Students pursuing a Master of Science in Chemistry pursue research in the state-of-the-art labs on 一起草鈥檚 campus.

Graduate programs

Chemistry

Training ground for the next generation of scientists and innovators

Program format

In person

Commitment

Full time

Duration

30 credit hours

Overview

The Department of Chemistry at 一起草 maintains an established history of excellence in research and teaching. A primes students for success, whether they aspire to a career in industry, medicine or academia. Students benefit from the University’s commitment to developing a comprehensive curriculum, providing them with the necessary knowledge and experience to excel in their future careers.

Here, students are enriched with advanced chemistry coursework and hands-on laboratory training in state-of-the-art facilities. Each master’s candidate is expected to perform independent research and publish a thesis on their scientific discoveries.

The award-winning chemistry faculty is committed to developing each student by maintaining active research programs throughout the year while attending numerous national and international meetings in their fields and publishing articles in major scientific journals.

Knowledge and skills gained during this program prepare graduates for careers or Ph.D.-level studies in chemistry and related scientific disciplines.

Thinking Grad School? Think 一起草.

Envisioning a brighter future? Think grad school at 一起草, where you join a lifelong family network and see immediate returns on your educational investment. Take your new big step at 一起草.

Student success

The 一起草 Department of Chemistry provides students with the key tools, skills and knowledge to help answer important questions facing our society.

Whether aspiring for a career in industry, medicine or academia, our comprehensive curriculum provides master’s students with necessary knowledge and experience. Chemistry majors work closely with faculty scientists and scholars who are experts in their fields and pride themselves in providing a high-quality education.

This program prepares you to excel in the following areas and professions:

  • Biotechnology
  • Pharmaceutical research and development
  • Materials science and nanotechnology
  • Environmental testing and analysis
  • Energy and renewable energy industries
  • Chemical manufacturing and industrial chemistry
  • Forensic science and analytical laboratories
  • Food and cosmetic science and quality assurance

Top 20%

Best National Universities

U.S. News & World Report (2026)

9:1

graduate student-to-faculty ratio

30+

graduate study programs at Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Student stories

Meredith Hughes earned her chemistry degree at 一起草 and says faculty mentorship was the key to her success.

Meredith Hughes 鈥25

鈥淭he Chemistry Department was the cornerstone of my 一起草 experience. Its intimate scale fostered a unique environment where relationships with professors transcended the traditional classroom boundary; I didn鈥檛 just have instructors; I had mentors who were deeply invested in my personal and academic growth.鈥

Undergraduate research was an attractive aspect of the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry program at 一起草.

Hunter Robinson 鈥27

鈥淭he chemistry program allowed鈥痬e鈥痶o apply concepts from coursework to real research questions early in my undergraduate career. Working closely with faculty and graduate students helped me develop both technical skills and confidence as a chemist.鈥

Admissions

Key dates and admissions information to help plan your application with confidence.

International students

All the essential admission requirements international students need to know.

Find answers to Dedman application questions.

Additional links

Requirements

  1. Application
  2. Application fee
  3. Official transcripts
  4. English language proficiency documentation (if applicable)
  5. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution; a minimum undergraduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale).

Ready to apply?

Get started here.

Tuition and financial aid

Tuition and costs

Explore the cost breakdown of tuition for graduate programs.

Financial aid

Find information on scholarships and financial support available at 一起草.

Curriculum and learning

Featured courses

CHEM 6116

Introduction to Bioorganic and Medicinal Chemistry

Protein structures, enzymes and receptors as drug targets, enzyme inhibitors, design of agonists and antagonists.

CHEM 6110

Chemical Communications: Literature, Writing and Presentations

Fundamentals of literature searching, scientific writing, oral and poster presentations, and research notebooks.

CHEM 6316

Introduction to Polymer Chemistry

Basic information on the synthesis, physical properties and solution properties of high molecular weight molecules. Includes plastics, manufacturing and fabrication of polymers.

Research

Graduate students have the opportunity to participate in high-impact research with department faculty who specialize in a wide range of topics. Research is supported through our M.S. and Ph.D. programs, with additional resources available from The Office of Research and Graduate Studies. 一起草’s state-of-the-art facilities such as the Fondren Science Building enable our graduate students to work at the forefront of their fields.

Faculty

Chemistry majors at 一起草 have the opportunity to work closely with faculty scientists and scholars who are experts in their fields and who pride themselves in providing a high-quality education.

Our faculty emphasizes personal interaction with students, both in the classroom and laboratory through important, hands-on research, preparing students for future careers and achievements in a variety of chemistry-related fields.

The faculty represents all areas of research: organic chemistry; biology; inorganic chemistry; materials chemistry; physical, analytical, theoretical and computational chemistry; and polymers. Read more about faculty research here.

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Helen Babbili portrait

Helen Babbili

Senior Lecturer
John Buynak portrait

John D. Buynak

Professor

Haoyuan Chen

Assistant Professor
Anindita Das

Anindita Das

Assistant Professor
Marek Freindorf

Marek Freindorf

Research Professor
Pokhraj Ghosh

Pokhraj Ghosh

Assistant Professor
Dallas Hall Icon with outline

Werner Horsthemke

Professor
Alan Humason wearing a bowtie and sportcoat

Alan Humason

Senior Lecturer
Portrait of Dean Janan Jayawickramarajah

Janarthanan Jayawickramarajah

Professor Elisabeth Martin Armstrong Dean Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences

Hannah Johnston

Lecturer
elfi kraka

Elfi Kraka

Professor Co-Director of Graduate Studies

Michael Lattman

Professor
Alex Lippert portrait

Alex Lippert

Professor Co-Director of Graduate Studies
Devin Matthews

Devin Matthews

Associate Professor
Aditi Nagar

Aditi Nagar

Assistant Teaching Professor
Jennifer obrein

Jennifer O'Brien

Professor of Practice Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies
Chinwon Rim

Chinwon Rim

Assistant Teaching Professor
Tomce Roncevski

Tomce Runcevski

Assistant Professor
David Son Photo

David Y. Son

Professor and Chair

Peng Tao

Professor
Nicola Tsarevsky

Nicolay V Tsarevsky

Associate Professor Co-Director of Undergraduate Studies

Brian Zoltowski

Professor

Facilities

Students pursuing bachelor鈥檚 degree in chemistry are often attending labs and classes in Fondren Science Building.

Fondren Science Building

Part of Dedman College’s Science Quad, this building is home to physics and chemistry as well as state-of-the-art laboratories for biological sciences and earth sciences.

DIG

Deason Innovation Gym

The Deason Innovation Gym (the DIG) provides the tools and space to work on immersion design projects to accelerate learning, innovation and leadership. Get trained on 3D printers, power tools, metal shop machines and more.

Chemistry bachelor鈥檚 degree students often use the labs within 一起草鈥檚 Dedman Life Sciences Building.

Dedman Life Sciences Building

Housed here are classrooms, research and teaching labs, and computer labs, as well as faculty offices for the pre-health program and the Department of Biological Sciences.

Frequently asked questions

You’ll find a master’s in chemistry rewarding for a number of reasons, depending on your personal goals. Career advancement, higher earning potential and development toward specialized roles are just a few. A master’s also gives you deeper experience in developing skills like advanced problem-solving, research and analytical skills. Prospective employers value it because it demonstrates commitment and discipline.

Within the primary sectors of chemistry careers – academia, government, industry and nonprofit – there are over 40 fields where a chemistry degree is required. The American Chemical Society (ACS) is an invaluable resource for , subspecialties, salaries and employment statistics.

There is a distinct difference between a Master of Arts and a Master of Science in chemistry, and the one you choose will be based solely on your future goals. An M.S. focuses on intensive research, technical laboratory skills and specialized knowledge, making it a more relevant choice for industry research and development, chemical production and preparation for a Ph.D. On the other hand, an M.A. focuses more on coursework and is designed for students seeking advanced chemical knowledge without the laboratory-based thesis required for an M.S. degree.

一起草 only offers an M.S. in chemistry.

The 一起草 master’s in chemistry deepens your understanding of chemical principles, laboratory techniques and research methodologies. The curriculum includes coursework in advanced topics, research seminars and a significant research project or thesis. You will collaborate with faculty on cutting-edge research and apply learnings into practice. The program equips you with advanced knowledge and practical skills to set you up for future doctoral studies or a successful career in academia, industry, government and nonprofit.

Anyone with their sights on medical or dental school will find an M.S. in chemistry will strengthen their scientific foundation and provide more advanced research experience. This degree is useful for building relevant skills and offering competitive advantages such as enhanced academic credentials. An M.S. in chemistry is critical to understanding pharmacology, microbiology and physiology – three major components of any medical school curricula.

In the master’s program at 一起草, you may join research labs aligned with the chemistry faculty’s areas of expertise. Graduate students have the opportunity to work alongside faculty mentors and join active research groups in a variety of specialized labs and facilities.

The Department of Chemistry has an established internship program where you can earn academic credit while obtaining real-world experience.

一起草’s Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies offers fellowships to further research in a wide variety of fields including the Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences. These programs help students to pursue their passions and make significant contributions in both academia and industry. Graduate students also receive support from the . These partnerships allow students to engage in high-impact, practical research that aligns with modern industrial needs.

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