Master of Science in Chemistry

This is an archived copy of the 2023-2024 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit http://catalog.shsu.edu.

The Master of Science in Chemistry is designed to train chemists for careers in business, industry, or academics. This degree is also appropriate for those students planning to continue their training in Ph.D. programs at other institutions.

Additional information: Reference the Program Landing Page for additional information, such as cost, delivery format, contact information, or to schedule a visit.

Applicants seeking admission to the graduate program in chemistry must submit the following directly to the Office of Graduate Admissions:

  1. Graduate Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcript(s) of all previous college work
  4. Three letters of recommendation

Applicants must have a major or minor in chemistry (with at least a 2.5 GPA in their undergraduate chemistry courses typically including Analytical or Quantitative Chemistry, Instrumental Methods, one year of calculus-based Physical Chemistry, and Inorganic Chemistry) or commensurate industrial experience. While GRE scores are not required, they may be submitted with the application for consideration during application review.

For a final admissions decision, a holistic review of each student’s application file will be completed on a competitive basis. Currently a 3.0 GPA is required for financial support.

The Department of Chemistry offers classes in a wide variety of chemical subjects including analytical, forensic, inorganic, organic, physical, and polymer chemistry, toxicology, and biochemistry. 

Master of Science, 31 SCH with Minor and Thesis

Course Area
Chemistry13
Research and Thesis6
Minor field that logically supports the major (Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, etc.)12
Total Hours31

Plan 1 - MS in Chemistry (Thesis Option)

Master of Science, 31 Semester Hours with Minor and Thesis
Specified Courses
CHEM 5100Chemical Literature & Seminar1
CHEM 6398Graduate Research in Chemistry 13
Restricted Electives
Select one course from four of the of the following five areas:12
Organic
Physical Organic Chemistry
Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Analytical
Analytical Spectroscopy
Chemical Nano Sensing
Biochemistry
Advanced Biochemistry I
Drug and Toxin Biochemistry
Inorganic
Chem of Coordination Compounds
Organometallic Chemistry
Physical
Adv Physl Chem Thermodynamics
Symmetry and Spectrscopy
Secondary Field
Select four graduate courses in a field that logically supports the major 212
Thesis
CHEM 6099Thesis 33
Total Hours31
1

Receives a grade of "IP" until the final semester the research project is completed.

2

Courses should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor.

3

Once enrolled in CHEM 6099, the student must enroll in this course every semester until graduation.

Master of Science, 30 SCH without Minor and with Thesis

Course Area
Chemistry24
Research and Thesis6
Total Hours30

Plan 2 - MS in Chemistry (Thesis Option)

Master of Science, 30 Semester Hours without Minor and with Thesis
Specified Courses
CHEM 5100Chemical Literature & Seminar1
CHEM 6398Graduate Research in Chemistry 13
Restricted Electives
Select one course from four of the following five areas:12
Organic
Physical Organic Chemistry
Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Analytical
Analytical Spectroscopy
Chemical Nano Sensing
Biochemistry
Advanced Biochemistry I
Drug and Toxin Biochemistry
Inorganic
Chem of Coordination Compounds
Organometallic Chemistry
Physical
Adv Physl Chem Thermodynamics
Symmetry and Spectrscopy
Electives
Select four graduate courses in CHEM 211
Thesis
CHEM 6099Thesis 33
Total Hours30
1

Receives a grade of "IP" until the final semester the research project is completed.

2

Courses should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor. The student may take CHEM 5100 two additional times for a total of three credit hours.

3

Once enrolled in CHEM 6099, the student must enroll in this course every semester until graduation.

Master of Science, 36 SCH with Minor, Non-Thesis

Course Area
Chemistry24
Minor field that logically supports the major (Computing Science, Mathematics, Physics, Biology, etc.)12
Total Hours36

Plan 3 - MS in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option)

Master of Science, 36 Semester Hours with Minor, Non-Thesis
Specified Courses
CHEM 5100Chemical Literature & Seminar 13
CHEM 6398Graduate Research in Chemistry3
Restricted Electives
Select one course from four of the following five areas:12
Organic
Physical Organic Chemistry
Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Analytical
Analytical Spectroscopy
Chemical Nano Sensing
Biochemistry
Advanced Biochemistry I
Drug and Toxin Biochemistry
Inorganic
Chem of Coordination Compounds
Organometallic Chemistry
Physical
Adv Physl Chem Thermodynamics
Symmetry and Spectrscopy
Electives
Select two graduate courses in CHEM6
Secondary Field
Select four graduate courses in PHYS, BIOL, or MATH 212
Total Hours36
1

CHEM 5100 must be taken three times for a total of three credit hours.

2

Courses should be selected in consultation with the Graduate Advisor.

Master of Science, 36 SCH without Minor, Non-Thesis

Course Area
Chemistry36
Total Hours36

Plan 4 - MS in Chemistry (Non-Thesis Option)

Master of Science, 36 Semester Hours without Minor, Non-Thesis
Specified Courses
CHEM 5100Chemical Literature & Seminar 13
CHEM 6398Graduate Research in Chemistry3
Restricted Electives
Select four of the following:12
Physical Organic Chemistry
Organic Reaction Mechanisms
Analytical Spectroscopy
Advanced Biochemistry I
Chem of Coordination Compounds
Adv Physl Chem Thermodynamics
Selected Topics in Adv Chem
Electives
Select six graduate courses in CHEM18
Total Hours36
1

CHEM 5100 must be taken three times for a total of three credit hours.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) marketable skills initiative is part of the state’s 60x30TX plan and was designed to help students articulate their skills to employers.  Marketable skills are those skills valued by employers and/or graduate programs that can be applied in a variety of work or education settings and may include interpersonal, cognitive, and applied skill areas.

The MS in Chemistry is designed to provide graduates with the following marketable skills:

  • Work safely with standard chemicals in a chemistry laboratory.
  • Keep thorough and accurate records of chemistry experiments.
  • Write final research reports and orally present results of experiments.
  • Analyze and interpret experimental data, including spectrophotometric data.
  • Understand the use of the major methods of purification of chemical compounds, including chromatographic techniques.