The master’s program in chemistry provides students with additional exposure to advanced topics in chemistry relative to an undergraduate degree. Significant, independent research experience is a substantial portion of the program. Students earning a Master’s degree in chemistry are technically skilled to perform advanced scientific research in the laboratory. They also have strong oral and written communications skills. Only under special circumstances are applicants admitted directly to the master’s program, please contact Student Services with questions about enrolling directly into a master’s program.

Master of Arts, Non-Thesis, Degree

The Master of Arts (MA) degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. A typical path to degree completion is 18 hours of advanced chemistry courses and 12 hours in seminar courses and thesis registration (only six hours of CHEM 992 can count towards the 30-hour requirement). Students must accrue a total of at least two semesters of “full time” status based on UNC Chapel Hill course registration (9 hours in one semester is full-time, 6-8 hours is half-time, 3-5 hours is quarter-time). Students must be registered for 3 hours of CHEM 992 in the semester in which the MA Written Report is completed and the degree will be conferred. A list of graduate courses can be viewed HERE.

Master of Science, Thesis, Degree

The Master of Science (M.S.) degree requires a minimum of 30 credit hours. A typical course load involves 18 hours of advanced chemistry courses and 12 hours in seminar courses and thesis registration (only six hours of CHEM 993 can count towards the 30 hour requirement). Students must accrue a total of at least two semesters of “full time” status based on UNC Chapel Hill course registration (9 hours in one semester is full-time, 6-8 hours is half-time, 3-5 hours is quarter-time). Students must be registered for 3 hours of CHEM 993 in the semester in which the MS Thesis is defended. Third, fourth, and fifth year students must register for CHEM 993 for three hours until they graduate. A list of graduate courses can be viewed HERE.