Chairperson: Adam Fiedler, Ph.D.
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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; organic chemistry; materials chemistry and nanotechnology; organometallic catalysis, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, crystallography, and theoretical chemistry.

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.

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.

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