Master of Science in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Texas Dallas

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemistry at The University of Texas at Dallas is a research-focused graduate program requiring a minimum of 30 semester credit hours, designed for students seeking preparation for chemistry careers, further scientific training, or continued study in chemistry. Students build advanced expertise through core chemistry coursework, scientific communication, graduate research and a required thesis, with opportunities to work across areas including nanotechnology, biochemistry, biotechnology, organic, inorganic, materials, analytical, polymer and physical chemistry.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students establish advanced foundations through core courses such as CHEM 5314 Advanced Physical Chemistry, covering quantum mechanics, thermodynamics/statistical mechanics and kinetics, alongside CHEM 5331 Advanced Organic Chemistry I, which develops understanding of bonding, structure, stereochemistry and reactivity. Students also complete CHEM 5341 Advanced Inorganic Chemistry I, covering structure and bonding, symmetry, coordination chemistry and spectroscopy, while beginning the program's research-oriented training.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialization through CHEM 5355 Analytical Techniques I, which covers optical spectroscopy, mass spectrometry, microscopy and surface-analysis methods, together with CHEM 5361 Advanced Biochemistry and approved graduate electives. The program also requires CHEM 6389 Scientific Literature and Communication Skills, substantial research through CHEM 8V91 Research in Chemistry and CHEM 8V98 Thesis, culminating in a written and presented master's thesis supervised by a faculty committee.

Focus areas: Nanotechnology, biochemistry and biotechnology, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, materials chemistry, analytical chemistry, polymer chemistry and physical chemistry, with research topics including nanoscience, energy-storage materials, solar cells, biological NMR, supramolecular chemistry, bioanalytical chemistry and molecular modeling.

Learning outcomes: Students develop advanced lecture and laboratory knowledge, scientific literature and communication skills, research capabilities, and the ability to investigate chemistry problems through supervised graduate research and thesis work.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official UT Dallas graduate catalog does not state a separate professional accreditation for the M.S. in Chemistry. The program is housed within the School of Natural Sciences and Mathematics and emphasizes graduate research and preparation for industry or further scientific training.

Reputation (employability rankings): UT Dallas reports that 24+ Fortune 500 companies in the Dallas-Fort Worth area have hired UT Dallas graduates, and the university identifies STEM as one of its nationally ranked areas; however, an official program-specific Chemistry employability ranking from QS or another ranking organization is not stated on the official program page.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemistry at UT Dallas is strongly research-oriented, with the current graduate curriculum requiring 18 semester credit hours of research and a master's thesis, giving students substantial opportunity to develop practical laboratory and research skills. Students can work across nanotechnology, biochemistry/biotechnology, organic, inorganic, materials, analytical, polymer and physical chemistry, using specialized instrumentation and interdisciplinary facilities across the university.

Students can build this hands-on experience through the following program-specific resources and research opportunities:

NMR instrumentation: Chemistry facilities include 270 MHz, 400 MHz and 500 MHz multi-nuclear FT-NMR spectrometers, as well as a 600 MHz solid-state NMR system for advanced chemical characterization.
Mass spectrometry: Students have access to a MALDI-TOF mass spectrometer, along with several GC-MS and HPLC-MS systems for chemical analysis and characterization.
X-ray analysis: The department provides powder and single-crystal X-ray diffractometers, supporting research involving crystal structures, materials and inorganic chemistry.
Spectroscopy: Available instrumentation includes spectrophotometers using fluorescence, phosphorescence and absorption, while graduate coursework also covers IR, mass spectrometry and 1H/13C/2D NMR spectroscopy.
Microscopy: Chemistry research facilities include scanning tunneling microscopy, atomic force microscopy and transmission electron microscopy, allowing students to investigate materials and structures at very small scales.
Molecular modelling: The department provides workstations with molecular modeling software, giving students computational tools that complement experimental chemistry research.
Synthesis equipment: Students can use specialized equipment including peptide synthesizers and gel permeation chromatographs for research involving biomolecules, polymers and related chemical systems.
Thesis research: The M.S. curriculum includes CHEM 8V91 Research in Chemistry and CHEM 8V98 Thesis, with students conducting research under faculty supervision and completing a master's thesis.
NanoTech research: Chemistry participates in the Alan G. MacDiarmid NanoTech Institute, giving chemistry researchers access to modern materials-science instrumentation, including imaging, spectroscopy, thermal/mechanical analysis and materials-growth capabilities.
Cleanroom facilities: Students whose research intersects with nanotechnology and materials chemistry can benefit from the university's Cleanroom Research Laboratory, which provides semiconductor and nanotechnology processing equipment including plasma etching, PECVD, LPCVD, sputtering, evaporation, lithography and surface-analysis tools. Access requires appropriate training and certification.
Interdisciplinary research: The program supports research spanning nanoscience, energy storage, solar cells, sensors, biological NMR, supramolecular chemistry, bionanochemistry, molecular modeling and catalysis, allowing students to connect chemistry with materials science, biology and nanotechnology.
Library and computing resources: Chemistry students can also use university-wide resources including the library, computer center, cleanroom, and machine and electronics shops to support research activities.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Master of Science in Chemistry at UT Dallas is designed to prepare students for positions in industry, further training in related scientific fields, or continued study in chemistry. The program’s broad chemistry foundation and access to research facilities can support careers across chemical, materials, biotechnology and related scientific sectors.

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

Career Services: UT Dallas Career Center supports students with career planning and employer connections, while employers visit campus for career expos, information sessions and interviews; students can also use the university’s career-pathway resources to explore outcomes associated with specific degrees.
Employment statistics: UT Dallas states that its graduates are recruited by employers and provides graduate salary and employment information through the University of Texas System’s SeekUT and Steppingblocks resources; however, a current employment rate specifically for the M.S. in Chemistry is not stated on the official sources reviewed.
Salary information: A current M.S. Chemistry-specific graduate salary figure is not stated in the official UT Dallas sources reviewed. As an example of the university’s current chemistry employment market, a 2026 Research Scientist II position in the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry lists a salary of up to $85,000, although this is an employment posting rather than a graduate-outcomes statistic.
University–industry connections: UT Dallas reports that employers including Texas Instruments, Raytheon, Samsung, Boeing, Apple, Amazon, AT&T and Intel have hired UT Dallas graduates, while employers regularly participate in campus career expos, information sessions and interviews. These are university-wide employer relationships rather than partnerships stated specifically for the M.S. Chemistry program.
Research and industry preparation: The Chemistry and Biochemistry program specifically states that the M.S. prepares students for industry positions and further scientific training, while the department provides equipment and facilities for teaching and research.
Accreditation value: The official UT Dallas catalog states that the undergraduate B.S. in Chemistry has been approved by the American Chemical Society's Committee on Professional Training; the sources reviewed do not state separate ACS certification or accreditation for the M.S. in Chemistry.
Graduation outcomes: UT Dallas reports that graduates pursue employment with major employers as well as further education, and the university provides career and post-graduate outcome resources through its Career Center and institutional reporting systems. A separate current graduation-outcomes percentage specifically for M.S. Chemistry is not stated in the official sources reviewed.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the M.S. in Chemistry, students can continue into doctoral-level study, including the Ph.D. in Chemistry at UT Dallas, which focuses on advanced and interdisciplinary research in areas such as organic and inorganic materials, nanotechnology, biochemistry, chemical biology, biotechnology and polymer chemistry. UT Dallas also states that its M.S. prepares students for further training in chemistry and related scientific fields, making doctoral study a direct academic progression option.