Master of Science in Chemistry

Students in the Master of Science in Chemistry at Iowa State University can develop advanced practical research skills through hands-on work in specialized chemistry laboratories and centralized analytical facilities. The department's Hach Hall provides flexible research laboratories, modern teaching laboratories and centralized instrumentation, while the Chemical Instrumentation Facility (CIF) gives graduate researchers training and consultation in nuclear magnetic resonance, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction, spectrophotometry and related analytical techniques. Students can also work within interdisciplinary research environments connected to Ames Laboratory, where chemistry researchers collaborate with physicists and engineers on materials, catalysis, environmental management and computational science.

The program's practical research environment includes:

• Chemical Instrumentation Facility: Graduate students can receive training in and use NMR, mass spectrometry, X-ray diffraction and spectrophotometry instrumentation, with facility staff also providing consultation on experimental planning and data interpretation.
• Advanced NMR resources: The department expanded its NMR capabilities with an AVIIIHD300 automated NMR spectrometer and autosampler in 2025, designed for high-throughput sample analysis and available to researchers across the Iowa State campus.
• Hach Hall research laboratories: Hach Hall contains physical and analytical research laboratories, synthetic research laboratories, modern teaching laboratories and dedicated instrumentation facilities. Its research spaces are designed to accommodate changing research teams, techniques and equipment.
• Research projects: Graduate students can join faculty research groups and develop practical research skills through experimental or computational projects. The department's research environment spans areas including materials, catalysis, environmental chemistry, analytical chemistry and computational science.
• Computational chemistry: Students working in computational chemistry can learn to use and understand theoretical methods and software packages, develop computational methods and run scientific calculations on large-scale computing resources.
• Scientific software and databases: Iowa State chemistry research groups report access to scientific resources including GAMESS computational software, SciFinder Scholar, Beilstein, PubMed and Web of Knowledge, together with online scientific literature through the university libraries.
• Mass spectrometry and chromatography: Research laboratories use advanced analytical equipment including HPLC systems, GC-MS, ICP-MS and spectrophotometers, with additional department-wide access to mass spectrometry and other characterization facilities through the CIF.
• Materials characterization: Students working in materials and physical chemistry can access techniques including NMR, X-ray diffraction, FT-IR, UV-Vis, EPR, TGA/DSC and microscopy through departmental and collaborative facilities.
• Interdisciplinary research: The department's relationship with Ames Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy national laboratory located at Iowa State, provides opportunities for chemistry research alongside physicists and engineers in areas such as materials, catalysis, environmental management and computational science.
• Center for Biorenewable Chemicals: Iowa State's Center for Biorenewable Chemicals (CBiRC) works on tools, components and materials for transforming carbohydrate feedstocks into biobased chemicals, providing a relevant interdisciplinary research environment for chemistry students.
• Glass and machine shops: The Chemistry Department maintains dedicated glass and machine shops that support research activities. The machine shop manufactures and repairs research equipment and can produce specialized components for research projects.
• Teaching and laboratory experience: Eligible master's students can apply for Chemistry Department teaching assistant positions, where responsibilities include preparing and teaching laboratory or recitation sections, following laboratory safety procedures, grading laboratory reports and working as part of a teaching team.
• Research communication: Graduate students can participate in research presentations and poster activities, including the department's graduate student poster competition associated with the Cotton-Uphaus Award.

Iowa State’s M.S. in Chemistry provides advanced preparation for research and professional chemistry careers through faculty-led research and exposure to multiple chemistry disciplines. Graduates can move into research, laboratory and industrial roles, while the program also provides a strong foundation for doctoral study and other advanced scientific pathways.

Career opportunities: Research Scientist, Chemist, Laboratory Scientist, Quality Control/Quality Assurance Scientist.

Career support and progression:

• Job placement: Iowa State’s Chemistry Department reports that graduates receive offers from companies and academic institutions, with alumni working at organizations including Abbott Labs, Johnson & Johnson, Baxter International, 3M, NASA Ames Research Center, Genentech, Intel and Dow Corning.
• Career services: The Chemistry Department assists students with job searches, maintains an active file of academic job opportunities, and notes that companies come to campus to interview chemists. Faculty advisers can also help students identify employment opportunities.
• Employment and salary: Iowa State’s LAS Chemistry career-planning resource reports a $100,000 median salary for M.S. in Chemistry graduates. The university identifies career areas including environmental science, engineering, chemistry, forensics, quality assurance, technical writing and technical sales. The salary figure is based on 2024 salary data from the American Chemical Society’s survey rather than an Iowa State-specific employment survey.
• Research and industry connections: The Chemistry Department has 27 active research groups receiving more than $30 million annually from federal and state agencies and industry. Graduate students work with faculty on individual and collaborative research projects in areas including analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, as well as materials chemistry, forensics and biophysical chemistry.
• Industry opportunities: Iowa State’s broader industry network connects students with internships, employment, class projects and collaborative research. The Iowa State University Research Park provides professional opportunities with industry leaders, while the Ames Laboratory, a U.S. Department of Energy laboratory located on the Iowa State campus, provides research opportunities for graduate students alongside scientists.
• Graduation outcomes: Iowa State’s Chemistry Department reports that graduates are highly sought after and progress into positions across industry and academia. The university’s LAS Career Outcomes Database also records chemistry graduates entering roles and further study across research, industry and advanced-degree pathways.
• Professional value: Iowa State’s Chemistry Department offers research across established chemistry disciplines and interdisciplinary areas, allowing graduates to build specialized expertise that can support long-term careers in scientific research, industry and academia. A specific professional accreditation for the M.S. in Chemistry is not stated on the official program sources reviewed.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S. in Chemistry, students can continue into doctoral-level chemistry research, including Iowa State’s Ph.D. pathway with areas such as analytical/bioanalytical, inorganic/materials, organic/bioorganic and physical/theoretical chemistry. The department also offers Ph.D. specializations in Materials Chemistry, Industrial Chemistry, Biomolecular Science, Chemical Instrumentation, Forensic Chemistry and Chemical Education, providing routes toward advanced research and academic careers.