MS Chemistry

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Utah State University

Program Overview

The Master of Science in Chemistry at Utah State University provides advanced study and research training in the fundamental and applied principles of chemistry, with a 30-credit curriculum spanning analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. It is suited to students who want to strengthen research expertise and scientific communication while preparing for professional careers in industry, government and education or progressing to doctoral study.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1: Students build advanced expertise within their selected chemistry specialization while completing graduate-level coursework and beginning research under faculty mentorship. Depending on the specialization, coursework can include CHEM 6600: Modern Chemical Analysis, which covers chemical-data methodology, statistical treatment, experimental design, quality control and chemical separations, and CHEM 6500: Reactivity and Mechanisms in Inorganic Chemistry, focused on inorganic reactions and mechanisms involving main-group, transition-metal, bioinorganic and organometallic chemistry.

Year 2: Students deepen their specialist knowledge and complete the research and scholarly requirements of the MS, with the program emphasizing independent investigation, complex-data interpretation and scientific communication. Relevant advanced options include CHEM 6300: Advanced Modern Organic Chemistry, covering molecular structure, reaction mechanisms and physical organic chemistry, and CHEM 6010: Quantum Chemistry, which applies quantum mechanics to chemical problems and examines atoms and molecules.

Focus areas: Analytical chemistry, inorganic chemistry, organic chemistry, physical chemistry, biological chemistry and applied chemical research.

Learning outcomes: Advanced chemical knowledge, quantitative analysis, experimental design, independent research, complex-data interpretation, scientific writing and oral communication.

Professional alignment (accreditation): Utah State University states that its Professional Chemistry BS and Biochemistry BS emphases meet requirements for American Chemical Society certification; the official sources reviewed do not state ACS certification or accreditation specifically for the MS Chemistry program.

Reputation (employability rankings): The official USU sources reviewed do not publish a program-specific QS, Guardian or other employability ranking for the MS Chemistry program. The department does highlight active research, faculty scholarship and graduate preparation across analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The M.S. in Chemistry at Utah State University combines advanced coursework with faculty-mentored research, giving students opportunities to develop practical skills in experimental design, quantitative analysis, instrumentation and scientific communication. The program’s curriculum includes hands-on analytical training in areas such as chromatography, mass spectrometry and practical GC/MS, while the department provides access to specialized research instrumentation including NMR, EPR, GC-MS, LC-MS, HPLC, UV-VIS and electrochemistry equipment. Students can also pursue research in areas aligned with faculty expertise and complete Responsible Conduct of Research training as part of the graduate program.

Practical research opportunities: Students can build applied laboratory and research capabilities through:

Analytical training: The M.S. curriculum specifically includes Analytical Special Topics: Chromatography, Analytical Special Topics: Mass Spectrometry and Analytical Special Topics: Practical GC/MS, providing focused experience with modern analytical techniques.
Instrumental analysis: CHEM 5640: Instrumental Analysis covers atomic and molecular spectroscopy, mass spectrometry and chromatographic methods, connecting chemical theory with practical analytical applications.
NMR & EPR: The Chemistry Instrument Lab houses an 11.7 Tesla Bruker Ascend 500 FT-NMR spectrometer with a 24-sample autosampler and a Bruker X-band EPR spectrometer with cryogenic capabilities for chemistry and materials research.
Mass spectrometry & chromatography: Departmental analytical facilities include a Shimadzu QP5000 GC-MS, Shimadzu 2020 LC-MS, gradient HPLC, UV-VIS and fluorescence detection systems, giving students access to instruments used for chemical characterization and analysis.
Electrochemistry: The analytical laboratory includes an Epsilon electrochemistry workstation, allowing research involving electrochemical measurements and chemical systems.
Biochemical research tools: Shared laboratory equipment includes Bio-Rad MyCycler thermal cyclers, NanoDrop ND-1000 spectrophotometer, ChemiDoc MP Gel Imaging System, analytical ultracentrifuge and Nano ITC 2c isothermal titration calorimeter.
Research projects: Students undertake faculty-mentored scholarly research and develop the ability to conduct independent investigations, interpret complex data and contribute to chemical research.
Research compliance & digital training: Graduate students complete Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR) training, which can be undertaken online through CITI or through Canvas and in-person presentations.
Environmental chemistry research: The Utah Water Research Laboratory provides state-of-the-art analytical instrumentation for water treatment, water quality and contaminant research, with current opportunities specifically inviting M.S. students with interests in environmental chemistry and photochemistry.
Interdisciplinary facilities: The university’s Center for Integrated Biosystems provides access to advanced mass spectrometry, genomics, flow cytometry and bioinformatics capabilities for interdisciplinary research.
Technical support: The Chemistry & Biochemistry Instrumentation Repair Shop supports research equipment including GC-MS, LC-MS, HPLC and UV-VIS systems, helping maintain the department’s analytical research infrastructure.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The M.S. in Chemistry at Utah State University develops advanced scientific expertise and research skills, preparing graduates for professional careers across industry, government, education and research or for doctoral study. The program combines graduate coursework in analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry with independent research, quantitative analysis and scientific communication.

Typical job roles: Research Chemist, Analytical Chemist, Laboratory Scientist, Quality Control Chemist.

Career services: Utah State University’s Career Design Center supports students with career planning and employment preparation, while the Graduate School provides career-development resources and information on opportunities associated with graduate-level qualifications.
Employment statistics & salary: USU’s published Chemistry & Biochemistry first-destination report for 2015–16 recorded 40% employed and 40% continuing education among responding graduates; the same report recorded an average salary of $70,000 for two MS graduates. These figures are historical and based on a very small MS salary sample, so they should not be treated as a current program-wide salary estimate.
Industry connections: The Chemistry & Biochemistry Department highlights continued partnerships with industry and visits to industry facilities to expand students’ understanding of chemistry careers and strengthen professional networks. USU’s published department newsletter also documents a facility visit involving Recursion, a biotechnology company, as part of these industry connections.
Accreditation value: Utah State University has been continuously institutionally accredited by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU) since 1924. USU also lists the American Chemical Society (ACS) among organizations providing discipline-specific accreditation or recognition at the university; the official M.S. Chemistry materials do not state that the M.S. itself carries separate ACS certification.
Graduation outcomes: The program prepares graduates for research and development positions in chemical and materials industries, environmental and regulatory laboratories and other technical chemistry roles, while also supporting progression into PhD study.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates can continue into the PhD in Chemistry at Utah State University, a research-intensive doctorate covering analytical, inorganic, organic and physical chemistry. The doctoral program emphasizes original research, advanced coursework, critical analysis of scientific literature and technical expertise, preparing students for research leadership in academia, national laboratories and industry.