Graduate Catalog 2023-2024

Chemistry, Master of Science (059)

Department website: http://www.wku.edu/chemistry/


Program Coordinator

Lawrence J. Hill, lawrence.hill@wku.edu, (270) 745-2136

The graduate program in chemistry provides a unique learning and research environment and many opportunities for students to develop as independent researchers. Graduate faculty members provide personal and professional mentoring in an intrinsically collegial, yet challenging graduate experience. Available resources efficiently support the learning needs and academic ambitions of students with varied backgrounds and interests. The program is designed to offer students comprehensive training in analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, organic chemistry, and physical chemistry.  

Concentration(s)

  • General Thesis (CTGN)
  • Biochemistry Thesis (CTBC)
  • Research Intensive Thesis (CRIT)

Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP)

This degree offers a Joint Undergraduate Master's Program (JUMP) which provides academically outstanding students the opportunity to complete both an undergraduate and graduate degree in an accelerated timeframe. Contact the graduate program coordinator for additional information.

Program Admission

In addition to Graduate School admission requirements, the Department of Chemistry requires:

  1. Bachelor's degree in chemistry or equivalent including supporting courses in mathematics1
  2. GPA in chemistry courses of 3.0 or greater (on 4.0 scale)
  3. GRE general scores (Q+V) and Analytical Writing.2,3
1

Exceptions to possessing a chemistry degree may be made for students with undergraduate degrees in chemistry-related areas (e.g. chemical engineering, pharmacy, pharmaceutical science, forensic chemistry). However, additional courses may be required and will be determined by the graduate program coordinator and/or the student's thesis committee.

2

Scores from MCAT, PCAT, or DAT may be substituted for equivalent GRE scores.

3

Although there are no formal minimum GRE scores, admission is competitive.

Graduate School Admission

Please refer to the admission section of this catalog for Graduate School admission requirements.

Program Requirements (30-32 hours)

The program requirements include 12 hours of common courses and an additional 18 - 20 hours of coursework, depending on the concentration. The additional 18-20 hours of coursework must include a minimum of two lecture courses at the 500 level, and no more than 12 hours may be taken at the 400G level.

All master's degree-seeking students must complete the following common courses:

Required Courses
CHEM 516Chemical Literature Review2
CHEM 588Research Proposal2
CHEM 598Graduate Seminar 12
CHEM 599Thesis Research/Writing 26
Total Hours12
1

Requirements are to be satisfied according to the current departmental policy.

2

Requirements are to be satisfied by preparing a thesis on the project chosen by the student and approved by the members of the student's graduate committee. Theses are to be prepared in accordance with the specifications established by the Graduate School. A thesis grade will be given after the final thesis has been approved by the student's graduate committee and the department chair.

Master's degree-seeking students must select one of the following concentrations:

  1. General thesis concentration
  2. Biochemistry thesis concentration
  3. Research intensive concentration (only recommended in special circumstances and with approval of a research advisor)

General Thesis Concentration

Required Courses
Select 3 courses from 3 of the 5 core areas below:9
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Instrumental Analysis
Advanced Biochemistry
Analytical Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Organic Reactions
Advanced Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry I
Electives
Select 9 hours of graduate lecture courses *9
Total Hours18
*

Graduate lecture courses include the following:

CHEM 420G, CHEM 425G, CHEM 430G, CHEM 435G, CHEM 446G, CHEM 450G, CHEM 452G, CHEM 462G, CHEM 470G, CHEM 475G, CHEM 490G, CHEM 520, CHEM 531, CHEM 535, CHEM 540, CHEM 541, CHEM 550, CHEM 560, CHEM 562, CHEM 570, CHEM 572, and CHEM 590

Biochemistry Thesis Concentration

Required Courses
Select 3 courses from at least 3 of the 5 core areas below:9
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Instrumental Analysis
Advanced Biochemistry
Analytical Biochemistry
Biochemistry
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Organic Reactions
Advanced Physical Chemistry
Physical Chemistry II
Physical Chemistry I
Required Concentration Courses
CHEM 535Analytical Biochemistry3
or CHEM 562 Advanced Biochemistry
or CHEM 446G Biochemistry
CHEM 467GBiochemistry3
CHEM 447GLab Biochemistry2
Electives
Select 3 hours of graduate lecture courses *3
Total Hours20
*

Graduate lecture courses include the following:

CHEM 420GCHEM 425GCHEM 430GCHEM 435GCHEM 446GCHEM 450GCHEM 452GCHEM 462GCHEM 470GCHEM 475GCHEM 490GCHEM 520CHEM 531CHEM 535CHEM 540CHEM 541CHEM 550CHEM 560CHEM 562CHEM 570CHEM 572, and CHEM 590

Research Intensive Thesis Concentration

Candidates for the research intensive concentration are required to complete 30 semester hours of graduate work, including 12 hours of coursework and 18 hours of research-related graduate work. Candidates must apply to the Department Graduate Committee in order to be considered for this concentration. As part of the concentration application, they must select a research advisor and meet with the committee to demonstrate they understand the requirements for this concentration. The Committee must consider factors such as previous research experience of the student, publication record of the student, and the research advisor’s publication record when determining if the student can pursue this concentration. The student and advisor must submit a progress report to the Committee by the end of the second semester. If the committee determines there is insufficient progress towards research and publication, the student will be moved to the normal thesis concentration. A student in the Research Intensive Thesis concentration may also opt to pursue the Thesis option at the end of the first or second semester after consulting with their research advisor.

A student moving to another concentration within the first or second semester should be able to complete the requirements within the average two year period. A student who wishes to move to another concentration in the second year of graduate study must get permission from the Graduate Committee and will probably require an additional semester of coursework to complete the degree.  

Required Courses
Select one of the following advanced lecture courses:3
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Advanced Organic Chemistry
Advanced Physical Chemistry
Advanced Biochemistry
CHEM 596Practicum Research Experience in Chemistry 16
CHEM 595Scientific Writing in Chemistry 26
Elective
Select one additional advanced lecture course above or one of the following:3
Analytical Biochemistry
Organic Reactions
Chemical Agents and Explosives
Material Chemistry
Material Chemistry Laboratory
Total Hours18
1

Requirements are to be satisfied by conducting a research project under the direction of the student's research advisor. This course provides faculty-mentored research experiences and emphasizes skill based training for students. Bridging the gap between academic study and professional development, this course will help students to develop and enhance problem solving and communication skills. This course emphasizes mastery of advanced technical skills, independent of thesis research.

2

Requirements include preparing and submitting two manuscripts based on their research to peer-reviewed journals under the guidance of the thesis committee. At least one paper must be accepted to receive credit and graduate.