Campuses:
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Twin Cities Campus
Chemistry M.S.Chemistry
College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Assistant to the Director of Graduate Studies, Department of Chemistry, University of Minnesota, 137 Smith Hall, 207 Pleasant St SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455 (612-626-7444 or 1-800-777-2431; fax: 612-626-7541)
Email:
chmapply@umn.edu
Website: https://cse.umn.edu/chem
Along with the program-specific requirements listed below, please read the
General Information section of
this
website for requirements that apply to all major fields.
While modern research in chemistry is very interdisciplinary, graduate work in the Department of Chemistry falls broadly into the focus areas of analytical chemistry, chemical biology, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, organic chemistry, polymer chemistry, experimental physical chemistry, and computational chemistry.
Program Delivery
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program
is 3.20.
An undergraduate degree in chemistry or a related field is required for admission.
Other requirements to be completed before admission:
Applicants must offer the substantial equivalent of the courses in analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry that are required of undergraduate majors in the University of Minnesota chemistry curriculum. They must also have at least one year of college physics, plus college mathematics through calculus.
Special Application Requirements:
Applications for fall semester must be completed by December 1 in order to be considered for fellowship support and teaching and research assistantships. Applications received after December 1 will be reviewed on a space available basis. The department prefers to admit for fall semester and will only consider spring admission under extenuating circumstances.
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
Key to test
abbreviations
(TOEFL, IELTS, MELAB).
For an online application or for more information about graduate education admissions, see the
General Information section of this
website.
Program Requirements
Plan A: Plan A requires
20
major credits,
up to
credits outside the major,
and
10
thesis credits.
The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires
30
major credits and
up to
credits outside the major.
The final exam is written.
A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:Each Plan B project should involve a combined total of approximately 160 hours (the equivalent of four full-time weeks) of library research, reading, and/or writing resulting in the preparation of a significant written document. Students who plan to work on Plan B projects independent of the Preliminary Examination should present a plan, after consultation with the chosen instructor for the Plan B project, outlining the number and content of their projects to the director of graduate studies. Projects should be completed to the satisfaction of the instructor; the final grade is determined by the instructor.
Plan C: Plan C requires
30
major credits and
up to
credits outside the
major.
There is no final exam.
This program may be completed with a minor.
Use of 4xxx courses toward program requirements is permitted under certain conditions with adviser approval.
A minimum GPA of 2.80
is required for students to remain in good standing.
Courses must be taken on the A-F grade basis, unless only offered S/N.
All CHEM courses must be taken at the 5xxx or 8xxx level. A maximum of 8 credits in 4xxx-level courses from another department may be used with approval from the director of graduate studies.
Major Courses (18 to 28 credits)
Plan A students select 18 credits, Plan B students select 20 credits, and Plan C students select 28 credits from the following list. Other courses may be applied to this requirement with advisor approval.
BIOC 4331 - Biochemistry I: Structure, Catalysis, and Metabolism in Biological Systems
(4.0 cr)
BIOC 4332 - Biochemistry II: Molecular Mechanisms of Signal Transduction and Gene Expression
(4.0 cr)
BIOC 5351 - Protein Engineering
(3.0 cr)
BIOC 8005 - Biochemistry: Structure and Catalysis
(2.0 cr)
BIOC 8102 - Hot Topics in the Biology of Aging
(1.0 cr)
BIOL 4004 - Cell Biology
(3.0 cr)
CEGE 8542 - Chemistry of Organic Pollutants in Environmental Systems
(3.0 cr)
CHEM 5210 - Materials Characterization
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 5755 - X-Ray Crystallography
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8011 - Mechanisms of Chemical Reactions
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8021 - Computational Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8151 - Analytical Separations and Chemical Equilibria
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8152 - Analytical Spectroscopy
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8153 - Extracting Signal From Noise
(5.0 cr)
CHEM 8155 - Advanced Electroanalytical Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8157 - Bioanalytical Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8201 - Materials Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8211 - Physical Polymer Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8221 - Synthetic Polymer Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8280 - Special Topics in Materials Chemistry
(2.0-4.0 cr)
CHEM 8321 - Organic Synthesis
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8322 - Advanced Organic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8352 - Physical Organic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8361 - Interpretation of Organic Spectra
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8380 - Special Topics in Organic Chemistry
(1.0-4.0 cr)
CHEM 8411 - Introduction to Chemical Biology
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8412 - Chemical Biology of Enzymes
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8413 - Nucleic Acids
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8480 - Special Topics in Biological Chemistry
(2.0-4.0 cr)
CHEM 8541 - Dynamics
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8551 - Quantum Mechanics I
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8552 - Quantum Mechanics II
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8561 - Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Reaction Dynamics I
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8562 - Thermodynamics, Statistical Mechanics, and Reaction Dynamics II
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8563 - Molecular Simulations
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8564 - Laser Spectroscopy
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8565 - Chemical Reaction Dynamics
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8566 - Spin Dynamics
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8567 - Biophysical Chemistry
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8568 - Chemical Bonding at Surfaces
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8569 - Electronic Structure
(2.0 cr)
CHEM 8580 - Special Topics in Physical Chemistry
(2.0-4.0 cr)
CHEM 8715 - Physical Inorganic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8725 - Organometallic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8735 - Bioinorganic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8745 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
(4.0 cr)
CHEM 8780 - Special Topics in Inorganic Chemistry
(2.0-4.0 cr)
CHEM 8880 - Special Topics in Chemistry
(2.0-4.0 cr)
CHEN 5771 - Colloids and Dispersions
(3.0 cr)
CHEN 8754 - Systems Analysis of Biological Processes
(3.0 cr)
CSCI 4041 - Algorithms and Data Structures
(4.0 cr)
CSCI 5521 - Machine Learning Fundamentals
(3.0 cr)
CSCI 5525 - Machine Learning: Analysis and Methods
(3.0 cr)
EE 5640 - Introduction to Nano-Optics
(3.0 cr)
ESCI 8401 - Aqueous Environmental Geochemistry
(3.0 cr)
MATS 5517 - Microscopy of Materials
(3.0 cr)
MATS 8003 - Electronic Properties
(3.0 cr)
MATS 8103 - Scattering from Soft Matter
(2.0 cr)
ME 8362 - Introduction to Plasma Technology
(3.0 cr)
MEDC 8001 - General Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
(3.0 cr)
MEDC 8002 - General Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
(3.0 cr)
MEDC 8070 - The Chemistry and Biology of Infectious Diseases
(3.0 cr)
MEDC 8435 - BioAssay & Data Analysis
(1.0 cr)
MEDC 8461 - Design of Cancer Therapeutics
(3.0 cr)
MEDC 8753 - MOLECULAR TARGETS OF DRUG DISCOVERY
(3.0 cr)
MICA 8004 - Cellular and Cancer Biology
(4.0 cr)
MICA 8009 - Biochemical Aspects of Normal and Abnormal Cell Growth and Cell Death
(2.0 cr)
MICB 4171 - Biology, Genetics, and Pathogenesis of Viruses
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8001 - Advanced Quantum Mechanics
(3.0 cr)
PHYS 8711 - Solid-State Physics I
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 6414 - Biostatistical Literacy
(3.0 cr)
PUBH 6450 - Biostatistics I
(4.0 cr)
STAT 5021 - Statistical Analysis
(4.0 cr)
Plan Options
-OR-
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Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Grading Basis: | S-N or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | BioC 3021/BioC 3022/BioC 4331/ |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Typically offered: | Spring Odd Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Biol 4004/GCD 3033/4005W |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 5.0 [max 5.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 4201/Chem 8201 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 8211/ChEn 8211/MatS 8211 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ChEn 8221/MatS 8221/Chem 8221 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 8412/MedC 8412 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 8413/MedC 8413 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 5541/8541 |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | Chem 5551/8551 |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 8.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 2.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ChEn 5771/MatS 5771 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | CSci 4041/CSci 4041H |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | ESci 4401/ESci 8401 |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Periodic Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MedC 5700/MedC 8001 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MedC 5710/MedC 8002 |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Periodic Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 [max 1.0] |
Prerequisites: | MEDC 8001 or instructor permission. |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Spring Even Year |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Fall Even Year |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 2.0 [max 2.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Course Equivalencies: | MicB 4141W/4171 |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Spring |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall |
Credits: | 3.0 [max 3.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F only |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 4.0 [max 4.0] |
Typically offered: | Every Fall & Spring |
Credits: | 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0] |
Grading Basis: | No Grade |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |
Credits: | 1.0 -4.0 [max 4.0] |
Grading Basis: | A-F or Aud |
Typically offered: | Every Fall, Spring & Summer |