Degree Requirements
Required Preparation
Before admission, applicants should have completed the following course work with a grade of "B" or better in each course.
- at least four hours of analytical chemistry with lab (CHEM3233, CHEM3234);
- eight hours of physical chemistry with lab (CHEM3641, CHEM3642, CHEM3643, CHEM3644);
- eight hours of organic chemistry with lab (CHEM3531, CHEM3532, CHEM3533, CHEM3534);
- three hours of biochemistry (CHEM5331);
- three hours of advanced inorganic chemistry (CHEM4443 );
- three hours of statistical methods (STAT4219/6219);
- three hours of computer science; and one hour of chemical literature (equivalent to CHEM4155).
Students lacking one or more of these courses or having less than a "C" in a course may be admitted to the program. However, they will have to complete or repeat the appropriate course(s) at GSU. All students are conditionally admitted until course review is completed and placement exam requirements are satisfied.
Placement Exams
All conditionally admitted students enrolled in the M.S. Analytical Chemistry program will be required to take placement exams in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry. These multiple choice exams were developed by the American Chemical Society to assess entering graduate students and cover the course content in the various fields of chemistry at the undergraduate level. Students who show a deficiency in these areas will be required to take and earn a minimum grade of B in the respective undergraduate course(s):
- Organic Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory I & II (CHEM 3531, 3532, 3533, 3534);
- Physical Chemistry: Physical Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory I & II (CHEM 3641, 3642, 3643, 3644);
- Analytical Chemistry: Analytical Chemistry Lecture and Laboratory (CHEM 3233, 3234); and either inorganic chemistry: Advanced Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 4443) or biochemistry: Biochemistry (CHEM5331).
The deficiency courses should be taken within the five trimes¬ters of initial registration. Students who do not receive the grades of “B” in the deficiency courses within the prescribed time may be dropped from the program. The new students who have earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and who have received the grades of “B” or better in organic chemistry, physical chemistry, analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and biochemistry may opt to not participate in the respective exam(s).
Thesis/Project Option
As part of this degree program, students must choose
between a thesis, project, or internship option.
In the thesis option, students develop a thesis proposal usually related to a faculty member’s research, carry out a formal research study under the supervision of the faculty member and a degree committee, prepare a final manuscript, and make a presentation in CHEM8997: Research Presentation in Chemistry. The thesis option would be appropriate for students who have focused research interests or who intend to pursue doctoral study.
In the project option, students develop a master’s project proposal, complete a master’s project in conjunction with a faculty member, and prepare a final report. The project student makes a presentation of the relevant literature in CHEM8997: Research Presentation in Chemistry.
In the chemistry literature project option, students identify a chemistry project related to the one or more courses of the master’s degree study in analytical chemistry, do an in depth current literature inquiry, and prepare a final report with discussions including their own conclusions including future developments. The minimum time for the research project is one term. The chemistry literature project students make a presentation of the relevant literature in CHEM8997: Research and Presentation in Chemistry.
In the internship option, students identify an internship sponsor, complete an internship application and proposal, and, once accepted, complete the internship under the joint guidance of the site supervisor and GSU faculty sponsor. A final written report and presentation in CHEM8997 Research Presentation in Chemistry is required.
Admission to Candidacy
1. completed the required preparation listed above;
2. completed the required courses listed in section I. below with a G.P.A. of 3.0 or higher; and
3. completed an approved proposal for a thesis, a project, or an internship.
More detailed candidacy information is available through the division office or the student’s advisor.
Degree Requirements
Students must meet all university requirements for a master's degre.
I. Required Courses (13 Hours)
CHEM 6443 Inorganic Spectroscopy (2)
CHEM 6444 Inorganic Spectroscopy Laboratory (1)
CHEM 6543 Organic Spectroscopy (2)
CHEM 6544 Organic Spectroscopy Laboratory (1)
CHEM 6733 Chromatography (3)
CHEM 6734 Chromatography Laboratory (1)
CHEM 8157 Methods Development and SPC (3)
II. Chemistry Selectives (10 to 15 Hours)
CHEM 6752 Practical Chemistry Instrumentation (1)
CHEM 7333 Analytical Biochemistry (2)
CHEM 7334 Analytical Biochemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 8733 Mass Spectrometry (3)
CHEM 8734 Mass Spectrometry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 8753 Electrochemistry (3)
CHEM 8754 Electrochemistry Laboratory (1)
CHEM 8763 NMR Spectroscopy (2)
CHEM 8764 NMR Spectroscopy Laboratory (1)
II. Advanced Selectives (4 to 9 Hours)
Select at least 4 hours from the following courses:
CHEM 6552 Chemistry Software and Molecular Modeling (1)
CHEM 7537 Advanced Organic Chemistry (3)
CHEM 7557 Chemistry of Biomolecules (3)
CHEM 7667 Photochemistry(3)
CHEM 8057 Special Topics (3)
BIOL 6641 Toxicology (3)
Other graduate-level science courses as approved by the
academic advisor. Students may not take more than one credit
hour towards CHEM 5035: Chemistry Workshop.
IV. Thesis/Project/Internship Option (4 - 7 Hours)
Students in the thesis option take 7 hours from this section, and select a minimum of 16 hours from Sections II and III above. All other students take 4 hours from this section and select a minimum of 19 hours from Sections II and III above.
CHEM 8930 Graduate Chemistry Literature Project (3)
CHEM 8950 Graduate Research Project (3)
CHEM 8959 Graduate Thesis Literature Search (1)
CHEM 8960 Graduate Thesis (3)
CHEM 8997 Research Presentation in Chemistry (1)
or
CHEM 8997 Research Presentation in Chemistry (1)
or
CHEM 8997 Research Presentation in Chemistry (1)
or
CHEM 8940 Chemistry Internship: . . . (3)
CHEM 8997 Research Presentation in Chemistry (1)
IV. Total - 36 Hours
