Program Requirements
Admission Requirements
Candidates for the M.S. program in Computational Chemistry are expected to have completed the equivalent of a Bachelor's degree in Chemistry. Deficiencies in specific areas at the undergraduate level must be removed by passing undergraduate courses in those areas.
Qualification Exams
Upon entrance to the graduate program, all students who have not completed the GRE Advanced Test in Chemistry with a grade in the 75th or higher percentile (or with a raw score of at least 700) are required to take Qualification Examinations. These cover basic facts and concepts at an undergraduate level in the following four areas of Chemistry: Analytical, Inorganic, Organic, and Physical. The grading of these examinations is on a Qualify (Q)/No Qualify (N) basis. The examination results are used to assess academic preparation in Chemistry, and to assist in developing a useful curriculum for each student. To be certified for the Masters degree a student must earn a Q grade on the qualification exams in any two areas or earn one Q grade on the qualification exams and earn a 3.0 or higher in a designated course.
Minimum Grade Point Average
Candidates for the M.S. degree are expected to maintain a minimum grade point average of 3.0 for all course work. If a M.S. candidate accumulates grades below 3.0 in more than three courses, (s)he is removed from candidacy for the degree by the College of Natural Science. A final GPA of at least 3.0 is required for the M.S. degree.
Seminar
Candidates for the M.S. degree are required to give a seminar in a seminar series in the department.
Oral Examination
The Oral Examination Committee for the M.S. degree will include the student's advisor, as Chairperson, and at least two additional faculty. The composition of the committee requires the approval of the Associate Chair for the Graduate Program. Students will be examined only on course work.
Limit for Financial Support
M.S. candidates in Computational Chemistry are eligible for financial support from the department for up to 2 years plus one semester (7 semesters total, including summer semesters).
Any exceptions to the above requirements need the approval of the department faculty.