About

Are you interested in joining a technology based scientific company? Does the study of life sciences or pharmaceuticals capture your imagination?

ECU's master of science in chemistry is offered with concentrations in six areas: analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic, physical, and industrial. Our students tailor their curriculum to focus on the area of concentration that interests them most and is in-line with their career goals. The MS degree is research based, so students will gain valuable research experience by working closely with their chosen research advisors. Given the size of our graduate program, students interact with faculty in small classes and receive one-on-one training. In this manner, students gain valuable hands-on experience with modern instrumentation and lab techniques. Students will interact with experts from top schools and industry, as we hold regular departmental seminars where these individuals present their work and advice.

Additionally, our students will develop their oral presentation and interviewing skills by participating in our graduate seminar series. Our students also develop leadership skills by serving as teaching assistants, which come with competitive stipends that cover tuition and living expenses.

ECU Advantage

Our MS graduates have an excellent record of job placement—almost 100 percent—and acceptance to professional and graduate programs. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to DSM Pharmaceuticals and Metrics Inc., a contract pharmaceutical development company. Many have gone on to pursue professional degrees in medicine, pharmacy and dentistry, or have been accepted into nationally recognized PhD programs.

As an ECU student, you can research your future career in Steppingblocks. Explore real-world stats about your major, your interests, and your dream job title with data-powered career exploration tools designed for doers like you.

What You Will Study

Program Coordinator: Eli Hvastkovs (SZ591 Science and Technology Building; 252-328-9767; hvastkovse@ecu.edu) The Chemistry, MS program requires the completion of a thesis (thesis option) or a major research project (nonthesis option and professional science master's concentration option).

The minimum degree requirement is 30 s.h. as follows: 

I. Core - 7-8 s.h.
  • CHEM 6103 - Chemistry Seminar
  • And select two of the following courses:
  • CHEM 6210 - Organic and Inorganic Reaction Mechanisms
  • CHEM 6220 - Physical Principles of Biochemistry
  • CHEM 6230 - Advanced Applications of Analytical Methods
    • Note:

    These courses can be waived on a course-by-course basis if a student has taken an equivalent course and demonstrates proficiency in that area.

    II. Electives - 6-15 s.h.

    Choose one option from the following:

      A. Thesis option (6 s.h.)

      The thesis option requires 6 s.h. of electives in chemistry or in other natural sciences or mathematics or science education approved by the faculty advisor.

        B. Nonthesis option (9 s.h.)

        The nonthesis option requires an additional elective course, bringing the requirement to 9 s.h. of electives in chemistry or in other natural sciences or mathematics or science education approved by the faculty advisor.  Nonthesis students may substitute 6 s.h. of research for 3 s.h. of the elective coursework.

          C. Professional science master's concentration option (15 s.h.)

          The professional science master's concentration option requires 6 s.h. of CHEM electives, plus 9 s.h. of professional skill component courses from the following:

          • ACCT 6241 - Financial and Managerial Accounting
          • ACCT 6521 - Accounting for Decision Making
          • FINA 6214 - Government Regulation of Business
          • MGMT 6102 - Comparative Management

          • MGMT 6802 - Organizational Behavior OR
          • PSYC 6343 - Psychology of Organizational Behavior

          • OMGT 6123 - Quantitative Methods
          • OMGT 6333 - Project Management
        III. Research skills - 5-14 s.h.

        Choose one option from the following: 

          A. Thesis option (14 s.h.)

          Choose from the following courses:

          • CHEM 6501 - Research
          • CHEM 6502 - Research
          • CHEM 6503 - Research
          • CHEM 6504 - Research
          • CHEM 6505 - Research
          B. Nonthesis option (11 s.h.)

          Choose from the following courses:

          • CHEM 5993 - Industrial Internship in Chemistry
          • CHEM 6501 - Research
          • CHEM 6502 - Research
          • CHEM 6503 - Research
          • CHEM 6504 - Research
          • CHEM 6505 - Research
          C. Professional science master's concentration option (5 s.h.)
          • CHEM 5993 - Industrial Internship in Chemistry
          • CHEM 6501 - Research
          • CHEM 6502 - Research
        IV. Thesis or research project - 3 s.h.

        Students must either write a thesis or complete a research project under the direction of a member of the graduate faculty.

        Choose an option from the following: 

          A. Thesis option - 3 s.h. (minimum)
          • CHEM 7000 - Thesis
          B. Nonthesis option - 3 s.h. (minimum)
          • CHEM 6998 - Major Research Project
          C. Professional science master's concentration option - 3 s.h. (minimum)
          • CHEM 6998 - Major Research Project
        For more information about this degree visit the university's academic catalogs.
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