Chemistry, M.A.

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College of Arts and Sciences
Department: Chemistry

Major Contacts, Deadlines, and Delivery Information

This Major shares core requirements with the Chemistry, M.S.

The Department of Chemistry offers Doctor of Philosophy, Master of Science, and Non-thesis Master of Arts degrees. The Chemistry graduate faculty is comprised of full-time senior faculty members, all holding the Ph.D. degree. The combination of a large and strong faculty with a wide variety of courses provides students with programs of study that can be tailored to fit individual needs, while maintaining a sound background in all general aspects of Chemistry. The excellent research facilities and low student-faculty ratio combine to afford unique opportunities for advanced study in Chemistry.

Major Research Areas:
Opportunities for graduate study are available in such interdisciplinary and specialized areas as Analytical Chemistry, Chemical Education, Computer Modeling and Computational Chemistry, Drug Discovery and Delivery, Bioorganic and Bioinorganic Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Electrochemistry, Environmental Chemistry, Enzymology, Inorganic Chemistry, Marine Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Metal-Organic Framework Chemistry, Nanomaterials, Natural Products, Nucleic Acid Chemistry, Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, Organic Chemistry, Organocatalysis, Photochemistry, Physical Chemistry, Polymers, Spectroscopy, and Synthetic Organic Chemistry.

Admission Information

Must meet University Admission and English Proficiency requirements as well as requirements for admission to the major, listed below.

A baccalaureate degree in Chemistry or a closely related discipline.
A preferred minimum score of 149 V (430/800, 47^th percentile) and 147 Q (570/800, 28^th percentile) on the GRE (the Chemistry subject exam is not required).
At least three letters of recommendation from professionals familiar with the student’s academic background.

Curriculum Requirements

Total Minimum Hours – 30 Credit Hours (Post-Baccalaureate)

Shared Core Requirements - 6 Credit Hours
Electives - 24 Credit Hours minimum

Twenty-six hours of formally structured (graded) courses, sixteen hours of which must be at the 6000 level, as approved by the student’s Supervisory Committee.

Shared Core Requirements (6 Credit Hours)

CHM 6935 Graduate Seminars in Chemistry Credit Hours: 1 (3 credits for this program)
CHM 6978 Advanced Research in Chemistry Credit Hours: 3

Electives (24 Credit Hours)

Students may select from graduate level courses in the Chemistry Department and/or related departments, such as Public Health, Education, Chemical Engineering, Physics, Biology, and Mathematics, with advisement of the student’s Supervisory Committee. Courses include, but are not limited to, the following:

CHM 5931 Selected Topics in Chemistry Credit Hours: 1-3
CHM 6036 Chemical Biology Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6150 Advanced Analytical Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6235 Spectroscopic Analysis of Organic Compounds Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6250 Advanced Organic Chemistry I: Synthesis Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6263 Advanced Organic Chemistry II: Physical-Organic Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6279 Introduction to Drug Discovery Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6480 Advanced Quantum Mechanics I Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6810 Methods of Instruction in Higher Ed Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6811 Classroom Assessment Practices in Chemistry Credit Hours: 3
CHM 6907 Independent Study Credit Hours: 1-19
CHM 6936 Chemistry Colloquium Credit Hours: 1
CHM 6938 Selected Topics in Chemistry Credit Hours: 1-3
CHM 6945 Investigating Chemical Education Research in the United States Credit Hours: 3

Non-Thesis

This major does not require a thesis.

Comprehensive Exam

M.A. students are required to prepare a review article that requires integration of topics covered in multiple courses. The topic for the review must be approved by the student’s advisor and Supervisory Committee. While there is no requirement to orally present the article to the Supervisory Committee, the student may opt for an oral presentation. The review paper will serve as the final comprehensive examination required by the USF Office of Graduate Studies .

University of South Florida