Master of Science in Chemistry

The Department of Chemistry offers both a two-year M.S. Chemistry degree and an accelerated dual degree (3+2) which leads to both a bachelors and a masters degree in just 5 years.

If you already have a Bachelor's degree in the Chemical Sciences, consider EKU for a Master of Science in Chemistry. The Master of Science (M.S.) Program in Chemistry is designed to extend the chemical knowledge and skills of students to prepare them for a diverse set of opportunities.  The M.S. Program in Chemistry can prepare students for further advanced study in either Chemistry or related Biomedical Sciences, and sophisticated careers in industry, government service, or to advance their current status.

Incoming students will take the presented curriculum composed of 33 graduate hours in chemistry, which can be completed, in two years. Upon successful completion of the M.S. degree in chemistry at EKU students will:

1. Critically analyze scientific data & ideas and employ quantitative reasoning – graduates will be able to thoughtfully critique chemical information from professional journals, lay literature, experimentation and research.
 

2. Communicate (oral and written) clearly on chemical and related topics – graduates will be able to show their mastery of the material and explain chemistry related topics to others through their writing and speaking skills.

3. Explain and apply core concepts in chemistry and related topics to an extent that will allow them to be competitive after EKU.

4. Demonstrate scientific laboratory skills – graduates will be able to design, carry out, record and analyze results of chemical experiments using both modern instrumentation and classical techniques.

5. Understand the ethical, historical, philosophical and environmental dimensions of problems and issues related to chemistry.

6. Option specific

         A) Thesis – Students will design experiment(s), collect and analyze data, and reach valid conclusion(s) relevant to their thesis project.

         B) Applied Learning – Students will apply their chemical knowledge to scientific positions in industry, government or academic laboratories.

         C) Coursework Only – Students will combine information from multiple sources to produce a broad perspective on current topics in chemistry.

Pre-requisites for clear admission to the 2-year M.S. Chemistry Program: The following requirements must be completed prior to clear admission to graduate study: 25 undergraduate hours of chemistry from a combination of introductory chemistry, organic chemistry, analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic, or physical chemistry (each with a laboratory component).  Additional requirements would be at least one semester of calculus, one year of physics, and completion of the Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) general test.  Enrollment in graduate courses will be restricted until these prerequisites have been completed. 

Application Requirements

(1) Apply online: www.gradschool.eku.edu/apply or by Mail: Downloadable applications available on the Graduate School website or in the Graduate School Office

(2) Submit three letters of recommendation from current or previous employers and/or professors

(3) Submit Official Test Scores directly to Graduate School: GRE and TOEFL (international students). For more complete instructionsand application deadlinesvisit the Graduate School Website www.gradschool.eku.edu

Graduate Assistantships

Only a limited number of graduate assistantships (GAs) are available to full-time students with outstanding academic records.  Acceptance into the program does not guarantee a GA and each student must apply if interested.  If selected for a GA, duties may include laboratory supervision, teaching, and research related tasks. Stipends are competitive and include a tuition waiver to cover a portion of the tuition. Students in the 3+2 program are eligible for the GA in the last semester of their senior year after they have applied for graduation for their bachelor's degree. Those awarded assistantships must continually maintain a GPA of at least 3.0. After you have been accepted to the M.S. Chemistry program you may apply for a graduate assistantship on the EKU Employment Website (search for Chemistry Positions). Visit the Graduate Assistantship Website for more information.

Also, students may be eligible for the EKU-UK Bridge Program.  The goal of the Kentucky Bridge to a Biomedical Doctorate for Appalachian  (& other underrepresented) Students (“Appalachian & Minority Bridge Scholar”) program is to provide students with the necessary training and a M.S. degree to prepare them for future success in Ph.D. degree programs and careers in biomedical research.

For more information:

Please contact the graduate coordinator, Dr. Donghui Quan for additional information.