The Department of Chemistry
@ Eastern Michigan University
Undergraduate degree. An undergraduate degree with either a major or a strong minor (approximately 25 semester hours) in chemistry.
Undergraduate Chemistry Courses. Credit in advanced undergraduate courses corresponding to CHM 371-3 (One year of organic chemistry lecture and lab), CHM 363,365,464 (One year of physical chemistry lecture and lab), and CHM 481 (instrumental analysis), along with either CHM 432 (advanced inorganic chemistry) or CHM 451-2 (One year of biochemistry lecture). Competency in any deficient areas may be established by examination. The graduate coordinator will use the results of these examinations to ascertain the need for remedial work. If deficiencies exist for which competency is not established by examination, a maximum of four semester hours of graduate credit will be allowed for courses taken to correct these deficiencies.
Mathematics and Physics. One year of calculus-based college physics (PHY 223 Mechanics, Heat and Sound, PHY 224 Electricity and Light); linear algebra and calculus through differential equations.
Requirements of the EMU Graduate School. An undergraduate record that meets the requirements specified by the Graduate School.
GRE. Submission of scores from the Graduate Record Examination (general) is ordinarily required.
Degree Requirements: (Thesis and Non-thesis Plans are offered)
Course Credits. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 30 semester hours of graduate credit.
Core Courses. Four of the following courses with no more than one course in each of the six groups: Analytical CHM 581; Biochemistry CHM 554 or CHM 555 or CHM 655; Inorganic CHM 632; Organic CHM 571 or CHM 574; Physical CHM 561 or CHM 562; Polymer CHM 665 or CHM 675. In order to graduate, a student must have a grade point of "B" or better in the core courses.
Chemical Literature. CHM 610 or equivalent.
Seminar Course. CHM 693 and attendance at department seminars.
Additional courses to complete 30 semester hours:
If you intend to enroll in any of the above undergraduate courses for graduate credit you must come to the Graduate School for written permission before enrolling in the course; otherwise you will receive undergraduate credit.
Cognate Courses. A maximum of six credit hours in courses taken from outside of the Chemistry Department. These courses must be approved by the graduate coordinator. If cognates are chosen from 400-level courses, these will be included in the 9 hour limit mentioned below (see 'Limit on Undergraduate Courses').
Research Thesis and Seminar. Six to 10 credit hours from CHM 697, CHM 698, CHM 699 and satisfactory completion of a thesis representing a significant contribution of original research in chemistry. In addition to the written thesis, a formal oral presentation of the research before the chemistry faculty is required; this also must be approved by the graduate coordinator.
Limit on Undergraduate Courses. Of the 30 semester hours required, no more than nine hours of 400-level courses may be used on the degree. No graduate credit below the 400-level is allowed.
Intended for the part-time student whose professional experience constitutes a reasonable substitute (as determined by the Graduate Coordinator) for the laboratory research of the Thesis Plan.
Courses. Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 34 semester hours of graduate credit, including all non-research courses required by the Thesis Plan.
Research and Report. Satisfactory completion of a written report, in thesis style, on a research project carried out in the student's off campus job. The project must be approved by the Graduate Committee and Department Head as a reasonable substitute for a typical academic research project.
Research Seminar. Presentation to the chemistry faculty of a research seminar meeting the same standards as the Thesis Plan research seminar.
Course Requirements: Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 34 semester hours of graduate credit as described under 'Thesis Plan' (above).
About the Research Project and Thesis:
Training in the discovery of new knowledge, in addition to study of that which is already known, is a fundamental distinction between graduate and undergraduate programs. Thus, the performance of original research is an essential part of your M.S. degree. Since uncommunicated knowledge is of little value, presentation of your research is also an important part of the program. You will do this in two ways: as an oral seminar to the Department, and as a written thesis to be approved by your research director, your thesis committee, the Department Head, and the Graduate School.
Calender:
It is wise to start your research as early as possible: Discoveries do not follow timetables; if insufficient time is allowed to overcome setbacks, you may not be able to finish your degree in the normal 2 to 2 1/2 years. Also, early-starters benefit from access to the limited funds available for unusual chemicals or equipment. The following calender assures timely progress:
| Goal | Deadline |
| Selection of Thesis Director | Before November 15 |
| Preliminary library work | December |
| Formation of thesis committee | Early January |
| Thesis committee meeting to discuss preliminary research proposal | Before January 31 |
| Final research proposal to: committee, advisor, Grad. School | Middle of February |
| Research progress reports to committee, dept. head, Grad. School | Last day of Summer Term |
| Thesis meeting | 4 weeks before seminar |
| Research seminar | Term of thesis submission |
Selection of Research Director:
This is a very important decision for both you and your research director. The student-research director relationship involves a great deal of one-on-one interaction extending through most of your tenure at EMU. It is undertaken only by mutual consent of both persons.
To select a research director, first select one or two areas of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, computer applications, nuclear/radiochemistry, organic, physical, or toxicology) which interest you most. Next, look through the summary of the faculty's research interests (from the chemistry home page follow the "People of Chemistry" link) and indentify four faculty whose work appears to be of some interest to you and with whom you think you might like to work. Consult the graduate advisor if you can't decide.
After obtaining the graduate advisors approval, and a copy of the research director interview form, make appointments with and interview the four faculty whose work interest you. At the interview, you will discuss research projects of possible mutual interest. Have the faculty sign your form.
Some faculty may not be able or willing to commit time to any more research students, or you may find their immediate interests are not what you anticipated. Do not hesitate to ask to talk to faculty a second or third time, if you think it will help you make up your mind. In addition to the science, it is important that you are comfortable with the general approach of the research director, including matters such as: how often you will meet to discuss your project, how much initiative will be expected from you, how much independence you will have, etc.
Identify your first and second choice for research directors, and return the form to the graduate advisor. The first choice will usually be granted, but the graduate advisor must first determine that the person selected is available (e.g., is not planning to go on sabbatical or on special assignment the following year), willing, and is not already saturated with research students.
Thesis Commitee:
The thesis committee should consist of your research director and two other faculty members whose backgrounds will make them useful resource persons in your research (and who are willing and able to serve). The two faculty members should be selected in consultation with your research director.
Research Proposal:
In consultation with your research director, prepare a preliminary research proposal. A general guideline for thesis proposals is given in the Thesis Manual of the Graduate School. Distribute the preliminary proposal to all members of your thesis committee, and arrange a meeting of the committee to discuss the proposal. Based on the suggestions and modifications made by the committee, prepare a final research proposal and distribute it to the committee members, the graduate coordinator (two copies) and department head. The graduate coordinator will forward a copy of your proposal to the Dean of the Graduate School.
Research Courses and progress reports:
Start your research as soon as possible after the proposal has been approved, and no later than sometime during your second semester.
You should enroll in a research course (CHM 697, 698, 699) in any semester during which you will be engaged in active laboratory work. Be sure to have your research director explain his/her expectations, and the basis on which your grade will be assigned. Research directors have the options of submitting grades of incomplete, until the research and thesis are complete, or submitting a Credit/No Credit grade each term. It is Chemistry Department policy to not assign letter grades for thesis research.
You may be required to submit a research progress report to your committee, graduate coordinator and the department head at the end of summer term. Keeping your committee informed of your progress will help you smoothly achieve your goal of thesis submission and graduation. Failure to submit a progress report or to make satisfactory progress in your research (due to lack of continuous effort on your part) may result in termination of your Graduate Assistantship, denial of Spring/Summer Assistantship, or a grade of No Credit in your research course.
If you start your research in your second semester (Winter), and work consistently through the following Spring, Summer and Fall terms, at the beginning of the following Winter semester, you should be in a position to finish your work and start organizing your seminar and thesis.
Research Seminar:
If you plan to finish your M.S. degree program in two years, you must present your research seminar during either Winter or Spring semester of your second year. At the beginning of the Winter semester, consult your research director about scheduling your seminar, and convene your thesis committee to review your work. The timing of the seminar is critical; it should come late enough to include meaningful results from your research, yet early enough to allow you to follow any important suggestion(s) resulting from your presentation. With the blessing of your research director and the support of your committee, make arrangements with the seminar coordinator to present your research seminar.
Writing the Thesis:
Policies, style and format requirements for the thesis are discussed in the Thesis Manual of the Graduate School. Follow these guidelines carefully. Thanks to modern wordprocessors and printers, thesis preparation is a much simpler undertaking now than it was a few years ago. However, be prepared for the possibility that numerous revisions may be necessary. Your research progress report should provide an excellent starting point for the main substance of your thesis.
The writing and the final preparation of the bound thesis should proceed on a time-table which is commensurate with having it completed prior to leaving campus. This involves submitting a first-draft and as many revisions as necessary for review, approval and signing, first by your research director, next by the other committee members, then by the department head, and finally by the Graduate School Dean. NONE OF THESE APPROVALS ARE AUTOMATIC; ALLOW TIME FOR THOUGHTFUL REVIEW AT EACH STAGE AND FOR THE SUBSEQUENT, PERHAPS NUMEROUS REVISIONS THAT ARE OFTEN NECESSARY.
After approval, at least five copies of your manuscript must be made and presented to the Graduate School for binding. Additional copies for your personal needs may be submitted along with the five required.