Chemistry (MS)

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Program Description

This degree is designed for students who have decided not to pursue a Ph.D.  The department views the master's degree as a terminal degree that usually takes about 3-4 semesters of coursework and research to achieve.

Admissions

All applicants to the Graduate School of Arts and Science (GSAS) are required to submit the general application requirements, which include:

• Academic Transcripts
• Test Scores (if required)
• Applicant Statements
• Résumé or Curriculum Vitae
• Letters of Recommendation, and
• A non-refundable application fee.

See Chemistry for admission requirements and instructions specific to this program.

Program Requirements

Students must satisfactorily complete 32 credits (minimum of 24 credits while in residence at New York University) with a GPA of 3.0 or better and no single class grade below B-. Students are required to take a 0-credit course CHEM-GA 2673 Professional Development, during the first semester in residence.

Students may choose one of the two paths detailed below:

Thesis Path

In the Thesis Masters path, students must prepare a dissertation based on original research using the NYU Dissertation formatting requirements accompanied by an oral examination and defense of this research in the major field (thesis masters). The Master’s Thesis Examination Committee consists of three members of the faculty (one must be the thesis advisor). The Master’s thesis defense consists of an oral presentation by the student, approximately 45-50 minutes in length, which is open to the public. A closed-door question-and-answer section by the Master’s Thesis Examination Committee immediately follows the public presentation.

Non-Thesis Path

Non-thesis Masters students must complete 30 credits in graduate lecture courses and the mandatory 2 credit course CHEM-GA 3010 Graduate Seminar, with a GPA of B (3.0) or better. In this seminar course, students must research an important topic of chemistry from the literature (the topic has to be agreed on by the instructor on record for the seminar course), identify 3-5 publications that describe cutting edge research in the chosen topic, prepare and present in a public setting a 45 minute seminar on the chosen topic followed by a question and answer session from the audience. This literature review followed by a public presentation is viewed as the capstone requirement for this plan.

Course List

Course	Title	Credits
Major Requirements
CHEM-GA 2673	Professional Development 1	0
CHEM-GA 3010	Graduate Seminar 2	2
Electives
Chemistry Electives		30-32
Total Credits		32

¹

For students in the thesis Master's path.

²

For students in the non-thesis Master's path.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid

1st Semester/Term		Credits
Chemistry Elective		4
Chemistry Elective		4
CHEM-GA 2673	Professional Development	0
	Credits	8
2nd Semester/Term
Chemistry Elective		4
Chemistry Elective		4
	Credits	8
3rd Semester/Term
Chemistry Elective		4
Chemistry Elective		4
CHEM-GA 3010	Graduate Seminar	2
	Credits	8
4th Semester/Term
Chemistry Elective		4
Chemistry Elective		4
	Credits	8
	Total Credits	32

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will:

1. Have made a significant and original contribution to the field of chemistry.
2. Have mastered the theories and concepts in their area of specialization.
3. Be able to critically evaluate the scientific literature.
4. Be able to think critically.

Policies

NYU Policies

University-wide policies can be found on the New York University Policy pages.

Graduate School of Arts and Science Policies

Academic Policies for the Graduate School of Arts and Science can be found on the Academic Policies page.