All new students take the American Chemical Society's (ACS) Graduate Placement Exams one week before the initial semester registration. All students must take the organic and physical chemistry exams, and two of their choice from the analytical, inorganic and biochemistry exams. The results are used by the Graduate Affairs Committee to judge the academic strengths and weaknesses of each student.
A student is qualified to begin the graduate program if he/she achieves a passing score (>50th percentile) on all four entrance exams. If he/she scores below the 50th percentile on any exam he/she is required to show competency in the failing area(s) by receiving a "B" or better in an appropriate MSU course. The course and level (undergraduate or graduate) is chosen by the Graduate Coordinator. The selection depends upon the student's background and entrance exam performance. If the student fails to earn a "B" in the class, he/she may take the entrance exam again at the end of the second semester in a final attempt to qualify. In all cases, qualification in the four selected subject areas must be completed by the end of the first year of study.
