Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) | Chemistry

Earn a Bachelor's and a Master's in Five Years

Are you ready to accelerate your education? Get on the degree fast track with the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program, and you will earn both a Bachelor of Science and a research-based Master of Science in Chemistry in five years of full-time study.

"I find inspiration to work hard, and continue to push forward in research from the myriad of dedicated faculty, staff, and students found in the Department of Chemistry ."
Alexander Apostle, PhD Student Chemistry

This accelerated degree plan allows you to combine the master's degree with any bachelor's degree offered by the Department of Chemistry, including the Bachelor of Science in Chemistry, Bachelor of Science in Pharmaceutical Chemistry, and Bachelor of Science in Computational Chemistry and Chemical Informatics, or the interdisciplinary Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Students enrolled in the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program begin graduate course work during the fourth year and finish the requirements for their master's degree within three semesters of completing their bachelor's degree. Upon graduation, you will be prepared to succeed in industry or in a chemistry doctoral program.

Chemistry Accelerated MS Requirements

Admissions

Students may apply for admission to the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program anytime after sophomore-level class standing is attained and before a bachelor's degree is awarded.
Students pursuing this path should identify a potential research advisor and begin undergraduate research as early as possible.
If you are an interested third- or fourth-year student, see the graduate program assistant for an audit of your credits to date. You will then discuss your degree options with the Graduate Programs Committee chair.
Students must apply for admission to the accelerated MS program though the standard Graduate School application process.
Only students who intend to complete both a bachelor's and a master's degree at Michigan Tech are eligible to enroll in the accelerated MS program.
Students already enrolled in a graduate program may not retroactively enroll in the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program.

Advising

An advisor will be assigned to each accelerated MS student. For more information, contact our graduate program assistant.

Credits

Through the Chemistry Accelerated Master's (BS-MS) program, a minimum of 152 total credits must be completed to meet the combined requirements of the Bachelor of Science and Master of Science.
Up to 6 credits taken during a student's fourth year may be applied toward both the bachelor's and master's degrees. Prior to completion of the master's degree, students must indicate on their master's degree schedule which courses, along with the corresponding number of credits (a maximum of 6), should be applied to both their bachelor's and master's degrees.

GPA

Only students in good academic standing, as defined by the Graduate School, are eligible to enter the accelerated MS program. Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above on a 4.0 scale.

Program Overview

Third year

During the spring semester, you will begin undergraduate research, either in a class such as CH4721 or by enrolling in CH4990.

CH 4721 - Research Methods in Biomolecular Chemistry

Lab course will emphasize the research process in biomolecular chemistry by actively involving students in question formulation, experimental design, data gathering, critical analysis, teamwork, and communication in an inquiry-based format. Students will employ methods used in modern biochemistry/molecular biology in a series of open-ended experiments that will lead to a student-developed original research project.

Credits: 3.0
Lec-Rec-Lab: (0-0-7)
Semesters Offered: Spring
Pre-Requisite(s): CH 4710 and CH 4222 or (CH 4220 and CH 4221) or CH 4212 or (CH 4220 and CH 4211) and CH 4720

CH 4990 - Undergraduate Research in Chemistry

An undergraduate research experience in which students select a literature and laboratory research problem and write a report on the work performed. The student typically signs up for 1 to 3 credits per semester; most problems require more than one semester to complete. Requires GPA of 2.50 or better.

Credits: variable to 6.0; Repeatable to a Max of 12
Semesters Offered: Fall, Spring, Summer
Restrictions: Permission of instructor required

Summer semester following your third year

You will enroll in at least 3 credits of undergraduate research under the Senior Rule (these credits will count toward only your master's degree, not your bachelor's degree).

Fourth year

You will enroll in 6 course credits that will count toward both your bachelor's degree and your master's degree. You will choose these credits in consultation with your advisor and the Graduate Programs Committee, especially looking for graduate-level courses (5000 level or higher). You will need a minimum of 12 graduate-level course credits (not including research credits) to meet the master's degree requirements, and scheduling can be difficult.

Summer semester following your fourth year

After receiving your bachelor's degree, you will enroll in 3 master's research credits. At this time, your status will change to graduate student.

Fifth year

You will enroll in a rigorous curriculum combining course work and research credits. You will plan your schedule in consultation with your advisor and the Graduate Programs Committee, which will ensure mastery of chemistry at an advanced level in both breadth and depth.

Summer semester following your fifth year

You will write and defend your thesis.