Master’s Program

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.

REQUIREMENTS FOR MASTER OF SCIENCE, THESIS, DEGREE

1. COURSE PROGRAM
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.

2. M. S. WRITTEN EXAMINATION
The written examination for the MS degree is either a Research Summary from the Doctoral Qualifying Examination that was approved by the Dissertation Committee, or an appropriate substitute that is approved by the research advisor and Director of Graduate Studies. To discuss substitutes, please contact the Student Services office.

3. M. S. ORAL EXAMINATION
The oral examination for the M.S. degree involves either passing the Doctoral Qualifying Examination as approved by the Dissertation Committee, or an appropriate substitute that is approved by the research advisor and Director of Graduate Studies. To discuss substitutes, please contact the Student Services office.

4. APPLICATION FOR DEGREE
MS candidates who can anticipate final approval of the thesis should formally apply for a degree for the next commencement according to the deadline listed in the Registrar’s Calendar. Forms are available on-line at the Graduate School and in the Chemistry Student Services Office. Students are responsible for scheduling the oral examination and completing the dissertation well in advanced of university graduation deadlines.

5. THESIS FOR M.S. DEGREE
The thesis should be submitted to the Graduate School for a specific commencement according to the schedule in the Registrar’s Calendar. The thesis must be prepared as directed in the Thesis and Dissertation Guide. It is the responsibility of the thesis advisor to verify that the thesis is in appropriate form. After all alterations and corrections have been made to the thesis and the final oral examination has been held, the Master’s Comprehensive Exam Report is submitted and the thesis, in final typed form, three copies of thesis with four abstracts, is registered with the Graduate School.

6. FINAL ORAL EXAMINATION
The final oral examination is administered by the student’s Dissertation Committee. A minimum of three committee members are required, or the full Dissertation Committee can be convened. The student should work with the Chemistry Student Service office to schedule the time and location of the oral defense at least two weeks in advance. The student should submit a copy of the thesis to the committee members at least two weeks before the defense. The student presents on the context and findings of their dissertation research before answering questions from the committee.