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Graduate Programs in Chemistry

The Chemistry Department at the University of Scranton offers three master's degree programs: Chemistry, Biochemistry, and Clinical Chemistry. In addition, course work is offered in support of a master's degree in secondary education, with a specialization in chemistry. To earn your degree, you will need 30 credits in Chemistry or Biochemistry, or 36 hours in Clinical Chemistry. The University's Chemistry Department is well-regarded nationally, consistently ranking as one of the top producers of master's degrees in the United States.

We offer a strong faculty, state-of-the-art laboratories, and other facilities suited to graduate level studies, and an array of rigorous courses. The result is a graduate degree that will prepare you for a successful career, whether it be in industry, secondary education, or research.

Graduate Programs in Chemistry

Our students typically enter the University's graduate programs with majors in chemistry, biology or another natural science, or, in the case of our clinical chemistry program, with an undergraduate degree in medical technology. Many enter the program immediately after earning their undergraduate degree; others enter while employed by industry, various medical laboratories or educational institutions.

Chemistry and Biochemistry -- A choice of a master of science or a master of arts degree gives you a variety of alternatives in picking a career path. Our M.S. is ideal for upgrading your knowledge and professional capabilities for advancement in industry positions or secondary education. Our M.A. degree provides a solid foundation toward subsequent work for your doctoral degree, ultimately preparing you for a role in research.

Clinical Chemistry -- This program is designed to provide advanced scientific and management training for positions in hospitals, industrial or private analytical laboratories. Our M.A. degree emphasizes the skills needed for clinical research, while the University's M.S. degree is intended for students who wish to combine their scientific training with an administrative overview in health, medical and laboratory environments.

Graduate Assistantships
Approximately 20 graduate assistantships are awarded to graduate students in the Chemistry Department each year. Awarded to full-time students on the basis of the student's academic record, experience, and future promise, each assistantship provides a stipend and eligibility of a tuition scholarship.

Admission
The normal standards for entry are an undergraduate GPA of at least 2.75 (4.0 scale) overall and in science courses, and completion of an appropriate array of courses in chemistry, biology, physics, and mathematics. Deficiencies in any of these areas will be determined upon admission. Most students admitted to the programs have undergraduate GPA's of at least 3.0. All application materials should be submitted at least one month prior to the term in which one expects to begin graduate study. Applications for graduate assistantships should be on hand by March 1 of each year.

Scheduling
The graduate programs in Chemistry may be pursued on either a full-time or part-time basis. An ample number of courses are offered each term to accommodate full-time students, but the courses are scheduled in late afternoon and evening hours in order to accommodate part-time students. Full-time students typically complete the program in 1 ½ to 2 years; the pace for part-time students varies according to their own schedules.

Facilities
The Chemistry Department is well equipped with modern instrumentation, including a scanning electron microscope, IR, UV and fluorescence spectrometers, gas and liquid chromatographs, gas chromatograph-mass spectrometer, and a Varian Gemini 300MHz NMR; atomic absorption, liquid scintillation and polarographic instrumentation. In addition, the Department has access to an electron microscope and x-ray diffraction equipment. Students also benefit from the University's continuing investment in modern computing facilities. The University provides an excellent array of computing facilities, both hardware and software. There are numerous PC computer laboratories reserved exclusively for student use and in support of research activities on our campus. Access to the mainframe is available as well.

Requirements for Graduation
Complete your chosen program's credit requirements
Pass a comprehensive examination on core courses required
Achieve a 3.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
Complete a thesis based on independent research (M.A. candidates)

Curriculum
The specific courses needed for your graduate degree in chemistry vary depending upon which program you select. Available courses include:

Structural Organic Chemistry
Mechanistic Organic Chemistry
Theoretical Organic Chemistry
Heterocyclic Chemistry
Advanced Inorganic Chemistry
Bioinorganic Chemistry
Biochemical Structure and Function
Biocatalysis and Metabolism
Biochemical Genetics
Enzymology
Biochemistry of Disease
Chemical Toxicology
Clinical Quality Control
Introduction to Thermodynamics
Introduction to Quantum Chemistry
Advanced Thermodynamics and Equilibrium
Polymer Chemistry
Polymer Chemistry Laboratory
Instrumental Electronics
Advanced Analytical Chemistry
Analytical Methods
Applied Spectroscopy
Electro-Analytic Chemistry
Special Topics in Chemistry

Outstanding Faculty

Christopher Baumann, Ph.D.
University of Florida, Physical Chemistry molecular spectroscopy, photochemistry, physical adsorption.

Michael Cann, Ph.D.
SUNY Stony Brook, Organic Chemistry Nitrenium ions, heterocyclic compounds.

John C. Deak, Ph.D.
University of Rochester, Physical Chemistry, biophysical chemistry, supra molecular chemistry, laser spectroscopy

Trudy A. Dickneider, Ph.D.
University of Miami, Organic Geochemistry Oil/source rock correlations, paleoenvironments.

Timothy Foley, Ph.D.
University of Rhode Island, Biochemistry, subcellular signaling and regulation

David Marx, Ph.D.
Binghamton University, Inorganic Organometallic photochemistry

David Rusak, Ph.D.
University of Florida, Analytical Chemistry, elemental analysis, lasers, optics

Joe Vinson, Ph.D.
Iowa State University, Analytical Chemistry Clinical and toxicological analysis, pharmaceutical analysis.

Joan Wasilewski, Ph.D.
University of Pennsylvania, Biochemistry Molecular biology, DNA-protein interactions, gene regulation.

For more detailed information about the Chemistry Department, Please Click HERE.

You may call 570-941-7600 to have information sent to you.

Questions? Use our Graduate School Information Request Form!