Master of Science in Chemistry
The University of Rochester Department of Chemistry offers a Master of Science (MS) degree designed to provide advanced training in the chemical sciences. Students develop a strong foundation through graduate-level coursework while having the opportunity to pursue either a research-focused or course-focused program of study.
The MS program is designed for students looking to advance their careers in industry, research, or other technical fields, as well as those interested in strengthening their background before pursuing further graduate or professional study.
Program Overview
The MS degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate credits. Students work with the Department of Chemistry to develop a program of study appropriate for their scientific interests and career goals.
Graduate coursework may span the breadth of modern chemistry, and, with approval, can include relevant courses in areas such as physics, optics, biology, biochemistry, pharmacology, and chemical engineering. The department offers both full-semester and modular graduate courses, providing students with flexibility in building their curriculum.
Students may pursue one of two pathways: a research-focused MS and a course-focused MS.
Research-Focused MS
The research-focused MS combines advanced coursework with an independent research experience under the guidance of a faculty advisor.
The 30-credit program normally includes:
- Formal graduate coursework: 18 credits
- CHEM 585: First-Year Graduate Workshop: 2 credits
- CHEM 511: Chemistry Seminar: 2 credits
- Research (CHEM 495): 8 credits
- Total: 30 credits
CHEM 585 introduces students to graduate study and meets weekly during the fall semester, while CHEM 511 provides regular exposure to research through departmental seminars and colloquia.
Students pursuing the research-focused MS complete a substantive research project and prepare a master’s thesis describing their work. The thesis is evaluated by a faculty committee and includes an oral examination.
The department’s existing research-based MS requirements provide for a thesis committee that includes the student’s research advisor, an additional chemistry faculty member, and a faculty member from outside the Department of Chemistry.
Course-Focused MS
The course-focused MS is intended for students seeking broad and advanced training in chemistry without completing a full research thesis.
The 30-credit program normally includes:
- Formal graduate coursework: 20-26 credits
- CHEM 585: First-Year Graduate Workshop: 2 credits
- Two credits of CHEM 511: Chemistry Seminar: 2 credits
- Research (CHEM 495): up to 6 credits
- Total: 30 credits
Students in the course-focused pathway also complete a substantial literature review on a current topic in their area of chemistry. The document is evaluated by two faculty members from the chemistry department.
For this document, students will select a relevant topic of current interest in their subfield and provide a comprehensive and in-depth review of the topic. The document should demonstrate the student’s knowledge of the topic, provide a critical analysis (i.e., not simply summarizing papers), and provide an outlook for future research into the selected topic.
Completing the Degree
All MS students complete a written culminating project:
- Research-focused students prepare and defend a master’s thesis based on their research.
- Course-focused students prepare an in-depth literature review that is evaluated by two faculty members.
Students must also remain in good academic standing throughout the program. Graduate students are expected to earn a grade of B– or better in their coursework.
Program Timeline
A typical MS student completes the degree over approximately three to four academic semesters, although individual programs of study may vary.
Students generally begin with graduate coursework, CHEM 585, and CHEM 511 during their first year. Research-focused students also become involved in a faculty research group and progressively devote more of their program to their research project. Course-focused students use their additional coursework to develop greater breadth or specialization within their chosen area of chemistry.
The existing MS framework anticipates full-time enrollment during the fall and spring of the first year and the fall semester of the second year.
Graduate Coursework
Students select graduate courses in consultation with the Department of Chemistry to create a coherent program aligned with their interests.
Most graduate chemistry courses are offered at the 400 level. Full-semester courses are typically worth four credits, while modular half-semester courses are worth two credits. The modular format allows students to explore a wider range of specialized topics during their graduate training.
Relevant graduate courses outside chemistry may also be incorporated into the program with approval.
Research Opportunities
Research-focused MS students conduct their work in the laboratory of a University of Rochester faculty member. The Department of Chemistry supports research spanning a broad range of areas across the chemical sciences, including work at the interfaces of chemistry with biology, physics, materials science, medicine, engineering, and computation.
Research is a central component of graduate education in chemistry at Rochester and provides students with opportunities to develop independence in formulating scientific questions, designing and interpreting experiments or calculations, engaging critically with the scientific literature, and communicating their results.
Five-Year BS/BA + MS Program
Current University of Rochester undergraduates may be eligible for the department’s Five-Year MS Program, which integrates undergraduate and graduate study so that students can earn an MS approximately one year after completing their bachelor’s degree.
The Five-Year MS is a separate, research-based pathway available only to University of Rochester undergraduates. Students integrate their undergraduate and master’s research, complete both undergraduate and MS theses, and should begin planning with a faculty advisor by the spring of their junior year.
Learn more about the Five-Year MS Program
Applying to the MS Program
Prospective students interested in the MS program should apply through the University of Rochester graduate application system.
Applicants should indicate their interest in graduate study in chemistry and provide the application materials requested by the University and department. Additional information concerning application requirements, deadlines, and admission procedures will be provided through the graduate admissions website.
Students interested in the research-focused MS are encouraged to review the research interests of chemistry faculty when considering if Rochester is a good fit for their scientific goals. The research-focused MS track requires the identification of a suitable faculty research advisor, and admission into the MS program does not guarantee admission into individual faculty research groups. Students interested in a research-focused MS are strongly encouraged to communicate their research interests upon admission in order to facilitate access to preferred lab(s).
Tuition, Fees, and Aid
The master’s degree does not come with financial support. See the graduate studies cost page for more information about the overall cost of completing the program.
There are scholarship opportunities available to accepted students, and these will be communicated in the official offer of acceptance. There is no guaranteed teaching assistant positions for MS students, however, should teaching positions be available, MS students are eligible to serve as teaching assistants.
Questions?
For questions about the MS program, degree requirements, or graduate admissions, contact:
Chemistry Graduate Coordinator
Department of Chemistry
University of Rochester
chemgradrec@ur.rochester.edu
(585) 275-0635