MS in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

North Carolina State University Raleigh

Program Overview

The MS in Chemistry at North Carolina State University is a research-focused master's degree combining advanced chemistry coursework with original research leading to a thesis, making it well suited to students seeking deeper expertise and preparation for scientific research or doctoral study. Students complete graduate study across areas such as analytical, organic, inorganic and physical chemistry while developing research experience through supervised research, seminars and thesis preparation.

Curriculum structure

Year 1: Students begin with CH 610 – Special Topics in Chemistry (Introduction to Graduate Studies) and CH 601/CH 801 – Seminar, developing an understanding of graduate-level research and scientific communication. Depending on their division, students can take advanced subjects such as CH 701 – Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I: Structure and Bonding, CH 721 – Advanced Organic Chemistry I, CH 727 – Biological Mass Spectrometry, CH 730 – Advanced Physical Chemistry, or CH 737 – Quantum Chemistry.

Year 2: The second stage emphasizes research and thesis development, with CH 693 – Master's Supervised Research, CH 695 – Master's Thesis Research, and CH 699 – Master's Thesis Preparation forming the core research component. Students complete their approved advanced coursework while carrying out research leading to a master's thesis, with the full MS requiring 33 credit hours under the 2026–2027 catalog.

Focus areas: Analytical Chemistry, Biorganic & Organic Chemistry, Inorganic Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical/Synthetic Biology, Biophysics, Computational Science, Informatics, Photonics/Photophysics, Materials Science.

Learning outcomes: Graduate students develop advanced disciplinary knowledge, research capability, scientific communication and the ability to conduct original chemistry research leading to a thesis; NC State's institutional learning-outcomes framework specifically identifies mentoring, development as productive researchers and strong publication records for Chemistry-MS.

Professional alignment (accreditation): NC State identifies the MS in Chemistry as a research degree requiring graduate coursework and original research leading to a thesis; a separate professional accreditation for the Chemistry MS is not stated on the official program page.

Reputation (employability rankings): NC State's official rankings data reports the university at #320 globally in the 2027 QS World University Rankings, while Chemistry was ranked #101–150 globally in the 2026 QS subject rankings. NC State's published QS data also records earlier undergraduate employability rankings, but it does not provide a current program-specific Chemistry MS employability ranking.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The MS in Chemistry at North Carolina State University is a research-focused degree in which students build advanced laboratory and research skills through supervised research, thesis work, seminars and specialized graduate coursework. Students work alongside faculty in interdisciplinary research areas including analytical, chemical biology, computational/theoretical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, with access to sophisticated instrumentation for molecular characterization, spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and materials analysis. The program requires substantial thesis research, giving students the opportunity to apply advanced methods to an original chemistry research project.

Key experiential learning opportunities include:

Thesis research: The MS requires 11 credit hours of thesis research, including Master's Supervised Research, Master's Thesis Research and Master's Thesis Preparation, allowing students to develop and execute research under faculty mentorship.
Research laboratories: Students can participate in research across analytical, chemical biology, computational/theoretical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, with projects that may combine chemistry with chemical/synthetic biology, biophysics, computational science, informatics, photonics and materials science.
Measurement Techniques Teaching Laboratory: This teaching laboratory provides access to instruments including GC-MS, HPLC, UPLC, fluorescence spectrofluorometers, UV-Vis spectrometers, FTIR, ICP-OES, thermogravimetric analysis, differential scanning calorimetry, potentiometry/voltammetry equipment and microwave digestion.
METRIC: The Molecular Education, Technology and Research Innovation Center (METRIC) provides advanced molecular characterization capabilities in mass spectrometry, NMR/EPR magnetic resonance and X-ray crystallography. Students and researchers have access to instrumentation including MALDI-TOF, GC-MS and low-field NMR.
Analytical Instrumentation Facility: The university's AIF provides advanced materials-characterization equipment, including electron microscopy, X-ray scattering and spectroscopy, time-of-flight mass spectrometry, scanning probe microscopy and nanoindentation, together with training and technical support.
Imaging and Kinetics Spectroscopy Laboratory: IMAKS provides specialized instrumentation for vibrational spectroscopy, optical microscopy, time-resolved emission and transient-absorption spectroscopy, supporting advanced experimental research.
Biological Core Facility: The BioCore provides access to BSL-2 bacterial and cell-culture facilities, robotic liquid handling, microplate readers, phosphorimaging and automated protein-purification systems, supporting chemistry research at the interface with biological sciences.
Advanced analytical techniques: Graduate coursework can include Biological Mass Spectrometry, covering mass spectrometry fundamentals, MALDI, electrospray ionization, quadrupole and time-of-flight analyzers, Orbitrap systems, tandem mass spectrometry, small-molecule analysis and peptide sequencing.
Research seminars: Graduate students take seminar coursework involving the review and discussion of scientific articles, research progress reports and special problems of interest to chemists, strengthening scientific communication and research interpretation skills.
Industry internships: NC State Chemistry reports that graduate students participate in paid internships with regional and national companies, including BASF, Genentech, GSK and Novozymes, providing opportunities to experience industrial chemistry outside the university laboratory.
Professional development and conferences: Graduate students can publish research, travel to conferences, teach courses and participate in professional-development and networking activities through the department and Chemistry Graduate Student Association.
Specialized research environments: Additional university research resources available to chemistry researchers include ORaCEL, the Center for Integrated Fungal Research, Bioinformatics Research Center, Center for Human Health and the Environment, Genetic Engineering and Society Center, and Biomanufacturing Training and Education Center.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MS in Chemistry at North Carolina State University can pursue advanced roles across chemical research, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, materials, energy and other science-driven industries. The program also provides preparation for academic and research careers, with NC State Chemistry graduates going on to work in industry, teach and conduct research at universities, and pursue careers in government and law.

Career opportunities: Chemist, Research Scientist, Analytical Chemist, Pharmaceutical Scientist.

Career development and professional opportunities:

Career services: NC State's Career Development Center provides graduate students with career resources, including employment-outcome information, job-search support and access to data on employers, job titles, salaries and graduate-school destinations.
Industry-focused training: The Graduate School's Accelerate to Industry+ (A2i+) offers graduate students training in application preparation, interviewing, salary negotiation, project management, commercialization and other workforce skills. Its industry modules include company site visits, graduate internships, team practicums and Immersion Week.
Employment and salary information: NC State maintains a Post-Graduation Employment Dashboard with salary ranges, employers, job titles and graduate-school destinations by degree, college and major. The university's published national NACE benchmark lists $54,406 as the average salary for bachelor's-level Chemistry graduates, but NC State does not publish a comparable MS Chemistry salary figure on the page reviewed.
Chemistry industry connections: The Department of Chemistry reports relationships with companies including BASF, Cree and LORD, giving students access to industry lectures, networking, internships and employment opportunities. Chemistry graduate students also participate in paid internships with companies such as BASF, Genentech, GSK and Novozymes.
Research and professional experience: Chemistry graduate students publish research papers, attend conferences and gain experience through research training. The department reports more than $11 million in FY2025 research expenditures, supporting research infrastructure and opportunities across analytical, chemical biology, computational/theoretical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.
University–industry ecosystem: NC State's Centennial Campus hosts 70+ corporate, government and nonprofit partners, while the university reports $184 million in research sponsored by industry partners from FY2022–FY2026. These university-wide partnerships provide an additional environment for research collaboration, talent recruitment and industry engagement.
Professional networking: The Chemistry Graduate Student Association organizes professional-development activities and networking events with local industry, helping graduate students build relationships within the chemistry community and North Carolina's broader scientific sector.
Accreditation value: NC State's official accreditation listings show ACS accreditation for the Chemistry BA and BS programs, with the current accreditation period running from 2024 to 2030. The MS in Chemistry itself is not listed as an ACS-accredited program, so this accreditation should not be presented as accreditation of the master's degree.
Graduation outcomes: NC State's Graduate Future Plans Survey tracks master's and doctoral graduates' employment, salary, job-search activity and graduate/professional-school plans. The university states that its Chemistry graduates move into industry, university teaching and research, government, law and other professional fields.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into a PhD in Chemistry or a related scientific discipline, particularly if they want to develop an academic or research career. The MS also provides a foundation for further interdisciplinary research in areas such as chemical biology, materials and nanoscience, energy and environmental chemistry, and health and medicine.