Chemistry
107 Noyes Laboratory
505 South Mathews Avenue
Urbana, IL 61801
(217) 333-0711
E-mail: chemadm@scs.uiuc.edu
Major: Chemistry
Degrees Offered: M.A., M.S., Ph.D.
Graduate Concentration: Astrochemistry (Ph.D. only)
Major: Teaching of Chemistry
Degree Offered: M.S.
Joint Degree Program: the Master of Science in Chemistry can be earned jointly with the following
Degrees Offered:
J.D. in Law
M.B.A. in Business Administration
Medical Scholars Program: Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) in Chemistry and Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) through the Medical Scholars Program
Graduate Degree Programs
The degrees offered in chemistry are the Master of Science in Chemistry, Master of Science in the Teaching of Chemistry, and Doctor of Philosophy in Chemistry. This catalog also provides information on a joint program leading to the Doctor of Philosophy in Chemical Physics (see Chemical Physics). Opportunity also exists for specializing in computational science and engineering within the department's graduate programs via the Computational Science and Engineering (CSE) Option.
Admission
Graduate College requirements apply. Further, applicants should have at least 25 semester hours in chemistry (properly distributed) and a grade point average of 3.0 (A = 4.0), to be considered for admission to the graduate programs. Applications from students with less than the usual preparation in chemistry or with grade point averages below 3.0 may be considered on an individual basis. In addition, we ask applicants to submit results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test and the GRE Chemistry Subject Test.
International students whose native language is not English are required to have a minimum paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 580 (237 on the computer-based test). In addition, teaching is a requirement in the chemistry graduate program, and there are special requirements for applicants whose native language is not English. The University requires a minimum Test of Spoken English (TSE) score of 50. Any applicant whose native language is not English is expected to provide TSE scores in order to receive full consideration for admission and financial aid.
Students who are currently enrolled in other graduate programs are advised that they should complete degree work before moving to another university. While students might be admitted without a degree from their current institution, there must be exceptional circumstances. We require a statement from the applicant detailing the situation and a letter from the applicant’s research adviser or department head.
Contact chemistry graduate admissions for further information. The department does not accept applications for the MA program.
Degree Requirements
*For additional details and requirements refer to the department's Graduate Programs and the Graduate College Handbook.
Master of Science, Chemistry
| Thesis Option-Required Hours | Non-thesis Option-Required Hours | |
|---|---|---|
| Thesis Hours Required–CHEM 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 12 max | |
| Total Hours | 32 | 32 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
12 | 12 (8 in CHEM) |
| Other Requirements:* | ||
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
The program leading to the degree of Master Science in Chemistry is designed to be completed in one year of full-time study by students entering without deficiencies. A research thesis is optional.
Master of Science, Teaching of Chemistry
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Graduate hours in education | 8 |
| Graduate hours in chemistry | 16 |
| Graduate electives in either education or physical science | 8 |
| Total Hours | 32 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall: |
12 (8 in CHEM) |
| Other Requirements:* | The courses in chemistry and the electives must be selected with the approval of the adviser. |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
Degree Requirement, Doctor of Philosophy
| Required Courses | Required Hours-Entering with approved M.S./M.A. degree | Required Hours-Entering with approved B.S./B.A. degree |
|---|---|---|
| 500-level courses in the major area of interest | 10-16 | 10-16 |
| Courses in allied areas or fields | 4-12 | 4-12 |
| Thesis Hours Required–CHEM 599 (min/max applied toward degree): | 0 min | 0 min |
| Total Hours | 64 | 96 |
| Other Requirements: | ||
| Teaching experience | 1 year | 1 year |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 | 3.0 |
| Qualifying Exam Required | No | No |
| Preliminary Exam Required | Yes | Yes |
| Original Research Proposal | Yes | Yes |
| Final Exam/Dissertation Defense Required | Yes | Yes |
| Dissertation Deposit Required | Yes | Yes |
Doctoral programs are offered in a wide range of specialties, including the traditional areas of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry as well as materials chemistry and chemical biology. Students usually require from three to five years to complete the requirements. Besides completing formal coursework, students will have a formal review of progress following the completion of coursework, are required to pass an oral preliminary examination on research preparation, and must submit a thesis on original research, which is defended at a final oral examination.
Joint Degree Program
In order to enter the joint degree program, students must be admitted separately to each program. Each program’s application requirements and deadlines for admission must be met.
JD/MS in Chemistry
This joint degree program is intended principally for law students who desire to specialize in an area of law in which expertise in chemistry would be a clear asset.
Students electing the joint degree option will select a major area of emphasis within chemistry that complements their chosen area of legal emphasis. Each student must develop and gain approval of a coherent, focused plan of study that draws upon related coursework in both law and chemistry.
| Required Courses | Required Hours |
|---|---|
| Chemistry (may include up to 12 hours of thesis credit) | 32 |
| Law | 78 |
| Total Hours | 122 |
| Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall | 12 (8 in CHEM) |
| Other Requirements:* | |
| Minimum GPA: | 3.0 |
The JD/MS program involves interdisciplinary work and a flexible plan of study. Students will consult with a faculty adviser in selecting courses. While enrolled in the Department of Chemistry, students have the opportunity to hold an assistantship with a tuition and service fee waiver. It is possible that joint degree students may accelerate their programs by attending summer sessions over one or more summers and thus complete the requirements for both the MS and the JD degrees in three years.
MBA/MS in Chemistry
Required Courses |
Required Hours |
Chemistry (may include up to 12 hours of thesis credit) |
32 |
M.B.A. |
60 |
Total Hours |
92 |
Minimum 500-level Hours Required Overall |
12 (8 in CHEM) |
Other Requirements:* |
|
Minimum GPA: |
3.0 |
Medical Scholars Program
The Medical Scholars Program permits highly qualified students to integrate the study of medicine with study for a graduate degree in a second discipline, including Chemistry. Students may apply to the Medical Scholars Program prior to beginning graduate school or while in the graduate program. Applicants to the Medical Scholars Program must meet the admissions standards for and be accepted into both the doctoral graduate program and the College of Medicine. Students in the dual degree program must meet the specific requirements for both the medical and graduate degrees. On average, students take eight years to complete both degrees. Further information on this program is available by contacting the Medical Scholars Program, 125 Medical Sciences Building, (217) 333-8146 or at www.med.illinois.edu/msp.
Graduate Teaching Experience
Experience in teaching is considered a vital part of the graduate program and is required as part of the academic work of all Ph.D. candidates in this program.
Financial Aid
Support for graduate students is available through fellowships and assistantships. All candidates are considered for these upon application. Graduate students making normal progress toward their degrees generally receive a tuition waiver as well as a stipend.