M.S. Degree Rules and Procedures
Advisor and Committee Selection
New students must interview with at least three potential research advisors during the 1st semester. An advisor must be selected by the end of the 2nd semester. The number of departmentally-supported students (TAs) who may work with a given faculty member is limited; a student should select an advisor as soon as possible. An advisor selection form must be filled out and returned to the Graduate Coordinator for approval by the Graduate Affairs Committee.
The research advisor will appoint a permanent committee to guide the student's studies by the end of the 1st year. The committee will have at least three members of the graduate faculty. If the student is co-directed by two committee members, a fourth committee member is required. The Committee Selection Form must be completed.
Program of Studies
The Program of Studies form should be completed and approved by the student's committee by the end of the 2nd semester in residence. Program requirements are:
- At least 6 hours of CH 8000 thesis research.
- At least 24 hours of coursework:
- Up to 6 hours may be out-of-department graduate courses.
- All chemistry courses must be at the 7000 level or higher, with at least 12 hours at the 8000 level or above.
- Up to 6 hours may may be earned by directed individual study.
- One literature seminar credit is required as part of the 24 hours.
- Up to 9 hours of transfer credit can be accepted, but must be approved through the Office of the Graduate Studies.
The Office of Graduate Studies enforces a six year limit on all course work listed in a M. S. program. An extension of time form can be used to request a one-time, one-year extension. A typical program of studies would include:
- CH 8000 Thesis Research (6 hours; required).
- CH 8711 Seminar (1 hour; required).
- Six 3-hour courses chosen in consultation with the research director/committee (18 hours).
- CH 7000 Directed Individual Study (5 hours).
Academic Standards and Probationary Policy
An overall GPA of 3.0/4.0 on all graduate courses is required by the university to remain in good-standing. If a student's cumulative GPA drops below 3.0 at any time, he or she will be placed on probation and be required to correct the deficiency by the end of the next semester. If after a probationary semester, a 3.0 cumulative GPA is still not achieved, a recommendation by the student's committee to the Graduate Affairs Committee is necessary for program continuation. The Graduate Affairs Committee decides what action should be taken. Possible actions include extension of probation, or dismissal from the Graduate Chemistry Program.
- The University requires a "B" average on all graduate course work.
- A "B" average is required for all chemistry courses above the 6000 level.
- No grade under "C" can be accepted for graduate credit; A student cannot graduate with any "U" or "I" grades on their transcript.
Research
Original research is required of all graduate students, and the results will constitute a M. S. thesis. Since the completion of a research project involves the investment of a great deal of time and effort, research should begin as early as possible. This research requires direction from a faculty advisor, and possible collaboration with other faculty, but must be based in substantial part upon the work for which the student is solely responsible.
Research assistantships (RAs) may be available and students who accept an RA to work on specific projects which are supported by extramural funds (not from the Chemistry Dept.) will be solely responsible to the faculty member that manages the project. In certain cases, part or all of the RA research may be included in the student's thesis. In the cases where this is not possible, the faculty advisor will clearly delineate the RA research and the thesis research. Students should understand that extramural research funds are often renewed annually and that if the funding is discontinued, the RA may be terminated as well.
Thesis and Final Exam
When the student in the M. S. program has successfully completed his/her research project, as judged by the research advisor, the student should write an original research thesis and apply for the final oral examination.
At the oral, the candidate will present and defend his/her research before his/her committee, invited guests, fellow students, and general faculty. The candidate has two attempts in which to successfully complete this examination. The attempts must be at least four months apart.
- The student must apply for graduation by the published deadline and be enrolled during the semester of the defense.
- Committee members must receive the final copy of the thesis at least one week before the defense.
- The title, time, place and date of the seminar must be provided to the Graduate School (with this form) at least one week before the defense.
Please note the deadlines and general guidelines for submission of theses and dissertations as published by the Office of Graduate Studies. The results of the examination must be reported using the Examination Form
