Chemistry (MS) | Office | Website

The Master of Science in Chemistry is a degree designed for the student who is currently working in a chemically-related field and/or wishes to prepare for more advanced studies in chemistry. Chemists need to be well versed in several branches of chemistry in order to solve current and future chemical research problems. The Master of Science in Chemistry degree allows the student to acquire a well-rounded, advanced education in chemistry, as well as specialization and research in polymers and materials, biochemistry, and computational chemistry.

Applicants for admission to graduate studies leading to the Master of Science in Chemistry degree must present an undergraduate major in chemistry or its equivalent with a minimum GPA of 3.0 in the major field and an overall GPA of 2.75 (or at least in the last 60 hours). Such prior work must be essentially equivalent to that required by the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department for a bachelor of science degree as set forth in the current University of Detroit Mercy Undergraduate Catalog. Applicants whose undergraduate preparation does not satisfy these admission requirements may be admitted on probationary status to the University with the approvals of the dean of the College of Engineering and Science and the chairperson of the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department. Courses taken to satisfy admission requirements may not be taken for graduate credit.

Of the 30 credit hours required for the degree, the following requirements must be met:

• A minimum of four courses from different branches of chemistry at the 500-level or above
• A one-credit course in chemical information and safety (CHM 502).
• Two semesters of Seminar (CHM 500, 1 credit hour each). During the first semester the student will attend and critique all seminars and will write a literature review paper on a topic of current interest. During the second semester, the student will present a 45-minute seminar on this topic.
• Full-time students who receive a teaching or research assistantship must perform thesis research and write and defend the thesis. The student will earn six hours of thesis credit (CHM 699). The student must select a research advisor by the end of two terms of study.

A maximum of nine credit hours may be undergraduate/graduate cross-listed courses. A maximum of six credit hours of graduate-level courses from other departments may be applied to the degree. With the chairperson's approval, entering transfer students may transfer a maximum of 6 credit hours (with a grade of 3.0 or better) from another accredited university. If they have a previous masters degree, up to 9 credits may be transferred.