Duluth campus

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Duluth Campus

Chemistry M.S.

Chemistry and Biochemistry
Swenson College of Science and Engineering
Link to a list of faculty for this program.
Contact Information
Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, 246 Chemistry Building, 1039 University Drive, Duluth MN 55812 (218-726-7212; fax: 218-726-7394)
Email: umdchem@d.umn.edu
Website: http://www.d.umn.edu/chem/graduates/
  • Program Type: Master's
  • Requirements for this program are current for Fall 2023
  • Length of program in credits: 30
  • This program requires summer semesters for timely completion.
  • Degree: Master of Science
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.
The Chemistry MS offers a broad-based education in chemistry that is well suited for students going on to doctoral programs, careers in industry, or professional schools.
Program Delivery
  • via classroom (the majority of instruction is face-to-face)
Prerequisites for Admission
The preferred undergraduate GPA for admittance to the program is 3.00.
Applicants must have completed an undergraduate chemistry or biochemistry major. Coursework should include inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, calculus, and physics.
The General GRE is not required, but is encouraged for international applicants and optional for domestic (US) applicants. There is no minimum score required for international applicants.
Special Application Requirements:
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, with a priority deadline of January 7. Students are primarily admitted only for fall semester, but spring admission is an option in special circumstances. International and domestic applicants whose first language is not English must submit current score(s) from one of the following tests:
International applicants must submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
  • TOEFL
    • Internet Based - Total Score: 79
    • Internet Based - Writing Score: 21
    • Internet Based - Reading Score: 19
  • IELTS
    • Total Score: 6.5
    • Reading Score: 6.5
    • Writing Score: 6.5
Key to test abbreviations (TOEFL, IELTS).
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, 0 credits outside the major, and 10 thesis credits. The final exam is oral.
Plan B: Plan B requires 30 major credits and 0 credits outside the major. The final exam is oral. A capstone project is required.
Capstone Project:The Plan B requires completing two (4 credits of CHEM 8094) or three (6 credits of CHEM 8094) small projects in the major and/or related fields, and presenting the projects in an oral defense. Projects can be research papers, proposals, outreach, education, or laboratory projects and should be approved by the advisor.
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 3.00 is required for students to remain in good standing.
Courses offered on both the A-F and S/N grading basis must be taken A-F. Approval by the director of graduate studies is required for 4xxx-level coursework.
Chemistry Seminars (2 credits)
The following courses are required for both Plan A and Plan B students:
CHEM 8099 - Introductory Graduate Seminar (1.0 cr)
CHEM 8184 - Seminar (1.0 cr)
Coursework (12-24 credits)
Plan A students select 12 - 18 credits and Plan B students select 16 - 24 credits from the following in consultation with the advisor.
Take 12 - 24 credit(s) from the following:
· CE 5241 - Water Chemistry (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5150 - Organic and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5212 - Advanced Environmental Chemistry (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5242 - Instrumental Analysis (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5373 - Physical Biochemistry: Statistical Bio-Thermodynamics (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5424 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5510 - Polymer Chemistry (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5524 - Advanced Organic Chemistry I (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5624 - Advanced Physical Chemistry I (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5650 - Computational Chemistry (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5659 - Fluorescence Methods in Life Science (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5714 - Applications of Spectroscopy (4.0 cr)
· CHEM 5725 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry I (3.0 cr)
· CHEM 5795 - Special Topics in Chemistry: (Various Titles to be Assigned) (1.0-4.0 cr)
· CHEM 8224 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry II (4.0 cr)
· CHEM 8424 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II (4.0 cr)
· CHEM 8524 - Advanced Organic Chemistry II (4.0 cr)
· CHEM 8720 - Modern Mass Spectrometry (3.0 cr)
· IBS 8101 - Cellular Biochemistry (3.0 cr)
· IBS 8102 - Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology (3.0 cr)
· IBS 8202 - Chemical Biology (3.0 cr)
· IBS 8203 - Methods in Molecular Biosciences (2.0 cr)
· LIM 5102 - Chemical Limnology (3.0 cr)
· PHAR 6722 - Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (2.1 cr)
Elective Courses (0-6 credits)
Up to 6 credits outside the major field, or other courses inside the major field, may be chosen with approval of the advisor and director of graduate studies.
Plan Options
Plan A
Take 10 master's thesis credits.
CHEM 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's (1.0-18.0 cr)
-OR-
Plan B
Take 4 or 6 project credits.
CHEM 8094 - Plan B Project Credits (1.0-6.0 cr)
 
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CHEM 8099 - Introductory Graduate Seminar
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This first-semester seminar course will explore topics related to graduate student professional development, including implicit bias, scientific ethics, and being an effective classroom instructor. pre-req: Chemistry graduate student
CHEM 8184 - Seminar
Credits: 1.0 [max 1.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Practice in preparation and oral presentation of reports on articles from the literature or on graduate research. prereq: Grad chem major or instructor consent
CE 5241 - Water Chemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Water is critical component of environmental systems, and the chemistry that occurs in water is a rich subject. This class focuses on water chemistry in both natural and engineered systems. Topics include a review of thermodynamics and equilibrium, acids and bases, titrations, the carbonate system, solubility of minerals, metal ion complexation, oxidation/reduction chemistry, and descriptions of adsorption. Principles are applied to chemistry in water treatment, nutrient cycling, organic matter, and organic pollutants. Both chemical equilibrium and chemical kinetics are explored. Students will be introduced to software that can be used to solve water chemistry problems. The class is targeted at seniors and graduate students. pre-req: CE 3025 or CHEM 1155, or graduate student or instructor consent
CHEM 5150 - Organic and Stable Isotope Biogeochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Production and chemical composition of natural organic matter (OM), diagenesis and catagenesis of OM; stable isotopic fractionation processes of C, H, O, N, and S in natural systems, fractionation theory, isotopic indicators of climate, oceanographic/limnologic processes, trophic structure, microbial processes. prereq: BIOL 1012 and (CHEM 1152 or 1155 and 1156 or 1162 or 1175 and 1176) and (CHEM 2222 or 2212 or 2242) OR instructor consent
CHEM 5212 - Advanced Environmental Chemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Quantitative, advanced study of chemical processes in the natural environment. This course will cover the chemistry of the atmosphere, hydrosphere, and lithosphere, focusing on the sources, fluxes, cycling, reactions, and transformation of natural and anthropogenic chemicals. pre-req: graduate student, credit will not be granted if already received for CHEM 4212.
CHEM 5242 - Instrumental Analysis
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Theory of instrumental methods of chemical analysis, including electrochemistry, spectroscopy, and separations. pre-req: graduate student, credits will not be granted if already received for CHEM 4242
CHEM 5373 - Physical Biochemistry: Statistical Bio-Thermodynamics
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course is a quantitative treatment of physical principles and theories in physical biochemistry with a focus on applications of statistics bio-thermodynamics to primary literature-based approaches in the field. Developing expertise in the application of theory to real-world problem solving in the field is emphasized. In addition to the lecture and exams, students in this graduate course will prepare and present an original research proposal in the format of an NSF Graduate Research Fellowship (GRF) application. pre-req: CHEM 4632 or 4634 or and CHEM 4351 or 3322 and instructor consent
CHEM 5424 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Advanced topics in inorganic chemistry including the following: Applications of Group Theory to inorganic chemistry such as molecular orbital theory and valence bond theory as well as vibrational analysis, organometallic chemistry including structure and bonding in organometallic compounds, reactions and reaction mechanisms of organometallic compounds, and the application of organometallic compounds as reagents and catalysts in organic synthesis, other advanced aspects of inorganic chemistry, e.g. Bioinorganic Chemistry and Aspects of Material Science. prereq: 4436 or equivalent or Grad student
CHEM 5510 - Polymer Chemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Course Equivalencies: CHEM 4510/5510
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
In this course students will study the synthesis, characterization, and chemical structure-related properties of polymers. Good knowledge of Organic Chemistry is required. Chemical Kinetics and Thermodynamics will be applied. In addition to the lecture and exams, students in this graduate course will prepare an individual research report on a topic selected from recent developments in polymer chemistry. prereq: Chemistry graduate student or instructor consent
CHEM 5524 - Advanced Organic Chemistry I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Advanced topics of Organic Reaction Mechanisms and Aspects of Organic Synthesis prereq: 2542 or equivalent or Grad student
CHEM 5624 - Advanced Physical Chemistry I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
Classical and statistical thermodynamics, chemical kinetics, other selected topics in physical chemistry. prereq: 4642 or equivalent or Grad student
CHEM 5650 - Computational Chemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Molecular Mechanics, Quantum Mechanics, semiempirical and ab initio molecular orbital calculations, density functional theory, and selected additional topics in computation chemistry such as biochemical applications, QSAR, and ligand modeling and docking. prereq: 4642 or equivalent or Grad student
CHEM 5659 - Fluorescence Methods in Life Science
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Spring Even Year
Theoretical fundamentals, experimental design considerations, and applications of a wide range of fluorescence methods in chemistry, biochemistry, biology, medicine, and related fields. Each fluorescence method is designed to optimally answer specific questions quantitatively at the molecular level. Requires basic knowledge in related fields such as chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and/or biology. prereq: grad student or instructor consent
CHEM 5714 - Applications of Spectroscopy
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
Application of spectroscopic techniques to structure elucidation, including NMR, FTIR, MS, UV-Vis, X-ray, EPR spectroscopy. Includes practical component. prereq: 4436 or equivalent or Grad student
CHEM 5725 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry I
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Fall
Intended for advanced undergraduate and beginning graduate students in chemistry and related fields. Augment basic coursework in wet and instrumental analytical chemistry. Topics include statistical and chemometric methods for experimental design and data analysis, electronics and computers in chemical instrumentation, and selected techniques of instrumental analysis such as mass spectrometry, inductively coupled optical emission spectroscopy and analytical gas chromatography. prereq: Grad student or 4242 or equivalent
CHEM 5795 - Special Topics in Chemistry: (Various Titles to be Assigned)
Credits: 1.0 -4.0 [max 12.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Topics not available in standard curriculum. prereq: graduate student or instructor approval
CHEM 8224 - Advanced Analytical Chemistry II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Spring
Advanced treatment of selected methods in analytical chemistry. prereq: Grad student or instructor permission
CHEM 8424 - Advanced Inorganic Chemistry II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Periodic Fall & Spring
Discussion of structure, reactions, and bonding in inorganic and organometallic compounds in terms of valence bond, molecular orbital, and ligand field theories. prereq: grad student or instructor permission
CHEM 8524 - Advanced Organic Chemistry II
Credits: 4.0 [max 4.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Advanced treatment of synthetic methods and reaction mechanisms in organic chemistry. prereq: grad student or instructor permission
CHEM 8720 - Modern Mass Spectrometry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Current instrumentation and techniques in mass spectrometry of molecular and atomic species. Discussion to include ionization techniques, mass analysis methods and detection of gas phase ions in the context of structural and elemental analysis. Interfacing of mass spectrometers to chromatographic systems is considered. Gas phase unimolecular and ion-molecule reaction kinetics and energetics are stressed as they relate to the information content observed in the mass spectrum. prereq: Grad student
IBS 8101 - Cellular Biochemistry
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall
This course will introduce students to the physical and molecular basis of cellular function. Students will learn the physical characteristics of macromolecular structures comprising a cell, including polysaccharide, lipid, protein and mucleic acid structure. Students will also learn where these macromolecules occur in the cell, how they are regulated and how they facilitate the cells interaction/communication with its environment, with a focus on small molecule/drug distribution. prereq: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Molecular Biology, Calculus or instructor consent.
IBS 8102 - Cell, Molecular and Developmental Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Spring Odd Year
Comprehensive review of contemporary topics in modern molecular biology. This will include systemic examples from cell and developmental systems. Required for CMP emphasis. prereq: 5101, Chem 4342 or equivalent, IBS grad student
IBS 8202 - Chemical Biology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
This course will introduce students to the common chemical underpinnings of biochemical and biological processes. Students will learn the chemical fundamentals of biological transformations including the synthesis of lipids, carbohydrates, amino acids, nucleotides as well as natural products. In addition, students will gain insight into the roles of metals in biology, medicine, bio-inorganic transformations, as well as energy - and electron-transfer processes associated with living organisms. prereq: Organic Chemistry, Biochemistry or Cellular Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Molecular Biology, Calculus or instructor consent.
IBS 8203 - Methods in Molecular Biosciences
Credits: 2.0 [max 2.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Every Spring
This course will focus on the fundamental and technical background of methods used in chemical biology toward quantitative assay/interpretation of biological structures/events/ Importantly, case studies will be chosen from current literature to highlight applications of a given technique to address biological questions. For each major technique expected experimental information and subsequent interpretation will be discussed. prereq: Organic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Biochemistry or Cellular Biochemistry, Cell Biology or Molecular Biology.
LIM 5102 - Chemical Limnology
Credits: 3.0 [max 3.0]
Grading Basis: A-F or Aud
Typically offered: Fall Odd Year
Organic and inorganic chemistry of natural waters, major and minor ions, pH-Eh relationships, carbon and nutrient cycles, pore water chemistry, sediment chemistry, microbial geochemistry. Offered alternate years. prereq: Math 1296, Phys 1002 or 1202, Chem 1152 or 1162, or grad student; Credit will not be granted if already received for 5001
PHAR 6722 - Principles of Medicinal Chemistry
Credits: 2.1 [max 2.1]
Grading Basis: A-F only
Typically offered: Every Spring
This is an introductory course that will familiarize students with the discipline of medicinal chemistry, the principles of drug design and drug metabolism. prereq: Successful completion of Integrated Biochemical Sciences
CHEM 8777 - Thesis Credits: Master's
Credits: 1.0 -18.0 [max 50.0]
Grading Basis: No Grade
Typically offered: Every Fall, Spring & Summer
(No description) prereq: Max 18 cr per semester or summer; 10 cr total required (Plan A only)
CHEM 8094 - Plan B Project Credits
Credits: 1.0 -6.0 [max 6.0]
Grading Basis: S-N or Aud
Typically offered: Every Fall & Spring
Master's Plan B project credits. pre-req: Chemistry master's student