MS in Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Wisconsin Milwaukee

Program Overview

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee is an on-campus graduate program that combines advanced coursework with research, allowing students to specialize in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical chemistry or biochemistry while developing breadth beyond traditional chemistry disciplines. It is well suited to students seeking advanced scientific training for professional chemistry careers or preparation for further doctoral study, with interdisciplinary opportunities through facilities such as the Surface Studies Laboratory and Center for Great Lakes Studies.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build advanced knowledge through graduate-level chemistry courses selected with an academic advisor, with the M.S. requiring at least five 600–899-level courses and a minimum of 30 graduate credits overall. Depending on their specialization, students can take subjects such as CHEM 611G: Physical Inorganic Chemistry, which covers spectroscopy, crystallography and theoretical methods, and CHEM 612G: Transition Metal and Organometallic Chemistry, which examines transition elements and organometallic species.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialization while completing research, seminars and the program's comprehensive requirements. Advanced options include CHEM 781: Pulsed NMR Spectroscopy Theory and Practice, which combines theory with hands-on NMR practice, and CHEM 782: Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Fundamentals and Applications, which provides hands-on experience with LC/MS, LC/MS/MS and ICP-MS; students also undertake research through courses such as CHEM 990–996 Research in organic, chemical education, physical, analytical, inorganic or biochemical chemistry.

Focus areas: Analytical chemistry, organic chemistry, inorganic chemistry, physical chemistry, biochemistry, medicinal chemistry, environmental analysis, organic synthesis, biomolecular structure and function, surface science and interdisciplinary chemistry.

Learning outcomes: Advanced chemical knowledge, specialized research capability, interdisciplinary scientific understanding, practical experience with modern chemical instrumentation, scientific communication through seminars and papers, and the ability to conduct and present graduate-level research.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The official UWM M.S. Chemistry sources do not state a separate professional accreditation or ACS certification for the master's program; therefore, no specific accreditation is claimed here.

Reputation (employability rankings): UWM is classified as an R1 research university, reflecting its highest level of research activity, and the university's Chemistry Department highlights internationally recognized faculty and cutting-edge research spanning chemistry, physics, materials, life sciences and science education. UWM's latest official U.S. News announcement lists several graduate programs among the nation's highly ranked programs, but does not list Chemistry specifically, so no Chemistry-specific U.S. News ranking is stated.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is strongly research-oriented, requiring students to complete at least 6 credits of research and, for the standard thesis option, produce and defend a research thesis. Students can work across analytical, organic, inorganic, physical chemistry and biochemistry, with access to specialized instrumentation, research centers and interdisciplinary facilities that provide practical experience with modern chemical analysis and experimentation.

Research laboratories: Students can undertake research through areas including Environmental Analysis, Physical Chemistry, Organic Synthesis, Biomolecular Structure and Function and Medicinal Chemistry; the department also houses the Milwaukee Institute for Drug Discovery, SE Wisconsin Applied Chemistry Center-of-Excellence and provides interdisciplinary opportunities through the Center for Great Lakes Studies and Surface Studies Laboratory.
NMR instrumentation: The Chemistry NMR laboratory provides access to Bruker Avance Neo 400 MHz and Bruker Avance III HD 500 MHz spectrometers, together with workstations for data processing and analysis. Students can develop practical skills in NMR spectroscopy and chemical data interpretation.
Mass spectrometry: The State-of-the-Art Analytical Instrumentation Laboratory and Research Core (SAILARC) houses nine mass spectrometers, including GC-MS, LC-MS, LC-MS/MS, QTOF, Orbitrap, MALDI and ICP-MS systems. The facility provides hands-on training as well as method development, qualitative and quantitative analysis, high-resolution mass spectrometry and structural elucidation.
Chromatography and spectroscopy: Students have access to analytical instrumentation supporting HPLC, preparative HPLC, FTIR, UV/Vis, ion chromatography and trace-metal analysis, providing practical exposure to compound identification, quantitative analysis and materials characterization.
Physical chemistry tools: The department provides a Mettler-Toledo DSC 3 Differential Scanning Calorimeter with STARe software, supporting thermal analysis and characterization work; training, consultation and instrument assistance are available through the facility.
Graduate research projects: Research courses include CHEM 990 Research: Organic, CHEM 992 Research: Physical, CHEM 993 Research: Analytical, CHEM 994 Research: Inorganic and CHEM 996 Research: Biochemical, allowing students to undertake research aligned with their chosen chemistry area.
Advanced practical courses: The graduate curriculum includes CHEM 563G Physical Chemistry Laboratory, CHEM 603G Introduction to Biochemistry Laboratory, CHEM 781 Pulsed NMR Spectroscopy Theory and Practice, CHEM 782 Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry Fundamentals and Applications and CHEM 798 Scientific Glassblowing, providing direct training in laboratory and analytical techniques.
Internship opportunities: UWM Chemistry maintains employer contacts and can help match students with employers seeking qualified chemistry students; internships may be undertaken during summer or academic semesters, subject to employer availability and requirements. The university also identifies nearby industrial R&D organizations including Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer, Takeda, Sigma-Aldrich, GE Healthcare and Genzyme as part of the region's chemistry employment environment.
Professional development: Graduate students can apply for UWM Graduate School travel awards to present scholarly work at national and international conferences, helping them develop professional networks and contacts for collaborative research, funding and employment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The MS in Chemistry at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee is strongly research-oriented, with specializations in analytical, organic, inorganic, physical chemistry and biochemistry. Graduates can build careers in research, analytical testing, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing and other scientific fields, while the program also provides a pathway toward doctoral-level research.

Typical job roles: Research Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Laboratory Scientist, Pharmaceutical Scientist.

Career services: UWM’s Center for Student Experience and Talent provides graduate career support and conducts a First Destination Survey covering employment, continuing education, employers, locations and earnings; students can also access chemistry-specific research and professional-development opportunities through the department.
Employment statistics & salary: UWM reports that 89% of graduates were working or continuing their education within six months of earning their degree, while the university-wide average graduate salary was $65,301 in its 2023–24 survey; these figures are university-wide rather than specific to MS Chemistry.
Graduate funding: Chemistry graduate students can receive Teaching or Research Assistantships, with 2025–26 TA/RA/fellowship compensation typically totaling $19,500–$22,285 for the nine-month academic year, plus tuition remission, health-insurance benefits and conference travel support.
Industry connections: UWM highlights its proximity to major industrial R&D organizations including Abbott Laboratories, Pfizer, Takeda Global Research and Development Center, Sigma-Aldrich, GE Healthcare, Genzyme and SAFC Pharma, giving chemistry graduates access to a region with substantial pharmaceutical, healthcare and scientific-industry activity.
Research partnerships: The Chemistry and Biochemistry Department emphasizes interdisciplinary research through facilities such as the Laboratory for Surface Studies and the Great Lakes WATER Institute, while also cooperating with Milwaukee’s industrial and scientific community.
Accreditation value: The official UWM sources reviewed do not state a separate professional accreditation or ACS certification for the MS in Chemistry; therefore, no specific master's-level accreditation claim is made here.
Graduation outcomes: The MS requires at least 30 graduate credits, including at least six credits of research, and students normally complete a research thesis and oral defense. Recent UWM graduate outcomes also show a range of employers across healthcare, research, education, manufacturing and other sectors, illustrating the broader employment pathways available to graduate-level students.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the PhD in Chemistry at UWM or pursue doctoral research at another university. UWM states that an MS is not required for admission to its Chemistry PhD, but the MS research experience, advanced coursework and thesis can provide a strong academic foundation for students who choose to pursue doctoral-level research.