Chemistry MS, PhD Degree Programs

To complete a doctoral degree, students must complete the following milestones:

• Complete all coursework and research credits (see credit requirements below)
• Pass Qualifying Examination
• Pass Research Proposal Examination
• Prepare and Submit Approved Dissertation
• Pass Final Oral Defense

The minimum credit requirements are as follows:

Individual programs may have higher standards and students are expected to know their program's requirements. See the Doctor of Philosophy Requirements website for more information about PhD milestones and related timelines.

This is a brief overview of the requirements for a PhD degree from the Department of Chemistry:

• A minimum of 60 credits:
  
  • 20 Course Credits
• Qualifying Examination (Research Update)
• Original research proposal
• PhD Dissertation
• Oral Defense of PhD Research
• Proof of mastery of chemistry concepts through passing Placement Exams or Department Courses

Learn More About Chemistry PhD Requirement

This option requires a research thesis prepared under the supervision of the advisor. The thesis describes a research investigation and its results. The scope of the research topic for the thesis should be defined in such a way that a full-time student could complete the requirements for a master’s degree in 12 months or three semesters following the completion of coursework by regularly scheduling graduate research credits.

The minimum requirements are as follows:

Programs may have stricter requirements and may require more than the minimum number of credits listed here.

This is a brief overview of the requirements for an MS degree from the Department of Chemistry:

• A minimum of 30 credits. At least 20 of the 30 must be course credits, and at least 12 of the course credits must be at the 5000 level or higher. Also, a minimum of 6 research credits are required.
• MS thesis
• Presentation of research in a seminar followed by an oral defense
• Proof of mastery of chemistry concepts through passing placement exams or department courses

This option requires a minimum of 30 credits be earned through coursework. A limited number of research credits may be used with the approval of the advisor, department, and Graduate School. See degree requirements for more information.

A graduate program may require an oral or written examination before conferring the degree and may require more than the minimum credits listed here:

• A minimum of 30 credits required.
• At least 18 of the 30 must be at the 5000-level or higher. 
• At most 12 credits may come from undergraduate coursework.
• 1 credit of CH 5900 Chemistry Graduate of Seminar required.

• Students may apply for admission to the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program anytime after sophomore-level class standing is attained and before a bachelor's degree is awarded.
• Students pursuing this path should identify a potential research advisor and begin undergraduate research as early as possible.
• If you are an interested third- or fourth-year student, see the graduate program assistant for an audit of your credits to date. You will then discuss your degree options with the Graduate Programs Committee chair.
• Students must apply for admission to the accelerated MS program though the standard Graduate School application process.
• Only students who intend to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree at Michigan Tech are eligible to enroll in the accelerated MS program.
• Students already enrolled in a graduate program may not retroactively enroll in the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program.

An advisor will be assigned to each accelerated MS student. For more information, contact our graduate program assistant.

Through the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program, a minimum of 152 total credits must be completed to meet the combined requirements of the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science.
Up to 6 credits taken during a student's fourth year may be applied toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Prior to completion of the master's degree, students must indicate on their master's degree schedule which courses, along with the corresponding number of credits (a maximum of 6), should be applied to both their bachelor's and master's degrees.

Only students in good academic standing, as defined by the Graduate School, are eligible to enter the accelerated MS program. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Graduate teaching assistants (GTAs) teach undergraduate students in laboratory courses, under the supervision of the course instructor.

Graduate research assistants (GRAs) work for advisors who have obtained external funds to support their projects. These funds, from agencies such as the National Science Foundation, National Institutes of Health, and others, have specific project goals and deadlines.

The ACS Bridge Program (ACS-BP) is open to prospective Black, Latinx, and Indigenous students who meet the eligibility criteria, exhibit academic promise and plan to pursue a doctoral degree in the chemical sciences to broaden participation and diversity in graduate education.  Successful applicants will receive financial support from the institution where they are accepted.

select number (usually 3-10) of admitted Ph.D. students will be offered financial support. Support decisions are made in January-February (for Fall admission) and August-September (for Spring admission). Decisions depend on the budget and on space in research groups, especially those with external funding.

Everyone who submits a graduate application package is automatically considered for available support positions and notified if they qualify.