Chemistry B.S./M.S.

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Minimum Requirements for Chemistry B.S./M.S. Degree: 138 credits *

* Some concentrations may require greater than 138 credits.

Concentrations: ChemistryBiochemistry and NeuroscienceEnvironmental Chemistry

Students must earn a C- or better in all the below courses

General University Requirements
Complete the general university requirements.
General Education Requirements
Complete the general education requirements.36-40
As part of the general education requirements, complete the following:
Calculus I
College Physics I
and College Physics II
General Physics I
and General Physics II
B.S. Degree Requirements
Complete the B.S. degree requirements.16
As part of the B.S. requirements, complete the following:
Calculus II
Chemistry Program Requirements 1
Complete the following:
CHEM F105X
and CHEM F105L
General Chemistry I
and Chemistry F105X Lab
4
CHEM F106X
and CHEM F106L
General Chemistry II
and Chemistry F106X Lab
4
CHEM F202Basic Inorganic Chemistry3
CHEM F212Chemical Equilibrium and Analysis4
CHEM F321Organic Chemistry I4
CHEM F325Organic Chemistry II4
CHEM F331Physical Chemistry I4
CHEM F332Physical Chemistry II4
CHEM F434Chemistry Capstone Laboratory3
CHEM F449General Biochemistry: Metabolism3
CHEM F481Seminar1
CHEM F482Seminar2
As part of the ACS certification, complete:
MATH F253XCalculus III4
Concentration
Complete one of the following:9-24
Chemistry
Biochemistry and Neuroscience
Environmental Chemistry
Total Credits105-124
1

Students must earn a C- or better.

Concentrations

Chemistry

Chemistry Concentration Requirements
Complete one of the following:3-5
Undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Research (3-4 credits)
Introduction to Chemical Research
and Undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Research (2-3 credits)
Complete two of the following:6
Analytical Instrumental Laboratory
Inorganic Chemistry
Information Storage and Transfer: Molecules and Pathways
Total Credits9-11

Biochemistry and Neuroscience

Biochemistry and Neuroscience Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
BIOL F115X
and BIOL F115L
Fundamentals of Biology I
and BIOL F115X Laboratory
4
BIOL F116X
and BIOL F116L
Fundamentals of Biology II
and BIOL F116X Laboratory
4
CHEM F450Information Storage and Transfer: Molecules and Pathways3
CHEM F488Undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Research3
Complete 10 credits from the following: 210
Beginnings in Microbiology
Principles of Genetics
and BIOL F260 Laboratory
Animal Physiology
and BIOL F310 Laboratory
Microbiology
and BIOL F342 Laboratory
Biomedical and Research Ethics
Neurobiology
Infectious Diseases
Cell and Molecular Biology
Environmental Toxicology
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Neurochemistry
Total Credits24
2

Courses selected under these areas must meet baccalaureate degree requirements for 39 upper-division credits. 

Environmental Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry Concentration Requirements
Complete the following:
CHEM F314Analytical Instrumental Laboratory3
CHEM F488Undergraduate Chemistry and Biochemistry Research3
Complete two of the following:6-8
Introduction to Atmospheric Sciences
Beginnings in Microbiology
Microbiology
Environmental Microbiology
Introduction to Geochemistry
Soils and the Environment
Total Credits12-14

M.S. portion of the Chemistry B.S./M.S. program with Thesis or Project Requirements

Concentrations: Biochemistry and NeuroscienceEnvironmental Chemistry

General University Requirements
Complete the graduate general university requirements.
Master’s Degree Requirements
Complete the master's degree requirements.
As part of the master's degree requirements complete:
Oral and Written Comprehensive Exam
Chemistry Program Requirements
Complete any deficiencies concurrently with this degree.
Complete two credits of advisory committee-approved seminar courses from the two seminar course choices below. 32
Research Presentation Techniques
Biochemical and Molecular Biology Seminar
Complete 7-10 credits of courses approved by the advisory committee. 7-10
Concentration
Complete 6-9 credits from relevant advisory-committee-approved graduate-level courses or select one of the following concentrations6-9
Biochemistry and Neuroscience
Environmental Chemistry
Options
Complete one of the following: 4,512
Thesis Option
Project Option
Total Credits27-33
3

Students in the Biochemistry and Neuroscience concentration should take the Biochemical and Molecular Biology Seminar and students in the Environmental Chemistry concentration should take Research Presentation Techniques.

4

The minimum number of credits required is 30. The required M.S. coursework above represents 18 credits. The minimum number of thesis credits required is 6. For the thesis option, the remaining 6 credits can either be thesis credits or courses at the F400 level or higher. For the project option, the remaining 6 credits can be courses at the F400 level or higher. 

5

​No more than 12 thesis credits (CHEM F699) and no more than 6 project credits (CHEM F698).

Options

Thesis Option

Complete the following:
CHEM F699Thesis6
Thesis credits or committee-approved courses that are F400-level or higher. 4,66
Submit a committee-approved, written research-based thesis proposal and pass an oral comprehensive examination centered on the proposal.
Complete a committee-approved, research-based written thesis and pass an oral defense of the thesis.
Total Credits12
4

The minimum number of credits required is 30. The required M.S. coursework above represents 18 credits. The minimum number of thesis credits required is 6. For the thesis option, the remaining 6 credits can either be thesis credits or courses at the F400 level or higher. For the project option, the remaining 6 credits can be courses at the F400 level or higher. 

6

Six (6) F400-level credits earned during the B.S. portion of the program count toward the M.S.

Project Option 

Complete the following:
CHEM F698Non-thesis Research/Project6
Committee-approved courses that are F400-level or higher. 4,66
Submit a committee-approved, literature-based written project proposal and pass an oral comprehensive examination centered on the proposal.
Complete a committee-approved, literature-based written project and pass an oral defense of the project.
Total Credits12
4

The minimum number of credits required is 30. The required M.S. coursework above represents 18 credits. The minimum number of thesis credits required is 6. For the thesis option, the remaining 6 credits can either be thesis credits or courses at the F400 level or higher. For the project option, the remaining 6 credits can be courses at the F400 level or higher. 

6

Six (6) 400-level credits earned during the B.S. portion of the program count toward the M.S.

Concentrations

Biochemistry and Neuroscience 

Biochemistry and Neuroscience Concentration Requirements
Complete 9 credits from the following:9
Protein Structure and Function
Molecular Foundations of Gene Expression
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Membrane Biochemistry and Biophysics
Cellular Signaling
Total Credits9

Environmental Chemistry 

Environmental Chemistry Concentration Requirements
Complete 6 credits from the following:6
Atmospheric Chemistry
Aqueous and Environmental Geochemistry
Environmental Fate and Transport
Environmental Toxicology
Total Credits6

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Admission Requirements

B.S. applicants must complete the following admission requirements:

  • Be admitted to the Chemistry baccalaureate program and have at least junior standing;

  • Have a 3.0 GPA, and have completed 24 of their undergraduate major requirements;

  • Submit a study goal statement;

  • Submit a UAF graduate application for admission.

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Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes are measurable statements that describe knowledge or skills achieved by students upon completion of the program.

Students graduating from this program will be able to:

  • Obtain fundamental chemical knowledge consistent with national standards for chemistry competency
  • Attain baccalaureate-level chemistry knowledge in accordance with American Chemical Society Guidelines
  • Have problem-solving, laboratory and safety skills
  • Have hands-on experience with modern chemical instrumentation
  • Effectively communicate their work through oral/audiovisual presentations
  • Have writing skills consistent with professional standards
  • Attain a level of technical ability and knowledge to function as professionals in their discipline
  • Have performed research using technical, safety and problem-solving skills to contribute to their field
  • Have communication/presentation skills consistent with professional standards
  • Be employed or continue education in the field following graduation