Chemistry, M.S.
For information regarding deadlines and requirements for admission, please see https://grs.uncg.edu/programs/.
In addition to the application materials required by the Graduate School, applicants must submit a one-page personal statement by the appropriate deadline to be considered for Fall, Spring, or Summer admission.
The reporting of GRE scores, general and subject test, is optional. GRE scores will only be taken into consideration for admission if scores are reported by the applicant.
Degree Program Requirements
Required: 30 credit hours
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Core Courses (12 credits) | ||
| CHE 553 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 632 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 641 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 661 | Advanced Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| Research Techniques (6-13 credits) | ||
| CHE 691 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 1 |
| CHE 680 | Research Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry | 1-6 |
| CHE 699 | Thesis | 1-6 |
| Seminars (2 credits) | ||
| CHE 601 | Graduate Seminar I | 1 |
| CHE 602 | Graduate Seminar II | 1 |
| Electives (6 credits minimum) | ||
| Select at least 6 credits of elective courses | 6 | |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
Research Techniques
Students take CHE 691 before beginning research. Students must carry out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and write a thesis on the research (CHE 699). Students may take additional research hours of CHE 680 and up to 6 credits of CHE 699 for a total of 12 credits.
Seminars
Students must present two seminars, the first on a literature topic (CHE 601) and the second on their thesis research (CHE 602), normally given during the last semester of study.
Electives
Up to 9 credits may be earned in chemistry or biochemistry or in approved (by Department Graduate Studies Committee and student’s research advisor) graduate courses in biology, mathematics or physics.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination consists of a research proposal on the student’s thesis research, including a literature review. The proposal must be approved by the student’s thesis committee before the student may enroll in CHE 699.
Thesis Defense
Students must defend the completed thesis before the thesis committee.
Biochemistry Concentration
Required: 30 credit hours
The concentration in Biochemistry gives M.S. Chemistry students the opportunity to demonstrate and develop specialization for work in biochemistry. The successful candidate will be prepared for positions of responsibility in industry or government or for further study toward a doctoral or other professional degree.
The required 30 credit hours for this concentration include a specialized core of introductory and advanced biochemistry courses, courses in chemistry and other areas, and a research thesis based on original research carried out under the direction of a faculty advisor. In addition, the student gains experience in professional speaking by preparing and presenting two public seminars.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Required Courses (12 credits) | ||
| CHE 556 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 557 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 656 | Enzyme Mechanisms | 3 |
| CHE 663 | Spectroscopy and Structure of Proteins and Nucleic Acids | 3 |
| Chemistry Core Elective (3 credits) | ||
| Select one course (3 credits) from the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Organic Chemistry I | ||
| Advanced Analytical Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | ||
| Advanced Physical Chemistry I | ||
| Electives (3 credits minimum) | ||
| Select 3 credits of elective courses * | 3 | |
| Research Techniques (6-13 credits) | ||
| CHE 691 | Introduction to Graduate Research | 1 |
| CHE 680 | Research Problems in Chemistry and Biochemistry | 1-6 |
| CHE 699 | Thesis ** | 1-6 |
| Seminars (2 credits) | ||
| CHE 601 | Graduate Seminar I | 1 |
| CHE 602 | Graduate Seminar II | 1 |
| Total Credit Hours | 30 | |
- *
In biochemistry or from courses approved by the Department Graduate Studies Committee in areas related to biochemistry (cell biology, genetics, microbiology, metabolism, biophysics, or other areas).
- **
Indicates Capstone Experience.
Electives
Additional courses needed to bring the total credits up to at least 30 should be chosen from graduate-level chemistry and biochemistry courses offered by the department or from approved biochemistry-related courses.
Research Techniques
Students take CHE 691 before beginning research. Students must carry out a research project under the supervision of a faculty member and write a thesis on the research (CHE 699). Students may take additional research hours of CHE 680 and up to 6 credits of CHE 699 for a total of 12 credits.
Seminars
Students must present two seminars, the first on a literature topic (CHE 601) and the second on their thesis research (CHE 602), normally given during the last semester of study.
Comprehensive Examination
The comprehensive examination consists of a research proposal on the student's thesis research, including a literature review. The proposal must be approved by the student's thesis committee before the student may enroll in CHE 699.
Thesis Defense
Students must defend the completed thesis before the thesis committee.
Accelerated B.S. to M.S. in Chemistry
Application and Admission
Qualified UNC Greensboro undergraduate students who are pursuing the B.S. in Chemistry or Biochemistry may apply for admission to the Accelerated Master's Program (AMP) and the M.S. in Chemistry or the M.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry. A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.5 based on at least 30 credits earned at UNC Greensboro is required. Applicants must have completed at least 60 credits and may not apply for admission to the AMP before the first semester of the junior year.
The reporting of GRE scores, general and subject test, is optional. GRE scores will only be taken into consideration for admission if scores are reported by the applicant.
All applicants must complete the Accelerated Master's Program information when applying for admission to the M.S. in Chemistry or the M.S. in Chemistry with a concentration in Biochemistry.
Courses
Admitted students may apply a maximum of 12 credits from the following graduate-level courses toward completion of both the undergraduate and graduate degree provided that they earn a grade of B (3.0) or better in the course and fulfill graduate-level requirements of the M.S. in Chemistry.
| Code | Title | Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| CHE 553 | Advanced Organic Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 555 | Organometallic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 556 | Biochemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 557 | Biochemistry II | 3 |
| CHE 623 | Learning Theories in Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 624 | Survey of Natural Products Research | 3 |
| CHE 627 | Introduction to Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 632 | Advanced Analytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 633 | Bioanalytical Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 636 | Computational Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 641 | Advanced Inorganic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 651 | Structure Elucidation in Medicinal Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 652 | Synthetic Organic Chemistry | 3 |
| CHE 656 | Enzyme Mechanisms | 3 |
| CHE 658 | Nucleic Acid Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHE 659 | Receptor Biochemistry | 3 |
| CHE 660 | Biochemical Pharmacology and Disease Targets | 3 |
| CHE 661 | Advanced Physical Chemistry I | 3 |
| CHE 663 | Spectroscopy and Structure of Proteins and Nucleic Acids | 3 |
| CHE 668 | Introduction to Chemical Biology | 3 |
Only four of the above courses will be specified on a student's AMP application after consultation with the Graduate Program Director. Please consult with an undergraduate advisor to determine how the courses taken at the graduate level will meet requirements in the bachelor's degree program. All degree requirements for the M.S. in Chemistry.