Master of Science in Chemistry
About the Program
Program Overview
Location: Cullowhee - Main Campus
Full-Time or Part-Time
Prerequisites: Personal Statement
App Deadline: Dec. 1, June 1
Graduate Assistantships Available
Small classes, high-tech instrumentation, close faculty
Virtual Open House
Tuesday, December 3, 2024: 5-6:30 p.m.
Join us at one of our upcoming virtual Graduate School Open House events on Zoom! You'll have the opportunity to learn more about Western Carolina University, understand the Graduate School application process, and meet key program representatives.
Our graduate program offers a variety of concentrations in Chemistry are offered to suit your needs. Research opportunities envelop all the main disciplines of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, organic and physical) with research groups specializing in applications including materials science, environmental studies, biological chemistry and forensics.
Research in our program is supported by a suite of state-of-the-art instrumentation including FTIR, NMR, GC-MS, UV-Vis, AA and ICP-OES spectrometers as well as chromatographs, a particle size analyzer, and a DNA sequencer. Our program utilizes high-performance computers for advanced machine learning, and both molecular dynamics and quantum mechanical simulations.
The Master of Science (M.S.) degree program in chemistry will give you the opportunity to obtain a highly marketable chemistry degree and will prepare you for a career as an industrial chemist, applying to medical school, or for further study in other professional schools or doctoral programs. A Master in Chemistry can also help you with advancement in your current employment.
Our Master of Science degree in chemistry is designed to enhance your upward career mobility in applying to professional schools such as medical or law,, doctoral programs, or in the industrial chemistry setting.
Degree Paths
Comprehensive Concentration
The degree requirements for this graduate degree includes 30 hours of graduate coursework
and an original research project, a thesis and an oral defense.
Comprehensive concentration
Environmental Chemistry Concentration
The degree requirements for this graduate degree are similar to the comprehensive
M.S. program except coursework and research are more focused on environmental chemistry.
Environmental Chemistry concentration
Professional Science Concentration
The degree requirements for the graduate degree includes 30 hours of graduate coursework
composed of a mixture of chemistry courses, business courses, and an internship or
applied project.
professional science concentration.
Accelerated B.S./M.S. (ABM) Track
For current WCU undergraduates, another option for completing our M.S. degrees is the "ABM" program, which provides
students earning their Bachelor of Science (B.S.) in chemistry a means to earn a Master
of Science (M.S.) degree in chemistry in an accelerated timeframe. Students get a
headstart on their graduate studies during their senior year and officially enter
the graduate program after completion of their B.S. degree.
ABM Track
Application Deadlines
- Fall - Priority: March 1
- Fall: June 1
- Spring: December 1
Although a baccalaureate degree is required for the M.S. program, a degree in chemistry is not!
We encourage applications from mathematics, computer science, physics, biology, environmental health, natural resources management, and geology undergraduates. However, applicants with bachelor degrees in areas other than chemistry may be required to take additional coursework.
Applications are accepted for both fall and spring semesters on a rolling basis. Through our electronic application, submit
- Transcripts (unofficial) from schools in USA, all others will also need a foreign transcript evaluation
- Three letters of recommendation
- 1-2 page statement outlining the applicant’s research experience, motivation for graduate studies, career goals and research interests at WCU
International applicants should also submit
- Transcript evaluation
- TOEFL or IELTS scores (unless baccalaureate degree was completed in an English-speaking curriculum)
