Chemistry Degrees Online

Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Course work must include a minimum of five 200-level courses; at least four of the courses must be core courses as defined in the department’s Guide to Graduate Studies; at least three must be offered by the Chemistry Department. At least two 200-level courses must be taken outside the subdiscipline of the student and in at least two other subdisciplines/disciplines. Proficiency in computer programming must be demonstrated. Candidates are required to pass a Master’s Comprehensive Examination.

Thesis option—30 credit hours of approved courses are required, including Chem 299—300, Thesis Research, which may be in analytical, inorganic, organic, or physical chemistry.

Nonthesis option—36 credit hours of approved courses are required, including Chem 295. Up to 9 credit hours in other departments related to the student’s area of interest (e.g., Forensic Sciences) may be included in the program, subject to the approval of the Department of Chemistry. Students who are or will be employed in organizations dealing with science and technology policy programs may select from specified courses offered by Information Systems and Technology Management, Political Science, Public Policy and Public Administration, and the Elliott School of International Affairs.

Doctor of Philosophy in the field of chemistry—Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Students develop their program of studies in consultation with their doctoral committee, subject to the approval of the department’s Graduate Affairs Committee. The program of studies must include course work in a minimum of five 200-level courses; at least four of the courses must be core courses as defined in the department’s Guide to Graduate Studies; at least three must be offered by the Chemistry Department. These course requirements cannot be fulfilled by achievement on placement exams. At least two 200-level courses must be taken outside the subdiscipline of the student and in at least two other subdisciplines/disciplines. Equivalent courses offered by another university may be substituted at the discretion of the Graduate Affairs Committee. Students must pass a cumulative examination system and an oral defense of the doctoral research plan.

Research fields: analytical spectroscopy and separation; aqueous phase dynamics/chemistry; battery chemistry; biomedical analysis; chemical instrumentation; electrochemistry; elemental and isotopic analysis; heterocyclic chemistry; inorganic, organic, and solid state materials; laser-material interactions; mass spectrometry; membrane studies; mineral surface geochemistry; modeling and simulation; molecular spectroscopy; nanoscale and nanostructured materials; organic synthesis/natural products; proteomics; small-molecule crystallography; solid state chemistry; structure and reactivity studies; surface chemistry; theoretical chemistry; trace analysis.

Ph.D. students in chemistry may substitute up to 12 hours of Dissertation Research in the form of course work jointly approved by the Chemistry Department and the Forensic Sciences Department or the International Science and Technology Policy program. The 12 hours may be selected from specified courses offered by Forensic Sciences, Information Systems and Technology Management, Political Science, Public Policy and Public Administration, and the Elliott School of International Affairs.

Note: All entering students in graduate chemistry programs are required to take the American Chemical Society Graduate Level Placement Examinations, given by the Department of Chemistry, prior to matriculation. The four placement examinations (in the disciplines of analytical, organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry) are designed to cover the subject matter in the disciplines generally taught in undergraduate programs preparatory for graduate work in chemistry, and the results are used by the department to advise the individual student in planning a program of courses appropriate to the student’s background. All graduate students are required to participate in the seminar and colloquium programs. Upon consultation with course instructors, specific course prerequisites may be waived.

With permission, a limited number of 100-level courses in the department may be taken for graduate credit; additional course work is required. See the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.

The Department of Chemistry offers a minor in chemistry to students who wish to enhance their degrees with a strong concentration in this area. A chemistry minor is open to any student, and majors in biology, physics, and geology in particular find that chemistry courses are a valuable complement to courses in their major. A minor is an excellent credential in the eyes of future employers and enhances the records of students interested in medical or other professional schools.

The Department of Chemistry offers a minor in chemistry to students who wish to enhance their degrees with a strong concentration in this area. A chemistry minor is open to any student, and majors in biology, physics, and geology in particular find that chemistry courses are a valuable complement to courses in their major. A minor is an excellent credential in the eyes of future employers and enhances the records of students interested in medical or other professional schools.

To receive a B.A. in chemistry, students must complete the following coursework in addition to that required for general education.
37 credits of chemistry: CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, 318, 321, 331, 332, 336, 337, and 5 credits of electives in chemistry
11 credits of math: MATH 113, 114, and 213
8-12 credits of physics: PHYS 243-246 (8 credits) or PHYS 160, 260-263 (12 credits)

The Department of Chemistry & Biochemistry offers undergraduate programs leading to the B.A. and B.S. degree in Chemistry, with optional concentrations in Biochemistry. It also offers a five-year B.S./Accelerated M.S. degree.

The Chemistry & Biochemistry degree programs at George Mason provide a comprehensive undergraduate education in chemistry designed to prepare students for professional careers in chemistry and for advanced studies in chemistry and chemistry related areas such as environmental science, material science, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, geochemistry, chemical waste management, pharmacy, forensic chemistry, and chemical engineering. Students planning medical, dental, or veterinary careers may meet the requirements of these professional schools by majoring in chemistry.

The Department of Chemistry also offers graduate programs leading to the M.S. in Chemistry, the Ph.D in Physical Science, Ph.D. in Environmental Science and Public Policy, and the Ph.D. in Computational Sciences and Informatics. These programs provide advanced training for students who are recent college graduates, professionals in teaching, or technical workers in local research organizations. Students select a specialization from the fields of analytical, biological, environmental, inorganic, organic, physical, or computational chemistry. The graduate chemistry courses for these programs are usually offered during the late afternoon or evening hours for the convenience of students who are employed full time. Graduate fellowships and teaching/research assistantships are available to the most qualified students.

CHEM 211, 212 (4,4) *
General Chemistry I and II
8

CHEM 313, 314 (3,3)
Organic Chemistry I and II
6

CHEM 315, 318 (2,2)
Organic Chemistry Lab I and II
4

CHEM 321 (4)
Elementary Quantitative Analysis
4

CHEM 331, 332 (3,3)
Physical Chemistry I and II
6

CHEM 336, 337 (2,2)
Physical Chemistry Lab I and II
4

CHEM 350 (3) **
Computer Techniques in Chemistry
3

CHEM 422 (3)
Instrumental Analysis
3

CHEM 423 (2)
Instrumental Analysis Laboratory
2

CHEM 441 (3)
Properties and Bonding of Inorganic Compounds
3

CHEM 445 (2)
Inorganic Preparations and Techniques
2

CHEM 463 (4)
General Biochemistry I
4

CHEM Elective (3)

3

MATH 113, 114 (4,4) ***
Analytic Geometry and Calculus I and II
8

MATH 213
Analytic Geometry and Calculus III
3

MATH 214
Elementary Differential Equation

Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has designed a new curriculum for the concentration in biochemistry. A full description of the concentration is shown below, but if you have any questions or comments, please contact Tim Born.

This concentration has been designed to better serve our students who are interested in the application of chemical principles to the life sciences. The increase in job opportunities for students in Northern Virginia with organizations such as Eli Lilly, ATCC, MediaTech, GeoCenters, and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, to name a few in the area, provides students with excellent local employment options. A student who completes this course of study will have a fundamental background in chemistry as well as a broad knowledge of biochemistry and biology and will be prepared for the following career choices:
Graduate School in biochemistry or related subject areas
Medical School
Forensics
Dentistry
Pharmaceutical Industry
Chemical Industry

The major changes to the existing biochemistry concentration include:
A full year of General Biochemistry instead of one semester.
Physical Chemistry for the Life Sciences (333 & 334) may be substituted for Physical Chemistry (331 & 332).
Eight hours of mathematics (113 & 114) instead of fourteen.
Eight hours of biology (213, 305, & 306) instead of four.
Nine hours of science electives in Chemistry or Biology.

New classes have been introduced to widen the biochemistry-related offerings available to students. These classes include a second semester of general biochemistry, bioorganic chemistry, and the chemistry of enzyme catalyzed reactions.

In addition to the general education requirements, students who select the concentration in biochemistry will be required to complete the following:
1. 44 hours of chemistry courses:
211 & 212 – General Chemistry
313, 314, 315, & 318 – Organic Chemistry and Organic Laboratory
321 – Elementary Quantitative Analysis
331 & 332 or 333 & 334 – Physical Chemistry
336 – Physical Chemistry Laboratory
350 – Computer Techniques for Chemistry
446 – Bioinorganic Chemistry
463, 464, & 465 – General Biochemistry I & II and Biochemistry Laboratory
2. Eight hours of mathematics:
113 & 114 – Analytical Geometry and Calculus
3. Eight to twelve hours of physics:
243, 244, 245, & 246 – College Physics and Physics Laboratory
or
160, 260, 261, 262, & 263 – University Physics and Physics Laboratory
4. Eight hours of biology
213 – Cell Structure and Function
305 & 306 – Biology of Microorganisms and Laboratory
5. Nine credits of Science Electives

These electives may be chosen from existing chemistry or biology courses at the 300 level or above except for Biology 301, which is not appropriate for science majors but may be taken for synthesis credit. Courses from other disciplines may be substituted as electives only if approved in advance by the coordinator. Courses of particular interest include:
Chem 467 – The Chemistry of Enzyme Reactions
Chem 468 – Bioorganic Chemistry
Chem 341 – Fundamental Inorganic Chemistry
Chem 441 – Properties and Bonding of Inorganic Compounds
Chem 451, 452 – Special Projects in Chemistry
Biol 452 – Immunology
Biol 482 – Introduction to Molecular Genetics
Biol 484 – Eukaryotic Cell Biology

Students in the biochemistry track are highly encouraged to consider spending a semester or two working in a research lab with professors from the Chemistry and Biochemistry department, the Molecular and Microbiology department, the Krasnow Institute, the Center for Biodefense, the Environmental Science and Policy department, or the Psychology department. Please contact individual faculty members to find out what research projects they may have available.

The B.S. Degree in Chemistry is recommended for students who are planning professional careers in chemistry or chemistry related fields or who are intending to pursue postgraduate studies in chemistry after graduation. The B.S. degree is certified by the American Chemical Society as meeting the necessary criteria for a professional baccalaureate degree in chemistry. Major requirements include a minimum of 52 semester hours of chemistry, 14 hours of mathematics, and 8 to 12 hours of physics.

The five-year B.S./Accelerated M.S. degree program leads to a research-based M.S. degree following satisfactory completion of 144 credits. It allows academically strong undergraduates with a commitment to research to obtain a B.S. and a M.S. degree within five academic years plus the summer of the last year.

To be considered for admission to degree status, students must have a bachelor’s degree in chemistry, biochemistry, or a related field from an accredited institution, and must meet general admission requirements for graduate study. Admission is based on a departmental evaluation of the applicant’s background as evidenced by transcripts and letters of recommendation. Applicants who received a bachelor’s degree more than five years before the application date must submit a resume.