Nov 21, 2024  
University Catalog 2024-2025 
    
University Catalog 2024-2025

Chemistry, M.S.

Location(s): Main Campus


Admission to the Program

Admission to the program requires a baccalaureate in chemistry or biochemistry from an accredited college or university or a baccalaureate in a related field with a strong background in chemistry. Applicants interested in the biochemistry option should have a preparation equivalent to that required for the Cal State L.A. baccalaureate in biochemistry, which includes, among other requirements, 10 semester units of introductory biology and 2 semester units of upper division biology or microbiology.

  • All applicants are required to have a 2.5 grade point average in their last 60 semester units attempted. 
  • Prospective students are required to submit the application to the University’s graduate program through https://www2.calstate.edu/apply.
  • As part of the application, the candidate submits:
    • a recent resume,
    • a personal statement
    • arranges for two letters of recommendation to be written on his/her behalf.

Requirements for the Degree

A total of 30-31 units are required for MS in Chemistry degree, of which 16 units are core requirements and 12-15 units are option-based requirements, and 0-2 units are required for the culminating experience.

The program offers four options:

At the start of the first semester of residence, all incoming graduate students will

  1. declare an option; and
  2. take placement examinations in chemistry. The purpose of these examinations is for advisement only. Students can choose one of the two culminating experiences, thesis or comprehensive examination.

Each student’s program is designed with the assistance of a faculty advisor and the student’s advisory committee. 


Learning outcomes Roadmap (2022)   

Requirements for the Degree (30-31 units)


Core Requirements (16 units)


Option Requirements (12-15 units)


Option I: Physical and Analytical Chemistry (12-15 units)


Electives outside Option (3 or 6 units)

  • Select courses from the directed electives in options II and III.
  • Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960 ) students must complete 6 units.
  • Thesis (CHEM 5990 ) students complete 3 units.

Option II: Inorganic & Organic Chemistry Option (12-15 units)


Electives outside Option (3-6 units)

  • Select courses from the directed electives in options I and III.
  • Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960 ) students must complete 5 or 6 units.
  • Thesis (CHEM 5990 ) students complete 3 or 4 units.

Option III: Biochemistry Option (12-15 units)


Electives outside Option (3-6 units)

  • Select courses from the directed electives in options I and II.
  • Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960 ) students must complete 5 or 6 units.
  • Thesis (CHEM 5990 ) students complete 3 or 4 units.

Option IV: Chemical Education Option (12-15 units)


Directed Electives from Option (8-10 units)

  • Select the directed elective courses from either Option I, II, or III.
  • Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960 ) students select 8 or 9 units of directed elective courses within Option I, II, or III.
  • Thesis (CHEM 5990 ) students select 9 or 10 units of directed elective courses within Option I, II, or III.
Electives outside Department (3 or 6 units)

  • With approval from the principal graduate advisor, select 4000-5000 level courses offered by the Department of Psychology , Department of Sociology , or the College of Education (*see below).  Selected courses should focus on topics pertinent to education theory, curriculum design, and assessment, or education research methods.  
  • Comprehensive Exam (CHEM 5960 )  students must complete 6 units.
  • Thesis (CHEM 5990 ) students complete 3 units.

 

* Course prefixes used by College of Education:  CCOE, COUN, EDAD, EDCI, EDEL, EDFN, EDIT, EDSE, EDSP, EDUC, TESL, ULRN

 

Cumulating Experience (0 or 2 units)


Select one course.