Chemistry (MS)

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Cornell University

Program Overview

The Chemistry (MS) at Cornell University is an individually tailored graduate program for students seeking advanced education in the chemical sciences, with opportunities to develop expertise across analytical, biological, inorganic, organic, materials, physical and theoretical chemistry. Students complete at least 30 credit hours, undertake original research and develop advanced skills in critical inquiry, independent research, scientific communication and teaching; Cornell notes that three semesters is a more typical completion period for its requirements.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: The program begins with CHEM 5110, which introduces students to the broad range of tools and opportunities available for chemical research at Cornell and across the university. Because the M.S. does not prescribe a rigid course sequence, students build an individualized program in consultation with the M.S. graduate program director, selecting advanced chemistry and closely related courses suited to their interests; examples include CHEM 6250: Advanced Analytical Chemistry I, which covers NMR and high-resolution mass spectrometry, and CHEM 6660: Synthetic Organic Chemistry, which explores modern organic synthesis, catalysis, photochemistry and electrochemistry.

Research and completion: Alongside advanced coursework, students are expected to become involved in original research in an area of chemical interest. Research-focused study can include courses such as CHEM 5810: Computational Methods in Chemistry, CHEM 6090: Nanomaterials: Chemistry and Physics or CHEM 6290: Electrochemistry, depending on the student's program of study, culminating in a master's research project documented through an archive document presented to the student's special committee and the Graduate School.

Focus areas: Biophysical chemistry, chemical biology, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, organometallic chemistry, physical chemistry, polymer chemistry and theoretical chemistry.

Learning outcomes: Advanced breadth and depth in chemistry and related fields; ability to acquire, evaluate and synthesize scientific knowledge; ability to formulate research questions, design experiments, acquire and analyze data using appropriate analytical, mathematical, statistical and computational tools; effective scientific writing, presentation and defense of research.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Cornell's official sources do not state a separate ACS accreditation or certification for the Chemistry and Chemical Biology M.S.; the department does state that its undergraduate Chemistry honors curriculum is ACS-certified, which should not be interpreted as certification of the M.S. program.

Reputation (employability rankings): Cornell's Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology states that it has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 Chemistry graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report. The department also highlights four Nobel Prize winners among its history and an interdisciplinary research structure that allows students in the Chemistry and Chemical Biology field to work with faculty across areas including chemical engineering, materials science and engineering, microbiology and immunology, molecular biology and genetics, and nutritional sciences.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Chemistry (MS) at Cornell University is strongly research-oriented, giving students practical experience with original chemical research while developing advanced laboratory and analytical skills. The program begins with CHEM 5110: Chemical Facilities Boot Camp, introducing students to research tools and opportunities across Cornell, and students are expected to complete an original research project documented in an archive document presented to their special committee.

Research facilities and tools: Students can use Cornell’s specialized chemistry facilities for hands-on research, including NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and polymer characterization, alongside broader interdisciplinary research centers across campus.

Key experiential opportunities:

Chemical Facilities Boot Camp: CHEM 5110 introduces M.S. students to the chemical research tools and facilities available within the Chemistry Department and across Cornell.
Original research project: Students undertake original research in an area of chemical interest, with the completed master's research project documented and presented to the student's special committee and Graduate School.
NMR Facility: Cornell's NMR Facility houses five high-field spectrometers ranging from 400–600 MHz, including 500 MHz Bruker instruments equipped with nitrogen-cooled Prodigy CryoProbes; students can independently operate instruments after required training.
Mass Spectrometry Facility: Students can access instruments including a Thermo GC-Exactive GC-MS and a Thermo Exactive with DART ion source for analysis of small molecules and synthetic polymers.
X-Ray Diffraction Facility: The department provides dedicated X-ray diffraction capabilities supporting structural and materials-related chemical research.
Polymer Characterization Facility: Students working in polymer chemistry can access Cornell's dedicated Polymer Characterization Facility for advanced materials research.
Interdisciplinary research centers: Graduate students have access to facilities including the Cornell Center for Materials Research (CCMR), Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF), Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS), Biotechnology Resource Center (BRC), Center for Advanced Computing (CAC), Kavli Institute at Cornell for Nanoscale Science (KIC) and Nanobiotechnology Center (NBTC).
Computational research: The Center for Advanced Computing (CAC) provides a university-wide research environment relevant to computational chemistry and theoretical work.
Instrument development and technical support: Chemistry students and researchers can access the department's Electronic/Instrument Shop, Chemistry IT, Stockroom and Chemistry Building Services, supporting specialized research activities.
Teaching experience: The M.S. program requires two semesters of teaching assistantship, giving students practical experience communicating chemistry and supporting undergraduate instruction.
Responsible research training: Students complete Responsible Conduct of Research Training and maintain an ORCID, reinforcing professional research practices and researcher identification.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Chemistry (MS) at Cornell University gives students advanced preparation in the chemical sciences through individualized graduate coursework, independent research and exposure to modern chemical research tools. The program is particularly suited to students seeking deeper preparation for careers in the chemical sciences or further study in chemistry, medicine and related physical-science and engineering fields.

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

Career services: Cornell’s Graduate School provides career and professional-development resources through Pathways to Success, including professional-development programs and workshops; Cornell also provides career advising and resources for evaluating industry, government and academic opportunities.
Employment statistics & salary: Cornell publishes graduate program statistics and career-outcome resources, but the official sources reviewed do not state a Chemistry MS-specific employment rate or median salary. Cornell’s published alumni career information does report that Cornell alumni work in more than 100 countries and that more than half of alumni with physical-sciences and engineering degrees work outside education, but this is broader than the Chemistry MS population.
University–industry connections: The Chemistry & Chemical Biology field allows students to work with faculty across departments including Chemical & Biomolecular Engineering, Materials Science & Engineering, Microbiology & Immunology, Molecular Biology & Genetics and Nutritional Sciences, supporting interdisciplinary research with applications across science and engineering. Students can also access state-of-the-art facilities such as the Cornell NanoScale Science and Technology Facility (CNF) and Cornell High Energy Synchrotron Source (CHESS).
Professional value: Cornell’s Chemistry & Chemical Biology department has a long-standing research profile, including four Nobel Prize winners among its former members, and the department states that its graduate program has been consistently ranked among the Top 10 Chemistry graduate programs by U.S. News & World Report. The official sources reviewed do not state a separate professional accreditation or ACS certification specifically for the Chemistry MS.
Graduation outcomes: Completion of the MS requires at least 30 graduate credits and an original master’s research project documented in an archival document and presented to the student’s special committee and the Graduate School. The program develops capabilities in scientific scholarship, independent research, experimental design, data acquisition, analytical and computational methods, scientific writing and presentation.

Further Academic Progression: After the MS, students can pursue doctoral study in Chemistry and Chemical Biology, including Cornell’s PhD program, or apply to doctoral and professional programs in related areas such as medicine, chemical sciences, physical sciences and engineering. Cornell explicitly states that completing the MS does not preclude a subsequent application to its PhD program, although the MS is not an alternate pathway or automatic admission route into the PhD.