BS/MS Option in Chemistry

Requirements

The BS/MS option permits the student to achieve both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in five years, rather than the usual six years required. This option provides exposure to graduate courses and research, making easier the transition from BS-MS to PhD-level study. For those going directly into teaching or industry, the master’s degree typically yields a significant increase in starting salary.

By counting some beginning graduate courses also as senior chemistry courses, this combined program permits the student to achieve both degrees in 143 credits, fewer than the total if the two degree programs were taken separately. Two summers of research are necessary. Entrance into this program requires approval of the department.

Under this option the student works toward completion of the course curriculum for one of the BS options. The student may apply for acceptance to this program as early as the fourth semester. A research project is typically begun in the summer of the third year and continued through one or two summers, the fall of the fourth year (as CHM 499), the spring of the fourth year and in both semesters of the fifth year (as 9 credits of CHM 600). A total of 12 additional credits of advanced CHM electives beyond those required for the BS (or, with approval of the departmental advisor, advanced electives in another department) is required at the 500 level. The student is also required to enroll in Graduate seminar (CHM 650) in both semesters of the fifth year. Since this program has a relatively demanding course load, students without significant advanced placement credit are advised to take general education electives during the summer after the first or second year.

The student should request permission to pursue this degree option no later than the beginning of the fall semester of the fourth year. A requirement for admission into the program is an overall GPA of at least 2.75 and a GPA of at least 3.00 in all core and advanced elective chemistry courses. These minimum requirements must be maintained throughout the remainder of the program.

Students in this program are eligible for teaching assistantships after completing the BS requirements (typically by the spring of the fourth year) and may be eligible for summer research stipends. At this time, they will apply for formal entrance to the graduate level by submitting an application through the Office of Graduate Studies. Applicants Chemistry Major BS-MS Option will state their specific intention of applying for the BS/MS program and do not need to submit GRE scores or reference letters.