MS in Chemistry

GW’s graduate chemistry program fosters active learning through a research-based curriculum. Beginning with advanced coursework and training in the discipline as a whole and one or more selected subdisciplines, our award-winning graduate students engage in cutting-edge research alongside expert faculty. Research areas include proteomics, and bioanalytical methods development, synthetic medicinal chemistry and drug design, combustion, battery chemistry and renewable energy sources, laser and molecular spectroscopies, nano- and biomaterials, modeling, coordination chemistry, and novel inorganic framework structures.

The MS program offers thesis and non-thesis tracks to prepare individuals for distinctive career or professional paths. All students take core courses and comprehensive examinations in the fields of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry.

The MS is a STEM-designated program.

Course Requirements

Incoming graduate students are expected to pass four placement exams in Analytical, Inorganic, Physical, and Organic chemistry. If a student does not pass all placement exams in a second attempt by May 31 (Fall admits) or August 31 (Spring admits), they will be subject to a Graduate Affairs Committee review and may be asked to leave the program.

Courses Required

All students develop a plan of study in consultation with the Director of Graduate Studies (DGS). The plan must include the following:

At least five graduate courses (6000-level and above). Three of these courses would be core courses, (6000-level or above), and at least one from each of the following core categories (A/B/C):

• Chem 6221 Spectrochemical Analysis, A
• Chem 6277 Chemical Bonding, A
• Chem 6278 Molecular Spectroscopy, A
• Chem 6233 Organometallic Chemistry and Catalysis, B
• Chem 6235 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I, B
• Chem 6251 Advanced Organic Chemistry I, B
• Chem 6259 Polymer Chemistry, B
• Chem 6222 Biomedical Mass Spectrometry, C
• Chem 6238 Chemistry of Inorganic Materials, C
• Chem 6257 Physical Organic Chemistry, C
• Chem 6273 Chemical Thermodynamics, C

Thesis and Exam

All MS degree candidates must sit and pass four comprehensive examinations in the fields of analytical, inorganic, organic, and physical chemistry. Candidates may choose between thesis (30 credit hours) and non-thesis (36 credit hours) tracks.

Thesis Option Requirements:

• 30 credit hours including CHEM 6999 (thesis research)
• A seminar based on the student's thesis research, about one hour in duration, was given several months before the thesis defense.
• An abstract (about 50 words) to accompany the announcement of each student seminar.
• The thesis must be submitted to a departmental MS thesis review committee prior to the typing of the final draft of the thesis. This committee will evaluate the draft to assure its adherence to program standards.

Non-Thesis Option Requirements:

• 36 credit hours of approved courses including CHEM 6395 (research)
• Up to nine credit hours in other departments related to the student’s area of interest (optional)
• Students should contact their graduate adviser at the beginning of the semester for further information on scheduling the final report.