About

The M.S. degree in chemistry is a research-based program coupled with sufficient advanced course work to provide a strong background from which students may pursue research, under the direct guidance of a faculty member, in their chosen areas of interest. The program is designed to develop the professional skills required to be a successful researcher in chemistry.

Accreditation

For information regarding accreditation at UNLV, please head over to Academic Program Accreditations.

Learning Outcomes

  • Technical Competency - Thesis Committees will assess the technical competency of students based on their performance in programmatic courses identified by each committee as appropriate to the student, as well as their performance in a research setting.
  • Communication Skills - Assessed by Thesis Committees and other who evaluate student performance on seminars, prospectus, oral and written reports, papers presented and/or submitted, and thesis.
  • Analytical and/or Critical Thinking Skills - Assessed by Thesis Committees and other who evaluate student performance on seminars, prospectus, oral and written reports, publication reviews, papers presented and/or submitted, and thesis.
  • Expertise - Thesis presentation, written and oral. Assessed by Thesis Committees.

Career Possibilities

A M.S. degree in chemistry provides a wide variety of career opportunities in areas as diverse as chemistry, materials research, renewable energy studies, the petroleum industry, the food industry, pharmaceuticals, and environmental studies, as well as many others. Furthermore, a M.S. degree is generally required to be able to teach at the college level.

Requirements

Master of Science - Chemistry

Plan Description

Our graduate programs offer exceptional research opportunities for advanced training in a wide variety of chemistry related disciplines including Organic, Physical, Analytical, Computational, Materials, Biochemistry, and Chemical Education. The graduate student to faculty ratio in the department is nearly one-to-one. Consequently, our diverse student body receives a high level of individualized interaction with excellent faculty through customized research projects, specialized course work, professional development, and graduate seminars. In addition, many of our research programs offer exciting interdisciplinary collaborations with local scientists, as well as with scientists nationally and internationally.

For more information about your program, including your graduate program handbook and learning outcomes, please visit the Degree Directory.

Plan Admission Requirements

Application Deadlines

Applications available on the UNLV Graduate College website.

All domestic and international applicants must review and follow the Graduate College Admission and Registration Requirements.

(a) Graduate College Admission Requirements

  1. Completed application in the Application Portal and non-refundable application fee. 

  2. Bachelor's Degree – You must hold a four-year baccalaureate from a regionally accredited institution or an approved equivalent.

  3. Grade Point Average – You must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.75 (4.00=A) for the bachelor's degree or a minimum 3.00 (4.00=A) for the last two years (60 semester credits). 

  4. All applicants are required to submit an unofficial transcript from each postsecondary institution attended, showing all degrees and coursework, the dates awarded, and grades received. Official transcripts required upon admission.

    1. Credentials not in English must be accompanied by an English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Notarized copies of originals or translations are not considered official.

(b) Department Admission Requirements

  1. Admission to the program requires an undergraduate degree in chemistry, chemical engineering, biology, biochemistry or a related discipline, with a cumulative GPA of 2.75, or of 3.00 for the last two years of undergraduate work.

  2. Two letters of recommendation from individuals able to assess the applicant's potential as a graduate student should be sent directly to the department along with an additional set of transcripts.

  3. Optional submission of the General Graduate Record Exam (GRE) Test score. Applications without graduate exam scores will not be penalized, but favorable scores will enhance applications.

  4. CV or Resume

Individuals with apparent deficiencies in their undergraduate background may be required to enroll in selected courses in addition to those listed in the following section to satisfy M.S. degree requirements.

Students are accepted into a degree program as described in the Graduate Catalog. The faculty and corresponding sub-disciplines and sub-plans within the described programs are subject to change at any time.

Plan Requirements

Total Credits Required: 30

Course Requirements

Graduate Seminar Course – Credits: 2

Elective Courses – Credits: 18

Complete 18 credits of advisor-approved elective coursework.

Independent Study – Credits: 4

Thesis – Credits: 6

Degree Requirements

  1. Students must complete a minimum of 30 credits with a minimum GPA of 3.00.
  2. No grade lower than C is acceptable, and only one grade below B- is permitted.
  3. At least 12 credits of electives must be in courses at the 700-level.
  4. In consultation with their advisor, a student will organize a thesis committee of at least three departmental members. In addition, a fourth member from outside the department, known as the Graduate College Representative, must be appointed. An additional committee member may be added at the student and department's discretion. Please see Graduate College policy for committee appointment guidelines.
  5. Research and course work specializations are available in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry. 
  6. Each student is required to present a departmental seminar on the student's research prior to graduation. This requirement is in addition to the two credits of Graduate Seminar. Students are expected to attend weekly departmental seminars.
  7. Each student is required to meet at least once per semester with the student's examination committee. At the meeting in the semester prior to the expected term of graduation, the student will be asked to make a detailed presentation on research progress. The committee will then make recommendations to be addressed by the student during the remainder of the student's research program, in writing the thesis, and in the final examination. The committee may request another meeting prior to the final exam if deemed necessary.
  8. It is expected that each student be a teaching assistant for a minimum of two courses prior to graduation. It is also expected that each student publish at least one research-based manuscript in a peer-reviewed journal.

Plan Graduation Requirements

The student must submit and successfully defend their thesis by the posted deadline. The defense must be advertised and is open to the public.

After the thesis defense, the student must electronically submit a properly formatted pdf copy of their thesis to the Graduate College for format check. Once the thesis format has been approved by the Graduate College, the student will submit the approved electronic version to ProQuest. Deadlines for thesis defenses, format check submissions, and the final ProQuest submission can be found here

Students may apply for graduation up to two semesters prior to completing their degree requirements. All required forms must be submitted to the graduate college via the Grad Rebel Gateway.

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Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry

The curriculum offered by the Department of Chemistry meets the needs of students who intend to pursue advanced training in the sciences, medicine, and other professional and technical fields. With chemistry being known as the "central science," our students establish a strong understanding in the composition, structure, and properties of matter, especially in chemical reaction.

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College of Sciences

The School of Life Sciences offers programs that meet the needs of students intending to enter the workforce or pursue advanced training in the sciences, medicine, and other professional and technical fields. We provide a well-rounded foundation in natural, physical, and mathematical sciences that can set students up for successful careers and professional programs.

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