MS in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Tennessee

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville is designed for students with a background in chemistry or a related field who want to develop advanced research, experimental-design and scientific communication skills through graduate study. Students can specialize in analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic, physical or polymer chemistry, while gaining experience in research and laboratory-based problem solving.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build advanced knowledge through graduate chemistry coursework and begin their research and thesis work. Depending on their concentration and diagnostic-examination results, coursework can include CHEM 530: Chemical Bonding, covering quantum approaches to molecular orbital theory, bonding and group theory; CHEM 531: Materials Inorganic Chemistry and Catalysis, focusing on contemporary inorganic materials, synthesis, characterization and catalysis; and CHEM 551: Organic Reactions, covering organic transformations, carbonyl chemistry, carbon-carbon bond formation, stereochemistry and regiochemistry.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialist knowledge while completing the research and thesis component required for the M.S.; the degree requires a minimum of 30 graduate credit hours, including 6–12 credit hours of CHEM 500 research and thesis and participation in CHEM 501 Seminar throughout graduate study. Advanced study can include courses such as CHEM 573: Chemical Kinetics and Transport, which examines chemical kinetics, chemical dynamics and transport theory, alongside concentration-specific coursework and the final oral examination.

Focus areas: Analytical chemistry, environmental chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry and polymer chemistry.

Learning outcomes: Research and experimental-design skills, advanced chemical knowledge, experimental analysis, scientific communication, professional ethics and the ability to design, conduct and interpret chemical experiments.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The University of Tennessee states that its graduate chemistry programs are approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS), providing a nationally recognized professional framework for the chemistry programs.

Reputation (employability rankings): The University of Tennessee, Knoxville was ranked #446 globally in the 2023–24 QS World University Rankings, with employer reputation and employment outcomes among the indicators used in the ranking. The university's Chemistry program also states that UT is ranked #1 globally for polymer science in U.S. News & World Report's Best Global Universities.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville combines advanced coursework with opportunities to develop practical research skills in a department spanning analytical, biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. Students can work with specialized instrumentation and research facilities across chemistry and the broader university research environment, gaining experience with modern analytical and computational approaches used in active research. These opportunities allow students to apply graduate-level chemistry concepts to laboratory and research problems rather than relying only on classroom study.

Research laboratories: Graduate students can undertake research with faculty across areas including analytical, biological, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry, with laboratory projects tailored to active faculty research programs.
Advanced instrumentation: Departmental research infrastructure includes specialized instrumentation for techniques such as NMR spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, X-ray crystallography and chromatography, supporting hands-on chemical analysis and characterization.
Computational research: Research groups use computational approaches in areas such as quantum chemistry, molecular modeling and theoretical chemistry, giving students opportunities to work with digital methods alongside experimental research.
Research institutes: Chemistry research connects with the wider University of Tennessee–Oak Ridge National Laboratory research environment, providing opportunities for interdisciplinary work involving energy, materials, chemical sciences and related research areas.
NMR facilities: The university provides access to NMR instrumentation for structural and analytical characterization, allowing students to develop practical experience with magnetic-resonance techniques.
X-ray crystallography: Students involved in appropriate research can use X-ray crystallographic facilities to determine molecular and solid-state structures.
Mass spectrometry: Mass spectrometric instrumentation supports molecular identification and characterization across chemistry research projects.
Graduate research: M.S. students can participate in faculty-led research projects, applying advanced chemical methods to current research questions and building laboratory and scientific communication skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville develops research, experimental design, data analysis and scientific communication skills that can support careers across chemistry, biotechnology, environmental analysis, materials science and related fields. The program offers six concentrations—analytical, environmental, inorganic, organic, physical and polymer chemistry—and admitted students receive either a graduate teaching assistantship or research assistantship, giving them practical teaching or research experience alongside their studies.

Typical job roles: Quality Control Chemist, Chemical Technician, Environmental Science and Protection Technician, Data Scientist.

Career services: The Center for Career Development & Academic Exploration supports graduate students with career exploration, skills assessment, application materials, job-search strategies and career events, including STEM and Engineering Job Fairs and Spring Job and Internship Fairs.
Employment statistics: The university reports that 57% of the 2025 Chemistry PhD graduates were working in the chemical industry; this is a PhD outcome and should not be interpreted as an M.S.-specific employment rate. Tennessee's chemical industry has also invested more than $400 million over the previous six years and created 2,000+ jobs.
Salary figures: UT reports an $82,400 average salary for chemical industry workers in Tennessee; this is an industry-level Tennessee figure rather than a salary specifically for M.S. Chemistry graduates.
University–industry connections: UT Chemistry highlights the department's role in Tennessee's expanding chemical industry and its research connections across the university and beyond. The department also provides students with research assistantship opportunities, while the new Charles & Julie Wharton Chemistry Building is being developed with 28 research laboratories, three teaching laboratories and collaborative research spaces to support chemistry education and research.
Professional accreditation: The official Chemistry department information identifies ACS certification for the undergraduate B.S. Chemistry track, but does not state a separate ACS accreditation or certification for the M.S. Chemistry program. Therefore, no specific long-term accreditation value for the master's degree is claimed here.
Graduation outcomes: The university states that M.S. Chemistry graduates can pursue careers in product or process development, testing, biotechnology, environmental analysis, agricultural chemistry, analytical chemistry, materials science and related fields. Students can also use the degree as preparation for more specialized study, including a Ph.D.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S. in Chemistry, students can progress to the Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville or pursue doctoral study elsewhere. UT's Chemistry Ph.D. offers concentrations including analytical, chemical physics, environmental, inorganic, organic, physical, polymer and theoretical chemistry, allowing students to develop more specialized research expertise. The department specifically states that it admits Ph.D. students who already hold an undergraduate or M.S. degree in chemistry or a related field.