The research-based MS program in chemistry increases the professional competence of the chemist beyond the bachelor's degree. Course work, independent research culminating in the defense of an original thesis, and small group discussions are emphasized to achieve these goals. The MS degree can be viewed as an important professional goal or as preparation for study toward the doctoral degree. 30 credit hours are required to earn the research-based MS.

The objective of the non-thesis MS program is to provide an alternate pathway for students to obtain an MS degree in chemistry that does not involve an in-depth research project or a thesis. This degree option is intended for area residents whose current work responsibilities, or intellectual property issues with their employer, preclude the possibility of conducting the requisite research for the traditional research-based MS degree. School teachers, non-traditional students, and employees of local industry who want to earn an MS degree for promotions and/or to meet eligibility requirements for teaching positions at regional community colleges may wish to pursue this degree option. 32 credit hours are required to earn the non-thesis MS.  

The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and the Department of Chemical Engineering, in conjunction with the School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, offer a Professional Science Master’s (PSM) Degree in Green Chemistry and Engineering. The PSM Degree is designed for students who want to concentrate their studies on principles of green chemistry and green engineering and incorporate aspects of business and other professional skills components into their master’s degree and future career.

The PSM Degree in Green Chemistry and Engineering is approved and affiliated with the National Professional Science Master’s Association.

The PSM Degree in Green Chemistry and Engineering requires 36 credit hours to graduate.

The PSM Degree is a terminal degree that prepares students for immediate employment opportunities in industry, government, and nongovernmental organizations.  It is not a research-based degree.

The PSM Degree provides a foundation in chemistry, chemical engineering, toxicology, environmental chemistry, life cycle assessment, chemical alternatives assessment, regulations and policy, and business.

More information on activities of the School of Green Chemistry and Engineering and/or the PSM Degree in Green Chemistry and Engineering, visit our website at https://www.utoledo.edu/nsm/sgce/

• Requirements for the thesis-based master’s program
• Requirements for the non-thesis master’s program
• Requirements for the professional science master’s program in green chemistry and engineering

Requirements for the Thesis-Based Master’s Program

For the degree of master of science, students must meet the following departmental requirements:

1. The courses presented must total at least 30 hours of graduate credit, including at least four hours of credit in graduate research.
2. Registration for research seminar is typically required each term the student is enrolled in graduate research.
3. Each candidate must present a thesis.
4. Registration for chemistry colloquium is typically required each term, but no more than four hours of credit may count within the required 30 hours.
5. Each candidate must demonstrate satisfactory performance on a comprehensive oral examination on his or her thesis research, in addition to the public defense of the thesis at a colloquium presentation.
6. Upon choosing a research director, an advisory committee will be appointed to supervise the research, to administer the comprehensive oral examination, and to approve the thesis. Each student, in conjunction with the director of graduate studies, the research director, and the student’s advisory committee, will prepare a plan of study listing the courses and other requirements for the degree. Upon approval, the plan of study becomes the list of course requirements for the degree. Students are required to take four or more 6000-level courses covering at least three different subdisciplines of chemistry as part of the plan of study.
7. Each student must register and successfully complete CHEM 6940.

Requirements for the Non-Thesis Master’s Program

For the non-thesis master of science degree, students must meet the following departmental requirements:

1. The courses presented must total at least 32 hours of graduate credit.
2. Each student, in conjunction with the director of graduate studies, will prepare a plan of study listing the courses and other requirements for the degree. Upon approval, the plan of study becomes the list of course requirements for the degree. Students are required to take five or more chemistry 6000-level courses (minimum 20 credit hours) as part of the plan of study. To establish breadth in knowledge, at least one course in each of four (out of six) subdisciplines of chemistry (analytical, biochemistry, inorganic, materials, organic, physical) must be completed. Up to 8 hours of 6000-level courses in other fields may also be applied towards the degree with permission of the director of graduate studies.
3. Registration for chemistry colloquium is required during some terms, but no more than two hours of credit may count within the required 32 hours.
4. Credit for thesis research or research seminar may not be applied towards the required 32 hours.
5. Each candidate must participate in CHEM 6940 and demonstrate satisfactory performance on a departmental literature colloquium presentation.

Requirements for the Professional Science Master’s Program in Green Chemistry and Engineering

For the professional science master’s degree, students must meet the following departmental requirements:

1. The courses presented must total at least 36 hours of graduate credit.
2. Each student, in conjunction with the director of graduate studies and the director of the School of Green Chemistry and Engineering, will prepare a plan of study listing the courses and other requirements for the degree. Upon approval, the plan of study becomes the list of course requirements for the degree. Students are required to take:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Hours
   CHEM 6200	Green Chemistry	3
   CHEM 6210	Environmental Chemistry	3
   CHEE 6010	Green Engineering Principles	3
   CHEE 6110	Green Engineering Applications	3
   BUAD 6600	Supply Chain Management	3
   EFSB 6690	Technology Commercialization	3
   or EFSB 6590	New Venture Creation
   Select 12 credit hours of elective graduate coursework in traditional areas of chemistry or chemical engineering		12
   Total Hours		30

3. Each student must also complete a graduate industrial internship (CHEM 6970/CHEE 6970). The graduate industrial internship must be completed at an industry, governmental organization, or non-governmental organization in an area relevant to green chemistry and engineering. The PSM program director will assist in identifying internship opportunities and must approve all placements. Students who are working or have worked part or full-time in a relevant job may request internship credit for this work experience. The director will evaluate all such requests and give credit if appropriate.
4. Up to 4 credit hours of 6000-level coursework in a related discipline (e.g., environmental sciences, physics) may be applied to the minimum 12 credit hours of electives if approved by the director of the PSM program and director of graduate studies. Up to 2 credit hours of independent research (CHEM 6980) may also be applied if approved by the director of the PSM program. Research seminar (CHEM 6930) and colloquium (CHEM 6920) cannot be applied towards the 36 hour minimum for the PSM track.

Students in the Chemistry MS degree program must be able to describe data and results in both written and oral formats
Students in the Chemistry MS degree program must be able to solve, with the appropriate mathematical techniques, and analyze problems from chemistry in their area of concentration.
Students in the Chemistry MS degree program must conduct a new research project via their design of experimental and/or theoretical techniques.
Students in the Chemistry MS degree program must be able to interpret publications in the literature from their research area