2011-2012 Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]
Master of Science in Chemistry
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 Return to: Degree Programs and Graduate Certificates
Graduate Coordinators:
Ferman A. Chavez (non-thesis)
227 Science and Engineering Building
(248) 370-4092
chavez@oakland.edu
Roman Dembinski (thesis)
225 Science and Engineering Building
(248) 370-2248
dembinsk@oakland.edu
Program description
The Master of Science in chemistry can be viewed as either a terminal or non-terminal degree. By itself it serves as preparation for employment in chemical and related industries, a wide range of government agencies, and two-year college teaching. It also prepares the student for further study toward advanced degrees in chemistry, pharmacology, toxicology, oceanography, medicine, environmental science, and related fields. The program may be adapted to both full-time and part-time students.
The Master of Science in chemistry is offered in both thesis and non-thesis plans. The thesis plan, which includes a significant laboratory or theoretical research component, is particularly valuable for persons planning to pursue a future Ph.D. degree or for those preparing for, or engaged in, industrial laboratory employment. The non-thesis option is designed for those students who either cannot schedule or do not need the thesis research component, and offers opportunity for extended study of advanced chemistry for persons currently employed in industry or teaching professions, or for those who wish a more rigorous technical background ancillary to professional employment in business, law or medicine.
With appropriate course selection, the Master of Science candidate can focus his/her graduate work in a traditional area of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic or physical) or in an interdisciplinary area such as environmental chemistry, chemical education, polymer chemistry or toxicology.
Admission terms and application deadlines
Before an applicant’s file can be reviewed for full program admission, all application documents must be received in Graduate Admissions by the semester deadlines listed below.
- November 15, 2011 for the Winter 2012 semester
- March 15, 2012 for the Summer 2012 semester
- July 15, 2012 for the Fall 2012 semester
- November 15, 2012 for the Winter 2013 semester
- March 15, 2013 for the Summer 2013 semester
- July 15, 2013 for the Fall 2013 semester
International applicants: International applications are reviewed for fall and winter admission only. To ensure adequate time for review, international applications must be completed at least six months before the desired date of intended enrollment to the University. All international application materials must be submitted by May 1 for fall admission and by September 1 for winter admission.
Special Graduate classification: Applicants who are seeking a graduate degree or graduate certificate, but are unable to meet the deadline for filing all required application materials or credentials for graduate admission, may contact the department and request Special Graduate temporary admission. The applicant must submit an Application for Admission to Graduate Study, plus a copy of a transcript providing evidence of a bachelor’s degree awarded and any specific evidence concerning their qualifications for graduate study as required by the department. Up to 12 credits may be earned in the Special Graduate classification. Admission as a special graduate student in no way assures subsequent admission to a degree or graduate certificate program.
Application requirements
To be considered for graduate admission, applicants must submit all of the following university and program application documents by the published application deadlines.
University graduate application requirements
- Application for Admission to Graduate Study
- Official transcripts providing evidence of an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited U.S. institution, OR a degree equivalent to a four-year U.S. baccalaureate degree from a college or university of government-recognized standing.
- Official transcripts for all post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned a degree (beginning with the first baccalaureate) and for all enrollment in graduate-level coursework beyond the bachelor’s degree. International university transcripts must be evaluated by a professional credential evaluation service.
- As part of the admission requirements, graduate programs may require official transcripts from post-secondary educational institutions from which the applicant earned an associate’s degree and all enrollment in coursework both pre- and post-bachelor’s degree.
- Two official and original Recommendation for Graduate Admission forms.
- Proof of English language proficiency
- International supplemental application and supporting documentation must be submitted before international applicants can be issued the Certification of Eligibility (I-20). This certificate is required to apply for a student visa from the U.S. embassy or consulate.
Program application requirements
- Applicants must have earned a bachelor’s degree with a strong academic background in chemistry, mathematics and physics.
- Applicants with degrees over five years old may also need to complete additional course work. Applicants with undergraduate prerequisite course deficiencies must complete the preparatory course work before being eligible for admission to the graduate program.
- Applicants should have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
- Applicants, specifically international applicants, may be required to take the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and arrange for their official GRE scores to be submitted to Oakland University. The institution code for Oakland University is 1497.
Applicants with an undergraduate GPA less than 3.0 with the appropriate academic background and strong letters of recommendation may be considered for admission with limited standing. Applicants who qualify for this admission status must complete a minimum of 16 credits of graduate-level work, with a GPA of 3.0 or above within the first year of their program, to be advanced to full admission.
Admission review and assessment
Admission to graduate study at Oakland University is selective. In making admission recommendations to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning, each department assesses the potential of applicants for success in the program by examining their undergraduate records, goal statement, letters of recommendation, prerequisite courses and any other admission requirements established by the academic department.
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Degree requirements
The Master of Science in chemistry degree is awarded upon satisfactory completion of 32 credits in an approved program of study. a. Core requirements
All students must take at least one lecture course in each of four different areas chosen from: Biochemistry
* or other approved course Inorganic chemistry
* or other approved course Organic chemistry
* or other approved course Physical chemistry
* or other approved course Polymer/industrial chemistry
* or other approved course Analytical chemistry
* or other approved course Environmental science
- ENV 446*, Industrial and Environmental Toxicology (3 credits)
- ENV 485*, Environmental Fate and Transport (3 credits)
- ENV 486*, Toxic Substance Control (3 credits)
* or other approved course b. Electives
Additional chemistry graduate courses must be selected by student to complete 32-credit requirement. Up to 8 credits may be outside of chemistry with adviser approval. c. Exit
Degree candidates must choose the thesis or non-thesis exit plan. Thesis plan
The candidate for the thesis plan Master of Science in chemistry must complete 32 credits in courses carrying graduate credit, of which 24 credits must be in chemistry.
Courses with 400-level numbers may be included providing they do not duplicate courses in the student’s undergraduate degree.
At least one lecture course must be taken in each of four different areas chosen from biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer or industrial chemistry, analytical chemistry, and environmental science. At least 8 of the 32 credits must be in CHM 690.
The candidate must have demonstrated accomplishment in research and must complete a thesis approved by a departmental thesis committee before receiving the degree. All theses must conform to university standards (see Thesis and Dissertation ).
Students working on a continuing research project should be registered concurrently for at least 1 credit of
CHM 690.
Courses taken without an adviser’s approval may be excluded from those to be applied to the degree. Non-thesis plan
No specific requirements. May include:
and/or
The candidate for the non-thesis plan Master of Science in chemistry must complete 32 credits in courses carrying graduate credit, of which 24 credits must be in chemistry.
Courses with 400-level numbers may be included providing they do not duplicate courses in the student’s undergraduate degree.
At least one lecture course must be taken in each of four different areas chosen from biochemistry (or approved biology courses), inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer or industrial chemistry, analytical chemistry and environmental science.
Students might choose either concentration in a specialized area related to employment or a broad background in preparation for teaching.
Courses taken without an adviser’s approval may be excluded from those to be applied to the degree.
For students interested in a research experience, up to 6 credits of CHM 590 and/or CHM 690 may be included in the program by arrangement with an individual faculty researcher.
Satisfactory academic progress
Satisfactory academic progress (SAP) is the term used to denote a student’s successful completion of coursework toward a certificate or degree. Federal regulations require the Office of Financial Aid to monitor Satisfactory Academic Progress (SAP) for all financial aid recipients. The required types of monitoring include Time Limit, Completion Rate, Excessive Withdrawals and GPA Requirements. Students who fall behind in their coursework, or fail to achieve minimum standards for grade point average and completion of classes, may lose their eligibility for all types of federal, state and university aid. Contact the Office of Financial Aid for additional details. Good academic standing
All graduate students are expected to remain in good academic standing throughout the entire course of their graduate program. To be in good academic standing, a graduate student must make satisfactory progress toward fulfilling degree requirements, including the completion of critical degree milestones as set forth by the applicable program and maintain a minimum semester and overall GPA of 3.0.
Good academic standing is a requirement for:
- Holding a Graduate Assistantship
- Receiving a fellowship or scholarship
- Advancing to candidacy for a graduate degree
- Going on a leave of absence
- Obtaining a graduate certificate or degree from Oakland University.
Additionally, graduate students must meet all department academic standards which may be more stringent than the minimum set forth by the University.
Graduate students who are not in good academic standing for any reason are subject to probation and/or dismissal from further graduate study. Related program information
Plan of study
All accepted applicants, in consultation with their assigned committee adviser, must develop a plan of study that details specific courses the students will use to satisfy their degree requirements. The plan of study must be approved by the faculty program adviser and submitted to Graduate Study and Lifelong Learning.
Master’s and graduate certificate students must submit a department-approved plan of study by the end of their first semester of graduate coursework. Doctoral students must submit an approved plan of study prior to completion of the first year of coursework.
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