COLLEGE OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY

Learn more about the Master of Science in Chemistry.

About the Program

The Chemistry graduate program is designed to provide a solid background in the chosen area of specialization. It emphasizes the acquisition of skills that enable students to gain further knowledge in their research and professional careers. For this reason, the Chemistry graduate degree program is research oriented, and seminar attendance and familiarization with the chemical literature are considered integral. The course requirements are comparatively light, although a wide variety of intermediate and advanced courses in related areas are offered. Students are encouraged to take courses, according to their research interests, in related areas such as Biology, Computer Science and Physics.

Time Limit for Degree Completion: 3 years

Campus Location: Main

Full-Time/Part-Time Status: The degree program can be completed on a full- or part-time basis.

Interdisciplinary Study: A Chemical Physics program is offered jointly with the Department of Physics.

Areas of Specialization: The Department of Chemistry offers programs leading to the MS and PhD degrees in Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Organic Chemistry and Physical Chemistry. Areas of specialization include environmental chemistry, materials and polymers, medicinal, nanoscience, photonics and surface science. For the master's program, three options are offered:

• Thesis Track, which is designed for students who are not full-time. Students cannot receive financial support from the Chemistry Department when completing this option. Any student wanting to pursue this option must receive prior approval from the Chemistry Graduate Committee.
• Coursework Track, which is designed for students who already have extensive experience in the laboratory and are currently employed in the local chemical industry. Students must obtain permission from the Graduate Committee to pursue this option.
• Research Track, which facilitates earning a master's degree by PhD students who have passed their candidacy exam upon successful defense of their Original Research Proposal or who have completed sufficient coursework commensurate with a master's degree. This track is available to students in the PhD program with approvals from their research advisor and the Graduate Committee.

Job Prospects: The majority of students find employment in the chemical industry. Some go on to academic positions or positions in government laboratories.

Non-Matriculated Student Policy: Non-matriculated students are allowed to take up to 9 credits before admission into a degree program must be sought.

Financing Opportunities: The duties of a Teaching Assistant typically involve leading recitation sections and/or overseeing laboratories, as well as grading lab assignments, tests and quizzes, when applicable. After their first year, most students are supported by a research assistantship.

Admission Requirements and Deadlines

Application Deadline:

Fall Priority Deadline: March 1
Spring Priority Deadline: October 30

Applications submitted after the priority deadline will be considered for admission on a rolling basis. Note that Spring admission is rare as coursework is designed to start in the Fall.

APPLY ONLINE to this graduate program.

Letters of Reference:
Number Required: 3

From Whom: Letters of recommendation should be obtained from faculty or people in industry who are familiar with the academic and/or research aptitude of the candidate.

Bachelor's Degree in Discipline/Related Discipline: A baccalaureate degree is required. Typically, the undergraduate degree has been earned in Chemistry, Biochemistry or a related field.

Statement of Goals: Identify your specific interest in Temple's program, research goals, future career goals, and academic and research achievements.

Standardized Test Scores:
GRE: Optional

Applicants who earned their baccalaureate degree from an institution where the language of instruction was other than English, with the exception of those who subsequently earned a master’s degree at a U.S. institution, must report scores for a standardized test of English that meet these minimums:

• TOEFL iBT: 88
• IELTS Academic: 6.5
• PTE Academic: 60
• Duolingo: 110

Regardless of score, all international students are required to take a SPEAK test upon arrival at Temple.

Resume: Current resume required.

Transfer Credit: All graduate credits earned by a student prior to matriculation in the Chemistry graduate program are subject to evaluation and approval by the Chemistry Graduate Committee. A "Request for Transfer of Graduate Credit" form, found in TUportal under the Tools tab within "University Forms," must be completed. It must be supplemented with an official transcript, sent directly by the Registrar of the institution where the credits were earned. All transfer credits must be "B" or higher and must be from an accredited institution. The maximum number of credits a student may transfer is 6.

Program Requirements

General Program Requirements:
Number of Credits Required Beyond the Baccalaureate: 30

Required Courses:

Thesis Track¹

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Six formal lecture courses		18
Literature seminar		2
One approved graduate course and/or research course		4
CHEM 9996	Master's Thesis Research	6
Total Credit Hours		30

Coursework Track¹

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Ten formal lecture courses		30
Total Credit Hours		30

Research Track^1,2

Course List

Code	Title	Credit Hours
Six or more formal lecture courses		18-21
CHEM 9900	Seminar	2
CHEM 9901	Original Research Proposal Preparation	6-10
or CHEM 9991	Graduate Research Projects
Total Credit Hours		30

¹

In consultation with an academic advisor, students select coursework from the following approved courses: CHEM 5001-9800 (excluding CHEM 5901), and may include BCMS 5003 Fundamentals of Biochemistry or MEDS 5003 Fundamentals of Biochem, BMSC 8702 Enzymes and Proteins, EES 5625 Electron Optical Techniques, MEE 5205 Microscopy and Microanalysis of Materials, and/or PHYS 5000 Topical Seminar. Additional course substitutions may be made with approval of the Graduate Committee.

²

Selecting the Research Track requires approval from the student's research advisor and the Chemistry Graduate Committee.

Culminating Events: In addition to successful completion of coursework, the Thesis Track and Coursework Track require the following:

Thesis:
The MS thesis is the culminating event for the Thesis Track. The thesis should be an original piece of research. Often, but not always, the research described in the MS thesis can be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The student coordinates the time for the defense with their Graduate Advisory Committee, which is responsible for evaluating the thesis and its defense. No thesis should go to defense unless it is ready for public scrutiny.

Master's Examination:
The master's examination is usually the last requirement to be fulfilled by students in the Coursework Track. Its purpose is to demonstrate a breadth and depth of knowledge in the core concepts of Chemistry. The exam is based on the student's major track in Chemistry. Faculty members in the student's track write the questions for the master's exam. The faculty members who write the questions grade the exam. Students schedule the exam with the department.

Contacts

Department Contacts: