Chemistry (M.S.)

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Program Overview

The Master of Science in chemistry will prepare you for multiple career paths within chemical industry, government, or education, and provides solid preparation for those who continue to study at the doctoral level. The Chemistry M.S. degree includes coursework, teaching, seminar and thesis components. Your coursework and research experiences will be led by internationally recognized faculty. Contribute to an original research project that leverages your knowledge and creativity. Teaching and seminar components will develop communication and team-working skills needed to succeed in the workforce. Current USD undergraduate students may consider the accelerated master’s degree. Learn more at usd.edu/chemistry.

DELIVERY: On campus

Master of Science, Chemistry, Plan A only (thesis)

Major Area Coursework - 30 Credit Hours

The following courses are required for all Master’s students in Chemistry. The department can approve exceptions if an alternative program of study is more appropriate.

CHEM 580 - Chemical Hygiene 1 cr
Electives: CHEM 5XX or CHEM 7XX- 6 credit hours
CHEM 726 - Advanced Organic Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 730 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 744 - Advanced Physical Chemistry 3 cr
CHEM 752 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II 3 cr
CHEM 790 - Graduate Seminar in Chemistry (C) 1 cr (4 credit hours required)
CHEM 798 - Thesis Research in Chemistry (C) 1 to 6 cr (7 credit hours required)
Note:

The candidate must conduct independent research under the guidance of an approved advisor, and must prepare and present a thesis that demonstrates the addition of significant knowledge to some area of chemistry. The candidate is required to pass American Chemical Society standardized written examinations covering work in the department; an oral defense of the thesis is required after acceptance by the student’s advisory committee.

Application Requirements

Completed application
$35 application fee
Official transcripts*
Letters of recommendation*
Admission test scores*
Statement of purpose
Resume/CV*

*Requirements for admission vary by program and may require different documentation and have different deadlines. For specific program requirements and submission deadline, visit: catalog.usd.edu.

Accelerated Master’s Program: B.S./M.S.

Up to 12 credits applied toward the B.S. program may be used to satisfy graduate credit. The following restrictions apply:

Dual-listed courses taken at the 500-level can be applied to both the B.S. and M.S. degrees. Dual-listed courses must be taken at the 500-level.
The student must apply to, and be admitted to, the accelerated program prior to taking courses to be credited toward the accelerated program.
No courses taken prior to admission to the accelerated program may be counted toward an accelerated graduate degree.
Courses that are “double counted” must be approved by the program coordinator for inclusion in the program of study prior to registration for the course or the credits will not be applied toward the accelerated graduate degree.
Only courses taken at the student’s home institution are eligible for accelerated program credit. No transferred courses from other institutions will be allowed to count toward the accelerated master’s degree.
Students admitted to the accelerated M.S. Program may be allowed to register for all courses included in his/her program of study and these credit hours may apply to both undergraduate and graduate degree requirements.

State Authorization - It Matters Where You Live

If your learning placement course (internship, externship, clinical, rotation, practicum, independent study, study away, etc.) or your online course will be taken outside South Dakota, please reference USD’s State Authorization webpage.

State Authorization

Questions?

Department of Chemistry
605-658-6730 | chemistry@usd.edu | usd.edu/chemistry

Graduate Admissions
605-658-6140 | gradadmissions@usd.edu | usd.edu/grad