Chemistry, MS
Chairperson: Scott Reid, Ph.D.
Chemistry website
Degree Offered
Master of Science
Program Description
The Department of Chemistry offers outstanding research and educational opportunities in its graduate programs, leading to the master of science or doctoral degrees. The heart of the graduate degree is research, conducted in concert with a faculty mentor. The program requires 24 hours of course work, and students are advanced to Ph.D. candidacy after successfully completing a literature seminar (4th term) and research meeting (5th term). The program emphasizes development of the whole scientist.
Subspecialty areas of research within the Department of Chemistry include: photochemistry; molecular spectroscopy; medicinal chemistry and drug discovery; materials chemistry and nanotechnology; organometallic, physical organic, bioorganic, polymer, and theoretical chemistry; and chemical dynamics.
General Information
For more detailed and comprehensive information about the master of science and doctoral programs in chemistry, students should consult the most recent edition of the Chemistry Department’s Graduate Student Handbook. This publication defines the current rules and guidelines that govern department and program requirements.
Second Language Requirements
Normally, no reading knowledge of a second language is required in either the master’s or doctoral programs. However, at the discretion of the student’s thesis or dissertation committee, proficiency in a second language may be required if it is necessary in the student’s research.
Proficiency Examinations
Incoming chemistry students must pass three proficiency examinations, which may be selected from among the four traditional areas of chemistry (analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry). Incoming chemical physics students must pass proficiency examinations in physics, physical chemistry, and one other area of chemistry. These examinations can be repeated up to two times each, and the student must pass three by the end of his/her second term of full-time study or the equivalent.
Chemistry Master of Science
Specializations: Analytical Chemistry, Bioanalytical Chemistry, Biophysical Chemistry, Chemical Physics, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry
A program for the master’s degree is determined by the student’s research adviser in consultation with the student’s thesis committee. All students are admitted to the program under Plan A but may transfer to Plan B if a Change of Plan form is submitted and approved.
In Plan A (research option), the student must complete 24 credit hours of course work and six credit hours of CHEM 6999 Master's Thesis for a total of 30 credit hours. Six credit hours of course work may be CHEM 6995 Independent Study in Chemistry. In addition, seminar course work (CHEM 6960 Departmental Seminar) is required for the program but earns no credit. The student must submit a thesis describing a substantial research project completed by the student in a mentor-professor’s laboratory. Public defense of the thesis constitutes a comprehensive examination.
In Plan B (essay option), the student must complete 24 credit hours of course work and six credit hours of CHEM 6998 Essay Project for a total of 30 credit hours. An essay must also be submitted. Up to six credits of course work may be CHEM 6995 Independent Study in Chemistry. In addition, seminar course work (CHEM 6960 Departmental Seminar, CHEM 6953 Literature Seminar) is required for the program but earns no credit. The essay must include a review of the literature of some area of chemistry and a proposal of how knowledge in that area might be extended by research. Public defense of the essay constitutes a comprehensive examination.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required course work - Choose 8 courses from the following: | 24 | |
| Characterization of Organic Compounds | ||
| Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Quantum Chemistry | ||
| Physical Chemistry 1 | ||
| Physical Chemistry 2 | ||
| Biochemistry 1: Macromolecular Structure and Function | ||
| Introduction to Polymer Science | ||
| Advanced Topics in Chemistry | ||
| Modern Concepts of Organic Chemistry | ||
| Organic Reactions | ||
| Mechanisms of Organic Reactions | ||
| Physical Methods of Analysis | ||
| Spectrochemical Methods of Analysis | ||
| Electroanalytical Methods | ||
| Analytical Separations | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 1 | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 2 | ||
| Computational Chemistry | ||
| Introduction to Spectroscopy | ||
| Statistical Thermodynamics | ||
| Chemical Kinetics | ||
| Advanced Physical Chemistry | ||
| Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy | ||
| Advanced Quantum Chemistry | ||
| Topics in Chemistry | ||
| Independent Study in Chemistry (Up to 6 credit hours can be counted towards the degree.) | ||
| Seminar course work - Required each term | 0 | |
| Departmental Seminar | ||
| Seminar course work presented at Departmental Seminar | 0 | |
| Literature Seminar | ||
| Master's Thesis (Plan A - Thesis option) or Essay Project (Plan B - Essay option) | 6 | |
| Master's Thesis | ||
or CHEM 6998 | Essay Project | |
| Total Credit Hours: | 30 | |
Accelerated Degree Program
The department offers a five-year combined bachelor’s-master’s program which enables students to earn both their bachelor of science and master of science degrees in chemistry in just five years. After completing the program, it is anticipated that students would have the potential for:
- Obtaining an industrial position in the chemical profession and related industries featuring greater responsibility and leadership than possible with a bachelor of science degree alone.
- Developing their academic skills and portfolio further, with the possibility to improve their chances of acceptance into doctoral, medical or other advanced degree programs.
- Immersion into an intensive research experience to provide guidance on their ability and aptitude for pursuing a doctor of philosophy degree in chemistry.
Students are admitted following their junior year but are encouraged to begin undergraduate research (CHEM 4956 Undergraduate Research in Chemistry) during their junior year. Normally, a GPA of 2.750 in their Marquette University undergraduate science and math course work is required for admission. During the spring term of their fourth year, students are eligible to apply for a graduate assistantship for the fifth year, which would be awarded, if available, on the basis of merit as determined by the Graduate Committee (GC). Note that priority for academic year graduate assistantships is given to doctoral candidates.
University Policies
- Academic Censure - Graduate School
- Academic Integrity
- Academic Misconduct
- Academic Program Definitions
- Accelerated Degree Programs
- Attendance - Graduate School
- Awarding Diplomas and Certificates
- Background Checks, Drug Testing
- Class Rank
- Commencement
- Conferral of Degrees and Certificates
- Course Levels
- Credit Hour
- Credit Load - Graduate School
- Faculty Grading
- Family Education Rights and Privacy Act-FERPA
- Grade Appeals
- Grading System - Graduate School and Graduate School of Management
- Graduation - Graduate School
- Immunization and Tuberculosis Screening Requirements
- Last Date of Attendance/Activity
- Military Call to Active Duty or Training
- Registration - Graduate School
- Repeated Courses - Graduate School
- Student Data Use and Privacy
- Transcripts-Official
- Transfer Course Credit - Graduate School
- Withdrawal - Graduate School
Graduate School Policies
- Academic Performance
- Academic Programs Overview
- Advising
- Assistantships and Fellowships
- Certificate Concurrent Enrollment
- Conduct
- Confidentiality of Proprietary Information
- Continuous Enrollment
- Courses and Prerequisites
- Cross-listed Courses
- Deadlines
- Graduate Credit
- Graduate School Policies
- Independent Study
- Intellectual Property
- Research Involving Humans, Animals, Radioisotopes or Recombinant DNA/Transgenic Organisms
- Temporary Withdrawal from Graduate Program
- Time Limitations
- Working with Minors
CHEM 5130 Characterization of Organic Compounds (3 credits)
Fundamental theory of spectral methods used to identify organic compounds. Structure elucidation through application of nuclear magnetic resonance, ultraviolet, infrared, and mass spectroscopy. 3 hr. lecture.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term, 2019 Spring Term, 2017 Spring Term
CHEM 5230 Forensic Chemistry (3 credits)
Examines the chemistry of forensics. Topics include: the science behind forensic analysis, methods for data analysis and applications of analytical methods in forensic science.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2020 Spring Term
CHEM 5330 Inorganic Chemistry (3 credits)
Structure and bonding as related to physical and chemical properties; concepts relating to mechanisms; metal complexes; organometallic chemistry; molecular symmetry; catalysis; and descriptive chemistry to demonstrate applications of principles.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term
CHEM 5430 Introduction to Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
Elementary quantum theory and applications to atoms, molecules, and chemical bonding.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2014 Fall Term
CHEM 5431 Physical Chemistry: Fundamentals with Applications in Biological Sciences (3 credits)
Focuses on basic principles, using examples drawn from applications to biological systems. Covers macroscopic, statistical, and microscopic descriptions of matter. Emphasis on thermodynamics, chemical and physical equilibria, transport properties, and kinetics.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2015 Fall Term, 2014 Fall Term
CHEM 5433 Physical Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
Foundations of quantum mechanics, applications to chemical systems, atomic and molecular structure and spectroscopy, foundations of statistical mechanics, states of matter, laws of thermodynamics, phase and chemical equilibrium, electrochemistry, transport properties and chemical kinetics. 3 hrs. lec.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term
CHEM 5434 Physical Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
Continuation of CHEM 5433. Three hrs. lec.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2016 Spring Term
CHEM 5530 Biochemistry 1: Macromolecular Structure and Function (3 credits)
Chemistry and biology of the component molecules of living cells, with an emphasis on the structure and function of proteins, nucleic acids and biochemical cofactors. Underlying principles include bonding, kinetics, thermodynamics, biochemical transformations, molecular recognition, protein folding, enzyme catalysis, protein-nucleic acid structure and function and evolution at the biochemical level.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Fall Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term
CHEM 5630 Introduction to Polymer Science (3 credits)
Theory and practice of molecular weight determination for macromolecules. Characterization of polymers, including spectroscopic, chemical and mechanical procedures. Synthesis of polymers, including kinetics of reaction. Polymer additives and technology.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2018 Fall Term, 2015 Fall Term
CHEM 5932 Advanced Topics in Chemistry (1-3 credits)
Advanced topics of current interest in inorganic, organic, analytical, physical or biochemistry.
Level of Study: Graduate
CHEM 6101 Modern Concepts of Organic Chemistry (3 credits)
Stereochemistry, structure-reactivity, and linear free energy relationships. Chemistry of reaction intermediates and mechanistic approaches to problems. Offered fall term.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2021 Fall Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Fall Term, 2017 Fall Term
CHEM 6102 Organic Reactions (3 credits)
Scope and limitations of modern techniques of synthesis utilizing addition, elimination, oxidation, reduction, substitution, rearrangement, and concerted reactions. Attention to mechanisms and stereochemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 6101.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2018 Spring Term, 2016 Spring Term, 2014 Spring Term
CHEM 6103 Mechanisms of Organic Reactions (3 credits)
Fundamental principles of physical organic chemistry. Mechanisms of common organic reactions with emphasis on polar mechanisms. Introduction to Huckel and extended Huckel molecular orbital calculations.
Prerequisite: CHEM 6101.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2016 Fall Term, 2015 Spring Term, 2013 Spring Term, 2010 Spring Term
CHEM 6201 Physical Methods of Analysis (3 credits)
Review of equilibria, principles and practice of spectrophotometry, electroanalysis and separation methods.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2015 Spring Term, 2014 Spring Term, 2011 Fall Term, 2010 Fall Term
CHEM 6202 Spectrochemical Methods of Analysis (3 credits)
Discussion of modern instrumentation for spectrochemical analysis including conventional sources, lasers, monochromators and detection systems. Review and comparison of methods and applications of various spectrochemical techniques for the analysis of atomic and molecular species.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2019 Fall Term, 2016 Fall Term, 2014 Fall Term, 2013 Spring Term
CHEM 6203 Electroanalytical Methods (3 credits)
Electroanalytical methods for analysis and as a probe of homogeneous and heterogeneous redox processes with major emphasis on voltammetric, coulometric, potentiostatic and potentiometric methods. Also the redox chemistry of important organic, inorganic and organometallic compounds.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2018 Fall Term, 2017 Fall Term, 2016 Spring Term, 2015 Spring Term
CHEM 6204 Analytical Separations (3 credits)
Emphasis on gas chromatography and high performance liquid chromatography. Also included: other forms of chromatography, electrophoresis and related techniques, distillation, extraction, dialysis.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 1997 Fall Term, 1994 Spring Term, 1992 Spring Term, 1990 Fall Term
CHEM 6301 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 1 (3 credits)
Atomic and molecular structure, chemistry of the compounds of metals, transition metals and nonmetals, introduction to symmetry, ligand field theory, mechanisms, acids and bases, non-aqueous solvents, organometallic compounds, and applications of spectroscopy.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term, 2018 Spring Term, 2015 Spring Term
CHEM 6302 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry 2 (3 credits)
Special emphasis on such topics as non-aqueous solvents, mechanisms of inorganic reactions, inorganic polymers, descriptive chemistry, coordination chemistry, organometallic chemistry, point group classification, spectroscopy as applied to inorganic compounds, inorganic biochemistry, and current inorganic literature.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2015 Fall Term
CHEM 6401 Computational Chemistry (3 credits)
Survey of the theories, models, and methods of modern computational chemistry. Topics include: molecular mechanics, semiempirical and ab initio molecular orbital theory, and Density Functional theory. Emphasizes applications in vibrational and electronic spectroscopy, thermodynamics, reaction dynamics, and condensed phase phenomena.
Prerequisite: CHEM 5434.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term, 2018 Fall Term, 2017 Spring Term
CHEM 6402 Introduction to Spectroscopy (3 credits)
Basic theory of chemical spectroscopy. Time-dependent Schrvdinger wave equation, and the emission and absorption of radiation. Group theory and selection rules. Electronic spectra and structure of atoms and molecules. Rotations and vibrations of molecules. Spin resonance spectroscopy.
Prerequisite: CHEM 6405.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2021 Fall Term, 2019 Spring Term, 2016 Fall Term, 2015 Spring Term
CHEM 6403 Statistical Thermodynamics (3 credits)
Applications of statistical methods to chemical systems at equilibrium, including the calculations of thermodynamic functions, the properties of gases, and the theories of the liquid state. Introduction to non-equilibrium statistics and quantum statistics.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2002 Spring Term, 1999 Fall Term, 1997 Fall Term, 1996 Spring Term
CHEM 6404 Chemical Kinetics (3 credits)
Mathematical and phenomenological description of chemical rate processes and application to the solution of chemical problems.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2016 Spring Term, 2006 Fall Term, 2001 Fall Term
CHEM 6405 Advanced Physical Chemistry (3 credits)
Atomic and molecular structure and chemical bonding from the point of view of quantum mechanics; illustrations from spectroscopy.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2003 Spring Term, 1998 Fall Term, 1997 Spring Term, 1995 Spring Term
CHEM 6406 Infrared and Raman Spectroscopy (3 credits)
General theories of molecular vibrations and applications of infrared and Raman spectroscopy to chemical problems.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 1990 Fall Term, 1988 Fall Term, 1987 Spring Term
CHEM 6407 Advanced Quantum Chemistry (3 credits)
The application of advanced topics and methods of quantum mechanics to chemistry.
Prerequisite: CHEM 6405.
Level of Study: Graduate
CHEM 6931 Topics in Chemistry (1-3 credits)
Topics of current interest in biochemistry.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term
CHEM 6953 Literature Seminar (0 credits)
Scholarly presentation on a current topic in chemistry. Mandatory for all CHEM graduate students. SNC/UNC grade assessment.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Spring Term
CHEM 6960 Departmental Seminar (0 credits)
Papers and discussions as a means of interpreting present trends in chemical research. Required of all full-time graduate students in chemistry. SNC/UNC grade assessment.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
CHEM 6995 Independent Study in Chemistry (1-4 credits)
Faculty-supervised, independent study/research of a specific area or topic in Chemistry.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
CHEM 6998 Essay Project (1-6 credits)
An essay project developed in consultation with the adviser. S/U grade assessment.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
CHEM 6999 Master's Thesis (1-6 credits)
S/U grade assessment.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2019 Spring Term, 2018 Fall Term
CHEM 8953 Research Seminar (0 credits)
Scholarly presentation of student’s dissertation research topic in chemistry. Mandatory for all CHEM doctoral students. SNC/UNC grade assessment.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
CHEM 8999 Doctoral Dissertation (1-9 credits)
S/U grade assessment.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
CHEM 9503 Competency Exam Prep: Less Than Half-Time (0 credits)
A less than half-time equivalent course, used for those Marquette graduate students who are participating in undergraduate courses in preparation for graduate competency examinations.
Prerequisite: Cons. of the Graduate Sschool.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term
CHEM 9603 Competency Exam Prep: Less Than Half-Time (0 credits)
A less than half-time equivalent course, used for those Marquette graduate students who are studying, whether in a classroom or independently, in preparation for graduate competency examinations.
Prerequisite: Cons. of the Graduate School.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Spring Term, 2019 Spring Term, 2018 Fall Term
CHEM 9970 Graduate Standing Continuation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as less than half-time status only, cannot be used in conjunction with other courses, and does not qualify students for financial aid or loan deferment.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2008 Spring Term, 2007 Fall Term
CHEM 9974 Graduate Fellowship: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2011 Summer Term, 2009 Fall Term, 2009 Summer Term, 2009 Spring Term
CHEM 9975 Graduate Assistant Teaching: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2012 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term, 2009 Fall Term, 2009 Spring Term
CHEM 9976 Graduate Assistant Research: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Designated as full-time status. If a student is already registered in other courses full time, this continuation course is not needed.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2018 Summer Term, 2016 Summer Term
CHEM 9994 Master's Thesis Continuation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week on their master's thesis. All six thesis credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Master's Thesis Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2015 Spring Term, 2014 Spring Term, 2012 Spring Term, 2011 Spring Term
CHEM 9995 Master's Thesis Continuation: Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week on their master's thesis. All six thesis credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Master's Thesis Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2009 Fall Term, 2009 Spring Term, 2008 Fall Term, 2008 Spring Term
CHEM 9996 Master's Thesis Continuation: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week on their master's thesis. All six thesis credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Master's Thesis Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2022 Spring Term, 2021 Fall Term, 2021 Summer Term, 2021 Spring Term
CHEM 9997 Doctoral Dissertation Continuation: Less than Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of less than half-time status. Requires that the student is working less than 12 hours per week on their doctoral dissertation. All 12 dissertation credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Doctoral Dissertation Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2010 Fall Term, 2009 Fall Term, 2008 Spring Term, 2007 Fall Term
CHEM 9998 Doctoral Dissertation Continuation: Half-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of half-time status. Requires that the student is working more than 12 to less than 20 hours per week on their doctoral dissertation. All 12 dissertation credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Doctoral Dissertation Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2021 Spring Term, 2020 Fall Term, 2020 Spring Term, 2019 Fall Term
CHEM 9999 Doctoral Dissertation Continuation: Full-Time (0 credits)
Fee. SNC/UNC grade assessment. Allows a student to be considered the equivalent of full-time status. Requires that the student is working 20 hours or more per week on their doctoral dissertation. All 12 dissertation credits required for the degree should be completed before registering for non-credit Doctoral Dissertation Continuation.
Prerequisite: Cons. of dept. ch.
Level of Study: Graduate
Last four terms offered: 2023 Summer Term, 2023 Spring Term, 2022 Fall Term, 2022 Summer Term