Nov 08, 2024

2018-2019 Graduate Catalog

2018-2019 Graduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Master of Science in Chemistry

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Students who wish to enter the M.S. program should have a baccalaureate degree in a life, physical, mathematical science, or engineering, including one year of physics; one year of general chemistry; one year of physical chemistry; mathematics consisting of either three semesters of calculus or two semesters of calculus and one semester of differential equations; and four courses in other areas of chemistry at the 300-400 level. Students deficient in these requirements may satisfy them after admission, but the courses may not be taken for graduate credit and must be approved by the Graduate Program Committee after consultation with the department faculty in the student’s primary area of interest. These deficiencies must be satisfied with a grade of C or better during the first two semesters of enrollment in the program.

Prior to registration the student is required to take background examinations in the fields of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. These examinations are usually given a week before registration to aid the adviser in the preparation of a course of study for the student. A passing level has been established so that these examinations can also serve as proficiency examinations for required undergraduate courses. (Students will be informed in advance that undergraduate deficiencies may be satisfied in this manner.)

The student must fulfill all requirements for the M.S. degree within five consecutive years from entry into the program.

Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

Thesis Option

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work is required. The student must successfully complete a minimum of five courses (15 semester hours, excluding CHEM 615, CHEM 690, CHEM 698, and CHEM 699), of which at least 9 semester hours are to be in chemistry, for graduate credit. At least one of these courses must be CHEM 644, CHEM 645, or CHEM 646, or an equivalent physical chemistry graduate course. A minimum of two courses must be outside the primary area of study. Only graduate courses from accredited institutions in which the student has earned a grade of B or better may be accepted towards an advanced degree, subject to approval of the department and the Graduate School.

CHEM 615, Chemistry Seminar, must be taken each semester unless a written waiver is given by the director of graduate studies.

A thesis incorporating the results of an approved research problem and successfully defended as part of a comprehensive oral examination is required. CHEM 698, Independent Study, should be taken as soon as possible, with enrollment to continue each term until enrollment in CHEM 699, Master’s Thesis, is begun.

Essay Option

A minimum of 36 semester hours of graduate work is required. The student must successfully complete a minimum of six courses for graduate credit (18 semester hours, excluding CHEM 615, CHEM 690, CHEM 698,CHEM 699, and CHEM 799), of which at least 12 semester hours are to be in chemistry.. At least one of these courses must be CHEM 644, CHEM 645, or CHEM 646, or an equivalent physical chemistry graduate course. A minimum of two courses must be outside the primary area of study. Only graduate courses from accredited institutions in which the student has earned a grade of B or better may be accepted towards an advanced degree, subject to approval of the department and the Graduate School.

Students earning an M.S. degree through the Essay Option must have passed the qualifying examination and the research oral (candidacy) examination described under the Ph.D. program. In addition, students must submit a paper describing original research (a Master’s Essay) to their examining committee. Approval of this research paper by at least three members of the examining committee and deposition of a copy of the research paper in the departmental office is required.

CHEM 615, Chemistry Seminar, must be taken each semester unless a written waiver is given by the director of graduate studies.

Educator Licensure Option

Students in this option must meet the requirements for educator licensure, in consultation with the discipline coordinator.

In addition, the student must successfully complete a minimum of four courses (12 semester hours) for graduate credit from courses numbered CHEM 505 to CHEM 700, excluding CHEM 590 to CHEM 599, CHEM 615, CHEM 690, CHEM 698, and CHEM 699. At least one of the four courses must be CHEM 644, CHEM 645, or CHEM 646, or an equivalent physical chemistry graduate course. Only graduate courses from accredited institutions in which the student has earned a grade of B or better may be accepted towards an advanced degree, subject to approval of the department and the Graduate School.

The student must pass a comprehensive examination in chemistry and chemistry education.

A minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate work to be determined by the department is required. In most cases, the number of semester hours will exceed 30. Retention in the program requires adherence to Graduate School and educator licensure requirements and regulations.