MS Chemistry

Students in Dartmouth College’s MS in Chemistry gain intensive practical experience through independent, original research integrated with graduate coursework. The one-year 4+1 MS pathway requires students to conduct independent research, complete a research-based thesis, defend their work orally, and develop the ability to critically evaluate scientific literature and communicate research findings. Research takes place in Burke Laboratory, where Dartmouth supports modern work across organic, biological, inorganic, organometallic, materials, physical and theoretical chemistry.

Students can build hands-on research experience through:

• Independent research: Students design and conduct independent research in the chemical sciences and complete a thesis based on original research, which must be approved and defended before graduation.
• Research laboratories: Most chemistry research laboratories are located in the modern Burke Laboratory, supporting experimental and computational research across multiple chemistry disciplines.
• Advanced instrumentation: Students can work with research equipment including 500 MHz and 600 MHz NMR spectrometers, X-ray diffractometers, gas chromatograph/mass spectrometers, electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometers, FTIR spectrometers, LC-MS/MS, circular dichroism, UV/Visible/NIR spectrophotometers, fluorimeters, HPLC, thermogravimetric analyzers and differential scanning calorimetry.
• Computational chemistry: Dartmouth provides Unix workstations with quantum chemistry software and faculty research includes computational chemistry, molecular simulations, multi-scale modeling and reaction modeling.
• NMR and spectroscopy: The Instrumentation Core Facility includes Bruker 500 MHz and 600 MHz NMR systems, with capabilities for multidimensional experiments and variable-temperature measurements. The facility also supports FTIR, EPR, CD and other analytical instrumentation.
• Graduate research colloquia: Students present current literature or their own research in graduate research colloquia, developing skills in critical analysis, scientific presentation and the use of audiovisual materials.
• Research group participation: Students can work within faculty research groups spanning areas such as adaptive functional materials, asymmetric catalysis, organic synthesis, materials chemistry, sensors, molecular simulations, NMR spectroscopy and soft-matter chemistry.
• Scientific literature and library resources: The Kresge Physical Sciences Library provides chemistry research resources, while Dartmouth’s chemistry collection supports research across chemistry and related areas including biological sciences, earth sciences, environmental studies, physics, engineering and medicine.
• Interdisciplinary research: Chemistry research resources support interdisciplinary initiatives including the Center for Nanomaterials Research at Dartmouth and the Toxic Metals Research Program, connecting chemistry with engineering, physics, biological sciences and environmental health research.
• Oral and written research communication: The MS learning outcomes specifically include presenting research orally and composing written documents describing research, while the thesis and oral defense provide a substantial capstone research experience.
• Industry and research exposure: Dartmouth’s chemistry department holds weekly departmental colloquia featuring speakers from other universities and industry, giving students exposure to current research and professional perspectives.

Graduates of Dartmouth’s MS in Chemistry develop advanced capabilities in chemical principles, independent research, scientific literature evaluation, oral presentation and scientific writing. The program’s substantial research component can support careers in laboratory research, chemical and materials science, biotechnology and related technical fields, while also providing preparation for further graduate or professional study.

Career opportunities: Research Chemist, Laboratory Scientist, Materials Scientist, Chemical Research Associate: Dartmouth’s chemistry department highlights opportunities across chemistry, industry and government, while its alumni have also progressed into medicine, law and business.

Career development and graduate outcomes:

• Career support: Dartmouth’s Center for Professional Development provides support for post-graduate planning, including job and internship information, recruiting opportunities, graduate-education resources, application assistance and résumé support.

• Job and internship access: Dartmouth’s career platform lists full-time, internship and other opportunities, including positions in life sciences, health, biotechnology and pharmaceuticals.

• Research-to-career preparation: The MS learning outcomes specifically include designing and conducting independent chemical research, critically evaluating scientific literature, presenting research orally and preparing written research documents—skills directly relevant to research-focused employment.

• Employment statistics and salary: Dartmouth does not publish a program-specific employment rate or salary figure for the Chemistry MS on its official Chemistry pages. The $93,000 average starting salary and 92% employment rate published by Dartmouth Engineering apply to its U.S.-based MEng/MS graduates and should not be treated as Chemistry MS outcomes.

• University–industry connections: Dartmouth’s Chemistry Department supports research in areas including adaptive functional materials, asymmetric catalysis, metal nanoparticles and nanoclusters, polymers, sensors, organic synthesis and soft-matter simulations. The department does not identify a specific industry partner exclusively associated with this MS on the official program page.

• Research environment: The Chemistry Department occupies a modern research building with advanced research facilities and equipment, with research spanning organic, biological, inorganic, organometallic, materials, physical and theoretical chemistry.

• Graduation outcomes: Dartmouth chemistry alumni have progressed into professional chemistry, academia, medicine, law and business, demonstrating the breadth of pathways available from advanced chemistry training.

• Accreditation value: Dartmouth’s official Chemistry pages do not state a separate professional accreditation specifically for the MS in Chemistry; therefore, no program-specific accreditation claim is made here.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the MS, students can pursue doctoral-level study in chemistry or related scientific fields. At Dartmouth, the Chemistry Department offers a PhD covering areas such as organic, biological, inorganic, organometallic, materials, physical and theoretical chemistry; however, Dartmouth does not admit students directly to a terminal Chemistry MS, with its one-year MS pathway specifically structured as a 4+1 program for Dartmouth AB students.