students generally support their education through teaching or research assistantships available through the Department of Chemistry. The department also sponsors the Thomas Walsh Research Fellowship, which provides significantly greater support to one highly qualified applicant. Tuition waivers covering state tuition are also available to external applicants through the Thomas Walsh Tuition Fellowships. Many faculty may offer research assistantships to qualified students. Further information is available in the department. Support in the summer months may also available. Tuition Waivers
Fellowships are available for students enrolled in the M.S. in Chemistry program and for students seeking an interdisciplinary doctoral degree through the Department of Chemistry. Further information is available in the department. |
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