2019-2020 Graduate and Professional Program Catalog (Updated Spring 2020) 
    
    Oct 03, 2024  
2019-2020 Graduate and Professional Program Catalog (Updated Spring 2020) [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Chemistry, M.S.


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Objective of the Program

The Master of Science (M.S.) Program in Chemistry provides the educational opportunity to prepare students for employment or provide them the opportunity to enhance their research skills in the disciplines of chemistry.

Program Degree Requirements

The goal of the Program is to provide a challenging educational opportunity that will prepare students for careers in research, industry, or for entrance into doctoral degree programs. To accomplish this goal, the Program will:

  • engage students in a variety of laboratory, classroom and co‐curricular activities so they gain the skills necessary to succeed in academic and professional environments
  • develop skills that will facilitate lifelong learning
  • teach students to assume leadership roles in professional activities and organizations that advance the chemical sciences

Students will be required to interview at least three graduate faculty members in the DNS during their first semester and select a graduate advisor by the end of the second semester. The student will complete the “Advisor Selection Form” at the conclusion of their interviews. The graduate advisor will appoint a permanent committee, the Advisory Committee, by the end of the second semester by completing the “Committee Selection Form” and returning it to the DNS Chairperson.

A program of study will be developed by the Advisory Committee and approved the DNS Chairperson. This may include any missing prerequisites, required core courses, and suggested electives. The total number of required course credit hours may exceed the usual 30 hour minimum for the M.S. Program in Chemistry in some cases. Although graduate courses taken elsewhere may serve to fulfill requirements, only six credits of such courses may be transferred. Transferable credit hours must be approved by the DNS Chairperson. Courses used to satisfy requirements for a previously awarded degree may not be used for credits.

Students enrolled in the Program must successfully complete a series of cumulative exams beginning no later than their third semester of registration in the graduate program. A student will be required to accrue a minimum of 12 points in a series of seven consecutive cumulative exams (3 points each) to attain candidate status. Failure to pass the cumulative exams will result in disqualification from the Program.

Application Deadlines

Fall Semester ‐ April 15
Spring Semester ‐ October 30
Summer Sessions ‐ April 15

For more information on this program, please contact:

Deborah Sauder, Ph.D.
Chairperson
Department of Natural Sciences (DNS)
Carver Hall Office 1101
University of Maryland Eastern Shore
Princess Anne, MD 21853
Phone: 410.651.6013
Fax: 410.651.7739
Email: dgsauder@umes.edu

Credit Requirements and Distribution


Students will be required to successfully complete 30 credit hours for the Program in the following areas:

  • 12 credit hours of Core Courses
  • 9 credit hours of Electives
    Elective courses must be at the 600 level to fulfill credit hour requirements.
  • 3 credit hours of Graduate Seminars
  • 6 credit hours of Thesis Research

Note:


A grade of B or better must be earned in each course to receive credit toward graduation. A student will not be permitted to graduate with a grade of “I” on his/her transcript. If a student’s grade point average falls below a 3.0 at any time, the student will be placed on academic probation and subject to review by their Advisory Committee and the DNS Chairperson. The Advisory Committee and Chairperson will ultimately decide the fate of the student.

Thesis


The proposed Program offers the Thesis Option only. The Advisory Committee will administer the thesis defense after all other degree requirements, as enumerated above, have been fulfilled. The Advisory Committee will also decide the outcome of the candidate’s defense examination. The student is required to provide each Committee member with a copy of his/her thesis two weeks prior to his/her defense. One copy of the successfully defended thesis must be submitted to both the Graduate School and Department of Natural Sciences offices.

Information Technology


Students in the Program will be required to be competent in programs commonly used in science such as Excel to process scientific data, SigmaPlot to produce graphs and develop calibration models, Microsoft PowerPoint for the development of quality presentations, Microsoft Publisher to create poster presentations, CHEMDRAW for the creation of molecular structures, and Microsoft Word in the preparation of manuscripts. Student must also be proficient in online literature searches using various databases.

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