EIU Master of Science in Chemistry

Accelerated Master of Science Program in Chemistry

The accelerated Masters programs (also known as BS/MS or BA/MS) are designed for motivated students who wish to earn both their Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees within a five-year period.

Students enrolled in B.S. in Chemistry (Biochemistry or Chemistry Concentrations) or B.A. in Chemistry with a GPA of 3.25 or above are eligible to apply for the accelerated Master’s program. This accelerated program is made possible by completing graduate coursework in the senior year and by enrollment in undergraduate research for two semesters in the senior year during which preliminary work for the Masters research can be accomplished.

The curriculum follows the normal undergraduate degree for three years, but includes three graduate level course credits earned during the fourth year, which will be shared by both B.S and M.S. programs. The fifth year includes remaining graduate coursework as well as the writing and defense of the thesis. The student is expected to complete research for the thesis during the summer between the fourth and fifth years and during the fifth year.

The Master’s of Science degree requires 30 credits of graduate work with 20 credits in courses at the 5000 level. Up to 9 hours of graduate credit earned as an undergraduate can be applied for credit toward a master's degree. Required courses for the M.S. degree are listed in the graduate catalog.

Students who are interested in this unique opportunity should meet with the Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate coordinator during their junior year to plan for the course work and research. In the spring semester of their junior year, students should have arranged to start undergraduate research (at the latest) by the fall of their senior year and should submit a letter to the graduate coordinator from their research advisor agreeing to act as advisor for both the undergraduate and graduate research. Students must apply to the Graduate School during their fourth year for official admission to the M.S. program immediately following completion of their undergraduate degree requirements.

The following undergraduate degrees are eligible to be paired with the accelerated M.S. program: B.S. in Chemistry (both Chemistry and Biochemistry concentrations) and B.A. in Chemistry.

Admission Requirements

(i) Early Admission - Applicants must meet all of the following Graduate School requirements:

• A minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 3.25
• Must have completed at least 15 credit hours of Chemistry or Biochemistry major
• Must have completed a minimum of 60 hours of undergraduate course credit

(ii) Admission to MS graduate candidacy

• Completion of undergraduate degree
• Grades of at least “B” in all shared course work
• Favorable recommendation from undergraduate research advisor at time of admission to MS candidacy

Five year study plans:

BA/MS

BS (chemistry concentration)/MS

BS (biochemistry concentration)/MS (biochemistry concentration)