MS Chemistry

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Auburn University

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemistry at Auburn University provides advanced coursework and research training across analytical chemistry, biochemistry, computational and theoretical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry and physical chemistry, preparing students for scientific careers or further graduate study. The program requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours and combines formal coursework with seminars, formal presentations, original research and a thesis, making it particularly suitable for students seeking research-focused preparation in chemistry.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish their advanced chemistry foundation through graduate-level coursework selected according to their research interests and performance in placement examinations covering analytical, inorganic, organic, physical and biochemistry areas. The M.S. plan includes CHEM 7950: Seminar, CHEM 7750: Formal Presentations in Modern Chemistry, and approved 6000–8999-level chemistry courses, with the plan developed in consultation with the research advisor and advisory committee.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialization through additional 6000–8999-level coursework and devote credits to CHEM 7990: Research and Thesis, culminating in an oral presentation and thesis defense. The flexible plan can be tailored to the student's research project and interests, with CHEM 7930: Directed Individual Study available for up to 15 hours.

Focus areas: Analytical chemistry, biochemistry, computational and theoretical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and discipline-based chemistry education research.

Learning outcomes: Advanced disciplinary knowledge, research experience, scientific presentation skills, independent problem-solving and the ability to conduct and defend original chemistry research through a master's thesis.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Auburn University is institutionally accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award master's degrees; the official accreditation information reviewed does not identify a separate specialized accreditation for the M.S. in Chemistry.

Reputation (official standing): Auburn University identifies itself as an R1 institution, reflecting its classification as a research-intensive university, while the Chemistry and Biochemistry Department highlights nationally recognized faculty, advanced laboratories and original research opportunities. The official university sources reviewed do not publish a current QS or Guardian employability ranking specifically for the M.S. in Chemistry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemistry at Auburn University gives students opportunities to build practical research skills through graduate-level laboratory work and faculty-supervised research across areas such as analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, physical and materials chemistry. Students can work with specialized instrumentation and research facilities within the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry and collaborate across Auburn’s wider research environment; key opportunities include:

Research laboratories: Graduate students can conduct research in faculty laboratories spanning analytical chemistry, biochemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and materials-related research.
Advanced instrumentation: Departmental research capabilities include NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, electron microscopy and chromatography, supporting structural, analytical and materials characterization.
NMR facilities: Students can gain experience with nuclear magnetic resonance techniques used to investigate molecular structure and chemical behavior through Auburn’s NMR facilities.
Mass spectrometry: The university provides access to mass spectrometry capabilities for molecular characterization and analytical research.
X-ray crystallography: Research facilities support X-ray diffraction and crystallographic analysis, providing practical experience with determining molecular and solid-state structures.
Materials characterization: Students working in materials-related chemistry can use advanced characterization capabilities, including electron microscopy and other analytical instrumentation available through Auburn research facilities.
Interdisciplinary research: Chemistry and Biochemistry graduate research connects with other Auburn research areas, allowing students to participate in projects that cross traditional disciplinary boundaries.
Faculty-led research: Students can work directly with chemistry and biochemistry faculty on active research projects, developing experience in experimental design, laboratory techniques, data interpretation and scientific communication.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemistry at Auburn University combines advanced coursework with research training across analytical, biochemistry, computational and theoretical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, preparing graduates for scientific careers in industry, government and research or for further graduate study. Auburn specifically describes the M.S. as a pathway to scientific careers or continued graduate education, while its chemistry department provides opportunities to conduct original research alongside faculty.

Typical job roles: Chemist, Research Scientist, Analytical Chemist, Laboratory Scientist.

Career services: Auburn's Career Discovery and Success supports students and recent alumni across degree levels with career coaching, career exploration, application-material preparation, employer and alumni connections, job and internship opportunities, career fairs and professional-development resources. Its Labor Market Insights platform also provides information on employment trends, employers, education levels, annual earnings, technical skills and job titles.
Employment statistics and salary: Auburn's official First Destination Survey tracks graduates' immediate post-graduation plans and follows up with students who do not report full-time employment or continuing education. A chemistry-specific employment rate or starting-salary figure is not stated on the official Auburn sources reviewed, so no chemistry-specific salary figure is provided here.
University–industry connections: Auburn's chemistry research includes collaborations with researchers outside the university and work supported by organizations such as the National Science Foundation and U.S. Department of Energy; for example, the Goldsmith Research Group conducts research on electrocatalysts relevant to fuel cells and metal-air batteries and collaborates extensively within and beyond Auburn. Auburn's university-wide Innovation and Partnership Exchange (IPX) also connects researchers with industry and other external partners for collaborative and sponsored research.
Professional value: Auburn's Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry has faculty active in professional organizations including the American Chemical Society (ACS), with faculty recognition including ACS Fellow status and ACS awards. The official Auburn sources reviewed do not state a separate professional accreditation or ACS certification specifically for the M.S. Chemistry degree.
Graduation outcomes: Auburn's chemistry department identifies industry, academia and government as destinations for graduates and states that its M.S. provides preparation for scientific careers or further graduate study. Auburn's First Destination Survey provides a university-wide mechanism for tracking employment and continuing-education outcomes after graduation.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S. Chemistry, students can progress to Auburn University's Ph.D. in Chemistry, which develops the ability to conduct original research and prepares graduates for careers in academia, industry, government and other areas of chemical science. Auburn officially offers both the M.S. and Ph.D. in Chemistry, allowing students to continue their advanced study within the department or pursue doctoral study at another institution.