MS Degree Requirements
Application Information
Apply through the Graduate School at East Carolina University. Completed application packets require: official undergraduate transcripts; official scores on the verbal, analytical, and quantitative portions of the Graduate Record Examination; three letters of recommendation; a personal statement of purpose. International students are required to submit a confidential financial statement and official TOEFL scores.
GRE testing information can be found at the ECU Testing Center website. The Testing Center at ECU offers the general and subject tests for the GRE; students must register online. Another option is to take the GRE at Prometric Testing Center, located in Greenville at 2428 South Charles Boulevard, (252)756-0342. At Prometric, the GRE is offered every Tuesday through Saturday at both 8:00 am and 12:00 pm. Register in person.
The Chemistry MS program has three different options to choose from depending on your career goals.
- Thesis option
- Non-thesis option
- Professional Science Master’s (PSM) concentration option
The Thesis option focuses on developing research skills and involves performing intensive laboratory and/or computational research.
The Non-thesis option allows students who are interested in entering a health-related or professional degree program hone their knowledge of chemistry and health science research literature so as to build their credentials.
The Professional Science Master’s concentration option allows students to pursue advanced training in science while simultaneously developing professional business skills valued by employers.
Coursework
A minimum of 30 s.h. of graduate work is required, including the completion of a thesis or a major research project (non-thesis option and professional science master’s concentration option). All MS candidates follow the same course progression however the number of s.h. required for each option will vary.
| Type of Coursework | Semester Hours | Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| Core: | 6-7 s.h. | Select from CHEM 6210, CHEM 6220, or CHEM 6230 |
| Electives: | 6-15 s.h. | In chemistry or other natural science or mathematics departments as approved by Research/Thesis Committee. PSM students also take select courses offered by the College of Business and Dept. of Psychology. |
| Seminar: | 2 s.h. | CHEM 6103 (taken twice) |
| Research: | 4-13 s.h. | CHEM 5993, CHEM 6501, CHEM 6502, CHEM 6503, CHEM 6504, CHEM 6505 |
| Thesis or Major Research Project: | 3 s.h. | CHEM 7000 or CHEM 6998 |
Written and Oral Requirements
Students must successfully complete the following requirements:
- Submit and orally present a research plan to Research/Thesis Committee.
- Present a literature review seminar in CHEM 6103.
- Present a research seminar in CHEM 6103.
- Submit and orally defend a thesis or major research project to Research/Thesis Committee.